“The Hidden Face of God” Isaiah 64:1-9 / Psalm 80 / Mark 13:24-37
DOES GOD HAVE A FACE?
During the Advent Season we are going to consider the face of God.
Throughout the OT we can find the blessing or desire to have “God’s face shine on us”
Numbers 6:25, Psalm 4:6; 31:16; 67:1; 80:3,7,19; 119:135, etc.
In Genesis 3:8, Adam & Eve hid from the “face” (translated as presence) of God.
Why? Sin – they were embarrassed, ashamed, feeling guilty.
Jacob named the place where he wrestled with God, Peniel = “The Face of God” because he saw God face to face.
The “Face of God” is a phrase that usually means the “presence of God”
When God’s face shines on us – we are blessed with a strong feeling (and understanding) of God’s presence in our lives.
We begin the Advent season by considering times when God’s face seems to be the hidden.
ADVENT IS ABOUT WAITING
Waiting for Christmas – gifts, lights, dinner, family gathering, etc.
A time of remembering how the world waited for Jesus.
ISAIAH’S TIME were difficult times for the People of God
Assyria was in an expansion mode – Aram and Israel pressured Ahaz (King of Judah) to form a coalition against Assyria. Ahaz formed an alliance with Assyria (for self preservation). Isaiah condemned Ahaz for this – he should have trusted God instead of political alliances.
Isaiah predicted God’s judgment on his people for not trusting him and not following Him. Later King Hezekiah heeded Isaiah’s word – God protected them and Assyria retreated.
Bottom line – Judah (God’s people) need a savior. They are looking for a Messiah.
They feel far from God’s protection and care. God seems distant.
Isaiah tells them – the messiah is coming, but they have to wait.
They need to be faithful while they wait.
Gospel means “good news” that the Messiah had come.
Jesus was a very different Messiah than they had expected.
Jesus would leave them, but the promise remained of his return.
Jesus said we have to endure a lot while we wait for his return.
Wars, tribulation, economic ruin, etc.
BUT, WHERE IS GOD?
The story is told … Two young lads had terrorized their neighborhood with their pranks and thefts. The parents didn’t know what to do and finally it was decided that the pastor would intervene and attempt to straighten out the boys. The pastor requested that he meet with the younger boy first. Billy, the youngest son, was sent to the church that afternoon.
He arrived and was ushered into the church office where he was seated in a very large chair in front of the desk. The minister then sat down opposite the boy. He folded his hands in front of him and stared at the boy a few seconds then said, “Where is God?”
Billy wasn’t sure what the question meant, so he just sat there quietly.The minister leaned over his desk, locked eyes and said in a much stronger voice, “Where…is…God?”
Billy started to squirm. He had no idea why he was here and the minister kept asking the same question. The minister then stood, again leaned over the desk and glared right at Billy, “Where is God? He asked.
The poor boy was now really getting scared and snuggled back into the full chair. The minister, meanwhile, moved from behind his desk to stand directly in front of Billy and raised one hand upward to Heaven. “WHERE…IS…GOD?” he bellowed.
Poor Billy lost it. What could he do? Here was a man of God asking questions he didn’t understand and he was scared. So he jumped up out of the chair, ran from the office, down the church aisle, out onto the sidewalk, up the street into his house. The he raced up the stairs and into their bedroom.
“What’s wrong Billy?” his brother asked. “Oh, Johnny,” he said. “We’re in BIG trouble this time. God’s missing and they think we took Him.”
We don’t have to wonder where God is!
The scripture tell us that God is everywhere – the highest mountain, the deepest sea.
Wherever we go, we will find that God is there – probably because we are there.
Psalm 139:8 “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there”
WHERE DOES GOD WANT TO BE?
In our families / In our lives / In our workplace / In our relationships / Etc.
PROBLEM: WE DON’T ALWAYS FEEL THAT GOD IS PRESENT
SOMETIMES GOD SEEMS HIDDEN
Where’s God when I need strength?
Where’s God when I’m sick?
Where’s God when I can’t pay the bills?
Where’s God when I don’t have enough $ for groceries?
Where’s God when I need (want) comfort?
Why doesn’t God help me?
Why doesn’t God show his face when I need him the most?
I’m sure you can think of examples. This past week the wife of a young man was killed in an auto accident. Where was God?
THE ANSWER
Judah needs a savior – They feel far from God / God seems distant
We need a savior - Where is God?
DO YOU HAVE HOPE?
The prophet Isaiah doesn’t give an answer, but he gives hope.
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (9:2)
“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given” (9:6)
“He will be called wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace … “
DOES SIN GET BETWEEN YOU AND GOD?
Isaiah doesn’t have an answer to why God doesn’t act.
He does let us know that the problem of Sin gets in the way.
“All we like sheep have gone astray”
Isaiah knows that we need to keep hopeful, confess our sins, and trust God.
A MESSAGE FROM HABAKKUK
All this reminds me of the Scripture passage used at our Community Thanksgiving Service, Habakkuk chapter 3
All sorts of bad things are happening: Babylonia is invading Jerusalem – the prophecy of Isaiah is coming true.
v. 16b “Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.”
vv.17-18 “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
HOW WE WAIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
It’s Advent. The difficulty is the waiting. We need to learn how to be joyful in a troublesome world … how to be happy when things are going bad … how to be content when you are worried to death … how to be cheerful when you feel like nothing is going right …
That’s when we need to see the hidden face of God … to smile on us.
OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES
I borrowed infant Calli King from her parents and showed her to the children.
I asked them, without touching her, to make her smile or laugh.
They made funny faces, smiles and laughs (none of them made an angry or scary face)
Eventually Calli smiled.
Numbers 6:25 is part of a blessing - May “the Lord make his face shine upon you”
God wants to make us happy / smile.
God wants to smile on us (he doesn’t want to be angry or frightening) – That’s why God sent Jesus.
We are in Advent – a time when we look for and prepare for the celebration of the first coming of Jesus.
HOW IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?
Maybe you know someone who is going through a difficult time this Christmas season …
Maybe you are the face of God that they need to see.
Isaiah tells the people that God wants a relationship: Isaiah 64:8
Yet, O Lord, you are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter.
God is the parent / we are the children
God is potter / we are the clay
There is an intrinsic relationship that God wants – at all times.
A relationship of trust
Mother Theresa is credited with saying, “I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.”
The book of Job tells us what happens to the person who trusts in God:
Job 33:26 (scripture box in bulletin)
When God seems hidden – God sent Jesus to smile on us.
To bring joy in the midst of a world that is full of tragedy and sorrow.
Here’s a poem:
“Where is God” by Andrew Pell
Does God reside far into the heavens above?
Or can God be found in a simple act of kindness and love.
Will you seek him in the deepest earth cavern?
Or will he guide you through the darkness with a bright lantern.
Do you look for him in a Synagogue? Or do we find God in a Cathedral Church.
You ask the question “Where do I search”
Open your heart and open your eyes.
I promise you there will be no lies.
God is and has always been walking hand in hand with you.
Accept and embrace these words for they are very true.
God is not far away in some distant Galaxy.
It is time for you to grow up and see.
The Living God is right here and now.
Accept him as your Lord and Saviour, humble yourself and bow.
You need to look no further today.
Be quiet; pray unceasingly; Listen to what God has to say.
© Andrew Pell 30/04/07
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Sermon Synopsis for November 2, 2008
“Sharing Christ” Luke 6:26-36
I’m Steve Crane and I approve of this message.
THE MENNONITE MAFIA
I heard about a country store owned by Mennonites. One day a man went in and noticed that the price of homemade bread had gone up a few cents.
He joked to the owner, “I suppose you want to put a few more pennies in your pocket.”
The owner replied, “No, it’s going in the pockets of the Mennonite Mafia.”
I don’t get it. They don’t teach you about the Mennonite Mafia in Mennonite Theology courses.
I did find this ….
The top ten things that happen when you double-cross the Mennonite Mafia:
10. They spread nasty rumors about you like:"He doesn't give 10% of his income in the offering."
9. They hold your head under water. (usually by pouring)
8. They give you the "Kiss of Death". (right after washing your feet)
7. They tie you in a chair (loosely of course) and force you to listen to a choir sing 666 over and over and over......
6. They take you for a short walk on a long pier.
5. They break your (Vienna) fingers.
4. They give you a pair of cement boots and then throw them in the river.(without you in them)
3. They wait till you walk out your front door then do a drive-by shunning.
2. They send a hit man to your house. (usually the Overseer)
1. They break your legs. (of your chair)
NEED ORIENTED EVANGELISM
Characteristic of a Healthy Church #7: a healthy church has need-oriented evangelism.
What does the Mennonite Mafia tell us about need-oriented evangelism?
The “Mennonite Mafia” tells us that Mennonites are not only in a position of needing to love enemies; we also need to be loved by those who see us as enemies.
We are tempted to see ourselves as the “good guys” protecting ourselves against the bad guys out there in the world. The country store owner tells us that some see us as people who take money from their pockets to line our own.
The “Mennonite Mafia” teaches us that we can be cruel to others in a “nice” and “polite” way.
We can get back at others … in a civil, courteous, and respectful way – that makes us feel good, because we have gotten retribution.
Is there a stereotype of the Mennonite Mafia that may have some truth?
Remember - I’m just a Mennonite by adoption.
WHAT DOES JESUS SAY: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HATE YOU
If they take your coat – give them your shirt
If they make you carry their things a mile – walk the other mile,
BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE YOU
Jesus insists on verbal affirmation. “Bless those who curse you.
”Let’s be honest. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good insult.
John Jacob Astor’s wife once said to Winston Churchill, "Winston, if you were my husband I should flavor your coffee with poison." Churchill replied, "Madam, if I were your husband, I should drink it."
Congressman John Randolph and Henry Clay met on a sidewalk in Washington. Clay said, "I, sir, do not step aside for a scoundrel." To which Randolph replied, "On the other hand, I always do." And stepped aside.
An envious author congratulated another author on a book she had recently written. "I enjoyed it," she said, "who wrote it for you?" The author answered, "Well, I did and I’m so glad you liked it. Who read it to you?"
Do you ever think of a good “zinger” after the fact? Do you lie in bed at night thinking of things you could have said? Jesus words may be for you.
You see that’s the kind of response we usually love to give when someone insults us, but it isn’t how Jesus responded to his enemies.
Peter says, "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate." 1 Peter 2:23
Instead of verbal retaliation, Jesus commands us to engage verbal affirmation.
He uses the word “bless."
Can that mean “complement”? It’s not quite enough to respond to an insult with, "Hey, nice tie." That might sound like a smart-alek comeback; it doesn’t get close to the significance of the word "bless.”
When you bless someone you communicate to them that you recognize their value as a human made in the image of God.
It’s tough to respond to an enemy with verbal affirmation. It requires me to do the hard work of looking for something good in a person: there is enormous power and dignity in replying to an insult with a blessing.
We’re not dragged down to our enemy’s level. We take the emotional heat out of the moment and create an atmosphere where tempers can cool. And we emulate Jesus who prayed for the forgiveness of his enemies even as they danced around his cross cheering his death.
PRAY FOR THOSE WHO MISTREAT YOU
Pray for your enemies. There is no more powerful response to an enemy and his insult than to say, "I am praying for you.”
What you are really saying is, “You know I could take this matter into my own hands and respond to you in all the ways humans commonly respond. … But I choose, instead, to place it in the hands of God.” And because he is the impartial judge of all who live and breathe, He will do what is right.
Now that’s not a threat. But it is a frightening thing to think that your enemy is talking to God about you.
REACHING OTHERS
If we want to be successful at reaching others, we need to learn what others want from us, rather than insisting that they can join us only if they become what we are.
Our problem with loving our enemies, perhaps has less to do with people in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Saudi Arabia … and more to do with our neighbors.
Jesus tells us to break through the vicious cycle of revenge and retribution. We love others, not because they love us. We love others, because God loves us.
Need-oriented evangelism doesn’t take what we value and insist that someone else value it if they want to be part of us. Rather, it asks who they are, what they value, what they need. It checks them against God’s value system and invites them to join us in advancing God’s Kingdom.
MISSIONARY DECISIONS
When a missionary comes to a culture – each practice needs to be evaluated.
Is this a practice that is against God?
Is this a practice that is for God?
Is this a practice that is neutral, neither for or against God?
Less than a century ago, in Bolivia, missionaries hauled pianos over difficult mountain passes … because that was an appropriate instrument of praise for God. They had the people get rid of their Charangos and Zamponias and learn proper “Christian” music. The hymnal accompanied the Bible. North American and European hymns and music were taught as “God’s Music”
It’s no wonder that many missionaries were despised by the locals – they brought it on themselves.
If God can convert and baptize a Bolivian from his pagan ways, God can convert a charango and guitar and music as well.
Once the Bolivian Christians were encouraged to write praise music in their own rhythms and with their own instruments … the churches flourished, and many came to Christ.
Years ago, I never thought I would hear Christian Rap Music. Yo!
EVANGELISM AND LIFE STYLE
Natural Church Development tells us that evangelism will grow out of the “lifestyle of the church” rather than being a program or an add-on. Evangelism is not an event as much as it is a way of life.
Not everyone has the “spiritual gift” of evangelism. But everyone has the responsibility of living a life that is evangelistic. That’s a life that reaches out to others and cares about others and their needs.
How many friends do you have that aren’t Christian? The longer we’re Christians, the fewer non-Christian friends we have. That’s not the way Jesus worked.
Mennonite theology often has to do with having “little contact with the world,” or “separation from the world,” so that we will not be contaminated.
Apostle John, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
THE RESULTS FOR US
v. 35 – your reward will be great / you will be children of the Most High
1 John 3:1 – Behold what love the father has for us, that we should be called children of God
LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
What is the greatest love you have?
Jesus told his disciples – greater love has no man than to lay down his life for another. (John 15:13)
Shortly after Jesus said this, he stretched out his arms and said “I love you this much” – and they nailed him to the cross.
John 3:16 – God loves “the world”
God gave Jesus (his only son)
“that none should perish”
“that all should have eternal life”
The greatest way to love our enemies is to lead them to Jesus – to show them Jesus.
EVANGELISM STARTS WITH COMPASSION
I asked the children what a bully was. They know all about bullies.
I asked them how we should treat bullies.
There was a variety of responses from hitting them to ignoring them to being nice to them.
I asked them how Jesus would treat bullies.
They agreed he would be nice to them …
… carry their backpack longer then they made them …
… give them their shirt if they took their coat …
--- treat them as you would have them treat you …
The golden rule.
We can’t evangelize people we are antagonistic towards.
The Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 1:21-22 “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free form accusation – “
If God can love people – love them to death – his own – we should be able to treat others decently.
Maybe God wants us to “share Christ” with them.
I’m Steve Crane and I approve of this message.
THE MENNONITE MAFIA
I heard about a country store owned by Mennonites. One day a man went in and noticed that the price of homemade bread had gone up a few cents.
He joked to the owner, “I suppose you want to put a few more pennies in your pocket.”
The owner replied, “No, it’s going in the pockets of the Mennonite Mafia.”
I don’t get it. They don’t teach you about the Mennonite Mafia in Mennonite Theology courses.
I did find this ….
The top ten things that happen when you double-cross the Mennonite Mafia:
10. They spread nasty rumors about you like:"He doesn't give 10% of his income in the offering."
9. They hold your head under water. (usually by pouring)
8. They give you the "Kiss of Death". (right after washing your feet)
7. They tie you in a chair (loosely of course) and force you to listen to a choir sing 666 over and over and over......
6. They take you for a short walk on a long pier.
5. They break your (Vienna) fingers.
4. They give you a pair of cement boots and then throw them in the river.(without you in them)
3. They wait till you walk out your front door then do a drive-by shunning.
2. They send a hit man to your house. (usually the Overseer)
1. They break your legs. (of your chair)
NEED ORIENTED EVANGELISM
Characteristic of a Healthy Church #7: a healthy church has need-oriented evangelism.
What does the Mennonite Mafia tell us about need-oriented evangelism?
The “Mennonite Mafia” tells us that Mennonites are not only in a position of needing to love enemies; we also need to be loved by those who see us as enemies.
We are tempted to see ourselves as the “good guys” protecting ourselves against the bad guys out there in the world. The country store owner tells us that some see us as people who take money from their pockets to line our own.
The “Mennonite Mafia” teaches us that we can be cruel to others in a “nice” and “polite” way.
We can get back at others … in a civil, courteous, and respectful way – that makes us feel good, because we have gotten retribution.
Is there a stereotype of the Mennonite Mafia that may have some truth?
Remember - I’m just a Mennonite by adoption.
WHAT DOES JESUS SAY: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HATE YOU
If they take your coat – give them your shirt
If they make you carry their things a mile – walk the other mile,
BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE YOU
Jesus insists on verbal affirmation. “Bless those who curse you.
”Let’s be honest. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good insult.
John Jacob Astor’s wife once said to Winston Churchill, "Winston, if you were my husband I should flavor your coffee with poison." Churchill replied, "Madam, if I were your husband, I should drink it."
Congressman John Randolph and Henry Clay met on a sidewalk in Washington. Clay said, "I, sir, do not step aside for a scoundrel." To which Randolph replied, "On the other hand, I always do." And stepped aside.
An envious author congratulated another author on a book she had recently written. "I enjoyed it," she said, "who wrote it for you?" The author answered, "Well, I did and I’m so glad you liked it. Who read it to you?"
Do you ever think of a good “zinger” after the fact? Do you lie in bed at night thinking of things you could have said? Jesus words may be for you.
You see that’s the kind of response we usually love to give when someone insults us, but it isn’t how Jesus responded to his enemies.
Peter says, "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate." 1 Peter 2:23
Instead of verbal retaliation, Jesus commands us to engage verbal affirmation.
He uses the word “bless."
Can that mean “complement”? It’s not quite enough to respond to an insult with, "Hey, nice tie." That might sound like a smart-alek comeback; it doesn’t get close to the significance of the word "bless.”
When you bless someone you communicate to them that you recognize their value as a human made in the image of God.
It’s tough to respond to an enemy with verbal affirmation. It requires me to do the hard work of looking for something good in a person: there is enormous power and dignity in replying to an insult with a blessing.
We’re not dragged down to our enemy’s level. We take the emotional heat out of the moment and create an atmosphere where tempers can cool. And we emulate Jesus who prayed for the forgiveness of his enemies even as they danced around his cross cheering his death.
PRAY FOR THOSE WHO MISTREAT YOU
Pray for your enemies. There is no more powerful response to an enemy and his insult than to say, "I am praying for you.”
What you are really saying is, “You know I could take this matter into my own hands and respond to you in all the ways humans commonly respond. … But I choose, instead, to place it in the hands of God.” And because he is the impartial judge of all who live and breathe, He will do what is right.
Now that’s not a threat. But it is a frightening thing to think that your enemy is talking to God about you.
REACHING OTHERS
If we want to be successful at reaching others, we need to learn what others want from us, rather than insisting that they can join us only if they become what we are.
Our problem with loving our enemies, perhaps has less to do with people in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Saudi Arabia … and more to do with our neighbors.
Jesus tells us to break through the vicious cycle of revenge and retribution. We love others, not because they love us. We love others, because God loves us.
Need-oriented evangelism doesn’t take what we value and insist that someone else value it if they want to be part of us. Rather, it asks who they are, what they value, what they need. It checks them against God’s value system and invites them to join us in advancing God’s Kingdom.
MISSIONARY DECISIONS
When a missionary comes to a culture – each practice needs to be evaluated.
Is this a practice that is against God?
Is this a practice that is for God?
Is this a practice that is neutral, neither for or against God?
Less than a century ago, in Bolivia, missionaries hauled pianos over difficult mountain passes … because that was an appropriate instrument of praise for God. They had the people get rid of their Charangos and Zamponias and learn proper “Christian” music. The hymnal accompanied the Bible. North American and European hymns and music were taught as “God’s Music”
It’s no wonder that many missionaries were despised by the locals – they brought it on themselves.
If God can convert and baptize a Bolivian from his pagan ways, God can convert a charango and guitar and music as well.
Once the Bolivian Christians were encouraged to write praise music in their own rhythms and with their own instruments … the churches flourished, and many came to Christ.
Years ago, I never thought I would hear Christian Rap Music. Yo!
EVANGELISM AND LIFE STYLE
Natural Church Development tells us that evangelism will grow out of the “lifestyle of the church” rather than being a program or an add-on. Evangelism is not an event as much as it is a way of life.
Not everyone has the “spiritual gift” of evangelism. But everyone has the responsibility of living a life that is evangelistic. That’s a life that reaches out to others and cares about others and their needs.
How many friends do you have that aren’t Christian? The longer we’re Christians, the fewer non-Christian friends we have. That’s not the way Jesus worked.
Mennonite theology often has to do with having “little contact with the world,” or “separation from the world,” so that we will not be contaminated.
Apostle John, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
THE RESULTS FOR US
v. 35 – your reward will be great / you will be children of the Most High
1 John 3:1 – Behold what love the father has for us, that we should be called children of God
LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
What is the greatest love you have?
Jesus told his disciples – greater love has no man than to lay down his life for another. (John 15:13)
Shortly after Jesus said this, he stretched out his arms and said “I love you this much” – and they nailed him to the cross.
John 3:16 – God loves “the world”
God gave Jesus (his only son)
“that none should perish”
“that all should have eternal life”
The greatest way to love our enemies is to lead them to Jesus – to show them Jesus.
EVANGELISM STARTS WITH COMPASSION
I asked the children what a bully was. They know all about bullies.
I asked them how we should treat bullies.
There was a variety of responses from hitting them to ignoring them to being nice to them.
I asked them how Jesus would treat bullies.
They agreed he would be nice to them …
… carry their backpack longer then they made them …
… give them their shirt if they took their coat …
--- treat them as you would have them treat you …
The golden rule.
We can’t evangelize people we are antagonistic towards.
The Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 1:21-22 “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free form accusation – “
If God can love people – love them to death – his own – we should be able to treat others decently.
Maybe God wants us to “share Christ” with them.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sermon Synopsis for October 26, 2008
“Jesus’ Small Group” Mark 6:6-13, 30-32
Some of you may have stayed up late on Saturday night watching a sporting event.
Maybe you heard …
A mother told her son, “We need to be quiet in church”
The boy replied, “Why? Is it because so many people are sleeping?”
The story is told …
A pastor was frustrated because a man in the congregation fell asleep every Sunday during the sermon. So he made a plan.
Near the end of his sermon the pastor said in a quiet voice, “anyone who doesn’t want to go to heaven …” And then in a loud voice, he shouted, “PLEASE STAND UP.”
The man woke suddenly and stood up.
After looking around he said, “Pastor, I’m not sure what the issue is, but it looks like the only ones in favor of it are me and you.”
Sometimes we need the rest more than we need to hear a sermon.
Jesus and disciples took time away. They went on retreats and had times of rest.
The disciples were a diverse group, an unlikely group to find together. There were liberals, conservatives, revolutionaries and establishment types. The one thing they had in common … they hoped for a savior (a messiah) and they found that in Jesus.
They spent time together, studied scripture with Jesus, learned from Him, ate together, traveled together.
They were formed into a group.
After a while, Jesus sent them out for a short mission trip.
A HEALTHY CHURCH
Today we continue our look at becoming a healthy church
Even though we’re not sick, it doesn’t mean we’re healthy.
We’re looking at the eight characteristics of a healthy church from the Natural Church Development study.
Today: continue on #6 – A healthy church has holistic small groups.
THE SOURCE OF OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE
We live in difficult times – for many reasons.
Where do you get your strength and encouragement to keep the Christian faith?
1. From God. The Psalmists taught us to find that in God.
The Lord is my strength and my shield” (Ps 28:7)
“The Lord is the strength of his people (Ps 28:8)
“Look to the Lord and his strength” (Ps 105:4)
“The Lord is my strength and my song” (Ps 118:14)
One Sunday after church a mother asked her young daughter what the lesson was about. Her daughter answered "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilts. " Needless to say, Mom was perplexed. Later in the day she called the Sunday School teacher and asked what the lesson was about. The teacher said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."
We need a close relationship with God – our comforter.
Jesus said “Come unto me all who are weary carry heavy burdens” (Mt 11:28)
To maintain our spiritual life – we need to go to Jesus. Jesus is the way to God.
2. With others.
Paul wrote “Bear one another’s burdens” (Gal 6:2)
“Pray for one another”
“Be devoted to one another” (Rom 12:10)
“Love one another”
To maintain our spiritual life – we need to go to each other.
JESUS’ SMALL GROUP
Jesus used a small group to form disciples … the 12 together worked out how to live the Christian life during difficult times.
They discussed scripture passages, and they went beyond just discussing scripture passages to applying the message to daily life.
This group was the natural place for Christians to learn to serve others (with their spiritual gifts).
THEY WERE A HOLISTIC SMALL GROUP
The small group went out to apply some of what they were learning together.
They could do these things because they experienced them in their small group.
According to today’s scripture, (Mark 6:12) they went out in twos.
1. They shared the gospel (repentance) (This showed they were concerned with the mind)
2. They drove out demons (things in their lives that took control of them) (This showed they were concerned with the Spirit, Psychic)
3. They healed (This showed they were concerned with the physical)
It was holistic! It had to do with all aspects of the person’s life.
The gospel is holistic – God cares about all aspects of our lives (mind, spirit, physical, material)
We should care about each other in the same way.
If someone’s suv was stuck in the mud would we say, “I’ll pray for you”?
The disciples (6 groups of 2) - served Christ with their lives.
Then (Mark 6:30) they got back together and talked about it.
A small group shares the joys and struggles of living the Christian life.
WHAT DO SMALL GROUPS DO
In Acts 2:41-47 we find what these 12 (and others) did to build the early church.
Acts 2:41 tells us there were more than 3100 believers in the church. What does that have to do with small groups?
Let’s go back to first century Jerusalem.
There were some halls to rent (Acts 2:1 tells us that 120 were together in one place)
A large wealthy home could entertain maybe 40 people.
A regular house could squeeze in maybe 20.
Where were these 3100 people?
We realize they met in small groups in homes (2:46)
- They met together at the temple
- They fellowshipped in homes (a small group ministry)
The Natural Church Development study found that small groups are more important that corporate worship for a healthy church.
We tend to think that what goes on from 10:30 to 12:00 on Sunday morning is the most important time for the church. It’s difficult (especially for a pastor) to admit that’s wrong.
Participating in a small group is more important than attending church (worship).
Sunday AM is important, but … apparently, small groups are more important.
WHAT DID THE SMALL GROUPS DO?
Acts 2:42 – four things
1. Learning about God (Scriptures)
Holistic small groups go beyond studying the scriptures, to applying them to their lives.
2. Fellowship (enjoying each other) Koinonia
3. Food (Lord’s Supper? Agape Feast? Potluck?)
4. Prayer
HOLISTIC SMALL GROUPS
(To be holistic, a group must care about all aspects of the person’s life)
We have small groups: Sunday School Classes, Worship Teams, committees, commissions, prayer groups, etc.
Issues to consider:
Clique vs. small group
Inviting vs. Exclusive
Gossip?
Is the group caring and Christ centered?
Why do they meet? Each small group can become a holistic small group if they have learning, prayer, and concern for each other’s joys and struggles.
Paul wanted the early church to continue the practice of Acts 2
1 Corinthians 11:17-18 (read 2 weeks ago for communion) “your meetings do more harm than good … I hear that when you come together … there are divisions among you.”
At the ACC Fall Assembly we talked about the difficulties in “being connected” as Christians. It has to be intentional.
What do you do during difficult times in your life?
Go to God!
Share with others.
Do you feel alone in your walk with Christ?
God wants you to connect to other Christians.
I asked the children what would happen if we took a coal out of a camp fire. Most agreed that it would go out. God wants to keep the spiritual fire alive in our lives. It’s much easier to do that when we are together.
Some of you may have stayed up late on Saturday night watching a sporting event.
Maybe you heard …
A mother told her son, “We need to be quiet in church”
The boy replied, “Why? Is it because so many people are sleeping?”
The story is told …
A pastor was frustrated because a man in the congregation fell asleep every Sunday during the sermon. So he made a plan.
Near the end of his sermon the pastor said in a quiet voice, “anyone who doesn’t want to go to heaven …” And then in a loud voice, he shouted, “PLEASE STAND UP.”
The man woke suddenly and stood up.
After looking around he said, “Pastor, I’m not sure what the issue is, but it looks like the only ones in favor of it are me and you.”
Sometimes we need the rest more than we need to hear a sermon.
Jesus and disciples took time away. They went on retreats and had times of rest.
The disciples were a diverse group, an unlikely group to find together. There were liberals, conservatives, revolutionaries and establishment types. The one thing they had in common … they hoped for a savior (a messiah) and they found that in Jesus.
They spent time together, studied scripture with Jesus, learned from Him, ate together, traveled together.
They were formed into a group.
After a while, Jesus sent them out for a short mission trip.
A HEALTHY CHURCH
Today we continue our look at becoming a healthy church
Even though we’re not sick, it doesn’t mean we’re healthy.
We’re looking at the eight characteristics of a healthy church from the Natural Church Development study.
Today: continue on #6 – A healthy church has holistic small groups.
THE SOURCE OF OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE
We live in difficult times – for many reasons.
Where do you get your strength and encouragement to keep the Christian faith?
1. From God. The Psalmists taught us to find that in God.
The Lord is my strength and my shield” (Ps 28:7)
“The Lord is the strength of his people (Ps 28:8)
“Look to the Lord and his strength” (Ps 105:4)
“The Lord is my strength and my song” (Ps 118:14)
One Sunday after church a mother asked her young daughter what the lesson was about. Her daughter answered "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilts. " Needless to say, Mom was perplexed. Later in the day she called the Sunday School teacher and asked what the lesson was about. The teacher said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."
We need a close relationship with God – our comforter.
Jesus said “Come unto me all who are weary carry heavy burdens” (Mt 11:28)
To maintain our spiritual life – we need to go to Jesus. Jesus is the way to God.
2. With others.
Paul wrote “Bear one another’s burdens” (Gal 6:2)
“Pray for one another”
“Be devoted to one another” (Rom 12:10)
“Love one another”
To maintain our spiritual life – we need to go to each other.
JESUS’ SMALL GROUP
Jesus used a small group to form disciples … the 12 together worked out how to live the Christian life during difficult times.
They discussed scripture passages, and they went beyond just discussing scripture passages to applying the message to daily life.
This group was the natural place for Christians to learn to serve others (with their spiritual gifts).
THEY WERE A HOLISTIC SMALL GROUP
The small group went out to apply some of what they were learning together.
They could do these things because they experienced them in their small group.
According to today’s scripture, (Mark 6:12) they went out in twos.
1. They shared the gospel (repentance) (This showed they were concerned with the mind)
2. They drove out demons (things in their lives that took control of them) (This showed they were concerned with the Spirit, Psychic)
3. They healed (This showed they were concerned with the physical)
It was holistic! It had to do with all aspects of the person’s life.
The gospel is holistic – God cares about all aspects of our lives (mind, spirit, physical, material)
We should care about each other in the same way.
If someone’s suv was stuck in the mud would we say, “I’ll pray for you”?
The disciples (6 groups of 2) - served Christ with their lives.
Then (Mark 6:30) they got back together and talked about it.
A small group shares the joys and struggles of living the Christian life.
WHAT DO SMALL GROUPS DO
In Acts 2:41-47 we find what these 12 (and others) did to build the early church.
Acts 2:41 tells us there were more than 3100 believers in the church. What does that have to do with small groups?
Let’s go back to first century Jerusalem.
There were some halls to rent (Acts 2:1 tells us that 120 were together in one place)
A large wealthy home could entertain maybe 40 people.
A regular house could squeeze in maybe 20.
Where were these 3100 people?
We realize they met in small groups in homes (2:46)
- They met together at the temple
- They fellowshipped in homes (a small group ministry)
The Natural Church Development study found that small groups are more important that corporate worship for a healthy church.
We tend to think that what goes on from 10:30 to 12:00 on Sunday morning is the most important time for the church. It’s difficult (especially for a pastor) to admit that’s wrong.
Participating in a small group is more important than attending church (worship).
Sunday AM is important, but … apparently, small groups are more important.
WHAT DID THE SMALL GROUPS DO?
Acts 2:42 – four things
1. Learning about God (Scriptures)
Holistic small groups go beyond studying the scriptures, to applying them to their lives.
2. Fellowship (enjoying each other) Koinonia
3. Food (Lord’s Supper? Agape Feast? Potluck?)
4. Prayer
HOLISTIC SMALL GROUPS
(To be holistic, a group must care about all aspects of the person’s life)
We have small groups: Sunday School Classes, Worship Teams, committees, commissions, prayer groups, etc.
Issues to consider:
Clique vs. small group
Inviting vs. Exclusive
Gossip?
Is the group caring and Christ centered?
Why do they meet? Each small group can become a holistic small group if they have learning, prayer, and concern for each other’s joys and struggles.
Paul wanted the early church to continue the practice of Acts 2
1 Corinthians 11:17-18 (read 2 weeks ago for communion) “your meetings do more harm than good … I hear that when you come together … there are divisions among you.”
At the ACC Fall Assembly we talked about the difficulties in “being connected” as Christians. It has to be intentional.
What do you do during difficult times in your life?
Go to God!
Share with others.
Do you feel alone in your walk with Christ?
God wants you to connect to other Christians.
I asked the children what would happen if we took a coal out of a camp fire. Most agreed that it would go out. God wants to keep the spiritual fire alive in our lives. It’s much easier to do that when we are together.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sermon Synopsis for October 12, 2008
“A Small Group Activity” Matthew 26:20-30
We live in days of tumultuous days
We can be concerned about making a living, the economy, family problems, and the elections, among other things.
In the midst of a changing world something doesn’t change ...
the church gathering to celebrate the Lord’s Supper and wash each other’s feet (Communion)
In good times / in bad times – people gathered around a table to remember what Jesus did for them.
Communion does two things (hopefully):
Reinforces our relationship with God
Reinforces our relationship with each other
NOT A RITUAL
Maybe you heard ...
A new missionary recruit went to Venezuela for the first time. He was struggling with the language and didn't understand much of what was going on. He went to visit a local church, but got lost and arrived late. The church was already packed. The only pew left was the one on the front row.
To fit in, he decided to imitate the man sitting next to him. As they sang, the man clapped his hands, so the missionary recruit clapped too. When the man stood up to pray, the missionary recruit stood up too. When the man sat down, he sat down. When the man held the cup and bread for the Lord's Supper, he held the cup and bread. During the preaching, the recruit didn't understand a thing. He just sat there and tried to look just like that man in the front pew. Then he perceived that the preacher was giving announcements. People clapped, so he looked to see if the man was clapping. He was, and so the recruit clapped too.
Then the man next to him stood up; so he stood up too. Suddenly a hush fell over the entire congregation. A few people gasped. He looked around and saw that nobody else was standing. So he sat down.
After the service ended, the preacher stood at the door shaking the hands of those who were leaving. When the missionary recruit stretched out his hand to greet the preacher, the preacher said, in English: "I take it you don't speak Spanish."
The missionary recruit replied: "No I don't. It's that obvious?"
"Well yes," said the preacher, "I announced that the Acosta family had a newborn baby boy and would the proud father please stand up."
Communion is much more than a ritual; it’s much more than going through the motions.
NOT JUST ANOTHER MEAL
In the Gospels, Jesus has many meals –
Wedding at Cana
Eating grain picked on the Sabbath
Feeding 4 and 5 thousand at a time
Most notable are meals with despicable people (like Levi or Zacchaeus)
This meal is unlike any other meal.
SMALL GROUPS
Characteristic of a healthy church #6: A healthy church has holistic small groups.
Jesus dealt with crowds, but he knew that much of the most important ministry was done in a small group. At the end there were 13 in the group (Jesus and 12 disciples)
They enjoyed 3 years of ministry
The last week was a big week: triumphal entry, clearing temple, confrontations with many, lots of teaching
JESUS SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY
Passover: celebration of God’s deliverance from Egypt and the forming of a people, based on God’s love and forgiveness. [God passed over the houses of the Israelites, because he loved them, he did not pass judgment on t hem]
Some of the disciples were in charge of making the arrangements.
Find a meeting room – Jerusalem was crowded for the holidays “Next year in Jerusalem” The city swelled to half a million or more during the Passover of Jesus’ time. Jesus and the disciples gathered in an upper room of a large house.
Go to the Temple: purchase lamb (perfect, one per household) / sacrifice at temple court (for sins) / blood poured at foot of the altar (Josephus describes blood flowing from the temple mount because of the tens of thousands of lambs that were offered for Passover / fat burnt on alter (there were many altars due to number of sacrifices)
Back home: Passover ritual (sweet and bitter / remembrance of God’s deliverance from slavery (and sin).
Two weeks ago I spoke about: “But we never did it that way” / Jesus changed the Passover ritual.
That bothered some of the group.
COMMUNION
The word “Communion” implies being together.
How can you have communion alone?
Communion just with God?
We call it communion because we recognize two things:
1. We have communion with God (the reason for the practice)
2. We have communion with each other
A DIVERSE GROUP (OF BACKGROUNDS)
As we look at Jesus’ small group we see a diverse group. (Not typical for the time, or maybe anytime)
Peter & Andrew (brothers) and Philip (all probably legalistic Pharisees)
James & John (“sons of thunder”) – trouble makers
Simon the Zealot – revolutionary or “terrorist”
Levi (Matthew) – establishment, tax collector, Sadducee?
Judas Iscariot – treasurer, betrayal
How in the world did Jesus get this group to unite?
Jesus seeks to bring people together, not divide people.
Elections: dividing Christians (Maybe it’s why Mennonites historically stayed out of politics)
Point: Communion brings us together.
A DIVERSE GROUP (OF CONCERNS)
Each of the disciples came together on that evening with different concerns weighing on their hearts.
Much centered on the coming of the Kingdom of God.
It meant different things to those of different backgrounds (Compare Pharisees and Zealots for example)
COMMUNION ON THE BORDER
At Friendship Park, on the border south of San Diego, Methodist Pastor John Fanestil has offered communion to believers on both sides of the border (through the border fence).
A double fence is being built – part of anti terrorist act. “Passing Communion bread through the border fence is now a customs violation.” Pastor John is considered a “terrorist” by Homeland Security.
Jesus came to bring people together (under the cross and forgiveness), not to build fences.
Communion is bringing diverse people together at the cross of Christ.
(Christian Century, Oct 7, 2008, p.22 & ff.)
KJV 1 Cor 10:16 “The cup of blessing we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (NIV says “participation”)
THIS SIDE OF THE CROSS
Jesus asks the disciples to remember (commemorate) his death (broken body, shed blood).
He doesn’t ask them to remember his birth, life, miracles, etc. – he wants them to remember his death.
It is the ultimate act of sacrifice – for our sins, for our salvation.
We celebrate Communion on this side of the cross
We have an advantage over Jesus’ small group
As we come together:
We remember what Jesus did for us – because He loves us.
“God so loved the world, he sent Jesus”
Jesus wants to bring us together – like the disciples of old, we’re a diverse group.
What brings us together?
Forgiveness of our sins, Jesus body and blood.
WHAT’S NEXT
Jesus used a small group to form disciples.
Communion is the last activity of the group before Jesus’ death and resurrection.
It was the impulse to move the group to go and form more disciples.
When we have communion with God and with each other, it will result in others coming to Christ.
I showed the children some things that can help us remember important things: my agenda book, post it notes, a string on the finger.
We looked at the words carved on the front of the Communion Table: “In Remembrance of me” (i.e. “Don’t Forget Jesus”)
We mustn’t forget Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
Broken Body – Shed Blood
We need to remember why.
God loves us (all of us); God sent Jesus for us; God wants to live in our lives; God is sending Jesus back for us; God wants us to be together forever.
Consider the following when you come to the Communion table …
How is your relationship with God? Are you in communion with God?
How is your relationship with others? Are you in communion with the people with whom we share this bread and cup?
We live in days of tumultuous days
We can be concerned about making a living, the economy, family problems, and the elections, among other things.
In the midst of a changing world something doesn’t change ...
the church gathering to celebrate the Lord’s Supper and wash each other’s feet (Communion)
In good times / in bad times – people gathered around a table to remember what Jesus did for them.
Communion does two things (hopefully):
Reinforces our relationship with God
Reinforces our relationship with each other
NOT A RITUAL
Maybe you heard ...
A new missionary recruit went to Venezuela for the first time. He was struggling with the language and didn't understand much of what was going on. He went to visit a local church, but got lost and arrived late. The church was already packed. The only pew left was the one on the front row.
To fit in, he decided to imitate the man sitting next to him. As they sang, the man clapped his hands, so the missionary recruit clapped too. When the man stood up to pray, the missionary recruit stood up too. When the man sat down, he sat down. When the man held the cup and bread for the Lord's Supper, he held the cup and bread. During the preaching, the recruit didn't understand a thing. He just sat there and tried to look just like that man in the front pew. Then he perceived that the preacher was giving announcements. People clapped, so he looked to see if the man was clapping. He was, and so the recruit clapped too.
Then the man next to him stood up; so he stood up too. Suddenly a hush fell over the entire congregation. A few people gasped. He looked around and saw that nobody else was standing. So he sat down.
After the service ended, the preacher stood at the door shaking the hands of those who were leaving. When the missionary recruit stretched out his hand to greet the preacher, the preacher said, in English: "I take it you don't speak Spanish."
The missionary recruit replied: "No I don't. It's that obvious?"
"Well yes," said the preacher, "I announced that the Acosta family had a newborn baby boy and would the proud father please stand up."
Communion is much more than a ritual; it’s much more than going through the motions.
NOT JUST ANOTHER MEAL
In the Gospels, Jesus has many meals –
Wedding at Cana
Eating grain picked on the Sabbath
Feeding 4 and 5 thousand at a time
Most notable are meals with despicable people (like Levi or Zacchaeus)
This meal is unlike any other meal.
SMALL GROUPS
Characteristic of a healthy church #6: A healthy church has holistic small groups.
Jesus dealt with crowds, but he knew that much of the most important ministry was done in a small group. At the end there were 13 in the group (Jesus and 12 disciples)
They enjoyed 3 years of ministry
The last week was a big week: triumphal entry, clearing temple, confrontations with many, lots of teaching
JESUS SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY
Passover: celebration of God’s deliverance from Egypt and the forming of a people, based on God’s love and forgiveness. [God passed over the houses of the Israelites, because he loved them, he did not pass judgment on t hem]
Some of the disciples were in charge of making the arrangements.
Find a meeting room – Jerusalem was crowded for the holidays “Next year in Jerusalem” The city swelled to half a million or more during the Passover of Jesus’ time. Jesus and the disciples gathered in an upper room of a large house.
Go to the Temple: purchase lamb (perfect, one per household) / sacrifice at temple court (for sins) / blood poured at foot of the altar (Josephus describes blood flowing from the temple mount because of the tens of thousands of lambs that were offered for Passover / fat burnt on alter (there were many altars due to number of sacrifices)
Back home: Passover ritual (sweet and bitter / remembrance of God’s deliverance from slavery (and sin).
Two weeks ago I spoke about: “But we never did it that way” / Jesus changed the Passover ritual.
That bothered some of the group.
COMMUNION
The word “Communion” implies being together.
How can you have communion alone?
Communion just with God?
We call it communion because we recognize two things:
1. We have communion with God (the reason for the practice)
2. We have communion with each other
A DIVERSE GROUP (OF BACKGROUNDS)
As we look at Jesus’ small group we see a diverse group. (Not typical for the time, or maybe anytime)
Peter & Andrew (brothers) and Philip (all probably legalistic Pharisees)
James & John (“sons of thunder”) – trouble makers
Simon the Zealot – revolutionary or “terrorist”
Levi (Matthew) – establishment, tax collector, Sadducee?
Judas Iscariot – treasurer, betrayal
How in the world did Jesus get this group to unite?
Jesus seeks to bring people together, not divide people.
Elections: dividing Christians (Maybe it’s why Mennonites historically stayed out of politics)
Point: Communion brings us together.
A DIVERSE GROUP (OF CONCERNS)
Each of the disciples came together on that evening with different concerns weighing on their hearts.
Much centered on the coming of the Kingdom of God.
It meant different things to those of different backgrounds (Compare Pharisees and Zealots for example)
COMMUNION ON THE BORDER
At Friendship Park, on the border south of San Diego, Methodist Pastor John Fanestil has offered communion to believers on both sides of the border (through the border fence).
A double fence is being built – part of anti terrorist act. “Passing Communion bread through the border fence is now a customs violation.” Pastor John is considered a “terrorist” by Homeland Security.
Jesus came to bring people together (under the cross and forgiveness), not to build fences.
Communion is bringing diverse people together at the cross of Christ.
(Christian Century, Oct 7, 2008, p.22 & ff.)
KJV 1 Cor 10:16 “The cup of blessing we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (NIV says “participation”)
THIS SIDE OF THE CROSS
Jesus asks the disciples to remember (commemorate) his death (broken body, shed blood).
He doesn’t ask them to remember his birth, life, miracles, etc. – he wants them to remember his death.
It is the ultimate act of sacrifice – for our sins, for our salvation.
We celebrate Communion on this side of the cross
We have an advantage over Jesus’ small group
As we come together:
We remember what Jesus did for us – because He loves us.
“God so loved the world, he sent Jesus”
Jesus wants to bring us together – like the disciples of old, we’re a diverse group.
What brings us together?
Forgiveness of our sins, Jesus body and blood.
WHAT’S NEXT
Jesus used a small group to form disciples.
Communion is the last activity of the group before Jesus’ death and resurrection.
It was the impulse to move the group to go and form more disciples.
When we have communion with God and with each other, it will result in others coming to Christ.
I showed the children some things that can help us remember important things: my agenda book, post it notes, a string on the finger.
We looked at the words carved on the front of the Communion Table: “In Remembrance of me” (i.e. “Don’t Forget Jesus”)
We mustn’t forget Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
Broken Body – Shed Blood
We need to remember why.
God loves us (all of us); God sent Jesus for us; God wants to live in our lives; God is sending Jesus back for us; God wants us to be together forever.
Consider the following when you come to the Communion table …
How is your relationship with God? Are you in communion with God?
How is your relationship with others? Are you in communion with the people with whom we share this bread and cup?
Friday, October 10, 2008
Sermon Synopsis for October 5, 2008
“Connecting With God” John 4:19-26
I'm think I’m giving up going to sporting events. Here are my 11 excuses:
1. Every time I went, they asked for money.
2. The people I sat next to didn't seem friendly.
3. The seats were too hard and not comfortable at all.
4. I went to many games but the coach never came to call on me.
5. The referees made decisions that I couldn't agree with.
6. The game went into overtime and I was late getting home.
7. The band played numbers I'd never heard before and it wasn't my style of music.
8. It seems the games are always scheduled when I want to do other things.
9. I suspect that I was sitting next to some hypocrites. They came to see their friends and they talked during the whole game.
10. I was taken to too many games by my parents when I was growing up.
11. I hate to wait in the traffic jam in the parking lot after the game. – Source Unknown
True worship is a transforming experience, and is certainly a mark of a revived church or believer. The real tragedy is that any church can be in revival all the time. The opportunity for true worship at any service is there, we just need to enter into worship in the right way.
Last week I spoke about change and doing things different in the church.
7 last words of the church: “But we never did it that way.”
Characteristic of a healthy church #5: A healthy church has inspiring worship services.
According to the Natural Church Development study, the different forms & styles of worship didn’t affect the level of inspiration. Something internal made it meaningful.
I asked the worship team to make sure today’s worship was inspiring?
How do you do that? It depends on so many things? You can’t force people to worship.
The pressure is on!
People are passionate about worship
Churches have divided over worship:
- Raising hands / clapping
- Quiet and reverent / loud and jubilant
- Instruments / which instruments
- Men on one side / women on other
- Time to worship?
Our Confession of Faith has casual mentions of worship, worship services are assumed. (remember I’m going to Mennonite School)
p.39 – The church should “become ever more like Jesus Christ … in its worship.”
Our “identity as God’s people of faith is sustained and renewed as members gather regularly for worship.”
P. 79 lists “corporate worship” as a spiritual discipline.
Worship isn’t something we include in a confession of faith – it’s a matter of the heart.
How do you know when you are worshiping?
GETTING TOGETHER WITH DIFFERENT FOLKS
In today’s scripture passage, Jesus and disciples are on their way to Galilee from Judea.
“He had to go through Samaria” (v.4)(Jesus was in a hurry. Why?)
The normal route took them on the other side of the Jordan River – out of their way to avoid contact with the Samaritans.
Were the Pharisees in Judah after him? Was the Jordan flooding? Political strife?
Did you ever cross the street to avoid coming into contact with someone?
Samaritans were despised. For a Jew, you had to be in a hurry to come into contact with a Samaritan.
There was a long standing prejudice between the Jews and the Samaritans.
920 BC Israel and Judah split.
722 BC Israel (Northern Kingdom) fell to Assyria.
Assyria’s used a resettlement program to control the population. New habitants worshiped Jehovah and other God’s like Baal. They only used the Pentateuch (other books were from the southern kingdom or not written yet). Waiting for a messiah to lead them.
586 BC Judah (Southern Kingdom) fell to Babylonia.
Babylonia’s policy was to take the best (scholars, wealthy, etc.) to Babylon and leave the poor and criminals behind.
539 BC Jews returned to Judah (Ezra, Nehemiah)
There were unmanageable differences with the Samaritans.
Jesus met a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, at the foot of Mt. Gerazim, where the Samaritans worshiped.
There are many unusual parts to this story:
Jesus (a man) interacts with a woman.
Jesus (a Jew) interacts with a Samaritan.
The woman gets uncomfortable with Jesus personal questions and she turns the conversation to religious issues.
John 4 talks about Two Mountains: Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Zion
The Samaritan woman changes the subject after Jesus convicts her about her relationship issues. Where should we worship? Religious rivalries (Samaritans were a sect of Jewish beliefs). The emphasis is on the differences. Neither is fully correct.
Both are looking for a Messiah!
WE DON’T ALWAYS FEEL LIKE WORSHIPPING
Many problems in the world – economy, jobs, inflation, poverty, hunger, etc.
Sometimes we get discouraged (Yesterday – fixing a leak, 3 trips to the hardware store – I wasn’t in any kind of mood for worshiping.)
We get detached from God
How do we get in the mood? Step back & breathe deeply, Prayer, reflection, scripture.
“Always be … joyful, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances … do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” (1 Thess 516-19)
To be able to worship we must be connected to God.
I was Remodeling – replaced an electric line, checked the connections, reconnected the wires. Nothing. Talk about not feeling like worshiping.
Finally, I turned on the breaker – I needed to be connected to the power.
Once my vehicle broke down in Bolivia. We were close to nowhere. Electric problems (from constant shaking on bad roads). I was tired, hungry, frustrated.
Trifon Ibarra said, While we’re here, why don’t we have a worship service?
(my response: Grrrr!)
WHAT IF I DON’T PRAISE GOD / CAN WE STOP PRAISE?
Pharisees tried to keep Jesus disciples from praising him (Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem)
Jesus, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40)
Spiritual song: “If I don’t praise him, the rocks are going to cry out”
God is to be praised no matter if I do it or not. All of creation crys out …
WHAT ARE THE ISSUES HERE?
LOCATION
The issue isn’t location (Where do we worship – which mountain?)
God can’t be confined to a specific place – God is everywhere (Psalmist – if I go to the heights – you are there / if I go to the depths – you are there)
STYLE
The issue isn’t style – how we worship.
RITUALS
Going through the motions doesn’t always help.
So … What does matter?
v.23 – the time has arrived for true worship (for both Jews and Samaritans)
True Worshipers will worship God in Spirit and Truth
“inspiring” comes from Latin “inspirato” which means literally “in the spirit.”
In Spirit
Think about scripture references that inform us about the “spirit.”
- Gen 1:2 – the spirit moved over the waters (at creation)
- OT promises of coming of the spirit.
- Is 61:1 (and Jesus in Luke 4:18)
- Mark 14:38 – the spirit is willing but the body is weak
- Jn 1:32 – spirit descended like a dove (at Jesus baptism)
- Jn 4:24 – God is spirit.
- Ps 51:10 – Create in me a pure heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Opposite: physical? / unspiritual
How can we worship in Spirit? How can we guide God’s people to worship in Spirit?
God centered worship: God is spirit. Worship that is connected to God.
In Truth
Think about scripture references that inform us about “truth.”
- Ps 86:11 – Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth.
- Jesus often prefaced his sayings with, “I tell you the truth …” (Mt. 5:18, 26; 6:2,5,16; etc.)
- John 8:32 – Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
- John 14:6 – I am the way and the truth and the light, no one comes to the Father except through me.
- John 16:13 – When, he, the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.
- John 18:38 – Pilate, “What is truth?”
- 1 Cor 13:6 – Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.
- 1 John 3:18 – dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.
Opposite: untrue, lies, false gods
How can we worship in truth? How can we guide God’s people to worship in truth?
Christ centered worship: “I am the truth.” Worship must be connected to Jesus.
v.23 – These are the kind of worshipers God seeks.
CONCLUSION
Worship is our expression to God of our faith.
True worship happens when the messiah is around. Jesus is here!
To worship, you need to be connected to God.
How can you get connected?
I showed the children a model ship. I told them it was a worship.
Ships come in different sizes and shapes and types – just like people.
Different ships do different things (fishing boat, cruise ship, etc.)
The ship needs a skipper (captain). What does a captain do? What if there was no one in charge?
(tossed around in waves, no direction, maybe sink)
Jesus wants to be the “skipper” of our lives.
When we come to church, “We Offer ouR SHIPs” to God. Pray, sing, listen to God’s word.
Accept Jesus – make him the “skipper” of your life (ship).
Don’t worry about the circumstantial things –
Don’t let things get in the way of your worship.
In Spirit – filled with God in your life.
In Truth – the one true God.
I'm think I’m giving up going to sporting events. Here are my 11 excuses:
1. Every time I went, they asked for money.
2. The people I sat next to didn't seem friendly.
3. The seats were too hard and not comfortable at all.
4. I went to many games but the coach never came to call on me.
5. The referees made decisions that I couldn't agree with.
6. The game went into overtime and I was late getting home.
7. The band played numbers I'd never heard before and it wasn't my style of music.
8. It seems the games are always scheduled when I want to do other things.
9. I suspect that I was sitting next to some hypocrites. They came to see their friends and they talked during the whole game.
10. I was taken to too many games by my parents when I was growing up.
11. I hate to wait in the traffic jam in the parking lot after the game. – Source Unknown
True worship is a transforming experience, and is certainly a mark of a revived church or believer. The real tragedy is that any church can be in revival all the time. The opportunity for true worship at any service is there, we just need to enter into worship in the right way.
Last week I spoke about change and doing things different in the church.
7 last words of the church: “But we never did it that way.”
Characteristic of a healthy church #5: A healthy church has inspiring worship services.
According to the Natural Church Development study, the different forms & styles of worship didn’t affect the level of inspiration. Something internal made it meaningful.
I asked the worship team to make sure today’s worship was inspiring?
How do you do that? It depends on so many things? You can’t force people to worship.
The pressure is on!
People are passionate about worship
Churches have divided over worship:
- Raising hands / clapping
- Quiet and reverent / loud and jubilant
- Instruments / which instruments
- Men on one side / women on other
- Time to worship?
Our Confession of Faith has casual mentions of worship, worship services are assumed. (remember I’m going to Mennonite School)
p.39 – The church should “become ever more like Jesus Christ … in its worship.”
Our “identity as God’s people of faith is sustained and renewed as members gather regularly for worship.”
P. 79 lists “corporate worship” as a spiritual discipline.
Worship isn’t something we include in a confession of faith – it’s a matter of the heart.
How do you know when you are worshiping?
GETTING TOGETHER WITH DIFFERENT FOLKS
In today’s scripture passage, Jesus and disciples are on their way to Galilee from Judea.
“He had to go through Samaria” (v.4)(Jesus was in a hurry. Why?)
The normal route took them on the other side of the Jordan River – out of their way to avoid contact with the Samaritans.
Were the Pharisees in Judah after him? Was the Jordan flooding? Political strife?
Did you ever cross the street to avoid coming into contact with someone?
Samaritans were despised. For a Jew, you had to be in a hurry to come into contact with a Samaritan.
There was a long standing prejudice between the Jews and the Samaritans.
920 BC Israel and Judah split.
722 BC Israel (Northern Kingdom) fell to Assyria.
Assyria’s used a resettlement program to control the population. New habitants worshiped Jehovah and other God’s like Baal. They only used the Pentateuch (other books were from the southern kingdom or not written yet). Waiting for a messiah to lead them.
586 BC Judah (Southern Kingdom) fell to Babylonia.
Babylonia’s policy was to take the best (scholars, wealthy, etc.) to Babylon and leave the poor and criminals behind.
539 BC Jews returned to Judah (Ezra, Nehemiah)
There were unmanageable differences with the Samaritans.
Jesus met a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, at the foot of Mt. Gerazim, where the Samaritans worshiped.
There are many unusual parts to this story:
Jesus (a man) interacts with a woman.
Jesus (a Jew) interacts with a Samaritan.
The woman gets uncomfortable with Jesus personal questions and she turns the conversation to religious issues.
John 4 talks about Two Mountains: Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Zion
The Samaritan woman changes the subject after Jesus convicts her about her relationship issues. Where should we worship? Religious rivalries (Samaritans were a sect of Jewish beliefs). The emphasis is on the differences. Neither is fully correct.
Both are looking for a Messiah!
WE DON’T ALWAYS FEEL LIKE WORSHIPPING
Many problems in the world – economy, jobs, inflation, poverty, hunger, etc.
Sometimes we get discouraged (Yesterday – fixing a leak, 3 trips to the hardware store – I wasn’t in any kind of mood for worshiping.)
We get detached from God
How do we get in the mood? Step back & breathe deeply, Prayer, reflection, scripture.
“Always be … joyful, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances … do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” (1 Thess 516-19)
To be able to worship we must be connected to God.
I was Remodeling – replaced an electric line, checked the connections, reconnected the wires. Nothing. Talk about not feeling like worshiping.
Finally, I turned on the breaker – I needed to be connected to the power.
Once my vehicle broke down in Bolivia. We were close to nowhere. Electric problems (from constant shaking on bad roads). I was tired, hungry, frustrated.
Trifon Ibarra said, While we’re here, why don’t we have a worship service?
(my response: Grrrr!)
WHAT IF I DON’T PRAISE GOD / CAN WE STOP PRAISE?
Pharisees tried to keep Jesus disciples from praising him (Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem)
Jesus, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40)
Spiritual song: “If I don’t praise him, the rocks are going to cry out”
God is to be praised no matter if I do it or not. All of creation crys out …
WHAT ARE THE ISSUES HERE?
LOCATION
The issue isn’t location (Where do we worship – which mountain?)
God can’t be confined to a specific place – God is everywhere (Psalmist – if I go to the heights – you are there / if I go to the depths – you are there)
STYLE
The issue isn’t style – how we worship.
RITUALS
Going through the motions doesn’t always help.
So … What does matter?
v.23 – the time has arrived for true worship (for both Jews and Samaritans)
True Worshipers will worship God in Spirit and Truth
“inspiring” comes from Latin “inspirato” which means literally “in the spirit.”
In Spirit
Think about scripture references that inform us about the “spirit.”
- Gen 1:2 – the spirit moved over the waters (at creation)
- OT promises of coming of the spirit.
- Is 61:1 (and Jesus in Luke 4:18)
- Mark 14:38 – the spirit is willing but the body is weak
- Jn 1:32 – spirit descended like a dove (at Jesus baptism)
- Jn 4:24 – God is spirit.
- Ps 51:10 – Create in me a pure heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Opposite: physical? / unspiritual
How can we worship in Spirit? How can we guide God’s people to worship in Spirit?
God centered worship: God is spirit. Worship that is connected to God.
In Truth
Think about scripture references that inform us about “truth.”
- Ps 86:11 – Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth.
- Jesus often prefaced his sayings with, “I tell you the truth …” (Mt. 5:18, 26; 6:2,5,16; etc.)
- John 8:32 – Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
- John 14:6 – I am the way and the truth and the light, no one comes to the Father except through me.
- John 16:13 – When, he, the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.
- John 18:38 – Pilate, “What is truth?”
- 1 Cor 13:6 – Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.
- 1 John 3:18 – dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.
Opposite: untrue, lies, false gods
How can we worship in truth? How can we guide God’s people to worship in truth?
Christ centered worship: “I am the truth.” Worship must be connected to Jesus.
v.23 – These are the kind of worshipers God seeks.
CONCLUSION
Worship is our expression to God of our faith.
True worship happens when the messiah is around. Jesus is here!
To worship, you need to be connected to God.
How can you get connected?
I showed the children a model ship. I told them it was a worship.
Ships come in different sizes and shapes and types – just like people.
Different ships do different things (fishing boat, cruise ship, etc.)
The ship needs a skipper (captain). What does a captain do? What if there was no one in charge?
(tossed around in waves, no direction, maybe sink)
Jesus wants to be the “skipper” of our lives.
When we come to church, “We Offer ouR SHIPs” to God. Pray, sing, listen to God’s word.
Accept Jesus – make him the “skipper” of your life (ship).
Don’t worry about the circumstantial things –
Don’t let things get in the way of your worship.
In Spirit – filled with God in your life.
In Truth – the one true God.
Sermon Synopsis for September 28, 2008
“But, We Never Did It That Way!” Mark 2:21-28
Are you an organized person?
Everyone has different ways of organizing their lives.
(You’re organized in your own way - keep away from my desk)
The church is organized – by-laws, commissions, committees, etc.
[Leadership deals with the best way to organize, so we can truly do the work of the church]
DO YOU LIKE CHANGE?
"If you want to make enemies, try to change something" --Woodrow Wilson
I went to Mennonite School this week (EMU Course)
How many Mennonites does it take to change a light bulb?
- Nine - 7 men on the committee, 1 woman to prepare the casserole, 1 to change the bulb.
- Five – one to change the light bulb, and a quartet to sing a lament over the old bulb.
- Six - One to change the bulb and 5 to stand around talking about how good the old bulb was and what fine service it offered to the congregation.
- Six - One to change the bulb and 5 to stand in the parking lot complaining about how it was done.
- Six - One to change the bulb, while 5 review the church lighting policy
- Six – one to change the bulb and 5 to complain that they liked the old bulb better.
- Change? We can’t change. My grandpa put in that lightbulb!
- Change? The darkness will teach us humility.
Seven last (and fatal) words of the church: But we always did it that way
We can get comfortable in our ways when the world around us is changing.
The Same Old Baloney
Two construction workers had taken a lunch break and opened up their lunch boxes. One of them looked inside his box and said, "Not baloney again! I can't believe it. I hate baloney. This is the third time this week I've had baloney. I can't stand baloney!"
The other one said, "Why don't you just ask your wife to make you something different?"
He replied, "I don't have a wife. I made these myself."
The fact is, most of the baloney in our lives we put there ourselves. If we ever want life to be any different from the same old baloney we keep serving ourselves, then we must break out of doing the routine. (Kent Crockett, The 911 Handbook, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2003, 65)
Last week we considered our spiritual passion, Characteristic #3 of a healthy church. (Personal spiritual passion leads to a spiritually passionate church
Characteristic #4 – A healthy church has functional structures. We’re not talking about the building.
Some “Spiritual” people tend to be skeptical of structures; they believe that they restrain us, binding the spirit of the Lord.
Traditional people tend to be wary of the word functional – it means change.
The Natural Church Development study showed:
A negative relationship between traditionalism and both growth and quality in the church
Traditionalism – We always did it that way (implying that it is the best way and we should always do it that way)
The organizational structure and rules are made for our benefit.
Jesus challenged some of the rules.
Context of Scripture Passage: Jesus was beginning his ministry and calling his disciples.
Mark 1:14-15 – Kingdom of God is near
Just before our passage today, Jesus calls Levi – a tax collector (the kind of person that good religious men don’t associate with), and he goes to eat at his house (Jesus gets a lot of criticism for that).
Something new is happening … It’s Jesus.
Jesus is in the middle of controversy; how does he respond?
ORDINARY STUFF – EXTRAORDINARY MEANING
Jesus had a way of using ordinary aspects of life to make extraordinary points.
Jesus saw evidence of God in everything.
Insights from common knowledge of the day:
1. Clothing industry – people had to be careful that they didn’t buy new clothing that was made of old (recycled) and new cloth together. Seamstresses knew that you couldn’t put the two together.
2. Winemaking – Before refrigeration, wine was a drink of preference (no coke in Palestine). Winemaking was wisdom passed on from generation to generation. [John 2 – Jesus was a winemaker]
Jesus gives two examples of bringing something new into the world.
New patch of cloth on old clothing
New (freshly squeezed) wine in old containers (wineskins)
SOME OBSERVATIONS
Observation #1 – The difficulty of bringing together new and old is not a new problem.
Cloth – “tearing” / skins – “bursting” – violent and destructive events
In the church – bringing together old and new – can be a violent and destructive thing
Results – cloth – the tear is worse / wine and wineskin is ruined
Many new things brought opposition and conflict
- Maple Grove 1906 – 1st Sunday School in a Mennonite church in Lancaster County (Sadsbury Meeting House) [In some Mennonite Churches it was heard, “Sunday School is of the Devil”]
- 1907 / 08 – the discussion of the idea to build a building
- 1940s – the idea to meet every Sunday
- Mission outreach – starting churches, starting Tel Hai Camp / retirement community,
Q: What does God want us to do that tradition is holding us back?
Our struggle: We have an ancient faith in a modern world = question for us – How do you live it?
Observation #2 - Every new cloth / new skin eventually becomes old. (Is this a message for every generation?)
I’ve heard it said, “It’s unfortunate that the only option to death is getting old”
Every generation needs to live out the Gospel in its own way.
Music – unison moved to 4 part harmony, but with no instruments led to instruments led to hymns led to contemporary songs. Where will it all end? When Jesus comes!
Observation #3 – Each item needs to fulfill its purpose!
"The job won't get done by going back in time." --Francis Anfuso (Pastor, Rock of Roseville)
"Don't take the fence down until you know the reason it was put up." --G. K. Chesterton
I might add – don’t build a fence just because you want one – it needs to serve a purpose.
The Consequences for Refusing to Change
From 1900 to 1967, the Swiss were the leading watchmakers in the world. In 1967, when digital technology was patented, the Swiss rejected it in favor of the traditional ball bearings, gears, and mainsprings they had been using to make watches for decades. Unfortunately, however, the world was ready for this advance, and Seiko, a Japanese company, picked up the digital patent and became the leading watch manufacturer in the world almost overnight.
Fifty thousand of the 67,000 Swiss watchmakers went out of business because they refused to embrace this new technology. It was not until years later that the Swiss caught up and regained their position in the marketplace with the creation of Swatch watches. --from ACTS Daily Encounter
Traditional watch making lost sight of the purpose: The purpose of a watch is to tell the time.
We must not lose sight of our purpose.
Jesus doesn’t compare the church to good, aged wine that’s ready to drink.
The church is “new wine” that needs to go through the process necessary to be what it should be.
Before it can be useful, it needs to be transformed by aging.
Time will tell if it turns out good – Acts 5:34 Gamaliel, teacher of the law, member of Sanhedrin, “If their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (vv. 38b-39)
What is the origin of our purpose? Human or Divine?
OUR PLANS – GOD’S PLANS
Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
Our plans cannot go against God’s will, but must be found within God’s will:
Did you hear about the “Christian Brothel” in Nevada?
The owner said he committed it to the Lord and that is why it succeeded. Sure.
Anything committed to God needs to be subject to God’s changing powers:
Our lives (as we are) – are given to God, but God will change them.
In effect – our plans will succeed, only if they can be committed to God … and allow God to form them.
Psalm 37:4 “delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
[this is not a way to get what you want, it’s a way to know what you desire]
THE QUESTION OF THE SABBATH
Begins in Genesis – God rested, so should we.
Laws were made - Defining work / Defining rest
A very regulated rule in the OT – many sub-rules (harvesting grain was one of the 39 things you cannot do on the Sabbath)
The Sabbath became a burden. It was not so enjoyable.
Jesus wants to teach that - Sabbath observation is much more than a ritual
It is something special that God gave us.
We can relate that to the organization of the church.
The Sabbath was made for man – the church is an entity created for us.
Cultural Practices:
Take, for instance, the question of who eats with whom. The polite people of Jesus’ day were scandalized by the fact that he broke bread and drank wine with some very unpopular people.
The bible calls them “sinners.” We might call them criminals. You kids probably have some terms you use to describe people at your school who are just scary, weird, odd.
Jesus not only sits down at the lunch table with people like that, he singles out one of them to be part of his inner circle. Levi, the son of Alphaeus, is known by everyone in town as a sleaze ball.
Yet – when Jesus comes by and suggests that he might want to drop everything, including his criminal activity – and “follow me,” Levi not only follows, no questions asked, he invites the whole group over to his house for dinner.
The cool people, the “in crowd” never offered Jesus that kind of hospitality. Instead they question him, call him out: Why doesn’t he support their causes? Shop at their stores? Play by their rules? His answer is kind of sarcastic. Because they are such good “healthy” people, they don’t need a doctor. Right?
NEW WINE
Then he reaches into his bag of illustrations and pulls one out that everybody will understand.
Old patches don’t work on new cloth.
New wine has trouble in old wine skins.
In Jesus hand, a cup of wine became much more than something to drink. It was a symbol of his love, his sacrificial love. [in two weeks we will celebrate communion]
This week I spent some days in “Mennonite School.” Learning about Mennonite theology and history.
Mennonites challenged the status quo (politely and humbly, of course) – by living as Jesus would have in a world that was very different.
Many died for their faith (Martyr’s Mirror)
They challenged slavery, materialism, and individualism.
Let’s think of why people don’t accept Jesus –
They are afraid of the change.
Jesus changes lives
Jesus changes churches
We need to allow Jesus to work the changes necessary in our lives.
A healthy church has functional structures – organized for ministry – organized to help change lives.
A guiding question for our lives: What do we want to do and be for the Lord?
When we say “We always did it that way” (emphasis on “we”), we are limiting God.
God has great things in store for us.
I showed the children an old LP record album. Some of them knew what it was – from seeing one on TV or at their grandparent’s house.
We listen to music very differently today.
How do you think you will listen to music in the future?
The music changes, the way we listen to it changes, but the message is the same.
There are many ways to learn about Jesus, but Jesus will never change.
We need to trust in Jesus: The only thing that won’t change in an ever changing world.
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Maybe we’re still playing LPs in an MP3 world.
The bottom line – commit it to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3)
And God will work out our plans, so they will function in an ever changing world.
Are you an organized person?
Everyone has different ways of organizing their lives.
(You’re organized in your own way - keep away from my desk)
The church is organized – by-laws, commissions, committees, etc.
[Leadership deals with the best way to organize, so we can truly do the work of the church]
DO YOU LIKE CHANGE?
"If you want to make enemies, try to change something" --Woodrow Wilson
I went to Mennonite School this week (EMU Course)
How many Mennonites does it take to change a light bulb?
- Nine - 7 men on the committee, 1 woman to prepare the casserole, 1 to change the bulb.
- Five – one to change the light bulb, and a quartet to sing a lament over the old bulb.
- Six - One to change the bulb and 5 to stand around talking about how good the old bulb was and what fine service it offered to the congregation.
- Six - One to change the bulb and 5 to stand in the parking lot complaining about how it was done.
- Six - One to change the bulb, while 5 review the church lighting policy
- Six – one to change the bulb and 5 to complain that they liked the old bulb better.
- Change? We can’t change. My grandpa put in that lightbulb!
- Change? The darkness will teach us humility.
Seven last (and fatal) words of the church: But we always did it that way
We can get comfortable in our ways when the world around us is changing.
The Same Old Baloney
Two construction workers had taken a lunch break and opened up their lunch boxes. One of them looked inside his box and said, "Not baloney again! I can't believe it. I hate baloney. This is the third time this week I've had baloney. I can't stand baloney!"
The other one said, "Why don't you just ask your wife to make you something different?"
He replied, "I don't have a wife. I made these myself."
The fact is, most of the baloney in our lives we put there ourselves. If we ever want life to be any different from the same old baloney we keep serving ourselves, then we must break out of doing the routine. (Kent Crockett, The 911 Handbook, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2003, 65)
Last week we considered our spiritual passion, Characteristic #3 of a healthy church. (Personal spiritual passion leads to a spiritually passionate church
Characteristic #4 – A healthy church has functional structures. We’re not talking about the building.
Some “Spiritual” people tend to be skeptical of structures; they believe that they restrain us, binding the spirit of the Lord.
Traditional people tend to be wary of the word functional – it means change.
The Natural Church Development study showed:
A negative relationship between traditionalism and both growth and quality in the church
Traditionalism – We always did it that way (implying that it is the best way and we should always do it that way)
The organizational structure and rules are made for our benefit.
Jesus challenged some of the rules.
Context of Scripture Passage: Jesus was beginning his ministry and calling his disciples.
Mark 1:14-15 – Kingdom of God is near
Just before our passage today, Jesus calls Levi – a tax collector (the kind of person that good religious men don’t associate with), and he goes to eat at his house (Jesus gets a lot of criticism for that).
Something new is happening … It’s Jesus.
Jesus is in the middle of controversy; how does he respond?
ORDINARY STUFF – EXTRAORDINARY MEANING
Jesus had a way of using ordinary aspects of life to make extraordinary points.
Jesus saw evidence of God in everything.
Insights from common knowledge of the day:
1. Clothing industry – people had to be careful that they didn’t buy new clothing that was made of old (recycled) and new cloth together. Seamstresses knew that you couldn’t put the two together.
2. Winemaking – Before refrigeration, wine was a drink of preference (no coke in Palestine). Winemaking was wisdom passed on from generation to generation. [John 2 – Jesus was a winemaker]
Jesus gives two examples of bringing something new into the world.
New patch of cloth on old clothing
New (freshly squeezed) wine in old containers (wineskins)
SOME OBSERVATIONS
Observation #1 – The difficulty of bringing together new and old is not a new problem.
Cloth – “tearing” / skins – “bursting” – violent and destructive events
In the church – bringing together old and new – can be a violent and destructive thing
Results – cloth – the tear is worse / wine and wineskin is ruined
Many new things brought opposition and conflict
- Maple Grove 1906 – 1st Sunday School in a Mennonite church in Lancaster County (Sadsbury Meeting House) [In some Mennonite Churches it was heard, “Sunday School is of the Devil”]
- 1907 / 08 – the discussion of the idea to build a building
- 1940s – the idea to meet every Sunday
- Mission outreach – starting churches, starting Tel Hai Camp / retirement community,
Q: What does God want us to do that tradition is holding us back?
Our struggle: We have an ancient faith in a modern world = question for us – How do you live it?
Observation #2 - Every new cloth / new skin eventually becomes old. (Is this a message for every generation?)
I’ve heard it said, “It’s unfortunate that the only option to death is getting old”
Every generation needs to live out the Gospel in its own way.
Music – unison moved to 4 part harmony, but with no instruments led to instruments led to hymns led to contemporary songs. Where will it all end? When Jesus comes!
Observation #3 – Each item needs to fulfill its purpose!
"The job won't get done by going back in time." --Francis Anfuso (Pastor, Rock of Roseville)
"Don't take the fence down until you know the reason it was put up." --G. K. Chesterton
I might add – don’t build a fence just because you want one – it needs to serve a purpose.
The Consequences for Refusing to Change
From 1900 to 1967, the Swiss were the leading watchmakers in the world. In 1967, when digital technology was patented, the Swiss rejected it in favor of the traditional ball bearings, gears, and mainsprings they had been using to make watches for decades. Unfortunately, however, the world was ready for this advance, and Seiko, a Japanese company, picked up the digital patent and became the leading watch manufacturer in the world almost overnight.
Fifty thousand of the 67,000 Swiss watchmakers went out of business because they refused to embrace this new technology. It was not until years later that the Swiss caught up and regained their position in the marketplace with the creation of Swatch watches. --from ACTS Daily Encounter
Traditional watch making lost sight of the purpose: The purpose of a watch is to tell the time.
We must not lose sight of our purpose.
Jesus doesn’t compare the church to good, aged wine that’s ready to drink.
The church is “new wine” that needs to go through the process necessary to be what it should be.
Before it can be useful, it needs to be transformed by aging.
Time will tell if it turns out good – Acts 5:34 Gamaliel, teacher of the law, member of Sanhedrin, “If their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (vv. 38b-39)
What is the origin of our purpose? Human or Divine?
OUR PLANS – GOD’S PLANS
Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
Our plans cannot go against God’s will, but must be found within God’s will:
Did you hear about the “Christian Brothel” in Nevada?
The owner said he committed it to the Lord and that is why it succeeded. Sure.
Anything committed to God needs to be subject to God’s changing powers:
Our lives (as we are) – are given to God, but God will change them.
In effect – our plans will succeed, only if they can be committed to God … and allow God to form them.
Psalm 37:4 “delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
[this is not a way to get what you want, it’s a way to know what you desire]
THE QUESTION OF THE SABBATH
Begins in Genesis – God rested, so should we.
Laws were made - Defining work / Defining rest
A very regulated rule in the OT – many sub-rules (harvesting grain was one of the 39 things you cannot do on the Sabbath)
The Sabbath became a burden. It was not so enjoyable.
Jesus wants to teach that - Sabbath observation is much more than a ritual
It is something special that God gave us.
We can relate that to the organization of the church.
The Sabbath was made for man – the church is an entity created for us.
Cultural Practices:
Take, for instance, the question of who eats with whom. The polite people of Jesus’ day were scandalized by the fact that he broke bread and drank wine with some very unpopular people.
The bible calls them “sinners.” We might call them criminals. You kids probably have some terms you use to describe people at your school who are just scary, weird, odd.
Jesus not only sits down at the lunch table with people like that, he singles out one of them to be part of his inner circle. Levi, the son of Alphaeus, is known by everyone in town as a sleaze ball.
Yet – when Jesus comes by and suggests that he might want to drop everything, including his criminal activity – and “follow me,” Levi not only follows, no questions asked, he invites the whole group over to his house for dinner.
The cool people, the “in crowd” never offered Jesus that kind of hospitality. Instead they question him, call him out: Why doesn’t he support their causes? Shop at their stores? Play by their rules? His answer is kind of sarcastic. Because they are such good “healthy” people, they don’t need a doctor. Right?
NEW WINE
Then he reaches into his bag of illustrations and pulls one out that everybody will understand.
Old patches don’t work on new cloth.
New wine has trouble in old wine skins.
In Jesus hand, a cup of wine became much more than something to drink. It was a symbol of his love, his sacrificial love. [in two weeks we will celebrate communion]
This week I spent some days in “Mennonite School.” Learning about Mennonite theology and history.
Mennonites challenged the status quo (politely and humbly, of course) – by living as Jesus would have in a world that was very different.
Many died for their faith (Martyr’s Mirror)
They challenged slavery, materialism, and individualism.
Let’s think of why people don’t accept Jesus –
They are afraid of the change.
Jesus changes lives
Jesus changes churches
We need to allow Jesus to work the changes necessary in our lives.
A healthy church has functional structures – organized for ministry – organized to help change lives.
A guiding question for our lives: What do we want to do and be for the Lord?
When we say “We always did it that way” (emphasis on “we”), we are limiting God.
God has great things in store for us.
I showed the children an old LP record album. Some of them knew what it was – from seeing one on TV or at their grandparent’s house.
We listen to music very differently today.
How do you think you will listen to music in the future?
The music changes, the way we listen to it changes, but the message is the same.
There are many ways to learn about Jesus, but Jesus will never change.
We need to trust in Jesus: The only thing that won’t change in an ever changing world.
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Maybe we’re still playing LPs in an MP3 world.
The bottom line – commit it to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3)
And God will work out our plans, so they will function in an ever changing world.
Sermon Synopsis for September 21, 2008
“Keep Your Lamps Burning” Matthew 25:1-13
Today we look at Characteristic of a Healthy Church #3 – A healthy church has passionate spirituality. Are we “on fire” for the Lord? We need to keep our level of spiritual passion high as we wait for the Lord’s return. We’ll consider suggestions for not being foolish and ways to be wise.
Are you a fanatic?
Fanatic = “Marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion” (Merriam-Webster)
I asked the children which team I should root for, Eagles or Steelers?
It depends on which team I support.
What do you do if you’re a fan of a team? Wear their shirts, Cheer for them, hope they will win, watch the games, read about them.
God wants us to be fans of Jesus. How can we do that? Rah, Rah, Go Jesus! We love God and love others.
Romans 12:11, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
Maybe you heard the old story …
A new Pastor in a small town spent the first four days making personal visits to each of the members, inviting them to come to his first services.
The following Sunday the church was all but empty. Accordingly, the Pastor placed a notice in the local newspapers, stating that, because the church was dead, it was everyone's duty to give it a decent Christian burial. The funeral would be held the following Sunday afternoon, the notice said.
Morbidly curious, a large crowd turned out for the "funeral." In front of the pulpit, they saw a closed coffin, smothered in flowers. After the Pastor delivered the eulogy, he opened the coffin and invited his congregation to come forward and pay their final respects to their dead church.
Each member passed by and looked into the coffin. Inside was a mirror.
Nobody wants a dead church.
John Wesley saw the absence of Passionate Spirituality in the church of England (Episcopal). At Oxford University he joined a movement called “The Holy Club” and later led it. It spurred him to start a revival.
There is a danger that people can fall into fanaticism (that’s why our spiritual passion must be kept in check with other things). But one observer wrote, “It’s easier to calm a fanatic than resurrect a corpse” (Rev. Walter Edwards)
What keeps our spiritual fervor, our spiritual passion alive?
HOW ARE YOUR OIL RESERVES
Today’s scripture passage talks about having enough oil.
It’s something we’ve been aware of these past few months …
What’s the price of oil these days?
$104.55 a barrel of light crude as of Sept 20
Presidential candidates respond to our dependence on oil.
How are the U.S. oil reserves?
Is there enough?
US Dept of Energy web page:
About 700 million barrels
706.8 million Barrels as of Sept 12 (Strategic Petroleum Reserve Inventory)
A PARABLE
Gospel of Matthew: Matthew is dealing with the discouragement of early Christians that Christ had not come again. They needed to prepare for delay. How they would wait would be crucial. The word for patience comes from the word "patior" which means to suffer. God's time is not our time. Experience the agony of his absence as well as the power of his presence. Prepare, anticipate what his coming, his presence will mean. Absence can make the heart grow fonder , only if we wait and watch in expectation.
Today’s scripture passage is in Matthew 25: 1-13. Jesus had a long day of teaching in the Temple court (beginning in the middle of chapter 21, v.23)
He was heading home to Bethany (leaving Jerusalem, crossing the Kidron Valley, climbing up the Mount of Olives, arriving at a garden (called Gethsemane) he stopped to rest among the olive trees – this was a production orchard. Olive trees were grown, tended and revered, because they produced oil – the hottest commodity on the ancient market. The disciples asked him some questions about the end of times. Jesus responded in Chapter 24 with many signs of the end of times – earthquakes, natural disasters, signs in the sky, etc. He led them know that the time and the hour of Christ’s return is unknown. “He’ll come when you least expect it.” It will be good for some people, not very good for others.
Then he tells them the parable of the wise and foolish virgins.
Question from today’s Bible passage: How is your spiritual oil reserve?
Oil is a common item in the Bible: Anointing, Lamps, Cooking, Medicinal purposes, Offerings
It was a hot commodity
It’s also symbolic:
1. The presence of oil marked the Lord’s blessing of prosperity
Jeremiah 31:12 – “They come with shouts of joy … they rejoice in the bounty of the Lord …for the … oil … and they will sorrow no more.”
2. The lack of oil was a sign of God’s judgment
Joel 1:10-12 – “The Oil fails … surely the joy of mankind is withered away.”
3. Symbolic of Grace
4. Symbolic of the Holy Spirit
Zechariah 4:4-6,12 Oil comes from two olive trees … What does the oil mean? The word of the Lord for Zerubabel “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.”
According to the Wedding customs of the day, groom & closest friends would go to the brides house after dark to get the bride and the bridesmaids. Waiting was part of the suspense. When would the groom come? Would he catch us off guard?
The groom & friends would take the bride to his house for the conclusion of the ceremony. The party would go on for days.
We see this in operation in Jesus' parable.
There’s a lot about this passage I don’t like:
- “Don’t store up things” (treasures in heaven)
- The wise and the foolish are all mixed together (internal tension)
- Everyone falls asleep
- Selfishness – they don’t care about the others.
These things aren’t the point. But what is?
WISE AND FOOLISH
It does make a distinction between being wise and being foolish (we’ve seen this before – building a house on sand or rock – for example)
How to be foolish
- Don’t prepare for the long haul. Don’t do things to keep up your spiritual fervor when the going gets long and tough.
How to be wise
- Cover yourself. Take along an extra jar. More than just the scouting “Be Prepared”. It’s a spiritual preparation.
Wise and foolish in Proverbs:
Wise – prepares, works, is diligent
Foolish – is lazy, self seeking, easily distracted
What’s Obvious is, it’s better to be wise.
In the New Testament: Wise person follows Jesus … has a personal faith in Jesus.
True wisdom = In it for the long haul
SYMBOLISM
Lamp / oil / light = God’s presence in your life
Oil = symbolic for grace or the Spirit
How is your spiritual life?
How long can you maintain a positive attitude for Christ? Alone you can’t. You need God’s presence (spirit) dwelling in you.
Why did they have lamps and oil? They were waiting for the bridegroom. That was the reason to be there with lamps and oil.
Half of them didn’t have oil when it was needed most.
Are you following Christ for the Long Haul?
BURNOUT CAN BE A PROBLEM
Psychologists: Unresolved Stress leads to Burnout
Stress (continual over engagement, beyond our normal capabilities = too much of something we’re uncomfortable with for too long)
Burnout signs: (from Smoldering Wick Ministries)
Disengagement / withdrawal / loss of interest, disillusionment / loss of hope / helpless, exhausted / can’t continue, paranoia (feeling that you can’t please everyone or anyone and that they are holding that against you)
Can you identify with these?
Spiritual burnout à loss of hope and ideals
Parable: symbolism - running out of oil
Parable – literal burn out – not having enough oil to keep things burning.
Not being able to “keep the fire burning” until Jesus comes.
Unresolved burnout can lead to depression, self abuse, illness and even death.
Maybe you can go overboard with spiritual passion … but spiritual burnout is even worse!
Pastor Walter Edwards “It’s easier to calm a fanatic than resurrect a corpse”
Most people don’t have too much spiritual passion.
HOW TO DEAL WITH SPIRITUAL BURNOUT
1. Spiritual rest – “Jesus withdrew to a lonely place” / a timeout to recharge his spiritual batteries (even the Son of God needed this, don’t think we don’t). Church sponsored “retreats”
2. Pacing life. Jesus didn’t run to every emergency. Jesus was told, “Lazarus is sick” and he waited a few days to head off to see him.
3. Trust God. When Jesus was told that Lazarus is sick, he waited a few days because, “it is for God’s glory.” God is in control, whether I am or not.
4. Confide in someone you trust.
- “What a friend we have in Jesus”
- Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (which is Love God, Love one another)
5. Develop regular habits of spiritual maintenance
- Daily prayer and devotions (daily bread, etc.)
Story: Billy Graham had made it clear to his secretary that under no circumstances was he to be interpreted during his personal devotional time with God in the morning.
On this particular occasion, the phone rang. It was the President of the United States. His secretary softly knocked on the door as she opened the door, Dr. Graham looked up, the secretary said: “I’m very sorry to interrupt, but President Eisenhower is on the phone and he wants to speak to you now.”
Dr. Graham looked at her and said, “You know that you’re not supposed to interrupt me while I’m having my devotions. Tell him, I’ll call him back when I’m done speaking with the Lord.”
She walked back to her desk, picked up the phone and with a trembling voice said: “Mr. President, I’m sorry Dr. Graham is in a conference now, he will have to call you back later.” President Eisenhower responded: “I’m not use to having to wait for anyone for anything.” And he slammed down the receiver.
Sometime later Dr. Graham called back; President Eisenhower rather out of sorts said: “Mr. Graham I’m not use to having to wait for anyone for anything. I wanted to talk to you then..” Dr. Graham responded by saying: “If I had talked to you then, I would have had nothing for you now.”
- Attend church activities: Sunday school, worship, bible study, etc. (force yourself to avoid withdrawal.
Donald Soper answers that question in these word: “Christianity must mean everything to us before it can mean anything to others.”
- Be involved in a small group (accountability). Jesus had his small group and always sent the disciples off in at lease pairs.
CONCLUSION
Oil comes from God (it is God). The lamp is useless without the oil. Our lives without God …
Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 – “You are the Light of the World.”
When we run out of oil, we cannot do what we are called to do and be.
Today we look at Characteristic of a Healthy Church #3 – A healthy church has passionate spirituality. Are we “on fire” for the Lord? We need to keep our level of spiritual passion high as we wait for the Lord’s return. We’ll consider suggestions for not being foolish and ways to be wise.
Are you a fanatic?
Fanatic = “Marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion” (Merriam-Webster)
I asked the children which team I should root for, Eagles or Steelers?
It depends on which team I support.
What do you do if you’re a fan of a team? Wear their shirts, Cheer for them, hope they will win, watch the games, read about them.
God wants us to be fans of Jesus. How can we do that? Rah, Rah, Go Jesus! We love God and love others.
Romans 12:11, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
Maybe you heard the old story …
A new Pastor in a small town spent the first four days making personal visits to each of the members, inviting them to come to his first services.
The following Sunday the church was all but empty. Accordingly, the Pastor placed a notice in the local newspapers, stating that, because the church was dead, it was everyone's duty to give it a decent Christian burial. The funeral would be held the following Sunday afternoon, the notice said.
Morbidly curious, a large crowd turned out for the "funeral." In front of the pulpit, they saw a closed coffin, smothered in flowers. After the Pastor delivered the eulogy, he opened the coffin and invited his congregation to come forward and pay their final respects to their dead church.
Each member passed by and looked into the coffin. Inside was a mirror.
Nobody wants a dead church.
John Wesley saw the absence of Passionate Spirituality in the church of England (Episcopal). At Oxford University he joined a movement called “The Holy Club” and later led it. It spurred him to start a revival.
There is a danger that people can fall into fanaticism (that’s why our spiritual passion must be kept in check with other things). But one observer wrote, “It’s easier to calm a fanatic than resurrect a corpse” (Rev. Walter Edwards)
What keeps our spiritual fervor, our spiritual passion alive?
HOW ARE YOUR OIL RESERVES
Today’s scripture passage talks about having enough oil.
It’s something we’ve been aware of these past few months …
What’s the price of oil these days?
$104.55 a barrel of light crude as of Sept 20
Presidential candidates respond to our dependence on oil.
How are the U.S. oil reserves?
Is there enough?
US Dept of Energy web page:
About 700 million barrels
706.8 million Barrels as of Sept 12 (Strategic Petroleum Reserve Inventory)
A PARABLE
Gospel of Matthew: Matthew is dealing with the discouragement of early Christians that Christ had not come again. They needed to prepare for delay. How they would wait would be crucial. The word for patience comes from the word "patior" which means to suffer. God's time is not our time. Experience the agony of his absence as well as the power of his presence. Prepare, anticipate what his coming, his presence will mean. Absence can make the heart grow fonder , only if we wait and watch in expectation.
Today’s scripture passage is in Matthew 25: 1-13. Jesus had a long day of teaching in the Temple court (beginning in the middle of chapter 21, v.23)
He was heading home to Bethany (leaving Jerusalem, crossing the Kidron Valley, climbing up the Mount of Olives, arriving at a garden (called Gethsemane) he stopped to rest among the olive trees – this was a production orchard. Olive trees were grown, tended and revered, because they produced oil – the hottest commodity on the ancient market. The disciples asked him some questions about the end of times. Jesus responded in Chapter 24 with many signs of the end of times – earthquakes, natural disasters, signs in the sky, etc. He led them know that the time and the hour of Christ’s return is unknown. “He’ll come when you least expect it.” It will be good for some people, not very good for others.
Then he tells them the parable of the wise and foolish virgins.
Question from today’s Bible passage: How is your spiritual oil reserve?
Oil is a common item in the Bible: Anointing, Lamps, Cooking, Medicinal purposes, Offerings
It was a hot commodity
It’s also symbolic:
1. The presence of oil marked the Lord’s blessing of prosperity
Jeremiah 31:12 – “They come with shouts of joy … they rejoice in the bounty of the Lord …for the … oil … and they will sorrow no more.”
2. The lack of oil was a sign of God’s judgment
Joel 1:10-12 – “The Oil fails … surely the joy of mankind is withered away.”
3. Symbolic of Grace
4. Symbolic of the Holy Spirit
Zechariah 4:4-6,12 Oil comes from two olive trees … What does the oil mean? The word of the Lord for Zerubabel “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.”
According to the Wedding customs of the day, groom & closest friends would go to the brides house after dark to get the bride and the bridesmaids. Waiting was part of the suspense. When would the groom come? Would he catch us off guard?
The groom & friends would take the bride to his house for the conclusion of the ceremony. The party would go on for days.
We see this in operation in Jesus' parable.
There’s a lot about this passage I don’t like:
- “Don’t store up things” (treasures in heaven)
- The wise and the foolish are all mixed together (internal tension)
- Everyone falls asleep
- Selfishness – they don’t care about the others.
These things aren’t the point. But what is?
WISE AND FOOLISH
It does make a distinction between being wise and being foolish (we’ve seen this before – building a house on sand or rock – for example)
How to be foolish
- Don’t prepare for the long haul. Don’t do things to keep up your spiritual fervor when the going gets long and tough.
How to be wise
- Cover yourself. Take along an extra jar. More than just the scouting “Be Prepared”. It’s a spiritual preparation.
Wise and foolish in Proverbs:
Wise – prepares, works, is diligent
Foolish – is lazy, self seeking, easily distracted
What’s Obvious is, it’s better to be wise.
In the New Testament: Wise person follows Jesus … has a personal faith in Jesus.
True wisdom = In it for the long haul
SYMBOLISM
Lamp / oil / light = God’s presence in your life
Oil = symbolic for grace or the Spirit
How is your spiritual life?
How long can you maintain a positive attitude for Christ? Alone you can’t. You need God’s presence (spirit) dwelling in you.
Why did they have lamps and oil? They were waiting for the bridegroom. That was the reason to be there with lamps and oil.
Half of them didn’t have oil when it was needed most.
Are you following Christ for the Long Haul?
BURNOUT CAN BE A PROBLEM
Psychologists: Unresolved Stress leads to Burnout
Stress (continual over engagement, beyond our normal capabilities = too much of something we’re uncomfortable with for too long)
Burnout signs: (from Smoldering Wick Ministries)
Disengagement / withdrawal / loss of interest, disillusionment / loss of hope / helpless, exhausted / can’t continue, paranoia (feeling that you can’t please everyone or anyone and that they are holding that against you)
Can you identify with these?
Spiritual burnout à loss of hope and ideals
Parable: symbolism - running out of oil
Parable – literal burn out – not having enough oil to keep things burning.
Not being able to “keep the fire burning” until Jesus comes.
Unresolved burnout can lead to depression, self abuse, illness and even death.
Maybe you can go overboard with spiritual passion … but spiritual burnout is even worse!
Pastor Walter Edwards “It’s easier to calm a fanatic than resurrect a corpse”
Most people don’t have too much spiritual passion.
HOW TO DEAL WITH SPIRITUAL BURNOUT
1. Spiritual rest – “Jesus withdrew to a lonely place” / a timeout to recharge his spiritual batteries (even the Son of God needed this, don’t think we don’t). Church sponsored “retreats”
2. Pacing life. Jesus didn’t run to every emergency. Jesus was told, “Lazarus is sick” and he waited a few days to head off to see him.
3. Trust God. When Jesus was told that Lazarus is sick, he waited a few days because, “it is for God’s glory.” God is in control, whether I am or not.
4. Confide in someone you trust.
- “What a friend we have in Jesus”
- Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (which is Love God, Love one another)
5. Develop regular habits of spiritual maintenance
- Daily prayer and devotions (daily bread, etc.)
Story: Billy Graham had made it clear to his secretary that under no circumstances was he to be interpreted during his personal devotional time with God in the morning.
On this particular occasion, the phone rang. It was the President of the United States. His secretary softly knocked on the door as she opened the door, Dr. Graham looked up, the secretary said: “I’m very sorry to interrupt, but President Eisenhower is on the phone and he wants to speak to you now.”
Dr. Graham looked at her and said, “You know that you’re not supposed to interrupt me while I’m having my devotions. Tell him, I’ll call him back when I’m done speaking with the Lord.”
She walked back to her desk, picked up the phone and with a trembling voice said: “Mr. President, I’m sorry Dr. Graham is in a conference now, he will have to call you back later.” President Eisenhower responded: “I’m not use to having to wait for anyone for anything.” And he slammed down the receiver.
Sometime later Dr. Graham called back; President Eisenhower rather out of sorts said: “Mr. Graham I’m not use to having to wait for anyone for anything. I wanted to talk to you then..” Dr. Graham responded by saying: “If I had talked to you then, I would have had nothing for you now.”
- Attend church activities: Sunday school, worship, bible study, etc. (force yourself to avoid withdrawal.
Donald Soper answers that question in these word: “Christianity must mean everything to us before it can mean anything to others.”
- Be involved in a small group (accountability). Jesus had his small group and always sent the disciples off in at lease pairs.
CONCLUSION
Oil comes from God (it is God). The lamp is useless without the oil. Our lives without God …
Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 – “You are the Light of the World.”
When we run out of oil, we cannot do what we are called to do and be.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sermon Synopsis for September 14, 2008
“Keeping In Step With the Spirit” – Galatians 5:16-25 (Romans 12:11)
A healthy church has passionate spirituality.
The story is told …
A Catholic church was on fire. The priest risked his life to save the communion host and the crucifix.
Sometime later a Synagogue caught fire. The rabbi braved the flames to save the torah.
Not long after that a Mennonite church was burning. At first the pastor didn’t believe the news (“When has our church ever been on fire?”). When he realized it was an actual fire, he went in to save the coffeepot!
Did you hear what the firefighter said when the church caught on fire?
Holy Smoke!
A church fire is no joke; it’s a tragedy (Recently a sister church, Conestoga Mennonite burned).
Four times the Maple Grove building burned. (Oct 1922, 1940, May 1952, and Dec 1967)
Kevin King, Executive Director of Mennonite Disaster Services told us that the last fire at MG inspired him to minister with people in disaster situations.
A building fire is a tragedy, but a church on fire is what God wants.
I want to focus on passionate spirituality.
A HEALTHY CHURCH
We want to be healthy; we want our church to be healthy.
I am in the midst of a series of sermons centering on being a “healthy church” from the Natural Church Development study.
The study discovered 8 characteristics common to healthy churches. We have looked at two specific points.
First, a healthy church has leadership (at all levels) that empowers every member for ministry, and Spiritual Gift centered ministry. In healthy churches, the leaders encourage and empower the members to be ministers of Jesus Christ.
Second, a healthy church has spiritual gift centered ministry. When we become Christians (accept Christ) each of us receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowers us to do the ministry of Christ, not in our own strength, but in the power of God.
Now, I want to look at a third characteristic of a healthy church. A healthy church has “passionate spirituality.”
PASSIONATE SPIRITUALITY
What comes to mind when you hear the phrase passionate spirituality?
Perhaps you remember a time in your life when you first became a Christian.
You realized that God loves you unconditionally; you just couldn't get enough Bible study.
Perhaps passionate spirituality makes you think of people you know who are still excited about their Christian faith. They're always talking about it, even though they have been believers for years. Their eyes light up when they talk about their faith.
People get passionate about many things: football (Go Eagles!), hunting, quilting, etc.
You can see the passion in their eyes when they talk about it.
So what about passionate spirituality?
Passionate spirituality has less to do with strong emotions and more to do with "the degree to which faith is actually lived out with commitment, passion, and enthusiasm." When it comes to passionate spirituality, we need to ask: "Are the Christians in this church 'on fire?' Do we live committed lives and practice our faith with joy and enthusiasm?"
It certainly makes sense that if church members are living out their faith with commitment and passion, the church would be growing. Faithful discipleship is contagious. How can you measure passion? How do you measure Spirituality? It’s the kind of thing you know is there, by the effects it causes (in your life, and in the lives of those around you).
PASSIONATE SPIRITUALITY IN GALATIANS CHAPTER 5
The Apostle Paul visited the region of Galatia on his first missionary journey. A number of new churches were established.
Afterwards, many people came urging the Galatian Christians to modify their faith by submitting to all the Jewish laws and regulations.
Much of the letter Paul wrote later is dedicated to understanding: Legalism vs. freedom in Christ
Some used that freedom to mean, “We can do anything we want as long as we call ourselves Christian”
Paul lets us know that we are “Free in Christ” but that our freedom cannot be used to “indulge the sinful nature” (5:13).
The young churches in Galatia – central Turkey in today's world – had been deceived by some theologically confused Christians who had taught them that faith in Jesus wasn't enough. If you really want to experience God, they said, then you have to keep the whole Jewish law, especially the ceremonial parts. Legalism was their path to passionate spirituality.
Legalism continues to lure many Christians today. It's a trap we easily fall into.
People come to God through Christ, receiving salvation by grace through faith.
But then someone comes along to tell them that if they really want to have a relationship with God, they have to do all sorts of things to earn God's favor. The Christian life becomes a long list of things to do, and especially things not to do.
Soon, people who began their life in Christ with a passion for him and his mission become weighed down with endless dos and don'ts, and the life of Christ gets sucked out of them. That's what was happening with the Galatians
LIVE BY THE SPIRIT
In response, Paul pointed to a new way of living, something he might well have called passionate spirituality.
"Live by the Spirit," he wrote in Galatians 5:16, "and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (flesh)."
V. 16 – “Live” = Greek “peripateite” literally “walk” or “move forward” It means “continually live.
Passionate Spirituality is not something we “have” (like something on a check list or grocery list), it’s something we “live.”
v.16 continues – “and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
This is not a promise, but a result. By living “passionate spirituality” you will not fall into sin. Do you want to be sure you don’t give in to temptation? Don’t focus on the sin; focus on your spiritual walk.
Maybe someone once said, “Don’t think about elephants.” (you’re thinking about them aren’t you?)
The more you live by the spirit, the less you will be given to sin. Focus!
BE LED BY THE SPIRIT
v. 18 – “led” = be guided by. This implies something outside ourselves.
What will that be? The Judiazers suggested it should be the Law.
Paul tells them it should be the Spirit of God.
The result of being guided by the Spirit is that there is no need for the law. If God is in control, why do you need a set of regulations? Paul is saying, “Ask God, don’t consult a rule book.”
GENUINE SPIRITUALITY
Spirituality is in. People want to be spiritual (not religious). Mystical transcendence, meaningful living, eastern meditation, motivational talks, crystals, incense, etc. are all used to find higher meaning.
For a Christian, Spirituality must begin with the “Spirit.” It is Spirit (or God) centered.
Spirituality is living each day in the power of God’s Spirit who dwells in us.
Paul tells us that the more you live in the Spirit, the less you will engage in the so-called works of the flesh, including (Paul liked to make lists): "fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing" (vss. 19-21).
On the contrary, as you live in the Spirit of God, you'll find that your life is increasingly characterized by what Paul calls the "fruit of the Spirit": "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (vss. 22-23).
True spirituality, therefore, isn't something hidden away in our souls. It impacts how we live in relationship with others: offering love, seeking peace, treating folks with patience, kindness, generosity and the like.
GPS AND GOD’S SPIRIT
I showed the children a GPS device. It took them a while to figure out what it was. Once we identified the device as a GPS, they knew exactly what it was and what it did (It belongs to their generation).
The GPS reminds us of what God wants to do for us.
Psalm 23:3 “He guides me in paths of righteousness” (NIV)
Maybe you’ve heard the story (from an insurance agent) of the man whose car was pulled out of a river – the GPS told him to turn. (The Spirit is a perfect GPS device; properly used, it won’t lead you astray)
When we become a Christian, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is a little like a GPS device. As we pay attention to the Spirit, we receive divine guidance for our actions.
Guided to help others, guided to teach, guided to serve on a commission, etc.
KEEPING IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT
Galatians 5:25 "Since we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."
“keep in step” = greek “stoichomen” = advance, go forward. It implies movement.
Life with the spirit is not stagnant.
We can see God walking ahead of us, leading us. We are keeping up, going the right path.
Children do this sort of thing on the beach. You' may see a dad walking across the sand, leaving large footprints as he walks. Then, several feet behind, a little boy will be following along, stretching his legs in order to put his feet in the footprints of his daddy. Similarly, we can be led by the Holy Spirit, who shows us where to step, helping us to walk in God's ways each day.
Keeping in step with the Spirit means not falling too far behind or getting too far ahead of God.
PAYING ATTENTION TO THE GRAMMAR
verse 16 – you “live by the spirit” (singular)
verse 18 – you “be led by the spirit” (singular)
verse 25 – “we live by the spirit” “let us keep in step with the spirit” (plural)
The greek word (stoichomen = keep in step) is plural and has the meaning of unity, “together” we keep in step with the spirit.
To be in step with God, we need to be in step with other Christians who are also “in step” with God. It is the spirit that keeps us together.
Spiritual passion is not just an individual thing. To be effective, it must involve the whole church.
A CIRCUS STORY
Some people have a real passion for the circus … it excites them …
The story is told …
Years ago, the circus came to town. Bobby went into town to see the circus. His dad gave him a dollar to see the circus. Bobby rode his bike into town, and watched the circus parade – there was lots of excitement, it was an amazing thing. There were clowns at the end of the parade. Bobby went up to the last one, handed him the dollar, and raced home to tell everyone about the circus.
But Bobby hadn’t seen the circus, he only saw the parade.
Bobby needed to follow the parade to the show – where the real excitement and joy is.
How about you? Are you watching the parade? Or have you joined the circus.
How is your walk with the Lord?
Does walking with God excite you?
What is guiding you?
Are you in step with the Spirit or are you going your own way?
God wants you to follow the Spirit to the eternal circus.
A healthy church has passionate spirituality.
The story is told …
A Catholic church was on fire. The priest risked his life to save the communion host and the crucifix.
Sometime later a Synagogue caught fire. The rabbi braved the flames to save the torah.
Not long after that a Mennonite church was burning. At first the pastor didn’t believe the news (“When has our church ever been on fire?”). When he realized it was an actual fire, he went in to save the coffeepot!
Did you hear what the firefighter said when the church caught on fire?
Holy Smoke!
A church fire is no joke; it’s a tragedy (Recently a sister church, Conestoga Mennonite burned).
Four times the Maple Grove building burned. (Oct 1922, 1940, May 1952, and Dec 1967)
Kevin King, Executive Director of Mennonite Disaster Services told us that the last fire at MG inspired him to minister with people in disaster situations.
A building fire is a tragedy, but a church on fire is what God wants.
I want to focus on passionate spirituality.
A HEALTHY CHURCH
We want to be healthy; we want our church to be healthy.
I am in the midst of a series of sermons centering on being a “healthy church” from the Natural Church Development study.
The study discovered 8 characteristics common to healthy churches. We have looked at two specific points.
First, a healthy church has leadership (at all levels) that empowers every member for ministry, and Spiritual Gift centered ministry. In healthy churches, the leaders encourage and empower the members to be ministers of Jesus Christ.
Second, a healthy church has spiritual gift centered ministry. When we become Christians (accept Christ) each of us receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowers us to do the ministry of Christ, not in our own strength, but in the power of God.
Now, I want to look at a third characteristic of a healthy church. A healthy church has “passionate spirituality.”
PASSIONATE SPIRITUALITY
What comes to mind when you hear the phrase passionate spirituality?
Perhaps you remember a time in your life when you first became a Christian.
You realized that God loves you unconditionally; you just couldn't get enough Bible study.
Perhaps passionate spirituality makes you think of people you know who are still excited about their Christian faith. They're always talking about it, even though they have been believers for years. Their eyes light up when they talk about their faith.
People get passionate about many things: football (Go Eagles!), hunting, quilting, etc.
You can see the passion in their eyes when they talk about it.
So what about passionate spirituality?
Passionate spirituality has less to do with strong emotions and more to do with "the degree to which faith is actually lived out with commitment, passion, and enthusiasm." When it comes to passionate spirituality, we need to ask: "Are the Christians in this church 'on fire?' Do we live committed lives and practice our faith with joy and enthusiasm?"
It certainly makes sense that if church members are living out their faith with commitment and passion, the church would be growing. Faithful discipleship is contagious. How can you measure passion? How do you measure Spirituality? It’s the kind of thing you know is there, by the effects it causes (in your life, and in the lives of those around you).
PASSIONATE SPIRITUALITY IN GALATIANS CHAPTER 5
The Apostle Paul visited the region of Galatia on his first missionary journey. A number of new churches were established.
Afterwards, many people came urging the Galatian Christians to modify their faith by submitting to all the Jewish laws and regulations.
Much of the letter Paul wrote later is dedicated to understanding: Legalism vs. freedom in Christ
Some used that freedom to mean, “We can do anything we want as long as we call ourselves Christian”
Paul lets us know that we are “Free in Christ” but that our freedom cannot be used to “indulge the sinful nature” (5:13).
The young churches in Galatia – central Turkey in today's world – had been deceived by some theologically confused Christians who had taught them that faith in Jesus wasn't enough. If you really want to experience God, they said, then you have to keep the whole Jewish law, especially the ceremonial parts. Legalism was their path to passionate spirituality.
Legalism continues to lure many Christians today. It's a trap we easily fall into.
People come to God through Christ, receiving salvation by grace through faith.
But then someone comes along to tell them that if they really want to have a relationship with God, they have to do all sorts of things to earn God's favor. The Christian life becomes a long list of things to do, and especially things not to do.
Soon, people who began their life in Christ with a passion for him and his mission become weighed down with endless dos and don'ts, and the life of Christ gets sucked out of them. That's what was happening with the Galatians
LIVE BY THE SPIRIT
In response, Paul pointed to a new way of living, something he might well have called passionate spirituality.
"Live by the Spirit," he wrote in Galatians 5:16, "and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (flesh)."
V. 16 – “Live” = Greek “peripateite” literally “walk” or “move forward” It means “continually live.
Passionate Spirituality is not something we “have” (like something on a check list or grocery list), it’s something we “live.”
v.16 continues – “and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
This is not a promise, but a result. By living “passionate spirituality” you will not fall into sin. Do you want to be sure you don’t give in to temptation? Don’t focus on the sin; focus on your spiritual walk.
Maybe someone once said, “Don’t think about elephants.” (you’re thinking about them aren’t you?)
The more you live by the spirit, the less you will be given to sin. Focus!
BE LED BY THE SPIRIT
v. 18 – “led” = be guided by. This implies something outside ourselves.
What will that be? The Judiazers suggested it should be the Law.
Paul tells them it should be the Spirit of God.
The result of being guided by the Spirit is that there is no need for the law. If God is in control, why do you need a set of regulations? Paul is saying, “Ask God, don’t consult a rule book.”
GENUINE SPIRITUALITY
Spirituality is in. People want to be spiritual (not religious). Mystical transcendence, meaningful living, eastern meditation, motivational talks, crystals, incense, etc. are all used to find higher meaning.
For a Christian, Spirituality must begin with the “Spirit.” It is Spirit (or God) centered.
Spirituality is living each day in the power of God’s Spirit who dwells in us.
Paul tells us that the more you live in the Spirit, the less you will engage in the so-called works of the flesh, including (Paul liked to make lists): "fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing" (vss. 19-21).
On the contrary, as you live in the Spirit of God, you'll find that your life is increasingly characterized by what Paul calls the "fruit of the Spirit": "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (vss. 22-23).
True spirituality, therefore, isn't something hidden away in our souls. It impacts how we live in relationship with others: offering love, seeking peace, treating folks with patience, kindness, generosity and the like.
GPS AND GOD’S SPIRIT
I showed the children a GPS device. It took them a while to figure out what it was. Once we identified the device as a GPS, they knew exactly what it was and what it did (It belongs to their generation).
The GPS reminds us of what God wants to do for us.
Psalm 23:3 “He guides me in paths of righteousness” (NIV)
Maybe you’ve heard the story (from an insurance agent) of the man whose car was pulled out of a river – the GPS told him to turn. (The Spirit is a perfect GPS device; properly used, it won’t lead you astray)
When we become a Christian, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is a little like a GPS device. As we pay attention to the Spirit, we receive divine guidance for our actions.
Guided to help others, guided to teach, guided to serve on a commission, etc.
KEEPING IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT
Galatians 5:25 "Since we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."
“keep in step” = greek “stoichomen” = advance, go forward. It implies movement.
Life with the spirit is not stagnant.
We can see God walking ahead of us, leading us. We are keeping up, going the right path.
Children do this sort of thing on the beach. You' may see a dad walking across the sand, leaving large footprints as he walks. Then, several feet behind, a little boy will be following along, stretching his legs in order to put his feet in the footprints of his daddy. Similarly, we can be led by the Holy Spirit, who shows us where to step, helping us to walk in God's ways each day.
Keeping in step with the Spirit means not falling too far behind or getting too far ahead of God.
PAYING ATTENTION TO THE GRAMMAR
verse 16 – you “live by the spirit” (singular)
verse 18 – you “be led by the spirit” (singular)
verse 25 – “we live by the spirit” “let us keep in step with the spirit” (plural)
The greek word (stoichomen = keep in step) is plural and has the meaning of unity, “together” we keep in step with the spirit.
To be in step with God, we need to be in step with other Christians who are also “in step” with God. It is the spirit that keeps us together.
Spiritual passion is not just an individual thing. To be effective, it must involve the whole church.
A CIRCUS STORY
Some people have a real passion for the circus … it excites them …
The story is told …
Years ago, the circus came to town. Bobby went into town to see the circus. His dad gave him a dollar to see the circus. Bobby rode his bike into town, and watched the circus parade – there was lots of excitement, it was an amazing thing. There were clowns at the end of the parade. Bobby went up to the last one, handed him the dollar, and raced home to tell everyone about the circus.
But Bobby hadn’t seen the circus, he only saw the parade.
Bobby needed to follow the parade to the show – where the real excitement and joy is.
How about you? Are you watching the parade? Or have you joined the circus.
How is your walk with the Lord?
Does walking with God excite you?
What is guiding you?
Are you in step with the Spirit or are you going your own way?
God wants you to follow the Spirit to the eternal circus.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Sermon Synopsis for September 7, 2008
“Spiritual Gifts with a Servant’s Heart” John 13:12-17 (Mark 10:45)
Maybe you heard …
A Sunday School teacher asked her students to draw pictures of their faith. As she arrived at one student who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The student replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
Without looking up from her drawing, the student replied, "They will in a minute."
I wasn’t too worried about this until I heard it was an adult class.
Teachers have a special gift from God.
Today we continue looking at the use of Spiritual Gifts.
What you do is important = discovering and using your spiritual gift
In today’s scripture, we learn, HOW we use our spiritual gifts is also important.
In our worship service, we recognized those who have gifts of teaching
I like to test the knowledge of my grandchildren. Not too long ago Daniel was with me and I’d point to an object and ask what color it was. He’d tell me … and he was always correct. After we continued for a while he looked at me and made the comment, “Pop pop, don’t you know your colors?”
Sometimes the teacher looks the part of the fool.
Today’s scripture passage finds Jesus at the end of his ministry. He was in the upper room with the disciples. They had gathered for one last time together. This is a passage of scripture that is key to Mennonite Christian theology.
Jesus washed their feet – a simple act that taught so much. After that he put down the towel and returned to the table.
He asked them if they understood what he did.
He told them they should wash each other’s feet.
He told them that the best leaders in his church are servants.
I have some observations from this scripture passage.
A. JESUS TAUGHT BY DOING
I’ve learned that Girls have dolls, but boys have action figures
Children learn from action figures – role playing, etc.
Did you ever see a Jesus action figure?
In his book, “They Like Jesus, But Not the Church,” Dan Kimball speaks of the attitude of having a “Jesus Action Figure”
You can find them in some Christian bookstores; even Wal-Mart has carried them from time to time.
He also found a Jesus bobble head
He noticed Pamela Anderson’s clothing line “Jesus is my Homeboy”
This presents a Problem – making Jesus in our image – we make him what we want him to be.
But the real Jesus always surprised his disciples.
Dan Kimball – later on in the book he asks non Christian young people, “What kind of church would you want to be part of?”
“If I were to go to church, I’d want it to be like a family. A healthy family where you all are looking out for each other. Where they are glad to see you and it really feels like a community. A place where they love you, even when you aren’t doing well. …” (p.226)
That’s the kind of church Jesus created.
Jesus could have said: God wants believers (disciples) to love one another through humble service … but, instead, he washed their feet.
“Actions speak louder than words” = easier to remember.
B. JESUS TAUGHT BY EXAMPLE
There's a Common Phrase – “If you can’t do it right, don’t do it at all.”
“Doing it right” has more to do with our attitude, than our action.
Jesus could have made a big deal about washing his follower’s feet.
1. A show = “Look at what I’m doing” (see me? I’m a servant)
We know People who make a PR event of their acts of service (politicians – packing boxes for soldiers or working in soup kitchens – a photo op!)
2. A reverse criticism – “Look at what I’m doing” (and you’re not)
Pride can get in the way of our actions. (This is a common problem with spiritual gifts). We’re good at it – and we let others know.
Jesus did it … and asked a simple question, “Do you understand what I have done for you?”
This is a teaching moment.
Jesus was asking, “Do you get the message?”
He didn’t just show them – he lived it.
Jesus’ motto wasn’t: “Do as I say, not as I do.” It was “Do as I say and do.”
There wasn’t any inconsistency between his words and his actions. (Hypocrisy)
READ Philippians 2:5-8 for example.
C. JESUS WASHED PETER’S FEET (The questioning student, who thinks he knows it all)
Peter believed in hierarchy – leaders don’t do menial tasks! That’s what servants are for.
There are words often repeated by Jesus: “The son of man came not to be served, but to serve”
Think about God – think about all that encompasses God – God (through Jesus) came to serve us.
From Jesus, we learn a lot about God …
We would gladly do anything for God
But we have a God who washes our feet
Like Peter, we need to let God do this for us
And be willing to do it for others – That’s the servant’s heart
D. JESUS WASHED JUDAS’ FEET (Don’t give up on a troubled child)
This always astounds me. Knowing what Jesus knew, he still washed Judas’ feet.
A Servant’s heart – loves the unlovable, the enemy, the betrayer.
God’s message – no matter how bad (unlovable) I am – Jesus still love and cares for me
That’s the mark of a true servant.
The theme of this quarters Adult Sunday School lesson – birth of a new community
The church is a different type of community than the world knows – a community dominated by a servant’s heart. And this makes all the difference in the world.
Paul to the Philippians writes, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” (2:5)
THE SHOPPING TRIP
In the supermarket there was a man pushing a cart which contained a screaming, bellowing baby.
The gentleman kept repeating softly, “Don't get excited, Albert; don't scream, Albert; don't yell, Albert; keep calm, Albert.'”
A woman standing next to him said, “You certainly are to be commended for trying to soothe your son Albert.”
The man looked at her and said, “Lady, I'm Albert.”
I can just see Jesus pushing his disciples in a shopping cart – he has a true servant’s heart
How are we doing, pushing the cart for others?
Maybe you heard …
A Sunday School teacher asked her students to draw pictures of their faith. As she arrived at one student who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The student replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
Without looking up from her drawing, the student replied, "They will in a minute."
I wasn’t too worried about this until I heard it was an adult class.
Teachers have a special gift from God.
Today we continue looking at the use of Spiritual Gifts.
What you do is important = discovering and using your spiritual gift
In today’s scripture, we learn, HOW we use our spiritual gifts is also important.
In our worship service, we recognized those who have gifts of teaching
I like to test the knowledge of my grandchildren. Not too long ago Daniel was with me and I’d point to an object and ask what color it was. He’d tell me … and he was always correct. After we continued for a while he looked at me and made the comment, “Pop pop, don’t you know your colors?”
Sometimes the teacher looks the part of the fool.
Today’s scripture passage finds Jesus at the end of his ministry. He was in the upper room with the disciples. They had gathered for one last time together. This is a passage of scripture that is key to Mennonite Christian theology.
Jesus washed their feet – a simple act that taught so much. After that he put down the towel and returned to the table.
He asked them if they understood what he did.
He told them they should wash each other’s feet.
He told them that the best leaders in his church are servants.
I have some observations from this scripture passage.
A. JESUS TAUGHT BY DOING
I’ve learned that Girls have dolls, but boys have action figures
Children learn from action figures – role playing, etc.
Did you ever see a Jesus action figure?
In his book, “They Like Jesus, But Not the Church,” Dan Kimball speaks of the attitude of having a “Jesus Action Figure”
You can find them in some Christian bookstores; even Wal-Mart has carried them from time to time.
He also found a Jesus bobble head
He noticed Pamela Anderson’s clothing line “Jesus is my Homeboy”
This presents a Problem – making Jesus in our image – we make him what we want him to be.
But the real Jesus always surprised his disciples.
Dan Kimball – later on in the book he asks non Christian young people, “What kind of church would you want to be part of?”
“If I were to go to church, I’d want it to be like a family. A healthy family where you all are looking out for each other. Where they are glad to see you and it really feels like a community. A place where they love you, even when you aren’t doing well. …” (p.226)
That’s the kind of church Jesus created.
Jesus could have said: God wants believers (disciples) to love one another through humble service … but, instead, he washed their feet.
“Actions speak louder than words” = easier to remember.
B. JESUS TAUGHT BY EXAMPLE
There's a Common Phrase – “If you can’t do it right, don’t do it at all.”
“Doing it right” has more to do with our attitude, than our action.
Jesus could have made a big deal about washing his follower’s feet.
1. A show = “Look at what I’m doing” (see me? I’m a servant)
We know People who make a PR event of their acts of service (politicians – packing boxes for soldiers or working in soup kitchens – a photo op!)
2. A reverse criticism – “Look at what I’m doing” (and you’re not)
Pride can get in the way of our actions. (This is a common problem with spiritual gifts). We’re good at it – and we let others know.
Jesus did it … and asked a simple question, “Do you understand what I have done for you?”
This is a teaching moment.
Jesus was asking, “Do you get the message?”
He didn’t just show them – he lived it.
Jesus’ motto wasn’t: “Do as I say, not as I do.” It was “Do as I say and do.”
There wasn’t any inconsistency between his words and his actions. (Hypocrisy)
READ Philippians 2:5-8 for example.
C. JESUS WASHED PETER’S FEET (The questioning student, who thinks he knows it all)
Peter believed in hierarchy – leaders don’t do menial tasks! That’s what servants are for.
There are words often repeated by Jesus: “The son of man came not to be served, but to serve”
Think about God – think about all that encompasses God – God (through Jesus) came to serve us.
From Jesus, we learn a lot about God …
We would gladly do anything for God
But we have a God who washes our feet
Like Peter, we need to let God do this for us
And be willing to do it for others – That’s the servant’s heart
D. JESUS WASHED JUDAS’ FEET (Don’t give up on a troubled child)
This always astounds me. Knowing what Jesus knew, he still washed Judas’ feet.
A Servant’s heart – loves the unlovable, the enemy, the betrayer.
God’s message – no matter how bad (unlovable) I am – Jesus still love and cares for me
That’s the mark of a true servant.
The theme of this quarters Adult Sunday School lesson – birth of a new community
The church is a different type of community than the world knows – a community dominated by a servant’s heart. And this makes all the difference in the world.
Paul to the Philippians writes, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” (2:5)
THE SHOPPING TRIP
In the supermarket there was a man pushing a cart which contained a screaming, bellowing baby.
The gentleman kept repeating softly, “Don't get excited, Albert; don't scream, Albert; don't yell, Albert; keep calm, Albert.'”
A woman standing next to him said, “You certainly are to be commended for trying to soothe your son Albert.”
The man looked at her and said, “Lady, I'm Albert.”
I can just see Jesus pushing his disciples in a shopping cart – he has a true servant’s heart
How are we doing, pushing the cart for others?
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Sermon Synopsis for August 31, 2008
“Gift Oriented Ministry: God’s Plan for His Church” Romans 12:4-8 (1 Corinthians 14:12)
I’ve heard it said …
There was a particularly slippery and dangerous stairway.
A Methodist minister fell down the stairs, he picked himself up andsaid, "That was an experience, how do I learn from it?"
Then, a Catholic priest fell down the stairs; he picked himself up andsaid, "I must have done something really bad to deserve that."
After that, a Presbyterian minister fell down the stairs, he picked himself upand said, "That was inevitable, I'm glad it’s over."
Later, a Mennonite minister fell down the stairs; he picked himself up andsaid, "Which one of the elders pushed me?"
I’m sure that’s just a story preachers tell, because God wants us to trust each other.
Many are traveling this weekend (Labor Day). I’ve heard it said that if all the cars in the USA were placed end to end, it would probably be Labor Day weekend. Drive carefully folks.
The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Rome.
Beginning at chapter 12, his letter to the Romans moves from theoretical to practical
12:1-3 – be living sacrifices, be holy, don’t conform to the world’s ways, be transformed, know God’s will, don’t think of yourself as overly important in this world.
And beginning in verse 4, Paul tells us how we can do this …
GOD’S HAS A PLAN FOR THE CHURCH
A. Rom 12:5 – one body = unity
God wants the church to be unified.
Jesus had a great concern that his disciples be unified. “That they may be one” is a phrase found in the Gospel of John (especially chapter 17 – Jesus’ prayer)
B. Work together – the one body, had different parts, but they work together
God wants the church to work together.
Illnesses = when something in the body doesn’t coordinate with the other parts.
God’s design for our bodies is harmony and unity.
God’s design for the spiritual body, the church is the same.
Some might say that dependence (and interdependence) is bad – we want to be individuals, we want to “do it ourselves.” But it is God’s plan and design that we be dependent and interdependent.
It depends on each part doing what it was designed to do.
EXAMPLE: OLYMPICS TEAM USA
Olympics athletes specialize.
Michael Phelps – most gold medals (first record set when he was 10 years old)
How would he do at other sports?
Think about the gymnasts – Natasia Lukin for example – she’s the best all around.
How would she do at track? Or Soccer? Or shot put?
Why are these athletes good at their sport?
The have the desire (calling) to a specific sport
They Practice
They have Dedication and Passion
They show Endurance
Ultimately,”They love it!”
Yet they are a part of a team … each one doing his/her best.
Did you watch the opening ceremony? When they all marched in together on Friday night …. Makes me think of what heaven will be like.
Here’s what the Apostle John saw: “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’" (Revelation 7:9–10)
Until that time … we exist in the church … in the world
THE CHURCH IS A LIVING ORGANISM
The church is not a building of brick, board and mortar. These things are dead. The church is alive!
What does it mean to be the body of Christ today? The church is a living organism. Human bodies are living organisms. Look at any part of my body; each part is alive.
They remain alive because they are connected, in a symbiotic relationship.
There are millions of billions of little living cells in my body.
Look through a microscope; you can see the movement of millions of particles that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
So also with the body of Christ. The church is a living organism, composed of billions of different parts, in every nation, in all tribes and languages around the globe.
THE CHURCH IS A COMPLEX ORGANISM
The earth itself is enormously complex and intricate beyond our wildest human imagination.
The oceans are enormously complex and intricate beyond our wildest imagination.
The universe is enormously complex and intricate beyond our wildest imagination.
So is the body of Christ.
Each cell is so complex. Each congregation is so complex.
Each congregation in each culture in each century is so utterly complex.
Yet all are part of Christ’s body.
WE ALL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY
Paul tells us that we have different gifts according to the grace given us. In 1 Corinthians Paul seems to amplify on what he is saying, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Cor. 12:4-7)
Not everyone is called or equipped to do the same thing.
You can’t do what other Christians can do. Don’t be discouraged. This is part of God’s design!
Different doesn’t mean better or worse – it’s just different.
God determines who gets what. 1 Corinthians 12:11 - “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines”.
Everyone’s gift is given for the purpose of enriching the whole body.
It’s not about you! Or me for that matter.
THE CHURCH WILL BE EFFECTIVE WHEN WE DO WHAT WE CAN DO
Paul’s counsel is pretty simple, “If you are able to teach, teach; if you can serve, serve; if you are a preacher, preach. If you are an encourager, encourage.” In other words, our job is to do what we can do.
Maybe you’re thinking: “I don’t know what I can do.”
Ask two questions and then act.
First – Ask yourself, “What am I good at?”
Second – Ask, “How can I use this for the Kingdom of God?”
Then – Take a step of faith. Try it out. Ask the pastor or elders where you fit in.
WE NEED TO SEE OUR WORK FOR GOD AS A SPECIAL CALLING IN THE OVERALL KINGDOM OF GOD
The story is told …
Three stonemasons were working on a cathedral when a stranger wandered by. The first stonemason was toting rocks to a pile near a wall.
“What are you doing?” asked the stranger.
“Can’t you see that I’m carrying rocks?”
The stranger asked the second laborer, “What are you doing?”
“I’m building a wall,” he replied.
A few steps away, the stranger came upon a third mason. “What are you doing?” he asked.
This worker smiled, “I’m building a cathedral to the glory of God!”
Same jobs - different attitude.
How would you answer?
Are you reading through an outline to a group of people on Sunday morning?
Are you a Sunday school teacher?
Or are you building lives and training workers for use in God’s Kingdom?
Your attitude makes all the difference.
Carrying rocks? Building a wall? Building God’s Kingdom?
Paul tells us, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
I showed the children my tool box. (It is Labor Day weekend after all)
We looked at the different tools and talked about how they are useful to build or repair something.
If all I had were a box of hammers, I couldn’t do anything.
God wants to build his Kingdom in this world.
We are God’s toolbox.
I’ve heard it said …
There was a particularly slippery and dangerous stairway.
A Methodist minister fell down the stairs, he picked himself up andsaid, "That was an experience, how do I learn from it?"
Then, a Catholic priest fell down the stairs; he picked himself up andsaid, "I must have done something really bad to deserve that."
After that, a Presbyterian minister fell down the stairs, he picked himself upand said, "That was inevitable, I'm glad it’s over."
Later, a Mennonite minister fell down the stairs; he picked himself up andsaid, "Which one of the elders pushed me?"
I’m sure that’s just a story preachers tell, because God wants us to trust each other.
Many are traveling this weekend (Labor Day). I’ve heard it said that if all the cars in the USA were placed end to end, it would probably be Labor Day weekend. Drive carefully folks.
The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Rome.
Beginning at chapter 12, his letter to the Romans moves from theoretical to practical
12:1-3 – be living sacrifices, be holy, don’t conform to the world’s ways, be transformed, know God’s will, don’t think of yourself as overly important in this world.
And beginning in verse 4, Paul tells us how we can do this …
GOD’S HAS A PLAN FOR THE CHURCH
A. Rom 12:5 – one body = unity
God wants the church to be unified.
Jesus had a great concern that his disciples be unified. “That they may be one” is a phrase found in the Gospel of John (especially chapter 17 – Jesus’ prayer)
B. Work together – the one body, had different parts, but they work together
God wants the church to work together.
Illnesses = when something in the body doesn’t coordinate with the other parts.
God’s design for our bodies is harmony and unity.
God’s design for the spiritual body, the church is the same.
Some might say that dependence (and interdependence) is bad – we want to be individuals, we want to “do it ourselves.” But it is God’s plan and design that we be dependent and interdependent.
It depends on each part doing what it was designed to do.
EXAMPLE: OLYMPICS TEAM USA
Olympics athletes specialize.
Michael Phelps – most gold medals (first record set when he was 10 years old)
How would he do at other sports?
Think about the gymnasts – Natasia Lukin for example – she’s the best all around.
How would she do at track? Or Soccer? Or shot put?
Why are these athletes good at their sport?
The have the desire (calling) to a specific sport
They Practice
They have Dedication and Passion
They show Endurance
Ultimately,”They love it!”
Yet they are a part of a team … each one doing his/her best.
Did you watch the opening ceremony? When they all marched in together on Friday night …. Makes me think of what heaven will be like.
Here’s what the Apostle John saw: “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’" (Revelation 7:9–10)
Until that time … we exist in the church … in the world
THE CHURCH IS A LIVING ORGANISM
The church is not a building of brick, board and mortar. These things are dead. The church is alive!
What does it mean to be the body of Christ today? The church is a living organism. Human bodies are living organisms. Look at any part of my body; each part is alive.
They remain alive because they are connected, in a symbiotic relationship.
There are millions of billions of little living cells in my body.
Look through a microscope; you can see the movement of millions of particles that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
So also with the body of Christ. The church is a living organism, composed of billions of different parts, in every nation, in all tribes and languages around the globe.
THE CHURCH IS A COMPLEX ORGANISM
The earth itself is enormously complex and intricate beyond our wildest human imagination.
The oceans are enormously complex and intricate beyond our wildest imagination.
The universe is enormously complex and intricate beyond our wildest imagination.
So is the body of Christ.
Each cell is so complex. Each congregation is so complex.
Each congregation in each culture in each century is so utterly complex.
Yet all are part of Christ’s body.
WE ALL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY
Paul tells us that we have different gifts according to the grace given us. In 1 Corinthians Paul seems to amplify on what he is saying, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Cor. 12:4-7)
Not everyone is called or equipped to do the same thing.
You can’t do what other Christians can do. Don’t be discouraged. This is part of God’s design!
Different doesn’t mean better or worse – it’s just different.
God determines who gets what. 1 Corinthians 12:11 - “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines”.
Everyone’s gift is given for the purpose of enriching the whole body.
It’s not about you! Or me for that matter.
THE CHURCH WILL BE EFFECTIVE WHEN WE DO WHAT WE CAN DO
Paul’s counsel is pretty simple, “If you are able to teach, teach; if you can serve, serve; if you are a preacher, preach. If you are an encourager, encourage.” In other words, our job is to do what we can do.
Maybe you’re thinking: “I don’t know what I can do.”
Ask two questions and then act.
First – Ask yourself, “What am I good at?”
Second – Ask, “How can I use this for the Kingdom of God?”
Then – Take a step of faith. Try it out. Ask the pastor or elders where you fit in.
WE NEED TO SEE OUR WORK FOR GOD AS A SPECIAL CALLING IN THE OVERALL KINGDOM OF GOD
The story is told …
Three stonemasons were working on a cathedral when a stranger wandered by. The first stonemason was toting rocks to a pile near a wall.
“What are you doing?” asked the stranger.
“Can’t you see that I’m carrying rocks?”
The stranger asked the second laborer, “What are you doing?”
“I’m building a wall,” he replied.
A few steps away, the stranger came upon a third mason. “What are you doing?” he asked.
This worker smiled, “I’m building a cathedral to the glory of God!”
Same jobs - different attitude.
How would you answer?
Are you reading through an outline to a group of people on Sunday morning?
Are you a Sunday school teacher?
Or are you building lives and training workers for use in God’s Kingdom?
Your attitude makes all the difference.
Carrying rocks? Building a wall? Building God’s Kingdom?
Paul tells us, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
I showed the children my tool box. (It is Labor Day weekend after all)
We looked at the different tools and talked about how they are useful to build or repair something.
If all I had were a box of hammers, I couldn’t do anything.
God wants to build his Kingdom in this world.
We are God’s toolbox.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Sermon Synopsis for August 24, 2008
“What Shall We Do?” Acts 2:37-47
My early childhood years were spent in a small crossroad community. Our neighborhood wasn’t culturally diverse, but we were religiously diverse.
We neighborhood children would often play church.
We agreed on many things … there should be a sermon, Lord’s Prayer (we argued about transgressions vs. debts), there had to be an offering.
But there were also great theological discussions – the ones that 7 year olds can have. Baptism was a point of contention. We discussed infant baptism verses believer baptism, methods from sprinkling to pouring to immersion. Theological differences run deep – even in children.
We found ourselves at the local farm pond. After we had baptized each other a number of times, our congregation grew to include the neighborhood pets. Of course, we didn’t want heathen pets. The dogs were generally submissive, but the cats presented a challenge. They didn’t seem to mind sprinkling too much; pouring was about acceptable. Immersion presented the real challenge.
Harry was the Baptist preacher’s kid, so he was nominated to immerse the first cat. Determination paid off and he managed, with much difficulty, to baptize one cat.
We walked Harry home (because he couldn’t see too well out of his left eye and his arms and face were bleeding and clothes torn). We got a little more adult supervision after that.
In our simplistic childish practical theological viewpoints we reached a couple of decisions:
Baptism should be a voluntary & personal decision.
Cats are pagans.
PENTECOST
Acts chapter 2 tells us about the first Christian Day of Pentecost – when the church was born.
120 men and women went out of the upper room and preached the gospel, in different languages, giving their testimony, sharing their faith.
As Acts 1:8 says – they became “witnesses” for Jesus
After they spoke, Peter gave an open air sermon – how did the people in the crowd respond?
The gospel message evokes a wide variety of responses.
During my missionary work in Latin America, I preached in many public squares and open air meetings.
The people responded in many ways.
Some ignore you
Some wonder why you would do such a thing (curiosity)
Publicly mock you
I remember one meeting, a young man, Segundo, came and asked “¿Y, que es lo que quiere que haga?” What do you want me to do?
The response is the same as 2000 years ago: repent (inward sign) and be baptized (outward sign)
In Acts 2 … The people responded … with the heart and the head.
1. They were “cut to the heart” – an emotional response
This is a graphic phrase – healing is needed!
It presents an open wound – you can’t ignore it
Spiritual surgery is needed – that’s what Jesus does best! He heals the broken heart.
2. They asked a question “What shall we do?” – a practical (rational) response
There was a need to act on the feeling
You cannot not do something – the gospel demands a response
Peter told them – Repent and be baptized
First Repent = change, heart and mind (inward sign)
Second Be Baptized = show the world (outward sign of a changed heart)
RESULTS
When people respond, things happen.
Segundo responded to the invitation to repent and be baptized, and he is the leader of a struggling congregation that just completed 18 years of ministry in a community that doesn’t want people to accept Jesus.
Obvious Result #1 – numerical growth
2:41 - More than 3000 were added to their number that day
2:47 – And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved
A healthy church continues to present the gospel to every generation … and baptize new believers.
When a church stops sharing the gospel message – it becomes a club, another organization, etc.
Obvious Result #2 – changed lives
This was not just the recording of names in a book in heaven (a heavenly membership record), assuring these folks of an eternal destiny, it meant “repentance” = a release from living for self to living for God and others. It changed their lives.
A group of people divided by language and culture were brought together in the church. And they acted very differently than before – because they had repented, changed.
V. 2:42 – a spiritual unity
People who didn’t care to learn about God before … spent time learning (devoted themselves to the apostles teaching)
People who normally wouldn’t socialize together … spent time together (fellowship, breaking of bread)
People who normally wouldn’t share the same religious values … spent time in prayer
THE GOSPEL MESSAGE DEMANDS AN ANSWER
A very sad time for me in Bolivia was the memorial service for Pastor Romolo Tirado. He was electrocuted while standing in a baptistery at the beginning of a baptism service. They had just set-up a new sound system and he was using an ungrounded microphone. No one was baptized that day.
During the memorial service, one by one, the baptismal candidates came forward to declare their decision to proclaim publically their faith and follow Jesus in baptism.
After that many others came forward, accepting Christ. Many said, “I don’t want the pastor to die in vain.” And, “I don’t want Jesus to have died in vain.”
There was unexpected revival. And the Lord added to their number that day.
THE GOSPEL DEMANDS A RESPONSE
What is your response?
What do you say to Jesus?
Yes – No (check one)
No response is as good as a “no” response.
I showed the children a picture of Jesus’ Baptism. I gave them copies to take home and color.
The coloring book artist’s rendition showed Jesus, standing in water and in front of John the Baptist (I refer to him as John the Anabaptist).
Over their head was a dove – God’s Spirit (represents God’s presence). It lets us know that God brings peace, love, provision, all we need for our lives to be whole.
There were lines (rays) coming down from above. The scripture says there was a voice from heaven: “This is my son, whom I love. He makes me happy.”
We become God’s children when we accept Jesus. God loves us, and God wants us to make him happy, like Jesus made God happy.
Galatians 3:26-27 “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
God said to Jesus: “this is my son, I love him; he makes me happy.”
God loves us. So much that he sent Jesus (John 3:16).
What is our response to God’s love?
Following Jesus will make God happy. It'll make you happy too.
[Note: from what I understand, life is better when God is happy with us. Today we won’t talk about what life’s like when God’s not happy with us. But it’s worth thinking about.]
My early childhood years were spent in a small crossroad community. Our neighborhood wasn’t culturally diverse, but we were religiously diverse.
We neighborhood children would often play church.
We agreed on many things … there should be a sermon, Lord’s Prayer (we argued about transgressions vs. debts), there had to be an offering.
But there were also great theological discussions – the ones that 7 year olds can have. Baptism was a point of contention. We discussed infant baptism verses believer baptism, methods from sprinkling to pouring to immersion. Theological differences run deep – even in children.
We found ourselves at the local farm pond. After we had baptized each other a number of times, our congregation grew to include the neighborhood pets. Of course, we didn’t want heathen pets. The dogs were generally submissive, but the cats presented a challenge. They didn’t seem to mind sprinkling too much; pouring was about acceptable. Immersion presented the real challenge.
Harry was the Baptist preacher’s kid, so he was nominated to immerse the first cat. Determination paid off and he managed, with much difficulty, to baptize one cat.
We walked Harry home (because he couldn’t see too well out of his left eye and his arms and face were bleeding and clothes torn). We got a little more adult supervision after that.
In our simplistic childish practical theological viewpoints we reached a couple of decisions:
Baptism should be a voluntary & personal decision.
Cats are pagans.
PENTECOST
Acts chapter 2 tells us about the first Christian Day of Pentecost – when the church was born.
120 men and women went out of the upper room and preached the gospel, in different languages, giving their testimony, sharing their faith.
As Acts 1:8 says – they became “witnesses” for Jesus
After they spoke, Peter gave an open air sermon – how did the people in the crowd respond?
The gospel message evokes a wide variety of responses.
During my missionary work in Latin America, I preached in many public squares and open air meetings.
The people responded in many ways.
Some ignore you
Some wonder why you would do such a thing (curiosity)
Publicly mock you
I remember one meeting, a young man, Segundo, came and asked “¿Y, que es lo que quiere que haga?” What do you want me to do?
The response is the same as 2000 years ago: repent (inward sign) and be baptized (outward sign)
In Acts 2 … The people responded … with the heart and the head.
1. They were “cut to the heart” – an emotional response
This is a graphic phrase – healing is needed!
It presents an open wound – you can’t ignore it
Spiritual surgery is needed – that’s what Jesus does best! He heals the broken heart.
2. They asked a question “What shall we do?” – a practical (rational) response
There was a need to act on the feeling
You cannot not do something – the gospel demands a response
Peter told them – Repent and be baptized
First Repent = change, heart and mind (inward sign)
Second Be Baptized = show the world (outward sign of a changed heart)
RESULTS
When people respond, things happen.
Segundo responded to the invitation to repent and be baptized, and he is the leader of a struggling congregation that just completed 18 years of ministry in a community that doesn’t want people to accept Jesus.
Obvious Result #1 – numerical growth
2:41 - More than 3000 were added to their number that day
2:47 – And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved
A healthy church continues to present the gospel to every generation … and baptize new believers.
When a church stops sharing the gospel message – it becomes a club, another organization, etc.
Obvious Result #2 – changed lives
This was not just the recording of names in a book in heaven (a heavenly membership record), assuring these folks of an eternal destiny, it meant “repentance” = a release from living for self to living for God and others. It changed their lives.
A group of people divided by language and culture were brought together in the church. And they acted very differently than before – because they had repented, changed.
V. 2:42 – a spiritual unity
People who didn’t care to learn about God before … spent time learning (devoted themselves to the apostles teaching)
People who normally wouldn’t socialize together … spent time together (fellowship, breaking of bread)
People who normally wouldn’t share the same religious values … spent time in prayer
THE GOSPEL MESSAGE DEMANDS AN ANSWER
A very sad time for me in Bolivia was the memorial service for Pastor Romolo Tirado. He was electrocuted while standing in a baptistery at the beginning of a baptism service. They had just set-up a new sound system and he was using an ungrounded microphone. No one was baptized that day.
During the memorial service, one by one, the baptismal candidates came forward to declare their decision to proclaim publically their faith and follow Jesus in baptism.
After that many others came forward, accepting Christ. Many said, “I don’t want the pastor to die in vain.” And, “I don’t want Jesus to have died in vain.”
There was unexpected revival. And the Lord added to their number that day.
THE GOSPEL DEMANDS A RESPONSE
What is your response?
What do you say to Jesus?
Yes – No (check one)
No response is as good as a “no” response.
I showed the children a picture of Jesus’ Baptism. I gave them copies to take home and color.
The coloring book artist’s rendition showed Jesus, standing in water and in front of John the Baptist (I refer to him as John the Anabaptist).
Over their head was a dove – God’s Spirit (represents God’s presence). It lets us know that God brings peace, love, provision, all we need for our lives to be whole.
There were lines (rays) coming down from above. The scripture says there was a voice from heaven: “This is my son, whom I love. He makes me happy.”
We become God’s children when we accept Jesus. God loves us, and God wants us to make him happy, like Jesus made God happy.
Galatians 3:26-27 “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
God said to Jesus: “this is my son, I love him; he makes me happy.”
God loves us. So much that he sent Jesus (John 3:16).
What is our response to God’s love?
Following Jesus will make God happy. It'll make you happy too.
[Note: from what I understand, life is better when God is happy with us. Today we won’t talk about what life’s like when God’s not happy with us. But it’s worth thinking about.]
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