Duff Street United Methodist Church located at 400 Duff Avenue, Clarksburg, WV 26301

2009-01-09T10:13:00.001-05:00

January 4, 2008 - The Wiseman
"Fresh Start"

Matthew 2
Visitors from the East
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men[a] from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose,[b] and we have come to worship him.”
3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
are not least among the ruling cities[c] of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’[d]”
7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”
9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.
A young boy was in his bed for the night when a storm broke and awakened him. He called out to his dad in fear. The father came to the room to calm his son’s fears. “It’s alright, Son,” he said. “God is with you.”

“I know that, Daddy,” said the boy, “but I need somebody with skin.”

Sometimes we just need somebody with skin. That is why God sent himself – ivading our world in human form. The 3 wisemen came to witness this special appearing of God. They found him in a home in Bethlehem.

The three gifts that the wisemen brought were very telling. Gold – the gift of kings and for kings – was first presented to Jesus. Frankincense – a yellow sap which produces a sweet smell when warmed or burn – was presented second. It was used in the temple as part of the holy anointing oil and as part of the incense for the cereal offering. Myrrh – the third and final gift – was used as a deodorant to anoint a dead body.

Do you see the significance? Jesus was treated as King, as Priest, and as Sacrifice. He is the King of all, Our Great and High Priest making intercession for us and He is the one who took our punishment due to sin! The gifts of the wisemen point to His Godhead!

The wisemen were wisdom seekers. They looked for new opportunities afforded in the things right around them. We have a new opportunity each and every new year. Have you made your new years resolutions? The problem with many resolutions are that they are made and not referred to again. A regular review is important. At the same time, it is imperative to pull people in to your circle and ask them to pray for you and to keep you accountable in a supportive and loving way.

I wrote a resolution for each month of the year – 12 in all. I will share them in a moment. But first, let’s get thinking about a fresh start as we hear the words of Leroy Brownlow. He wrote a devotional called “Give Us This Day.” On January 1st we find these resolutions:

…our first resolution is to keep our thoughts working for us. No person is better, bigger or stronger than his or her thoughts. (The battlefield for success or failure is in the mind.)

Second, let us be grateful for the many blessings of last year. We are not worthy of more, if we are ungrateful for what we have. (Remember, if we are not faithful in the little things God will not entrust us with more.)

Third, may we determine to be sympathetic toward all less fortunate persons than ourselves. Having a heart is a big accomplishment.

Fourth, let us resolve to place the best reasonable construction on the words and deeds of others. (Watch what you say.)

Fifth, let us build life on the good foundation of loving God and our fellowman.

Now, as a further spur to get you to think again about fresh starts (God is a God of new beginnings), here are my resolutions for 2009:

1. Read the Bible everyday.
2. Read a devotion everyday.
3. Pray more – worry less.
4. Listen to more praise music.
5. Exercise 3 times a week.
6. Eat better.
7. Watch less TV.
8. Play my guitar more.
9. Begin writing a book.
10. Do something new.
11. Help more around the house.
12. Simply (downsize and organize).

Perhaps these will assist you in forming your own. You may not wish to do 12. The first 3 alone, if done faithfully, would transform a life!

Let us come to holy communion with a renewed interest in giving God more – more of our time, more of our love, more of our life. Amen.

2008-12-23T08:21:00.001-05:00

December 21, 2008
Get Excited: The Story of The Shepherds

Luke 2
THE SHEPHERDS AND ANGELS
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified,10 but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

14 "Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."

15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.18 All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished,19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

A small boy was told he was too young to wear a watch. But he continued to plead for one, until the whole family grew weary of his begging. Finally, his father, after explaining that he could have a watch when he was older, forbade him to mention the subject again.

The next Sunday, the children in the family – as was their custom – repeated Bible verses at the Sunday breakfast table. When it was the boy’s turn, he astonished them with a rendering of Mark 13:37: “What I say unto you, I say unto all: watch!” (Brian Bauknight, Devotions to Leave You Smiling, p. 20.)

The shepherds were keeping watch in the fields near Bethlehem. What was about to happen couldn’t have been imagined in their wildest dreams. Heaven interrupted their same-old-same-old. An angel burst onto the scene! The whole field lit up – bathed in the glory of God.

The shepherds were beside themselves – sheer panic set in. Then the angle spoke, “Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news.” What a way to bring good news. I love God’s way of delivering good news. He got the shepherds attention!

The good news first came to social outcasts - #1 on our outline. The occupation of shepherd was looked down on in Jesus’ day. It was on the low end of the Totem Pole. The work of a shepherd made the shepherd ceremonially unclean. In addition, shepherds were considered by many to be untrustworthy. And yet God interrupted earth’s busy schedule by appearing first to the shepherds – the least among humanity. What would lead God to do that? God was blowing away our preconceived notions about status and privilege. The good news came first to the undeserving and the under-privileged. God turned our elitist views on their ears. The savior who was coming was for all people – even the least of those among us!

The angels gave the shepherds a clue – a sign; when they find a baby lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes – little wraps of cloth – they will have found God’s chosen. Just then, a great army of angels joined the one angel, composing a tremendous heavenly choir. They began to praise God.

The shepherds watched the angels return to heaven. What a sight that must have been. When the light dimmed, the shepherds spared no time racing into Bethlehem to see the very thing that the angels had announced. They found Christ just as the angels had said. The shepherds were on the go again – not back to the fields – but to the homes and along the byways of Bethlehem.

This leads us to #2 on our outline: The good news is meant to be shared. The shepherds instinctively knew that they must tell someone. As a matter of a fact, the shepherds told everyone that they had come across about what had happened in the field and the special reason that the child had come. The shepherds must have been bursting at the seams to share this good news. Nothing had ever happened like it before. They were full of joy. It oozed right out of them. No doubt the look on their face alone must have given away the notion that something incredible had happened. These shepherds were the first evangelists – the first heralds of the good news.

In both the Old and New Testaments, shepherds symbolize those who take care of God’s people. This news – no ordinary news – would make a huge impact upon the outlook of all the residents of the Holy Land. The Jewish people were an occupied people. A foreign army was in charge. Life was at times very brutal. Hope was coming. It would make their day!

The shepherds of Luke 2 just might symbolize all the ordinary, everyday people who joyfully receive the good news and, as a result, become lay-pastors. They gained an appetite to take care of the spiritual needs of God’s people! And it worked! Let’s take a look at #3 of our outline: The good news produces results.

All who heard the shepherd’s story were astonished. Just as the shepherds were taken by surprise by the angels, the townspeople were taken by surprise by the shepherds. Wonder and amazement filled the village. People who were sleeping were woken up. Those at work left their post. The sick and the hurting found something to look forward to beside their painful circumstances. The whole town was a buzz!

Not only did the sharing of the good news astonish those who heard, it also did something for the shepherds who shared. The shepherds finally told everyone that they could and then went back to their flocks. But they were different. The sharing of the good news changed them. They went back to the fields glorifying and praising God. Even their lowly work would never feel the same again. The sharing of the news elevated them to a new spiritual level.

The reason for existence is to make a difference. When you see the effect, it creates praise and glory. Excitement is stirred. The beauty of such behavior gives wings to the work of ministry.

“How can I ever repay you?” asked a friend of a friend who had done him a great favor. “I shall forever be indebted to you for your kindness.” “Not necessarily,” answered the friend. “If you really want to repay me, keep your eye open for somebody who needs help as badly as you did, help him, and tell him what I told you: ‘I did it on behalf of Christ my Savior.’ If you are willing to do this, I shall be fully repaid for I shall enjoy the warm feeling that someday – through you – I shall have helped a fellow I didn’t even know.” (adapted from James Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited, p. 178)

What do we, who are so far removed from this original story, do to get excited? Is it possible? Yes. We must hear the stories of how the good news is making a difference. And we must pray for the ability to share the good news, too. It is in the hearing and in the sharing that excitement builds.

Secondly, what do we do to maintain the excitement? A quick suggestion: we must sow, grow and go! We must be placed in fertile soil. We must sow deep into the word of God where we learn all about the good news – like Elijah who prayed down fire to burn up wood doused in water, like Joshua who marched Israel around Jericho and brought the walls down, like Mary Magdalene who found forgiveness at Jesus’ feet, like Peter whose shadow healed a sick man – all episodes recorded in the Bible. Then we must grow spiritually by making sure that we are Christ’s and that we nurture that relationship by having a regular conversation with him through prayer and worship. Finally, we must go – asking God to open the door in sharing the good news of what Christ has done and is doing. We have something that the shepherds did not have – the very presence of the Holy Spirit living inside of us. The saved are plugged in to the power of heaven!

Lost on a back road in Alabama, a motorist asked the way to Montgomery. An old farmer sitting on the fence looked down the road, scratched his head, and gave explicit instructions. Half an hour later, after carefully following the farmer’s directions, the motorist found himself back at the starting point. The farmer was still sitting on the fence in placid contemplation of the landscape.

“Hey, what’s the idea?” the motorist demanded. “I did just what you told me, and look where I a wound up!” “Well, young feller,” the farmer explained, “I didn’t aim to waste my time telling you how to get to Montgomery until I found out if you could follow simple directions.” (Brian Bauknight, Devotions to Leave You Smiling, p. 15.)

It just may be that God won’t disclose more until we learn to follow His simple directions. When we show Him we are capable of carrying out the little things, He will give us so much more!

2008-12-20T18:44:00.002-05:00

December 14, 2008 Advent
Doing the Right Thing

Matthew 1
THE BIRTH OF JESUS THE MESSIAH
18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement* quietly.
20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus,* for he will save his people from their sins."
22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet:

23 "Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,*
which means 'God is with us.'"

24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus

There is a beautiful chorus from a song by Christ Tomlin called Jesus Messiah:

Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all

Take a look at number one on our outline:

1. Jesus is Messiah; Messiah means: anointed or chosen

Jesus is Messiah. He was anointed or chosen. To do what? To save us!

Let me tell you a story. In a remote village stood a beautiful church. It was so beautiful, in fact, that it was known as the Mountain Valley Cathedral. The church was not only beautiful to look at – with its high pillars and magnificent stained glass windows – but it had the most beautiful pipe organ in the whole area. People would come from miles away – even from far off lands – to hear the lovely tones of this organ.

But there was a problem. The columns were still there – the windows still dazzled with the sunlight – but there was an eerie silence. The valley no longer echoed the glorious, fine-tuned music of the pipe organ.

Something had gone wrong with the pipe organ. Musicians and experts from around the world had tried to repair it. Every time a new person would try to fix it the villagers were subjected to sounds of disharmony – awful, penetrating noises which polluted the air.

One day an old man appeared at the church door. He spoke with the pastor and after a time the pastor reluctantly agreed to let the old man try his hand at repairing the organ. For two days the old man worked in almost total silence. The pastor was, in fact, getting a bit nervous. Then on the third day – at high noon – the valley was once again filled with glorious music. Farmers dropped their plows, merchants closed their stores – everyone in town stopped what they were doing and headed for the church. Even the bushes and trees of the mountaintops seemed to respond as the glorious music echoed from ridge to ridge.

After the old man finished his playing, a brave soul asked him how he could have fixed the organ, how could he restore this magnificent instrument when even the world’s experts could not. The old man merely said it was an inside job. “It was I who built the organ 50 years ago,” he said, “I created it – and now I have restored it.”

That is what God is like. It is He who created the universe, and it is He who can, and will, and is in the process of restoring it. God’s perfect plan was an inside job. He came and lived inside a man named Jesus Christ – God’s son. It was God’s perfect plan to live with us and to die for us. So, even though the world is not so perfect, and even though we aren’t so perfect, God is still perfect in doing His work of salvation. If we believe in Jesus and follow his teachings in the Bible, we will be saved. And someday, he will give us a new heaven, a new earth, and a new body – all will be perfect again.
Let’s take a look at the second point on our outline.

2. Joseph was a good man because:

a. He was willing to put his own interests last

Let’s put this in perspective. It was a terrible disgrace in this day to be pregnant out of marital union. Remember, the Jewish folk of this time were given to one another but not officially married until the wedding ceremony, which lasted a week. Mary and Joseph did not yet have their ceremony. A pregnant Mary would have been a very big problem. Either Mary committed a type of adultery or he and Mary had sexual relations before they were supposed to. Either situation was disgraceful and by the letter of the law was punishable by death.

A lot of people don’t mind making others look bad in order to save their own reputations. In that day, it is probable that most men would have implicated their fiancé and very publicly broken off the engagement. But Joseph was not willing to protect his own interests at the expense of Mary. He wanted to quietly break it off – no public announcement denouncing her.

In his dream, he discovered the will of God – he was to keep Mary as his wife. Such a move was actually an implication that he was the father. If folks noticed the pregnancy, everyone would have assumed that he could not control himself. The risk was now much larger. But Joseph, a godly man, was willing to take the risk rather than disobey God. So Joseph put his very reputation on the line. He put himself last at a great cost to his own status.

Richard Baxter was a minister in the Church of England in the 18th century. He wrote these words:

Lord, it belongs not to my care
Whether I die or live;
To love and serve Thee is my share,
And this Thy grace must give.
If life be long I will be glad,
That I may long obey;
If short--yet why should I be sad
To soar to endless day?
Christ leads me through no darker rooms
Than he went through before;
He that to God's Kingdom comes,
Must enter by this door. Richard Baxter

Richard himself faced much persecution, but he was willing to do so for the Mater’s sake. So was Joseph. This passage does not record any words spoken by Joseph. But this passage shows that Joseph did the right thing.

Andrew Murray was a pastor in South Africa during the 19th century. He wrote these telling words about humility:

Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is for me to have no trouble; never to be fretted or vexed or irritated or sore or disappointed. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret and be at peace as in a deep sea of calmness when all around is trouble. It is the fruit of the Lord Jesus Christ's redemptive work on Calvary's cross, manifested in those of His own who are definitely subject to the Holy Spirit. Andrew Murray

Joseph was also a good man because

b. He took his time with big decisions.

The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn. David Russell.

Joseph had a great idea. He slept on it. This is good advice to all of us! When we are facing big decisions, don’t be too rash. Sleep on it. This slowing down made time for the Holy Spirit to penetrate Joseph’s heart. The Holy Spirit spoke to Joseph. When you know God is calling you to do something, you can go forward, for all the power of heaven is behind you. Take your time, but don’t take too much time.

Former president Ronald Reagan once had an aunt who took him to a cobbler for a pair of new shoes. The cobbler asked young Reagan, "Do you want square toes or round toes?" Unable to decide, Reagan didn't answer, so the cobbler gave him a few days. Several days later the cobbler saw Reagan on the street and asked him again what kind of toes he wanted on his shoes. Reagan still couldn't decide, so the shoemaker replied, "Well, come by in a couple of days. Your shoes will be ready." When the future president did so, he found one square-toed and one round-toed shoe! "This will teach you to never let people make decisions for you," the cobbler said to his indecisive customer. "I learned right then and there," Reagan said later, "if you don't make your own decisions, someone else will." Today in the Word, MBI, August, 1991, p. 16.

Prayerfully consider what God wants you to do! Take some time – not forever – some time. Read scripture. Talk to others (God speaks through other people, too). Pray some more, and then do what you feel God is leading you to do.
Last, on our outline, Joseph was a good man because:

c. He obeyed the will of God.

Peter T. Forsythe was right when he said, "The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master". Warren W. Wiersbe, The Integrity Crisis, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991, p. 22

Roger Staubach who led the Dallas Cowboys to the World Championship in '71 admitted that his position as a quarterback who didn't call his own signals was a source of trial for him. Coach Landry sent in every play. He told Roger when to pass, when to run and only in emergency situations could he change the play (and he had better be right!). Even though Roger considered coach Landry to have a "genius mind" when it came to football strategy, pride said that he should be able to run his own team.
Roger later said, "I faced up to the issue of obedience. Once I learned to obey there was harmony, fulfillment, and victory." Source Unknown.

Imagine, if you will, that you work for a company whose president found it necessary to travel out of the country and spend an extended period of time abroad. So he says to you and the other trusted employees, "Look, I'm going to leave. And while I'm gone, I want you to pay close attention to the business. You manage things while I'm away. I will write you regularly. When I do, I will instruct you in what you should do from now until I return from this trip." Everyone agrees.

He leaves and stays gone for a couple of years. During that time he writes often, communicating his desires and concerns. Finally he returns. He walks up to the front door of the company and immediately discovers everything is in a mess--weeds flourishing in the flower beds, windows broken across the front of the building, the gal at the front desk dozing, loud music roaring from several offices, two or three people engaged in horseplay in the back room. Instead of making a profit, the business has suffered a great loss. Without hesitation he calls everyone together and with a frown asks, "What happened? Didn't you get my letters?"
You say, "Oh, yeah, sure. We got all your letters. We've even bound them in a book. And some of us have memorized them. In fact, we have 'letter study' every Sunday. You know, those were really great letters." I think the president would then ask, "But what did you do about my instructions?" And, no doubt the employees would respond, "Do? Well, nothing. But we read every one!" Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, p. 242.

One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it. Chambers, Our Daily Bread, March 4, 1993.

2008-12-20T18:27:00.003-05:00

December 7, 2008 -- Advent
PAYING ATTENTION

Little Ole was sitting at the kitchen table doing his school homework. He had a puzzled look on his face as he considered the assignment that was due--writing an essay about his origin. He turned to question his mother. "Mama, where did Grandma come from?" he asked.
"The stork brought her," answered mama Lena.
"And where did you come from?" asked Little Ole.
"The stork brought me," his mother answered.
"And where did I come from?" Little Ole inquired. "Well, son, the stork brought you, too," mama Lena replied.
With a scowl on his face, Little Ole picked up his pencil, turned to his school tablet, and began writing his essay: "There have been no natural births in our family for three generations."

Speaking of unnatural births, we are going to take a close look at the most unnatural, most amazing birth of all time. The announcement was made by an angel:
Luke 1:26-56
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee,27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!*"
29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.30 "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God!31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.33 And he will reign over Israel* forever; his Kingdom will never end!"
34 Mary asked the angel, "But how can this happen? I am a virgin."
35 The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.36 What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month.37 For nothing is impossible with God.*"
38 Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." And then the angel left her.
39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth.41 At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said."
46 Mary responded,

"Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
54 He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever."

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.

This passage of scripture leads me to ask 3 questions. I’ll call them the questions of Christmas.
1. Are there really angels? If so, what is their role?
The Bible is full of angels. Angel or angels are mentioned 304 times!
We don't know whether every angel carries out the same tasks, or whether some of them specialize in certain areas. The Bible does speak about classes of angelic beings like cherubim (Ezekiel 1) and seraphim (Isaiah 6). We also know the names of two notable angels: Michael (Daniel 10:13; Jude 9) and Gabriel (Daniel 9:21; Luke 1:19,26).
The unnamed angels who appear most often in Scripture carry out a variety of tasks—all designed to serve God…
 Worship and praise - This is the main activity portrayed in heaven (Isaiah 6:1-3; Revelation 4-5).

 Revealing - They serve as messengers to communicate God's will to men. They helped reveal the law to Moses (Acts 7:52-53), and served as the carriers of much of the material in Daniel, and Revelation.

 Guiding - Angels gave instructions to Joseph about the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1-2), to the women at the tomb, to Philip (Acts 8:26), and to Cornelius (Acts 10:1-8).

 Providing - God has used angels to provide physical needs such as food for Hagar (Genesis 21:17-20), Elijah (1 Kings 19:6), and Christ after His temptation (Matthew 4:11).
 Protecting - Keeping God's people out of physical danger, as in the cases of Daniel and the lions, and his three friends in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3 and 6).
 Delivering - Getting God's people out of danger once they're in it. Angels released the apostles from prison in Acts 5, and repeated the process for Peter in Acts 12.
 Strengthening and encouraging - Angels strengthened Jesus after His temptation (Matt 4:11), encouraged the apostles to keep preaching after releasing them from prison (Acts 5:19-20), and told Paul that everyone on his ship would survive the impending shipwreck (Acts 27:23-25).
 Answering prayer - God often uses angels as His means of answering the prayers of His people (Daniel 9:20-24; 10:10-12; Acts 12:1-17).
 Caring for believers at the moment of death - In the story of Lazarus and the rich man, we read that angels carried the spirit of Lazarus to “Abraham's bosom” when he died (Luke 16:22). Author: Dr. John Bechtle.

The book of Hebrews mentions that angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). They are not meant to be prayed to or worshiped. Any time that worship is even remotely attempted, angels are the first to dispel such notions. They draw glory to God – never to self.

Angelic activity is not reserved just for Bible times. There is story after story - throughout history - right up to the present of people experiencing angelic visitations – here in the US and around the world. Like the doctor in Philadelphia who was awakened by a persistent knock at the door in the middle of the night to help a lady in desperate need. The child that came to get him was most convincing. He dressed, followed her, and found the lady in her home desperately sick with pneumonia. The Dr. assumed that the child was the sick lady’s daughter and complimented her on her daughter’s courage. The problem was, the sick lady did not have a daughter! The girl was not ever seen again (Hewett).

Then there was John Paton, a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on burning out the Patons and killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see their attackers leave. A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ. Remembering what had happened, Paton asked the chief what had kept him from burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise, "Who were all those men with you there?" Paton knew no men were present--but the chief said he was afraid to attack because he had seen hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords circling the mission station. Today in the Word, MBI, October, 1991, p. 18.
How about the pastor who was in Mexico on a preaching mission? While he was returning, his van developed mechanical problems. After jacking up the van, the pastor crawled underneath to check out the problem. The jack collapsed, and suddenly the pastor was struggling for his life. His traveling companions quickly grabbed the bumper to lift the van. They couldn’t even budge it. The pastor cried out, “Jesus, Jesus.” Within a few seconds, a young looking Mexican came running toward them. He was thin and small in stature. He was smiling. When he reached the van, he grabbed the van and lifted it. The others joined in, and the van lifted like a feather. The pastor was freed. The visitor lowered the van, waved to them and ran off in the direction from which he had come. Know one knew who eh was or where he had come from (Hewett).

I am certain that some of you may have had such a visitation – maybe so amazing that you have not told a soul. The only way that your story makes since is from the perspective of an angelic presence.

This leads me to ask a second question; it comes right out of this passage.
2. Does God play favorites?
Look at what the Gabriel said to Mary: “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” It would seem that Mary was shown favoritism.

A similar construction of words is used in Ephesians 1:6 – the only other place in the New Testament where the same verb is used. The grace in view here is clearly bestowed upon all believers without any merit of their own. So, God has shown His favor upon Mary and all who call upon God as their savior.

What about those who are sick and no one comes to their rescue? What about those who are threatened and not protected? What about those who are stuck and not freed? Is this fare? Let’s take this apart for a moment. First, there are many, many times that we have been rescued, protected and freed – we just were not aware of it at the time. One of the great events in heaven will be the many angelic conversations that point out the activity of an angel totally unaware to us at the time. God has interceded again and again and again.

Also, there are many, many times, that some of the great Christians arrived at the end of their earthly lives too early – people like songwriter and singer Keith Green who died in a plane crash at age 29 or missionary Jim Elliott who died at the hands of the Waodani tribesmen he was trying to reach for Christ – he was 28,

At the same time, God directs many lives to a different path – sometimes full of suffering – yet always to achieve a greater purpose – folks like Joni Erickson Tada - who at the age of 18 dived into a swimming pool and broke he neck – making her a quadriplegic. That was 41 years ago. Since then, she has authored over 30 books, traveled to 41 countries, recorded several music projects including 2 critically acclaimed albums and ministers to the disabled through her daily radio show “Joni and Friends.” Oh, did I mention that she is an accomplished painter? She paints while holding her paintbrush with her teeth.

Each of these examples mirrors the example of Mary, who said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be as you have said.”

This leads me to the last question of Christmas:
3. How did Mary respond in such a manner to Gabriel?
Mary in essence said, “Not my will by Thy will be done.” Sound familiar? Her Holy Spirit offspring would use the same words in the Garden of Gethsemane. Mary could have been more wrapped up in her plight. She could have said, “No – not me. I don’t want the shame of being an unwed mother. Besides, I’ll lose my Joseph.”

Instead, she faced certain shame and submitted to her God. We only need to look at the song that she wrote, called the Magnificat, to see where this character was formed. In her song of praise she cited 12 different Old Testament passages. This is evidence of her deep religious roots. She knew her Bible. It was her source of strength. She met her God there. That strength would surface at just the right time! Her song of praise also shows that she understood her role in the birth of God’s son. Her faith caused her to look ahead to the great plan of God. This plan took precedence over her own plan.

One more question: there is a song that asks, “How can we further His kingdom when we are so wrapped up in ours?” This is a question for each and every one of us to answer. When things don’t go our way – when we are taken advantage of – when we are made to suffer – when we are angry and impatient – we take away from furthering the kingdom of God. One only needs to look at society to see what we have become. How sad that someone would be trampled during the Christmas season just to get into the store before others. If that is not a sign of our self-centeredness, I’m not sure what is.
But there is good news: 30 "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God!31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.33 And he will reign over Israel* forever; his Kingdom will never end!"

The Son of God to be born from Mary was the perfect antidote to a world in chaos. Jesus’ surrogate father, Joseph, was from the line of King David. Jesus’ earthly mother was also from the line of Joseph but also connected to the line of Levi, from whom the priests are chosen. He would be a Priest King. This is just what we needed – one who can minister to us as priest and lead us as our King. God is so amazing!

This passage of scripture has one central theme: God’s salvation! The name Jesus means “Saves.” This salvation was achieved by the Holy Spirit. If God is God, a virgin birth is not only possible but absolutely necessary. The Creator can create life any way He chooses. It was the only way that God could walk among us – born of a woman yet God - experiencing life as we do yet without sin! That makes him the perfect sacrifice for sin. God is so incredible. Pay attention to this great love that Gabriel announced. It has changed countless lives. Has it changed yours?

Ken Ramsey shared this story from his childhood with his pastor’s recently: I shouldn’t have been playing ball in the house, but I was. One wrong bounce and it crashed into a decorative statue that my mom had received as a gift. She loved that little figurine. It occupied a prominent place on her dresser and now it occupied a prominent place on the floor - broken. Mom was due home shortly and it was decision time for her kid. I tried some super glue, but it just looked worse. I felt sick. I knew how much she prized that little statue. She would be really upset. The moment of truth arrived as she returned home. By this time I had worked up a really good knot in my stomach. I led her into the room and showed her the damage. When I saw the look on her face, I broke into tears. I couldn’t even verbalize an apology. The next thing I know, she is holding me. The comfort of her hug enfolded me. I dried the tears and said, “I’m so sorry mom, I know how much you loved it. It can’t be fixed. I tried.” “Yes” she said, “I love it a lot, but remember, son, I love you a whole lot more.” She could have pointed out my failure, my brokenness or my stupidity. She could have elaborated on how much I had messed up. But she didn’t. She chose to love. On that day (and many others I might add) my mom was wearing God goggles. She saw me through the eyes of love. Love can make all the difference in the world, if we choose it. I don’t know what happened to that broken statue. But I do know what happened to that broken boy. He was healed by love.

Love is the difference. Mary proved it. Jesus proved it. God proved it! Has such a love made a difference in you?

2008-10-23T20:26:00.002-05:00

October 12 & 19, 2008
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR TODAY – PART 1
Exodus 20 (The Message)
1-2 GOD spoke all these words: I am GOD, your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
out of a life of slavery.
3 No other gods, only me.
4-6 No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don't bow down to them and don't serve them because I am GOD, your God, and I'm a most jealous God, punishing the children for any sins their parents pass on to them to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation of those who hate me. But I'm unswervingly loyal to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments.
7 No using the name of GOD, your God, in curses or silly banter; GOD won't put up with the irreverent use of his name.
8-11 Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to GOD, your God. Don't do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your town. For in six days GOD made Heaven, Earth, and sea, and everything in them; he rested on the seventh day. Therefore GOD blessed the Sabbath day; he set it apart as a holy day.
12 Honor your father and mother so that you'll live a long time in the land that God, your God, is giving you.
13 No murder.
14 No adultery.
15 No stealing.
16 No lies about your neighbor.
17 No lusting after your neighbor's house—or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that is your neighbor's.

If College Students Wrote the Bible:
The Last Supper would have been eaten the next morning -- cold.
Forbidden fruit would have been eaten because it wasn't cafeteria food.
Paul's letter to the Romans would become Paul's email to abuse@romans.gov.
Reason Cain killed Abel: they were roommates.
Reason why Moses and followers walked in the desert for 40 years: they didn't want to ask directions and look like freshmen.
Instead of God creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh, he would have put it off until the night before to get it done.
The Ten Commandments would actually be only five -- double-spaced and written in a large font (A personal “thank you” to Jim Crim for these!).

We are going to dig into 4 commandments today – the first 4 – as these commandments address a personal relationship with God. Next week we will look at the last 6 commandments. The last 6 commandments address a relationship with others.

Commandments Addressing Relationship with God
• No other gods
• No idols
• God's name
• Keep Sabbath holy

Commandments Addressing Relationship with Others
• Honor parents
• Do not murder
• Do not commit adultery
• Do not steal
• Do not give false testimony
• Do not covet

It is really interesting that Jesus, when questioned about which commandment was the greatest, summed up the commandments in like fashion:
“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and most important command.

And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’
All the law and the writings of the prophets depend on these two commands.” (Matthew 22:34-40) NCV

The Ten Commandments address a relationship with God and a relationship with others.
I ask you, is there any greater quest than the pursuit of a relationship with God?
When Scottish theologian John Baillie taught at Edinburgh University, he made it a practice to open his course on the doctrine of God with these words: "We must remember, in discussing God, that we cannot talk about Him without His hearing every word we say. We may be able to talk about others behind their backs, but God is everywhere, yes, even in this classroom. Therefore, in all our discussions we must be aware of His infinite presence, and talk about Him, as it were, before His face." Unknown.

Such thinking is in keeping with the first commandment: No gods beside me! God is numero uno – the one and only. The first commandment sets God up as the number one relationship to nurture. God first – this is commandment number one. There is no better place – no other place to begin.

H.G. Wells was never particularly religious, but after he had studied the history of the human race and had observed human life, he came to an interesting conclusion: "Religion is the first thing and the last thing, and until a man has found God and been found by God, he begins at no beginning, he works to no end. He may have his friendships, his partial loyalties, his scraps of honor. But all these things fall into place and life falls into place only with God." Unknown.

There are many things that we can explore in place of God. Commandment number one bids us to recognize that God is and that God deserves to be in first place in our lives.

Commandment number two is closely related: make no idols/have no idols. Worship nothing besides God. Place no one or no thing in the place of God as our object of devotion. Idols take many forms. We can idolize people to the exclusion of God – even Christian people. We can idolize things to the exclusion of God – things from money to material. We can idolize ourselves. These will never cut it as a lasting source of peace and strength.

Commandment number 3 is placed perfectly here. God first. Worship no other. Don’t misuse God’s name. The ancient Jew had an utter respect for the name of God. They had such a respect for it that they did not pronounce the name that God used to introduce himself to Moses: Yahweh. They wouldn’t say it. They would get to it and call it “the name.” There is a reverence and an honor there that goes beyond what most of us are use to. Maybe it is a bit much, but they knew that invoking the personal name of God was major business. We must always speak about God in terms of respect and honor. So many times we are capable of using His name vainly – without thought or coarse talk and even in anger. Someone so great deserves our greatest respect.

Finally, we arrive to the fourth commandment and the last commandment in the category of a relationship with God: remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. What is the Sabbath? It is the 7th and last day of the week. For the children of God, this was Saturday. It marked the day of rest after God spent 6 days creating the universe. It was meant to be a day of reflection upon the creative power of God. It was meant to be a day of rest – a stepping away of the busyness of life. On the Sabbath, the created rest in the sweet stillness of the creator’s spiritual embrace.

The early Christians moved the Jewish Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday because Sunday was the day of resurrection – the day that God completed his saving work. The question is, do we observe a Sabbath today? The issue is not so much of it should be Saturday or Sunday. The issue is – is it observed at all? If not, why not? And if we should, why?

Many of you remember the blue laws, right? Businesses by and large were closed on Sundays. Sunday was observed in our culture at one time as a day of rest. Culture no longer honors it. Christians, too, rarely honor it. In some cases, it does not even seem practical, because many people have to work on Sundays.

So, is this commandment irrelevant today? If this one is irrelevant, perhaps others are irrelevant, too. Well, let me approach it this way. The church used to persuade culture what to do. Many of you remember a time when sports never dared to interfere with Sunday services. Not true today. Now, culture persuades the church. If we could recover a sense of the Sabbath in Christian circles, where possible, imagine the profound change that would take place in our society. If we could somehow take Sunday and truly treat it as a holy retreat, WOW, we would move closer to God and greatly impact the businesses that are active on Sunday. By the way, Chick-fil-a is not open on Sundays. Never has been, and as along as Dan Cathy is the president of the company, it won’t be. Chik-fil-a’s founder Truett Cathy believed that God would bless Chik-fil-a so much that it would more than make up for the loss of business Sunday during the regular work week.

That is bold living – great faithfulness – counter-cultural stuff here. Imagine if we have a day to bath in the rest of God through personal reflection, Bible study, prayer, family gatherings, worship and discussion. Man, it would recharge us.
But Brian, is this practical. My family would never go for it. I have to work. I have to catch up on all the stuff I did not do during the week. My kids have games! I know. I’m right there living in the same circumstances. Let me suggest that everybody needs a Sabbath – and if it is not Sunday, it ought to be a day of the week. It might take massive change, but everyone deserves a day off for the sake of body and soul. Maybe, maybe it has to start as a block of time on Friday night, or Saturday morning or Sunday evening when the family knows that you are into personal time with God. Ya, that might be radical, but sometimes pursuing a relationship takes radical change. And if God is the greatest relationship to be pursued, then I would offer it is worth everything.

The 10 commandments were the forerunners to showing humanity that it had a need for God. It showed that without God, humanity was doomed to whittle away in sin and rebellion. AS a matter of a fact, the 10 commandments are effective in proving that all sin because no one keeps the commandments perfectly. That is why Christ was needed. He is the utter fulfillment of the first 4 commandments, as his death and resurrection opened the door fully to that personal relationship with God. God provided the help that we needed in Christ. His forgiveness covers our law breaking and helps us to live to please God. God had this in mind from the beginning. We got to see the full plan.

Do you know God through Christ? We talk about it all the time in church. The danger is that sometimes we become to familiar with that message and it puts a glaze in our eyes and a yawn on our face. We almost need an electric paddle to shock us awake.

God has given us that wake up call today. The 10 commandments provide that measuring stick to check out your walk. How are you doing? Is God first. Is there something that you have placed above God? Have you misused the name of God? Have you carved out some time for you and God to get to know each other better. These are the messages of the 4 four commandments – relevant 3 millennia ago – relevant today. Amen.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR TODAY – PART 2
If you think your family has problems, consider the marriage mayhem created when 76-year-old Bill Baker of London recently wed Edna Harvey. She happened to be his granddaughter's husband's mother. That's where the confusion began, according to Baker's granddaughter, Lynn.

"My mother-in-law is now my step-grandmother. My grandfather is now my stepfather-in-law. My mom is my sister-in-law and my brother is my nephew. But even crazier is that I'm now married to my uncle and my own children are my cousins." Campus Life, March, 1981, p. 31.

Human relationships are fraught with confusion and misunderstanding. Sometimes such trouble leads to terrible conflicts – even war.
The Carnegie Technological Institute has stated that 90% of all people who fail in their life's vocation fail because they cannot get along with people. Lloyd Perry, Getting the Church on Target, Moody, 1977.

Perhaps these “Ten Commandments of Human Relations” might help lower this statistic:
1. Speak to people. There is nothing as nice as a cheerful word of greeting.
2. Smile at people. It takes seventy-two muscles to frown, only fourteen to smile.
3. Call people by name. Music to anyone's ears is the sound of his/her own name.
4. Be friendly and helpful.
5. Be cordial. Speak and act as if everything you do is genuinely a pleasure, and if it isn't, learn to make it so.
6. Be genuinely interested in people. You can like almost everybody if you try.
7. Be generous with praise, cautious with criticism.
8. Be considerate with the feelings of others. There are usually three sides to a controversy: yours, the other fellow's, and the right one.
9. Be alert to serve. What counts most in life is what we do for others.
10. Add to this a good sense of humor, a big dose of patience, and a dash of humility, and you will be rewarded manifold through life. Adapted from the Bible Tract Bulletin.

Last week we discussed the first 4 commandments which address a personal relationship with God_______. The last 6 commandments address a personal relationship with others__________. This will be our focus today.
5 NOs:
No murder
Thou shalt not kill – Hebrew has 7 words for killing; if any of the 7 could mean premeditated murder, this is the word. Deliberate and intentional violence is definitely present in this verb. It is important to realize that this “shalt not” does not apply to hunting, defending one’s home from attack, accidental deaths, capital execution and war. It does apply to self-murder or suicide, all accessories to murder and to those who have the authority but fail to use their authority to punish known murderers.

No adultery
Adultery is straight forward; it applies to men and women. To intrude on another person’s spouse, even if the affection is returned, is a violation of a sacred trust. It is perhaps the ultimate in deception. It cuts to the soul. It dishonors the covenant of love.

No stealing
Originally this commandment was directed toward kidnapping. This prohibition recognizes that God owns all things, so it is up to God to give material or to take it away. When we usurp God’s role and take something for ourselves that does not belong to us or that we have no right to, we steal from God and violate our relationship with our neighbor. Jesus made it clear that all are our neighbors.

No lying
Truth telling is the very nature of the creator. God’s word is truth. When we lie, we put ourselves at odds with God, whose character is truthfulness. This applies to trials and to everyday relationships.

No coveting/lusting
The root meaning of this word is to desire earnestly or to long after. It is sin to yearn for something or someone that belongs to someone else. It is an emotional robbery. It is a selfish state.

1 DO:
Honor your mother and your father
My Dad’s Uncle Don passed away a couple of weeks ago. He was my Dad’s favorite Uncle. They both shared the same sense of humor. My Dad’s Aunt Jane told Susan and I that she knew Uncle Don would make a good husband because she watched the way he treated his mother. He took great care of her. He honored his mother..
Parents are to be revered, respected and honored in the Lord, but at no time is their word to rival or substitute for the word of God. God always comes first (see the 1st commandment!).

Remember that God gave us these commandments as boundaries. He showed us what he expected. It was a loving heart that shared them. And while there are consequences to breaking them, God’s love still reaches out to soothe the repentant heart.
As we think about these commandments in terms of our relationship with God and our relationships with others, lets think about these important words:
The SIX most important words:
"I admit I made a mistake."

The FIVE most important words:
"You did a good job."

The FOUR most important words:
"What do you think?"

The THREE most important words:
"After you please."

The TWO most important words:
"Thank you."

The ONE most important word:
"We"

The LEAST important word:
"I" Source Unknown.

When “I” is the focus, the ten commandments become a blur. When “I” is center stage, the ten commandments are broken. An exchange of “Him” for “I” and “We” for “I” goes a long way in keeping the 10 commandments, pleasing God, others, and even self. They become guidelines, a roadmap, if you will, of living out the Christian life. And remember, the Christian life is a life given to Jesus, in hopes of pleasing him and reuniting in heaven above. Amen.

2008-09-22T19:28:00.002-05:00

September 21, 2008 -- "Complaining"

(Exo 16:1 NIV) The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt.

(Exo 16:2 NIV) In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.

(Exo 16:3 NIV) The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death."

(Exo 16:4 NIV) Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.

(Exo 16:5 NIV) On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days."

(Exo 16:6 NIV) So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, "In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt,

(Exo 16:7 NIV) and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?"

(Exo 16:8 NIV) Moses also said, "You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD."

(Exo 16:9 NIV) Then Moses told Aaron, "Say to the entire Israelite community, 'Come before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.'"

(Exo 16:10 NIV) While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.

(Exo 16:11 NIV) The LORD said to Moses,

(Exo 16:12 NIV) "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'"

(Exo 16:13 NIV) That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

(Exo 16:14 NIV) When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor.

(Exo 16:15 NIV) When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.

First Service Intro:
A guide at Blarney Castle in Ireland was explaining to some visitors that his job was not always as pleasant as it seemed. He told them about a group of disgruntled tourists he had taken to the castle earlier in the week.
"These people were complaining about everything," he said. "They didn't like the weather, the food, their hotel accommodations, the prices, everything. Then to top it off, when we arrived at the castle, we found that the area around the Blarney Stone was roped off. Workmen were making some kind of repairs." "This is the last straw!" exclaimed one lady who seemed to be the chief faultfinder in the group. "I've come all this way, and now I can't even kiss the Blarney Stone."
"Well, you know," the guide said, "according to legend, if you kiss someone who has kissed the stone, it's the same as kissing the stone itself." "And I suppose you've kissed the stone," said the exasperated lady. "Better than that." replied the guide. "I've sat on it." (Bits & Pieces, January 9, 1992, p. 11.) I’ll let you draw your on conclusion on this one!

Second Service Intro:
A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence. After the first 10 years his superior called him in and asked, "Do you have anything to say?" The monk replied, "Food bad." After another 10 years the monk again had opportunity to voice his thoughts. He said, "Bed hard." Another 10 years went by and again he was called in before his superior. When asked if he had anything to say, he responded, "I quit." "It doesn't surprise me a bit. You've done nothing but complain ever since you got here." Source Unknown.

We all know a complainer when we see one. It is interesting that the complaining amongst the Israelites really surfaced in the heat of the dessert.

The same is true for us: be aware that the temptation to complain is greatest when we are in the dessert. Show me a complaining person and I will show you someone who is spiritually dry, malnourished in the things of God, melting in the heat produced from not being in the word, in prayer, in service. Many complainers may be church goers –with little else is happening spiritually.

Charles Spurgeon was, at the age of 21, the most popular preacher in London. He never went to Seminary. Thousands flocked to hear him. He once commented, “A heavy wagon was being dragged along a country lane by a team of oxen. The axles groaned and creaked terribly, when the oxen turning around thus addressed the wheels, "Hey there, why do you make so much noise? We bear all the labor, and we -- not you -- ought to cry out!" Those complain first in our churches who have the least to do. The gift of grumbling is largely dispensed among those who have no other talents, or who keep what they have wrapped up in a napkin. (Charles Spurgeon in The Quotable Spurgeon.) Someone once said, “You will find that, as a rule, those who complain about the way the ball bounces are usually the ones who dropped it.”

The Israelites dropped the ball of God’s glory. They had just crossed the Red Sea. They saw the magnificent power of God. God completely overwhelmed the most powerful army on the earth in its day. And God continued leading them in cloud by day and in the pillar of fire by night. But, we find out all the wonder, all the praise, quickly drowned. They had left what they knew for the unknown. Now they were thirsty and hungry. So, they formed a “back to Egypt committee” and aired their complaints to Moses: We would rather go back to slavery in Egypt than die out here. At least we had plenty to eat and drink in captivity.

Complainers always see things worse than they are. God was not about to let them starve to death. You would think that they would know that after the graphic display of God’s power at the Red Sea. But it is human nature to grumble when our needs aren’t met. It is human nature – but not God nature. Let’s find out what is at the root of most complaining.

Number one on our outline identifies what may be at the root of most complaining.

1. Complaining is often the result of leaving our comfort zones.

The Israelites were traveling in an uncharted land. Nothing was familiar. They didn’t know where the food was; they didn’t know where the springs were; they didn’t know who their friends or enemies were. They longed for the routines of their slavery. They wanted the comfort of what they knew even though it was not a good situation. Little wonder, then, that abused spouses stay with their abuser. Little wonder, then, that drug addicts stick with the same dysfunctional crowd. Little wonder that we settle for a safe, stale religion versus a religion that might expect something from us.

How many times have church leaders heard those infamous words, “We ain’t never done it that way before, preacher!” The fear of the unknown – will it work, how will it be received, what if it falters, what if it works and I have to do more.
We are not so different from the Israelites.

Complaining is often the result of forgetting what we learned on the way. The Israelites forgot about the power of God in Egypt, so they complained about their treatment. The Israelites forgot about the power of God in the desert, so they complained about the lack of nourishment. The same think happened yesterday at Commission Possible. Nearly 1200 people were making their way out of the parking lot after an incredible, 2-day experience. One of my colleagues carried some supplies to his car and was coming back to help clean-up, and he turned to me and said, “I can’t believe it. People are gripping and complaining about the traffic not less than a few minutes after leaving this great event. What a sad witness!” Yep. They forgot what they learned about God on Friday and Saturday as they were entering back into the world.

What does complaining do?
2. Complaining affects the leadership; ultimately, the complaint is really against God.

Complaining sinks the spirit of the leadership in any institution. It also affects the relationship between people – whether co-workers, family or friends. Those with whom the complaints are lodged get depressed, angry, frustrated, and sometimes fence themselves in as a way to protect themselves. It creates a bad mood and it renders feelings of inferiority and ineffectiveness. Before long, leaders shut-down and find ways to move on to another area to do ministry or drop out altogether. You can see how one might take it personal. The thing is, the complaint is really registered with God. Leaders are the collatoral damage. The real target is God. You know why? Look at number 3 on your outline.

3. Complaining is selfish; it also shows a lack of faith.

Complainers really are fixated on self. For a complainer, it is about number 1 and the lack of satisfaction of self. Ultimately, it shows a lack of faith in God. A complainer is really saying, “God, if you really loved me, it wouldn’t be this bad.” How could you let me down, God? I deserve better!” “You aren’t doing your job. I know better!”

Complaining is a dead give away of a dry dessert – a lack of spiritual growth: “In the desert, the whole community grumbled.” So what do we do?

1st: Pause. Ask yourself what is at the heart of your complaint. Is it due to self-centeredness or genuine concern?

Second: if your complaint is a genuine concern, bring a solution with it.
Turn your complaints into solutions: You know worship leader, the music is really loud, but I am going to try these new earplugs. You Deacon, those kids really seem to be acting up; how about I go sit with them and get to know them. You know pastor, things are getting a little messy around here; how about I come down tomorrow and do a little bit of cleaning. These are powerful responses to genuine concerns, taking us from a complaining heart to a servant’s heart.

It was Mark Twain who said, “Don't complain and talk about all your problems--80 percent of people don't care; the other 20 percent will think you deserve them.”

Third: realize that complaining has consequences. The Israelites had no food or water. God had a solution; He would supply the food. For the next 40 years, He sent quail and manna! Great, you say. Did you hear how long? For forty years. Now, I like leftovers, but after the 3rd or 4th day, I am ready for something new. Can you imagine the same old same old for 40 years?

That was the first consequence. The second began with a test of obedience. The people had to collect enough just for the day and on the 6th day they had to collect twice as much so that they could rest on the 7th day – what is known as the Sabbath rest. Some didn’t listen; they collected too much and tried to save it; the extra spoiled – a 2nd consequence. And some didn’t collect extra on the 6th day. They went hungry – the 3rd consequence.

The Israelites saw the light. They realized that God gives us what we need in His timing. When we realize this too, complaining diminishes and eventually ceases altogether. The back to Egypt committee quits. The dessert is navigated. Vison becomes clear and one can see beyond the desert - all the way to the promised land!

2008-09-22T19:16:00.002-05:00

September 14, 2008 -- "How to See God at Work"

(Exo 14:19 NIV) Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them,

(Exo 14:20 NIV) coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.

(Exo 14:21 NIV) Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided,

(Exo 14:22 NIV) and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

(Exo 14:23 NIV) The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea.

(Exo 14:24 NIV) During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion.

(Exo 14:25 NIV) He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, "Let's get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt."

(Exo 14:26 NIV) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen."

(Exo 14:27 NIV) Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea.

(Exo 14:28 NIV) The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen--the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.

(Exo 14:29 NIV) But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

(Exo 14:30 NIV) That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore.

(Exo 14:31 NIV) And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

First service introduction:
Video clip from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back – Yoda and Luke have a discussion about “The Force” – that the force is everywhere if you perceive it. In Christian circles, we know what “The Force” is – it is God! God is everywhere! Let me ask you a question: “Is the hand of the lord obvious to you? Let me put it another way: “Do you see His work?”

Second service introduction:
A man went into the drugstore. From the shelves he selected a bottle of extra-strength ibuprofen, twelve ounces of laxative, an elastic knee support, a supply of corn plasters, some sinus medication, a vaporizer, a remedy for sore gums and a tube of hemorrhoidal cream. He took these items to the counter, where they were totaled on the register. He could scarcely believe his ears when the clerk handed him the sack of items and said, “Have a nice day!” It was absolutely obvious that this fellow was not having a nice day, was it not? Let me ask you another question: “Is the hand of the lord obvious to you? Let me put it another way: “Do you see His work?”

The children of Israel saw God at work. When they noticed, they feared God and put their trust in Him. You might say, “Preacher, who would not notice a pillar of fire by day and a cloud of light by night? Who would not notice the water of the Red Sea divided? Who would not notice God drowning the enemy of His people?” Yes, it is true; they saw God work in a mighty way. However, it could have been overlooked, or rationalized, or even denied. As a matter of a fact, it did not take the children of Israel long to complain and wish that they were back in Egypt, as we shall see next week. I think that we need to go through Basic training in order to sense God at work. But first, we have to overcome some obstacles.

There are 3 obstacles that prevent us from sensing the hand of God:

1. An untrained eye.

This has to do with seeing God at work. Where is God most apparent? The Bible tells us in the works that He has made: “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Rom 1:20). It is very difficult to ignore God when we take a closer look at His creation. The detail, the intricacy, the delicacy, and even the shear adaptability are utterly amazing – possible only because of a higher power! We must train ourselves to appreciate nature – to even study it and to praise God for it. Creation itself is a miracle. Speaking of miracles, do we believe in them, or do we explain them away or deny them. The Bible says that you have to believe God first before you can even expect to receive something from Him. Belief that God is able to do anything and everything is the key to miracle power. The creator can do anything. Step one in basic training is opening our eyes and noticing the grand works of God – both the natural and the supernatural. The second obstacle that prevents people from sensing the hand of God is

2. An untrained ear.

This has to do with hearing God speak. One Gentleman found himself with too many commitments in too few days. He got nervous and tense about it. "I was snapping at my wife and our children, choking down my food at mealtimes, and feeling irritated at those unexpected interruptions through the day," he recalled. "Before long, things around our home started reflecting the patter of my hurry-up style. It was becoming unbearable.
"I distinctly remember after supper one evening, the words of our younger daughter, Colleen. She wanted to tell me something important that had happened to her at school that day. She began hurriedly, 'Daddy, I want to tell you somethin' and I'll tell you really fast.'
"Suddenly realizing her frustration, I answered, 'Honey, you can tell me -- and you don't have to tell me really fast. Say it slowly." "I'll never forget her answer: 'Then listen slowly.'" Bits & Pieces, June 24, 1993, pp. 13-14.

We must train ourselves to listen – and to listen slowly. God still speaks. We just aren’t listening. God speaks through His word, God speaks through prayer, and God speaks through people – to name some of the ways that God communicates. We would benefit greatly if we would slow down and ask God to help us recognize His voice. As a matter of a fact, part of every prayer ought to be our request, “Lord, speak to me through your Holy Spirit.” Listen for the voice. It takes practice. It takes patience. It takes a place of little to few distractions. But, Oh, what benefit.

God speaks to us directly through the Word, through prayer, even through random, day-to-day circumstances. When something happens, ask God what you are to learn from it. Even delay at the gas pump is an opportunity to slow down and listen to God.
God also speaks to us through others. Robert Hernon shares the following: Good listening is like tuning in a radio station. For good results, you can listen to only one station at a time. Trying to listen to my wife while looking over an office report is like trying to receive two radio stations at the same time. I end up with distortion and frustration. Listening requires a choice of where I place my attention. To tune into my partner, I must first choose to put away all that will divide my attention. That might mean laying down the newspaper, moving away from the dishes in the sink, putting down the book I'm reading, setting aside my projects. Robert W. Herron, Homemade, June, 1987.

Ask yourself, what is God saying through my spouse, my friend, and my complete stranger. I was reading in the book of Judges as I am thinking about a sermon series from that book. A complete stranger appeared to the wife of Manoah, the woman who would give birth to Samson. The stranger had a word for her from God. Had she ignored him she would have missed her own birth announcement. God works through others.

Another way that God works is through testimonies. My Mom was just telling me yesterday about a man who has been coming to her church. He just shared his testimony a few weeks ago. It blew away the Bible study group that she was attending. He was near death; he was abusing drugs and alcohol and was ready to take his life. God intervened and now he is studying to be a preacher. Neat thing is, he is a preacher’s son. We should never assume that because someone is a child of a religious leader that they get it. He finally did; he is a 50-year-old Lazarus. By the way, we should be praying for Lazaruses here at church – that God would send us people who have been brought to life so that we can be encouraged and reminded about the power of God.

By the way, when God sends someone, be sure that you are listening. Here are some things to consider:

1) Since you think about four times faster than a person usually talks, do you use this time to think about other things while you're trying to keep track of the conversation? If you are, you are not listening.

2) Do you avoid listening to things you feel will be too difficult to understand?

3) When someone is talking to you do you appear to be paying attention when you're not?

4) Do certain words and phrases prejudice you so you cannot listen objectively?

5) When listening are you distracted by outside sights and sounds? Leadership, Vol.1, No. 4, p. 99.

Listening takes practice. It involves looking a person in the eye, dropping what you are doing or politely asking for a better place or time to talk, and it involves proper feedback to ensure that you have heard the words spoken. One of my favorite lines after someone speaks is to say, “So, what I have heard you say is…” Finish the line by summing up what you think you heard. Sometimes, we mishear or misunderstand. This provides a way of ensuring that we hear the person. Finally, the last obstacle to sensing God’s hand is

3. An untrained heart__. (removing the effects of Sin to sense God more clearly)

This is a deeper, more pronounced situation. This is a sin-condition. Sin – the practice of wrongdoing according to God’s plan – clogs our spiritual receptors – dampening and even preventing communication from above. God will not be in fellowship with someone who commits persistent, willful sin. God still maintains the relationship, but the fellowship is removed. Now, I know what some of you are saying. Sin leads to death – spiritual as well as physical. Yes. But I believe that a truly born-again person does still have salvation when sinning, but a severely affected fellowship with God when sinning. This is a sermon for another day. Listen: we are always gonna be God’s children through Christ. This does not mean that we are perfect or that we do not disappoint God. It does mean that we are God’s – whether a supper-Christian or a sorry-Christian.

Regular sin – persistence in doing that which we know God does not approve of, leaves one powerless and even offensive to the body of believers as well as to non-believers. It can kill a testimony and even help others turn away from the saving grace of God.

I mentioned that this was a deeper issue. It is a spiritual one. We must train our hearts to behave according to the will of God. There is a very powerful verse in James: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” It just may be that our prayers are ineffective because we are so full of unrighteousness. We need to confess and receive the cleansing that comes from forgiveness.

When we receive basic training in all 3 areas to recognize God – eye, ear and heart – then we have a prescription for a mature, power-filled Christian. I want some of that, don’t you?

2008-09-10T15:24:00.002-05:00

September 7, 2008 -- "Prayer"

Worrier or Warrior?

Philippians 4:6-7
6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

First Service introduction:
A Kindergarten Class went to the fire station for a tour and some instruction for safety. The fireman was explaining what to do in case of a fire. He said, “First, go to the door and feel the door to see if it’s hot.” Then he said, “Fall to your knees. Does anyone know why you ought to fall to your knees?” One of the little tykes said, “Sure, to start praying to ask God to get us out of this mess!” How many of us pray only when the heat is turned up – asking God to get us our of this mess? (Illustrations Unlimited, p. 428).

Second service introduction:
Two men were walking through a field one day when they spotted an enraged bull. Instantly they darted toward the nearest fence. The storming bull followed in hot pursuit, and it was soon apparent they wouldn't make it.
Terrified, the one shouted to the other, "Put up a prayer, John. We're in for it!"
John answered, "I can't. I've never made a public prayer in my life."
"But you must!" implored his companion. "The bull is catching up to us."
"All right," panted John, "I'll say the only prayer I know, the one my father used to repeat at the table: 'O Lord, for what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful.'" (source unknown). Ho many of us only pray when we are in a crisis? God wants a deeper relationship with us. God wants a consistent prayer life, regardless of the events in our lives.

Step number one on the path of peace is Prayer! A regular, persistent prayer life will tackle worry head on. It will begin the transformation from worrier to warrior. So, number one on your outline is: Pray, pray, pray! Pray in the morning, pray at night, pray before a meal, pray in the car. Pray in the break room, pray on the playground – pray, pray, pray. Learn new methods of prayer, join a “Pray the Price” prayer group, or take a prayer retreat.

Paul spent 3 whole days in prayer and look what happened:
He went from killer to kingdom-builder
He went from self-righteousness to self-less-ness
He went from law-major to grace-filled savior

I think that RA Torrey described many churches and many people when he said, “We are too busy to pray, and so we are too busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity but we accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much machinery but few results.”

One day a boy was watching a man praying on the banks of a river. When the man completed his prayer the boy went over and asked him, “Will you teach me to pay?” The man studied the boy’s face carefully. Then he gripped the boy’s head in his hands and plunged it forcefully into the water! The boy struggled frantically, trying to free himself in order to breathe. Finally, the man released his hold. When the boy was able to get his breath, he gasped, “What did you do that for?” The man said, “I just gave you your first lesson in prayer.” “What do you mean?” asked the astonished boy. “Well,” said the man, “when you long to pray as much as you long to breathe – only then will I be able to teach you to pray” (Illustrations Unlimited, p. 422).

The great evangelist, DL Moody, said, “I’d rather be able to pray than to be a great preacher; Jesus Christ never taught his disciples how to preach, but only to pray.”

So, if the desire is there, how do you pray? Number 2 on your outline tells us very simply: Tell God what you need.

An old man was quite ill, and the family called for their minister. As he entered the man’s room and sat down, he noticed another chair on the opposite side of the bed, a chair which had been drawn close. The pastor said, “Well, Donald, I see I’m not your first visitor for the day.”

The old man looked up, was puzzled for a moment, then recognized from the nod of the head of the pastor that he had noticed the empty chair. “Well, pastor, I’ll tell you about that chair. Many years ago I found it quite difficult to pray, so one day I shared this problem with my pastor. He told me not to worry about kneeling or about placing myself in some pious posture. Instead, he said, “Just sit down, put a chair opposite you, and imagine Jesus sitting in it, then talk with Him as you would a friend.’” The aged fellow added, “I’ve been doing that ever since.”

A short time later, the daughter of the old man called the pastor. When he answered, she informed him that her father had died very suddenly and she was quite shaken for she had no idea that death was so near. Then she continued, “I had just gone to lie down for an hour or two, for he seemed to be sleeping so comfortably. When I came back, he was gone.” Then she added thoughtfully, “Except now his hand was on the empty chair at the side of the ed. Isn’t that strange?”

The minister said, “No, it’s not strange at all. I understand” (Illustrations Unlimited, p. 416). Christ came to receive him. He simply reached out and took his hand. It is something so natural for one who is used to a regular appointment with God.

Prayer is a simple conversation in which you honestly relate to God your true needs. Wants and needs are often two different things. This is important. God is the granter of true needs. When we learn to ask appropriate requests, God delivers. The Bible says, “You do not have because you do not ask.” It also says, “Ask and it will be given to you.” Does this mean that you will get whatever you want? No. It means when you ask for the right things, God will certainly bring it about. Well then, what about when you don’t get what you think you need? Then God intends something else – something even better; faith – rich faith – says that no matter what, good will come from above – sooner or later. It may be different than we hoped for or imagined, but it will come. At this point, the words of Adoniram Judson are instructive, “I never prayed earnestly for anything but (that) it came at some time. No matter how distant the day, somehow, in some shape, probably the last I should have advised, it came.”

Last, but certainly not least, thank God for what He has done – number 3 on your outline.

Thankfulness takes the focus off of what we are seeking and puts it on the power of God. When we remember what God has done, our faith is boosted to new heights. Giving thanks before the benefits come is a true demonstration of faith – it signifies that we truly believe that God is able and that God will deliver. In business typing we were taught not to thank someone for benefits not yet received. The opposite is true in praying to God – thank Him before the benefit comes. And thank Him after it comes. Such an environment dispels worry and sets a better mood.
Scottish minister Alexander Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought to himself, "Certainly the preacher won't think of anything for which to thank the Lord on a wretched day like this." Much to his surprise, however, Whyte began by praying, "We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this." (Daily Bread, August 26, 1989.)

No matter what, there is always something to give thanks for, even if it is that it will not always be so bad! Because, someday, the heart given to Christ, will know only joy! Peace be with you today and all the way to eternity

2008-09-10T15:11:00.002-05:00

August 31, 2008 -- "Your Testimony"

Philippians 3:4-8
4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! 5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ

A little girl went up to her mother one day while holding her stomach saying, "Mommy, my stomach hurts." Her mother replied, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something into it!"
Later that day when the Evangelist and her husband were over for dinner. The Evangelist began to feel bad. Holding her head she said, "I have such a terrible headache!"
The little girl looked up at her giving her the sweetest smile that any little child could give. Then she said, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something into it!"

Today, we are going to make a deposit into the banks of our heads and our hearts, but first, before we can gain, we need to hear about loss. Last week, we heard how Christ gave up his own prestige: “Jesus did not think that equality with God was something to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.” Today, we hear about what Paul gave up.

1. Paul gave up two things to be a child of God: His prestige among his countrymen (3:4-5) and his persecution of the church 3:6).

Take the first one – Paul’s prestige. He was highly respected – on the path to greatness – a rising star, so to speak. He was on the religious leader’s radar – climbing the later to more honor and more respect. He had worked hard and even might have deserved it. This was no small task to give up.

Let’s look at the 2nd one – Paul’s persecution of the church. This might be one that you would think was easy to give up. But he was so zealous for God that he could not stand anything or anyone to get in the way of what he thought was right. He was too rigid – unyielding. He would rather kill than change. I imagine he lived with the regret of his former life for the rest of his life – at least to some extent. But, he gave up his murderous threats and his own way for Christ’s way. He would never be the same again.

2. Paul gave up what he thought was important and gained the priceless knowledge of Christ (3:7-8).

This was at the heart of Paul’s giving up – his great sacrifice. He was able to admit that he was in the wrong. He gave up his prestige in order to be a servant. He gave up his “stubbornness” and opened his mind to greater things of God. He found salvation. And he really, really grew.

What about you, what are you willing to give up? What stands in the way of your growth? What must change? If we say that we love him, then I think we would be head over heels trying to learn more about him. Have you met him lately in the Word? Do you meet him often, there? What do you have to give up to pursue him?

Ask yourselves the following questions: How do you spend your time? What dominates your thoughts? Where are your priorities? What motivates you? If the most important thing in your life is Jesus, then your life will revolve around getting to know him better.

Did you hear about the two church folk having a discussion? One was a preacher. “Preacher,” said the one gentleman, “What’s the best part of your job?” “That’s easy! Celebrating the life of a brand new baby.” “So, what’s the hardest part of your job – funerals?” asked the other. “No. Trying to tell people what to do between the two.”

Perhaps Paul felt the same way. So he turned to his life story. Paul was heading in the wrong direction. Everything that he had been living for was not doing a thing to help his eternal state. When Jesus met him on the Road to Damascus, it changed everything. Paul changed teams – changed his allegiance. For that reason he counted everything else in life – his reputation, his achievements, his pursuits, his possessions worthless, so that his sole pursuit would be knowing and serving Jesus Christ. Paul placed Christ above everything else. He did so because he saw the folly of his former life.

Ken Ramsey, our new DS, tells the following story:
When I was in college I had a friend who was a student pastor with me. He drove a Chevy Nova and like me it was pretty much dirty all the time. Never had much time to wash it, and the inside was littered with hamburger wrappers, dropped french fries, and other debris. When I would get in his car I would have to brush off the seats to make a place to sit. One day we walked to the lot and I couldn't believe my eyes. His nova was shining. It was beautiful. "What happened?" "I got it detailed," he replied. I opened the door to get in and wouldn't you know it--still filthy on the inside--I had to brush the old fries off the seat to sit down. A few months later my friend was married. A few weeks after his wedding we were headed to a meeting together and he picked me up. His still nicely washed car pulled up and I opened the door to get in. Even the inside was absolutely spotless. It had been cleaned , vacuumed, the carpet shampooed--the works. "Wow," I said "what in the world happened to your car?" He smiled and responded, "Under New Management." I think of that sometimes when I am thinking about the Lordship of Christ. When he becomes Lord of our lives we are "under new management" and our lives are transformed.

The change is the evidence of that transformation. The new takes over. Focus is granted. Priorities are set and achieved, unless the world begins to come back in! Paul was not going to allow that. Will we?

Sometimes us Christians take for granted the change, particularly if the change is not as astounding as Paul’s change. His former life was a stark difference from the new. He had much to be thankful of. Sometimes we don’t see it that clearly because we’ve been around it for so long. We didn’t know any other way or it has been so long that we have forgotten our former life. Let’s get in touch with what God did in Jesus. He saved our souls. If you truly believe, think about the size of that great gift. It is everything.

A pastor was giving the children's message during church. For this part of the service, he would gather all the children around him and give a brief lesson before dismissing them for children's church. On this particular Sunday, he was using squirrels for an object lesson on industry and preparation. He started out by saying, "I'm going to describe something, and I want you to raise your hand when you know what it is." The children nodded eagerly. "This thing lives in trees (pause) and eats nuts (pause)..." No hands went up. "And it is gray (pause) and has a long bushy tail (pause)..." The children were looking at each other, but still no hands raised. "And it jumps from branch to branch (pause) and chatters and flips its tail when it's excited (pause)..." Finally one little boy tentatively raised his hand. The pastor breathed a sigh of relief and called on him. "Well," said the boy, "I *know* the answer must be Jesus ... but it sure sounds like a squirrel to me!"

We come to church expecting to talk about Jesus. But can we talk about him out there - to a hurting world that needs to hear? If ever there was a one who was worthy to be discussed beyond these walls, it is our Lord. Ask him to be your tongue, your actions, and even your thoughts – all for the one who has died to give you life. Tell them your story. Amen.

Focus:
One afternoon author Patsy Clairmont found herself on an airplane, sitting next to a young man. She writes, "I had already observed something about this young man when I was being seated. He called me "Ma'am." At the time I thought, 'Either he thinks I'm ancient, or he's from the South where they still teach manners, or he's in the service.' I decided the latter was the most likely, so I asked, "You in the service?"
"Yes, Ma'am, I am."
"What branch?"
"Marines."
"Hey, Marine, where are you coming from?" "Operation Desert Storm, Ma'am."
"No kidding? Desert Storm! How long were you there?" I asked. "A year and a half. I'm on my way home. My family will be at the airport." I then commented that he must have thought about returning to his family and home many times while he was in the Middle East. "Oh, no, Ma'am," he replied. "We were taught never to think of what might never be, but to be fully available right where we were."
Focus on the Family, July, 1993, p. 5.

God wants us to be fully available right where we are. He has placed you where he wants you. We have the hope of heaven – what will be – but he wants us to work out our salvation right now – right here!

I think that many of us, when Christ has enabled us to overcome one or two sins that were an obvious nuisance, are inclined to feel (though we do not put it into words) that we are now good enough. He has done all we wanted him to do, and we should be obliged if he would leave us alone. But the question is not what we intended ourselves to be, but what he intended us to be when he made us...

Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on. You knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised.

But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is he up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of -- throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards.

You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage, but he is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it himself.
C.S. Lewis.

The keys to good self-confidence:

It must not rely on self alone – for some this is too much; for others, too little.

It must rely upon what Christ has done for you.

It must rely on God’s perception of you!

A.W. Tozer says that people who are crucified with Christ have three distinct marks:
1. they are facing only one direction,
2. they can never turn back, and
3. they no longer have plans of their own.
Tim Hansel, Holy Sweat, 1987, Word Books Publisher, p. 187.

2008-08-28T20:53:00.002-05:00

August 24, 2008 “It’s All In Your Head”

Philippians 2:5-11 Attitude

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,*
he did not think of equality with God -
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges*; -
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,*
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal's death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Something significant happened recently, something that gave legitimacy to the many sufferers of a chronic condition. Governor Joe Manchin presented a proclamation officially recognizing National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. Fibromyalgia is marked by widespread aches, pains, stiffness and fatigue. An estimated 10 to 15 million Americans suffer from the condition. Before it was a recognized condition, people suffering from it were often told, “It’s all in your head.”

Often, that phrase is used to explain away a host of things that people just can’t believe really exists. Today, I want to give legitimacy to something else of great importance.

The battle for spiritual growth begins in the mind. To grow spiritually, one must first have a personal, saving relationship with Christ. You might say, “It’s all in your head.” Spiritual growth is a decision of the will.

Terry Teykl has been called by God to call the church to prayer. Susan and I attended one of his Encounter Seminars yesterday. Several of our folks attended his seminar in Weston a few months ago. We are beginning small groups based on his book "Pay the Price." It is the best thing that I have ever read on prayer. One thing he mentioned yesterday was something about Post-Fall versus Pre-Fall theology. In other words, Post-Fall theology is what we believe about humanity after Adam and Eve fell in the garden. We spend a lot of time on that, but ignore the Pre-Fall scenario – what did God intend for us to look like – to think like?

Christ’s attitude consisted of 3 things: sacrifice, humility and obedience.

Boarding the SS Dorchester on a dreary winter day in 1943 were 903 troops and four chaplains, including Moody Bible Institute alumnus Lt. George Fox. World War II was in full swing, and the ship was headed across the icy North Atlantic where German U-boats lurked. At 12:00 on the morning of February 3, a German torpedo ripped into the ship. "She's going down!" the men cried, scrambling for lifeboats.
A young GI crept up to one of the chaplains. "I've lost my life jacket," he said. "Take this," the chaplain said, handing the soldier his jacket. Before the ship sank, each chaplain gave his life jacket to another man. The heroic chaplains then linked arms and lifted their voices in prayer as the Dorchester went down. Lt. Fox and his fellow pastors were awarded posthumously the Distinguished Service Cross.

The Cross – that instrument of death – a cruel thing but for us a beautiful symbol of sacrifice. Christ gave up his place in the Godhead in order to walk the earth as a man. He came, not to live, but to die. He wanted to die because in his death and resurrection from the dead, he opened the door to our eternal life. For Jesus, our great lover, it was worth it! His equality as God was not something that he clung to. In other words, he did not approach life with a since of entitlement. Have you ever met someone with that world view – the view that says, “Life owes me something” I deserve to get what I want. I’m looking out for me”? That’s not a Christ like world view. A Christ-like world view asks, “What can I sacrifice for God and others? What can I give away? What can I give up?

Sometimes our giving up is a matter of giving up the strongholds that we have erected in our minds – places that we are going to keep that are over and above God. In other words, it is stinkin’ thinking.’ These are the thoughts that we entertain that hurt us. The mean thoughts we have about others, or those thoughts that are self-destructive like the desire for things like pornography or drugs or alcohol or food or material. Sometimes the sacrifice is replacing the stinkin’ thinkin’ with magnificent musings – the magnificent things of God. We find such magnificent things in the word of God.

Christ’s had the attitude of sacrifice. He also had an attitude marked by humility. The fastest man on earth, Usain Bolt from Jamaica, has been getting some flack over his boasting. He easily won the 100 meter final at the Olympics –beating the previous world record by 3 hundredths of a second. Ten meters before the finish line he looked toward the crowd and beat his chest.

Jesus had the right to boast, but he didn’t. He could have beat his chest and said, “That’s right. I’m God. Look out. I got the power!” No, that was not his way. He came to serve. He came to touch the least, last and lost – the smallest of society. His greatness lies in his ability to care for the lowly. Someone once said that true humility is in helping those who in no way can return the favor or help you benefit in any way.

Paul had a great prescription for humility. He said, I am the least of the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:9), I am the very least of all the saints (Ephesians 3:8) and I am the foremost of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).

Last week I preached about the importance of Prayer, Study and Service. These are a must for every Christian. However, sometimes, when we practice them, there is a temptation to feel superior to others. Humility prevents this. Humility admits, “I am always under construction. I will not fully arrive in this life.”

Phillip Brooks made an apt comment when he said, "The true way to be humble is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your real height against some higher nature that will show you what the real smallness of your greatness is." quoted in Burning out for God, E. Skoglund, p. 11.

"They that know God will be humble," John Flavel has said, ' and they that know themselves cannot be proud." quoted in MBI's Today In The Word, November, 1989, p.20.

The door of life is a door of mystery. It becomes slightly shorter than the one who wishes to enter it. And thus only he who bows in humility can cross its threshold.

Isn’t it interesting that traditional Orientals bow to show honor and humility?

For many years Sir Walter Scott was the leading literary figure in the British Empire. No one could write as well as he. Then the works of Lord Byron began to appear, and their greatness was immediately evident. Soon an anonymous critic praised his poems in a London paper. He declared that in the presence of these brilliant works of poetic genius, Scott could no longer be considered the leading poet of England. It was later discovered that the unnamed reviewer had been none other than Sir Walter Scott himself!

Source Unknown. We get too consumed with being the best or even better than others. In Christ, we must be willing to take a back seat!

Christ’s attitude consisted of sacrifice, humility and finally, obedience.
Thomas Watson wrote, “Christ went more readily ad crucem (to the cross), than we do to the throne of grace. “

Peter T. Forsythe was right when he said, "The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master". Warren W. Wiersbe, The Integrity Crisis, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991, p. 22.

I mentioned to you last week that Paul wrote this letter from a Roman prison while awaiting a hearing with Caesar. It is the old choice, which still is presented to every soul; the old crisis, which reappears in every experience. Caesar, or Christ, that is the question: the vast, attractive, skeptical world, with its pleasures and ambitions and its prodigal promise, or the meek, majestic, and winning figures of Him of Nazareth?

The election remains for each of us. And the moment of the election, in the shaded and solemn "Valley of Decision," will be memorable in our history, when suns for us have ceased to shine! Source Unknown. What will it be – the ways of Caesar or the ways of Christ? Whom will we obey. The decision is critical. It marks the difference between eternal death and eternal life.

I've read that when Edward VI, the king of England in the 16th century, attended a worship service, he stood while the Word of God was read. He took notes during this time and later studied them with great care. Through the week he earnestly tried to apply them to his life. That's the kind of serious-minded response to truth the apostle Paul calls for in today's Scripture reading. A single revealed fact cherished in the heart and acted upon is more vital to our growth than a head filled with lofty ideas about God.

One step forward in obedience is worth years of study about it.

2008-08-18T19:03:00.001-05:00

August 17, 2008 - Grace and Peace

“Greetings, Earthlings”

1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God's holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders* and deacons.
2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.
4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy

Two West Virginians were driving through Louisiana. As they were approaching the town of Natchitoches, they started arguing about the pronunciation of the name.

Upon stopping at a fast-food establishment for lunch, the West Virginian who was driving asked the manager, “Before we order, could you please settle an argument for us? Would you please pronounce where we are – very slowly – very clearly?”

The manager leaned over the counter, smiled, and said,
“Burrrrrr-gerrrrrr-Kiiiing.” That was a total misunderstanding.

Paul was a man who was lost even though he thought he was in the right place. At the heart of his situation was a complete misunderstanding.

Let’s first come up to speed about the background of this man. His parents gave him the Hebrew name Saul. He was named after the first King of Israel who was of the same tribe as Paul - the tribe of Benjamin.

He also bore the Latin named Paulus and was proud to be a citizen of the Greek town of Tarsus. His Father was wealthy enough to buy his Roman citizenship; as a consequence, Paul was born a Roman citizen.

Paul studied under the great Rabbi Gamaliel and was a strict Pharisee. In his own words, “I advanced in Judaism beyond many of his own age among his people – extremely zealous for the traditions of his fathers” (Gal. 1:14).

Paul first appears in the New Testament as a supporter of the stoning of Stephen – holding the cloaks of the executioners. As he stated, “I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it” (Gal. 1:13). He used his influence with the High Priest in Jerusalem to get permission to track Christians down in far away cities.

So at about 35 AD, at the age of about 30, he was on his way to Damascus to arrest followers of the Way. Just outside of the city, he was knocked off his feet by a blinding light and a thundering voice. At first, he might have thought that God was shouting approval for his work, “Saul, Saul.” But then the voice continued, “Why are you persecuting me?” “Who is it, Lord?” asked Paul. Then the words that rocked his world – “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.”

For Paul, it was the impossible becoming reality. Jesus, whom he denied as a joke – a hoax – was calling to him from beyond. His world crashed. The sky was falling. The God whom he thought he had been serving faithfully left him completely dumbfounded. He had radically misunderstood.

Jesus gave him instructions: “Get up, go into the city; someone there will tell you what to do” (Acts 9:5). Those traveling with Paul took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. He spent 3 days in total darkness without so much as a bite to eat or a sip to drink – trying to make some sense of it all. All that was - was no longer important. All that would be was still a mystery.

Finally, Annanias showed up at his residence. God had spoken to Annanias in a vision, “Get up, got to Straight Street, find the house of Judas. There you will find a man named Saul. He is there right now praying. He has seen a vision in which a man named Annanias comes to him, lays his hands on him, causing him to see.”

It’s not hard to understand Annanias’ skepticism, “But God – I know about that man; he is a killer! He hates Christians. He has come to drag us to Jerusalem for trial and execution!”

But God did not relent, “Go. I have chosen him for an important work. He must tell about me to non-Jews and Jews. I will show him how much he must suffer for me.”

Annanias obeyed. He found Paul just as Jesus told him he would. He laid his hands on Paul, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus sent me. He is the one you saw on the road to Damascus. He sent me so that you can see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, Paul received his sight. The Bible says that something like “fish scales” fell from his eyes. He got up, was baptized then ate. Did you get the order there? Even before he ate he was baptized. If that were me I would have probably said, “Bring me food!” But Paul’s change was so absolutely total that he wanted to mark his new life with a great sign of commitment to
Christ – baptism. He was now a Christian. You see - there is a greater food than our favorite dish. There is spiritual food.

Saul met with the followers of Damascus. Soon he began to preach in the synagogues, saying, “Jesus is the son of God.” No one could believe it – both believers of the Way and non-believers.

Paul was the chief persecutor of the church during the first five years of its beginning. He became the most influential voice in the history of the church next to his Lord and Savior.

About thirty years after his Damascus Road experience, he found himself imprisoned in Rome. In an ironic twist, the religious leaders arrested him, just as he had done to the Christians years before. When it became apparent to him that he was in danger of execution, he exercised his Roman citizen right and appealed to Caesar. While waiting for a hearing with the Emperor, he wrote to his beloved friends in Philippi. He started his letter with a wonderful introduction: “It’s Paul. Timothy is with me. We are His servants. To all God’s people in Philippi, Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Grace and peace – two great words. What a way to begin a greeting – grace and peace! Say them with me: “Grace and peace.”

Our greetings to people can make it or break it. I remember in one of the churches that I served that a gentleman showed up for Sunday School, something that he evidently had not done in many a year if at all. One of his friends, put his hand on his heart, put his other hand on the wall and said, “Look out, the walls are going to fall down. Look who’s here!” He meant it jokingly, and they had a good enough relationship that it was ok, but some would not have taken that so well. We need to watch our hellos! Statements like, “It’s about time, or look what the cat drug in are not necessarily words of grace or peace. We need to watch our words and even our looks, for a look can convey distaste or mistrust, too.

Paul understood these two words – grace and peace - better than most – maybe better than anyone. Paul wrote to Timothy, telling him that Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of which he was the worst. According to Paul, he was the least deserving person on the planet, but Jesus died for him, too. What’s grace? Undeserved love.

It doesn’t matter how bad you are – Paul was worst. If God can save Paul, God can save you, too. God can save those whom we think deserve it least or don’t deserve it at all. Grace – God’s undeserved love. Where would we be without it?

Peace – that inner tranquility that comes from above – a calm spirit even in the face of disaster. If anyone had disaster – Paul did. Listen to his explanation of his hardships that he shared with his friends at Corinth:

No one has worked harder than I, or been in prison more frequently, or been flogged more severely, or been exposed to death as much as I. I’ve received 39 lashes 5 times; I’ve been beaten with rods 3 times; I was stoned and left for dead; I was shipwrecked 3 times – spending a night and a day in the water at sea; I’ve been in danger from my own people, I’ve been in danger from strangers; I’ve been in danger in the city; I’ve been in danger in the country; I’ve gone without sleep, without food; I’ve been cold, and I’ve even been without clothes. And if this was not enough, my mind never rests because of my concern for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

Remember, Jesus told Annanias that Paul would suffer for him. Indeed he did.

And yet, Paul knew the peace of God. If he could know such peace, so can we, because we will never suffer as much as he did.

The peace of God is a quiet assurance that no matter what, “everything works to good for those who love God, those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Guess who wrote that? Right – Paul!

Paul’s peace came from the assurance that no matter what, God is in control. He found that out on the Road to Damascus.

Do you have a Road to Damascus? I’m not talking about a blinding light and voice experience. I’m wondering about your road – your encounter – where did you meet Jesus. Where do you still meet him today? You have to have a regular encounter with Jesus to have the peace that he gives. It starts on the Road to Damascus (your salvation), but it does not end there. You must meet him again and again in prayer and in the Bible.

When Paul wrote to Philippi it was as if he were saying “Greetings, earthlings!” The Bible is for everyone – for all people for all time and applies to every situation of life.

We are going to study Philippians for 3 more Sundays. Philippians starts great – but you haven’t seen anything yet. We will look intensely at: developing a great attitude, putting Christ first, and overcoming worry.

But for now, grace and peace, to you, in the name of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!

2008-08-12T21:57:00.002-05:00

August 10, 2008 -- "Dealing with Conflict"

We have been hearing about the life of Jacob, this the 3rd week in the 3 part series. In case you have missed anything, let me bring you up to speed. Jacob, along with his mother Rebekkah, deceived his father and his brother, obtaining his father’s blessing as his first heir. Esau was the first heir, but a crafty plan changed all that. When Esau learned of the deception, he hit the roof!

Matter of a fact, I think that he would have liked the shirt that I spotted recently, worn by one of our children: RECYCLE MY BROTHER. Esau would have loved to have recycled his brother as a compost pile!

He literally sought to kill him. Jacob ran away to his Uncle Laban’s, where he lived for 20 years. His Uncle deceived him as well (it ran in the family), causing Jacob to marry the wrong girl. He ended up working 14 years for the woman that he really wanted to marry. God blessed the works of Jacob’s hands; his shepherding prospered, he gained many servants and he had many children. He decided to part company with Laban and to head home without even giving Laban a chance to kiss his grandchildren goodbye. Laban, in great anger, pursued him! After a 7-day journey, he caught up to Jacob. Had it not been for a dream in which Laban heard God say, “Be careful how you treat Jacob,” who knows what would have happened. Laban and Jacob made a covenant not to interfere with the other (always a good thing for in-laws to do!) and this great benediction came as a result: “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other.”

Today, we find Jacob continuing his journey home. He has come very close to his stomping grounds as we begin this next passage in our series, Genesis 32, verse 3 and following:

(Gen 32:3-31 NIV)

Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. He instructed them: "This is what you are to say to my master Esau: 'Your servant Jacob says, I have been staying with Laban and have remained there till now. I have cattle and donkeys, sheep and goats, menservants and maidservants. Now I am sending this message to my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes.'"

When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, "We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him."

In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well.

He thought, "If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape."
Then Jacob prayed, "O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, 'Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,' I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups. Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. But you have said, 'I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.'"

He spent the night there, and from what he had with him he selected a gift for his brother Esau: two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys.

He put them in the care of his servants, each herd by itself, and said to his servants, "Go ahead of me, and keep some space between the herds."

He instructed the one in the lead: "When my brother Esau meets you and asks, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going, and who owns all these animals in front of you?' then you are to say, 'They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau, and he is coming behind us.'"

He also instructed the second, the third and all the others who followed the herds: "You are to say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. And be sure to say, 'Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.'" For he thought, "I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me."

So Jacob's gifts went on ahead of him, but he himself spent the night in the camp. That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.

When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."

The man asked him, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered.

Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."

Jacob said, "Please tell me your name." But he replied, "Why do you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there.

So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared."

The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.

From the story of Jacob – particularly this last chapter - we learn how to handle conflict. Here are some things to remember in the heat of the battle:

1. Don’t speak in anger; cool off first! Rebekkah realized this when she said, “I will send Jacob away until Esau cools off, and then I will send for him. The anger was so great between the 2 that it took 20 years to cool off. But, had they met in anger, one or both would have undoubtedly died!

2. If the conflict is severe, send a trusted messenger of peace on ahead of yourself. A trusted, mature Christian friend will plead your case and remind your opponent of God’s grace. Also, send a gift; it can’t hurt! Even though Esau was not a man in need of anything, his heart was softened by the hospitality and the gratitude that his brother Jacob showed through the giving of gifts. In a sense, it was a restoration of the inheritance that Jacob stole. If it is in your power to make things right, do so!

3. Put yourself last in relationship to your opponent: Jacob said, in effect, to his brother Esau: “You are my lord; I am your servant.” Jacob did not go in demanding his way or singing his own praises or even thinking that he was better than Esau. Isn’t it funny that we can consider ourselves servants of God but not of people? As servants of God, we serve people!

Jacob didn’t go in with a chip on his shoulder or an axe to grind.” One of the worse ways that we can start a disagreement is to say, “I’ve got some things to get off my chest!” That puts your opponent on the defensive, and it can only get worse from there. Instead, go in with humility, being able to admit your role in the disagreement. Even if you feel very strongly that you are not at fault, go in with the position of servant, willing to listen, speaking in calm. That will go a long way to mending the difference.

Please realize that not every conflict can be repaired. You can’t make someone reconcile if they do not want to reconcile. You can only be responsible for yourself. The Bible says that as far as it is up to you, do what you can do. Leave the rest to God. It may be that the best you can do is say, “I’ve done all that God required me to do. Now I must part and let God fill the void.”

4. Pray! Pray! Pray! Solicit the prayers of other mature Christians. And pray some more! More has been accomplished through prayer than any other means or resource. I am happy to say that we are becoming a prayer filled church! Watch what God will do with that! Remember, prayer is just a conversation. We converse with people everyday. Don’t forget to include God in your conversation. Tell God how you feel, what you need, and ask for God’s guidance to do His will.

5. Last, fess up to your own shortcomings! Finally, Jacob took responsibility for his own actions. Even if you are not responsible for the conflict, or only minutely responsible, admit that you are a person who makes mistakes – an imperfect person. Seeing yourself in this light will allow you to have a greater compassion for your opponent and keep you from popping off in the heat of the moment. We are all sinners, prone to mistakes and even complete crack-ups at times. I love the saying, “If not for the grace of God, there go I.” If you go into a conflict with any other attitude than this, look out for escalation!

Our story ends with this amazing wrestling match between Jacob and a supernatural opponent. There are many unanswered questions that we have about this encounter. Here is what we do know. The Bible says that Jacob wrestled with a man – using the Hebrew “ish” for “man” not once or even twice but 6 times in this passage. But this could not have been an ordinary man, because with just a touch the man separated Jacob’s femur from his hip socket. Jacob continued to wrestle him – even holding him from getting away. Jacob was a strong man; remember - he rolled away the stone in front of Rachel’s well all by himself – something that took several shepherds to do. But even such a strength could not hold God. It would seem, then, that the being was a messenger of God - an angel.

But Jacob says that he saw God face to face and prevailed. What of that? In other places in the Bible, we read of people who have seen the angel of the Lord and commented that they have seen the face of God. See Judges 13:22. Also note that Hosea in 12:2-4 commented about the encounter and called the being an angel.

So what do we make of this great wrestling mach? For one thing, when Esau would gaze upon Jacob for the first time, he would see him limping. This may have been the straw that broke the austere camel’s back, opening Esau’s heart to his brother. Also, the wrestling match was an event that characterizes Jacob’s life up to that point. He was a person of struggle; he struggled with his brother, his father, his father-in-law, and his wife Leah and God himself. The event also marks an abrupt change in Jacob’s life. Finally, in all of his struggling, he was prevailing - probably in part because he finally learned his lesson. To mark the separation of the past from the future, his name was changed from Jacob (meaning “he clutched”) to Israel (meaning “God strives.”) It is from this name that the descendants of Jacob will be named the “Israelites.” Remember, God said, “I will make your name great; your descendants will be as the sand of the shore.”

What is your struggle today? What is blocking you from receiving the blessing of God? Jacob’s block was several fold; he was manipulative, selfish, a liar and a deceiver. He had a victim’s mentality – everyone was against him! These things blocked the blessings of God. It took him years to understand this. The freedom that came from confessing his sinful nature to God is an incredible release of the blockage. Would you like to have that as well? Christ is here, right now, for you, if you will approach him and be honest with him, confessing your shortcomings and asking for his blessing, the blockage will begin to break up. Let’s meet him now. Pray with me.

Oh God, we admit that we are prone to error – mistakes on the small scale and on the grand scale. Some of those shortcomings have kept us blocked from receiving your blessing. Come to us now, through Jesus Christ. Help us to trust him fully, believing upon him as Your Son, freeing us to live for you and to experience the ultimate freedom of forgiveness and spiritual prosperity. If anyone hearing these words or reading these words doesn’t have you in their heart, please help them to ask you now, even praying these words:

Come, Jesus, be Lord of my life. Forgive my sins, unclog the blockage, and help me to grow in you, experiencing your great blessing. I don’t know what all this means, I just know I need you. Come, and change me! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

2008-08-09T18:06:00.002-05:00

August 3, 2008 "Generational Sin"

(Genesis 29:1 - 14 NIV) Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples. There he saw a well in the field, with three flocks of sheep lying near it because the flocks were watered from that well. The stone over the mouth of the well was large.

When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well's mouth and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.

Jacob asked the shepherds, "My brothers, where are you from?" "We're from Haran," they replied.

He said to them, "Do you know Laban, Nahor's grandson?" "Yes, we know him," they answered.

Then Jacob asked them, "Is he well?" "Yes, he is," they said, "and here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep."

"Look," he said, "the sun is still high; it is not time for the flocks to be gathered. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture."

"We can't," they replied, "until all the flocks are gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep."

While he was still talking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess.

When Jacob saw Rachel daughter of Laban, his mother's brother, and Laban's sheep, he went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle's sheep.

Then Jacob kissed Rachel and began to weep aloud. He had told Rachel that he was a relative of her father and a son of Rebekah. So she ran and told her father.

As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister's son, he hurried to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home, and there Jacob told him all these things.

Then Laban said to him, "You are my own flesh and blood."

What Comes Around Goes Around

Last week, we were visiting the spot where Jacob had his dream about the stairway to heaven. This event took place on Jacob’s journey from the house of his mother and father to the house of his mother’s brother – his Uncle Laban. Jacob first meets some shepherds, followed by his cousin Rachel. She was a shepherdess, a rare thing in that day. We learn why later. Laban had just two daughters. Rachel was the younger. Leah was the older. They helped their Dad take care of the flock.

Rachel took Jacob home to meet her Father and the rest of the family. Laban fully welcomed his nephew. After a month, Laban offered to pay Jacob for all of his hard work. Jacob countered with an offer of his own. Instead of working for wages, he offered to work for Rachel. Laban agreed - if Jacob would work 7 years, then he could have her. The Bible says that Jacob loved Rachel so much that the 7 years seemed like just a few days to him.

After the 7 years was up, Jacob asked Laban for his daughter. Laban threw a big feast, and then brought his daughter to Jacob. They spent the night together. In the light of the morning, to Jacob’s utter and complete surprise, he discovered that he was not with Rachel but with Leah. He could not believe it! Jacob approached Laban, “What is this that you have done to me? Why have you deceived me?”

Deception – something that Jacob knew very well. But now, he is the victim. What comes around goes around. Sin has drastic consequences. It just doesn’t affect one person. It goes further – sometimes even to the next generation, and even the one after that. This seems to be the case with Isaac and Jacob.

So, I want to focus on generational sin today. There are some things that are done which have an effect for several generations. How do we break these cycles? First, we must recognize the fact that what we do will indeed impact our children. They are sponges, and they will learn so much from us – both good and bad. We must take responsibility for those lessons that we teach – either directly or indirectly. An apology might be in order. Some explanations might be in order. Some changes might be in order. Next, we need to take a hard look at ourselves. What behaviors are we continuing to do that bring the same bad results? Some of that behavior might be learned behavior – stuff we did not know that was wrong at the time but became deeply ingrained in us.

We need flashlights – we need to take a good hard look into the deep, dark areas of our hearts, and see what is going on. The only way to do this is with God’s help. Ask God to illuminate those areas that need changed or discarded.

What a difference this would have made if Jacob had taken this approach. Even with this terrible deception, he was slow to learn – not willing to yet take a deeper look at his own deceptions.

The power of sin is far reaching – even deep into families – sometimes last generations. There may even be some sins that the church commits – the effects of which last for generations. Let me mention a few: being more concerned about self-preservation instead of soul-preservation, serving the institution more than the people, creating dependence upon the clergy and other professionals for ministry instead of every member being in ministry, mistreatment of pastors, idolizing of pastors, playing favorites, overlooking the least, the last and the lost, to name a few.

We need a confession and repentance time, don’t we? Would you join me? Come to receive forgiveness and the communion of God!

2008-07-29T21:23:00.002-05:00

July 27, 2008 -- "Family"

“A Pillow Unlike Any Other”

Isaac and Rebekah tried to have children, without success, for 19 years. Isaac prayed fervently during that time, and his request was finally granted. At the age of 60, Isaac became a dad – not of a single son but of twin boys. But trouble was brewing even before the births. Their twins, Esau and Isaac, fought in the womb – so much so that Rebekah asked God, “Why is this happening to me?” (Gen. 25:22). God’s reply: “you have two nations in your womb; they shall be divided; one will be stronger than the other, and the eldest will serve the youngest” (25:23). Esau emerged first, Jacob right behind him holding firmly onto his heel.

Isaac and Rebekah did not help matters, as they each had their favorite – Esau was favored by Isaac – Jacob by Rebekah. It was not hard to see why. Esau was active, loved the outdoors and was a skilled hunter, and as such, gained an immediate bond with his Father. Isaac was a homebody and a mama’s boy, as such, Rebekah favored him.

Do any of you feel that there was a favorite amongst your siblings? How did that make you feel? Do or did any of you favor one child over another? I imagine that you are well aware of the trouble that may follow. I have a friend who took a different approach. He had two daughters, and he would, from time to time, whisper in ach of their ears, “You’re my favorite.” They turned out pretty good, too.

The story begins to take its prophetic route very quickly. The bible skips their childhood and relates a story of youth. One day Esau came home from the hunt starving. He found his brother in the kitchen cooking soup. Esau asked him for some; Jacob replied, “It’s all yours; just trade me your inheritance.” Esau was so overwhelmed by his hunger that he seemed to fear for his life. He reasoned, “If I die of starvation, what good is my inheritance to me. OK.” Jacob made Esau swear an oath. He did. It was a done deal.

Jacob took unfair advantage of his brother –playing the hunger card in order to manipulate Esau. Jacob was not content to be second. He in effect bargained to become the first born (this was the heart of the jealousy). Esau was more concerned about his immediate gratification than a lifetime of trouble. By the way, later in Israel’s history, it became illegal for the eldest son to sell a birthright to anyone else.

The story is not over yet. Isaac was fading. He realized that he must give his fatherly blessing to his oldest son before he would be too old to do it. This would consummate the role of Esau as family leader. Before the ceremony, he asked his favorite son to hunt down some fresh game and to prepare a dish for his dad. Rebekah overheard. She told Jacob to get two young goats from the family heard. She would prepare a conunterfeit dish and deceive her husband into giving his blessing to the youngest. What a family!

Jacob objected, “But if father touches me he will know that it is I and not Esau, for Esau is a hairy man and I smooth. Then Father will curse me.” Rebekah retored, “Then let the curse be on me. Do as I say.” Jacob went after the goats. Mom prepared the meal, and she tied the goat skins onto Jacob’s neck and arms.

Jacob went to Isaac dressed in Esau’s clothes, identified himself as Esau, and served his father the meal. Isaac asked him how he was able to get the game so quick. Jacob said, “The Lord your God put it in my path.” That was a stretch of the truth at best! Isaac called him closer, “Are you really my son, Esau?” Isaac touched him and felt his hairy arm, then replied, “You sound like Jacob, but your arm is hairy like Esau.” So, Isaac prepared to bless him, but asked one more time, “Are you really Esau?” Jacob said yes. Lie #2.

Isaac asked for his food and some wine. After he ate and drank, he called Jacob closer and asked him to kiss him. Isaac was going blind, but his sense of smell still worked well. When Jacob drew close, he noticed the smell of Esaus’s clothes which smelled like the outdoors. He was finally convinced and offered Jacob the blessing due Esau.

From the dew of the heaven and the richness of the earth, may God always give you abundant harvests of grain and bountiful new wine. May many nations become your servants, and may they bow down to you. May you be the master over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. All who curse you will be cursed, and all who bless you will be blessed. (27:28-29)

Almost before Jacob left the room, Esau returned from the hunt with wild game. He had prepared the food for his father and went in to serve him saying, “Father, sit up. Here is the food you asked for. I am ready for your blessing.” Isaac asked him, “Who are you?” Esau responded, “It is I, your first born, your son Esau.” Isaac began to shake uncontrollably. He must have been barely able to speak, “Then who just served me the food? I have already eaten it, and I blessed him before you came in. The blessing must stand.”

Esau uttered a loud and bitter cry. You can hear the anguish in the words, “Oh Father, what about me? Bless me, too!”

Isaac, no doubt with much sadness replied, “Your brother was here. He tricked me. He has taken away your blessing.” Esau pleaded, “Don’t you have even one blessing for me, Father? Just one?” Esau, a broken man, wept.

Finally, Isaac spoke:

You will live away from the richness of the earth, and away from the dew of the heaven above. You will live by the sword, and you will serve your brother. But when you decide to break free, you will shake his yoke from your neck. (27:39-40)

From that time on, the Bible says, Esau hated his brother Jacob. He began to plot his brother’s death. Rebekah got wind of Esau’s plans and decided that Jacob should go to live with her brother Laban. She figured that she could send for Jacob once Esau cooled off. Rebekah, knowing that Isaac must approve, Rebekah complained bitterly about the local non-Israelite women. Isaac called Jacob, blessed him again, and sent him to his Uncle Laban’s to find a wife.

Esau heard the news. He found out that his father did not approve of the local ladies, some of whom Esau had already married. So, in what must have been an attempt to gain his Father’s favor, he visited his Uncle Ishmael and married one of his daughters. Ishmael was Abraham’s first son, born of Sarah’s handmaid Hagar. Isaac was Abraham’s second son, born of his wife Sarah. The Muslim people descend from Ishmael. Esau, married Ishmael’s daughter. The family feud goes back millennia and is still being fought today.

This infamous background brings us up to today’s passage.

Genesis 28:10-19a
Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

And the LORD stood beside him and said, "I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring.
Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place--and I did not know it!" And he was afraid, and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called that place Bethel;

What does this story tell us? First and foremost: prayer matters! Isaac spent 19 years committed in prayer for a legacy, backed by the promise to his Father that his descendants would be great. Let’s remind ourselves what prayer is; it is an intimate conversation with God that draws us close to our Maker. It changes things – primarily us!

Second, God always comes through! God always keeps His promises! God can not be outdone. His purpose will be fulfilled. His promises are everlasting. What God says, God will do. Here are some great promises in the Holy Bible:

1. God has promised to supply every need we have. The Bible says: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" Phillipians 4:19. Now notice, God has obligated Himself only to the extent of our needs. That would include food, clothing, shelter, companionship, love, and salvation thru Jesus Christ. It would not include the multiplicity of luxuries that we have come to think of as needs.

2. God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us. (II Corinthians 12:9).

3. God has promised that His children will not be overtaken with temptation. Instead, He assures us that a way of escape will be provided. This promise is recorded in I Corinthians 10:13.

4. God has promised us victory over death. God has promised us that if we trust in Christ Jesus, we will be saved and live forever in heaven.

5. God has promised that all things work together for good to those who love and serve Him faithfully (Romans 8:28). It is better to live in the promises of God than to have the very best material pleasure. Every earthly pleasure is momentary. God’s promises are eternal. Jacob learned this the hard way. He almost died an early death because of it. God offered Jacob a restart. God does the same for us.

Jacob marked the fresh start with a pillow unlike any other. He stood the rock that was his pillow on end, poured oil upon it, and named the place House of God, changing its name, for it was called Luz. The rock became a memorial – commemorating that place where his life changed. He even pledged to make that place a permanent place for worshiping God. He also agreed to present to God 10% of everything he gave him.

What about you? Do you need a fresh start today? Set up your stone. Mark the day as a day of new beginning. God is great in providing such occasions. Don’t miss them. Every Sunday is such a day. Build your altar. Take advantage of this altar. Come and worship. Give God your past. Give him your hurts and fears. Let him give you a fresh start.

Third, human weaknesses help prove the power of God! Divine will, not human ability, is responsible for the fulfillment of God’s purposes. This theme plays over again and again in the Bible. That is good news, you see, because we are all intended to be vessels of God – no matter how pitiful we may be! God is great, and that is lesson number 1.

Fourth: Jealousy brings a whole pack of trouble with it. Isaac and Rebkah were jealous for attention because they both put their children first even before the nurture of their marriage. By picking favorites, Isaac and Rebekah further alienated themselves with each other and even alienated their children. Jealousy drove Jacob to cheat and lie and Esau to plan a murder.

Fifth: Sin can be handed down from one generation to the next. Great efforts are needed in identifying it and eradicating it!

Isaac must have heard about his brother Ishmael and the complaints of his mother about him and Hagar. He must have felt the hurt this father felt over the son he sent away. Somewhere along the line, Isaac learned that looking out for himself was number one. He told a lie about his wife Rebekah, calling her his sister, in order to protect himself from men whom he feared would kill him to take his wife. Rebekah had great beauty. Isaac was afraid that her beauty would cost him his life. Jacob was not the strong, protective type, it would seem. I can’t help but wonder if Rebekah ever forgave his lack of concern for her. Maybe this even fueld her dinner deception. In addition, naming his wife his sister almost created a situation where Rebekah was taken by another man to be his wife. That would have created dishonor for both Rebekah and her suitor. Those events must have haunted Isaac and Rebekah’s relationship for years. When the boys came along, things may not have been all that good between Mom and Dad. Little wonder then, that the boys were more than a handful.

Last, parents, find a way to bless all of your children equally. There are some blessings even better than physical ones: leading your child to Christ (my Dad led me to Christ), honor their mother or father, be as impartial as possible, check your critical spirit at the door, and, just be there!

God is there for us! God supports us in the comfort of His pillow – a pillow unlike any other!

2008-07-21T23:18:00.002-05:00

Sunday, July 20, 2008 "Hope"

SCRIPTURE Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
13:24 He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field;

13:25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away.

13:26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well.

13:27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?'

13:28 He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?'

13:29 But he replied, 'No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them.

13:30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"

13:36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field."

13:37 He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man;

13:38 the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one,

13:39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.

13:40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.

13:41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers,

13:42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!

“Good Morning, Sunshine!”

Good morning, folks! We are fresh back from vacation. It is so good to be back with you all. We have seen the world these last 2 weeks – Wheeling, Weirton and Berlin! No, not Berlin, Germany – Berlin, Ohio. The heart of Amish country. Susan and I used the wonderful gift certificate that you gave us to stay at the Amish Inn in Wilmot. Here is a bit of Amish humor for you:

While driving in Ohio, a family caught up to an Amish carriage.
The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign... 'Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust.' (thanks to Mickey Nardella for this one)

Let’s look out for the exhaust that characterizes so much of life. Perhaps today’s message will help. It is entitled, “Good morning, Sunshine.” Tell me, what is the first thing that you think of when you get up in the morning? Let’s check with our studio audience [interview various people in the congregation.]

You know, there are two kinds of people in this world: those who wake up and say, “Good, Lord, it’s morning” or “Good Lord, it’s morning.”

Each morning is an opportunity for hope to be renewed. It all depends on your mindset. You can get up and say, “Good Lord,” and lament the day, or you can get up and say, “Good, Lord,” another chance to serve you – another chance to make a difference, another chance to spread HOPE – something that people are desperate to have.

From Parade magazine comes the story of self-made millionaire Eugene Land, who greatly changed the lives of a sixth-grade class in East Harlem. Mr. Lang had been asked to speak to a class of 59 sixth-graders. What could he say to inspire these students, most of whom would drop out of school? He wondered how he could get these predominantly black and Puerto Rican children even to look at him. Scrapping his notes, he decided to speak to them from his heart. "Stay in school," he admonished, "and I'll help pay the college tuition for every one of you." At that moment the lives of these students changed. For the first time they had hope. Said one student, "I had something to look forward to, something waiting for me. It was a golden feeling." Nearly 90 percent of that class went on to graduate from high school. Parade Magazine. We all need something to look forward to. We need reminders that there is hope in this world. In the midst of all of life's troubles and failures, We need to remember that is God is still in control.

Our vision statement speaks to this. Our vision, the picture that God wants us to live into, is a community of hope offering hope to the community and beyond. Let’s dig deeper into this parable to find out more about hope.

Jesus told this story and then interpreted the story for his closest disciples. The sower of the good seed was the Son of Man. The Son of Man was a title Jesus used in referring to himself. The field where the seed was sowed was the world. And the good seed were the children of the kingdom. The children of the kingdom are not just good people, not just church people, but the truly saved – those who have given their hearts to Jesus Christ!
The weeds are the children of the evil one. The evil one is the devil himself, that crafty creature who has been tempting the children of God since the Garden. The Harvest is the end of the time, and the repears are the angels. Just as the weeds of the field were collected and burned in Jesus day, so will the weeds – the sons and daughters of evil, be collected at the end of time and punished by everlasting fire. The righteous – those made right by the blood of the lamb – will then shine like the sun in heaven – a morning to end all mornings – “Good morning, sunshine.”
This story raises at least one question in my mind – why does God allow the weeds and the wheat to grow together? The presence of evil creates constant trouble for all the children of the kingdom. Why does God allow that – why does God allow even the worse of suffering. This story provides the answer. If God removed the weeds, there would be danger in also removing the wheat. Weeds and wheat would both be uprooted, which means, among other things, that the wheat would not grow. Weeds challenge the wheat to grow. We are here on planet earth to grow into children of the kingdom.

Even the worse of weeds can bring out the glory of God in wheat. It is often in our darkest times that God makes His presence known most clearly. He uses our sufferings and troubles to show us that He is our only source of strength. And when we see this truth, we receive new hope.

Besides, we don’t get to pick our brand of suffering. Remember, we are not just wheat – we are also the clay. And who is the potter? God. The pot doesn’t get to direct the work of the potter. The very bottom line is that we live, we die, we grow, we hurt, we speak and we pray to the glory of God.

At the same time, the weeds are allowed to grow with the wheat as a benefit to the weeds. The wheat may convert a weed to the way! Friends, there are many weeds in Staley – many weeds in the world – but there are also many wheat! The greatest way to affect a weed is to pray for him or her. The second greatest way to affect a weed is to walk the walk. We don’t need more talkers. We need more walkers! Let me say that again. We don’t need more talkers. We need more walkers. When I was going to Elementary School in Weirton, at good ole Cove School, I was a walker. I think it was about a half of a mile to school. One of the good things about being a walker was you got to leave first when school was over – even before the bussed kids. We tore out of there pretty fast. Those who truly walk the walk of the Christian life will be ushered into the kingdom of heaven. I think that they will be first in line! We need folk who will walk the walk of the Christian life – come heck or high water! It is an issue of faith – faith in Christ and faith in the future.

One night at dinner a man, who had spent many summers in Maine, fascinated his companions by telling of his experiences in a little town named Flagstaff. The town was to be flooded, as part of a large lake for which a dam was being built. In the months before it was to be flooded, all improvements and repairs in the whole town were stopped. What was the use of painting a house if it were to be covered with water in six months? Why repair anything when the whole village was to be wiped out? So, week by week, the whole town became more and more bedraggled, more gone to seed, more woebegone. Then he added by way of explanation: "Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present." Halford E. Luccock, Unfinished Business.
We have the power – right now – today – thanks to Jesus - the power to right wrongs, the power to be somebody that makes God proud. We need a bucket list – of things that we want to accomplish for God’s sake. Take a good hard look at who you and where you are going. If you are saved, and your hope is in heaven, before you get there, do something great for God – something that couldn’t be done if God weren’t in it. Because the only thing better than going to heaven is taking someone with you. Let us pray!

2008-07-03T20:41:00.002-05:00

Sunday, June 29, 2008
"God Sees It Through"
Genesis 22:1-14
The setting is Ohio State University about six or seven years ago in a huge lecture hall (approximately 1000 students) for a Calculus final.

Apparently this particular calculus teacher wasn't very well liked. He was one of those guys who would stand at the front of the class and yell out how much time was remaining before the end of a test, a real charmer. Since he was so busy gallivanting around the room making sure that nobody cheated and that everyone was aware of how much time they had left before their failure on the test was complete, he had the students stack the completed tests on the huge podium at the front of the room. This made for quite a mess, remember there were 1000 students in the class.

During this particular final, one guy entered the test needing a decent grade to pass the class. His only problem with Calculus was that he did poorly when rushed, and this guy standing in the front of the room barking out how much time was left before the tests had to be handed in didn't help him at all. He figured he wanted to assure himself of a good grade, so he hardly flinched when the professor said "pencils down and submit your scantron sheets and work to piles at the front of the room". Five minutes turned into ten, ten into twenty, twenty into forty...almost an hour after the test was "officially over", our friend finally put down his pencil, gathered up his work, and headed to the front of the hall to submit his final. The whole time, the professor sat at the front of the room, strangely waiting for the student to complete his exam.

"What do you think you're doing?" the professor asked as the student stood in front of him about to put down his exam on one of the neatly stacked piles of exams (the professor had plenty of time to stack the mountain of papers while he waited) It was clear that the professor had waited only to give the student a hard time.

"Turning in my exam," retorted the student confidently. "I'm afraid I have some bad news for you," the professor gloated, "Your exam is an hour late. You've failed it and, consequently, I'll see you next term when you repeat my course."

The student smiled slyly and asked the professor "Do you know who I am?"

"What?" replied the professor gruffly, annoyed that the student showed no sign of emotion.

The student rephrased the question mockingly, "Do you know what my name is?"

"No", snarled the professor.

The student looked the professor dead in the eyes and said slowly, "I didn't think so", as he lifted up one of the stacks half way, shoved his test neatly into the center of the stack, let the stack fall burying his test in the middle, turned around, and walked casually out of the huge lecture hall. Source Unknown. It is pretty safe to assume that his test would turn out ok. We get word right away, in verse one of today’s passage, that there is going to be a test – the kind of test that seems doomed to failure.

Without the warning of a coming test, we would be even more appalled as we travel further into this story. This warning helps us to see God’s real purpose here. God was not going to rub Isaac out in some cruel way. God wanted to see about the quality of Abraham’s faith. What is the quality of your faith today? Would it pass a test?

Tests are not uncommon. Hear these words:
(2 Cor 13:5 NIV) Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?

(1 Pet 1:6 NRSV) In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials,
(1 Pet 1:7 NRSV) so that the genuineness of your faith--being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

God is interested in the value of our faith – its roots - its sincerity – its progress!

We find that this incident is STILL A COMPLETE SHOCK TO US. There is no lack of getting our attention in this passage. We might say, what kind of father would even listen to such a voice? Abraham was a godly man. He walked very closely with God. He communicated with God on a regular basis – the key ingredient for a strong faith. What do we find him doing the next day after the news. He gets up very early. I imagine that he went off to pray even before he saddled his donkey and cut the wood. He knew God’s voice. He could discern God’s voice from all the other voices that clamored for his attention. He, too, was probably shocked. But he knew that somehow, God would provide, if he remained obedient to God.

God gave Abraham three orders:
TAKE your son, your only son…
What is most precious to you? Indeed, Isaac was the hinge upon which God’s promise of many descendants swung. Isaac was his precious son, flesh of his flesh, and his legacy. Perhaps Abraham only saw Isaac as a means to keep the family name going.

We must never think of people as a means to an end. We must not use them or treat them as objects – as pawns to be manipulated. This defaces the divine image.

What is most precious to you? Have you committed that person or thing to the great will of God. You can only put him, her or it in its proper place when you do.

GO to the region of Moriah
Abraham left Beersheba and headed to Moriah – about the same distance from Jerusalem as if you were traveling from Clarksburg to Buckhannon. It is believed that Solomon’s temple was built on Mt. Moriah, and that the altar of the temple was the exact spot where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac.

Go. Where is God calling you to go? Is it to go to someone and to offer forgiveness? Is it to strike out in a new direction, one that God has been prompting you to do – a new job, a new ministry? Never be afraid that if you Go for God that you will somehow be unhappy or unable. God will see it through. God will provide joy and ability.

SACRIFICE HIM there as a burnt offering
“You can’t be serious!!! My son, my only on, upon whom all my dreams and hopes rest!” That is how I would have reacted. But Abraham went with quiet trust.

No sacrifice for God ever goes unblessed. Abraham’s faith was rewarded. He heard God’s voice. He received his son. He became a great nation.

Abraham names the sacrificial altar “Yahweh Yireh” - literally “The Lord will provide.” No matter what, god will provide. Do you believe this? I do! Will you help me preach this belief? Respond with me. I’ll give you an example, and you tell me God provides. When a spouse leaves – God provides. When a child dies – God provides. When a job is lost – God provides. When someone is made fun of – God provides. When health is called into question – God provides! When we are hurting – God provides! When we are lost – God provides! When our faith is in God – God provides!

You know, we only truly receive our family when we give them up to God. We only truly receive help when we give up that worry to God – whatever it may be. We gain when we give up and let God have His way. It was true then. It is true now.

Clovis Chappell, a minister from a century back, used to tell the story of two paddleboats. They left Memphis about the same time, traveling down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. As they traveled side by side, sailors from one vessel made a few remarks about the snail's pace of the other.
Words were exchanged. Challenges were made. And the race began. Competition became vicious as the two boats roared through the Deep South.
One boat began falling behind. Not enough fuel. There had been plenty of coal for the trip, but not enough for a race. As the boat dropped back, an enterprising young sailor took some of the ship's cargo and tossed it into the ovens. When the sailors saw that the supplies burned as well as the coal, they fueled their boat with the material they had been assigned to transport. They ended up winning the race, but burned their cargo.

God has entrusted cargo to us, too: children, spouses, friends, talents, gifts – even money. Our job is to do our part in seeing that this cargo reaches its destination or that it is managed wisely. But if selfishness takes priority over people, people often suffer. How much cargo do we sacrifice in order to achieve the number one slot? How many people never reach the destination because of the aggressiveness of a competitive captain?
Max Lucado, In the Eye of the Storm, Word Publishing, 1991, pp. 97-98.

So, who’s the captain of your ship?

God wishes to be the captain. God sacrificed his son for that very purpose. Do you perceive such a love? Dock your ship at His dock. Take him aboard, and let him steer your way in every area of your life. God will see you through!

2008-06-24T20:53:00.002-05:00

Sunday, June 22, 2008
"Salvation and the Spiritual Fruit"

(Gal 5:22 NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

(Gal 5:23 NIV) gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

(Gal 5:24 NIV) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

(Gal 5:25 NIV) Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

(Gal 5:26 NIV) Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

The Handbook of Magazine Article Writing contains this illustration by Philip Barry Osborne; "Alex Haley, the author of Roots, has a picture in his office, showing a turtle sitting atop a fence. The picture is there to remind him of a lesson he learned long ago: 'If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he had some help.'
"Says Alex, 'Any time I start thinking, WOW, ISN'T THIS MARVELOUS WHAT I'VE DONE! I look at that picture and remember how this turtle--me--got up on that post.'" Sandy Reynolds.

There is a danger inherent with the spiritual fruit. It is two-fold. We can think that the spiritual fruit themselves makes us good enough. And/or we can become conceited because we possess the fruit.

Brian Interviewed several people in the congregation to see what they do in the church and asked them if those things were good enough to get them to heaven. Of course, the answer was “No.” Belief in Jesus Christ and a personal commitment to follow him gets us to heaven.

We are not saved because we have spiritual fruit. We have spiritual fruit because we are saved!

Ok, I need your help. Here I am, on my “Christian Walk.” When I ask “Where?” you answer, “Heaven.” When I ask “By whose power?” you answer, “Christ Alone!” I’m on my way – where? (heaven) by whose power, (Christ alone!). I’m on my way – where? (heaven) by whose power, (Christ alone!). I’m on my way – where? (heaven) Not by Brian’s power but by whose power, (Christ alone!).

Superiority – thinking we are better than someone else – is a major sin – it leads to abuse, racism, and even capital crime. We are no better than anyone else – because of skin color, or religion or job or money! No, no, no! We are all at level ground at the foot of the cross.

Paul had a great prescription for humility:

I am the least of the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:9

I am the very least of all the saints. Ephesians 3:8

I am the foremost of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15

Who invented the telelegraph? Samuel Morse. He received many honors from his invention of the telegraph but felt undeserving: "I have made a valuable application of electricity not because I was superior to other men but solely because God, who meant it for mankind, must reveal it to someone and He was pleased to reveal it to me." Tim Hansel, Eating Problems for Breakfast, Word Publishing, 1988, pp. 33-34.
Hudson Taylor was scheduled to speak at a Large Presbyterian church in Melbourne, Australia. The moderator of the service introduced the missionary in eloquent and glowing terms. He told the large congregation all that Taylor had accomplished in China, and then presented him as "our illustrious guest." Taylor stood quietly for a moment, and then opened his message by saying, "Dear friends, I am the little servant of an illustrious Master."

W. Wiersbe, Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching and Preachers, p. 243
Conceit is spiritual highway robbery. It takes away from the glory of God. It darkens the face of the spirit. It transfers majesty to an unworthy vessel. We must defeat conceit. We must defeat conceit. We must defeat conceit.

How? By putting the majesty where it belongs. By passing the buck to the supreme banker. By admitting that we are the little servants of an illustrious master. By seeing ourselves as we really are – sinners – saved by the grace of almighty God.

Do you ever point the way to someone who is lost or searching for a destination? Point the way to the master. Anytime we make it apparent that we are high and mighty, commit idolatry. Self-promotion is self-absorption. Don’t point to self – point to Jesus.

Someone once said, “The door of life is a door of mystery. It becomes slightly shorter than the one who wishes to enter it. And thus only he who bows in humility can cross its threshold.” Assigning our ability to a higher power is everything. Salvation itself is the admission for the need of someone who can save. Won’t you trust Jesus today? If you have never asked him into your heart, do so right now. Just pray this prayer:

“Lord, come into my heart and live with me. Forgive my sins. Help me to follow you. Grow me into Christ likeness. Amen.”

Tell someone if you have prayed that prayer. It is good news.

If you are already certain of your salvation, pray this prayer:
“Lord, I’ve not always done what you have wished me to do. Sometimes, I have really messed up. Restore me and renew me. I rededicate myself to you. Help me to please you in my actions, words and thoughts. Amen.”

May the covenant you have made on earth today be ratified in heaven. God bless you!

2008-06-24T20:50:00.001-05:00

Sunday, June 15, 2008
Father's Day -- "Self Control"

But the fruit of the spirit is…self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard.
Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right
thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red
light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in
frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection,
dropping her cell phone and makeup.

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up
into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to
exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she
was searched, finger printed, photographed, and placed in a holding cell.
After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the
door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer
was waiting with her personal effects.

He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your
car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you,
and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do'
bumper sticker, the 'Choose Life' License plate holder, the 'Follow Me to
Sunday-School' bumper Sticker, And the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, Naturally...I assumed you had stolen the car."

Today’s sermon is all-about self-control. Self-control is a hallmark of the Christian life. It is the last spiritual fruit and the icing on the cake. It is that pinnacle of the faith, the pinnacle reached due to the power of Christ inside and outside.

But the fruit of the spirit is…self-control.
I think if I were not a pastor, I would be a history teacher. I love history, particularly American History, particularly the civil war and presidential history. During his term as President of the U.S., Lyndon Johnson was somewhat overweight. One day his wife challenged him with this blunt assertion: "You can't run the country if you can't run yourself." Respecting Mrs. Johnson's wise observation, the President lost 23 pounds. That is self-control. Allow me to take it one step further. Are you the master of you, or is God the master of you?
Self-control is the Greek “enkrateia” – literally it means in strength – having power over – being the master of. It is the quality that gives victory over fleshly desires and which is closely related to chastity both in mind and in conduct.

(Prov 25:28 NIV) Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

There are three things we need to do if we wish to maintain self-control:

1. Guard your eyes

The eyes are the windows to the soul! This is critical. Particularly for men, whom God made very visual beings!

What you see is what you get! Whatever you feed your soul by way of your eyes is what will be in control of you. Feed your eyes with pure sights, you will have purity. Feed your eyes with impure images, you will become impure.

But pastor, I can’t help what I see! You might be surprised how much you can actually filter away from your eyes.

Jesus had something to say about our eyes men:

Job gave us a prescription, when he said, (Job 31:1 NIV) "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.”

He made a binding agreement with his eyes. A biblical covenant is a two-way agreement, which depends upon one who is stronger to help keep the agreement. Job, with God’s help, was going to guard his eyes!

This is so opposite of what society tells us to do. Society says it is ok to feast our eyes upon whatever we wish, food, people, and things. The Bible says guard your eyes. Jesus said, (Mat 5:28 NIV) But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Oh boy, preacher, you’ve done it now! You’ve gone from preaching to meddling. And beyond that, what you are saying is impossible! No its not. It is one thing to notice attractiveness. It is quite another to want to use a body for selfish gain. Sometimes, because men are so visually oriented, that is exactly what happens in the minds eye.

Let’s go back to Job. Job determined to not let his eyes wonder and his mind to linger so that lust would not have a foothold. Men, we can do this by keeping our eyes focused on a person’s face or the back of their heads. Don’t give your eyes permission to wander. You can train yourself to do that. It will take about 21 days to form a habit, the experts say.

2. Guard your mind

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, the mind is the door to the heart. Our problem, men and women, boys and girls, is that we can build a stronghold in our minds. It starts with one small decision at time, and builds as we give more space to thinking certain thoughts. These thoughts can be good thoughts or not so good thoughts. The walls are built, though, by the time and energy we give to thinking them so that strongholds are present. Your stronghold could be a good thing like family priorities, church ministries, and job performance. They can also be bad things like lust, food addiction, and gossip.

British statesman Edmund Burke argued, "men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains on their own appetites. Society cannot exist unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere, and the less of it there is within, the more there is without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters." Imprimis, Vol. 20, No. 9.

The first step to addressing negative strongholds is to recognize their existence. The second step to addressing negative strongholds is to speak the word of truth to them. If your problem is food addiction, speak the holy word to it: Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” If your problem is gossip, “(1 Th 5:11 NIV) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” and “(Mat 12:36 NIV) But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.”

3. Guard your company

Finally, guard your company. If you are more likely to drink in a crowd, avoid the crowd that encourages that behavior. If you are more likely to put others down when you are part of the pack, avoid the pack that encourages that behavior. If your friend goes on an egging spree, go on a sitting spree in your house. If your workgroup gathers in the break room to catch up on the latest gossip, take your break somewhere else. Guard your company. It is your life. It is your right. Don’t worry so much about popularity. It is more important to be popular with God than with people! In sports, when you defeat or outmaneuver an opponent, sometimes the more agile person will taunt the one who was beaten with “Who’s your Daddy?” I have always been a proponent of letting your game speak for you. Our goal is to please God, not people. Who’s your Daddy? I hope your answer is “God Almighty.” Maybe your relationship with your earthly father is not what it should be, or maybe worse, volatile, or even non-existent. Your heavenly father wants to be your eternal father; he will never refrain from loving you!

Seek those groups that encourage you and build you up in the things of God! Men, this is vital. We cannot – cannot – cannot make it alone. That is why Jesus gathered disciples. That is why John Wesley gathered lay preachers. That is why Bill began Promise Keepers. Men, we must gather together around our common bond in Christ and encourage and pray for each other. Wives, children, parents and in-laws, you pray for us, too. We desperately need you to pray for us.

I have thought a bit about what the church could you fathers today as a keepsake in honor of father’s day. I am going to take a cue from Dr. Walter Kimbrough, the featured preacher and conference last week. If you are a dad, please stand up! I feel very led to ask your family and your friends to pray for you – to pray for your example as a godly man, to pray for you to overcome sin, to pray for the power of the holy spirit to be greatly at work in you. If you have a father or a friend standing right now, would you slip out of your seat and come to the altar for this man. I want you to come and pray. Maybe you would want to pray out loud. Maybe you would want to pray quietly. I will close with a prayer. Come. We need you! Come.

2008-06-14T11:04:00.006-05:00

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Chris Mullett was the Guest Speaker at Duff Street Church on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

Very powerful sermon on working towards better communities.

This link will take you to the video from the Contemporary Service.

2008-05-27T21:36:00.002-05:00

May 25, 2008
Spiritual Fruit - Faithfulness
Semper Fi.

FIRST SERVICE INTRO:
A man was leaving church one Sunday. He stopped in front of the preacher to shake hands. The preacher grabbed the man’s hands and pulled him aside. The pastor told him, “You need to join the army of the Lord.” The man replied, “I’m already in the army of the Lord, Pastor.” The minister then questioned, “Then why don’t I see you here more often?” The man whispered back, “I’m in the secret service.”

Serving the Lord was never meant to be a secret. Spiritual fruit are supposed to be apparent. The fruit must be visible in what we say and do. They are signs that we are in the army of the Lord. Today, we arrive at the spiritual fruit of faithfulness.

SECOND SERVICE INTRO:
A rather harried preacher, speaking to his congregation on a Sunday morning, said, “The philosophy of ministry that worked in the 60s didn’t work in the 70s. What worked in the 70s didn’t work in the 80s. And what worked in the 80s didn’t work in the 90s. We are now in a new decade and a new millennium. Let’s hope what worked in our first service will still work in the second service. Things change pretty fast, but not that fast, right? And, believe it or not, some things never change - like the timeless truths of the Bible. We are studying the spiritual fruit. Today we are on 7 of 9 – the fruit of faithfulness.

Many of you remember the terrorist bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut during the Regain presidency. A few days after the bombing, Marine Corps Commandant Paul Kelly, visited some of the wounded survivors at the Army Hospital in Frankfurt, Germany. Among them was Corporal Jeffrey Lee Nashton, severely wounded in the incident. Nashton had so many tubes running in and out of his body that a witness said he looked more like a machine than a man; yet he survived.

As Kelly neared him, Nashton, struggling to move and racked with pain, motioned for a piece of paper and a pen. He wrote a brief note and passed it back to the Commandant. On the slip of paper were but two words -- "Semper Fi" the Latin motto of the Marines meaning "forever faithful." With those two simple words Nashton spoke for the millions of Americans who have sacrificed body and limb and their lives for their country -- those who have remained faithful. (J. Dobson & Gary Bauer, Children at Risk, Word, 1990, pp. 187-188.)

On this Memorial Day Sunday, we honor our veterans and remember the supreme sacrifice made by many precious soles. Let’s take a moment of silence. We will never forget!

I wonder if God finds us “Semper Fi”? The fruit of the spirit is…faithfulness… This spiritual fruit is about being “tried and true.” Can God count on us? Are we tried and true? Do we do what we say we are going to do? Are we reliable? To God? To people?

The author of Ecclesiastes wrote: “It is better not to make a vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it” (5:5). Jesus echoed this when he said, “(Mat 5:33 NIV) "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord...simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No';” (Mat 5:37, 39 NIV). And something must have rubbed off on James, Jesus’ brother, because he wrote in the book that bears his name, (James 5:12 NIV) “Above all, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.”

Our words will make us or break us. What we say and the result of what we say will form our judgment. Good intentions won’t hold up under scrutiny. The great deciding factor will be this: did our actions mach our words? Were we a “follow through” people?

As I was setting at the car shop Friday having Betsy’s brakes worked on, I shared the waiting room with a lady who was on her cell phone. She was a nice lady; she spoke with enough volume that it was impossible not to overhear the conversation. She commented to someone that she did not like a particular co-worker because she was two-faced. I took that to mean that the co-worker acted nice to your face, but behind your back, look out for the knife. That person was unreliable. The comment made me think - what do others see in us? Are we reliable? Are we steady – the same to someone’s face as much as to their backs? And does that behavior reflect God in some way?

Verizon has some interesting commercials. The person who has Verizon is traveling with the Verizon network. The idea is that there are a team of professionals and techs always standing by to support us and assure that our network is functioning and reliable. If you have Verizon, you are never left alone; you have everything you need so that you can do what you need to do. Some Verizon customers that I have talked to say that this works better in theory than practice. On the other hand, if we have Jesus, we always have support. We are never, ever left alone, but we have all that we need to be able to do what we should be doing.

What should we be doing? When we commit to something, we should do it. If we are on a committee or team, we should follow through with attendance and homework assignments. If we are in a helping ministry, we should be a team player and share the load. If we say we are a Christian, the fruit must show. What should we be doing? We should be loving, patient, kind, faithful. There are probably few who exhibit every spiritual fruit all the time. But as a Christian, we should be progressing toward that goal. Just like Clarence Jordan.

Clarence Jordan was a man of unusual abilities and commitment. He had two Ph.D.s, one in agriculture and one in Greek and Hebrew. So gifted was he, he could have chosen to do anything he wanted. He chose to serve the poor. In the 1940s, he founded a farm in Americus, Georgia, and called it Koinonia Farm. It was a community for poor whites and poor blacks. As you might guess, such an idea did not go over well in the Deep South of the '40s. Ironically, much of the resistance came from good church people who followed the laws of segregation as much as the other folk in town. The town people tried everything to stop Clarence. They tried boycotting him, and slashing workers' tires when they came to town. Over and over, for fourteen years, they tried to stop him.

Finally, in 1954, the Ku Klux Klan had enough of Clarence Jordan, so they decided to get rid of him once and for all. They came one night with guns and torches and set fire to every building on Koinonia Farm but Clarence's home, which they riddled with bullets. And they chased off all the families except one black family which refused to leave. Clarence recognized the voices of many of the Klansmen, and, as you might guess, some of them were church people. Another was the local newspaper's reporter. The next day, the reporter came out to see what remained of the farm. The rubble still smoldered and the land was scorched, but he found Clarence in the field, hoeing and planting. "I heard the awful news," he called to Clarence, "and I came out to do a story on the tragedy of your farm closing." Clarence just kept on hoeing and planting. The reporter kept prodding, kept poking, trying to get a rise from this quietly determined man who seemed to be planting instead of packing his bags. So, finally, the reporter said in a haughty voice, "Well, Dr. Jordan, you got two of them Ph.D.s and you've put fourteen years into this farm, and there's nothing left of it at all. Just how successful do you think you've been?"

Clarence stopped hoeing, turned toward the reporter with his penetrating blue eyes, and said quietly but firmly, "About as successful as the cross. Sir, I don't think you understand us. What we are about is not success but faithfulness. We're staying. Good day." Beginning that day, Clarence and his companions rebuilt Koinonia and the farm is going strong today. (Tim Hansel, Holy Sweat, Word Books Publisher, 1987, pp. 188-189.

Clarence was faithful to God first – whether in big things or in small things. All the rest took care of itself.

Fred Craddock is one of my favorite preachers. He is now retired, but for quite some time he taught preaching at Candler Theological Seminary. We used his books at Ashland Theological Seminary, and I met him in person and had him sign one of my books. Speaking of small things, In an address to ministers, he said, "To give my life for Christ appears glorious," he said. "To pour myself out for others. . . to pay the ultimate price of martyrdom -- I'll do it. I'm ready, Lord, to go out in a blaze of glory. "We think giving our all to the Lord is like taking $l,000 bill and laying it on the table-- 'Here's my life, Lord. I'm giving it all.' But the reality for most of us is that he sends us to the bank and has us cash in the $l,000 for quarters. We go through life putting out 25 cents here and 50 cents there. Listen to the neighbor kid's troubles instead of saying, 'Get lost.' Go to a committee meeting. Give a cup of water to a shaky old man in a nursing home. Usually giving our life to Christ isn't glorious. It's done in all those little acts of love, 25 cents at time. It would be easy to go out in a flash of glory; it's harder to live the Christian life little by little over the long haul." (Darryl Bell.)

“Dont' waste your time waiting and longing for large opportunitis which may never come. But faithfully handle the little things that are always claiming your attention.” (F.B. Meyer.)

May we be found Semper Fi.

2008-05-19T07:21:00.003-05:00

Sunday, May 18, 2008
"Is God Always Good?"

“God is Good - all the time.
All the time - God is good.”

Do we really believe this? We see many things that seem to deny that God is good: China earthquake, Midwestern and southern tornadoes. Diseases. Death. Demise. When bad happens instead of good, is God still good?

A man was cutting trees for firewood and one tree landed on top of him. He broke some ribs, punctured a lung and crushed some vertebrae in his back. A pastor visited him and told the man that he would be praying for him. To that the man commented, “Where was God a few days ago?” The minister replied, “The very fact that you are alive to question God’s presence and care show that God was indeed around and even providing help.” If we are still here to question, then it stands to reason that God is at least good enough to keep a body alive.

This man will mend completely. What about when injuries don’t mend, or diseases aren’t healed or when help doesn’t come? What about something as bad as, let’s say, a concentration camp? Let’s take a page from Corrie Ten Boom’s diary. Corrie and her family were put in a German concentration camp during World War II and faced the worse examples of human hatred.

“Often I have heard people say, ‘How good God is! We prayed that it would not rain for our church picnic, and look at the lovely weather!’ Yes, God is good when He sends good weather. But God was also good when He allowed my sister, Betsie, to starve to death before my eyes in a German concentration camp. I remember one occasion when I was very discouraged there. Everything around us was dark, and there was darkness in my heart. I remember telling Betsie that I thought God had forgotten us. ‘No, Corrie,’ said Betsie, ‘He has not forgotten us. Remember His Word: “For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him.” ” Corrie concludes, “There is an ocean of God’s love available—there is plenty for everyone. May God grant you never to doubt that victorious love—whatever the circumstances.” (Source unknown)

How does someone write that?

Let’s take another example. One of God’s faithful missionaries, Allen Gardiner, experienced many physical difficulties and hardships throughout his service to the Savior. Despite his troubles, he said, “While God gives me strength, failure will not daunt me.”

In 1851, at the age of 57, he died of disease and starvation while serving on Picton Island at the southern tip of South America. When his body was found, his diary lay nearby. It bore the record of hunger, thirst, wounds, and loneliness. The last entry in his little book showed the struggle of his shaking hand as he tried to write legibly. It read, “I am overwhelmed with a sense of the goodness of God.”(Source unknown)

How does someone write that?

Let’s put this a little closer to home. If Susan’s car accident would have led to loss of health or worse, would God still have been good?

That depends on what you think of God! The ability to believe that God is good regardless of what happens is based on a right understanding of God’s nature. Is God good? Is God’s nature always a good nature? Let’s see!

The psalmist thought God was good:
1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting (Psalms 107:1).

2 I said to the LORD, “Thou art my Lord; I have no good besides Thee” (Psalms 16:2).

You cannot have goodness without God, just as you cannot have God without goodness. Romans draws a divide between us and God when it comes to goodness: “there is no one good, no not one” in and of themselves.

When Jesus was called a “good teacher” he replied: “There is only one who is Good.” True goodness cannot be understood apart from God.

James mentions that every good and perfect gift is from above (1:17). God is good. He gives good things. And yet, we still have the problem of bad or evil. This is presented in the second chapter of the first book of the Bible – God planted a tree in the garden – a tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve would go on to disobey God and forever change the course of human history. A disobedient decision in the Garden of Eden put us in a world where pain – sometimes terrible pain – is a stark reality.

Humanity is paying the price for the original sin. Romans says as much: one man sinned and because of that, all have sinned.

God is good, and apart from Him we are not good. But with God in us through Christ, we can do good things. It was part of our original nature to be good. And if we can do good things for Christ’s sake, our goodness can lead others to a good God.

Wayne gave me a card from the Terry Tekyle seminar on prayer. The card gives directions on how to pray for the lost. One of the requirements is asking God to change your actions so that others can see God at work in you. Our good acts in Christ will lead to the one who is truly, fully good.

The fruit of the spirit is goodness. The word for goodness in Galatians 5:22 is “agathose.” Do you know anyone named “Agatha?” This is the same word. Implied in its meaning is “action” – works of goodness. Some translations use the word “generosity.” This spiritual fruit is talking about works of goodness fueled by God working in a person. We are talking about good works – not as a means of earning God’s approval – but as the result of God living in a heart. It is a spiritual fruit – one of 9 characteristics visable in the life of a Christian. It is an inheritance from the Father – a way of living because Christ is present.

It is also a profound perspective based on Romans 8:28 – all things work for good. A believer will know in their heart of hearts that God uses every situation to produce a greater good – sometimes seen, sometimes unseen.

This is the way it was for Randy Hoyt. He stood by helpless as his wife Kris went into the hospital for an emergency Caesarean section operation when only 5 months pregnant. As the doctors battled to save her life Randy cried out to God "God, what do you want? I know you can heal her; why don't you?"
God didn't heal her. Randy was left the single parent of six children.
"What about our plans, God?" he asked. "Who will teach the kids, guide them, and love them like their mother?"
Randy soon found out. A program was started which became known as "Help Bring Hope to the Hoyt Kids." Over the next six months, hundreds of people worked, sent money, donated meals and supplies and poured love into Randy's family. Randy received more than 500 letters, e-mails and cards from people who said they were praying for them.
At the end of the six months the medical bills were all paid, the mortgage has been paid and Randy is back at work. God did not save his wife, but God's love was ministered to Randy and his children in deeply profound ways after Kris' death.
The pain of Kris' departure remained. Yet when he started to sink into despair Randy could imagine the two of them in heaven together, fully alive, healthy and full of joy. "See her as she is now," he felt the Holy Spirit saying. "She is alive."
Reflecting upon his experience Randy says, "I asked God for the life of my wife; I received instead a lesson on the nature of God. God is good. Armed with that knowledge, I have no fear for today or the future. God will always be enough…for any situation." (Source: reported by Randy Hoyt, "Seeing God," Pentecostal Evangel, January 21, 2001, pp.14-15)

But the fruit of the spirit is…goodness…

2008-05-19T07:11:00.002-05:00

Mother's Day Sunday, May 11, 2008
"Spiritual Fruit: Kindness"

(Gal 5:22 NRSV) …the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness…

A little boy forgot his lines in a Sunday school presentation. His mother was in the front row to prompt him. She gestured and formed the words silently with her lips, but it did not help. Her son’s memory was blank. Finally, she leaned forward and whispered the cue, “I am the light of the world.” The child beamed and with great feeling and a loud, clear voice said, “My mother is the light of the world.” (Bits and Pieces, August 1989)

More Than a Mother by Kari Keshmiry:

When God set the world in place,
When He hung the stars in space,
When He made the land and the sea,
Then He made you and me.

He sat back and saw all that was good,
He saw things to be as they should.
Just one more blessing He had in store;
He created a mother, but whatever for?

He knew a mother would have a special place
To shine His reflection on her child’s face.

Oh, the power of a godly mother! A mother filled with Pentecost – the filling of the Holy Spirit – nothing can compare to! Now, I realize that not all mothers are godly! I realize that some of you may have had a terrible relationship or no relationship at all with your mother. Others may be profoundly missing their mother today. I am glad that God is both Mother and Father to us; and God enables us to be godly parents to our own and to others. Praise be to God.

Today’s spiritual fruit is “kindness.” I find it interesting that people who are often remembered most are those who were kind. A kind mother is a gem!

Susan and I paid a visit this past week to one of my college English and Composition professors, now retired, in Philippi, Leah Richards. She has not been well, and it had been sometime since I had seen her. I house set for her during the summer of 1986 while she traveled. I worked at the same church that she attended, and got to know her pretty well. When she saw me, I could tell that she remembered me. It was great to see her. As we were chatting, I told her that I had 2 very clear memories of her. First, she uncovered that my roommate had been pronouncing a word wrong just about his whole life. The word that he was mispronouncing was the word “category.” He had been pronouncing it “categlory.” Second, I remembered writing a paper about my mother, mentioning how much she had influenced my life and how appreciative I was. I’ll never forget her comment in big, bold red on my paper: “Great. Now be sure you tell her!”

Some of you have been reading Proverbs. The last chapter speaks about an ideal wife and mother: She looks forward to the future with joy. She speaks wise words and teaches others to be kind. She watches over her family and never wastes her time. Her children speak well of her. Her husband also praises her. Give her the reward she has earned.

One person suggested making a list of 31 things that your wife, your mother, your grandmother or significant other does for you and your family which you seldom thank her for, making a specific point of thanking her for one a day the coming month. Watch what that does for your relationship!

Back to our spiritual fruit: kindness. A truly kind mother is a mother in constant prayer for her brood!

Lorne Sanny of The Navigators once wrote of his mother: “My mother gave birth to me in a frontier house on a Midwestern prairie. On the kitchen counter she placed a list of the ingredients necessary for my formula. At the top of the list was “prayer,” and that remained at the top of her list for me throughout her life…I have her to thank for firmly establishing my spiritual roots. (Today in the Word, January 1990, p 23)

The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once commented, “I cannot tell how much I owe to the prayers of my good mother. I remember her once praying, ‘Now Lord, if my children go in sin it will not be from ignorance that they perish, and my soul must bear swift witness against them at the day of judgment if they lay not hold on Christ and claim Him as their personal Savior.

Years ago, a young mother was making her way across the hills of South Wales, England, carrying her tiny baby in her arms, when she was overtaken by a blinding blizzard. She never reached her destination and when the blizzard had subsided, her body was found by searchers beneath a mound of snow. But they discovered that before her death, she had taken off her outer clothing and wrapped it about her baby. When they unwrapped the child, to their great surprise and joy, they found that he was alive and well. She had mounded her body over his and given her life for her child, proving the depths of her mother love. Years later, that child, David Loyd George, grown to manhood, became prime minister of Great Britain, and without a doubt, one of England’s greatest statesmen. (James Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited, 1972, p. 375)

This is a grand picture of what God has done for us through Christ – He has given His life for ours. A profound, unceasing love. Come to this Love today, as you are, and find renewal and rebirth. Allow God to be your perfect parent, supplying all your needs, not the least of which is eternal life.

2008-04-20T20:50:00.002-05:00

April 6, 2008 "What Really Satisfies?"

Isaiah 55:2 reads: “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?”

Why do we put so much time into so many things which do not satisfy?

There was a Dad who said that he and his family spent quality time together the other
Night. They were all in the family room together – kind of: he was playing cards on the computer, his daughter was on the couch text messaging, his son was watching TV and his wife was running back and forth doing laundry. Is that really Quality Time?

The rest of verse 2 in Isaiah 55 reads: “Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.”

In other words, put most of your time into things that have eternal value.
Turn off the TV. Play a board game with your kids. Talk to your spouse. Read the word. Isaiah 55:10 says that the word of God shall not return void!

Ephesians tells us to be filled with the spirit. Can you imagine what it would be like if you lived each and every moment with the recognition that God lives in us?

First Corinthians 6:19-20 says

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

What a difference if we would live with that recognition. It would change what we see, what we hear, what we say!

Last, let’s meet the Lord through Holy Communion! The disciples on the way to Emmaus did just that:

(Luke 24:13 NIV) Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.

(Luke 24:14 NIV) They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.

(Luke 24:15 NIV) As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;

(Luke 24:16 NIV) but they were kept from recognizing him.

(Luke 24:17 NIV) He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast.

(Luke 24:18 NIV) One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

(Luke 24:19 NIV) "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.

(Luke 24:20 NIV) The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;

(Luke 24:21 NIV) but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.

(Luke 24:22 NIV) In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning

(Luke 24:23 NIV) but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.

(Luke 24:24 NIV) Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

(Luke 24:25 NIV) He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

(Luke 24:26 NIV) Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"

(Luke 24:27 NIV) And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

(Luke 24:28 NIV) As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.

(Luke 24:29 NIV) But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

(Luke 24:30 NIV) When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.

(Luke 24:31 NIV) Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.

(Luke 24:32 NIV) They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

(Luke 24:33 NIV) They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together

(Luke 24:34 NIV) and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon."

(Luke 24:35 NIV) Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

(Luke 24:36 NIV) While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

(Luke 24:37 NIV) They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.

(Luke 24:38 NIV) He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?

(Luke 24:39 NIV) Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

(Luke 24:40 NIV) When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.

(Luke 24:41 NIV) And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"

(Luke 24:42 NIV) They gave him a piece of broiled fish,

(Luke 24:43 NIV) and he took it and ate it in their presence.

(Luke 24:44 NIV) He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."

(Luke 24:45 NIV) Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

(Luke 24:46 NIV) He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,

(Luke 24:47 NIV) and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

(Luke 24:48 NIV) You are witnesses of these things.

(Luke 24:49 NIV) I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

(Luke 24:50 NIV) When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.

(Luke 24:51 NIV) While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.

(Luke 24:52 NIV) Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

(Luke 24:53 NIV) And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

It was in the breaking of bread that the disciples recognized Jesus! Let us prepare to break bread. Let us celebrate a holy feast. We meet Jesus here! Only Jesus brings real, lasting satisfaction.

Communion

2008-03-23T21:32:00.001-05:00

March 23, 2008 -- Easter

"Don’t Hold Back"

[First Service introduction: Perhaps you have heard this one before. The day was blistering hot and muggy. The house was full of guests, and things were not going well. Finally, the hostess got everyone seated for dinner and asked her seven-year-old daughter to offer the blessing. “But mother,” said the child, “I don’t know what to say.” “Yes you do,” said her mother. “Just say the last prayer you heard me use.” Obediently, the child bowed her head and recited hesitantly, “O Lord, why did I invite all these people to dinner on such a hot day?”

Aren’t you glad that God will never regret sending us an invitation to join Him? We have so many here on this glorious day. Welcome to the house of God!

Today’s scripture passage is just one verse. It comes from Isaiah 54:2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes” (NIV).]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Second Service introduction: A car was involved in an accident. As expected, a large crowd gathered. A newspaper reporter, anxious to get his story, could not get near the car. Being a clever sort, he started shouting loudly, “Let me through! Let me through! I’m the son of the victim!” The crowd made way for him. Lying in front of the car was a donkey!”

Talk about embarrassment! I think he got what he deserved. It never pays to be dishonest. Let us turn to the Bible, the book of Truth, for today’s scripture passage:

"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes” (Isaiah 54:2 NIV).]

Let me share a story about how one man enlarged the place of his tent. It is a modern Easter story.

The church’s pastor slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit and, before he gave his sermon for the evening, briefly introduced a guest minister who was in the service that evening. In the introduction, the pastor told the congregation that the guest minister was one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service. With that, the elderly man stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak.

“A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the pacific coast,” he began. “When a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to the shore. The waves were so high that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized.

“The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in the story. The aged minister continued with his story. “Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy would he throw the other end of the life line. He only had seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian and he also knew that his son’s friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves.

“As the father yelled out, ‘I love you, son!’ he threw out the life line to his son’s friend. By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black of the night. His body was never recovered.

By this time the two teenage boys were sitting straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next words to come out of the old minister’s mouth. “The father,” he continued, “knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus and he could not bear the thought of his son’s friend stepping into eternity without Jesus. Therefore he sacrificed his son to save the son’s friend. How great is the love of God that should do the same for us. Our heavenly Father sacrificed his only begotten son so that we could be saved.

I urge you to accept his offer to rescue you and to take a hold of the life line He is throwing out to you in this service.”

With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room.

The pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered a brief sermon with an invitation at the end. However, no one responded to the appeal. Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man’s side. “That was a nice story,” politely stated one of the boys, “but I don’t think it was very realistic for a father to give up his only son’s life in hope that the other boy would become a Christian.”

“Well, you’ve got a point there,” the old man replied, glancing down at his worn bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face; he once again looked up at the boys and said, “It sure isn’t very realistic, is it. But, I’m standing here today to tell you that story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me. You see – I was that Father and your pastor is my son’s friend.”

Remember, everything has a purpose; everything happens for a reason – even the most minute detail figures into God’s eternal plan. Some of you have experienced tragedy and suffering – maybe the sort that is even off the scale. Know this, God sent his Son for you. The suffering, as hard as it is, is a reminder that you need a savior.

Some of you doubt – with all that you are – because you can’t believe without seeing. Let me share this, because, someone here today, is at the brink of belief, but you are hung up on someone else’s version of religion.

Frederick Buechner (pronounced Beek-nur) is his book Now and Then, has a section on his comparison of the teachings of Buddha and of Jesus Christ, a topic he wrestled with when he was teaching at Phillips Exeter Academy in southern New Hampshire:

“Finally, lest students of comparative religion be tempted to believe that to compare them is to discover that at their hearts all religions are finally one and that it thus makes no difference which one you choose, you have only to place side by side Buddha and Christ themselves.

“Buddha sits enthroned beneath the Bo tree in the lotus position. His lips are faintly parted in the smile of one who has passed beyond every power in earth or heaven to touch him. ‘He who loves 50 has 50 woes, he who loves 10 has 10 woes, he who loves none has no woes,’ he has said. His eyes are closed.

“Christ, on the other hand, stands in the garden of Gethsemane, distressed, beleaguered. His face is lost in shadows so that you can’t even see his lips… ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.’ He has said. His eyes are also closed.

“The difference seems to me this. The suffering that Buddha’s eyes close out is the suffering of the world that Christ’s eyes close in and hallow. It is an extraordinary difference, and even in a bare classroom in Exeter, New Hampshire, I think it was as apparent to everyone as it was to me that before you’re done, you have to make a crucial and extraordinary choice” (James Hewett, ed., Illustrations Unlimited).

According to an old legend, a man became lost in his travels and wandered into a bed of quicksand. Confucius saw the man’s predicament and said, “It is evident that men should stay out of places such as this.” Next, Buddha observed the situation and said, “Let that man’s plight be a lesson to the rest of the world.” Then Muhammad came by and said to the sinking man, “Alas, it is the will of God.” Finally, Jesus appeared. “Take my hand, brother,” he said, “and I will save you.”

Jesus, as he appeared before Pilate on Good Friday said this, "In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me" (John 18:37 NIV).

"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. Receive what God has intended for you to have – everlasting life. “Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it” (Mal 3:10 NIV).

Either you are in the tent or you are out of it. If you have one foot inside and one outside, it is the same as being out. Don’t hold back. Go for it with all that you’ve got. Eternity weighs in the balance. The choice is yours.

How to pray to be saved:

God, I need you. Come into my life. I ask Jesus, right now, to come into my heart. I trust that he is life. Forgive me of my shortcomings, and help me to live my life for you. Amen.

2008-03-19T05:50:00.002-05:00

March 16, 2008 -- Palm Sunday

Scripture: John 9:35-38

35Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"

36"Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him."

37Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you."

38Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.

A little old lady answered a knock on her door one day, only to be confronted by a well-dressed young man carrying a vacuum cleaner. “Good morning,” said the young man. “If I could take a couple minutes of your time, I would like to demonstrate the very latest in high-powered vacuum cleaners.

“Go away!” said the old lady. “I haven’t got any money!” and she proceeded to close the door. Quick as a flash, the young man wedged his foot in the door and pushed it wide open.

“Don’t be too hasty!” he said, “not until you have a least seen my demonstration.” And with that, he emptied a bucket of horse manure onto her hallway carpet. “If this vacuum cleaner does not remove all traces of this horse manure from your carpet, Madam, I will personally eat the remainder.”

The old lady stepped back and said, “Well I hope that you got a darned good appetite, because they cut off my electricity this morning!”

Putting your faith in your product can be very costly! The same is true for putting your faith in a person. The blind man found that out. He was excommunicated from church and very possibly ostracized by his supposed friends. He was persecuted by the religious leaders and in some ways his status after his healing was worse than before his healing. But having his sight was worth it – not just his physical sight; more importantly, he had his spiritual sight. And this new found trust in Christ led very naturally to worship.

Worship is a natural progression of belief.

On his son’s 21st birthday, a father gave his son a beautiful gold pocket watch. His presentation speech, in full, was as follows: “Son, we had always planned to give you this watch when you reached the age of wisdom; we’ve decided it’s better not to wait.” Do you have a child or children in whom you wonder if they are going to ever get it? Remember, faith is a journey. We don’t all get it at the same time or in the same way.

Look at the blind man (I kind of hate calling him the blind man. Now he sees. I will call him the sight man!) The sight man first acknowledged Jesus as “the man,” then “prophet,” then “from God,” then “son of Man,” and finally, “Lord!” It took a little while, at least, to get from man to Lord. The same is true for us. But once we get it, really believing it, the next natural step is worship.

So, let’s define worship. The easiest way to define worship is with two little words: “glorifying God.” That involves praise, adoration, and honor. It can be done anywhere. There are more components to worship, but this is the best starting place. People, being different, glorify God in different ways. Some do so in a traditional manner. Others, in a more contemporary way. And that is ok. I kind of like Billy Graham’s take on different denominations. He said that God knew we all were not the same, so he allowed different means of faith expression. The important thing is that we, who are different, glorify the same God.

The second point here, and I have already alluded to it, is this: worship is not necessarily tied to a place. There is importance in place, but place is not imperative. You can have a worshipful experience in your car, in your church, by the campfire, in jail. Jesus qualified this when he talked to the woman at the well: true worshipers worship God in spirit and in truth. Place can and does enhance worship, but we must not fall into the pit of worshiping in one and only one place. If we do that, we segment our lives, compartmentalizing the faith to the extent that our faith does not influence all the areas of our lives.

Last, worship is tied to a person and to a people. Worship gains its fullest expression as we praise God for his amazing gift – Christ the Lord. He, the one who saved us with himself, made religion about a relationship, not rules. And the natural progression from a relationship with Jesus is a relationship with others. This makes corporate worship absolutely vital to our spiritual maturity.

I don’t have much of a green thumb. What I’ve learned about plants I’ve learned the hard way. I know that a plant is limited in its size by the size of the pot it is planted in. If we don’t give a plant enough room to grow, its growth will be stunted. The same is true for us. To worship alone is to stunt our growth. We were meant to celebrate our faith in community. It is where we get comfortable with heaven. It is where the life events of others encourage us. It is where we hear God most, because God speaks to us through others. Don’t fall prey to limiting your worship to nature or to your prayer closet. It will stunt your growth.

Sooner or later, you will find a challenge to your desire to be in corporate worship. How do I know this? Because our membership is 504 and our attendance is 192. We have a good 150 people that we never see – people who took the vows of membership, pledging their attendance, among other things, and yet, they are not here. Don’t fall prey to that being ok – for yourself or for others. It is an unholy scheme perpetuated from below. Instead, step into the full light of God’s presence – and seek His will above all others – including our own. Seek Him publicly and seek Him privately. Glorify Him! That is worship.

2008-03-12T23:26:00.005-05:00

March 9, 2008 -- "Self-Righteousness"
Scripture: John 9:13 - 34

13They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath.

15Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I see."

16Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others asked, "How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?" So they were divided.

17Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened." The man replied, "He is a prophet."

18The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents. 19"Is this your son?" they asked. "Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?"

20"We know he is our son," the parents answered, "and we know he was born blind. 21But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself." 22His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. 23That was why his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."

24A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God," they said. "We know this man is a sinner."

25He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"

26Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"

27He answered, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?"

28Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from."

30The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."

34To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out.

First Service introduction:
[Samuel Clemens, also known as Mark Twain, must have been a pretty direct fellow. A Boston businessman well known for his ruthlessness once announced to the writer, "Before I die I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I will climb Mount Sinai and read the 10 Commandments aloud at the top."

"I have a better idea," replied Twain. "You could stay in Boston and keep them." Moody Bible Institute's Today in the Word, September, 1991, p. 32.

There is a flipside to this little story. The Pharisees were strict keepers of the 10 commandments plus another 603, but their strict observances left little room for compassion and mercy. They were obsessed with rules and regulations – to the point of separating themselves from the general populace. They became very hawkish, and they did not offer much grace.]

Second Service introduction:
[On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts.

“One for you; one for me. One for you; one for me,” said one boy. Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence. Another boy came riding along the road with his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard, “One for you; one for me. One for you; one for me.”

He just knew what it was. He jumped back on his bike and rode off. Just around the corner he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along. “Come here quick,” said the boy, “you won’t believe what I heard. The devil and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls.”

The man said, “Beat it, kid; can’t you see it’s hard for me to walk.” When the boy insisted, the man hobbled to the cemetery. Standing by the fence they heard, “One for you; one for me. One for you; one for me.” The old man whispered, “Boy, you’ve been tellin’ the truth. Let’s see if we can see the Lord.” Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything.

The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord. At last, they heard, “One for you; one for me. That’s all. Now let’s get those nuts by the fence and we’ll be done.”

They say that the old man made it back to town a full five minutes ahead of the boy on the bike.

The blind man must have realized that he was dealing with some nutty people. The problem he encountered, though, was self-righteousness.]

A self righteous stance tends to see things based on law rather than grace (verse 16).

Law is about dos and don’ts
Grace is about mercy and forgiveness

A self-righteous stance tends to call a good thing a bad thing (verses 18 and 24).

My way is better or best
A compromise is rarely offered
Belittling and demeaning and criticizing are often committed
Denial becomes a mindset
Borders on blasphemy (blasphemy is calling a work of the Holy Spirit
evil (Mark 3)

A self-righteous stance tends to see oneself better than others (verse 34).

This is the ultimate perversion
The classic example is how the Pharisees treated the blind-man.
A self-righteous person does not need the help of a savior

Who was really blind here? Will the real blind man please stand up! The Pharisees were blind. The blind man could now see. The law prevented the Pharisees from seeing good; the law created a holier-than thou attitude.

Let’s hear what Paul had to say about this theme. He wrote about it in Galatians chapter three:
(Gal 3:1 - 6 NIV) You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.
I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?
Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing?
Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?
Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

Preacher and author Frederick Buechner commented: The trouble oftentimes with religious people is that they try to be more spiritual than God himself. There is not place for self-righteousness in Christianity. “Self” implies that we can be good enough on our own. Jesus came because it is impossible to be good enough. He knew we needed a Savior. How about you – do you know you need a Savior?

Let’s pray!
Lord, if there is anyone here who has not made you their personal Lord and Savior, please help them to pray right now: “Lord, I need a Savior. Please come into my heart and forgive me of my sins. Help me to live for you. Guide and direct me all the days of my life. Amen.”

Be sure to tell someone if you prayed that prayer. And all of us, be sure to share the good news with your kids and grandkids. There is no greater gift.

2008-03-08T17:07:00.002-05:00

March 2, 2008 "Faith"

Scripture: John 9:1-11 NRSV
As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man's eyes, saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see.

The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, "Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?"

Some were saying, "It is he." Others were saying, "No, but it is someone like him."

He kept saying, "I am the man."

But they kept asking him, "Then how were your eyes opened?"

He answered, "The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' Then I went and washed and received my sight."

Jesus found a way to connect with this blind man. The blind man could not see, but he could feel and he could smell. He would know that Jesus worked a work in his life. This speaks of Jesus’ compassion – and of his power as God.

God is able: that is the first step to faith, and it is the greatest step. God can do anything God wants to do; there is nothing impossible for God!

A young boy traveling by airplane to visit his grandparents sat beside a man who happened to be a seminary professor. The boy was reading a Sunday school take-home paper when the professor thought he would have some fun with the lad. "Young man," said the professor, "If you can tell me something God can do, I"ll give you a big, shiny apple." The boy thought for a moment and then replied, "Mister, if you can tell me something God can't do, I"ll give you a whole barrel of apples!" (Today in the Word, April, 1989, p. 43.)

Let’s take a walk through the book of Hebrews. It is a very Jewish book, and consequently, it is often difficult to understand in places. One thing that is not difficult to understand is Hebrews use of the word “faith.” “Faith” is used 72 times in the book of Hebrews. It is not a blind faith but a faith that is informed. It has looked at the evidence and has made an informed choice.

(Heb 11:6 KJV) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Some say seeing is believing. I say that believing is seeing. So, let’s define faith:

(Heb 11:1 KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The start of great faith is the belief that God is:
(Heb 11:3 KJV) Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

God is so powerful, that even sin is under God’s domination. Here, in this passage, we find the common belief about sin: sin caused deformity and sickness. The disciples asked their teacher, “Whose fault was it that this man could not see – his own sins or the sins of his parents?” Can you see the implication: “Oh, look at him, poor thing. He must have really messed up. My goodness, what a shame; his parents must have been terribly bad.” But Jesus turned that belief on its ear: “His blind so that the work of God would be made known!”

Faith’s final destiny finds itself believing in the Son of God:
(Heb 10:12 KJV) But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

(Heb 9:22 KJV) And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

(Heb 4:14 KJV) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

“But again, I can’t see God. I haven’t seen Jesus. How can I believe?” some might ask. Romans makes it clear that God is seen: (Rom 1:20 KJV) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

A twelve year old boy became a Christian at a revival. The next week at school his friends questioned him about the experience. “Did you see a vision?” asked one friend. “Did you hear God speak?” asked another. The youngster answered no to all these questions. “Well, how did you know you were saved?” they asked. The boy searched for an answer and finally he said: “It’s like when you catch a fish, you can’t see the fish or hear the fish; you just feel him tugging on your line. I just felt God tugging on my heart.”

The Ladies Home Journal asked, "In whom do you trust?" Responses were:
Walter Cronkite 40% of the vote
Pope John Paul 26%
Billy Graham 6%
God 3% (Ladies Home Journal (Sept, 1981).)

Some surveys have determined that as much as 95% of our society believes in God; while that may be true, it would seem that far less trust God.

Sometimes it is hard to trust when we do not fully see God’s deliverance. But faith speaks to that, like in this story from Robert Schuller. Sweeping across Germany at the end of World War II, Allied forces searched farms and houses looking for snipers. At one abandoned, almost a heap of rubble, searchers with flashlights found their way to the basement. There, on the crumbling wall, a victim of the Holocaust had scratched a star of David. And beneath it, in rough lettering, the message:
I believe in the sun – even when it does not shine.
I believe in love – even when it is not shown.
I believe in God – even when he does not speak. (Robert Schuller).

God is able. And because God is able, God knows exactly what is best. God loves us, and God will do for us and to us that which is necessary to fit in with God’s plan.

Whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is able.

2008-02-29T22:27:00.002-05:00

February 24, 2008 - 3rd Sunday in Lent
Self Nurture

Scripture: John 4:5-29 NRSV
So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.)

The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."

The woman said to him, "Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?"

Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,
but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life."

The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water."

Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back."

The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!"

The woman said to him, "Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem."

Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us."

Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one who is speaking to you."

Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you want?" or, "Why are you speaking with her?"

Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people,
"Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?"

THE HEART OF THE MATER

A woman called her friend to ask how she was feeling. “Terrible,” the other woman replied. “My head’s splitting, the house is a mess, and I can’t wait for the kids to be in school. And it’s too hot.”

“Listen,” said the caller, “go lie down. I’ll come right over to straighten the house and watch the children until your headache goes away. By the way, how is Sam?”

“Sam?” the hurting housewife asked. “Who in the world is Sam?” “Your husband,” came the answer. “But my husband is Bart, not Sam.”

The woman who called gasped and stated, “I’m sorry, I must have dialed the wrong number.”

After a long pause, with a note of sadness and despair, the desperate other woman asked, “Does that mean that you aren’t coming over?” (P. 103 Devotions to Leave You Smiling.)

Jesus came over – from Israel to Samaria – and met a woman and gave her the conversation of her life.

Jesus knows where we are spiritually. There is no escape from his penetrating stare. It was said that the great preacher Charles Finney had an unbelievable gaze. People tried to hide from his look, but they could not. I suspect Jesus was the same way.

Jesus gazed upon several barriers present in this lady’s life – the barriers of race, gender and status for starters. Jews did not associate with Samaritans. They were believed to be traitors, a belief that went back hundreds of years when the Assyrian Empire invaded the Northern part of Israel – including Samaria. It was thought that the Samaritans collaborated with the enemy. In addition, Jewish rabbis did not talk to women in public - much less a woman who was alone – something that a self-respecting woman would not do in the middle of the day at a well where many men would typically be present. Last, the woman also had the social stigma of being divorced – not once but five times. Beyond that, she was living with a man that was not her husband. Her status in her religious world was shaky at best. And, she widens the divide when she brings up a difference in doctrine. Samaritans believed in a different location as the center of their worship.

Jesus breaks down these barriers by offering the living water. Everyone needs the living water. It was an offer that the Samaritan woman could not refuse. Jesus gets to the heart of the matter –starts gently, moves slowly and compassionately to the grand finale. Before he was done, nearly the whole village would come and meet the Messiah – God’s anointed savior!

Imagine if you will that you loved grape juice. Imagine that you were driving through the vineyards of California – grape harbors as far as the eye could see. Imagine that you stopped in a restaurant for breakfast and ordered pancakes and grape juice. “I’m sorry,” the waitress says. “I can’t bring you any grape juice. Our juice machine is broken.” You once again notice that there grape harbors everywhere around. You knew that there were grapes in the kitchen. The problem - no juice! No way! You are surrounded by thousands of gallons of juice. The problem is that the restaurant had become dependent on a machine to make it.

Sometimes Christians are like that. They may be surrounded by Bibles in their homes, but if something should happen to the church, they would not be spiritually fed. The problem is not the lack of spiritual food. The problem is that many Christians have not grown to the point to where they know how to feed themselves.
So how do we get spiritual nourishment for ourselves? You have to do 5 things:

1. You have got to plan to feed yourself.

I bought a used Lincoln town car a few years back. It was a great car – the smoothest ride of any vehicle that I had ever owned. I had a problem with it for a while. I had to unhook the battery cable to get the car to stop running. I think that I had a problem with my fuel injector switch. Sometimes I would forget to reattach the cable before restarting it. I had all that power under the hood, but a loose connection kept me from putting that power to work! Sometimes that is a good description of our Christian walk – all that power of God available, but our connection to God is too lose. We must connect to both devotion and prayer. Let me stress that we need both! Some Christians neglect the Word and seek only a prayer life. The problem is, without reading the word, there is often little to form and shape their prayers. Often such a Christian will drift into error.

Other Christians boast extensive knowledge of the Bible, but they are bone dry. They bring no refreshment through an active prayer life. Strong spiritual lives require both a strong knowledge of the Word of God and an intimate daily relationship with Christ through prayer. And you must balance knowledge with humility. There is little worse than someone who thinks they know everything!

2. You need to have a few simple resources. You need a good Bible translation that is easy for you to understand. You need a pattern for prayer. There are several ones available. I use ACTS: Adore God, confess my sins, Give God thanks and share my supplications (requests).

Another one that I use from time to time is the Fiver-Finger Prayer. Fold your hands as if you were going to pray. Watch how our own hands remind us what to pray for. Your closest finger is your thumb. This stands for those who are closest to you – your spouse, kids, parents, siblings, grandparents, dear friends, etc. Your next finger is your index finger. It is the pointing finger and stands for those who are teachers-school, Sunday school, and preachers. Your middle finger is the tallest finger and stands for those who are in authority-president, governor, mayor, congress and the senate, as well as police officers (you will see the names of two police officers on our prayer list). The fourth finger is the weakest finger. Ask any pianist. It stands for those who are sick or hurting. The last finger is the smallest finger and reminds us that we should pray for ourselves. It, being last and the smallest reminds us that we should not think too highly of ourselves. That is why we pray for the other needs first. But, realize, that we should pray for ourselves. Jesus did (see John 17).

3. You have got to have accountability – a mentor, an accountability group, a partner to encourage you and to support you. Remember, there is no sudden triumph to spiritual maturity. It comes little by little – baby-step by baby-step.

The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit. The winner of the Christian race is the one who endures, not the one who is the quickest or the best.

James wrote, (James 1:12) “Blessed is the one who perseveres…because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

2008-02-20T21:32:00.002-05:00

February 17, 2008 - Prayer

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23
Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

"Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea--for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

Theme: Balance: there is a time to stop, and there is a time to go.
Title: Red Light – Green Light
Notes: Red Light – Green Light Game, Traffic Light Video, VIP – “How You Live”

One pastor shared some of the letters that he received from some of the children in his flock:

Dear Pastor, Please pray for all the airline pilots. I am flying to California tomorrow. Laurie. (Age 10, New York City)

Dear Pastor, Do I have to say grace before every meal? Even when I am only having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Wesley. (Age 9, Baltimore)

Dear Pastor, Thank you for your sermon on Sunday. I will write more when my mother explains to me what you said. Yours truly, Justin. (Age 9, Westport)

Dear Pastor, 1980 by Bill Adler Books, Inc.

Sometimes it’s not just the kids who have a hard time understanding the preacher. Today’s sermon should be a little easier to digest. It only has two points: Stopping and Going.

We find Jesus withdrawing when he heard about the arrest of his cousin John. Then we see Jesus going – preaching, choosing disciples, curing. There is a time to stop and a time to go. A time for Red Light – Green Light! Jesus knew the difference and the importance of each!

C. S. Lewis wrote, “The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning (should) consist(s) in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.”

[John Bunyan shared, “He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day.”]

Martin Luther, the great reformer and founder of the Lutheran Church, indicated this: “If I should neglect prayer but a single day, I should lose a great deal of the fire of faith.

[While very ill, Pastor John Knox, the founder of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, called to his wife and said, "Read me that Scripture where I first cast my anchor." After he listened to the beautiful prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17, he seemed to forget his weakness. He began to pray, interceding earnestly for his fellowmen. He prayed for the ungodly who had thus far rejected the gospel. He pleaded in behalf of people who had been recently converted. And he requested protection for the Lord's servants, many of whom were facing persecution. As Knox prayed, his spirit went Home to be with the Lord. The man of whom Queen Mary had said, "I fear his prayers more than I do the armies of my enemies," ministered through prayer until the moment of his death. (Our Daily Bread.)]

EM Bounds wrote a great book on prayer. He mentioned this: “What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more novel methods, but men [people] whom the Holy Ghost can use—men [people] of prayer, men [people] mighty in prayer.”

Five young college students were spending a Sunday in London, so they went to hear the famed C.H. Spurgeon preach. While waiting for the doors to open, the students were greeted by a man who asked, "Gentlemen, let me show you around. Would you like to see the heating plant of this church?" They were not particularly interested, for it was a hot day in July. But they didn't want to offend the stranger, so they consented. The young men were taken down a stairway, a door was quietly opened, and their guide whispered, "This is our heating plant." Surprised, the students saw 700 people bowed in prayer, seeking a blessing on the service that was soon to begin in the auditorium above. Softly closing the door, the gentleman then introduced himself. It was none other than Charles Spurgeon. (Our Daily Bread).

Our vision – our hope – is to make Jesus Christ real and relevant in our neighborhood and beyond. It does not happen unless we pray, pray hard, pray long, pray with belief!

James wrote: “But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind;” (James 1:6 NRSV).

About a month ago we collected 405 names to pray for – people who were unchurched and/or unsaved. These folks are precious before the Lord. I am going to place these 9 pages on the altar today. Let’s dedicate them, and really begin to pray for them. Two-hundred seventy of the names can be shared; the remaining names are confidential. We will begin to circulate the non-confidential names soon. Our dear ones, our family, friends and co-workers “may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments and even despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers” (Sidlow Baxter).

It comes down to not only belief but also perseverance: Eighteen-year-old Hudson Taylor wandered into his father's library and read a gospel tract. He couldn't shake off its message. Finally, falling to his knees, he accepted Christ as his Savior. Later, his mother, who had been away, returned home. When Hudson told her the good news, she said, "I already know. Ten days ago, the very date on which you tell me you read that tract, I spent the entire afternoon in prayer for you until the Lord assured me that my wayward son had been brought into the fold." (Daily Bread, July 19, 1989.)

We tend to get it backwards: go then pray. An especially verbal and boisterous child was being hurried out of a Kentucky church, slung under his irate father's arm. No one in the congregation so much as raised an eyebrow -- until the child captured everyone's attention by crying out in a charming Southern accent, "Ya'll pray for me now!" (Jean McMahon (Dyer, Ind.) in Reader's Digest, April 1980).

There is so much action, followed by a prayer for direction. It must be the other way around. We must stop and pray, then we are ready to go!

Let me give you an example of the affect of stopping first. Things looked bleak for the children of George Muller's orphanage at Ashley Downs in England. It was time for breakfast, and there was no food. A small girl whose father was a close friend of Muller was visiting in the home. Muller took her hand and said, "Come and see what our Father will do." In the dining room, long tables were set with empty plates and empty mugs. Not only was there no food in the kitchen, but there was no money in the home's account. Muller prayed, "Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou art going to give us to eat." Immediately, they heard a knock at the door. When they opened it, there stood the local baker. "Mr. Muller," he said, "I couldn't sleep last night. Somehow I felt you had no bread for breakfast, so I got up at 2 o'clock and baked fresh bread. Here it is." Muller thanked him and gave praise to God. Soon, a second knock was heard. It was the milkman. His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. He said he would like to give the children the milk so he could empty the cart and repair it. (Source Unknown.).

When asked how much time he spent in prayer, George Muller's reply was, "Hours every day. But I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk and when I lie down and when I arise. And the answers are always coming." (Source Unknown.) More things happen because of prayer than we could possibly imagine!

Let’s be certain, though, that we understand that prayer is not about what we get nor even primarily what we need. As EM Bounds wrote, “The central significance of prayer is not in the things that happen as results, but in the deepening intimacy and unhurried communion with God at His central throne of control…” (E.M. Bounds, The Weapon Of Prayer.)

I read one of the best books I have ever read on prayer a few years ago. It still influences me toay. The book was by Bill Hybels, entitled Too Busy Not to Pray. Let’s remember this advice as I close:

If the request is wrong, God says, "No."

If the timing is wrong, God says, "Slow."

If you are wrong, God says, "Grow."

But if the request is right, the timing is right and you are right, God says, "Go!" (Bill Hybels, Too Busy Not To Pray, IVP, p. 74.)

Jesus knew the power of stopping – of communing with God. Look what it produced! He embarked on the greatest career ever known to humanity. All that was accomplished was fueled by the persistence and power of prayer. Stop a lot, then go believing that God is with you!

When Robert Louis Stevenson was a boy he once remarked to his mother, "Momma, you can't be good without praying." "How do you know, Robert?" she asked. "Because I've tried!" he answered (Our Daily Bread). Prayer forms us. It unleashes the goodness of God in us and helps us to be what God intended for us to be.

The little girl who asked for prayer for the pilots before she flew had it right. Pray before you go!

A little boy had been sent to his room because he had been bad. A short time later he came out and said to his mother, "I've been thinking about what I did and I said a prayer." "That's fine," she said, "if you ask God to make you good, He will help you." "Oh, I didn't ask Him to help me be good," replied the boy. "I asked Him to help you put up with me." (Our Daily Bread).

Smart little boy - some might say smart allec! I want to turn this incident around for a second. Do you think that God has a lot to put up with when it comes to us? As a whole, humanity has a lot of issues. But don’t forget that God loves us with a divine love – a love that goes far beyond our ability to love. So,

When we pray, remember this advice from Professor William Barclay:

1. The love of God that wants the best for us.

2. The wisdom of God that knows what is best for us.

3. The power of God that can accomplish it. (William Barclay, Prodigals and Those Who Love. )

2008-02-11T22:46:00.000-05:00

February 10, 2008 -- "Temptation"

Scripture: Mat 4:1- 11 NRSV
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.
The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread."

But he answered, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'"

Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."

Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"

Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

THE SHORT ROAD HOME

First Service Introduction:
[The top three answers given by elementary age kids to the following question: What did mom need to know before she married dad?

1. His last name.

2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook or something like a bank robber?

3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say No to drugs and Yes to chores?

Now, I’m not sure that most marriages began with such an interrogation. Perhaps, but there could be some misconception here. Speaking of misconception, there are several misconceptions in regard to temptation:

Temptation itself is sin.

To be strongly tempted means we are as guilty as if we had actually committed sin.
When I am spiritually mature, I will no longer be harassed by temptation.
(Charles Stanley, tape AU146, In Touch, June 1988, p. 13. )]

Second Service Introduction:
[The top three answers given by elementary age kids to the following question: Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a whole lot.

2. Mom got to old to do anything else.

3. My grandma says that mom didn’t have her thinking cap on.

Now I think it is fair to say that those are some misunderstandings. Speaking of misunderstandings, there are several misunderstandings in regards to temptation:

Temptation itself is sin.

To be strongly tempted means we are as guilty as if we had actually committed sin.
When I am spiritually mature, I will no longer be harassed by temptation.
(Charles Stanley, tape AU146, In Touch, June 1988, p. 13. )]

There were three temptations that Satan fired at Jesus:

1) “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” It sounds reasonable. But remember what Jesus was doing. He was fasting. He had fasted for 40 days and was famished. Satan tried to get him to break his fast by getting him to use his own powers on himself. He attacked Jesus with a purely human need – a valid need. Satan also attacked Jesus’ self-worth – “If you are the Son of God.” If you are going to claim to be His son, then prove it. Satan hit the ego.

Jesus responds with the word of God. Deuteronomy 8:3 – “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Jesus was saying, “Satan, I’m not depending on myself. I am depending on God. Even if his way is harder, it is better.”

2) Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'"

Satan doesn’t let up, he continues to try to place doubt in Jesus’ mind, to make him prove himself “IF…” Then he attacks Jesus with Jesus’ own weapon; he uses scripture – “…it is written…” He took Psalm 91:11-12 and twisted it to support his own evil suggestion.

The top of the temple was over 400 feet off the ground. If he would throw himself from it, say around the time of the morning sacrifice, hundreds of people would witness it. Sure they would follow such a person!

Jesus responds with scripture and untwists Satan’s scheme: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” To see how far one can push God and expect His rescue is not a wise way to live. God does expect us to take risks to be true to Him, but not to take risks to enlarge our own prestige. Besides, faith dependent on sights and wonders is not true faith.

3) Satan leaves his hardest punch for the last attempt. He took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."

Satan was attempting to get Jesus to compromise. Jesus came to save all the kingdoms of the world. Satan told him that he would see that he got them if he would just worship Satan. No cross. No agony. You get what you came for. Say it and it will be yours!

The thing that makes people and rivers crooked is following the line of least resistance.

That is what Satan tried to get Jesus to do – the tried to get him to follow the line of least resistance. He tried to get him to take a short cut – to take the short road home instead of the long, hard road of the cross. Just think if Satan had got Jesus to not take up the cross! Beware of shortcuts. Beware of compromise. The line of least resistance is not always best.

Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" Jesus did not argue with Satan over whether or not the kingdoms were truly Satan’s to give. Jesus, who walked with God at creation, who participated in creating Lucifer, finally calls Lucifer what he is: Satan. That means adversary. He is adverse to all that God intends to do. Jesus knew that evil like this can not be defeated with compromise. He never compromised his message. He never compromised his faith. He never stooped to the level of the world. He lifted the world to his own level.

What else can we learn from this encounter? A few things.

Satan is real. He is powerful. God is more powerful. And Christ in us makes the difference.

But Satan will try again and again to get us to stumble. He will do it very often by attacking both our weaknesses (Jesus’ hunger) and our strengths (Jesus’ power). He will hit us with what he knows we struggle with. He will hit us at the level of our gifts and try to get us to use them for self instead of for God.

Next, we can not have the victory without being in the word. The Bible doesn’t scare the devil. The living word does.

Last, be careful where you go. On the TV show "Hee Haw," Doc Campbell is confronted by a patient who says he broke his arm in two places. The doc replies, "Well then, stay out of them places!"

He may have something there. We cannot regularly put ourselves in the face of temptation and not be affected. When faced with the problem of temptation, we need to take the good doctor's advice and "stay out of them places." Source Unknown.

The Bible says, “…make no provision for the flesh, to satisfy the lusts thereof.” The best way to avoid temptation is to stay away from places that really tempt you.

The great preacher Charles Spurgeon commented: Think about what settings you are in when you fall. Eliminate them. What people are you usually with? Avoid them.

There are two equally damning lies Satan wants us to believe:

1) Just once won’t hurt.

2) Now that you have ruined your life, you are beyond God’s use, and might as well enjoy sinning.

It was Ben Franklin who said: “It is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it.”

Should you fall, Christ will restore your sincere heart. And He can help you overcome temptation. He understands. He has been there. And he lives forevermore to walk with us and help us along this journey. Praise be to God.

2008-02-05T13:33:00.000-05:00

February 3, 2008 -- "God's Love"

It was a mountain one-room school house where severe discipline was used to keep the rowdyism of uninterested pupils in check. The noon recess was ended and the teacher was interrogating the class with regard to the disappearance of Sally’s lunch. After a few minutes of verbal threats and demands, a sob was heard. It was little Billy, a thin, undernourished child. His family was the poorest of the poor.

“Did you take Sally’s lunch?” demanded the teacher. “Yes sir,” mumbled Billy through his tears. “I was hungry.”

“Nevertheless, you did wrong to steal and you must be punished,” declared the teacher.

“As the teacher removed the leather strap from its place on the wall, Billy was ordered to the front of the room and told to remove his shirt. The arm of the teacher was raised over the bent and trembling form of little Billy.

“Hold it, teacher!” shouted a husky voice from the rear of the room. It was Big Jim, striding down the aisle removing his shirt as he came. “Let me take his whipp’n,” he begged.

The teacher was aghast, but knowing that justice must be demonstrated, he consented and laid the belt to the back of Big Jim with such force that even the stronger boy winced. But Billy never forgot the day that Big Jim took his place. (James S. Hewett)

The story of what Big Jim did for Billy is what Christ did for us. He took our place. You see, we are God’s children – all of us. But because of sin – the bad things that people do – we are separated from our heavenly Father. So, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for sin. That is why he died on the cross. He died to reclaim humanity. If any one then believes in Jesus and what he did, he will be saved.

Mike Nardella did a wonderful thing. He saved a picture. He found what I am about to show you in a garbage can in the kitchen of the Multi-ministries building. Someone had trashed it. It was wrinkled in the process. Mike reclaimed it, had it matted and framed at Crim’s, and brought it to church. He asked me to take a look at it to see if we could hang it here. As soon as I saw it, I recognized the picture. It was taken by a student at Alderson Broaddus College where it hangs as a large portrait in the practice room beneath the Chapel. I had tried to duplicate the picture years ago and failed. Mike, through his act of kindness, rescued the portrait. Here it is.

It is the most unique picture: Christ looking through the pain of the nails toward those he loves. He took the nails, the thorns, and whippings, and even the spear, just because he loves us this much.

Faith and I used to play a little game when she was real small. I would say to her, “I love you this much (put hands together just a little bit). She would look sad. Then I increased the distance between my hands, and I would say it again, “I love you this much.” Then she would get the tinniest of smiles. Then I would increase the distance between may hands again and again until they were stretched all the way out: “I love you this much!” And then she would smile from ear to ear and say, “Yeahhh.” Jesus did the same for us. He should his love by stretching out his hands on the cross and loving us this much!

A friend visited an elderly woman badly crippled by arthritis. When asked, “Do you suffer much?” she replied, “Yes, but there is no nail here,” and she pointed to her hand. “He had the nails; I have the peace.” She pointed to her head. “There are no thorns here. He had the thorns; I have the peace.” She touched her side. “There is no spear here. He had the spear; I have the peace.” That is what the atonement of Jesus Christ means for us – He gave of himself so that we might have the peace. (Ralph Turnbull, If Only I Had One Sermon to Preach.) That is what salvation does. Salvation gives peace. And God continues to give peace through Christ. And God also continues to reclaim us, even from the garbage heaps of life.

Last week one of our parishoners said to me that it would be a good idea to tell folks how to make sure they are saved – in a real simple way – because there may be some present who think that they are saved but they really aren’t. What a good idea. Here is a real simple way to make sure you are saved. You just need to know 4 or 5 things:

1. Realize that God sent His Son for you: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

2. Know that everyone sins and sins separate us from God: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

3. Realize that we must turn away from sin: “Unless we repent, we will die” (Luke 13:3).

4. Realize that Jesus makes a way for us to get to heaven: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).

5. Believe in Jesus: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

If you understand these 5 things and wish to make Christ your savior, pray silently with me:

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus Christ, Your Son, died on the cross for my sin and rose from the dead to be my Lord. God, I now repent of my sin and personally invite Jesus into my life. Thank You, Jesus, for giving me the free gift of eternal life. I promise to live for You as You reveal yourself to me through Your Word, the Bible. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

2008-02-01T06:31:00.000-05:00

January 27, 2008 -- "Witnessing"

Scripture: (John 1:29 - 42 NRSV)

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel."

And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God."

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?"

He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).

COME AND SEE!

First service introduction:
[A pastor saw Robert Schuller’s TV program “Hour of Power.” One of the things that impressed him most was the practice of everyone turning around and shaking hands with and greeting the other worshipers seated nearby. The pastor felt that their church was a bit stuffy and could use a bit of friendliness. So, one Sunday he announced that the following Sunday they were going to initiate this custom.

At the close of this same service, a man turned around to the lady behind and said, “Good morning!” She looked at him with shock at his boldness and said, “I beg your pardon! That friendliness business doesn’t start until next Sunday.”

It was a good thing, but it was being forced upon her and she didn’t want to do it until it was official – if she would do it at all.

Something life changing was about to be forced upon John the Baptist, but he gladly accepted the change. He knew it was the will of God. John took a back seat Jesus.]

Second Service Introduction:
[A group of children were in the schoolyard bragging about their fathers. The first boy said, “My dad scribbled a few words on a piece of paper, called it a poem, and they gave him $50.

The second boy said, “That’s nothing. My dad scribbled a few words on a piece of paper, called it a song, and they gave him $100.”

The third boy said, “I got you both beat. My dad scribbled a few words on a piece of paper, called it a sermon, and it took 8 people to collect all the money!”

When John bragged about Jesus, it showed something of John that was quite extraordinary. John took a back seat to Jesus.]

John did not allow himself or his ministry to be threatened. He was not worried about his collection plates being less full. He understood that ministry is never about us, but about others. He saw his role as the one to prepare the way for Christ. In his own words, “I must become less; he must become more.” What a striking example of humility.

He lived out his word by pointing his own disciples to Jesus. The Baptist was also an evangelist. He could not resist pointing others to the best news ever delivered – Jesus Christ – even if it meant that his own disciples would leave him. Remarkable.

In Christian Theology in Plan Language, the following words appear:
It is easy to determine when something is aflame. It ignites other material. Any fire that does not spread will eventually go out. A church without evangelism is a contradiction in terms, just as a fire that does not burn is a contradiction.(p. 162.)

Evangelism must be part and parcel of our church life – and yes, our own lives.

Someone might ask us, “What Great thing do you know?” We just sang the hymn. When they ask, we who are indeed born again can tell of at least one great thing that God has done for us – even if it is only the fact that we have been saved by Him!

Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962), the world-famous violinist, earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away. So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he wasn't able to buy it. Later, having raised enough money to meet the asking price, he returned to the seller, hoping to purchase that beautiful instrument. But to his great dismay it had been sold to a collector. Kreisler made his way to the new owner's home and offered to buy the violin. The collector said it had become his prized possession and he would not sell it. Keenly disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave when he had an idea. "Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?" he asked. Permission was granted, and the great virtuoso filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector's emotions were deeply stirred. "I have no right to keep that to myself," he exclaimed. "It's yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world, and let people hear it." We must take the music of God’s great love beyond these walls – to where we work, live, learn and play.

If we can’t tell them what God has done for us, then we can tell them to Come to church with us and see.” That is kind of what Andrew did. He heard the good news and rushed home to tell his brother Simon to come and see the one whom God had sent to save them. A lot of people are afraid to come to church on their own. So, when you invite someone, tell them that you will pick them up at 8:30 or 10:30 and that you would be happy to sit with them.

There is an indirect way to witness to people. You can use a tract. Simply purchase tracts about salvation from a Christian Bookstore and leave them in places where people gather. One that I do regularly is a “tip tract.” After dinner at a restaurant, I leave a little two sided card with the tip. On one side it says thanks for good service. On the other side, it lists 5 simple steps to accept Jesus. By the way, if you do this, don’t leave a chincy tip. Give at least a 20% tip – even more if you can. It shows you really do care!

If some reason we can not tell about the great thing that God has done, and if for some reason we can not invite someone to church, we can certainly pray for the salvation of others. We have a friend named Gary who last May put his brother on the list of names of the un-churched that we were collecting. This was for the conference prayer initiative. His brother was out of church completely and, as far as Gary knew, unsaved. This past September, Gary got a phone call from his brother. His brother called to tell him that he just got saved and hard started to church. The power of prayer is grossly underestimated.

Today we have an opportunity to pray likewise. The ushers will now distribute some cards. I would like you to list as many names as you would like – names of those who are un-churched and/or possibly unsaved. If you would like the name or names to be confidential, please indicate so. I will share those names with small prayer groups in our church. I think that this will be one of the most significant things that we do in the life of our church. Please take it seriously. God will work powerfully if we commit to pray.

Finally watch how you live! People are watching, and it will make a difference when it comes time to witness. A young salesman was disappointed about losing a big sale, and as he talked with his sales manager he lamented, "I guess it just proves you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." The manager replied, "Son, take my advice: your job is not to make him drink. Your job is to make him thirsty." So it is with evangelism. Our lives should be so filled with Christ that they create a thirst for the Gospel. (Preaching, November-December 1985.)

A Count by the name of Zinzendorf founded an order called the Order of the Mustard Seed. It had 3 principles:
1. Be kind to all people.
2. Seek their welfare.
3. Win them to Christ.

The Bible says, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:7 NIV). I can’t think of anything better!

2008-01-21T22:36:00.000-05:00

January 20, 2008 -- "Sin"

Scripture:
(Mat 3:13 NRSV) Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.

(Mat 3:14 NRSV) John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"

(Mat 3:15 NRSV) But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.

(Mat 3:16 NRSV) And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.

(Mat 3:17 NRSV) And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

Did Jesus Have a Pastor?

Caitlin’s mom was teaching her the Lord’s prayer. For several evenings, Caitlin would repeat the lines of the prayer after her mother. Finally Caitlin decided to go solo. Her mother listened with pride as she clearly enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from e-mail. Amen.”

Ah the joys and sorrows of modern technology. John the Baptist didn’t have access to such technology in his day. He was a simple preacher. One day he was confronted with something even more amazing than modern technology. The son of God came to him to be baptized. John could not believe his eyes. His comment tells it all, “You come to be baptized by me? I need to be baptized by you.” Jesus told him, “It is necessary for you to baptize me. I must do it to fulfill all righteousness.” John, the preacher, became, at least for a moment, Jesus’ pastor. He baptized the Christ.

Why did Jesus say, “This will fulfill all righteousness?”

First Timothy 2:5 says, “There is one God, and one mediator between God and humankind: Christ Jesus.” Jesus, though divine, had to accept his human role as mediator between God and us. He was baptized into humanity, and with all the joys and sorrows that come with that. Through this new role, God identified with his pinnacle of creation. Jesus, accepted this humble role, with the potential of sinning.

The Bible says that he was tempted in every way – though sinless (Hebrews 4:15). As the sinless one, he became the perfect target to take on sin. He did so at the cross. And because he did, he made a way for all of us to escape the effect of sin.

Before we take a look at the effect of sin, let’s define sin. The biblical word for sin is “Harmartia.” It literally means “missing the mark.” It is missing the mark of God’s ideal. It is a falling short of or an out of bounds shot at the target of what God wants. It ranges from a broken rule to the failure to do something that one should do.

This is how Susannah Wesley defined "sin" to her young son, John Wesley: "…take this simple rule: Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, and takes off the relish of spiritual things--that to you is sin." Resource, July/August, 1990. That is a pretty good way to look at it.

The Bible contains several list of sins to be avoided, things like adultery, murder, greed, homosexuality, etc. It is not easy to preach about such things, because our culture says, “If it feels good, do it.” But God sets limits. Crossing those limits do indeed have a profound affect.

Now, let’s take a look at the effects of sin. Sin separates – it separates us from the presence of God. It blocks His leading and direction. It creates a roadblock to the power of God.

At the farm we have a cistern, a cement box underground that collects all the rain water of the house. We can use if for our hose outside and even inside if we turn some knobs. Let’s look at it this way. God is the roof, we are the cistern, and His Holy Spirit is the water running through the gutters and downspouts. Sin is a blockage in the downspouts that prevents the Holy Spirit power from arriving.

In Grace Awakening, John Henry Jowett wrote:
Sin is a blasting presence, and every fine power shrinks and withers in the destructive heat. Every spiritual delicacy succumbs to its malignant touch...

Sin impairs the sight, and works toward blindness.

Sin benumbs the hearing and tends to make men deaf.

Sin perverts the taste, causing men to confound the sweet with the bitter, and the bitter with the sweet.

Sin hardens the touch, and eventually renders a man "past feeling."

All these are Scriptural analogies, and their common significance appears to be this--sin blocks and chokes the fine senses of the spirit; by sin we are desensitized, rendered imperceptive, and the range of our correspondence is diminished. Sin creates callosity. It hoofs the spirit, and so reduces the area of our exposure to pain.

James describes the effect of sin that first made itself known in the garden of Eden and still works its dreadful result today: “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:15 KJV).

Sin leads to death. It is why there is death in the world. The bible portrays all of humanity being born under this curse of sin. That is why we need a savior. And the chief proponent of sin is the devil, the mortal enemy of God and of all humanity.

Sin, you see, is serious business. There are a variety of thought as whether or not a Christian can sin to the point of losing their salvation. At the very least, it can ruin the fellowship we have with the spirit. In the end, one’s relationship might still be left intact, but it would best be compared to one who escapes as through the flames, carrying nothing with him but himself – having lost all rewards.

I saw on the news yesterday a dramatic rescue. A police officer arrived on the scene to find a car with its back end in flames. There was so much smoke inside the car, he couldn’t tell if anyone was inside. He broke a window and still couldn’t tell. Another police officer arrived, and somehow saw a shadow in the shadow. He opened the door, wrestled with a seatbelt and pulled a man to safety, right before the flames engulfed the whole care. The medical authorities said that another 30 to 60 seconds the man would have not lived. He literally escaped through the flames. At the very least, sin can rob a Christian of everything accept, perhaps, our entrance into heaven.

At the same time, the Bible makes it clear that habitual, unrepentant sin leads to ever lasting death. This can be applied to the unbeliever and maybe even to the one who thinks he is saved but refuses to turn from known sin.

As you can see, we all need a prescription for sin. Jesus is the answer. He died to save us from the effects of sin. And if we truly ask him in and make him our priority in life, he well help us to overcome sin.

A recent survey of Discipleship Journal readers ranked areas of greatest spiritual challenge to them:
1. Materialism.
2. Pride.
3. Self-centeredness.
4. Laziness.
5. (Tie) Anger/Bitterness.
5. (Tie) Sexual lust.
7. Envy.
8. Gluttony.
9. Lying.

Survey respondents noted temptations were more potent when they had neglected their time with God (81 percent) and when they were physically tired (57 percent). Resisting temptation was accomplished by prayer (84 percent), avoiding compromising situations (76 percent), Bible study (66 percent), and being accountable to someone (52 percent). Discipleship Journal, November / December 1992.

Jesus understands our delima, because he was tempted, too. His blood washes away the curse of sin. Will His blood make us perfect? No. The effect of sin is always lurking, and sometimes we lose a battle. In those times Christ’s spirit will convict a Christian – so that we will know when we have offended him. This leads to confession, even after Salvation, which then restores the fellowship of the spirit. Jesus has won the war, and because he is victorious, we can be, too.

One final thought. After Christ’s baptism, he hears the word that every child wants to hear from their father: “You are my beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Maybe you didn’t have the kind of father that approved of you or accepted you. Your heavenly father will through his Son. You see, when you believe, God always sees you through the eyes of the cross. He accepts you and calls out to you – You are mine, my beloved.

Let us pray,
Dear God, thanks for sending your Son Jesus to wash away our sin. Help us to continue to call upon you, to continue to feel your conviction, and to continue to confess when we fall short. Forgive us and restore us when we fail. Help us to mature so that we will flee temptation. Help us to grow to the point that sin becomes less of a factor in our lives. We know that no one will ever be perfect in this life. Yet, help us to take sin seriously, so much so that we see ourselves on a journey of overcoming. Finally, guide us so that we will not be judgmental of others; help us to love all, for we are all sinners, and we are only saved by your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

2008-01-09T18:50:00.000-05:00

January 6, 2008 -- "Religions"

Where Does Your Star Stop?

Scripture:

(Mat 2:1 NRSV) In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,

(Mat 2:2 NRSV) asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage."

(Mat 2:3 NRSV) When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him;

(Mat 2:4 NRSV) and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.

(Mat 2:5 NRSV) They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

(Mat 2:6 NRSV) 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

(Mat 2:7 NRSV) Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared.

(Mat 2:8 NRSV) Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage."

(Mat 2:9 NRSV) When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.

(Mat 2:10 NRSV) When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.

(Mat 2:11 NRSV) On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

(Mat 2:12 NRSV) And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

I was watching the science channel a couple of days ago, trying to relax and recover from my cold. An excellent program was on about finding other planets outside of our own solar system. Scientists have learned that our own sun wobbles because the planets in our solar system exert a gravitational pull on the sun. Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, exerts about a 30 mile per hour pull on our sun. So, applying this same principle, astronomers have been looking at other suns and have actually detected some that also wobble – therefore they have concluded that in all likelihood, that there are other planets revolving around other stars. Another team of scientists have confirmed the likelihood of planets around other stars by filtering out the intensity of stars and watching for patterns of that star’s dimming – and have found that there are planets eclipsing the stars that they revolve around. To me, this is fascinating stuff. It is a happening of cosmic importance.

In the 16th century, a Roman Catholic Monk was burned at the stake because he suggested that there were other worlds out there, perhaps millions, revolving around other stars. He was branded a heretic. The powers that be thought that his views were taking away from the uniqueness of our planet and us humans. But this heretic wrote: these other planets only showcase the utter eminence of our great God. I find myself believing the same thing. God can do whatever God wishes to do. We are not privy to all the info or all the reasons why. And that is ok to me. It may have been Joni Erickson Tada who put it best when she said that trying to understand the things of God is like trying to pour a million gallons of water into her 1 gallon brain. It just can’t hold it – at least not in this life!

For the wise men, scientists of a different era, Christ’s birth was not just a minor incident in an insignificant little nation, but a happing of cosmic importance. It was an epiphany, which is a fancy way of saying “a revealing” or “a making known.”

The early Christians preached and witnessed that the coming of Jesus Christ was for everybody and anybody. And they boldly proclaimed that the only way into eternal life was through this Christ – and they proclaimed that message despite harassment, ostracism, imprisonment, torture and yes, even execution!

I wonder how this message would be met today?! Today’s America is a multi-religious country – very much unlike the America of my grandparents. Another word to describe today’s America is the word “pluralistic.” There are many religious options to choose from. And there is considerable pressure on Christianity to drop its bold claim that in Jesus Christ, something unique and unprecedented has been done for all of humanity. That pressure would have Christianity simply file in among the other choices and change its claim of the one and only way to 1 of many ways. Well, what do we do with this? Where does the star truly stop?

Two things that we must do: Number one – listen! If we do not listen to other points of view, we can not have a dialogue. Christianity should never be ashamed or afraid of hearing opposing views. Our God and our faith can handle it. But we can not have a genuine witness unless we listen.

I think that listening is a lost art, if it ever was an art.

The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." The guests responded with phrases like, "Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir." It was not till the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Nonplussed, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, "I'm sure she had it coming." (Source Unknown.)

Back when I was in seminary, I had a discussion with three of my housemates. These three fellows were from Damascus, Syria. They were attending the university down the road. Waseem, in particular, was very religious. I would see him in his room bowing toward Mecca and praying – not once but several times a day. I listened to his point of view about Jesus, which was radically different from mine. But because I listened, I got to share my beliefs about Jesus, and this opened the door to me not only witnessing to Waseem but to Mazen, as well, as we drove to Columbus one day.

We must listen. Listening is not talking. Listening is not giving advice. Listening is not thinking about your response. Listening is genuinely being concerned with what is said. God blessed us with two ears and one mouth. That tells us all we need to know.

Number two – we must be true to our faith. I hear this a lot: All religions are the same. All get us to the same place! If that is true, then Christ wasted his time on earth. He died a shameful, terrible death for no reason. That would be horrible and even absurd. By the way, Christ’s death and resurrection were written about in the secular literature of the day. And the Bible mentions that 300 people witnessed his resurrection. His existence is a proven fact.

Perhaps I should pause and define religions. Religion is a system or way of expressing one’s spiritual belief; it is typically a large body that subscribes to a particular spiritual leader. A religion is not the same as a denomination. Denominations are variations of expression within the same belief system. When we say religion, we mean religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Mormonism, and Christianity to name a few. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians are denominations within the Christian religion. If you look deep enough, you will find that religions have some things in common but really are as different as night and day. The thing that sets Christianity apart from all others is that God became a man, died for sins, rose again to victory, and opened the door to heaven for all who believe in him.

Jesus Christ is precious! We don’t have to make excuses for that nor water that down. To water down the epiphany – the appearing – the making known of Christ – would be a tragic mistake. The star stopped at Bethlehem, above the baby Jesus. The world has not been the same since. Stick to your faith. Jump in with both feet or don’t bother! What God needs today are people willing to give their very best to share the unparallel love of God through Jesus Christ.

One more thing – the wise men were truly wise. They listened to God who communicated to them through a dream. And they traveled in a group. They shared their faith in community and found their support in community. We can not make a new year’s resolution stick unless we have accountability. That is the number one reason why resolutions fail, I think. Susan and I are exercising together. If I did not have her helping me to do that, I wouldn’t do it. My goal is to lose 20 lbs. I’ve gotten off to a good start thanks to Susan.

Please find someone to be your partner – your helper – your motivator – your checker-upper! When we have to report our progress, we are more likely to succeed.
You will find a pink card in your materials today. If you would write down one New Year’s resolution as way of dedication, and then bring it forward and place on the altar, we will dedicate your efforts to God and I for one will pray for you. If you wish to add your name and you would like me to ask you about your progress from time to time, I would be happy to. Let us be serious, as we trust God for the increase of growth in our lives.

2008-01-03T17:59:00.000-05:00

December, 30, 2007 - "New Year's Resolutions"

Isaiah 63:7-9

(Isa 63:7 NRSV) I will recount the gracious deeds of the LORD, the praiseworthy acts of the LORD, because of all that the LORD has done for us, and the great favor to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

(Isa 63:8 NRSV) For he said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely"; and he became their savior

(Isa 63:9 NRSV) in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

It was the week after Christmas. The pastor came into work and noticed that the baby Jesus figurine was missing from the nativity scene. He shook his head and went into the office. Through the window he noticed a little boy running down the street pulling a bright shiny red wagon. In the wagon was a blue baby blanket. The pastor grabbed his coat and ran outside. When he caught up with the little boy, he saw the baby Jesus figurine nestled in the blanket.

“Son, where did you get the little baby Jesus that’s in you wagon?” the pastor asked. The little boy politely replied, “I got him from the church.” “And why did you take him?” asked the pastor. The little boy replied with a grin, “Well, about a week before Christmas, I prayed to Jesus. I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas, I would take him for a ride around the block!”

What will we do for Christ this next year? If we are born-again believers , we have been given so very much. Let’s begin the new year by

1. Recounting God’s gracious acts (v. 7).
a. Things we have received: gifts, compliments, friends, family
b. Things not received: sickness, losses

Isaiah was asking the people of God to sum up their blessings, to total them, and see what God has been up to. This was meant to encourage the folks – to lead them to praise their awesome God.

Perhaps some of us have a hard time doing this. Maybe we feel like God has not been so good to us. Think about that again. Think about the roof over our heads, the ability to come to church today, even the breath that we breath!

There are many other blessings that we may not have thought of F.E. Marsh has enumerated some of these blessings:

An acceptance that can never be questioned. (Ephesians 1:6).

An inheritance that can never be lost (I Peter 1:3-5).

A deliverance that can never be excelled (2 Corinthians l:10).

A grace that can never be limited (2 Corinthians 12:9).

A hope that can never be disappointed. (Hebrews 6:18, 19).

A bounty that can never be withdrawn. (I Colossians 3:21-23).

A joy that need never be diminished (John 15:11).

A nearness to God that can never be reversed (Ephesians 2:13).

A peace that can never be disturbed (John 14:27).

A righteousness that can never be tarnished (2 Corinthians 5:21).

A salvation that can never be canceled (Hebrews 5:9).

One morning R.C. Chapman, a devout Christian, was asked how he was feeling. "I'm burdened this morning!" was his reply. But his happy countenance contradicted his words. So the questioner exclaimed in surprise, "Are you really burdened, Mr. Chapman?" "Yes, but it's a wonderful burden--it's an overabundance of blessings for which I cannot find enough time or words to express my gratitude!" Seeing the puzzled look on the face of his friend, Chapman added with a smile, "I am referring to Psalm 68:19, which fully describes my condition. In that verse the Father in heaven reminds us that He 'daily loads us with benefits.'" (Source Unknown.)

Remember

2. God’s favor is based on God’s mercy and grace (v. 7).

a. We love because God first loved us (First John 4:19).

During the building of the Golden Gate Bridge over San Francisco Bay, construction fell badly behind schedule because several workers had accidentally fallen from the scaffolding to their deaths. Engineers and administrators could find no solution to the costly delays. Finally, someone suggested a gigantic net be hung under the bridge to catch any who fell. Finally in spite of the enormous cost, the engineers opted for the net. After it was installed, progress was hardly interrupted. A worker or two fell into the net but were saved. Ultimately, all the time lost to fear was regained by replacing fear with faith in the net. As we paid nothing for God's eternal love and nothing for the Son of His love, and nothing for His Spirit and our grace and faith, and nothing for our eternal rest...What an astonishing thought it will be to think of the unmeasurable difference between our deservings and our receivings. O, how free was all this love, and how free is this enjoyed glory (Richard Baxter, The Free Gift.)

Finally,

3. God’s plan of salvation was enacted far before Christ came (vs. 8 & 9).

a. God’s plan was a plan that God enacted from the beginning.

This means several things, but I want to focus on the fact that this points to God as a planning God. And if God is a planner, so should we be planners. Having said that, each Sunday is a fresh start to a new week. How many of us, when we miss, feel like the week just isn’t the same? Each new year is an opportunity to start over – a new beginning. We should, therefore, pause and relect.

b. Take stock: are you growing? What needs to change?

My grandpa, who is 91, wrote out an incredible sermon for me. He handcopied – 16 pages front and back, a sermon written by a famous preacher – Jonathan Edwards. Rev. Edwards was one of several preachers who ignited the great awakening in the 1740's
. Here is the Editor’s note to the sermon “Sinners in the hands of an angry God” by Jonathan Edwards:

This sermon by Jonathan Edwards is probably the most famous sermon ever preached in America. As Edwards preached, strong men and women held onto the pews and cried out for mercy, pleading with the preacher: “Is there no way of escape?” Hundreds were converted after hearing the sermon. For nearly 250 years this powerful sermon, first delivered on a warm summer’s day in 1741, has touched hearts, changed lives and led to the salvation of sinners.

I thought that it would be a great idea to take a look at the New Year’s resolutions made by such a preacher, as a way to understand how to made a resolution stick. For one particular year, Rev. Edwards wrote out 12 resolutions.

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humble entreat Him, by His grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ's sake. [I will] remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration; without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence.

Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general.

Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

Resolved, Never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

Resolved, Never to do anything out of revenge.

Resolved, Never to speak evil of any one, so that it shall tend to his dishonour, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

Resolved, Never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession which I cannot hope God will accept.

Resolved, To ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month, and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better.

Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

Resolved, After afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them; what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.

Resolved, Always to do that which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak.
Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. 1.

It may be a bit too much for most of us to write out 12 resolutions. So, what one thing really needs to change in your life? Write it down, review it weekly, pray for God’s help in achieving it. Be resolute, like Jonathan Edwards. This may be your best year ever. Happy New Year!

2008-01-03T17:33:00.000-05:00

December 23, 2007 - “Character”

Miss Jones, an elderly, single lady, lived in a small Midwestern community. She had the distinction of being the oldest resident of the town. One day, she died, and the editor of the local newspaper wanted to print a little caption commemorating Miss Jones’s death. However, the more he thought about it, the more he became aware that while Miss Jones had never done anything terribly wrong, yet she had never actually done anything noteworthy. While musing over this, the editor went down to have his morning coffee and met the owner of the tombstone establishment in the little community. The tombstone proprietor stated that he had been having the same problem. He wanted to put something on Miss Jones’s tombstone beside just her birthday and death date, but he couldn’t think of anything of significance that she had ever done.

The editor decided to go back to his office and assign to the first reporter he came across the task of writing up a small article suitable for both the paper and the tombstone. Upon returning to the office, the only fellow around was the sports editor, so he gave him the assignment.

They tell me if you pass through that little community you will find the following statement on her tombstone:

Here lies the bones of Nancy Jones
For her life held no terrors.
She lived an old maid.
She died an old maid.
No hits, no runs, no errors. (Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited, p. 58).

The moral of the story might be: never let your sports editor write an epitaph! Of course it could also be: while on planet earth, make a difference. Take an appropriate risk now and then. Joseph did. No one can say that his life was mediocre. His appropriate risks revealed that he was a person of character - a person to model.

When Ruth Graham, the wife of Billy Graham, was a teenage girl going off to Korea for schooling from her childhood home in China, she fully intended to be a confirmed old maid Missionary to Tibet. But she did give the thought of a husband some serious consideration. She wrote the following list of particulars:

If I marry, he must be so tall that when he is on his knees, as one has said, he reaches all the way to heaven. His shoulders must be broad enough to bear the burden of a family. His lips must be strong enough to smile, firm enough to say no, and tender enough to kiss. Love must be so deep that it takes its stand in Christ and so wide that it takes the whole lost world in. He must be active enough to save souls. He must be big enough to be gentle and great enough to be thoughtful. His arms must be strong enough to carry a little child (Hewett).

Ruth must have witnessed a great model of a husband in her own Father. She knew what kind of husband God intended for her to have. I think that Joseph’s father Jacob, must have been a great role model. Whether or not we have had great mentors, Christ mentors us through His Word. Today, we find out three things about Joseph, husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus.

1. Joseph's distress (v. 18). Joseph is heartbroken, assuming his pregnant wife-to-be has been unfaithful. Joseph thought that his love had been betrayed. If you have ever been betrayed, you know how deep it cuts – how much it hurts.

2. Joseph's decision (v. 19). Not wanting to publicly disgrace Mary, Joseph decides to break their engagement secretly.

Joseph thought of Mary much more than he thought of himself. His reputation was at stake. Once the word got out, everyone would have assumed that Joseph had acted inappropriately toward Mary. Of course, Joseph could have made a very public announcement denying that and accusing Mary of impropriety. But instead, Joseph took a higher road and decided to secretly break the engagement. He wanted to spare the woman that he stilled loved any public disgrace.

3. Joseph's dream (vs. 20-25). Joseph is reassured that Mary's pregnancy is caused by the Holy Spirit. One might think that this was an unusual method for communicating God’s will. Of course, this was an unusual event. God does sometimes communicate through dreams. God can communicate any way tha God wants to; Jesus said that even the rocks would cry out if God so declared it. The question is, “Are we listening?” Do we look for God’s leadings, God’s promptings, God’s directings? God is always at work. Are we perceiving it? Joseph did, and became the man of the hour! He had character!

How do you get character? You have to be humble which makes you teachable and enables you to say you are sorry when you have hurt another or been wrong. You have to be obedient to God. Lots of people say, "If God would just tell me what to do, I would do it." That's no guarantee. Lot's of people were told by God what to do, but chose not to, to be disobedient. Jonah was one. God told him exactly what to do, and he stubbornly chose the opposite thing to do. You choose to be obedient and to follow God's word. You remain as consistent as possible. You do what you say you'll do. And remember, you don't get character over night. You develop it over time.
An ancient Chinese teacher and philosopher said that he had 3 precious things that he held fast to: gentleness, frugality, and humility. He said, "Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others, and you can become a leader among people."

In making the most of life, I like what one person wrote: if I can throw a single ray of light across the darkened pathway of another; if I can aid some soul to clearer sight of life and duty, and thus bless my brother or sister; if! can wipe from any human cheek a tear, I shall not have lived my life in vain.

If I can guide some erring one to truth, inspire within his or her heart a sense of duty; if I can plant within my soul of rosy youth a sense of right, a love of truth and beauty; if! can teach one person that God and heaven are near, I shall not then have lived in vain while here.

If from my mind I banish doubt and fear, and keep my life attuned to love and kindness; If I can scatter light and hope and cheer, and help remove the curse of mental blindness; if I can make more joy, more hope, less pain, I shall not have lived and loved in vain.

If by life's roadside I can plant a tree, beneath whose shade some wearied head may rest, thought I may never share its beauty, I shall yet be truly blest - though no one knows my name, nor drops a flower upon my grave, I shall not have lived in vain while here. Funny thing is, the author of this is unknown.

Maybe we have been heading for a Nancy Jones type epitaph. There is still time to change that. How about this:

Here lies the body of a Christian soul.
For their life held no terrors.
They lived for God.
They died for God.
Some hits, some homeruns, and yes, some errors.

Leonardo da Vinci had started work on a large canvas in his studio. For a while he worked at it – choosing the subject, planning the perspective, sketching the outline, applying the colors, with his own inimitable genius. Then suddenly he ceased, the painting still unfinished, and, summoning one of his students, invited him to complete the work. The student protested that he was both unworthy and unable to complete the great painting which his master had begun. But da Vinci silenced him, “Will not what I have done inspire you to do your best?”

Our master began his canvass two thousand years ago – by what he said, by what he did, and supremely by what he suffered. He illustrated his message and he has left us to finish the picture (Hewett)

2007-12-17T22:49:00.000-05:00

December 16, 2007 - "Trial and Tribulation"

Scripture:
(James 5:7 NIV) Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.

(James 5:8 NIV) You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.

(James 5:9 NIV) Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

(James 5:10 NIV) Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

(James 5:11 NIV) As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Up, In and Out

Let’s play a game of “Guess Who?” Hold your answer to the end. When he was 7 years old, his family was forced out of their home on a legal technicality, and he had to work to help support them. At 9, his mother died. At 22, he lost his job as a store clerk. He wanted to go to Law School, but his education wasn’t good enough. At 23, he went into debt to become a partner in a small store. At 26, his business partner died, leaving him a huge debt that took years to repay. At 28, after dating a girl for 4 years, he asked her to marry him and she said “No.” At 37, on his third try, he was elected to Congress, but 2 years later he failed to get re-elected. At 41, his 4 year-old son died. At 45, he ran for the Senate and lost. At 51, he was elected President of the United States. Who was he? Abraham Lincoln, a man that many consider the greatest leader our country has ever had.

Perhaps President Lincoln was so great because God grew him by trial and tribulation. You are probably aware that Abraham Lincoln was a deeply religious man.

Many of us are old enough to know that sooner or later, we will have our fair share of trial and tribulations. Turn to someone and nod “yes;” we will all sooner or later have our fair share of trial and tribulation - maybe even an ocean full [like Abe Lincoln]. Sometimes, you might wish that you were all alone on a deserted island. Don’t give up, because,

Number 1, the Lord is near (verses 7 and 8)!

James is dealing specifically with trial and tribulation caused by others. The rich unbelievers were taking advantage of the poor believers – to the point that the rich unbelievers were with-holding wages from the poor unbelievers. The rich unbelievers were falsely accusing the poor believers, taking them to court, and even causing their deaths. James uses a particular Greek word for the verb “be patient.” It caries the idea of self-restraint that does not get even for a wrong that has been done. He was encouraging the poor believers to hang in there and not return evil for evil. He was inspiring them to go the extra mile – even in the face of mistreatment.

How could they endure? James was letting them know that Jesus is near. Jesus himself said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” He walks with us everywhere we go – no matter what we go through.

Think back to when you first realized that you believed in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and as your Savior (some of you may just have always known as a product of growing up in the church). We are today, closer than we have ever been, as far as it comes to meeting Jesus. We don’t know when we will leave this world, but indeed, we are closer to that time now than when we first believed. We will meet Jesus when we pass, if we have Christ in our hearts.

I think that we have lost the idea of Christ’s soon return. Perhaps it is because that there have been centuries and centuries since these words were written. Some say, “Oh, we go on, just like we always have, with no 2nd coming in sight.” Many Bible scholar’s believe that we are in the final chapter of the end times. This may indeed be the time when these scripture passages are fully understood and fully fulfilled!

There is an element of waiting involved. It gives us a chance to exercise self-restrain and thus grow. Dr. Randy Carlson, an expert in marriage and family counseling, says that children who learn to wait have less problems being impulsive when they get older. The same is true for adults. Our waiting is our heavenly parent’s way of teaching us not to be impulsive – too quick to try other ways instead of His ways.

Not only should we not give up, we should also not give in to grumbling. James instructs the believers to be patient toward both outsiders who oppress them and insiders who irritate them. Did you get that? Be patient with outsiders who oppress and insiders who irritate!

Grumbling here is an under your breath sign or groan. It is a murmur that grows and becomes more commonplace. It is complaining without end. Instead of remaining resentful, we are to practice the biblical steps of confrontation. What are they? Number one: go to the person in love. If that is unsuccessful, then number two: take a fellow believer with you and go in love. If that is unsuccessful, then, number three: take the concern to a mature accountability group to support you and to pray for you. And if that fails, then number four: treat the person like a sinner. What is that? You love them and pray for them all the more – even if they choose to carry the grudge or have nothing to do with you. If you choose to talk about them behind their backs, or choose to hold a grudge, or choose to get even, then God will use the same standards that we judge when it comes to our judgment. In other words, if we practice leniency, God will be lenient. If we are unforgiving and hard-nosed, God will take the same approach with us on judgment day.

Have you ever thought what God will ask you on judgment day? Here is something that I came across several years ago: Ten things God will not ask you on judgment day!

1. God won’t ask what kind of car you drove; He’ll ask you how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation.

2. God won’t ask the square footage of your house; He’ll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

3. God won’t ask about the clothes you had in your closet; He’ll ask how many you helped to clothe.

4. God won’t ask what your highest salary was; He’ll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.

5. God won’t ask what your job title was; He’ll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

6. God won’t ask how many friends you had; He’ll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

7. God won’t ask in what neighborhood you lived; He’ll ask how you treated your neighbors.

8. God won’t ask about the color of your skin; He’ll ask about the content of your character.

9. God won’t ask how many Bible passages you memorized: He’ll ask if you applied the Bible to your living.

10. God won’t ask why it took you so long to seek salvation; He will lovingly take you to your mansion if heaven.

Let’s not forget what really matters – for eternity’s sake!

Don’t give up. Don’t give in. And last, don’t give out. Why? Because it could always be worse, and even those who have had it worse have made it. Consider Job. James did. Job lost his employees, then he lost his business, then he lost his kids, and then he lost his health. In the end, Job received back twice as much as he lost. It may not be that we will see such a return in numbers in this life, but we will receive a spiritual abundance and more than we can imagine in the life to come!

Helen Keller, having gone blind and deaf, said, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.”

Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Don’t give out. God will make all things right. God will even the score. In the meantime, God is with us! That is what Immanuel means. Take notice of that and let God fill all of your moments with himself.

2007-12-12T21:47:00.000-05:00

December 9, 2007 -- "Hospitality"

Scripture: Romans 15:4-13

15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.

15:5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus,

15:6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15:7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

15:8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,

15:9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name";

15:10 and again he says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people"; 15:11 and again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him";

15:12 and again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope."

15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

One Voice
First Service Introduction:
[Mr. Goldblatt," announced little Joey, "there's somethin' I can't figger out." "What's that Joey?" asked Goldblatt.

"Well accordin' to the Bible, the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, right?"

"Right."

"An' the Children of Israel beat up the Phillistines, right?"

"Er--right."

"An' the Children of Israel built the Temple, right?"

"Again you're right."

"An' the Children of Israel fought the 'gyptians, an' the Children of Israel fought the Romans, an' the Children of Israel wuz always doin' somethin' important, right?"

"All that is right, too," agreed Goldblatt. "So what's your question?"

"What I wanna know is this," demanded Joey. "What wuz all the grown-ups doin?"

In this closing section of his letter to the Roman Church, Paul turned his attention to the children of Israel and the Old Testament.]

Second Service Introduction:
[A collector of rare books ran into an acquaintance who told him he had just thrown away an old Bible that he found in a dusty, old box. He happened to mention that Guten-somebody-or-other had printed it.

"Not Gutenberg?" gasped the collector.

"Yes, that was it!"

"Are you crazy? You've thrown away one of the first books ever printed. A copy recently sold at auction for half a million dollars!"

"Oh, I don't think this book would have been worth anything close to that much," replied the man. "It was scribbled all over in the margins by some guy named Martin Luther."

The Bible is valuable for more than the translation or the person who wrote in it. The Bible is the very word of God, and here, in this closing section of his letter to the church in Rome, Paul points to the Bible of his day - the Old Testament.]

Paul quotes 3 passages from the Old Testament right here in chapter 15 of Romans. One of the strongest proofs for the truth about Christianity is that there are over 300 references to the person of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament, all of which are fulfilled and recorded in the New Testament. Prophecies that were made no less than 400 years before their fulfillment! That is absolutely incredible. We don’t have to wonder or doubt the legitimacy of Christianity. Right here we have concrete proof about our faith.

Let me also say that we need to appreciate both Old and New Testament. Again, the Bible of Paul’s day was the Old Testament. The New Testament writers, inspired by God, connected the two testaments. They validated the Old Testament by their constant referral to it. And they gave us the rest of the salvation story as God wished it to be written. I will say that the total Bible, both Old and New Testaments, will help to make us total Christians!

The great evangelist Charles Haddison Spurgeion said, “I would recommend you either believe God up to the hilt, or else not to believe at all. Believe this book of God, every letter of it, or else reject it. There is no logical standing place between the two. Be satisfied with nothing less than a faith that swims in the deeps of divine revelation; a faith that paddles about the edge of the water is poor faith at best. It is little better than a dry-land faith, and is not good for much.
John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim's Progress, testified, "Read the Bible, and read it again, and do not despair of help to understand something of the will and mind of God, though you think they are fast locked up from you. Neither trouble yourself, though you may not have commentaries and expositions; pray and read, and read and pray; for a little from God is better than a great deal from man." (Daily Bread, August 12, 1992.)

Next, Paul points to the Savior. He encourages the Romans and us to live in harmony with one another under the headship – the leadership – of Christ. Let us not forget that our primary act in worship is to glorify God. People do that in different ways. I am so pleased that we have two services here. Some folks prefer to glorify the God with a band and upbeat music. Some prefer to glorify God more quietly and traditionally. Both are valid. Both are important. Any church that wishes to grow must provide both opportunities. And we are going to provide a third opportunity in the fairly near future. We will be exploring a third service in the evening.

The goal of worship, whether it is first service, or second service or a third service is to glorify God. When we can lay aside our differences (whether personality or doctrine or practice or even hurt) and worship out of love for God, we create one voice and bring a tremendous glory to God. Visitors will see it. We will see it. And we will be blessed for it.

I first noticed the great American landscape photographer Ansel Adams in a doctor’s office in Parkersburg. In his early years, Ansel studied piano and showed some talent. At one party, however, as Adams played Chopin's F Major Nocturne he recalled that "In some strange way my right had started off in F-sharp major while my left had behaved well in F-major. I could not bring them together. I went through the entire nocturne with the hands separated by a half-step."

The next day a fellow guest gave Adams a no-nonsense review of his performance: "You never missed a wrong note!" (Daily Walk, May 14, 1992.)

We never miss a wrong note when we fail to dwell in the harmony of the spirit of Christ.

Last, Paul points to the Church. We welcome one another as a sign of our one voice – our spiritual harmony. We also welcome because Christ has welcomed us. His very death was an invitation to eternal life. We must RSVP! When we do, he welcomes us into eternal life with the universes biggest choir – a countless chorus of angels.

Because Christ welcomes us so lavishly, we must welcome others into our fold here. This hospitality that Christ shows must be showed among us. This is why hospitality ministry is so important. We must express hospitality in such a way that no one else receives guests better. The church should be the best welcoming agent on the planet. I have been welcomed better at funeral homes than I have at some churches! We are getting on the ball here. We are endeavoring to roll out the red carpet: greeting, beverages, smiling faces; these are all just a beginning. We want to create an atmosphere of welcome. We want folks to know how important they are to us. I know, some of you, like me, were not raised with the freedom to have a cup of coffee in the sanctuary. Guess what? New and growing churches have whole coffee shops with everything from tea to coffee to cappuccinos in their churches!

My first church experience as pastor was a good one, but not without struggle. I got a call one day from the D.S. asking me why we did not want kids at church. He told me that he received a phone call from a visitor who was confronted at the door and asked why she had come. She had her two children with her. Evidently, my parishioner told her that we didn’t have many kids here and that she would be happier somewhere else. I never did discover who at the church did the deed. The message was sent loud and clear: “You are not welcome.”

Arnold Glasow once said, “Some folks make you feel at home. Others make you wish you were.” Let’s never send a message that we wish someone didn’t come. Sometimes that means that you and I need to break out of our groups and never let a stranger or a regular leave unnoticed. WalMart, in its early days, used to practice the 10 foot rule. If you come within 10 feet of me, I will ask you if you need anything. Let’s go one step better than WalMart. Let’s cut it to 5 feet!

At the end of this passage, Paul makes up a bit for getting on the Jews in the congregation. Remember last week I mentioned how he can down pretty hard on the Jews because they were enforcing their customs upon their non-Jewish brothers and sisters in the church. Paul let them have it. Here, he gives them their due. Paul affirms the place of the Jews in salvation history. He tells the church that it was God who chose to use the Jews as a vehicle for his salvation plan. Paul makes it clear that Jesus became part of the circumcised – the Jewish community – in order to fulfill the promises of the patriarchs – the Jewish ancestors – so that even the gentiles could be included amongst those who believe. It was all part of the plan. You know, the next time that we thing negatively of a Jew or the Jewish people, let us remember that it was God’s pleasure to choose them in order to choose us!!!

Let’s put an end to all prejudism, because all races are God’s doing. At the foot of the cross, we are all equal!

2007-12-05T23:06:00.000-05:00

December 2, 2007
"Are You In The Red?"

Theme: The only debt we should owe anyone is the debt of love; love fulfills all of God’s requirements; love your neighbor as yourself; don’t forget that we are closer than ever to meeting Jesus!

Scripture:
(Rom 13:8 NRSV) Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

(Rom 13:9 NRSV) The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself."

(Rom 13:10 NRSV) Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

(Rom 13:11 NRSV) Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers;

(Rom 13:12 NRSV) the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;

(Rom 13:13 NRSV) let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.

(Rom 13:14 NRSV) Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

First service introduction:
(We had a lovely wedding yesterday. Megan Donnellan married Jeffrey Nuzzalow. They lit a unity candle in the service, as many couples do now days. They asked whether or not they should extinguish the two candles that they used to light the unity candle. Most couples inquire about this. I explain that they can either extinguish them or leave them lit to represent their own unique personalities. It is always interesting to see if couples leave them lit or extinguish them. I heard about a wedding where the bride and groom put their individual candles back into the candleholders with their flames still burning. Then the bride, with a gleam in her eye, bent over and blew out his candle. The congregation burst into laughter.

The church in Rome that Paul wrote to was a wedding of sorts – the wedding of two very different cultures – Jewish and Gentile (non-jewish) people. It was indeed an inter-racial group. The Jews were imposing their will upon their non-jewish brothers and sisters. They insisted that the 613 rules of the Jewish faith should still be kept even after they were saved by Christ! It was a marriage on the rocks.]

Second service introduction:
[We had a lovely wedding yesterday. Megan Donnellan married Jeffrey Nuzzalow. It was a nice celebration of young love. There is something special about weddings: two becoming one, commitment, sacred vows. Sometimes the holiness of it really overwhelms me. Somehow, by God’s power, I regain my composure.

There is a funny little story called the seven stages of the married cold –the husband’s reaction to his wife’s colds during seven years of marriage. It goes like this:
First year: “Sugar dumpling, I’m really worried about my baby girl. You’ve got a bad sniffle and there’s no telling about these things with all the strep going around. I’m putting you in the hospital this afternoon for a general checkup and good rest. I know the food’s lousy, but I’ll be bringing your meals from the expensive restaurant downtown. I’ve already got it all arranged with the head nurse.
Second year: “Listen, darling, I don’t like the sound of that cough and I’ve called Doc. Miller to rush over here. Now you go to bed like a good girl, just for Poppa.”
Third year: “Maybe you better lie down honey. Nothing like a little rest when you feel lousy. I’ll bring you something. Have we got any canned soup?”
Fourth year: “Now look, dear, be sensible. After you’ve fed the kids and got the dishes done and the floor finished, you better lie down.”
Fifth year: “Why don’t you take a couple of aspirin?”
Sixth year: “I wish you’d just gargle or something instead of sitting around barking like a seal all evening.”
Seventh year: “For Pete’s sake, stop sneezing! Are you trying to give me pneumonia?” (Hewett)

There is a lot of truth to this little story. We start off in wedded bliss, but something happens along the way. Sometimes, we take way too much for granted, don’t we? We must learn to honor one another even after the honeymoon is over.

We have lost the concept of honor in our culture, and it shows! The Orientals have a great way to honor one another – they bow. We could take a clue from that, stop, and just say to our beloved or to our kids, “Wow, I can’t believe that you’re my spouse (or my child)! Gee, I am so glad that you are here!” Try that sometime, and after they get over the shock, it will be appreciated – if you are genuine. Honor one another.

The church in Rome that Paul wrote to was a wedding of sorts – the wedding of two very different cultures – Jewish and Gentile (non-jewish) people. It was indeed an inter-racial group. The Jews were imposing their will upon their non-jewish brothers and sisters. They insisted that the 613 rules of the Jewish faith should still be kept even after they were saved by Christ! It was a marriage on the rocks.]

Paul wrote to tell his friends that the only debt that should be owed is the debt of love. When it comes to loving, we should always be in the red. Besides, he made it clear that the debt of the Jewish law was impossible was a burden too great. That was one reason that Christ came, to fulfill the law in himself and to become the way to everlasting life. To go back into the sacrificial system would be a huge step backwards. It would trample on the grace of God. It would demean the cross! Paul’s claim is that salvation is by grace through faith – not of works! The only law to be followed is the law of love!

Ted Stallard undoubtedly qualifies as the one of "the least." Turned off by school. Very sloppy in appearance. Expressionless. Unattractive. Even his teacher, Miss Thompson, enjoyed bearing down her red pen -- as she placed Xs beside his many wrong answers. If only she had studied his records more carefully. They read:

1st grade: Ted shows promise with his work and attitude, but (has) poor home situation.

2nd grade: Ted could do better. Mother seriously ill. Receives little help from home.

3rd grade: Ted is good boy but too serious. He is a slow learner. His mother died this year.

4th grade: Ted is very slow, but well-behaved. His father shows no interest whatsoever.

Christmas arrived. The children piled elaborately wrapped gifts on their teacher's desk. Ted brought one too. It was wrapped in brown paper and held together with Scotch Tape. Miss Thompson opened each gift, as the children crowded around to watch. Out of Ted's package fell a gaudy rhinestone bracelet, with half of the stones missing, and a bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to snicker. But she silenced them by splashing some of the perfume on her wrist, and letting them smell it. She put the bracelet on too.

At day's end, after the other children had left, Ted came by the teacher's desk and said, "Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother. And the bracelet looks real pretty on you. I'm glad you like my presents." He left. Miss Thompson got down on her knees and asked God to forgive her and to change her attitude.

The next day, the children were greeted by a reformed teacher -- one committed to loving each of them. Especially the slow ones. Especially Ted. Surprisingly -- or maybe, not surprisingly, Ted began to show great improvement. He actually caught up with most of the students and even passed a few.

Time came and went. Miss Thompson heard nothing from Ted for a long time. Then, one day, she received this note:

Dear Miss Thompson:
I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my class.
Love, Ted

Four years later, another note arrived:

Dear Miss Thompson:
They just told me I will be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be first to know. The university has not been easy, but I liked it.
Love, Ted

And four years later:

Dear Miss Thompson:
As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married next month, the 27th to be exact. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year.

Miss Thompson attended that wedding, and sat where Ted's mother would have sat. The compassion she had shown that young man entitled her to that privilege.

Let's have some real courage, and start giving to "one of the least." Sometimes I get the impression that we are a bit divided here – we have an “us” versus “them” mentality. We must remember that at the foot of the cross, we are all on level ground. Now, don’t get me wrong; we are doing great things, but we still have some work to do!

Our efforts to reach the least, the last, and the lost may produce a Ted Stallard. Even if that doesn't happen, we will have been faithful to the One who has always treated us -- as unworthy as we are -- like very special people. (Jon Johnston, Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear, 1990, SP Publications, pp. 111-113.)

One last thing, remember that love is not a feeling. It is a choice. God chose to love us when he sent his Son that first Advent. God continues to love us, even when we don’t deserve it. Let us keep that in mind as we relate to others. Now, let us prepare for Holy Communion; in communion we meet the lover of our souls!

2007-11-26T16:06:00.000-05:00

November 25, 2007 Stewardship
Last Sunday after Pentecost (Christ the King)

Colossians 1:11-20
1:11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully

1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.

1:13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son,

1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;

1:16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers--all things have been created through him and for him.

1:17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

1:18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.

1:19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

1:20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

First Place
First Service Introduction:
[He was not too well-educated and his manner was somewhat crude and rough, but he became a Christian and was on fire for the Lord. He constantly pestered his pastor to help him be of some genuine service to his church. In desperation, the pastor gave him a list of ten people, saying, “These are members who seldom attend services; some are prominent men of the city. Contact them any way you can and try to get them to be more faithful. Use the church stationary to write letters if you want, but get them back in church.” He accepted the challenge with enthusiasm. About three weeks later, a letter arrived from a prominent physician whose name was on the list: Please find enclosed a one thousand dollar check to make up for my missed offerings. I’m sorry for missing worship so much, but be assured I am going to be present every Sunday from now on and will not by choice miss services again. Sincerely, M.B. Jones, MD. P.S. Would you kindly tell your secretary that there is only one “t” in dirty and no “c” in skunk”? (James S. Hewett)

Sometimes, when it comes to stewardship Sundays, people feel as guilty as a dirty skunk, or perhaps the pastor is viewed as a dirty skunk because of his or her tactics to get people to give.]

Second Service Introduction:
[A man called the church and asked to speak to the Head Hog at the Trough. The secretary said, “Who?” The man replied, “I want to speak to the Head Hog at the Trough!” Sure now that she had heard correctly, the secretary said, “Sir, if you mean our pastor, you will have to treat him with more respect – and ask for ‘The Reverend’ or ‘Pastor.’ But certainly, you cannot refer to him as the Head Hog at the Trough!” At this, the man came back, “Oh, I see. Well, I have ten thousand dollars I was thinking about donating to the Building Fund.” Secretary: “Hold the line; I think the Big Pig just walked in the door.” (James S. Hewett)

It is interesting what one will do for money, isn’t it. Even churches can fall prey to compromise or to using unfair tactics.]

I read about a pastor who announced one Sunday that he had made a new offering box for the weekly collection of the tithes and offerings. He claimed that it was designed to encourage people to become better stewards of their money. “This new box,” he explained, “has some interesting features. When you drop in a check or paper money in large amounts, the box makes no sound at all. Put a quarter in and it rings like a bell. A dime blows a whistle, and a penny fires a shot. When you put in nothing, the box takes your picture. (James S. Hewett)

Now, I’m not too keen on this method, because giving should never be forced. The Bible says, “Each person should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).” Giving should flow from a grateful heart that understands that blessing is a result of God’s abundant giving.

Giving should also be proportionate to one’s ability to give. If you are not able to give much, or have no income at all, then God understands that. And whether you are able to give little or much, give from a grateful heart, a heart that is thankful for God’s provisions.

The picture-taking box does illustrate one point. If you are able to give and give nothing, that, my friends, is a spiritual problem. If you are able to tithe, to give 10% of your income, and you do not, that, too, is a spiritual problem. Give in a way that truly represents your ability to give.

It happened one time after a pastor had make an appeal in church for a great and worthy cause, that a certain woman, a member of the church, came to him and handed him a check for $50, asking at the same time if her gift was satisfactory. The pastor immediately replied, “If it represents you.”

There was a moment of soul-searching thought and she asked to have the check returned to her. She left with it and a day or two later she returned handing the pastor a check for $5,000 and again came the same question, “Is my gift satisfactory?” The pastor gave the same answer as before, “If it represents you.” As before, a truth seemed to be driving deeply. After a few moments of hesitation she took back the check and left. Later in the week she came again with a check. That time it was for $50,000. As she placed it in the pastor’s hand, she said, “After earnest, prayerful thought, I have come to the conclusion that this gift does represent me and I am happy to give it. (John Lavender)

I do not know if this check represented a tithe. The Old Testament teaches that the tithe, 10%, of one’s income is the standard of giving.

There was a knock on the door of the hut occupied by a missionary in Africa. Answering, the missionary found one of the native boys holding a large fish in his hands. The boy said, Reverend, you taught us what tithing is, so here – I’ve brought you my tithe.” As the missionary gratefully took the fish, he questioned the young lad, “If this is your tithe, where are the other nine fish?” At this, the boy beamed and said, “Oh, they’re still in the river. I’m going back to catch them now.” (James S. Hewett)

This is faith! God always rewards such a faith. Try it and see! I have tithed my income for some time now. I believe that God has blessed me greatly because of that faithful commitment. If you tithe, you know what I am talking about.

The New Testament does not name a specific amount that one should give, but it does talk regularly about sacrificial giving, sometimes giving one’s all.
Financial giving is just one aspect of stewardship. Perhaps this would be a good time to define stewardship. Stewardship is the understanding that God is the owner of all things, and that we are simply the stewards of all that we have. What is a steward? Probably the best word for steward is “manager.” We are not the owners of our things, our talents, our money or even our family. We are managers of these things – of all that God owns.

I like what John Wesley had to say about stewardship:

When the Possessor of heaven and earth brought you into being and placed you in this world, He placed you here not as an owner but as a steward – as such He entrusted you for a season with goods of various kinds – but the sole property of these still rests in Him, nor can ever be alienated from Him. As you are not your own but His, such is likewise all you enjoy.

This coincides so nicely with Paul’s statement in Colossians that we share in the inheritance of the saints made possible by God the Father. We manage that inheritance now, and through Christ’s great sacrifice, we will inherit all things when we reach our home in heaven.

One Sunday morning the pastor encouraged his congregation to consider the potential of the church. He told them, “With God’s help we can see the day when this church will go from crawling to walking.” The people were a spirited bunch and responded, “Let the church walk, Preacher, let the church walk.”

He continued, “And when the church begins to walk, next the church can begin to run.” And the people responded, “Let the church run, preacher, let the church run.”
The pastor continued, “And finally the church can move from running to flying. Oh, the church can fly! But of course, that’s going to take lots of money, lots of time, lots of talent and lots of gifts for that to happen!”

The congregation grew quiet, and from the back, some mumbled, “Le the church crawl, preacher, let the church crawl.” (James S. Hewett)

The church does crawl without a good understanding of stewardship. But the church that practices good stewardship – a people putting the Son in first place and wisely managing the abundance of the Father – such a church will fly. I guarantee it!!!

2007-11-18T23:34:00.000-05:00

November 18, 2007 "Daily Grind"

(2 Th 3:6 NRSV) Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us.

(2 Th 3:7 NRSV) For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you,

(2 Th 3:8 NRSV) and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you.

(2 Th 3:9 NRSV) This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate.

(2 Th 3:10 NRSV) For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat.

(2 Th 3:11 NRSV) For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.

(2 Th 3:12 NRSV) Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

(2 Th 3:13 NRSV) Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

Susie's husband had been slipping in and out of a coma for several months. Things looked grim, but she was by his bedside every single day. One day as he slipped back into consciousness, he motioned for her to come close to him. She pulled the chair close to the bed and leaned her ear close to be able to hear him.

"You know" he whispered, his eyes filling with tears, "you have been with me through all the bad times. When I got fired, you stuck right beside me. When my business went under, there you were. When we lost the house, you were there. When I got shot, you stuck with me. When my health started failing, you were still by my side. "And you know what?"

"What, dear?" she asked gently, smiling to herself.

"I think you're bad luck."

Now, I don’t believe in luck, but this Joke was just too good to pass up! I believe that everything happens for a reason, a reason totally unassociated with luck. Some of us might feel like we have nothing but bad luck, especially when it comes to career choice and work environment. As a matter of a fact, one survey found that the average number of jobs an American worker has held by age 40 is 8 (Charis Conn (Ed.), What Counts: The Complete Harper's Index.)

Bad luck is not behind the dissatisfaction. One researcher estimates that 50 to 80% of Americans are in a job that does not match their abilities. Perhaps that is the reason that the average worker will have a complete career change not just once but 2 or even 3 times before they retire (Cynthia Spence in Homemade, May, 1989.)

I am sure that you have seen the bumper-sticker "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go." For a large amount of folks, this is the best reason they can muster for going to the job each day. My counsel to those who have not yet entered the workforce or are young enough or financially able to make a change: do what you love doing, regardless of the pay. I will tell you that no amount of money is worth an unfulfilling job.

What if we don’t have any other skills that would enable a career change? What if we can’t afford to take a cut in pay to find a fulfilling job? What do we do if we are stuck?

Paul gives us the key to change from the daily grind to glory. This applies to all of us – regardless of our job satisfaction – regardless of whether or not we work outside the home: "Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God” (First Corinthians 10:31).

Well-known preacher Harry Ironside shared the following story:

When I was a boy, I felt it was both a duty and a privilege to help my widowed mother make ends meet by finding employment in vacation time, on Saturdays and other times when I did not have to be in school. For quite a while I worked for a Scottish shoemaker, or "cobbler," as he preferred to be called, an Orkney man, named Dan Mackay. He was a forthright Christian and his little shop was a real testimony for Christ in the neighborhood. The walls were literally covered with Bible texts and pictures, generally taken from old-fashioned Scripture Sheet Almanacs, so that look where one would, he found the Word of God staring him in the face. There were John 3:16 and John 5:24, Romans 10:9, and many more.

On the little counter in front of the bench on which the owner of the shop sat, was a Bible, generally open, and a pile of gospel tracts. No package went out of that shop without a printed message wrapped inside. And whenever opportunity offered, the customers were spoken to kindly and tactfully about the importance of being born again and the blessedness of knowing that the soul is saved through faith in Christ. Many came back to ask for more literature or to inquire more particularly as to how they might find peace with God, with the blessed results that men and women were saved, frequently right in the shoe shop.

It was my chief responsibility to pound leather for shoe soles. A piece of cowhide would be cut to suite, then soaked in water. I had a flat piece of iron over my knees and, with a flat-headed hammer, I pounded these soles until they were hard and dry. It seemed an endless operation to me, and I wearied of it many times.
What made my task worse was the fact that, a block away, there was another shop that I passed going and coming to or from my home, and in it sat a jolly, godless cobbler who gathered the boys of the neighborhood about him and regaled them with lewd tales that made him dreaded by respectable parents as a menace to the community. Yet, somehow, he seemed to thrive and that perhaps to a greater extent than my employer, Mackay. As I looked in his window, I often noticed that he never pounded the soles at all, but took them from the water, nailed them on, damp as they were, and with the water splashing from them as he drove each nail in.

One day I ventured inside, something I had been warned never to do. Timidly, I said, "I notice you put the soles on while still wet. Are they just as good as if they were pounded?" He gave me a wicked leer as he answered, "They come back all the quicker this way, my boy!"

"Feeling I had learned something, I related the instance to my boss and suggested that I was perhaps wasting time in drying out the leather so carefully. Mr. Mackay stopped his work and opened his Bible to the passage that reads, "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of god."

"Harry," he said, "I do not cobble shoes just for the four bits and six bits (50c or 75c) that I get from my customers. I am doing this for the glory of God. I expect to see every shoe I have ever repaired in a big pile at the judgment seat of Christ, and I do not want the Lord to say to me in that day, 'Dan, this was a poor job. You did not do your best here.' I want Him to be able to say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'"

Then he went on to explain that just as some men are called to preach, so he was called to fix shoes, and that only as he did this well would his testimony count for God. It was a lesson I have never been able to forget. Often when I have been tempted to carelessness, and to slipshod effort, I have thought of dear, devoted Dan Mackay, and it has stirred me up to seek to do all as for Him who died to redeem me. (H. A. Ironside, Illustrations of Bible Truth, Moody Press, 1945, pp. 37-39.)

You work not for your boss, for your company, or for the profit margin; you work for Christ! This speaks not only to work environment; it speaks also to idleness.

What is that famous saying about idleness? Isn’t it “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop”? Why is that? Because when we intentionally pass up involvement, we make ourselves available for the problems that idleness brings: sloth, gossip, and waste of the gift called life. We were put on earth for a monumental reason: to grow into Christ-likeness and to help others do the same. Idleness is the greatest misuse of that intended purpose.

Last week I preached on heaven. Planet earth is the training ground for heaven. If we can’t be happy with the notion of Christian growth here – growth which entails worship, bible study and service - how will we ever be happy with heaven? Church is the number one avenue for putting your abilities and gifts to work. To do anything less is to miss out on God’s intention for your life. Paul was so adamant about it that he said that if a person doesn’t work, he or she should not be fed! Someone once said, “God gives the birds their food, but He doesn't throw it into their nests.” Work is essential to our livelihood both physically and mentally.

Unamuno, the Spanish philosopher, tells about the Roman aqueduct at Segovia, in his native Spain. It was built in 109 A.D. For eighteen hundred years, it carried cool water from the mountains to the hot and thirsty city. Nearly sixty generations of people drank from its flow.

Then came another generation, a recent one, who said, "This aqueduct is so great a marvel that it ought to be preserved for our children, as a museum piece. We shall relieve it of its centuries-long labor." They did; they laid modern iron pipes. They gave the ancient bricks and mortar a reverent rest. And the aqueduct began to fall apart. The sun beating on the dry mortar caused it to crumble. The bricks and stone sagged and threatened to fall. What ages of service could not destroy idleness disintegrated. (Resource, Sept./ Oct., 1992, p. 4.)

Not working when you can (please understand that there are valid reasons some can not work, due to physical or mental challenges) gives us too much time on our hands, which leads to poor use of time.

There used to be a sign in Sistersville, our last appointment, on the way out of town that read “Sistersville: Small but Busy.” Things have changed over the years; it is not a town that is busy as it used to be. Someone one day added to the sign: “Sistersville: Small but Busybodies!” Of course, the sign was removed. I think that someone who was hurt added to the sign. If you are from a small town or still live in one, you know how everyone knows or thinks they know everyone else’s business. This person was probably hurt by gossip, which is an outgrowth of having nothing better to do.

Work is essential to not only our physical and mental health, it is essential to our spiritual health. And, it makes a difference in the spiritual walks of others.

Paul wanted Christians to show the beauty of their faith in Christ by how they work. He even showed them in Thessalonica. He worked in their midst as a tent-maker, showing them the beauty of his faith as he worked for Christ.

The first governor-general of Australia was a man by the name of Lord Hopetoun. One of his most cherished possessions was a 300 year old ledger he had inherited from John Hope, one of his ancestors. Hope had owned a business in Edinburgh, where he first used this old ledger. When Lord Hopetoun received it, he noticed that it had inscribed on its front page this prayer, "O Lord, keep me and this book honest!" (Source Unknown.)

How common is employee dishonesty? According to one recent survey: Falsifying time sheets was admitted by 5.8% of workers. Stealing merchandise was admitted by 6.6%. Among people working in retail stores, 57% said they abused their employee-discount privileges. (Dr. John Clark, in Homemade, Nov, 1985.)

Time theft--deliberate waste and abuse of company time--costs the U.S. economy over $120 billion a year (Creative Management, in Homemade, May, 1985.)

In one survey of workers across the USA, nearly 85% said that they could work harder on the job. More than half claimed they could double their effectiveness "if (they) wanted to." (Managing the Equity Factor, R Huseman, J Hatfield, 1989.)

People are watching us to see if we go along with the status quo! Christians must not be status quo people. Jesus wasn’t, nor should we. We must work hard at being a cut above. Paul said, “…do not be weary in doing what is right.” Right might not always be the most popular or the most profit; but as we work for Christ, our actions have eternal consequences, whether we sweep the floors or compose symphonies!

So, like Harry, expect to see all that you have done piled before Him. And, as He surveys that scene, may we hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant; enter into your Father’s eternal rest!” Amen.

2007-11-11T23:25:00.000-05:00

November 11, 2007 "Heaven"

[Opening for 1st Service:
A little girl was taking an evening walk with her father. Wonderingly, she looked up at the stars and exclaimed; "Oh, Daddy, if the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, what must the right side be!" (Charles L. Allen in Home Fires.)
Today we are going to hear about heaven.]

[Opening for 2nd Service:
Following a campaign speech, a young man rushed up to Senator Everett Dirksen and said, "Senator, I wouldn't vote for you if you were St. Peter!" Dirksen eyed the young man for a moment, then said: "Son, if I were St. Peter, you couldn't vote for me, because you wouldn't be in my district." (Source Unknown.)
Where is St. Peter’s district? It is heaven! Today, we are going to hear about heaven!]

The Sadducees were a political group of people who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. They were considered somewhat religious because of their ties to the temple, but they did not believe in heaven. Can you imagine someone confronting you with the very strong notion that there is no heaven? Jesus was thus confronted. They even crafted a wild scenario to frustrate him and to belittle him for believing in heaven. How would you respond to such an attempt to belittle your faith? Would you walk away, would you yell, would you even know how to defend yourself?

Jesus did what we all can do. He countered with the word of God. He stated that there is a resurrection, and quoted Exodus 3:6 as fact! Nothing more needed to be said! No arguing, no yelling, no shame! Jesus settled the notion of heaven right then and there. Thank you, Jesus!

Richard Baxter, a writer who had a tremendous influence on the founders of the Methodist and United Brethren movements, stated:
My knowledge of that life is small,
The eye of faith is dim,
But it's enough that Christ knows all,
And I shall be with him.

J. I. Packer, a great theologian whose words I studied in seminary, wrote this about heaven: “…where the redeemed will find all their heart's desire: joy with their Lord, joy with his people, and joy in the ending of all frustration and distress and in the supply of all wants. What was said to the child -- "If you want sweets and hamsters in heaven, they'll be there" -- was not an evasion but a witness to the truth that in heaven no felt needs or longings go unsatisfied. What our wants will actually be, however, we hardly know, except the first and foremost: we shall want to be "always...with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:17).

What shall we do in heaven? Not lounge around but worship, work, think, and communicate, enjoying activity, beauty, people, and God. First and foremost, however, we shall see and love Jesus, our Savior, Master, and Friend. (James Packer, Your Father Loves You, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986.)

Let’s see what the Bible has to say about heaven. The born-again believer:
will be with Jesus; Jesus said to the repentant thief on the cross: “Today you shall be with me in paradise” (Luke 24:43).

will have complete knowledge; speaking of heaven, Paul wrote, “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully” (I Cor. 13:12).

will be active; Paul wrote, “Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of life” (I Cor. 6:3).

will be free of hurt and agony; John wrote, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev. 21:4).

will be surrounded by unbelievable beauty; Speaking of the new Jerusalem, John wrote: “The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass…The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp” (Rev. 21:21 and 23).

Heaven will be belonging like we have never belonged before. Heaven will be never needing to give or receive an apology. Heaven will never have even a whisper of tragedy. Heaven will be knowing everyone – even those we have never met. Heaven is being in love. Heaven is an endless sunset. Heaven is surprise – our mouths will most of the time be hanging wide open. And when we can speak, it will be to say, “I had no idea!” And, we will be surprised by who is there, and who is not there!

In an article title, "Are We Ready for Heaven?" Maurice R. Irwin points out that only 34 percent of the American people who call themselves Christians attend church at least once a week. He says, "We sing, 'When all my labors and trials are o'er, and I am safe on that beautiful shore, just to be near the dear Lord I adore will through the ages be glory for me.' However, unless our attitudes toward the Lord and our appreciation of Him change greatly, heaven may be more of a shock than a glory." Daily Bread, July 31, 1992.

The opposite of heaven is hell. Jesus taught it was a literal place. It is a place where God removes His presence. I have had someone say to me, “If I don’t make it to heaven, I will just have a big party in hell.” My response is this: with God’s absence in hell, there will be no godlike quality there. There will be no friendships, no parties, no fun, no hope, no joy. The only way to avoid hell is to choose heaven by choosing Christ.

There is nothing that can satisfy the soul like a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! You can fill the void of this life with drugs, alcohol, and possessions, but they will never satisfy. Even people can not satisfy us fully. Only Christ can fill the void.

Just yesterday I did something that I have never done before. I ordered tickets to a Christian concert online. I bought the tickets and printed them right then and there. They are setting on my table. Christ is the ticket to heaven. That ticket can never be lost or damaged. Make sure that you have your ticket today.

C. S. Lewis shared, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world” (Mere Christianity, New York, Macmillan, 1960, p. 119.)

And if you are truly heaven-bound, then these words of C.S. Lewis are equally true:
If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. (Mere Christianity.)

If we are a people filled with the hope of heaven, then everything will look different! And we will not be a people who compose the sidelines. We will be in the game – working, ministering, in church and beyond! For we will know, beyond any doubt, that our greatest pursuit is to bring others along with us!

Before Communion:
A widely respected man known as "Uncle Johnson" died in Michigan at the incredible age of 120. Perhaps his advanced years could be credited in part to the cheerful outlook that characterized his life. One day while at work in his garden, he was singing songs of praise to God. His pastor, who was passing by, looked over the fence and called, "Uncle Johnson, you seem very happy today." "Yes, I was just thinking," said the old man. "Thinking about what?" questioned his pastor. "Oh, I was just thinking that if the crumbs of joy that fall from the Master's table in this world are so good, what will the great loaf in glory be like! I tell you, sir, there will be enough for everyone and some to spare up there." Source Unknown

2007-11-05T11:30:00.000-05:00

November 4, 2007 "Suffering" WHY?

(First Service opening story:)
A bishop called a gathering of all the ministers in his area for a one-day consultation and retreat. The man assigned for the opening devotions that day called in sick at the last minute. The bishop sought out a young man who had recently graduated from seminary and had just been ordained. The bishop explained what had happened, and then he asked this young clergyman to lead the morning devotions.

“Oh bishop,” he exclaimed, “I couldn’t do that. I have nothing prepared. I would not know what to say.”

The bishop handed the young man his own Bible. “Here, take my Bible and spend a few moments of quiet time somewhere doing your preparation. Then, just trust the Lord. Just trust the Lord.”

The young man knew he could not refuse the bishop a second time. He reluctantly took the Bible and began to leaf through the pages. He could not find a proper text, but he did find a number of pages in the Bible with notes on them. One piece of paper intrigued him. As he looked it over, he decided that it would provide a good outline for a morning devotional for the group.

The young clergyman presented the devotion with exceptional poise and grace. When he was finished, the bishop came running over to him. Expecting some kind of gracious response, instead he heard the bishop exclaim, “Young man! What do you think you are doing? You just used my notes for today’s closing worship service. Now what will I do for a message later on?”

The younger man looked at his bishop and counseled, “Just trust the Lord, Bishop. Just trust the Lord” (Devotions to Leave You Smiling, p. 34).

Is it hard to trust in the Lord? It’s not too hard when things are going great, right? But what about when things aren’t going great? That is a different
story.

(Second service opening story:)
When Mike Kollin was a linebacker for the Dolphins, his former coach at Auburn asked him to do some recruiting for him. Mike said, “Sure coach. What kind of player are you looking for?”

The coach said, “Well, Mike, you know there’s that fellow, you knock him down, he just stays down?” Mike replied, “We don’t want him, do we coach?”

“No, that’s right. Then there’s that fellow, you know him down and he gets up, but you knock him down again and he stays down.” Mike replied, “We don’t want him either, do we coach?”

Coach said, “No, but Mike, there’s the fellow, you knock him down, he gets up. Knock him down, he gets up. Knock him down, he gets up. Knock him down, he gets up.

Mike said, “That’s the guy we want, isn’t it coach?”

The coach answered, “No, we don’t want him either. I want you to find that guy who’s knocking everybody down. That’s the guy we want!” (Illustrations Unlimited, p. 466).

It is one thing to get knocked down in a football game. What about when life knocks you down? What if life knocks you down again and again?

Someone once said, “I thought that I had a handle on life, then the handle fell off.” Another person compared life to “…a chicken trying to lay an egg on an escalator: as soon as she settles in, the bottom drops out.”

John Fishcer in his article The Fine Print writes:

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10 NLT)

These verses are what I call the fine print of the Christian life. When you sign up, you sign up for this, but unfortunately, not too many people read that far into the contract, and not enough leaders point it out. So when bad things start happening to us, we think something went wrong with our faith. Not necessarily. In fact, it’s an honor to think that your faith is worthy of being tested.

It’s a reverse spiritual principle that nonetheless is true: We get beaten down so that Christ might rise in us. It’s the whole idea God has of avoiding confusion. See, he doesn’t want people confusing human power and achievement with his power and what he is achieving in and through our lives. If all Christians were super-Christians, people would be impressed with them. As it is, God wants people to be surprised at us, not so much impressed – surprised that we can keep on believing, given what has happened to us. Surprised at us – impressed with God. That’s the way it should go.

It’s important to know this so that the things that happen don’t throw us into a tailspin. Paul wrote in the passage above that troubles, confusions, knock-downs, and drag-outs are all to be expected in a life of faith, and they are not just something to suck it up and endure, they are what will actually release the power of God in our lives. We encounter death-like experiences so that Christ’s life-like nature may clearly be seen in us, despite what is happening.

Let me try and say this again. This is not just endurance training through tough times. This is God’s strategy for ministry through us. There is no other way for it to be done. His strategy is his power and strength through our weakness – his life through our death. This doesn’t just happen to some Christians; it happens to us all if we desire to be effective in our faith.

So don’t forget the fine print today, and allow the troubles you face to springboard you into finding God’s purposes even in this. He had this planned all along. It’s even in the contract!

The Bible says, “Everyone who wants to be like Christ will suffer! At the Nicene Council, an important church meeting in the 4th century A.D., of the 318 delegates attending, fewer than 12 had not lost an eye or lost a hand or did not limp on a leg lamed by torture for their Christian faith. (Vance Havner.)

It would be safe to say that tragedies are part of the norm of life. There is little doubt that the righteous have trouble, too. Maybe the question we have about this is not so much “Why?” but perhaps it is, “Why is it sometimes so severe?” Shouldn’t there be some fringe benefits to belonging to God? Shouldn’t we be protected from the worse of life if we have claimed to be his? I’ll try to answer this today.

David Watson serves as a great example of a good person going through a bad time. He was a minister in England. He died of cancer before these words of his were published.

"It's sometimes only through suffering that we begin to listen to God. Our natural pride and self-confidence have to be stripped painfully away and we become aware, perhaps for the first time, of our own personal needs.

"During the ministry of Jesus on earth, a tower fell in Siloam and killed 18 innocent people. 'Why did God allow it' was the immediate questions pressed by those around Him. Jesus replied, not by answering the question of suffering nor by giving a satisfactory solution to this particular tragedy. Instead, He came back to the practical challenge of God's Word: 'I tell you...unless you repent you will all likewise perish.' It may sound a little bleak, but Jesus was far more concerned with a person's eternal well-being than merely satisfying an intellectual curiosity. Here He was dealing not with the question of 'Why?' but with the question 'What?' 'What is God saying in this calamity?'"

Watson concludes, "Through the unexpected diagnosis of cancer I was forced to consider carefully my priorities in life and to make some necessary adjustments. I still do not know why God allowed it, nor does it bother me. But, I am beginning to hear what God is saying, and this has been enormously helpful to me." (Morning Glory, January 21, 1994.)

Christ did not come to do away with suffering; He did not come to explain it; He came to fill it with His presence. And he himself was not exempt from suffering. The very son of God went to the cross – suffering the worst kind of personal tragedy. If anyone had fringe benefits, it would have been Christ. If anyone deserved that special divine protection, it would have been Christ. God does not draw such a distinction. God has a plan. Sometimes that plan requires major trials. Christ’s suffering was terrible, but it was a suffering with purpose. He died in our place, taking our sins to the cross and making a way for us to get to heaven. All we must do is ask Christ to come into our hearts.

There is a grand purpose in the suffering of every born-again person. What purposes, you may ask? How about these purposes:
1. Suffering can promote our spiritual maturity (Ps 105:16ff)
2. Suffering proves our integrity (1 Pt 3:15)
3. Suffering produce a sense of dependence
4. Suffering prepares our hearts for ministry (more empathetic)

These are just a few. Here are some more silver linings; suffering:

1. Produces character and hope
2. Shows the power of Christ
3. Shows the glory of God
4. Shows what faith can do
5. Teaches dependence on God
6. Enables us to comfort those in trouble
7. Shows the proof of faith
8. Allows us to suffer for the cause of Christ
9. Keeps down pride
10. Suffering can come because of another's sin
11. Suffering can come because we are part of a fallen race
12. Because we reap what we sow
13. Because of the sovereignty of God
14. Because our enemy wants us to suffer
15. For reasons known only to God

Suffering teaches us patience. These words were found penned on the wall of a prison cell in Europe: "I believe in love even when I don't feel it. I believe in God even when He is silent." (Billy Graham, Till Armageddon.)

This is all saints Sunday. Those who died with Christ in their hearts can testify today that all the struggle in this life is worth what they have received! Maybe we can hear their cheers – even if but a whisper – come on, keep going, you are almost home!

Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They're the only ones who can take it."

Helen Keller once wrote: "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.”

Frank and Billie Wilcox were living in Pakistan many years ago. Their six-month-old baby died. An old Punjabi who heard of their grief came to comfort them. "A tragedy like this is similar to being plunged into boiling water," he explained. "If you are an egg, your affliction will make you hard-boiled and unresponsive. If you are a potato, you will emerge soft and pliable, resilient and adaptable." It may sound funny to God, but there have been times when I have prayed, "O Lord, let me be a potato." (Guideposts Magazine)

O Lord, let us be potatoes.

2007-10-30T20:35:00.000-05:00

October 28, 2007 "Humility"

A GOOD MAN LOST AND A BAD MAN SAVED

(Luke 18:9 NRSV) He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt:

(Luke 18:10 NRSV) "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

(Luke 18:11 NRSV) The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

(Luke 18:12 NRSV) I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.'

(Luke 18:13 NRSV) But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'

(Luke 18:14 NRSV) I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."

Here is an interesting poem that I found in my files this past week. It is called, “Being Sure.”

In an airport one night
With several long hours
Before her flight.
She hunted for a book
In an airport shop,
Bought a bag of cookies
And found a place to drop.
She was engrossed in her book
But happened to see,
That the man sitting beside her,
As bold as could be,
Grabbed a cookie or two
From the bag in between,
Which she tried to ignore
To avoid a scene.
So she munched the cookies
And watched the clock,
As the gutsy cookie thief
Diminished her stock.
She was getting more irritated
As the minutes ticked by,
Thinking, "If I wasn't so nice,
I would blacken his eye."
With each cookie she took,
He took one too,
When only one was left,
She wondered what he would do.
With a smile on his face,
And a nervous laugh,
He took the last cookie
And broke it in half.
He offered her half,
As he ate the other,
She snatched it from him
And thought....ooh, brother!
This guy had some nerve
And he's also rude,
Why he didn't even show
Any gratitude!
She had never known
When she had been so galled,
And sighed with relief
When her flight was called.
She gathered her belongings
And headed to the gate,
Refusing to look back
At the thieving ingrate.
She boarded the plane,
And sank in her seat,
Then she sought her book,
Which was almost complete.
As she reached in her baggage,
She gasped with surprise,
There was her bag of cookies,
In front of her eyes.
If mine are here,
She moaned in despair,
The others were his,
And he tried to share.
Too late to apologize,
She realized with grief,
That she was the rude one,
The ingrate, the thief!

How many times have we absolutely known that something was a certain way,
only to discover later that what we believed to be true....was not? We call such things misperceptions.

Here was a well-meaning Pharisee who thought that he was good enough. He avoided the things he should and did even beyond what was expected. His problem? He was full of himself, which left no room for mercy or compassion for another. His religion, then, was a failure, for it was a religion that excluded instead of included. He was a good man lost. He was self-reliant. He didn’t need a savior.

Then there was the bad man saved! How, you might ask? Because he saw himself for who he was – a sinner! He was not full of self. He was utterly reliant on God to forgive him and to restore him. He needed a savior. He was truly humble!

There are 5 things that you and I must exhibit in order to be truly humble.

Ground yourself in God’s love

Let me share something with you from the book that the Ladies’ Bible Study is reading. It is Max Lucado’s 3:16. Susan read part of Chapter 4 to me this past week. In that chapter you will find the story of George Matheson:

George Matheson learned to depend on his [God’s] love. He was only a teenager when doctors told him he was going blind. Not to be denied, he pursued his studies, graduating from the University of Glasgow in 1861 at the age of nineteen. By the time he finished graduate seminary studies, he was sightless.
His fiancée returned his engagement ring with a note: “I can not see my way clear to go through life bound by the chains of marriage to a blind man.”

Matheson never married. He adapted to his sightless world but never recovered from his broken heart. He became a powerful and poetic pastor, led a full and inspiring life. Yet occasionally the pain of his unrequited affection flared up, as it did decades later at his sister’s wedding. The ceremony brought back memories of the love he had lost. In response, he turned to the unending love of God for comfort and penned these words on June 6, 1882:

O love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be. (Lucado, pp. 35-36).

You will find the complete text of this hymn on page # 480 in our hymnal. George was a man who understood God’s love, even in the midst of a painful rejection, he relied on the God who loved him without condition. That same God loves you and I the same way. We can’t win God’s love. We can’t lose God’s love. We can resist it, but God still loves! We must immerse ourselves in such a love.

Admit your mistakes

We are all sinners. We continue to sin after we become believers. We are not perfect, but we are perfecting! Admit your mistakes, identify with them to the point that you dare not judge another, because, when you point a finger, you’ve got 3 pointing back at you! This helps us to keep an open mind and an open heart.

Remember, "Always Keep An Open Mind And An Open Heart, Because - You Just Never Know - You might be eating someone else's cookies!”

Learn from your mistakes

Admitting your mistakes is the start, but not the end. If you admit them but never do anything about them, then you are what the Bible calls a “Fool.” A fool never learns from his or her mistakes. A wise person does learn from his or her mistakes. Proverbs 16:21 says, “The wise of heart is called perceptive. Verse 22 continues: “…folly is the punishment of fools…”

Mistakes show us our continuing need of a savior. Mistakes show us what needs perfecting. Mistakes help keep us humble. Remember our marquee: “Be humble or stumble.”

Boast of the things of God – not the things of self!

The Pharisee was stuck on himself. How much better to be unstuck on self and stuck on the power of God. Really, God is the only one worthy of praise. It is God that enables us to have, do or be anything!

Finally serve with dignity – not out of fear

Serve, Baby, serve. That should be our motto. But serve out of love for a God so great, not our of fear of punishment or fear of failure. Serve with dignity.

John Fischer writes for “The Purpose Driven Life” daily devotionals, which can be accessed online (purposdrivenlife.com/devotionals; you can sign up to receive one everyday, free, by email). Back in February, he wrote the following article named “Someone Else’s Problems.”

Evangelicals often put being saved and going to heaven in the same sentence, as if heaven were the only goal of our salvation. But the truth is, we are saved to serve. Heaven is important, but heaven can wait. God saves us because he has a job for us to do in his Kingdom here on earth. If heaven is the whole point of our salvation, then what do we do while we wait? Change the channel on our Christian entertainment?

It’s amazing how many of our own problems dissipate when we begin caring about other people’s problems instead of focusing on our own. We’ve picked up some very bad habits from our culture. We have a tendency to be preoccupied with our own needs and constantly trying to fulfill them. Advertising plays into this self-indulgence, promising that one more product will be the thing that will finally satisfy us. The truth of the matter is: Getting will never come close to the satisfaction that giving affords.

Think of someone you know who is truly happy and I venture to guess you will find that someone busy serving others. If, in fact, our troubles will never go away (and I don’t believe they ever will in this life), then to focus on them and try to solve them is going to be nothing but a broken record. Make one problem go away, and watch another one crop up immediately. To give ourselves to the task of attending to the problems of those around us may not make our own problems go away, but it will make them less of a drag. Focusing on our own problems can lead to anxiety, frustration, and even depression. Focusing on other people’s problems leads to usefulness and a greater sense of health.

So today, when we are tempted to look in, to our own needs, let’s look out, instead, to the needs of those around us and see if our own needs diminish by comparison. Who knows, we may even forget about ourselves in the process.

Jesus hung on a cross and thought of those who were putting him there, and even pleaded their case before his Father, because he knew they didn’t realize the full impact of what they were doing. Can you imagine having even a fleeting thought about someone else if you were in that much pain yourself? But that’s just the thing about Jesus: He was always thinking of someone else.

Jesus came to serve. He did it by thinking of you and me. He served with dignity, even when he hung on the cross in the most undignified manner of torture. That is true humility. Only a humble man could do that. That is the power of humility grounded in God’s love. And we have access to that same love through Christ – available to the best of us and to the worse of us! Praise be to God.

2007-10-15T21:09:00.000-05:00

October 14, 2007 - "Thankfulness"

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

"While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

When He saw them, He said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they were going, they were cleansed.

Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine--where are they? "Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?"

And He said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has made you well."

A golden anniversary party was thrown for an elderly couple. The husband was moved by the occasion and wanted to tell his wife just how he felt about her. She was very hard of hearing, however, and often misunderstood what he said. With many family members and friends gathered around, he toasted her: “My dear wife, after fifty years I’ve found you tried and true!” Everyone smiled approval, but his wife said, “Eh?” He repeated louder, “AFTER FIFTY YEARS OF MARRIAGE, I’VE FOUND YOU TRIED AND TRUE!” His wife shot back, “Well, let me tell you something – after fifty years of marriage, I’m tired of you, too!”

Speaking of older age, I have come across a top ten list about older age. Here are the top ten ways to know that you are getting old:

10 – You get winded playing chess.

9 – Everything hurts, and what doesn’t hurt doesn’t work.

8 – The gleam in your eyes is from the sun hitting your bifocals.

7 – Your little black book contains only names ending with M.D.

6 – You finally reach the top of the ladder, only to find it leaning against the wrong wall.

5 – Your favorite part of the newspaper is “25 Years Ago.”

4 – Your knee buckles and your belt won’t.

3 – You start burning the midnight oil at 9:00 p.m.

2 – You sink your teeth in a steak and they stay there.

1 – "drum roll please" – Your back goes out more than you do!

Now that is a top ten list that is hard to forget. There is a lot of truth to that one. Jesus encountered a top ten list of his own, one day. It was a top ten list of the most sick people. These particular ten people had the very same disease – leprosy!

Leprosy, the most dreaded disease of the day. As a matter of a fact, it was so feared, both because of the symptoms it caused as well as the ritual uncleanness associated with it, that people who had it had to yell, “Unclean, Unclean” when others were getting too close. They were not allowed to mingle with the populace. They were quarantined and they were isolated. They were left out. They no longer belonged to society. They lived together in leper colonies in the middle of nowhere. They were located, in this instance, between Galilee and Samaria – no man’s land.

Can you think of some diseases today in which people are ostracized? Could you imagine what it would be like for them if they had to advertise their situation, even yelling it out before they got too close: “Aids. Aids.” Or, “Typhoid. Typhoid”? Well, then you could begin to imagine how bad it was for the leper.

To make matters worse, their disease was extremely debilitating. A leper lost the sense of touch wherever it occurred on the body. The disease destroyed the bodies nervous system ending in death.

How then, could it be, that only one leper came a leaping? Jesus marveled, “Were there not 10, and only 1 returned? And at that, a Samaritan?” The Samaritans were not liked by the Jews. But when it came down to showing gratitude, the Jews did not, but the Samaritan did. The Jews should have known better. The Samaritan could have made a case not to return, as he well knew how the Jews felt. But his restoration was more important than age old prejudices. His life was given back to him. He saw the work of God. He was beside himself with joy. He could not wait to find Jesus!!!

What is it about people that they would not bother to say “thanks” for such great a thing?

Well, I have another top ten list to share with you today. It is one of my own doing - the top ten reasons, I think, people fail to give thanks to God:

10 – Many don’t care about giving thanks (because of apathy or too much a bother)

9 – Many don’t know how to give thanks. (haven’t been taught)

8 – Some don’t think they have anything to be thankful for. (common among those who are most negative)

I like what Matthew Henry, the famous Bible Commentator, wrote about being robbed. He found several reasons to be thankful:

“Let me be thankful first because I was never robbed before; second, although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, although they took everything I had, it was not much; and fourth, it was I who was robbed and not someone else.”

Attitudes can be changed with a little practice. Matthew Henry practiced looking for the good in the midst of bad.

7 – Some believe that giving thanks doesn’t do any good. (tried it before, didn’t seem to make things better)

It may not change circumstances, but giving thanks does change people – if practiced regularly.

6 – Some believe they deserve God’s blessings, so why give thanks?

I can see this being the stance of the 9 who did not return. They were the Jews, the chosen ones, who felt they deserved it just because of who they were. This is an “I’m entitled” mentality. It is also a “better than thou attitude” which is very condescending.

5 – Some say, “I didn’t get what I really wanted, so why say thanks?"

This is selfishness for sure. This also assumes that we know what we need better than God does.

4 – Some deny the miraculous or rationalize a miracle as something else. (skeptical about the divine – true gratitude must first admit that “God Is.”)

3 – Some believe that if they give God thanks then they will be obligated to do something for God in return (God doesn’t bless in order to get something from us. It is simply God’s nature to give, period. God wants us to serve Him, but not out of obligation. God wants us to serve Him out of love)

2 – Some believe that they do not deserve God’s blessings, so it would do no good to give thanks (this comes from guilt - believing that one is not good enough. Remember, it is God who makes us “good enough” based on what Christ has done. That is why we must invite Christ into our hearts. Christ had done the work and we get to benefit if we believe)

1 – Many are just too busy. (too many distractions, too much stuff in the way)

Maybe this was the condition of the nine who did not come back. Maybe they had to get to their families, or get their jobs back, or pay on their loans, or get to the stadium to redeem their season tickets to the chariot races. You see what I mean? In every age, time is an issue. Just taking the time to say thanks is the key here. Pause - a comma during the day. It can be before a meal, in the car, on the bus, in the checkout line, before bed, or as we rise. We should plan to use our pauses better than we do. And we should plan to take charge of our schedules so that we can honor a wonderful lord!

Jesus’ last words to the one leaping leper were, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well." The last three words “made you well” carry a deeper meaning in the Greek. They carry the idea of salvation. In effect, Jesus was saying, “…your faith has saved you.”

The nine who did not return did not have the privilege of hearing these words. I can’t help but wonder if gratitude is not a link in the chain of salvation. You can’t give thanks for something that you do not have or do not know about. The one leaping leper knew he met the Lord God. His life was forever changed. His thanksgiving was a proof of receiving this salvation. His faith finalized his healing – even the very healing of his soul!

2007-10-07T15:39:00.000-05:00

October 7, 2007
Faith
[First Service: Video Clip from "Hook." Initially, only one child believes that Robin Williams' character is Peter Pan. As his little friend looks him over, he discovers that there is something inside of Peter that identifies him as Peter Pan. He himself had forgotten - even buried - his former life as Peter Pan. He needed a refresher course in faith; so do we.]

[Second Service: begin with following illustration] A man fell off a cliff, but managed to grab a tree limb on the way down. The following conversation ensued:
"Is anyone up there?"
"I am here. I am the Lord. Do you believe me?"
"Yes, Lord, I believe. I really believe, but I can't hang on much longer."
"That's all right, if you really believe you have nothing to worry about. I will save you. Just let go of the branch."
A moment of pause, then: "Is anyone else up there?" (Bits & Pieces, June 24, 1993, p. 3.)

Have you ever felt like that? Not too happy with God's answer to your request? Anyone else up there? The issue in this cute illustration is faith. That is what I am going to preach about today. The sermon title is "Mustard Seeds and Mulberry Trees. Hopefully the connection between the two will make since in a minute.

Scripture: Luke 17:5 - 6 NRSV
"The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!'
The Lord replied, 'If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, Be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey you."

The apostles make a valid request. It is one that I think most of us have made: "God, Give me more faith!"

Jesus' reply to the apostles is a surprising one. He effectively says, "You don't need much. Just a little."

Jesus uses a mustard seed as an example of how much faith one would need - a mustard seed - one of the smallest of seeds. If you were not specifically looking for a mustard seed, you would miss it.

The Mulberry tree was probably an aspen tree or a type of poplar tree. It would have looked a lot like a weeping willow and was about the same size.

Jesus was saying, "You just need a little bit of faith to see big results." Faith the size of a mustard seed faith could move a pretty broad tree like a mulberry tree.

As a kid I used to think that if I had enough faith I could literally move a tree. When I tried to exercise such a faith and could not move a tree I felt like I did not have enough faith. As I have put a bit of age on myself, I have come to see that faith in Christ puts us into the plain where, with God, all things are possible. The key is, once we believe in Christ, to develop the faith that we have. A little faith will open doors to great things.

One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, "Jump! I'll catch you." He knew the boy had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, and blackness. As can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof. His father kept yelling: "Jump! I will catch you." But the boy protested, "Daddy, I can't see you." The father replied, "But I can see you and that's all that matters."

Key # 1 to developing mustard seed size faith and beyond: understand that faith enables us to face life or meet death, not because we can see, but with the certainty that we are seen by God; not that we know all the answers, but that we are known by God.

Ron Butterfield once taught a class of mentally impaired teenagers. Looking at his students' capabilities rather than their limitations, Ron got them to play chess, restore furniture and repair electrical appliances. Most important, he taught them to believe in themselves. Young Bobby soon proved how well he had learned that last lesson. One day he brought in a broken toaster to repair. He carried the toaster tucked under one arm, and a half-loaf of bread under the other. (Edna Butterfield)

Key #2 to developing mustard seed size faith and beyond: if you believe in it, then live like it!

One of my favorite devotional writers is Oswald Chambers. He is probably known best for his book My Utmost for His Highest. Here is what he says about faith: "Faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love. There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace." (Oswald Chambers in Run Today's Race.)

George Mueller echoes the same thing: "God delights to increase the faith of His children...I say, and say it deliberately--trials, difficulties and sometimes defeat, are the very food of faith...We should take them out of His hands as evidences of His love and care for us in developing more and more that faith which He is seeking to strengthen in us."

Key #3 to developing mustard seed size faith and beyond: trials and tribulations are faith builders. They test the quality of our faith, and they grow our faith when seen from the light of God's overall plan. God is not out to get us. Got is out to grow us. Without trial, there is no way to gage or to grow our faith. If everything were hunky dory, faith would not even be necessary. The fire of trial is meant to refine, causing us to depend even more on God. In such a dependence, we can grow intimate and more trusting. If we choose to be bitter and angry, then we will find ourselves opposed to God's plan of growth. We then begin to short-circuit the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

If we could only hang in there a little longer in trial, trusting God for the outcome, how our faith would grow - from mustard seed size - to mulberry tree - and beyond!

Holy Communion helps to develop our faith. The act itself is full of faith, for faith is the belief in that which we can not see. We do not see Christ, yet Christ is present in Holy Communion in a real and wonderful way. Let us partake together.