Pastor Steve's Musings

Jesus' Resume

2010-03-13T17:11:00.000-08:00

The Resume of Jesus Christ

Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone: Romans 10:13
Website: The Bible. Keywords:Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus

Hello. My name is Jesus -The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.

Qualifications
•I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)
•I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)
•I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)
•I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)
•The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)

Occupational Background
•I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49).
•I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.
•My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15-17)

Skills Work Experiences
•Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).
•I am Wonderful, Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33).
•Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)

Educational Background
•I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).
•In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).
•My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a lamp unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).
•I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).

Major Accomplishments
•I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26).
•I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15).
•I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15).
•I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!
•There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.

References
•The great teacher- my father, JEHOVAH (Psalms 83:18)
•Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance

In Summation
Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15).

Sermon Synopsis for March 7, 2010

2010-03-13T17:10:00.000-08:00

“Carry Your Cross Challenge: We Reconcile with God at the Cross”
Colossians 1:15-23

Wow! Have you heard the news? They’re talking about reconciliation in Washington D.C.!
Oops! Unfortunately they’re talking about a political procedure that forces, contrives and imposes. Most of all, it’s the complete opposite of true reconciliation, deep division.

In the Bible, another word for reconciliation is “peacemaking process”

This is Jesus’ specialty – reconciliation.

THE PROBLEM
People who don’t know Jesus have a problem.
Today’s scripture (v.21) says they are people like you and I, who know Jesus, used to be:

Alienated from God = made into an alien (foreigner, outsider). Think how difficult it is for a new person in your school, community, work, or even church, to feel they are a part of things.

Enemies of God (in your way of thinking) because of bad things you do. You think that God must not like you because of the bad things you do. (Some guys think – “she could never like me because … I’m such a jerk, I’m so ugly, etc.”) That’s the way many people think about God. God could never like me … I do such bad things; my life isn’t worthy, etc.

Jesus can solve this problem, specifically through his death (v.22) and blood, shed on the cross (v.20). The cross brings reconciliation with God. Because of Jesus’ cross, we are reconciled with God.

WHO IS JESUS? The world is still trying to figure out Jesus.
Who is this guy who asked his disciples to carry their cross?
Who is this guy who carried a cross himself?
Who is this guy?

We aren’t the first to ask this question.
Disciples in boat: Who is this, he commands the wind and the waves to obey him? (Mk 4:41)
Pharisees & teachers of the law: “Who is this who speaks blasphemy? Only God can forgive sin.” (Luke 5:21)
Jesus entered Jerusalem: the whole city asked, “Who is this?” (Mt. 21:10)
Pilate: “Who are you Jesus?” (John 18)

Jesus allowed people to figure out for themselves who he was.
And once they “got it” nothing could change their mind.

JESUS RESUME (see this blog entry) What if our associate pastor search committee received this?
Here’s the “kicker,” he works for free! But it costs everything you have.

Look at verses 15-18 – this is an impressive resume
1. “image of God” – true creation (in Genesis humans were created in the image of God)
2. “firstborn / lord over all creation” – as a firstborn son, Jesus has the authority
3. Head of the body / the church

In verse 20 – Jesus’ job = reconcile / make peace  for “all things” “all creation”

LET US UNDERSTAND THIS TYPE OF RECONCILIATION
It is Reconciliation between powerful (God) and weak (us). How would you reconcile differences between USA and the country of Grenada (Caribbean country 133 sq. mi. and 90k residents)? It should be easy to reconcile the differences between these two. The USA tells them how it should be and Grenada agrees to obey.

The same with God reconciling with you and me?
It would be easier for God not to seek to reconcile – God could simply dominate and order us to obey, and we would have little recourse except to do what God says.

The scripture says that God reconciled himself with us / made peace with us – through Jesus’ blood, shed on the cross. God sent Jesus. (Phil 2: 6-8) God let go of his power to meet us as equals – people whose life also leads to death. And in doing so, God brings us true reconciliation with him. God made the first step - Jesus died on the cross for our sins / we respond by asking forgiveness.

APPLICATION
What does this have to do with us?
We are part of “all things” and “all creation”
Go back and read verses 15 to 22. Replace the phrase “all things” and “all creation” you’re your name. That’s the relationship God wants with you.

Sermon Synopsis for February 28, 2010

2010-03-13T17:07:00.000-08:00

“Carry the Cross Challenge: The Power of the Cross” 1 Corinthians 1:17 – 2:5

Do you know what a mondegreen is?
It’s a misinterpretation or a mishearing of a phrase in a song or a poem, slogan or saying.

* CCR “There’s a bad moon on the rise” becomes “There’s a bathroom on the right”
Crystal Gayle “Doughnuts make my brown eyes blue”
*Christmas Carol “Sleep in heavenly peas”
*I used to like the hymn about the “kinky turtle”: Lead on o King Eternal
*We all know God’s name is Andy “Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me”
*Except for the boy who said that God’s name is Howard “Our Father, who art in heaven, Howard be thy name”

We had a letter from "Gladly, the cross-eyed bear (from a line in the hymn "Keep Thou My Way" by Fanny Crosby, "Kept by Thy tender care, gladly the cross I'll bear")
Keep Thou my way, O Lord, be Thou ever nigh;
Strong is Thy mighty arm, weak and frail am I;
Then, my unchanging Friend, on Thee, my hopes depend,
Till life’s brief day shall end, be Thou ever nigh.

Keep Thou my heart, O Lord, ever close to Thee;
Safe in Thine arms of love, shall my refuge be;
Then, over a tranquil tide, my bark shall safely glide;
I shall be satisfied, ever close to Thee.

Keep Thou my all, O Lord, hide my life in Thine;
O let Thy sacred light over my pathway shine;
Kept by Thy tender care, gladly the cross I’ll bear;
Hear Thou and grant my prayer, hide my life in Thine.
JESUS CHALLENGED HIS DISCIPLES TO CARRY THEIR CROSSES

The Apostle Paul knew about carrying the cross; he spoke about it often.
Paul was a highly educated man who thought he had things figured out.
When he encountered Jesus – everything changed. He understood things very differently.
And he understood that people, who don’t have Christ in their lives, aren’t going to understand.

Here’s what he wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:17 to 2:5 (NIV)
17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.
________________________________________
v.18 – the message of the cross: foolishness to those who are perishing / power to those who are saved.

POWER
We live in a world of power: we enjoy power, we know it when we see it.
I’ve hear church folks talk about the power of their hunting guns, cars, monster trucks, tractors, power tools, (and these days, who has the most powerful snow blower).

In conventional terms, this is the way most people think of power … when we look at the cross, do we see an instrument of power?

In Jesus’ time the Cross was a symbol of defeat / punishment / the ultimate loss of control of your life.
The cross was a way the Romans used to stop the power of a person.

Jesus has a way of turning things around.
First shall be last
Weak shall be strong
Lost shall be found

The message of the cross: A life that is heading in the wrong direction – can be turned toward the right.

WHAT HAS THE MOST POWER IN YOUR LIFE
What has the power to save you?
What has enough power that your life depends on it?

In Paul’s day, people believed there was power in secret and special teachings. This was rampant in places like Ephesus, Colossae and Corinth.

Paul asks (verse 20), what has the ultimate power to save you? Wisdom? Studies? Philosophies? Reason? (all of these are good and well, but they will not save you. If you believe that if you study hard enough, if you go to school long enough, if you get enough degrees, God will save you … you are horribly mistaken) These are good things, tools for life, not a means of salvation.

It’s interesting that the one thing that brings salvation is the death of Jesus on a cross.

Next Paul talks about miracles (verse 22). Some believed that miracles were the way to God. This was especially true of the Jews in his day.

When Jesus was asked to perform a miracle (Mt 12:38&ff) as a sign of his power, he said the only miracle they would see is the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Miracles won’t save you: everyone who was healed eventually died; everyone who was raised from the dead (except Jesus) eventually died.

If you’re looking for the power of wisdom or miracles to save you, Paul says that the cross will look like foolishness and a stumbling block.

TRUE POWER COMES FROM GOD
John 19:10 - Pilate told Jesus, “Don’t you realize I have the power either to free you or to crucify you?”
V 11 – Jesus replied, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”

Psalm 89:48 asks the question:
What man can live and not see death, or save himself from the power of the grave?

There is one thing that is outside our “power” to do: Live forever / not die.
As God’s chosen people, we receive eternal life. It doesn’t come through our own understanding or by a great miracle – these can point us to God – but they cannot save us.

CHRISTIANS ARE THE CHOSEN PEOPLE
But what were we like when we were called? (Before we were chosen)

Do you remember sports pick-up games on the playground? There was the line-up. Two captains chose their teams. I was usually among the last chosen (and for good reason).

The Bible says that we are the chosen people – sometimes we think that’s a big deal.
What does this passage say?
v.27 – God chose the foolish things of the world
God chose the weak things of the world
v. 28 – God chose the lowly and despised things of the world, the things that are NOT.

v. 29 - So that no one may boast. (not by my power, but by God’s power)

CONCLUSION
What does your faith rest on – your ability, your smarts, your ability to figure everything out?
God’s power / the Greek word “dunamis” (root for dynamite) means ability, strength, and virtue.

For Jesus, the cross meant stepping way outside his comfort zone. But without the cross we would not have seen the power of God to rise victorious over death.

When it comes to the cross, let there be no mondegreen; let there be no misunderstanding.

Paul said, for those of us being saved, the cross is the power of God.
There is power in the cross! Power to transform our lives into what God wants us to be. Power to enable us to make good decisions. Power to live the Christian life. Power to share the gospel with others.

Invitation:
Jesus challenged his disciples to carry the cross and follow him.
We are Jesus’ disciples today.
It’s not that important that you wear a cross pendant; it is important that you wear the power of the Cross in your life.

Sermon Synopsis for February 21, 2010

2010-02-26T11:40:00.000-08:00

“Carry the Cross Challenge” Matthew 16:21-28

In today's passage, Jesus is getting ready for his final journey to Jerusalem. It's important that his disciples have a firm grasp of who he is and what he is about.

Earlier in the chapter, Jesus and the disciples travel to Caesarea Philippi (a pagan place of worship built for Roman domination and venerated as a place of worship for the god Pan). Jesus asks the questions: Who do people say that I am? Who do you say that I am?

Peter’s confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

After this passage, Jesus takes Peter, James and John up on a mountain (Transfiguration).

Today's Scripture is what happens in between those events.

The Cross is an instrument of control, domination and death.

Faith in Christ = is about life - abundant Life and eternal life.

It's Ironic that at the very center of our Christian faith is the symbol of a violent death. Can you think of any other religion that has an instrument of death as its central symbol.

Crucifixion was used by the Persians, Seleucids, Carthaginians, and Romans for nearly a thousand years, from the 6^th century BC to the year 337 AD when Constantine banished the use after he adopted Christianity as a religion of the Roman Empire.

In the Roman Empire the cross is used for the death penalty, a public display to warn others, “this is what happens to people who go against the authority of the empire.” It was a slow, painful, gruesome death. It was humiliating and public – to make anyone think twice before they would commit such a crime.

Here in USA, we don’t have public executions anymore.

Just the same in some instances it has become difficult to show and live our faith.

We often take our freedom to live our faith for granted. We become complacent.

There have been lawsuits in U.S. and other places

- British Airways check-in worker (Nadia Eweida) was fired for wearing a cross at work. Friday, February 12 – Appeals Courts upheld the Nov 2008 judgment. Company policy (no religious symbols) vs. religious discrimination.

- Earlier Cindy Dunn, a Target employee in Alabama, was fired because she refused to hide or remove her cross.

- In Kentucky (2002), Kimberly Draper, a librarian, was fired from the public library for wearing a cross.

Possible problem in society: Wearing a cross will not make you a Christian. Many musicians & actors wear it as a piece of jewelry or a tattoo adornment. You need a Christian life and testimony to wear the cross.

There is persecution in the world (see christianpersecution.info)

- Christians jailed on N. Korea to celebrate Kim Jong Il’s 68^th birthday.

- Pakistan, Muslim radicals burned the home of a Christian family (Feb 15)

- Feb 6 – two street preachers in Boynton Beach, FL were shot and killed by a teenager who opposed their message.

- Feb 2 – the one year anniversary of the arrest and disappearance of a Christians Rights advocate in China.

- Pastor in Cuba remains behind bars.

- Every continent, almost every country.

Jesus warned about this: “They will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.” “All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair on your head will perish, by standing firm, you will gain life.”

Do we take our religious freedom for granted?

Jesus told his followers, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Mt. 16:24-25)

This is not an isolated instance. Jesus made similar statements on a number of occasions.

When Jesus made these statements, the disciples didn’t understand that this was the way the Jesus was going to die. After the fact, I’m sure they realized this. The disciples saw crosses all over the place. According to church historian Josephus, it was a common occurrence – a visual deterrence from disobeying the Roman authority. I’m sure the disciples wondered why Jesus brought up this particular instrument of death. Of all the ways to die, it was not heroic, but humiliating.

In verses 21ff – Jesus tells them, "I’m heading toward Jerusalem, I’m going be put to death."

Peter denies him.

Jesus tells them to carry the cross.

What does it mean to carry the cross?

The cross is a mark that we belong to God (Ash Wednesday – cross on forehead, it should not be just a tradition). What does it mean?

1. In some ways it is the myriad of inconveniences, trials, tribulations and frustrations that Christians must bear during our earthly life. Carrying the cross will bring difficulties. Carrying the cross is stepping outside our comfort zone.

2. Persecution. If we live the Christian life, we may be persecuted.

3. More than that, the deeper and more difficult things = public humiliation, pain,

4. It meant that Death was coming.

The cross is much more than stepping outside our comfort zone – it is a willingness to step so far outside our comfort zone – that we are willing to follow Jesus to the death. Mt. 16:24 (restated) “If anyone wants to come after me, he must step completely outside his comfort zone, and take up a cross that leads to death.”

It means death to self (not what I want for my life, but what God wants for me).

Here’s the rub - my ambitions, goals, desires, etc. … need to come from God, not from me.

During Lent we will explore what it means to carry the cross.

At the basic level, carrying the cross means not denying Jesus.

Peter learned that when Jesus said, “Get behind me Satan!”

After Jesus was arrested, in the courtyard of the guard. Peter was asked, “Do you know him?” (If this was today, Peter would cover his cross / or tuck it in his tunic). He told them, "I don’t know him."

During Lent we will discover what it means to carry the cross.

INVITATION

You are invitee to take the cross and carry the cross as we head toward Easter.

It’s the "carry the cross challenge."

Jesus – tells his disciples he must suffer and die, and he headed toward Jerusalem. Jesus knew what it meant for him. The cross was not an inconvenience, or a frustration, or a trial. It was a painful death. He wants his disciples to know what it means for them. It’s not a decision to take lightly.

Jesus challenged his disciples to carry the cross; We are Jesus' disciples today.

You are challenged to carry the cross.

[people came forward to receive a simple wooden cross necklace]

As you carry the cross there is an inward and an outward reminder.

(Use common sense: there is no spiritual value in getting your cross stuck in a skill saw)

Personal (inward) reminder:

- I am a Christian (I belong to Jesus who died on a cross for my sins)

- I want to set aside what I want, and I want to know what God wants for me.

Outward reminder:

- We tell the world we belong to Jesus, who suffered and died for our sins.

- We testify that we want others to know the joy of eternal life that comes through following Jesus.

What do you tell others? "I made a commitment to give my life to God. I am making every attempt in my life to be like Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus."

Sermon Synopsis for February 22, 2009

2009-02-24T11:04:00.000-08:00

“Another Church Fire” 2 Timothy 1:1-13

I want to talk about church fires.

What did the pastor say when someone told him the church was on fire? Holy Smoke!

The story’s told …
The pastor of the Mennonite church and the Fire Chief both died and arrived at the pearly gates at the same moment. The Fire Chief passed through right away and the pastor told St. Peter that he knew the man as a totally sacrilegious, depraved, discredit to the human race. The pastor asked, “Why was he allowed to pass through before me?”

St. Peter replied, “Dear pastor, your case has been examined thoroughly. Through the years, as you preached from the pulpit, most people fell asleep. But when the chief sounded the alarm, everybody prayed! And he’s seen more churches on fire than you have.”

Maple Grove had four fires. I showed slides of the destruction of the December 1967 fire.

One Church Member was quoted in History of Ohio & Eastern Conference, “Our church didn’t burn; it was only the building.”

There have been a number of times that Maple Grove was really on fire.

THINK ABOUT THIS
Malibu Presbyterian Church burned in Mid October of last year – the next Sunday the congregation met in a theatre – over 600 in attendance – the largest crowd the church has ever seen – there wasn’t room for everyone to squeeze into the auditorium. Church leaders announced that the services and programs would continue in various locations as they sorted out what to do.

Pastor Greg Hughes told the congregation, "I think God will bring us to a new place where we will glorify him on that hill again." Hughes added, "You want to see a church on fire, I'll show you a real church on fire," prompting wild applause. There was an excitement, an enthusiasm, a unity that the church hadn’t seen in years, maybe never before. The church burned, but now, the church is on fire.

There are destructive forces at work against the church, but, if we are a faithful church, we will be able to withstand them.

Jesus told Peter, “You are Peter (rock) and on this rock (peter), I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Mt 16:18)

We need to be solidly grounded (like a rock) in the Lord Jesus Christ –and we will succeed as a church. Nothing can destroy us.
Paul, “No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 3:11)

In today’s scripture passage, I want to focus on verses 5 to 8 of 2 Timothy chapter 1.

A. TO BE “ON FIRE” FOR GOD, WE MUST HAVE “A LIVING FAITH”

Where did Timothy get his Faith – passed down by his grandmother and mother. (v.5)

This is the most natural evangelism – to pass your faith to your children and family members.

In our Men’s Prayer Group – we talked about the difficulty in sharing our faith with those closest to us. Yet these are the people most important to our lives. It doesn’t make sense.

Sometimes I’ve heard parents wonder, “Why don’t my kids have the passion for God and a strong faith like I do?” “Why have my children wandered from the Lord?”
It’s a real concern.

We know that Timothy’s dad wasn’t a believer (Acts 16:1). I’m sure that concerned Timothy.

v. 5 – Paul is reminded of Timothy’s “sincere faith”
Sincere – genuine “without wax” Latin – “sine cera”
The phrase comes from a practice where people would hide the cracks in cheap pottery with wax in order to pass the pottery off as being worth more than it actually was. Quality products were often stamped with the words sine cera to show it had not been doctored. It would be similar to those products today that are stamped, “all natural” or “100% pure”. Paul is reminding Timothy of his faith that is pure and genuine.

Where did the faith come from?
It first lived in Lois, his grandmother
And it lived in Eunice, his mother
And now lives in Timothy

Greek word “enukesen” – “lives”
Related to “dwelt” in John 1:14 “and the word became flesh and lived with us”

What does Timothy have living in him?
As set of rules or doctrines? Is it perfect church attendance? An exact confession of faith?
No – he has a living, breathing faith. It’s alive. It’s a faith that comes out in his life. Wherever he is, whatever he is doing … his faith is evident in his life.

To be “on fire” for God, we need to have a living faith.

B. TO BE “ON FIRE” FOR GOD, WE MUST USE OUR GOD GIVEN GIFTS

v. 6 – “Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you.”
(the laying on of hands is the recognition by the church of these gifts – in timothy’s case, ordination to ministry)

A flame will go out if it’s left on its own.

William Booth (Founder of Salvation Army), “The tendency of Fire is to go out; watch the fire on the altar of your heart.” Anyone who has tended a fireplace fire knows that it needs to be stirred up occasionally.

v. 6 “Gift of God” Gift = “charisma” (Gk) from “charis” (grace). It’s a free gift, given to us, to use.

Paul wrote to Corinthian Christians, “Each one has his own gift from God” (1 Cor 7:7). Everybody has “charisma”

This is a special ability, talent, personality trait – that is to be used for God and his Church.
There are lists of them (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4)

These gifts need to be discovered, developed, and put into practice. Otherwise they don’t do us, or God, any good.

The “fire” starts with the living faith and spreads when our Spiritual gifts are being used.

C. TO BE “ON FIRE” FOR GOD, WE MUST NOT BE AFRAID TO SHARE OUR FAITH (NOT TIMID)

One of Paul’s regular literary practices is to make a negative statement followed by three positive ideas.
v. 7 - “God did not give us a spirit of timidity”

But God did give us a spirit of
1. Power
2. Love
3. Self-discipline

Timidity (lit. cowardice, KJV = “fear”) – we aren’t to be cowards when it comes to our faith and using our spiritual gifts.

v. 8 – “Don’t be ashamed to testify about our Lord.”

How many of you are afraid to let your faith show through in your daily living?
Do your neighbors know you are a Christian?
How about the people where you work, where you shop, where you do your banking?

We should have “a spirit of power” (gk. “dynamis”, is root for dynamite, explosive)

It’s interesting that Paul doesn’t just list power.
Power (dynamis), love (agape), self-discipline (control of the self)

This is a significant combination; all three are necessary to keep the others in check.

Power alone can be destructive.
We’ve seen the destructive power of fire (in our church history, recently in the Coatesville area)

Perhaps we know faithful and “spirit filled” people who have destroyed churches and the lives of others? [I’m not going to give examples – you know them]

That’s a “spirit of power” (v. 7) unrestrained. (It’s explosive and dangerous)

Power needs to be tempered by Love and self-discipline
Jn 13:35 everyone “will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Fire can be used to destroy lives – or it can be used to warm homes, cook food, or take a rocket ship to the moon.

Love will channel the power for good use
Self-discipline will restrain the power against destructive use

CONCLUSION
Paul told Timothy to “fan into flame” the faith living in him.

A flame needs to be with other flames to keep burning.
To put out a campfire – spread the coals out.
To re-ignite a campfire – push the coals together.

St John of the Cross “The soul that is alone … is like the burning coal that is alone, it will grow colder rather than hotter.”

Do you look around and see others growing spiritually colder. We shouldn’t move away from them, we should put ourselves tighter together.

Opportunities this coming week – to help us “fan into flame” the fires of our faith.

Youth Sponsored Sports Dinner (Fri)
Birdsong Family (Sat and Sun)
Xtreme Worship (Tue)
Church Family Night (Wed)

I knew ROGER BARLOW, SR (his son is responsible for many of the Coatesville fires) when he was a kid.
What if my family witnessed to him, shared with him our faith?

There’s a Poem, “Prayer for an Arsonist” by Martha Kauffman published in the January 1968 Maple Breezes.
Here are some excerpts: “Lord, be with the arsonist today. Let him meditate on the dangers encountered by the firemen … let him see himself. He, too, is Thy child … Did none of us show to him the importance of serving Thee? Forgive us if we are at fault …” [I’ll send you the whole text if you want]

To be able to share your faith …
You need a “living faith” acting in your life.
You need to recognize, develop and use your spiritual gifts.
You need to not be timid or ashamed, but act in power, love and self-discipline.

God calls us, like Paul to Timothy, to “fan into flame” our faith.
Then our church and our lives will be “on fire” for the Lord.

A MUSING FROM PASTOR STEVE for February 24, 2009

2009-02-24T09:36:00.000-08:00

The following was reported on a church sign: “With all the risks that some people take, they should take out eternal fire insurance as soon as possible.”

SUNDAY MORNING
A lot of folks were missing on Sunday morning. The women’s retreat, small group retreats, sickness and family gatherings kept many from gathering in our sanctuary. There were almost as many visitors as church folks present. I hope you take time to greet our visitors and the new folks who have been attending. We don’t have official hospitality assignments, but any of us could invite folks to dinner.

Brett E and crew did a great job leading in worship. It was nice to have Collin at the drums; we need to get the young folks using their talents for the Lord. I didn’t know that Bret D could play the piano.

I hope everyone wasn’t too bored with the slides from the 1967 church fire. I talked about a positive church fire and how we all need to “fan into flame” our God given gifts (2 Tim 2:6). I’m thankful for each of you and the God given gifts you use in your life and in the church.

PRAYER CONCERNS
In addition to the concerns listed in our bulletin, we can lift up Jen Umble’s surgery on Tuesday (today) in Dayton, OH. We can thank God that Danny Miller walked away from a terrible auto accident on Friday (his car was totaled). Morgan Umble leaves Costa Rica and returns to St. Croix on Friday. The sharing time is an important part of our worship.

LENT
We’re not particularly a liturgical church, but I did recognize that lent starts on Wednesday. The children helped me plant an amaryllis bulb (thanks Mildred!). We’ll watch it grow during lent and be challenged to grow spiritually as Easter approaches. This Sunday we can be challenged to have our faith grow through re-commitment to the Lord.

BIBLE QUIZZING
The Quizzers had a challenging evening at Forest Hills. It’s great to see so many going to cheer them on (even if it’s mostly parents who will take them home afterwards). Next Sunday they are at Akron Mennonite. Jeff, Rhonda and Erin are doing a great job with the kids.

WE HAVE A BUSY WEEK COMING UP! There are many opportunities for fellowship and spiritual renewal.

Friday Night we’ll have a great time and fellowship with the Youth Sports Dinner and Auction. Call RuthAnn with your reservations if you haven’t already done so. This should be a lot of fun!

Saturday night the Birdsong Family will have a Youth Oriented Concert. They’ll be in the schools during the week and hopefully we’ll have a good crowd. The concert begins at 6:30 pm. Invite your friends and neighbors.

Sunday morning I’m looking forward to the Sunday School elective. Thanks to Gwen for facilitating this class; they’ll meet in the sanctuary. After that the Birdsong Family will lead us in worship. This is another great opportunity to invite friends and neighbors. The Gospel message will be presented. Ken is doing a great job coordinating these things. I think we still need rooms for the Birdsongs for Sunday evening.

There is no Sunday evening service – a number of difficulties led to this decision. We’ll have House of His Creation at another time.

Tuesday is Xtreme Worship. Dave Klingensmith, associate pastor at Sandy Hill, will speak. It should be a challenging evening. Nolan & Nori and crew are doing a great job with this.

Wednesday is Church Family Night. The Evangelism & Service Commission have a fun and challenging evening planned. There will be a Church Family Feud that will include all ages.

The morning of Friday, March 6 we will gather in the fellowship hall for World Day of Prayer. Sarah Mechler, missionary to Mongolia, is our speaker. The announcement says it’s for the women, but I don’t think they will turn the guys away.

We can only be renewed as a church if we meet together. I encourage you to bring your friends and participate in as much as you can.

PENNY POWER
Bud Eby’s Sunday School Class is collecting pennies for Penny Power. There are two large bottles in the foyer for your pennies. These will be taken to the MCC Relief Sale in Harrisburg in April. I’m thankful that Bud’s class has taken on this project.

TEL HAI
On Monday the Leadership Team met with folks from Tel Hai Retirement Community: Joe Swarts (CEO), Tim Herr (Chaplain) and our own Matt King (board member). Maple Grove was key in starting the Tel Hai ministry, but our relationship has changed over the years. We talked about ways we can work together in ministry.

LEADERSHIP LISTENING MEETINGS
I often say this is not the pastor’s church or the elder’s church, it is the church of all of us. We held our third listening meeting with Erin’s SS class this week. Each group brings a unique perspective – Maple Grove is a wonderfully diverse congregation, with lots of ideas, hopes and dreams. I’m also finding out that we also have a lot of talent that is not being used for the Lord. Please pray for the leadership team as we continue to seek the Lord’s direction for our congregation. This week we will meet with Bill’s class. We need to “fan into flame” our faith for a useful fire that is not a destructive burn, but provides energy for ministry for the Kingdom of God.

Here’s the full text of the poem/essay I quoted parts of on Sunday.

“Prayer for an Arsonist” by Martha Kauffman

Dear Lord, we thank Thee for fire: its warmth, its beauty, and usefulness when kept in its place. But we can’t understand what pleasure anyone can get from lighting a building dedicated for worshiping Thee. Maybe we don’t need to know why. Help us to say “Thy will be done.”

Lord, be with the arsonist today. Let him meditate on the dangers encountered by the firemen. Or let him feel the agony of a fireman overcome by smoke. May he in some way see the needy who will not get the quilts and sewing circle materials. Let him think of the amount of time, money, and inconvenience involved before the building can be used again.

Most of all, let him see himself. He, too, is Thy child. Does he not know that he was born to bring honor to Thy name?

Did none of us show him the importance of serving Thee? Forgive us if we are at fault. Just as men worked to clean the debris, so let our hearts be cleansed.

May the fire of Thy Spirit burn within us, so that our love and prayers will go out to others, even to the arsonist who lit the match. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen!

(This was written after seeing a clean-up crew working at Maple Grove Church a few weeks after the December 9, 1967 fire.)

Thank you for your prayers and for all each of you does for our Lord as part of our Maple Grove family. St. John of the Cross wrote, “The soul that is alone … is like the burning coal that is alone, it will grow colder rather than hotter.” I thank the Lord that I can be a part of the Maple Grove Church fire!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Steve Crane

Ben Franklin is credited as saying this at the signing of the Declaration of Independence: “We must all hang together, or assuredly we will all hand separately.” There’s some truth to that for the church as well.

Sermon Synopsis for February 8, 2009

2009-02-08T13:48:00.000-08:00

“Are You In Love?” John 21: 15-19

St. Valentine’s Day is coming. Maybe you heard …
A woman woke up one morning and told her husband, “Last night I dreamt that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valentine’s Day. What do you think it means?”
He said, “You’ll know tonight.”
That evening he came home with a small package beautifully wrapped and gave it to her. She opened it to find a book, entitled “The Meaning of Dreams.”

Have any of you been in love?
What happens when you fall in love?

A comic strip from the 1980s explains it this way
[Calvin & Hobbes Cartoon]
Frame 1: Calvin says, “What’s it like to fall in Love?”
Frame 2: Hobbes, “Well … say the object of your affection walks by …” Calvin, “Yeah?”
Frame 3: Hobbes, “First, your heart falls into your stomach and splashed your innards.”
Frame 4: Hobbes, “All the moisture makes you sweat profusely.”
Frame 5: Hobbes, “This condensation shorts the circuits to your brain, and you get all woozy.”
Frame 6: Hobbes, “When your brain burns out all together, your mouth disengages and you babble like a cretin until she leaves.” Calvin, “That’s Love?”
Frame 7: Hobbes, “Medically Speaking.” Calvin, “Heck, That happened to me once, but I figured it was cooties!!”

There is the Scientific Explanation: Neurochemical processes that involve hormones, dopamine, oxytocin, pheromones, endorphins, etc.

Basically, scientists tell us that, love has less to do with the heart, and more to do with the brain and glandular excretions.

Scientists have been trying to explain love rationally for decades.
But, can love be explained rationally? I don’t think so.

All of this scientific stuff can kill the mood.

John 21 – the final chapter of the book. This is the place to make the last impression, the final emphasis, the main point you want to get across – the one people will go away with, remembering.

The story of the encounter of Peter and Jesus seems like an odd way to end the Gospel of John.

BEYOND SALVATION
Chapter 20 of John ends with these words: (v.31) “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

The purpose of this book is so that we may believe (put our faith in Jesus)
Through faith we have eternal life.
This needs to be established first – we are saved by grace (God’s free gift), not by anything we have done (our works).

The Gospel of John deals with who Jesus is. What has he taught? What has he done? What he said. It explains why we should believe him, believe about him, and believe in him.

Chapter 21 is for our life after salvation – after receiving his grace and truth. After the resurrection.

Some think that after you receive salvation, that’s it. You’ve got the story straight; you believe in Jesus, you’re saved. You don’t need to worry about anything anymore – you have your free pass to heaven.

John teaches something a little different. After we have received these things, we are to now respond to the conversion of our lives – with action! A full relationship with Jesus leads us to works of love.

Christianity needs to move from our head (intellect) to our heart (emotions) to our hands and our feet (actions).

Jesus needs to be more than a concept, a set of beliefs. Jesus needs to be in a relationship with us. This is a relationship of love. It’s a relationship that causes us to follow him every day. It’s being in love all the time.

WHAT DOES JESUS WANT?

We see Jesus and Peter after breakfast.
Jesus asks, “Do you love me?”
Think of all the things Jesus could have asked Peter.
Service, commitment, martyrdom, etc.
But he asked him if he loved him.

LOVE

Love is a word that we often use, but it’s difficult to define it precisely.
It’s important because it describes the very nature and being of God.
“God is Love” (1 John 4: 8, 16)

Jesus commanded his disciples to love God (Mark 12:30; Deut 6:5)

Jesus also let his followers know that people would know that they are his followers if they loved each other (John 13:34, 35 for example)

Love is the test of our spiritual life.
Ship navigators (of old) depended on a compass to help determine his course.
A compass shows him his directions because it always points north. This is possible because a compass is so constituted that it responds to the magnetic field that is part of the earth’s makeup. Just as a compass is responsive to the nature of the earth so the Christian is responsive to the nature of God and just as a compass naturally points north so a believer will naturally practice love because love is the nature of God. Love is visible and can be very easily seen in the way we behave.

Greeks used 4 words for “love,” three of which are found in the New Testament. [see C.S. Lewis, “The Four Loves” for a deeper explanation]

Storge (στοργη)– not in NT, a fondness for another person, “like” (acquaintances, buddies, friends)

Philia (φιλια)– friendship, a strong feeling of affection and concern for another person. (BFFs, brothers / sisters, etc.)

Eros (έρως) – emotional, romantic love for opposite sex. (couples)

Agape (αγαπη) – the love of God. God’s love. An unconditional love for another, not dependent on reciprocation or repayment. It’s a deep, abiding love. [Hebrew = hesed]

First time
Jesus asks peter (v.15) “do you truly love (agape) me more than these?”
These = other disciples? Other disciples love? Fish (his job)?
Knowing Peter’s pride, it was probably asking if he loves him more than the other disciples did.

Peter responds, “You know that I love (philia) you.” “I’m fond of you; I love you like a brother”
Peter had grown close to Jesus, like part of the family. They lived together, ministered together, had fun together – they were like family.

Second time
“Do you truly love (agape) me?” (v. 16)

Once again, Peter responds the same, “You know that I love (philia) you.”

Third time
“Do you love (philia) me?” (v.17)

Peter (impatient), “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love (agape) you.”

Peter’s response, acknowledges what Jesus wanted to know. The depth of his love: like a brother, like God’s love.

Peter had “brotherly love” for Jesus, but he needed to have “unconditional love”

The bottom line – Do you love Jesus?
If we could narrow down everything we learn in the Scriptures, that question is the one that needs to be pressed into your conscience: Do you love Jesus?

IT’S NOT: are you fond of Jesus? Do you love him like a brother? Do you have a great concern and affection for Jesus?
IT’S: Do you love Jesus with the depth of the love that God has for you?

How deep is God’s love?
Jesus, “I love you this much.” And he stretched out his arms and died for us.

Jesus to Peter, “Peter, Do you love me that much?”
Jesus to us, “Believer, Do you love me that much?”
Do you love Me? Do you agape Me? Is your heart set upon Me and are you trusting in Me for all things, in every circumstance and season in your life?

Are you trusting Me for your ministry?

Are you trusting Me for your work?

Are you trusting Me for your daily bread?

If the answer is no, yet you desire to trust Him, don’t be surprised when you find yourself having distractions in your life taken away without your own doing.

Peter has to wrestle with this issue. He presses Peter and shows Him the difference between the kind of love He requires and the kind of love Peter was at that moment, because of His past denial, capable of.

Peter is the man that was loved by Jesus, cared for, taught, provided for by Jesus. And it Jesus darkest hour, he falls asleep in the garden.

This is the guy that follows Christ and sees His trouble and instead of saying yes to those that asked about his relationship with Jesus, he lies and denies he ever knew Him.

Peter sees Jesus tortured, he sees Jesus crucified for his sin, he is there at the burial and is there when the tomb was found empty. He has seen the risen Lord and now God makes him breakfast and asks him do you really love me?

HOW DOES JESUS KNOW WE LOVE HIM?

How do we show our love?
Good gifts: Chocolates, dinner, cards, gifts, flowers, jewelry, etc.
Better yet: Good deeds, cleaning up our mess, helping out, etc.

Jesus tells Peter, “If you love me, do something with that love?” (Actions speak louder than words). Love is a verb – action. It’s not just an emotion of the heart, it is a verb of action.
Love is something you do, not something you describe.

It’s not enough to have a great theology, a sound doctrinal position, all the knowledge of the Bible. We need to put it into action – God is love, and so we must be love.

Jesus response to Peter was the same, “Feed (care for) my lambs (sheep)”

Isaiah (53:6), “All we like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.”

Care for others; don’t just think about Peter; think about all the other sheep under God’s care.

What does that mean for you?
For Peter it meant his life (vv. 18-19 – indicate that Peter would give his life for his love for the Lord). Peter was that much in love with Jesus – he’d give his life for him.

When Mother Theresa was alive a reporter writing an article on her life watched her as she cleaned up a neglected outcast in the slums of India with her bare hands. After watching her for some time he remarked in disbelief “I would never do that even for a million dollars”. “Neither would I,” replied Mother Theresa. She was performing a duty out of love and not for money. She was saying yes to Christ’s question “do you love me?”

The world has known many people who are said to be great lovers, but, without doubt, the greatest lover of all is God Himself.

Have you ever been in love?
You know the feeling – you’d do anything for that person …

Are you in love with Jesus?

Sermon Synopsis for February 1, 2009

2009-02-06T10:03:00.000-08:00

“Football and Faith” Philippians 3:12-21

Does God care about sports?

Did you know that the church can be like football?

Half Time: Time between Sunday school and church.
Huddle: Pastor & Elders meeting before the service.
Home Field Advantage: where regular-attenders think they should sit, when visitors take the place where they usually sit.
Screen Play: using the video projector.
Draw Play: what children do with the bulletin during worship.
Benchwarmer: those who do not sing, pray, work, or do anything but sit.
Backfield-in-motion: making a trip to the back (bathroom or water fountain) during worship.
Draft Choice: choosing to sit next to the open window.
End Zone: the pews (end, get it?)

Interference: talking during the prayer.
Trap: you’re called on to pray or speak and you are asleep.

Coin Toss: what usually ends up in the offering plate.
Staying in the pocket: What happens to some money that should be put in the offering plate.
Quarterback sneak: the child getting his coin back out of the offering plate.

Instant Replay: the pastor loses his place in his notes and repeats part of his sermon before he realizes it.
Punt: point in the sermon where the pastor realizes that he’s lost the attention span of most of the congregation, and he veers off from his sermon in desperation to try to regain the attention of the congregation.
Punt return: congregation’s response to the pastor’s punt.

Two Minute Warning: when you realize that the sermon is just about over and you start gathering up your children and belongings.
Two Minute Warning: the pastor’s wife (or an Elder) looking at her watch in full view of the pastor.
Extra Point: what you get when you tell the pastor that his sermon was too short. Or, what happens 20 minutes after the pastor says “in conclusion.”
Overtime: Sermon continues past 11:45 am.
Sudden Death: what happens to the attention span when the preacher goes into overtime.

Illegal motion: leaving before the closing prayer is finished.
End Run: getting out of church quickly, without speaking to anyone.
Blitz: the rush to area restaurants following the closing prayer.
Blocking: talking with your friends at the door out of the sanctuary, keeping others from leaving.

Halfback option: The decision of 50% of the congregation not to come back to the evening service. (half come back)
Flex Defense: The ability to allow absolutely nothing that was said during the sermon to affect your life.

Touchdown: someone comes to Christ.

INTRODUCTION (PRE GAME)
The Apostle Paul used a number of sports analogies to help us understand the Christian life.

Most of them had to do with races. I imagine if he were here with us today he would be talking sports.

Jews were prohibited from participating in Greek / Roman sports. That’s probably why Jesus didn’t give any sports examples. Paul was a missionary to the Greeks – he had to enter their world.

Kind of like an Eagles fan going to Pittsburgh.

The Apostle Paul used these sports analogies, to draw attention to the way he divided up the world. (Not Steelers fans or Cardinals fans), but those who followed Jesus and those who didn’t.

Can you make a Steelers fan out of an Eagles fan?

You see, Paul changed from being a fanatic for Jewish fundamentalism to being a fanatic for Jesus.

Paul begins chapter 3 of Philippians by defending his credentials against false believers and teachers. He tells us that he used to be like them, but everything is a loss compared to the greatness of knowing Christ (3:7). His conversion brought a new assessment of his goals and gave him an overwhelming desire to know Christ and to follow Christ more fully. Paul tells us he hasn’t fully arrived as a Christian, but Philippians 3:12-21 tells us how he’s working on it.

CHOSE THE RIGHT TEAM
Which team will win?

Does God care who wins the Super Bowl?
(Sports Illustrated, Jan 26, 1998, Article by William Nack)

We have a lot of questions. Who is going to win? Does God know? Who does God want to win?
John 14:14 “I will do whatever you ask in my name”
There are players praying to win (on both sides)
James tells us, “God hears the prayers of a righteous man”
There are good Christians on both teams

Is one team more faithful? Why did that particular team win?
Think about those Sunday afternoon heroes. After an amazing touchdown, they kneel in the end zone and offer a brief prayer or groups of players bow in the middle of the field at the end of a game.

Post game interview:
“Great game, Joe”
“Thanks, Bud. The first thing I have to say is that I owe it all to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We sure kicked some butt out there today. Whoo-whoo!”

I have to confess, this makes me feel al little weird. It’s great that public figures acknowledge the importance of faith in their lives. I’m not sure Jesus helps anyone “kick butt,” on or off the field. Maybe it’s just me.

God can intervene in human affairs:
The late, great Reggie White, defensive end for the Packers and the Eagles and also a Christian minister. Reggie didn’t like people who thought that God didn’t take part in determining the outcome of games. "How do they know?" he asked. "They're not God. They can't find anything in the scriptures that proves it." He noted that the Bible is filled with evidence of God's decisive role in human conflicts. "God intervened in David's fight with Goliath," he said. "When Jesus died, [God] intervened in Jesus's victory over death."
I doubt that God is taking sides in today’s Super Bowl
God wants us to be on the right team

Phil 3:12 “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

Paul was on the wrong team – but an encounter with Jesus turned him around – it put him on the right team. This is something that God does care about! God wants all of us to be on his team.

Two teams: Phil 3:18- 20
“Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ”
“Their destiny is destruction”
“Our citizenship is in heaven”
(He’s not talking about the Steelers vs. Cardinals here)
It’s important to be on the right team.

ARROGANCE CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS
Did you ever come across an annoying “Steelers” fan?
They can be exasperating. (Eagles fans too, we won’t mention Cowboy fans)

Did you ever come across an annoying Christian? (Jesus’ fan)
Paul 3:12 Just because he’s on the right team, “he’s not perfect”

I don’t believe that you can aggravate or annoy anyone into believing in Jesus.

Here’s something from the Ladies Bible Study (Beth Moore, Breaking Free, student book p. 17)
Speaking of the divisions between God’s people (Northern Kingdom of Israel and Southern Kingdom of Judah)
Which do we tend to enjoy the most? God-given victory or our foe’s defeat? Our attitude can be a litmus test. Does victory humble us and bring us to our knees in thanksgiving to God, or does victory make us proud and arrogant toward those less victorious?

DIVISIONS CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS
Jesus put together a “team” of disciples.

One of his great concerns (John 13 Prayer) was “that they be one”
“That they play together as a team”

Paul says, “I’m in Christ”
Phil 3:17 “Join with others in following my example”
Be on the right team. “Jesus Christ took hold of me.”

FORGET WHAT IS BEHIND

Paul continues with some advice.
Truth: The hurts and the pains of the past can keep you from going forward.
Paul has a lot of baggage in his past – persecuting Christians. Imagine the guilt that goes along with something like that.

Phil 3:13 “forgetting what is behind”
Greek word “forget” does not mean obliterate from your memory, but a “conscious refusal to let them absorb his attention and impede his progress.” (Expositors Bible Commentary)

Football teams – watch video of past games. They study the past; they learn where they went wrong. There is humiliation, there is asking forgiveness, there is looking at yourself openly and honestly …
But when they take the field – these things are in the past – they realize that what they need to do is not “get over the bad things we did in the past,” as much as moving forward toward a victory.

Those bad things in our lives (as individuals or as a church) can cause us a lot of pain.
Jesus wants us to put them behind, so they are not a stumbling block to going forward.

PRESS TOWARD THE GOAL

What is the objective of a football game?
At the end of the game, what is the most important thing?
To have the most goals scored

Teamwork, focus, attitude, knowing the plays, etc. are all great things and are part of the game, but the winner is determined by the one who reaches the goal the most (who scores the most points)

3:13 “straining toward what is ahead” (present tense) (gk. Putting everything you have into it)
3:14 “press on toward the goal” (present tense) (gk. Putting your might into something despite obstacles and oppression)
3:14 “called me heavenward” (past action for present response) (gk. A forward motion towards our eternal destination)

Paul is telling the early Christians, “Don’t forget the goal of all of this living the Christian life”

Pay attention to the details, but don’t get so muddled down in the details of every play and the daily grind that you forget where you’re headed.

CONCLUSION:In a little while the game will be over. In the end one team will emerge victorious. It may be the Steelers, or maybe the Cardinals…A trophy will be rewarded,Rings will be presented,Cash will be given,Glory will be bestowed,Advertising contracts will be awarded,And one team will have bragging rights for a year.Yet today a greater game of importance is being played, and you are a key player on the field. You have the opportunity to play for eternal rewards. You can win a prize that will never dim. The outcome is up to you.
Press on toward the goal!
God wants you to be a Super Bowl Christian.

Sermon Synopsis for January 4, 2009

2009-01-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

“The Welcoming Face of God” Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12

January 6 is King’s Day (Epiphany) in much of the Christian world.
On the night of Jan 5th children leave out hay or carrots for the camels, and their shoes for the magi to fill. Giving gifts and a big family dinner mark the end of the Christmas season.

Today we consider the Magi / Wise Men / Kings (whatever you want to call them)

They are known as the most famous trio to attend a baby shower. They brought great gifts.

You know what would have happened if it had been three wise WOMEN instead of men, don’t you? They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought disposable diapers (practical items) as gifts!

The story of the Wise Men helps me understand …
What kind of Christian I should be,
What kind of church I want to be part of

WHAT DOES GOD WANT HIS PEOPLE TO DO?
It all started with Israel – more specifically – with the first family of Israel – Abraham & Sarah

Genesis 12 – God calls Abraham (12:1) “The Lord said to Abram, ‘leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.’”

God Promised many things (vv.2-3)
“I will make you a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

God wants to use his people to bless all people on the earth.

Bless = receiving material or spiritual gifts (Easton’s Bible Dictionary)

We bless others when we share – material things & spiritual things
As a missionary I found that both of these go hand in hand.
It’s difficult to share the gospel to people who are preoccupied with physical needs - empty stomachs, sick family members, no employment, etc.

Social ministry and Spiritual Ministry go hand in hand

ISRAEL’S PROBLEM (AND SOMETIMES OURS)
One of Israel’s problems …
Exclusiveness (from Fear of outsiders & lack of trust in God)

Israel was God’s chosen people!
What can happen when you realize that you are something special?

1. Attitude that you are better than anyone else (most of us have never had that thought) – can lead to exclusiveness. (PRIDE = what comes before a fall)

Israel often held on to their special qualification to exclude others
It brought fear of other nations

2. Attitude that you are special – can lead to using that “specialness” to benefit everyone around you.

A CALL TO REPENTENCE
Many of the prophets called Israel back to reclaim their “specialness” and use it to bless others.

Isaiah 2:2-4 “Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, … he will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths. … Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”

Isaiah 56:7 “My house will be a house of prayer for all nations” (Jesus quotes in Mark 11:17 when clearing the temple) [not just for Israel, but for all nations] Paul – you (as individuals and as a church) are God’s temple – we need to be “a house of prayer for all nations.” Inviting, welcoming, people to come to be drawn near to God.

Isaiah 60:3 “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”

WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM
Jesus (the light of the world) attracted Wise Men (pagans & foreigners) to him.

Jesus said (John 12:32), “When I am lifted up …(I) will draw all men to myself.”

The cross brings everyone to Jesus / “that none should perish, but all have eternal life”

We have the light of Christ in us … what do we do with it?

HOW DO YOU ATTRACT PEOPLE TO GOD?

I talked with the children about stars

The star we see is from its light
Light travels at 186,000 miles per second.
Light from the sun takes 8 minutes to get here.
Light from the nearest star takes about 4 years to reach us.

This tells us that God was planning Christmas for a long time.

There are simple observations we can make about light and darkness.
When you look at the sky, you see the lights (the darkness is background)

When it’s dark – we can’t see what we’re doing.
When there is a light – we can do things

On the back porch in the summer – did you ever notice that the bugs are attracted to the light?
Bug scientists tell us that most bugs randomly fly all around in the darkness.
When there is a light at night, the bugs are attracted to it.

Like bugs attracted to a light – the light of the star attracted the Wise Men to Jesus.

Light – attracts and permits us to do things.
Some rhetorical questions (the answer is NO):
Do Farmers milk in the dark?
Do schools teach in the dark?
Can you read in the dark?
Can you shop in the dark?
No, everything stops until there is ‘light’

Darkness causes confusion and shuts down our meaningful activity.

Jesus said (John 12:46), “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

Jesus is a light – so that we may be attracted to God. When we have Jesus in our hearts (in our lives) God wants us to be lights (Mt. 5:14 “You are the light of the world”) so others can see their way to God.

Jesus is the light of the world
Our question: How can we use that light to attract others to see God?

Do we use fighting and threats? (Remember: honey attracts more flies than vinegar)
(Parents, did you ever try to force your kids to do something? It will work … for a while.)

METHODS OF EVANGELISM

During the Crusades / Spanish Inquisition – eliminate the non Christians and you will live in a Christian world. (not effective)

Spanish conquest of Latin America – soldiers with swords drawn stand behind missionary priests who ask the natives, “Do you want to be a Christian?” (you get a positive answer, but it’s not effective)

Mennonite Colonies in Bolivia (and other countries) – create an exclusive environment and you will live in a Christian world, evangelism is by procreation. (keeps Christianity in the family)

MCC and Modern Missionaries – mix social and spiritual ministry, be the social and spiritual light of God in a dark world

LIGHT ATTRACTS
The Wise Men were attracted to God by the light. We don’t know what happened to them, but I suspect it changed their lives forever.

When people look at us, they should see the WELCOMING FACE OF GOD who lives in us, looking back at them.

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Mt. 19:13-14)

Jesus also said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11:28)

The Jesus who lives in us (the light of the world) – “What does he say these days?”

What kind of Christian do you want to be?
What kind of church do you want to be part of?

We need to be creative, like our God, who prepared a star, for not much else than to attract a few wise men to come to Jesus.

Here’s a challenge for this New Year – let those who live in darkness, see the welcoming light of God reflected in our lives.

Monday Musings for January 5

2009-01-05T18:06:00.000-08:00

MONDAY MUSINGS FROM PASTOR STEVE (01/05/09)

The story has been told …
Little Johnny had been misbehaving and was sent to his room. After a while he emerged and informed his mother that he had thought it over and then said a prayer.
"Fine," said the pleased mother. "If you ask God to help you not misbehave, He will help you."
"Oh, I didn't ask Him to help me not misbehave," said Johnny. "I asked Him to help you put up with me."

I regularly ask God to help you put up with me.

I want you to know that I pray for many of you each day. I trust that you spend time in prayer each day. Pray for me and for Maple Grove. Some have said that prayer is a building block of a passionate spirituality.

Sunday I spoke about being the kind of Christian and Church that God wants us to be. God called Abraham so that all peoples on earth will be blessed through him; God calls us for the same reason. I trust you will be a blessing to someone this week.

THANK YOU FOR SUNDAY

We have a wonderful worship and music program. I thank Rick and the worship team for putting together a meaningful worship experience. We ended our Advent/Christmas theme of asking God to “Let Your Face Shine” based on Psalm 80 among other passages. Our sound techs make me sound good and the video techs have an important ministry. Thanks to Cathy C for putting the slide picture show together during the confession part of worship. Melba did a great job coordinating the decorations.

There were many announcements on Sunday. Most all of these are available at our church blog: http://maplegrovemennonite.blogspot.com.

We had a number of visitors with us on Sunday morning – please remember to greet folks you don’t know and make them feel welcome. A large group of our visitors were relatives of Daryl and Kim Stoltzfus. It was a joy to have all of them present for the dedication of Nolan.

Jeff did a great job opening our 100th Anniversary celebration by taking on the part of Minister John M. Stoltzfus. Thanks Jeff! You even dressed the part.

Everyone came together to put away Christmas quickly and efficiently. All your help (voluntary or by obligation) is deeply appreciated.

A large chunk of our roof tiles blew off during the winds of last week. RuthAnn, Mast, & Anna picked them out of the parking lot and yard. Thanks! Kyle was up on the roof today. Pray for our trustees!

On Sunday evening a small group gathered to worship, and hear Debbie Davenport speak. Debbie is Director of Cornerstone Pregnancy Care Services. This is a ministry supported by Maple Grove. She gave us a real challenge to reach out to people who seem “undesirable.” It was difficult for many of our congregation to decide to come on Sunday evening. We really shouldn’t put you in such a position. I’ll remind you that we had our evening planned before the Eagles did.

Our quizzers got off to a good start on Sunday evening. We have two teams; Jeff S and Erin M are our coaches.

MEETINGS

The Finance Commission was to meet tonight, but rescheduled for next Monday.
On Monday, January 12 many of you will be at the church. Finance, Worship, Youth Ministry & Leadership will all meet that evening.

It’s a busy week … Xtreme Worship on Tuesday & Family Night on Wednesday. I thank the Lord for an active church.

NEXT SUNDAY

Depression is a common issue that many of us deal with from time to time. Sunday morning our Adult classes will meet in the Sanctuary to be led by Mike Lusby. Classes are asked to sit together.

Next Sunday we will commission our Mission Team to the Dominican Republic. Despite many obstacles, Eric and Co. have put together a good team. Let’s keep them in our prayers. It’s great to have Nicole as one of the leaders this year.

PRAYER CONCERNS

David is feeling better and went to school today. (Phew!)
There are a number of prayer concerns in addition to those listed in our bulletin. Remember to pray for Melissa A’s grandfather as he recovers from a stroke; we thank the Lord that Dawson accepted Christ on Saturday evening; Earl Umble (Brother to Mildred K, Harold and Vernon Umble) is not doing well, please pray for all of them. Paul S will have some tests this week.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. I used to tell the folks in Bolivia that our group of churches is only as strong as the weakest church, and that we need to work to help one another to be strong witnesses for our Lord. I think the same is true for our congregation. We need to build each other up continually.

I appreciate the opportunity, which the Lord has given me, to minister with all of you. You are all very special to me. Thanks for putting up with me.

Pastor Steve Crane

Disclaimer: “That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.”

Sermon Synopsis for November 30, 2008 (First Sunday of Advent)

2008-12-04T09:05:00.000-08:00

“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

Sermon Synopsis for November 2, 2008

2008-11-04T08:27:00.000-08:00

“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.

Sermon Synopsis for October 26, 2008

2008-10-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

“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.

Sermon Synopsis for October 12, 2008

2008-10-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

“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?

Sermon Synopsis for October 5, 2008

2008-10-10T10:39:00.000-07:00

“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.

Sermon Synopsis for September 28, 2008

2008-10-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

“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.

Sermon Synopsis for September 21, 2008

2008-10-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

“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.

Sermon Synopsis for September 14, 2008

2008-09-15T09:35:00.000-07:00

“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.

Sermon Synopsis for September 7, 2008

2008-09-07T12:55:00.000-07:00

“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?

Sermon Synopsis for August 31, 2008

2008-09-04T08:03:00.000-07:00

“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.

Sermon Synopsis for August 24, 2008

2008-08-26T06:49:00.000-07:00

“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.]

Sermon Synopsis for August 3, 2008

2008-08-04T12:21:00.000-07:00

“Jesus Empowers His Disciples for Ministry”
John 20:19-23

Maybe you heard …
A mother took her child to visit a formal liturgical church. The lights were lowered and the priest came down the isle carrying lighted candles. All was quiet until the little girl started singing “Happy Birthday to you ….”

Birthdays remind us that we’re getting older.

This week our congregation celebrates 99 years in this building. (I don’t’ think anyone here was present on that first Sunday meeting in this place)

Why did the ministry continue?
It was handed on to the next generation.
The next generation was trained and prepared.
The next generation was trusted with the work.

What is the future of Maple Grove?
It depends on us … and how we do ministry … and how we empower the next generation for ministry.

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT

To see why some churches grow and others do not, a major study was undertaken world wide. (About 12 years ago Natural Church Development was first published.) It was the most comprehensive research ever done on churches – thousands of churches, in every part of the world were studied.

It was found that the emphasis should not be on developing growth (principles), but on developing healthy qualities for churches to grow (both spiritually and in number)

We want to be a healthy church!

The study revealed 8 qualities or characteristics of healthy churches. We are on a journey to look at these qualities and look at ourselves to see how we use these qualities in our church.

Last week we began our consideration of the first of these quality characteristics of a healthy church: A healthy church has leadership that empowers the members for ministry.

We want to be healthy – we want to be a healthy church.

Jesus and the disciples are an example; they were together for three years of training, preparation, etc.

After the resurrection … Jesus was going to leave … And he was going to leave the continuation of his ministry in the hands of his disciples.

That’s the context of today’s scripture passage

THE PURPOSE OF LEADERSHIP

Last week’s scripture: (let’s review)
Ephesians 4:12 – “to prepare God’s people for works of service”

Prepare = “katartizo” (Greek)

Pastor Neilson Asis is director of the “Katartizo” Healing and Discipleship Center

Uses of the word in the Greco-Roman world:
Medical term – “setting of a broken bone”
In the New Testament – Jesus used the term (MT. 4:21 James & John were “preparing” their nets when Jesus called them) – “mending broken nets” “preparing them for service”
Paul (Gal 6:1) – restoration
Heb 13:20-21 – equip
1 Peter 5:10 – to perfect

Paul was telling the Church in Ephesus that Jesus gives the church leaders for a purpose:

Leaders are to heal, mend, restore, equip, perfect

Leadership is a very personal and intimate ministry!

LEADERSHIP IN A HEALTHY CHURCH
The Natural Church Development study found that healthy churches had leadership that was:

1. People oriented (as opposed to project oriented)

We had Music in the Meadow – important because it didn’t focus on the event – it focused on the people setting up, serving food, singing, running the sound system, parking, moving them around. … And on the people who came.

It worked because the project didn’t become more important than the people involved.

Jesus took time for people – “who touched me” to the sick woman; he changed his schedule to heal the centurion’s daughter; he spent time with the woman at the well; while suffering he addressed mother’s needs while on the cross;

This is central to the Gospel message: love God, love others

Remember Matthew 25:31-46 – separation of sheep and goats – this was based on how we treated people

A project (event, program, etc.) is not worth it, if it comes at the expense of people.

2. Relationship oriented (as opposed to goal oriented)
When we play “The Mennonite Game” it reminds us that relationships are important.

Reaching the goal is not more important that the relationships we develop along the way

I remember going to the Bolivian town of Toro-Toro with ministry students.
Our Goal: evangelistic services in town to help launch the local church
There were relationship issues among the students (differences needed to be calmed, Aymara/Quechua).
Instead of organizing our evangelistic service, we went hiking. We worked on our relationships as Christians.

We didn’t have a service that first night – but the following evenings were great – because we didn’t have one that first night.

3. Team oriented (as opposed to authoritarian oriented)

Is a church leader a dictator or a team player

Dictator – gets more done, more quickly, but change comes through death or revolution

Team developer – goes slowly, but firmly, change is not as intrusive

Our Pastors, Elders, Commission Directors, Leaders are not so much authoritarians (dictators), as they are team builders.

This should not be a surprise – it’s what Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus – Leaders are to deal with people, not with “things” as we build the body of Christ together.

The church is not a building or an organization …
The church is the “body of Christ”
The church is people (you and me) together for the common purpose of serving our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE RESULT
Ephesians 4:12
“so that the body of Christ may be built up” (healthy, body building program)

Ephesians 4:13
“until we all reach unity in the faith … and become mature”

Good leadership (in all areas) produces healthy, unified churches.

THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS
How did Jesus empower his disciples?

They learned from his teaching
The learned by doing with him (sent out, healing, baptizing, feeding 5000)

What did Jesus empower his disciples to do
What does Jesus want his disciples to do?

Love others, share the gospel,

TRUST IS IMPORTANT
Jesus trusted the disciples to carry on the ministry.
God could have done it by him/herself – sometimes it’s easier to do the job yourself.

It’s a mystery – God entrusted us with the work of the Kingdom.

Every generation must learn.

IT’S HARD TO TRUST
I remember the first time my daughter drove off on her own.
I was full of fear and anxiety and dread and …. a knot in my stomach.

We had driven together, practiced, gone over the rules, etc.
The car was powerful
The car was expensive
Her life was precious

How did Jesus feel when he left the disciples in charge?

How does God feel about leaving the church in our hands?
Leaving the work of the kingdom in our hands?

What about you?
Are you worrying God?

How does God feel about leaving his church in our hands?

What is your area of leadership in the church – maybe you lead a three year old class, or your an Elder.

Are you empowered for ministry?
Are you empowering others for ministry?

Jesus tells us, “As the Father sent me, I am sending you.”

I played a game of “Simon Says” with the children.
Obedience and conformity seems to be the object of the game. Another object of the game is for the leader to try and trick us.

Who is Simon? And why does he want us to do things?

Some say it is a reference to Simon Peter, the disciple called by Jesus, but who later denied Jesus, and than later became one of the main leaders of the Disciples. Simon Peter learned to show his love for Jesus, to imitate Christ. If Simon Peter knows how to imitate Christ, he would be a good one to tell us what to do.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 “you became imitators of us and of the Lord”
Ephesians 5:1 “Be imitators of God”

We also need to be aware of when the evil one is trying to trick us.

If we called the game “Jesus Says,” what would Jesus ask us to do?
We can find much of that in the Bible.

In real life we should play “Jesus Says”

Sermon Synopsis for July 27, 2008

2008-08-04T12:19:00.000-07:00

“A People Prepared for Service” Ephesians 4:11-16

Maybe you heard …
One Sunday, a young boy arrived to his Sunday school class late. His teacher knew that the boy was usually very prompt and asked him if anything was wrong. The boy replied no, that he was going to go fishing, but that his dad told him that he needed to go to church instead. The teacher was very impressed and asked the boy if his father had explained to him why it was more important to go to church rather than to go fishing. To which the boy replied, "Yes, ma'am, he did. My dad said that he didn't have enough bait for both of us."

Two Elders were talking …
Elder 1: “I didn’t see you at church last Sunday; I hear you went to the races instead of coming to church”
Elder 2: “That’s not true, and I’ve got the fish to prove it”

I asked the children if they ever go fishing. Some went with their dads, others with their grandparents or aunts & uncles. They learned to fish from them. The children explained all about fishing and how to do it.

We talked about the story in Matthew 4:18-28, where Jesus tells Peter and Andrew (professional fishermen) that he wants to teach them to fish. Jesus wants them to use all the gifts, talents and abilities they have for fishing and apply it to catching people.

We’re disciples too. Jesus wants us to fish for people – do you think I can catch a person with a fishing pole? Jesus means we should catch people for God.

We sang, “I will make you fishers of men.”

QUALITIES OF A HEALTHY CHURCH

We want to be a healthy church!

A recent study revealed 8 qualities or characteristics of healthy churches. We begin a journey to look at these qualities and look at ourselves to see how we use these qualities in our church.

Today we will look at the first of these quality characteristics: A healthy church has leadership that empowers the members for ministry.

CHANGING THE SUBJECT FROM FISH TO PLANTS

Jesus often compared Christians to plants. This includes grape vines, fig trees, wheat, mustard plants, etc.

The emphasis was on a healthy plant – one that grows and produced fruit.

PUSHING THE ANALOGY
Plants in different climates grow differently.
Desert – slow, steady, conservative growth
Tropical rainforest – wild, uncontrollable growth

Which plants are healthy? The ones in the desert or the ones in the jungle?

The answer, of course, is both are healthy.

The emphasis should not be on fast growth, but on the qualities of that growth and the context of our growth..

The main principle is that a healthy plant will grow and produce fruit.

A healthy church will grow and produce fruit.

As pastor, Elders, & Leadership Team – we seek the things that will enable us to be a healthy church.

THE APOSTLE PAUL WROTE A LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS

The Apostle Paul was in Rome, under house arrest (early 60s AD). He was thinking about his time in Ephesus.

His first visit was brief, at the end of his second missionary journey, as he was returning home in Antioch. He left Priscilla and Aquila there (Acts 18:18-21).

A year or so later he returned and spent two years giving lectures in a public lecture hall, because he wasn’t welcomed in the Synagogue. Apollos, Timothy and Erastus worked with him there. A strong church was born.

As he wrote from his Roman imprisonment, he didn’t write about any specific problems they were facing, but rather about the difficulties Christians were having in the Roman world.

Nero was Emperor (Caesar 54-68). Nero was known for his persecution of Jews as well as Christians. Paul knew the difficulties of being a Christian in the Roman world. Times were difficult, and getting worse. In a few years Rome would burn and the Christians would be blamed and then banned from the city. God needed a strong and healthy church to endure and persevere during such times.

All of this was going on in Paul’s head as he wrote. The church in Ephesus needed to be the best it could be, to be healthy, so that it could:
- hold together under pressure
- survive the persecutions
- be a witness in a world that needed Jesus

That’s the context of our scripture passage today.

THE APOSTLE PAUL – THE CHURCH NEEDS LEADERS

Ephesians 4:11 – Jesus wants leaders in the church: apostles, prophets (ethics & justice), evangelists, pastors, teachers.

Imagine a church without leaders … (some might like that)
It would be directionless, have an emphasis on existence & survival.

Jesus wants growth and fruit – leadership is necessary for that.

The Apostle Paul knew this – and applied it – he wasn’t the only leader – he was a leader producing machine: Priscilla & Aquila, Lidia, Timothy, Apollos, - to name a few.

Paul didn’t do all the work – he mentored and formed leaders.

It is Jesus’ church - not Paul’s or Apollos’ or anyone else’s (He made this clear to the Corinthians, who showed a tendency to follow a leader instead of following Jesus)

At Maple Grove we have many leaders – each in different areas – each one according to the gifts, talents & abilities he/she has

Leaders are important.

THE PURPOSE OF LEADERSHIP

Ephesians 4:12 – “to prepare God’s people for works of service”

Prepare = “katartizo” (Greek)

Remember Pastor Neilson Asis – Katartizo Healing and Discipleship Center

Uses of the word in the Greco-Roman world:
It was a medical term – “setting of a broken bone”
Jesus used the term (MT. 4:21 James & John were “preparing” their nets when Jesus called them) – “mending broken nets”
Paul (Gal 6:1) – restoration
Heb 13:20-21 – equip
1 Peter 5:10 – to perfect

Paul was telling the Church in Ephesus that Jesus gives the church leaders for a purpose: leaders are to heal, mend, restore, equip & perfect.

THE RESULT OF GOOD LEADERSHIP
Ephesians 4:12 “so that the body of Christ may be built up” (healthy, body building program)

Ephesians 4:13 “until we all reach unity in the faith … and become mature”

Good leadership produces healthy, unified churches. They grow and produce fruit.

FISHERS OF PEOPLE

Jesus wanted fish (people who were brought into God’s Kingdom)
To do this, he needed to “prepare” fishers (heal, restore, equip, build a team)

Remember the old adage “Don’t give them fish – teach them to fish.”

In Jesus’ time fishing wasn’t a solitary thing – it involved teamwork – casting and pulling in nets. Simon Peter and Andrew knew about this, so did James and John.

There’s a lot more to fishing than casting a line.

Jesus calls us to be “Fishers of People”

Pray that the Lord will guide our fishing expedition.

Let’s go fishing this week.

Sermon Synopsis for July 20, 2008

2008-07-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

“A Model Church”
Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

EULOGY FOR A FRIEND

Yesterday (July 19), a good friend passed away.
We spent a lot of time together.
I shared intimate thoughts with this friend.
What a memory!
He helped me with my correspondence, with my work; once in a while we’d even play a game together.
Sometimes when I’m just sitting and thinking, I recall a shared memory we had, or something he knew that will be lost forever.
Maybe he had a virus that made him sick.
In the end, he was worn out, and couldn’t go on any longer.

You won’t see him written up in the obituaries,
Sadly, I don’t think anyone else will mourn his death
Unfortunately, he was only about 7 years old.

I entrusted that friend with my sermon notes for today.
When that friend passed away, he took my notes along.

The computer in the Pastor’s Study died yesterday – and as I try to recreate my sermon notes, I’m still in mourning.

A MODEL CHURCH

Today I want to talk about “A Model Church.”

I’ve been speaking about characteristics of a healthy church. As the body of Christ in this world, we don’t want to just be a church that’s “not sick.” We want to be a healthy church. Most of us could pass a physical exam, but few of us could run a marathon. Jesus wants a “body” that could pass a physical exam, but Jesus wants so much more for his church – to “run the race set out before us” (Heb 12:1).

There are two scripture passages today.
The first is a story

The Apostle Paul had a way of getting into trouble, even (and especially) when he wasn’t looking for it. He traveled with a group of friends (Silas/Sylvanus, Timothy, probably Luke)

It was probably the summer of 50AD, about 15-20 years since the resurrection of Jesus. And they were taking seriously his mandate to spread the Gospel to the whole world.

They had just left Philippi, where they had been publicly beaten and thrown in jail. (Remember Lydia, jailer & family, earthquake). They left under pressure. Then they went to Thessalonica and ran into even more difficulties.

From the passage in Acts we see that the Church got off to a rough start in Thessalonica.
Three weeks Paul and friends were there: preaching and teaching on the Sabbath, and certainly talking about God through the week to those who would listen.
Three weeks – then forced to leave – I wouldn’t expect much to happen.

A few months later, Timothy returned to Thessalonica

About 10 months later, in about the spring of 51, Paul is in Corinth and writes a letter to these folks.

WHAT IS A “MODEL” CHURCH?

A church is a group of Christians committed to working together for the common goal of serving Christ.

Paul told the Thessalonians, “you became a model to all the believers” in the area. (1:7)

Once, when I was visiting churches in Maine, someone asked me to go see a “model church.” I thought, “Wow, let’s see what these folks think is a model church.”

We only drive for about 10 minutes when we arrived at a traditional New England clapboard church building, complete with bell tower and steeple. In the front yard was an exact replica in miniature of that church building. You could even look in the windows and see the pews and pulpit. (Not what I expected.)

I noted that there were no people in “the model church.” He responded to me, “That’s the only way to have a perfect model church.”

Paul told the Thessalonians, “you became a model to all the believers” in the area.

The word “Model” (Greek typon) speaks of a sculptor and the clay or plaster model made in preparation for the masterpiece. This model is the one worked on, changed, corrected, etc. until it is just right – ready to be copied …

The believers in Thessalonica are that model, for others to copy …
What was it that the Apostle Paul wanted others to copy?

THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHURCH IN THESSALONICA

These are found in 1 Thessalonians 1:3
FAITH … produces … WORK
LOVE … prompts … LABOR
HOPE … inspires … ENDURANCE

Faith, Hope & Love – the famous trio of the Apostle Paul & other NT writers – necessary for the Christian life

1 Corinthians 13:1 “And now these three remain (when all is said and done): faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Colossians 1:4 “we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints – the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven …”

Hebrews 10:22-24 “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

See also (Galatians 5:5-6; 1 Peter 1:21-22, 1 Thess 5:8, Heb 6:10-12)
As Christians, we need to have these three qualities active and alive in our lives.

FAITH
Hebrews 11:1 – “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we don’t see.”

The church in Thessalonica had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Do you have faith in God? Are you sure and certain that God exists, send Jesus to show us how to live, to teach us, to die for us and rise from the dead? Are you sure and certain that Jesus is in heaven waiting for the moment to return and bring the kingdom of God in power?

Faith comes through accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
In Thessalonica – Jason, some Jews, some Greeks, and some women of society – all received the message from Paul and accepted Jesus.

Have you put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?

LOVE
Love is caring and compassion.

Apostle John (in his first letter) tells us (1 John 3:16-17) “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need, but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”

Compassion comes through expressing our new life in Christ – our devotion is not only shown to god (through faith), but to others (through love).

The Gospel tells us that there are two primary laws – “Love God, Love others”

In Thessalonica - Jason, some Jews, some Greeks, and some women of society – apparently they all learned to love one another and to love others – even those who persecuted them.

Are you filled with God’s love?

HOPE

Romans 8:24-25 “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not have, we wait for it patiently.”

Hope – implies a future – with God – on this earth and eternally in heaven

“I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future”

In Thessalonica - Jason, some Jews, some Greeks, and some women of society –they had hope in God’s presence with them now and eternally.

So … to be model Christians, and a model church, we need to have Faith, Love and Hope, in our lives.

Faith – Love – Hope – They all look pretty good in our lives.

BUT IT’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH JUST TO HAVE THESE THINGS

You need to use them …

If someone gives you a kitchen appliance – (you can put it on the counter, keep it clean, admire it) – it does you no good unless you use it.

If you get a new power tool – (you can put it on your work bench, keep it clean, admire it) – it does you no good unless you use it.

A useful tool or appliance – shows signs of wear – because it’s being used.

We just had our parking lot re-paved. Do you know how to keep the parking lot looking great? (Don’t use it)

Look at our building – after the remodeling and new addition – nicks, scratches, dents - we use it!!

Some day we’re going to have to say goodbye to all these (material) things.
But (the Apostle Paul tells us) three things remain (last forever) faith, hope and love.

We have faith, love and hope – to use in our Christian lives.

USING THESE THINGS WILL BRING OTHER THINGS TO OUR LIVES

WORK
1:3 “your work produced by faith”

Work = (generally) actions performed – the end product.

v.1:6 “You welcomed the message with joy”
1:9 “You turned to God from idols”
You spread the gospel message

How do you know they have faith?
By what they do & have done

Thessalonica became a mission center for the region.
1:8 their “faith has become know everywhere.”

You can’t just say “I believe.” “I accepted Christ as my savior.”
That faith produces work – telling others, sharing the faith (in your own way), it doesn’t sit dormant in our lives.

Does the faith in your life produce works for God?

LABOR
1:3 “your labor prompted by love”

Labor = (generally) the ongoing work of caring and showing compassion for others.

The Thessalonian Christians were know for providing financial support for outreach, helping the sick and hungry, Their love was evident in the things they were doing.

We need love in action – 1 John 3:18 “Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.”

It’s not enough to tell your spouses that you love them – you have to show it!

Does your love for God and others lead you to do good things for them?

ENDURANCE
1:3 “your endurance inspired by hope”

Endurance = living for Jesus in a difficult world.

For the Thessalonians – there was opposition – Paul left Thessalonica at night because of it – Jason and the others were out of jail on bail. Hope kept them going in spite of opposition and difficulties.

What difficulties are present in your life?
God wants you to keep going.

The hope of God will enable you (us) to get through every difficulty.

That hope “inspires us” to keep going.

Does your eternal hope enable you to keep going for Jesus when there is opposition or difficulties?

DO WE WANT TO BE MODEL CHRISTIANS?
DO WE WANT TO BE A MODEL CHURCH?

Not perfect Christians – but model Christians
Not a perfect church – but a model church

If you ever find the perfect church, don’t go there – you’d just ruin it.

What do we need to be a healthy “body of Christ” in this world?

FAITH that produces WORK
LOVE that prompts LABOR
HOPE that inspires ENDURANCE

Sermon Synopsis for July 13, 2008

2008-07-25T07:31:00.000-07:00

“Gifted for Service: The Legacy of Kenaniah”
1 Chronicles 15:16-22

Imagine a church without music
Today we celebrate part of the musical heritage of Maple Grove. The Open Air Singing – started because the people of this church loved to sing.

Think about our worship service and take out the music; what would it be like? (the sermon could be longer!)

No music means … a number of people could not use their gifts and talents for God. No hymnals, no piano, no singing, no guitars, no drums (some may not argue with that).

Music helps us express what we feel but cannot say and often cannot even define. It helps us understand our emotions, eases us through life's difficulties, and helps us celebrate life's joy. It can lift (or at least transform) our mood when children, or parents, or spouses are trying our tempers.

You might often forget the words of a sermon, but as you leave, and throughout the week, you will probably recall at least one of the songs that we sang.

Today we will consider one of the great people of the Bible. Most have heard of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, etc. Few have heard of Kenaniah (Chenaniah in the KJV).

All have heard of King David. David wanted to build the Temple (a building on a hill in Jerusalem). God told him no, because he was a warrior and had blood on his hands. But God did permit David to build the Temple in terms of ministry. Music was an important part of the ministry of Israel. David appointed a number of worship teams.

Today’s Scripture passage is one of those lists of names we often skip over when we read the Bible. In biblical times people must have had a lot of time on there hands – to invent so many names that are difficult to pronounce. These lists of names are there because that is the nature of God’s work – personal – dealing with people – the church is not a building, it is people.

KENANIAH
Today we think of Kenaniah – let’s just call him Ken.

We don’t know much about Kenaniah? But we know more than many of the other names listed in Chronicles.

1 Chronicles 15:22 tells us that Kenaniah was the leader of the Levites and was placed in charge of the singing, because he was skillful at it.

Kenaniah became the first music director of the Bible. Why?

I asked the children, “What are you good at? What do you do well?” They had a lot of different answers (riding a bicycle, swimming, soccer, singing, etc.). I told them the story of Kenaniah (a short story).

He was selected by King David to lead the music ministry of the Tabernacle.

What were his qualifications? There were 3:
He was good at it!
King David chose him.
He was willing.

He led the singing; he led the singers; he organized the music. He did a good job!

I told the children that God wants to use the things that they do well. They need to think about how they can use the things they do best for God.

1 Peter 4:10 tells us, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

THREE QUALIFICATIONS FOR YOUR UNIQUE MINISTRY

1. The NIV says, “he was good at it.” He had talent and ability in music. His name in Hebrew means “prepared for the Lord.” There are many of you I would never ask to sing in a worship team or a solo – You’re not good at it. But you are good at something. Everyone is good at least one thing. Scripture says that God gives us gifts (talents, abilities, “things we’re good at”). This is a gift based ministry. (We find that Kenaniah was part of a family of musicians)

2. He was chosen. King David and his fellow musicians recognized that he was a good musician and a good leader. Apostle Paul says, “You are the body of Christ, and everyone is a part of it – some are eyes, some are hands, some are feet.” Each is chosen for a specific task. Not all are to be music leaders (Imagine a church full of music directors.) We are chosen to be part of the greater whole (the church).

3. He was willing. He served! Willingness makes all the difference. He said yes. (Were any others asked? We don’t know; we only know in the Bible about the ones who said yes.)

BUILDING GOD’S CHURCH

The task at hand is the construction (building) of the church. I’m not talking about constructing a building, but building the church – a group of people, called by God, gifted by God, willing for service. God has a task that is to be completed – Talented, recognized and willing people are necessary.

LEAVING FINGERPRINTS IN THE CHURCH

The Jerusalem Lutheran Church in New Ebenezer, Georgia (near Savannah) is the oldest church building in The South with a continuously active congregation. It was begun by exiles from Salzburg, Austria, who brought their faith with them to the new world. The old church building was built by the Salzburgers from 1767 to 1769 and is the oldest structure in Georgia. The church regularly hosts tour groups and visitors. The building was built back in the days when Georgia was a colony led by General Oglethorpe, and the colonists struggled with poverty, rampant disease, and frequent attacks by hostile Native Americans.

The church walls are made of 21 inch thick bricks formed from clay deposits near the church site. The men, women and children worked together to dig the clay, form and mold it, bake the bricks, carry them to the building site, hoist them up makeshift scaffolds to build the church walls, that stand to this day.

The fingerprints of those involved in the church’s construction can still be seen in many of the old bricks. Each fingerprint is a reminder of the people who worked using their talents and abilities to build up the church.

These bricks are a silent witness of people using talents and working together for a common goal.

BUILDING THE CHURCH IS NOT (ALWAYS) CONSTRUCTING A BUILDING

Of course, the primary task is not building a building. That eventually came for Israel. The primary task was to build the people of God, together in ministry, each doing what they were good at, called and willing to do. This is the body of Christ, a healthy body of Christ.

What gifts (talents/abilities) do you bring to the Lord?
Are you developing them?
What has God (and the church) asked you to do?
Are you willing?

Everyone receives gifts / talents / abilities for ministry.

These are to be used “in concert” with others.

They are for the benefit of the congregation and the enjoyment of God.

PLEASE FORGIVE ANY COPYWRITE INFRINGMENT

There is a song by Petra: “Kenaniah” (on 1987 album “This Means War”)

Kenaniah of the Levites appointed by the king
To teach the songs of Zion, to lead them as they sing
Your song is not forgotten, we hear it in our souls
Let it burn and burn within us (And) Fan the sacred coals

Kenaniah, Kenaniah, we will sing your ancient song
Kenaniah, Kenaniah, we will sing it loud and strong

Gathered for the battle, Kenaniah led the way
As the singers closely followed him they all began to pray
The musicians all assembled, Kenaniah gave the word
Through the raging battle zone the anthem could be heard

Sing unto Jehovah of his wonderous ways
Sing a song of triumph, sing a victory song
And in the cloud of witnesses Kenaniah sings along

Kenaniah, Kenaniah, through the ages it will ring
Kenaniah, Kenaniah, to Jehovah we will sing

Kenaniah is remembered because he was good at music and used it for God.

What do you bring to God today?
What “fingerprints” are you leaving in God’s church?

Sermon Synopsis for July 6, 2008

2008-07-09T13:03:00.000-07:00

“Are We In Shape For The Race”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 12:24b-27 (Isaiah 40:31; Hebrews 12:1)

This week I spent a couple of days having a relaxing time in a cabin in the mountains. The first evening, our campfire time quickly ended when a black bear wandered into the yard.

It reminds me of a story …

Two hikers on a trail came around the bend to find an enormous brown bear about 75 yards up the trail. The bear spies them and begins running toward them at a full gallop. One hiker drops his backpack, sits down, throws off his boots, and starts lacing up a pair of running shoes. The other hiker says: "What are you doing? You will never outrun that bear!". The first hiker replies: "I don't have to outrun the bear..." (think about it)

When we are in a race we often think about who we have to outrun.

A fellow who entered the New York City Marathon tells the story …
“Last year I entered the New York City Marathon. The race started and immediately I was the last of the runners. It was embarrassing. The guy who was in front of me, second to last, was making fun of me. He said, "Hey buddy, how does it feel to be last?" I replied: "Do you want to know?" and I dropped out.”

Sports often means competition.

As Christians, the competition is not between believers.
Often we see our competition between other Christians, denominations, etc.
The enemy (opposing us) is not of flesh and blood.
We are the body of Christ – all of us – we’re not in a competition with other.

THE NEED FOR PHYSICAL / SPIRITUAL FITNESS

Physical fitness eludes us in many ways.

No one will ever accuse me of being an athlete. Sure I can participate, but I’m no athlete.
I remember my first visit in Iscayachi (A town straight up the mountain, Cuesta de Sama, above Tarija, Bolivia, about 11,000 feet above sea level) – we were to have a week of church meetings. I was invited to play soccer with the locals (I thought this was a good idea, it would help me fit in and get to know the people.)
It was a rough for the next few days – I could barely walk or speak – the locals had a good laugh at the missionary who couldn’t handle the exercise or the altitude. I won their hearts, but it nearly killed me.

There were some results: by the end of the week, a struggling congregation in a small mountain town was renewed with many new converts.

It was one of my few attempts at sports evangelism.

PAUL’S EXAMPLE

The Apostle Paul saw a lot of the Roman world. He had a determination to take the Gospel to people who didn’t grow up in the Jewish faith. This led him to people with drastically different practices than he was used to.

Ancient literature and Archaeologists tell us that, at the time of Jesus, Jerusalem had a large sports stadium just southwest of the temple mount. It’s not mentioned in any of the gospel stories or books of the NT. Jewish law prohibited Jews from attending or participating in Roman or Greek Sports competitions. When the apostle Paul took the Gospel to the gentile world, he was crossing many difficult cultural lines. One of them was Olympic style sports.

The Apostle Paul must have been a bit of a sports fanatic. He used sports to get a point across. Athletes need to be in good shape, healthy.

Today’s scripture passage is in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. Corinth was the location of the Isthmian Games (every two years, second in importance only to the Olympics). The Church in Corinth was not a healthy church (just read Paul’s letters).

Paul was concerned for the health of the church in Corinth – not the physical health, but the spiritual health.

The Apostle Paul used sports (racing in particular) to get theological points across. Maybe it’s an analogy of Paul’s life.

Make sure you are on the right track. Being part of a church, working together with the body of Christ, can keep us in line – so that we are not “running in vain.”
Galatians 2:2 – Paul checked with the leaders of the church “for fear that I was running my race in vain.” Philippians 2:16 – “that I did not run … for nothing.”

Don’t let others slow you down (in this instance the Judiazers were slowing down the Gentile believers) Galatians 5:7 – “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?”

Get rid of the things that hinder / Run with perseverance
(Not Paul’s writings) Hebrews 12:1 – Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witness, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Paul’s desire was to “finish the race” (Acts 20:24) by preaching the gospel of
God’s grace. And he made it … 2 Timothy 4:7 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Look at your own spiritual life – could you run a race?
I’m not sick … but am I healthy? Am I able to run the race?
Or will I give up when put to the test?

DO WE FEAR TRAINING? ARE WE UP TO THE TASK?

Sometimes we just don’t want to overdo it.

A physical education trainer was asked about the best way to start getting in shape.
He told them, “For those who have spent their teenage years in front of the TV, here is a little secret for building arm and shoulder muscles.

“Begin by standing with a 5-LB. potato sack in each hand ... extend your arms straight out to your sides and hold them there as long as you can.

“After a few weeks, move up to 10-LB. potato sacks and then 50-LB potato sacks, and finally get to where you can lift a 100 lb. potato sack in each hand and hold your arms straight for as long as you can.

“Next...start putting a few potatoes in the sacks, but be careful not to overdo it.

Paul says to the Corinthian Christians – You’ve seen the effort, the training, the discipline, these guys put into running – for a wreath of leaves that will wilt and die – how much more you should be striving for an eternal heavenly crown!!

Listen for the interviews with the winner at the Olympics coming next month (if it’s anything like in the past) – breathless they will say “This medal was worth all the hours and hours of training and practice and dedication….

The tasks we face as Christians are in their way far more demanding and significant than being involved in an Olympic final. We are called to bring love and light and peace and justice into the world – and proclaim God’s offer of eternal life for all his children.

It’s odd that some Christians seem to assume that all this can be done casually and without discipline, training or preparation!!

HERE'S AN EXAMPLE: A fellow prayed to God – Let me win the race – but he never does.
So he complains – “God, I didn’t win, you let me down!”

God replies, “You didn’t train, you didn’t exercise, you didn’t even enter the race. How do you expect to win?”

In most cases, God is not going to just hand us the prize; we need to put in our part.

Faith and Action – working together – will help us win the prize.

Do we, as Christians, as a Church, want to win the prize?
Are we putting in our part?

DO WE WANT TO BE HEALTHY?
What does it take to be healthy? Exercise? Good nutrition? Stress reduction?
The first step is to want (desire) to be healthy.

Do we want a healthy church?

A church is a group of Christians committed to working together for the common goal of serving Christ.

Paul wrote, “You (plural) are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
Jesus deserves a strong and healthy body in this world.

In the next few months we will look at the things that help Christ’s body be healthy and strong, able to compete and able to win the race set out before us.

BIKING IN GOD’S KINGDOM
I like George M’s stories about his bicycling experiences. It shows great strength, determination and character. It’s the kind of stuff the Apostle Paul was talking about.

I remember December 1989; we were organizing the Christian Youth Olympics in Tarija. About 40 Bicyclists carrying the (symbolic) torch from Cochabamba (8,500 feet above sea level) to Oruro (11,000 feet) to Potosi (14,000 feet), across mountain passes (up to 17,000 feet) to arrive in Iscayachi (about 11,000 feet) to descend to Tarija (7,000 feet). (They carried their provisions and repair kits, there was not chase vehicle, they stayed together, helping each other out, we received a report by phone from each major town along the way.) We drove out about 15 miles to greet them, some of the local folks on bicycles & motorcycles– The team rode in together, triumphant, to cheers, they had completed the course, together!

It is doubtful that any one of them would have completed the course on their own. They needed each other for encouragement & help,

As Christians, this is something we can do … (not the bicycling), but completing the course, together.

Maple Grove has a strong history of service for Christ. This church has shown itself to be a strong and healthy body for Christ in this world:
Years of Bible Schools
Open Air Singing
Starting new churches
Sending mission teams & missionaries around the world

Let’s continue the race … let’s keep this body of Christ in the race, until we all win the eternal crown of glory.

Sermon Synopsis for June 15, 2008

2008-06-16T08:31:00.000-07:00

“Our Heavenly Father” Matthew 6:9

Maybe you heard …
A little girl was sitting in her grandfather's lap as he read her a story. From time to time, she would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek. By and by she was alternately stroking her own cheek, then his again.

Finally she spoke, "Granddaddy, did God make you?""Yes, sweetheart" he answered, "God made me a long, long time ago."

"Oh,” she said, then "Granddaddy, did God make daddy too?"
"Yes" he assured her. "God made your daddy some time ago."

"Oh,” she said, then "Granddaddy, did God make me too?"
"Yes, indeed honey" he assured her. "God made you just a little while ago."

"Oh" she said. Feeling their respective faces again, she observed, "God's getting better at it now isn't he?"

I have a question for you.
How’s your relationship with your father?

Maybe you’re father’s dead, or left you, or you never knew him, but just the same it’s a question you need to answer.

JESUS STARTS HIS MINISTRY
Early in his ministry, Jesus set-out his position; that way anyone who wanted to follow knew what they were getting into.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is baptized, he’s tempted, he calls his disciples, he goes on a preaching / teaching / healing tour and then when the crowds are growing he makes it clear what the terms are for being a follower of his.

Matthew Chapters 5-7 is known as The Sermon on the Mount preached by Jesus to his followers.

In this sermon Jesus refers to God as “your Father,” “your heavenly Father,” and “your Father in heaven.”

He is telling the people that God is …. their father.

HOW IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR FATHER?
Some people don’t or didn’t have a good relationship with their father.
Some had no relationship.

Donald Miller, in his book, “Blue Like Jazz” (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003), is a young adult trying to make sense of the Christian faith

“Today I wonder why it is God refers to Himself as ‘Father’ at all. This, to me, in light of the earthy representation of the role, seems a marketing mistake. Why would God want to call Himself Father when so many fathers abandon their children?” (Miller, p.4)

“My father left my home when I was young, so when I was introduced to the concept of God as Father I imagined Him as a stiff, oily man who wanted to move into our house and share a bed with my mother. I can only remember this as a frightful and threatening idea.” (Miller, p.1)

Father is not always a good analogy for God. The problem doesn’t lie with God … it’s with the earthly parent. Christian parents need to help their children see God. (that’s a big responsibility!)

It demands a relationship, a relationship of Love.

In that relationship, it’s the dads that should lovingly guide the children. Often a dad has to tell his children what they should do.

“If you don’t love somebody, it gets annoying when they tell you what to do or what to feel. When you love them you get pleasure from their pleasure, and it makes it easy to serve. I didn’t love God because I didn’t know God.” (Miller, p.14)

WHAT DOES THE FATHER WANT

Jesus tells the crowd that God is their Father
What does the Father want from the child?

In the Sermon on the Mount God, the Father, wants certain behavior from his children.

1. Do good works (positive things for others). “Be salt and light.” (5:16)

2. Love your enemies. This leads to being children of God (5:44-45).

3. Try to be like God (perfect) (5:48). Imitation is the best form of flattery.

4. Don’t be showy in spiritual things.
- When you do good deeds, don’t showcase them (6:1)
- When you give, do it secretly, don’t tell a lot of people (6:4)
- When you pray, do it in secret, don’t be showy about it, be sincere (6:6)
- When you fast, do it so nobody knows (6:18)

5. Be forgiving of others (6:14-15). Your heavenly father wants to forgive you and he wants you to forgive others.

6. Trust your heavenly Father for all things.
- He knows what you need (6:8; 6:32)
- He feeds the birds; you’re better than birds (6:26)
- He gives good things to us (7:11)

Bottom line – God wants to be loved, and he wants us to love others.

How is your relationship with your father?
God doesn’t want to be an absent father.

During our first missionary term in Bolivia, I traveled quite a bit. I would often take one of my daughters along with me and our Bolivian mission team.

Once when we were returning from a week in a very isolated place called Canchasmayo, we were seconds away from death in a flash flood. It was the middle of the night and I was terrified. When we finally made it home (ask me if you’re interested in the long version of the story), my wife asked my 8 year old daughter if she was afraid. She told her, “Why should I be afraid? Daddy was with me?”

Do we trust our Heavenly Father that much?

Did you ever see some fathers sitting around bragging about their children? They seem to forget the bad stuff and tell the good stuff (even embellish it some) to the others.

I like to think about God that way. I picture him sitting around telling others … “Have
you seen my boy Steve …. He’s a pretty good kid …”

Are you giving your heavenly father something to brag about?

OUR FATHER

In the midst of references to “your father,” Jesus teaches the people to pray (6:9). He tells them to pray like this … “Our Father who art in Heaven …”

God is our Father
We must all see ourselves as Children of God – It’s what binds us together, we’re related.

I never had to learn the names of some of the folks in the churches I worked with in Latin America. They simply refer to each other as “Hermana” or “Hermano” (sister or brother). They do this because they see themselves as children of God.

Jesus is our brother.
At this point Jesus includes himself (he says “our” not “your”)

JESUS’ FATHER
How do we make Jesus’ father, our father?

Near the end of the Sermon on the Mount, (Matthew 7:21) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of MY Father who is in heaven.” (This is the only other exception to the phrase “your father” in the Sermon on the Mount)

To become the children of God … to become the brother of Jesus … we need to be obedient to our Heavenly Father (do his will).

What’s God’s will
1. Come into the family: be saved (accept Christ, invite Jesus into your heart; become a Christian, anyway we wish to word it)
2. Be a good child: obey the Father

Last Sunday was Children’s Day. It reminds me of Jesus words, “unless you become like one of these children, you cannot enter the Kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4)

You can’t be a Christian unless you become a child, a Child of God.

THIS FATHER’S DAY

1. Remember your earthly father

If your father left you …
Find it in your heart to forgive him.

If your father has died …
Remember those good moments and cherish the memories you had together. Share them with someone else.

If your father is around …
Do something nice for your father. Work on that relationship.

2. Remember your eternal and heavenly Father …

God will never leave you or forsake you.
God will be an ever present help in your life.

What kind of children are we?
Let’s make a commitment to work on our relationship with our heavenly Father.

Sermon Synopsis for June 1, 2008

2008-06-03T08:16:00.000-07:00

“You are the light of the world” Matthew 5:13-16

We are called to be light!
We are called to let that light shine!

Do you know …
How many Mennonites does it take to change a light bulb?

Answer 1: 160. First you need 40 people in the light bulb selection committee, then 40 people in the light bulb purchasing committee, then 40 people in the light socket location committee, and finally you need 40 people in the electricity modulator committee.

Answer 2: Seven, one to make the actual switch, and six to stand around complaining that they liked the old one better.

Answer 3: Change? We don’t change anything!

Some people prefer to live in darkness rather than change anything. (Ouch!)

SALT AND LIGHT
Last week I talked about a story at the end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7). Today I go to the other end of the sermon.

Jesus began his Sermon on the Mount with the beatitudes (showing us how to be happy and blessed). After that he told the people that they were salt and light in this world.

“You are the light of the world!”

Do you feel bright?

People see us – our lives – we are a witness and testimony to the light in our lives.

Jesus tells us how he sees us; he names our potential and his expectations for us: light!
His expectations are high, yet just by saying it, he assures us that we are up to the task.

Here are some things to remember:

IT IS GOD’S LIGHT, NOT OURS

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)

When we invite God into our lives – he lights us up. We are to shine like disciples, not like self proclaiming stars. The light we proclaim doesn’t glorify us – it glorifies God.

Are you on fire for God?

WE ARE CALLED TO BE LIGHT TOGETHER

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.”

This is an odd grammatical construction out of the Greek language.
You is plural (all of you followers together)
Light is singular (there is only one light – God’s light in each one of us)

Jesus said, “All of you together are the one light of the world.”

We shine together as a community of faith, a church, to show the world the light of God that burns in us.

DISCIPLESHIP IS PASSING THE LIGHT

The Olympic Torch has been in the news lately. It’s on its way to China.

Analogy: in some ways our lives in Christ are like carrying that torch …
… we run with all our mind, soul and strength
… at the end of our journey, we pass it on to others

There are possible scenarios for tragedy. It would be tragic …
… if the light goes out
… if the light is not passed on

It’s a great privilege!
It’s a great responsibility!

THE LIGHT OF GOD IN US IS TO BE SEEN BY OTHERS

You can’t see faith … unless, of course, it’s displayed in the way we live.

Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men, so they can see your good deeds, and praise God.”

We need to let others see Jesus
not me
not my actions

How can they see Jesus in us?
“Good deeds”

Others see the light in us by both our lifestyle and our proclamation – word and action together.

That’s how Menno Simons understood it. In 1554 he wrote, “where the true church of Christ is, there she will be made manifest among this wicked and perverse generation by words and work, for she can as little be hid as a city upon a hill, or a candle upon a candlestick.”

A joint word and deed witness is also evident in the Mennonite Confession of Faith (article 23): “We witness to the nations by being that ‘city on the hill’ which demonstrates the way of Christ. We also witness by being ambassadors for Christ, calling the nations (and all persons and institutions) to move toward justice, peace, and compassion for all people.”

I showed the children a reproduction oil lamp from the time of Jesus. We put in a wick; we put olive oil in the lamp, but it didn’t light. What a tragedy. I didn’t have a good object lesson to help us sing “This Little Light of Mine.”

I trust we won’t be like that lamp, but that the light of God will catch fire in our lives.

We are the light of the world!

[I thank the new members for sharing about the light that is within them, and to Allen Umble for sharing about how he will be that light in Albania. Allen will depart for missionary service to Albania on June 25]

Sermon Synopsis for May 25, 2008

2008-05-29T12:19:00.000-07:00

“Living Stones” 1 Peter 2:4-12

The Apostle Peter wrote to Christians during a difficult time in history. Jewish terrorist groups (zealots) had active cells throughout the region. The Romans had built up a large military force in the Middle East and were preparing preemptive action to maintain control over the area. The early church had been fractured and spread throughout the world. Christians were persecuted for their faith. Peter wrote his letters to be circulated among the believers, to encourage them in the midst of difficult situations, to remember in whom they believe and what Christ has made them.

For Americans, this is Memorial Day weekend. For most Americans it marks the official start of the summer vacation period. The holiday was established just after the US Civil War and it used to be called Decoration Day. It was a day to decorate the graves of those who gave their lives in war. It is a holiday that can provoke strong emotions. This is the 7th Memorial Day that our Country has been at war. Hundreds of American Soldiers have died in Afghanistan; thousands in Iraq. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have died. It is a sobering reminder of what war brings.

REMEMBERING IS GOOD

It is good for us to remember. It helps us to
- remember momentous events in the past
- see how far we have come
- avoid repeating the same problems

Memory is important: The loss of memory is considered a disease – Alzheimer’s.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. (American Philosopher George Santayana, Life of Reason, Reason in Common Sense, Scribner's, 1905, page 284)

In spite of all the remembrance, in many ways, Americans continue repeating the past.
Monuments of stone are built to commemorate the wars, the fighting, the arguments, the disagreements – yet we continue to get into disagreements, arguments, fights and wars.

We are called to remember.

Families remember their past; we have photos, stories, grave markers (a memory set in stone)

MEMORIAL STONES

Masseboth, Hebrew for “standing stones,” were common throughout the ancient world (Stonehenge for example). Palestine and Israel has many of these markers yet standing (although for unknown reasons today). The Bible mentions masseboth (standing stones) 34 times. Often referred to in a negative way (Dt. 16:22), “You shall not … erect a massebah, which the Lord your God detests.”

Sometimes masseboth are referred to in a positive way:
- Jacob sets up a stone after he wakes from his dream of a ladder extending to heaven.
- Moses set up 12 stones at Mt. Sinai to commemorate the ratification of the covenant between God and Israel (Ex. 24:4)
- Joshua erected a “great stone” at Shechem (Joshua 24:26-27) that can be seen to this day.
- Joshua the the people of Israel erected 12 stones after crossing the Jordan River on dry land. (Joshua 4:1-9)

These were memorial stones – to remember an event, specifically something God had done in the life of humanity.

There are many classic gravestone markers
(See the post that follows)

SPIRITUAL ALZHEIMER’S

God’s people had a memory problem. (Spiritual Alzheimer’s)
They saw miracles – shortly thereafter they doubted God.
They experienced the grace of God – shortly they were making idols to other gods
They received God’s provision – shortly thereafter they were complaining of their needs.

Whydid they do this? Spiritual Alzheimer’s!

What does God want us to remember?
- God loves us and provides for us.
- God sent the Lord Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. (Salvation)
- God wants us to live as examples of God’s presence in this world: loving, caring, giving,

It’s when we’ve forgotten these things that we can repeat the mistakes of the past.

OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND THE CHURCH

Some of my free time in Bolivia was spent visiting Archaeological sites (known and unknown) – piles of stones that you know did not get there on their own. At some point in history, individuals gathered stones, shaped some of them, arranged them in a certain way and used them for a specific purpose.

Sometimes we would stumble across these stones.
From the stones we can learn (deduce) about how these people lived.

I remember my professor Michael Dever (during a dig in Israel) – he could see a pile of stones – in his mind he could transform them into a temple, palace, house, road, etc.

One thing is for sure – the people and cultures that occupied these sites no longer exist – we have to study about them.

Their existence helps us to understand the purpose they served.

LIVING STONES

Most important, we need to remember who we are! (Our existence)

Peter tells God’s people (2:5): “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house.”

The church is no archaeological site – it is a living entity.

Soon after Peter’s writing, the Temple in Jerusalem would become a lifeless pile of rocks because of human conflict and war. (Josephus, Roman/Jewish historian, has a detailed account of the temple’s destruction) Peter wants the Christians to know that this is not what they are destined for. The Jewish temple became an archaeological site; God’s holy temple (the church) will never become an archaeological site.

We are to put our faith in Christ, the cornerstone of a new building – something that even the divisive energies of this world cannot destroy.

I introduced the children my pet rock, “Stony.”
Pet rocks were a fad in the 1970s (ask your grandparents).
Stony can do simple tricks like, sit, stay.
He needs help with the more difficult tricks like, roll over.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told his followers to build their houses upon the rock (Matthew 7:24-27). Jesus is that rock. (The foolish man built on sand, the wise man built on rock)

“Stony” reminds me to build my life on the Lord Jesus Christ (a living rock).

PETER’S PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

Peter knew about putting his faith in Jesus, he had some practical experience in the area.

Maybe you remember the story from Matthew 14. The disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee. Jesus told them to go ahead; he’d catch up with them. Then in the middle of the night (rough waves, wind, etc.), Jesus came walking toward them. Peter recognized him, “It’s the Lord.” Jesus told Peter, “Come on out, walk to me.”
Peter tried – Peter sank – Jesus lifted him up.

Maybe things look bad (pain and disorder / war, conflict, hate, murders, etc.), but we shouldn’t concentrate on the waves around us.
Rather we need to keep our lives focused on JESUS.
To be God’s People, we need to keep our focus on Jesus.
Most of all, we need to remember Jesus.

Paul tells the church, they are something special. The King James Version (KJV) uses the words “A peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9).
It is Jesus who makes us “peculiar.”
We stand out in the world because of Jesus.

Our “peculiarity” can lead to peculiar actions.

BEING, NOT DOING

People have asked me – what should I do, what should our church do?

Here’s a story that has always moved me:
Back in the early 1940’s, after the Nazis had overrun and occupied Holland, there were some Dutch Christians who came to their pastor, a man named Hendrik Kraemer, saying “Pastor Kraemer we are terribly troubled by what is happening in our community. Jewish people, some of them our very own neighbors, are disappearing – taken away by the Germans to prison camps. We know we ought to do something, but we’re afraid. We could be the next victims, and we just don’t know what God wants us to do. You’re our pastor – tell us what to do......”

As I’ve heard the story, Pastor Kraemer was silent for a time, and at last he said something like this: “I can’t tell you what to do, but I will tell you who you are.”

And then he opened the New Testament to 1 Peter 2, the passage we read today. He began with the words “Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house........” And he concluded by reading, “You are chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

“I can’t tell you what to do,” he said, “but I’ll tell you who you are....... You are living stones built into a spiritual house. You are God’s people, called to proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.......”

The story continues … some of those Christians felt led to assist and shelter and hide their neighbors, at great personal risk and cost. Some of them lost their lives. No one could tell them what to do, but as they remembered their identity they were inspired to acts of courage and compassion.

People often ask me what they should do.

“Pastor, my marriage is in trouble, what should I do?”
“Pastor, my kids won’t go to church, what should I do?”
“Pastor, church people are talking behind my back, what should I do?”
“Pastor, there are divisive issues before the church, what should we do?”
“Pastor, my doctor says I have cancer, what should I do?”
“Pastor, my child has a disability, what should I do?”
“Pastor, my child died, what should I do?”

I can’t tell you what to do, but I can remind you who you are …

Peter tells us (1 Peter 2:9) – once you were nothing (sorry, the truth can hurt), but now you are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.”

Once you know who you are, I believe you will know what to do.

TOGETHER FOR A PURPOSE

We are LIVING STONES (v. 2:5)

We need to remember that it is God who puts us together. We have been built into a spiritual house. We are a community of faith, of living stones.

The Christ who said to Simon (Peter) – “You are the Rock, and upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18), says to us – you are living stones, built together by God to be a reminder to the world that God is alive.

We do things because of who we are.
The things that we do, let others know who we are.

1 Peter 2:9b “that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

Memorial stones stand as a remembrance (memorial) to a person who has died.

Jesus calls us to be “living stones.” We are to be a remembrance (memorial) to our living Lord.

I can be a living rock (a living stone), only because Jesus is the rock of my faith and life.

Happy Memorial Day

2008-05-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

Enjoy your trip to the cemetery

Classic Gravestone markers

A dishonest man
Here lies a man who while he lived
Was happy as a linnet.
He always lied while on the earth
And now he's lying in it.

A stone in Oconto Falls, WI
Here Lies The Body Of A Man Who Died
Nobody Mourned - Nobody Cried
How He Lived - How He Fared
Nobody Knows - Nobody Cared

From Paris, France
Tired of this eternal buttoningand unbuttoning.

Cremated, Julian Skaggs of West Virginia
I made an ash of myself.

From Thurmont, Maryland
Here lies an Atheist
All dressed upAnd no place to go.

William Shakespeare, Holy Trinity Church; Stratford-on-Avon, England
Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare,
To digg the dust encloased heare!
Blest be the man that spares thes stones,
And curst be he that moves my bones.

From Burlington Vt.
She lived with her husband fifty years
And died in the confident hope of a better life.

From La Pointe, Wis.
To the Memory of Abraham Beaulieu
Born 15 September 1822
Accidentally shot 4th April 1844
As a mark of affection from his brother.

Anna Wallace
The children of Israel wanted bread
And the Lord sent them manna,
Old clerk Wallace wanted a wife,
And the Devil sent him Anna.

Sir John Strange
Here lies an honest lawyer,
And that is Strange.

Sacred to the memory of
my husband John Barnes
who died January 3, 1803
His comely young widow, aged 23, has
many qualifications of a good wife, and
yearns to be comforted.

Ann Mann
Here lies Ann Mann,
Who lived an old maid
But died an old Mann.
Dec. 8, 1767

In Memory of Beza Wood
Departed this life
Nov. 2, 1837
Aged 45 yrs.
Here lies one Wood
Enclosed in wood
One Wood
Within another.
The outer wood
Is very good:
We cannot praise
The other.

When the great judgement day arrives
and Joshua Fenton Newton does not emerge from this hole,
you will know that someone made a mistake
and buried me in the wrong hole.

Here lies my wife:
Here let her lie!
Now she's at rest
And so am I.

Here Lies Mary Smith
Silent At Last

Sermon Synopsis for May 11, 2008

2008-05-11T16:13:00.000-07:00

“Our Pentecost” Deuteronomy 16:9-12; Acts 2:1-21

God is Good … all the time
God is Love … all the time
God is with us … all the time

It’s Mother’s Day. Mother’s put up with a lot – they deserve one day.

The following came from an anonymous Mother in Austin, Texas: "Things I've learned from my boys (honest and not kidding)":
1. A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft. house 4 inches deep.
2. If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.
3. A 3-year old boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.
4. If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound Boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.
5. You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.
6. The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.
7. When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh", it's already too late.
8. Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke -- lots of it.
9. A six-year old boy can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36-year old man says they can only do it in the movies.
10. Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4-year old boy.
11. Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.
12. Super glue is forever.
13. No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.
14. Pool filters do not like Jell-O.
15. VCR's do not eject "PB & J" sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.
16. Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.
17. Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.
18. You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.
19. Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.
20. The fire department in Austin, TX has a 5-minute response time.
21. The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.
22. The spin cycle on the washing machine will, however, make cats dizzy.
23. Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.
24. 80% of men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid.
25. 80% of women will pass this on to almost all of their friends, with or without kid.

Pentecost is known as the birthday of the church
The church is a group of God’s children (our heavenly parent).
We become God’s children through faith in Jesus.
I wonder what God’s list of “things I’ve learned from my children” looks like?

PENTECOST
Today the church calendar tells us it is Pentecost.
Pentecost is a reminder that God is with us.

Pentecost has its roots in the Old Testament. It’s a Jewish celebration.
It’s a word from the Greek – meaning the 50th day, 50 days after Passover.

There are various descriptions of Pentecost in the Old Testament, each with their own emphasis on how the holiday was celebrated.

THE ORIGINAL PENTECOST
Deuteronomy 16:9-12

Verse 9 – the first cutting of the grain is Abib 16 on the Jewish calendar, the 2nd day of the Passover feast. (hence 7 weeks = 49 days, plus 1 = 50 days after the passover)

Verse 10 – Every celebration on the Jewish calendar is marked by an offering, above and beyond the regular tithe.

For the Hebrews, you can’t think about God with out giving.

How much? “in proportion to the blessings the Lord your God has given you”

Little blessing – little offering / big blessing – big offering (simple to figure)

Blessings back then were generally measured in material things; we have so many more types of blessings these days.

Verse 11 – Rejoice! It is a happy, festive celebration, not a solemn service.

Where? “At the place God lives.” That would be the Tabernacle – smoke filled when God showed up, and later the Temple. When the temple was destroyed, it was a terrible crisis for Israel – they had no place to celebrate (or offer sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins – no forgiveness). God didn’t have a place to live in their midst. A crisis.

Who does it say should celebrate? It looks like just about everyone.
Men and women
Their descendents
Employees / workers
Levites – religious workers (pastors joined in the celebration)
Aliens? Not extraterrestrials, but immigrants who live among them.
Orphans
Widows

Verse12 – remember where you came from. Don’t get proud and haughty with all the blessings you have. God set you free from slavery in Egypt. God did this for you; you didn’t do it yourself.

The Jews celebrated this holiday faithfully throughout history, except when there was no Temple, when they were in exile in Babylon.

About 2000 years ago, the Jews in Jerusalem celebrated in the customary way, but with a small group of about 120 men and women, in an upper room, in Jerusalem, things were about to change forever.

A NEW WAY TO CELEBRATE PENTECOST

All of the sudden, Pentecost became a Christian celebration. (Acts Chapter 2)

Pentecost is often referred to as the birth of the church. That’s when a group of individual believers in Christ became united into a common body – the church.

There are parallels between the Jewish celebration and the early Christian celebration.

It is a time to Rejoice!

This group included everyone: men, women, common folk, government workers, orphans and widows. And was being spread to the aliens (the foreigners in their midst)

It’s a time to remember where you come from – Israel was saved from slavery in Egypt, they were saved from the slavery of their sins through faith in Jesus.

The offering was their lives, because the Lord had blessed them in a special way.

Where does God dwell? Pentecost marks the coming of the Spirit of God into the lives of the believers. Before God showed up now and then, but that day, he showed up to stay.

Pentecost is still to be celebrated “in the place where God dwells,” which is in our lives,

Who is included? Acts 2:21 tells us, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Hill be saved.”

OUR PENTECOST – INVITES THE HOLY SPIRIT INTO OUR LIVES

Pentecost puts the presence of God right in the lives of believers.
When we accept Jesus to come into our hearts, we accept God (Jesus said I and the father are one). God isn’t divided; there is one God – when we invite Jesus into our hearts, we invite God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to dwell in us.

OUR PENTECOST – DEMONSTRATES THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR CHURCH

The church embodies the presence of God in this world. The Apostle Paul told the church, “You (all of you believers) are God’s Temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

Our Pentecost comes when we invite God into our lives.
(Again, don’t try to divide God)

OUR PENTECOST – WE REJOICE
It is a time to Rejoice! (Phil 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always!)

Remember, in the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came and went. In the New Testament the Holy Spirit came to stay (permanent) – this is a real cause to rejoice – always.

OUR PENTECOST – IS FOR EVERYONE
That first Christian Pentecost – the church shared God’s love to all who came to Jerusalem, in their own language.

They showed that God’s message, the Gospel was for everyone – “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” said the Apostle Peter. (2:21). It doesn’t matter who you are – Jesus came and died for you. You don’t need to become Jewish to become a follower of Jesus and celebrate Pentecost.

OUR PENTECOST – CALLS US TO REMEMBER YOUR PAST
Having God’s H. S. in our lives is cause for celebration. But we must remember where we came from – we were all unforgiven sinners – saved from the bondage of sin. There’s no room for pride – we were all saved by the “grace” of God. Not by anything we did.

OUR PENTECOST – CALLS FOR AN OFFERING
Because of our salvation - We offer our lives to God (finances, home, work, hobbies, etc. – all our lives).

In as much as we are blessed (with life / salvation), we make our offerings to God.

OUR PENTECOST – REMINDS US THAT GOD DWELLS IN OUR LIVES
Deut 16:11 “Rejoice before the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling place for his Name” – that’s us – God dwells in us. God’s presence must be evident in our lives. God “chose” to live in our lives; we didn’t chose God.

EVEN THE “ALIENS” ARE INVITED
My Pop-pop, Andras Bolf – was one of those aliens (immigrants). He came to the USA (through Ellis Island) looking for a better life. The Bolsheviks were destroying his world (in Bohemia, later Czechoslovakia). His older brother (Ludevic) had already left.

Andras eventually got in touch with his brother, in Northern Philadelphia. My great uncle Ludevic had become a Christian through the ministry of a church in North Phlly. My Pop-pop went to see his brother – they could eat the food from the “old country,” talk in their native language, and most importantly, hear the gospel in their native language.

He came looking for a better life, and he found Jesus.

That church was being a New Testament church – inviting everyone, even the alien in their midst, to have Jesus come into their lives. That was my Pop-pop’s Pentecost.

Is God’s presence (ie. God’s Holy Spirit) evident in your life by those you come into contact with?

Does our church show evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit in all we do?

God is Good … all the time
God is Love … all the time
God is with us … all the time

Sermon Synopsis for May 4, 2008

2008-05-05T06:57:00.000-07:00

“Grace and Peace” Romans 5:1-5

Maybe you heard about the elderly lady was well known for her faith and for her boldness and talking about it. Each morning she would stand on her front porch and shout, "Praise the Lord!"

Next door lived an atheist who was so angry at her proclamations he would shout back, "There ain't no Lord!!"

This would go on every morning.

Hard times set in on the elderly lady and she prayed for God to send her some assistance. She stood on her porch and shouted, "Praise the Lord!! God, I need FOOD!! I am having a hard time. Please, Lord, send me some groceries!!"

The man next door thought he would have some fun and prove a point to the lady. So he went a bought her some groceries, and set it on her porch.

The next morning, the lady went out on her porch and saw a large bag of groceries and shouted, "Praise the Lord!!"

The neighbor jumped from behind a bush and said, "Ha Ha!! I told you there was no Lord. I bought those groceries. God didn't."

The lady started jumping up and down and clapping her hands and saying, "PRAISE THE LORD!!! He not only sent me groceries, but He made the devil pay for them!!"

I’m sure that didn’t build a peaceful relationship between the two; it’s not very graceful!

The Apostle Paul wrote a long letter to the Christians in Rome, people he hadn’t even met yet. He knew some of them from his missionary travels, but most of them were new Christians living in the capital of the world, Rome.

The world was controlled by the Pax Romana – the Roman Peace. Peace at a price – submission, you had to submit to the Lordship of the Roman Emperor: “Caesar is Lord” was the phrase inscribed in many places, including the coins they used for trading. As long as Caesar was your Lord, you would have peace.

Those were dangerous times. When they put their faith in Jesus and became Christians, they were putting their lives in danger.

Paul wrote a letter to the faithful who lived in Rome, yet proclaimed “Jesus is Lord”:

LETTER WRITING IS DIFFERENT TODAY

The internet has changed the way we write a letter. We used to write: “Dear (name). But in an internet communication our greetings can be almost anything (Hi or Hey), buy usually nothing. Where is Miss Manners these days?

The Apostle Paul started his letter by wishing the folks in Rome “Grace and Peace.” Almost every letter in the NT begins by wishing grace and peace to the recipients (some add love and mercy). The authors do not just wish “grace and peace,” but add “from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

This is not a common letter writing practice in the ancient Greek/roman world. The traditional letter is written, “From (name) to (name), greetings (salutations) and (sometimes included) wishes of health and soundness. A few have “I pray you are well.”

For the great number of gods the Romans and Greeks had, they do not include or mention the name of a god in their greetings.

But Paul and the other NT writers have this habit.

It makes me wonder, why, for the early Christians, was “grace and peace” joined together as something wished upon others?

GRACE AND PEACE
Grace and Peace were the two basics of the faith that we receive by being a Christian.

Grace and Peace are the things we need most to get the most out of our Christian life, to live the Christian life in a world that doesn’t care about Jesus.

Rome was the center for Christian Martyrs during the late 1st and early 2nd centuries. At that time, in Rome, you could believe anything (they had a whole pantheon of gods) as long as it didn’t interfere with your allegiance to Caesar – “Caesar is Lord” is the standard for Roman Citizenship.

As the early Christians were hauled into court for treason, history tells us that they did not try to justify themselves – they were already justified, by their faith in the Lord.

Ultimately, it was better to be at peace with God than with this world.

If you are at peace with God, you can withstand anything this world has to dish-up.

Fox’s Book of Martyrs – gives account after account of the faithful who gave their lives simply because they believed in Jesus and lived that belief. Many accounts speak of those who died with a smile on their faces, content to suffer for their Lord. In the midst of tribulation and suffering, they were at peace. Many died forgiving their oppressors.

Martyr’s Mirror – tells of Anabaptist martyrs during the last 500 years. Many gave up their lives, praying for and caring for their accusers. That’s the peace of God working in their lives.

Paul writes to the Romans: “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

When we lived in Bolivia the “Shining Path” (Sendero Luminoso) sent threats to the churches we worked with. They threatened to burn their church buildings. When we have peace with God, such threats can only make us stronger in the faith. They also realized that adobe walls and tin roofs don’t burn very well.

Peace with God can get us through any difficulty this world has to offer.

But Peace alone is not enough!

Paul continues writing to the Romans (5:2): “through him (Jesus Christ) we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”

BY THE GRACE OF GOD
By the grace of God we stand … and proclaim our faith (a little like the lady in the story I started with)

Grace is an undeserved, unmerited, gift. It includes mercy, pardon, favor, kindness.
We are to live by the grace of God:
- we wake up in the morning, by the grace of God
- we have food on our table, by the grace of God
- we have health, go to work, drive our cars, all by the grace of God
- we live each day, by the grace of God
- we face life’s difficulties, by the grace of God
… Because it is a gift from God

God wants us to have a life full of Grace; it’s the Grace that Jesus had and showed.

JESUS LIVED GRACE (some examples):
In the face of attitudes that only the clean could eat with the clean. Jesus was accused (correctly) of eating and fraternizing with sinners. Jesus was not made unclean in this process, but he made them clean. Jesus graciously welcomes sinners and other shady characters to his table.

The woman caught in adultery was brought before Jesus in the temple court; the scribes and the Pharisees want justice served and want her stoned (death penalty) and want her ground into the dust for her actions; Jesus doesn’t. He graciously forgives her and bids her sin no more (John 7:53-8:11).

The Samaritan woman did not expect Jesus’ treatment and graciousness to her; the disciples couldn’t understand why Jesus is talking with her; Jesus knows her and bids her come to him. The prejudices of the day treat Samaritans like an dirt; Jesus loved her (John 4:1-38).

The Prodigal Son dishonored his father, took off with some of his father’s estate, and ruined it all with sinful living; the Older Son couldn’t comprehend why the father was so graciously forgiving when the prodigal returned home and why the father didn’t punish his son with the system of justice in play at the time; Jesus teaches that God is like that father and that is why he graciously welcomes prodigals and sinners to his table for fellowship (Luke 15:1-32).

In the parable of the vineyard workers, the astounding thing is that those who entered the labor force at the end of the day got as much as those who entered it earlier in the day; the owner paid them “what was right” (the Greek word is just); when the owner paid everyone, the early-to-work crowd protested, on the basis of justice, that the owner was unfair; they didn’t evidently care that the others made enough to make ends meet (Matthew 20:1-16).

Jesus seems to be teaching, Grace subverts what most think justice is; some demand justice anyway.

WHAT ABOUT JUSTICE?
Jeffrie Murphy, in his book Getting Even (Oxford University Press, 2003) argues that forgiveness is far too easy for far too many, and that a sense of justice must be maintained. Murphy’s book is sophisticated, intricate, and makes as good a case as anyone for a Christian theory of retribution. I think he’s wrong — but his study will make you think.

Jesus subverted this sense of justice and created an alternate system of grace and love. This system still maintains discontent with our sinfulness and repentance, but creates a world in which we love and forgive. That’s grace in action.

Jesus taught us to pray everyday, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”

I find that I need grace because every other alternative doesn’t work.

WHAT IF, IN THE MIDST OF CONFLICT, GRACE AND PEACE BROKE OUT?

History tells the story …
Amid the horrors of World War I, there occurred a unique truce when, for a few hours, enemies behaved like brothers. Christmas Eve, 1914, and all was quiet on France’s western front, from the English Channel to the Swiss Alps. Trenches came within 50 miles of Paris. The war was only five months old and already over 800,000 men had been wounded or lost their lives. Every soldier wondered whether Christmas Day would bring another round of fighting and killing, but something happened: British soldiers raised Merry Christmas signs, and soon carols were heard from German and British trenches alike.

Christmas dawned with unarmed soldiers leaving their trenches as officers from both sides tried unsuccessfully to stop their troops from meeting the enemy in the middle of no-man’s-land for songs and conversation. Exchanging small gifts—mostly sweets and cigars—they passed Christmas Day peacefully along miles of the front. At one spot, the British played soccer with the Germans, who won three to two.

In some places, the spontaneous truce continued the next day, neither side willing to fire the first shot. Finally, the war resumed when fresh troops arrived, and the high command of both armies ordered that further “informal understandings” with the enemy would be punishable as treason.

With God every day is Christmas. Grace and Peace flows from heaven and will never cease. God will never take up arms against you again. You are no longer an enemy (see 5:10). You have been reconciled to God. There is peace in your relationship.

But it is more than the peace which ensues as a result of a truce. It is a peace that is founded on justification which we receive when we trust Christ. This ushers us into a place of grace with God. We cannot and did not earn it. It was given to us!

We receive grace and peace …
… so we can live graciously and peacefully in this world.

We live in a world that desperately needs grace and peace …

IT TAKES TIME
I told the children that I planted flower seeds, but when I looked this morning, there were no flowers. They helped me solve my dilemma. When they realized that I only planted the seeds yesterday, they told me I needed to wait and be patient.

Sometimes we’re the same way with God and our lives.
We pray and ask God for something, and when a day or a week has gone by, we get discouraged if it hasn’t happened. The Bible says that if “we hope for what we do not have, we must wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:25)

If we could only have a little more grace and peace …
…what a great difference it would make in our world.

It might be slow coming, but we can start with our greetings.

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome Morgan!

2008-05-01T11:36:00.001-07:00

Announcing the arrival of
Morgan Sharayah Mangrich
Born April 30, 2008, 10:06 pm (USA Central Time)
8 lbs., 9 oz., 21 ¾ inches long.
Stephanie and Benjamin Mangrich are the proud parents.
This is their first child.

It’s great to be a grandparent. Even for the third time.

We're glad that Francesca was able to be with them.

Sermon Synopsis for April 27, 2008

2008-04-29T13:05:00.000-07:00

“What Does God Want From Me?” 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

We have had a stewardship emphasis for the past 2 weeks:

First we found that our relationship with God must be good before we can be good stewards.

Second learned that we need to define our relationship with stuff (in our heart)

In this third installment we look at our giving.

I like the old story about the guy who came to church with his family. As they were driving home afterwards he was complaining about everything. He said, “The music was too loud. I didn’t know any of the songs. The sermon was too long. The announcements were unclear. The building was hot. The people were unfriendly.” He went on and on, complaining about virtually everything.

Finally, his very observant son said, “Dad, you’ve got to admit it wasn’t a bad show for just a dollar.”

LEARNING ABOUT GIVING AND RECEIVING

I learned about giving from the poor.
I didn’t expect that.
I expected (as a North American missionary) to give to them, and teach them about giving.
You see, the general understanding is: Those who have it, give to those who don’t.
I found out I was sorely wrong.

It bothered me. These people, who had next to nothing, were giving to me (chickens, potatoes, bus fare, taking time from their underpaid work to help me with menial tasks). They invited me to dinner – gave me chicken, when I knew that their children were only eating potatoes and rice.

It bothered me.

At first, I offered to pay; that really insulted them.

I had to learn to receive before I could learn how to give.
All of us need to do that.

I came to work with a group of pastors who are giving of their lives to the Lord’s service (a group of 18). They barely live on the few $ the church pays them, sometimes living in unfinished quarters on the church property. Many rejected by their families for following God (protestant) – and for being pastors. I needed to raise $30,000 for lots for retirement homes for them. It’s the least I can do for these servants of God. I would never have attempted this, if I had not first seen their giving. The next challenge is building materials.

I’ll tell you about each of them and their stories if you ask me.

THE APOSTLE PAUL’S EXPERIENCE

The apostle Paul traveled around, starting churches, preaching, making tents, spreading the good news of Jesus. His travels took him through the region of Macedonia, during his second and third missionary trips (Acts 16-21).

Macedonia was a Roman Province. It included the cities of Berea, Thessalonica, Apolonia, Philippi, Amphipolis, and Neapolis, which Paul visited. There were people like Lydia, a roman jailor, probably Luke, etc.

In today’s Scripture Paul writes to the believers in Corinth. This was a church with everything – all the gifts needed for a good church, material wealth, a well established church, diverse. But they had problems (some I wouldn’t want to face as a pastor).

One of the difficulties was a lack of love; in spite of many wondrous gifts of the Spirit, they were short on love. Furthermore, their love did not overflow into generosity, but rather ended in pride.

Paul talked to them about the believers in the poor, remote region of Macedonia.

It’s hard to receive advice from those we consider inferior to us. Sort of like the USA receiving advice from the 3rd world. That shouldn’t happen.

As I read this scripture, I ask, “What did God want from the Believers in Corinth?”
It makes me ask, “What does God want from me?”

LIVING BEYOND YOUR MEANS

The Macedonians were known for hardships and extreme poverty.
Verse 3 – “they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.” (NIV)
The Message puts it this way, “They gave what they could, even far more than they could afford.”

I’ve heard of people charging credit cards more than they could afford.
I’ve heard of people spending beyond their means.
I’ve heard of people getting buried in a load of debt because they spend beyond their ability to pay.
I’ve heard of people living beyond their means.

But I’ve never heard of people giving to God and God’s church more than they could afford.

You just can’t out-give God.

"Whose French Fries Are They?"
A man took his son to a fast food restaurant. He buys his little boy some french fries.

Then the father does what all fathers do, he reaches over and takes one french fry to taste it.

The little boy slaps his father’s hand and says, "Don’t touch my french fries."

The father thinks that his son is selfish. The father knows that he bought the french fries and they belong to him. The father knows that his son belongs to him.

The father could get angry and never buy his son another french fry again to teach his son a lesson, or the father could "bury" his son in french fries. The father thinks, "Why is my son selfish, I have given him a whole package of french fries; I just want one french fry."

Of course the point of the story has to do with us.
God has given us money (and all we have), we belong to God. When God asks for a tithe or a portion back, people figuratively slap His hand and say, "Keep Your hands off my money."

Whose French fries are they anyway?

OUR GOD WILL PROVIDE FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS

Tony Campolo tells of being invited to speak at a ladies meeting. There were 300 women there. Before he spoke the president of the organization read a letter from a missionary. It was a very moving letter. In the letter the missionary expressed a need for $4,000 to take care of an emergency that had cropped up. So the president of the organization said, "We need to pray that God will provide the resources to meet the need of this missionary. Bro. Campolo will you please pray for us?"

Tony Campolo, who is very outspoken said, "No." Startled, she said, "I beg your pardon." He said, "No, I won’t pray for that." He said, "I believe that God has already provided the resources & that all we need to do is give. Tell you what I’m going to do. I’m going to step up to this table & give every bit of cash I have in my pocket. And if all of you will do the same thing, I think God has already provided the resources." The president of the organization chuckled a little bit & said, "Well, I guess we get the point. He is trying to teach us that we all need to give sacrificially."

He said, "No, that is not what I am trying to teach you. I’m trying to teach you that God has already provided for this missionary. All we need to do is give it. Here, I’m going to put down all of my money I have with me." He wrote, "I only had $15 in my pocket so I wasn’t too worried about that." So he put down his $15 & then looked at the president of the organization. Reluctantly, she opened her purse & took out all of her money, which was about $40, & put it on the table. One by one the rest of the ladies filed by & put their money on the table, too. When the money was counted they had collected more than $4,000."

Tony Campolo said, "Now, here’s the lesson. God always supplies for our needs, & he supplied for this missionary, too. The only problem was we were keeping it for ourselves. Now let’s pray & thank God for His provision."

God knows we have limited resources.

Can it be that our limited resources are more than we think?

WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR LUNCH
I showed the children the lunch I packed: two small cans of tuna and five rolls.

I asked if I had enough to share with everyone. They didn’t think so. One boy thought that, maybe, everyone could have a very small bite.

I told them that it reminds me of a story (See John 6:1-13)

A little boy gave Jesus his lunch. Not 10%, not half, not even 90%, he gave his whole lunch.

Did the boy go hungry? No, everyone (more than 5000 people), ate until they were full. There were even 12 baskets of bread left over.

I don’t know how Jesus did it. But I know it wouldn’t have happened if a little boy didn’t offer his lunch to Jesus.

What about your lunch? What do you have, that, in the hands of Jesus, could be used to minister to everyone around you?

5 loaves and 2 fish seem entirely inadequate for feeding 5000 people.

Jesus told his disciples, “With men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Mt. 19:26)

What does Jesus want to do in your neighborhood?

What’s in your lunchbox?

Sermon Synopsis for April 20, 2008

2008-04-28T09:09:00.000-07:00

“Hunting for Treasure” Matthew 6:19-24

Today we continue looking at Stewardship …

Last week we learned from Jeremiah (18:1-6) that God is the potter, we are the clay.
- Everything belongs to God, even the clay.
- We can’t make ourselves.
- We need to let God form us and make us into what God wants us to be.

1. Before we think about our relationship with things, we need to think about our relationship with God.
2. If we don’t have a good relationship with God, it will be difficult to have a good relationship with things.

Today we hear from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, a sermon full of spiritual truths with practical applications.

Jesus admonishes the people – “store up treasure in heaven.”

IT’S NATURAL TO WANT THINGS

I showed the children a statue of the Ekkeko god that is popular in the Andean region of South America. Ekkeko is the god of wealth and prosperity. He has a lot of stuff hung around his neck; each item represents some form of material wealth.
• The little sacks of pasta and dry goods represent food.• The copy of money represents monetary wealth.
• A little house represents a wish for a real house.• The miniature car represents a wish for a real automobile.Every year, (usually before noon on January 24th) people all over Bolivia, and in other countries in South America, tie what they wish for onto the Ekkeko figures. Once given to Ekkeko, the wishes or miniature items are never removed – to do so is considered bad luck. A well-used statue will be loaded down with desires or miniatures that represent many hopes. According to the ancient legend, when you place a miniature object on Ekkeko, you will receive what you wish for the following year.

Does it work? Sometimes.

What would you put on the Ekkeko? Jesus knows what we want (desire).

But Jesus told us (in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:25-34), don’t worry about food, clothing, or other things – at least as the first thing you do. “Seek God first and everything else will fall into place.” (Mt. 6:33, RSV, Really Steve’s Version)

IT’S BEEN SAID, “YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU”

For centuries (even millennia) people have been trying to get their wealth into heaven. The tombs of the Pharaohs are a good example.

Trying to disprove the saying "You can't take it with you," a stingy old lawyer, diagnosed with a terminal illness, finally figured out how to take at least some of his fortune with him when he died. He instructed his wife to go to the bank and withdraw enough money to fill two pillowcases. He then told her to take the bags of money to the attic and leave them directly above his bed. When he passed away, he planned to reach out and grab the bags on his way to heaven. Several weeks after the funeral, his wife, up in the attic cleaning came upon the two forgotten pillow cases stuffed with cash.

"Oh, that old fool!" she exclaimed. "I knew I should have put the money in the basement."

JESUS TELLS US, “WE CAN TAKE IT WITH US”

Yes, Jesus tells us we can take it with us. But … it may not be the things we think, or the things we want.

Hunting for Treasure is a passion. Many people have invested all of their lives looking for treasure.

Hunting for Treasure: Where are you going to look?
Russell Conwell gave the speech, Acres of Diamonds, which let’s us know we may find it right in our own backyard. (http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/rconwellacresofdiamonds.htm)

Ali Hafed was a well-to-do Persian farmer. An old Buddhist priest told him about diamonds. He got diamond fever – wanted to be extremely wealthy. He was discontented with life, not because he was poor, but because he was not satisfied.
The following are excerpts from the text:

"Will you tell me where I find diamonds?”
"Diamonds! What do you want with diamonds?”
“Why, I wish to be immensely rich.”
“Well, then, go along and find them. That is all you have to do; go and find them, and then you have them.”
“But I don’t know where to go.”
“Well, if you will find a river that runs through white sands, between high mountains, in those white sands you will always find diamonds.”
“I don’t believe there is any such river.”
“Oh yes, there are plenty of them. All you have to do is to go and find them, and then you have them.”
Said Ali Hafed, “I will go.”

Ali Hafed sold his farm, and traveled around the world looking for diamonds, and spent all he had looking for diamonds. He died a poor man, in a far country, with no friends or family around him.
The man who purchased his farm dug up a shiny stone and put it on his mantle. The priest came by for a visit. When he saw the shiny stone he asked, “Has Ali Hafed returned?” Here is a diamond. The man told him he dug it out of his garden.

Desire and craving and yearning took control of his life, and eventually took his life.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR MAY NOT BE TRUE TREASURE

To talk about stewardship, we don’t first talk about “things” and “possessions” and money and wealth. All of these things are secondary.

First we look at our own relationship with God.
Last Sunday we emphasized our need to start with a good relationship with God. Matthew 6:33 (not far after today’s scripture passage) “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you.”

If your relationship with God is not solid and firm, you need to work on that first.

Next we need to look at our lives. What is important to us? What do we dedicate our lives to? What are our priorities?

When Jesus exhorts us not to lay up for ourselves treasures upon earth, He uses an interesting play upon words in the Greek. Lay up translates the Greek word thesaurizo. Treasures translates the Greek word thesauros. These two words come from a common term from which we get our English word thesaurus. A thesaurus is a treasury of words. So we might translate this phrase as, "do not treasure up treasures for yourselves on earth."

The idea here is that we give our time and energy for the purpose of amassing things. Our lives are spent to purchase material stuff. And, of course, the reason why we spend our lives in this endeavor is because our desire is for these things. Material things hold our allegiance. Somehow we believe that if we have enough stuff we will be happy.

But does money and social position really satisfy the human heart?
Several years ago Christina Onassis died at the young age of thirty-seven. People magazine carried the comment of her step-sister Henrietta Gelber. She said of Christina, "She was one of those people who would never be happy. She would become impatient. It had all come too easily - all the money, houses all over the world, few real responsibilities. She lacked a sense of achievement. What she was striving for was virtually impossible in her situation. She had houses all over the world, but she never really had a home."

So you think if you were a billionaire that you would be happy? Well, maybe you would. If you were, however, it would probably not be because you had a pile of money.

Woody Allen agrees, albeit with a twist: “Money can't buy happiness,” he said, “it just lets you look for it in better places.”

IT’S A MATTER OF PRIORITIES

Apparently, Jesus wasn’t a wealthy man. (In terms of material possessions)

But does Jesus prohibit the accumulation of wealth and possessions? No. It’s deeper than that. Jesus tells us that there is something wrong with the priorities of his day.

In Matthew 19:16 a rich young man came to Jesus and asked, “What must I do to get eternal life?”
Jesus told him to obey the law (Love God, Love Others)
The rich young man replied that he had done all that.
Jesus told him to sell all he had and give it to the poor, and then he will have treasure in heaven.
The story ends by telling us that the young man went away sad, because he had great wealth.

This story prompts Jesus’ saying, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

CONSIDER YOUR OWN HEART

1. Draw a heart. It’s your own.

2. What are the things you treasure?
Write them in your heart.

3. Ask Jesus to come into your heart.
Does Jesus like what he sees? Does something have to go for Jesus to stay? Is something missing?

4. What will it take to get your heart (and everything in it) into heaven?
Ask God to help you do whatever is necessary to get your heart into heaven.

YOU CAN TAKE IT WITH YOU

To get our treasures to heaven we need to get them into the same heart where Jesus lives. Some items may be eliminated; some may need to be added.

Then we must give our heart (and all its possessions) to Jesus.

God is hunting for treasure – true treasure – God wants to find it in our lives. That’s the only way we can get our treasures to heaven.

Sermon Synopsis for April 13, 2008

2008-04-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

“A Worthy Vessel” Jeremiah 18:1-6

This is the first part of a three part series about stewardship.

STEWARDSHIP
(Miriam-Webster definition): 1. The duties and obligations of a steward (employed to manage the affairs and concerns of another). 2. The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.

A steward is more a position of responsibility, not a position of pride and social standing.

IRS – donations to churches are deductible on federal taxes.
Maybe you’ve heard the story about a man who claimed a deduction for a $10K donation to his church. The IRS Calls the church to verify the deduction, “Did he make this donation.” The Church Treasurer tells him – “I’m sure (after I check) he will have made the donation.”

Our scripture passage is from Jeremiah. He’s known as “the sad prophet.” He had a lot to be sad about.

Jeremiah’s world was a mess. War and violence were all around. There were two super powers in the area: Babylonia (Nebuchadnezzar) and Egypt (Neco II); everyone else had a relative peace while these two big ones were fighting. You just had to be careful whose side you took. In 605 BC, at the Battle of Carchemish, Babylonia defeated Egypt and became the sole super power. Babylonia looked to take control of all the smaller kingdoms. Judah, unfortunately, thought Egypt was going to win, and sided with them.

Judah was a mess. Despite reforms from Young King Josiah, his children and grandchildren went against God. They made alliances with other kingdoms instead of trusting God.

Ultimately, according to Jeremiah, Judah was a spiritual mess. They accepted the gods of the other kingdoms, made graven images, had lax morality (no sin stardards), and sacrifices became cultural traditions.

Before they could become what God wanted them to be, they had to go through a transformation – they couldn’t be useful people to God in the condition they were in. They didn’t have a good value system in place, especially a system for self-worth.

WHAT ARE THINGS WORTH?
Three boys are in the schoolyard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50."

The second boy says, "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100."

The third boy says, "I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon and it takes four people to collect all the money!"

It is tax time.
Maybe you heard about a little boy, who wanted $100.00 very badly, prayed for two weeks but nothing happened. Then he decided to write GOD a letter requesting $100.00. When the postal authorities received the letter to GOD, U.S.A., they decided to send it to the President. The President was so impressed, touched, and amused that he instructed his secretary to send the boy $5.00. Mr. President thought that this would appear to be a lot of money to the little boy. The little boy was delighted with the $5.00 and immediately sat down to write a thank you note to GOD that read: "Dear God, Thank you very much for sending me the money. However, I noticed that for some reason you had to send it through Washington, D.C., and, as usual, those devils deducted $95.00.

If a financial counselor asked you, “what’s your net worth?”
Most think of bank accounts, annual income, investments.
If the IRS asked you, “what’s your net worth?”
You might have a different answer.
If God asked you, “what’s your net worth?”
How would you respond?

Martin Luther, the protestant reformer, is quoted as saying, “People go through 3 conversions: their head, their heart and their pocketbook. Unfortunately, not all at the same time.”

WHAT IS OUR HUMAN LIFE WORTH?
There are different aspects of our lives to take into account.

Physical worth:
- Chemical components of human body = 3 to 4 dollars, depending on the market (but you have to lose your life to redeem this amount).
- We could sell our organs at a better price (same result, lose our life).
- Use our bodies to work (value per hour or per monthly salary)
- Sell our bodies (prostitution)

Social worth:
- Position in society.
- Riches, power
- Friends, colleagues, family
- Education

Spiritual worth:
- Religion, ecclesiastical structure, belief system.
- Ethics, moral
- Concept of god

What part of our lives does God want? (Rhetorical question)

I showed the children an old roughly made clay bowl and asked them what they thought it was worth. They didn’t appreciate it very much. When they learned that the bowl was from the formative period of pre-Columbian history in central South America, that changed everything. The fact that someone took some clay and formed this bowl as much as 2400 years ago made a big difference.

Isaiah wrote (64:8), “Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

Our value comes from being formed by God!

Jeremiah went to the potter’s house.

In Israel (as in much of the world) pottery is the common stuff of everyday life.
The archaeological periods are (in some part) defined by the pottery style and form.

Pottery was a vital part of the economic structure in Old Testament times. It was a major industry. If you had gone down to the potter's house in those days you would have seen one or more men making this pottery using what we would call crude machinery. He would probably be sitting on a wooden seat with a small table in front of him. Under that table and fastened to it would be a large round rock about the size of a large automobile tire. He would turn the table by placing his feet on top of the large round stone and turning it by using his feet.

What did Jeremiah see? (Verses 3-4) He saw a potter making a vessel, decide it wasn’t very good, and use the same clay to make a new pot. (A Makeover) This was nothing out of the ordinary.

Jeremiah had a gift. He could see spiritual things in everyday objects and events. This ability is truly a gift from God.

God says to Jeremiah, “that’s a lot like you and me.” (v.6) An analogy.
God = potter
Clay = us, humans

Most of us would rather see ourselves in the role of the potter of our own lives (our destinies). That’s not the way God wants us to see it.

The clay is the work of the potter.
God has the authority (and ownership)
God has the power and ability

What can the clay do? Not much.
Can the clay reject what the potter has made?
Can the clay make itself?

Romans 9:20-21 “But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ Does not the potter have the right to make out of the clay what he wants?

God wants to form us – according to Genesis 2:26-27 – in His image.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over “the things I made, that are mine.”

God made us – God made us good – God made us to take care of his stuff.

The psalmist wrote “The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (Psalm 24:1)

Jeremiah talks about a makeover:
God doesn’t want any “self-made men;” God wants men (and women) who submit to God’s forming in t heir lives.

Check out Jonathan Edwards’s 1741 sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” (http://www.ccel.org/ccel/edwards/sermons.sinners.html). Those hands can form you, or destroy you. It’s best to be forgiven when those hands are forming you!

Psalm 119:73 “Your hands made me and formed me …”

A Study was made (you can do a scientific investigation of anything these days) relating the mood of the potter to the work that is produced. This is not a production line with quality control, but an artist working with the clay. By looking at the pot (or whatever is being made) they could tell what mood the potter was in when it was made.
Can we push the analogy here? What mood was God in when you were made?

Why does the potter bother to make the pot?
- He likes to do it.
- He receives something for doing it.
- He’s good at it.

What about the pot?
- it must be useful
- it should be appealing to look at.
- It reflects the nature, person, and ability of the potter.
- Its value depends on these things.

Christian Stewardship doesn’t begin by talking about our relationship with money or things … it begins by talking about our relationship with God, our creator.

Searching for the true value of material possessions and for the value of people depends on the relationship with God

God wants to change our lives, a makeover, re-create us, so that we can be stewards, in God’s world.

Colossians 2:13 “When you were dead in your sins … and your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.”

What are you worth? Did you ever watch Antiques Roadshow?
If I took you to the heavenly Antiques Roadshow, what would God say you are worth?

Our worth comes from being molded and shaped by God’s hands. It is God who gives us true worth. – Priceless.
Put your lives into God’s hands!

We closed with the hymn, HAVE THINE OWN WAY, LORD
Adelaide Pollard, who wrote "Have Thine Own Way Lord" knew something about the relationship between God and humanity, and the potter and the clay.

She didn’t like her life: changed her name (from Sarah), moved from Iowa to Boston, to Chicago, back to New England, etc. At a church meeting (1902) she heard a woman pray. The woman didn’t ask God for material blessings or things or liberation from problems; instead she prayed “It doesn’t matter what you bring into our lives, Lord. Just have your own way with us.” She decided to let God lead. That night Pollard wrote the words to this hymn.

"Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the potter, I am the clay! Mold me and make me after Thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still." (First verse of "Have Thine Own Way")

Sermon Synopsis for March 23, 2008

2008-03-23T18:10:00.000-07:00

John 20:1-18 “Our Testimony: Jesus Lives”

I’m sure you’ve heard about the time the Sunday School teacher asked about the true meaning of Easter.
The first child to respond said, “It’s when we color eggs and our parents hide them and we look for them.”
The Teacher politely responded that there is more to it than that.
The next child told her, “It’s when we find a basked full of goodies that the Easter Bunny brings and we eat lots of chocolate and candy.”
The Teacher again asked for something more.
Little Joey responded, “It’s when we remember that Jesus rose out of the tomb …”
“Wonderful,” thought the Teacher.
Joey continued, “and if he sees his shadow there is 6 weeks more of winter.”

Easter means different things do different people.

James MacDonald, a pastor in Chicago, said, “For those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ and take the Gospel seriously, this is our Big Time. Sports fanatics have the Super Bowl, but if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, this is our weekend.”

As Christians we’ve celebrated the triumphal entry, the mystery of Jesus in the Upper Room (washing the feet of his disciples, giving them his broken body and shed blood), the horror of Good Friday, and now we arrive at Easter – Resurrection Day.

Apostles Creed (An important confession of the early believers) states, “I believe in . . . Jesus Christ . . . on the third day he rose again from the dead, he ascended into heaven and he is seated at the right hand of the father.”

Did you ever play the game of Jenga? You pull out the blocks until the stack falls – hopefully for the other person playing. Pulling out the block of the resurrection is what would make the whole thing, we call Christianity, fall.

WE LIVE IN A WORLD THAT QUESTIONS THE RESURRECTION
It’s interesting – George Barna Reports – 30% of self described evangelical born-again Christians don’t believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus from the Dead.

Time Magazine (March 2004) was dedicated to “The Search for Jesus.” According to “The Jesus Seminar,” The descriptions of the trial, crucifixion and resurrection in the Gospels have been deemed inauthentic. Unbelievable. Jesus couldn’t have risen from the dead.

These teachings are what led Sigmund Freud to declare, “Religion is the Opiate of the People” and Frederick Nietzsche, “God is Dead”

Our founding father, Thomas Jefferson, cut the resurrection stories out of his personal version of the Bible, dismissing them as too astonishing to believe. His version of the Gospel ends with “There laid they Jesus, and rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.” (Jefferson Bible, chapter 17, verses 63-64 http://www.angelfire.com/co/JeffersonBible/)

Is it possible to be a Christian and not believe in the Resurrection of Jesus?

Not if an empty grave is the pivotal reason for our faith.

FOR OUR FAITH
The Apostle Paul wrote. “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” (I Cor 15:14) “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile.” (I Cor 15:17)

As Christians, without the resurrection, we have nothing to live for, no purpose for our existence. Our Faith – what we firmly believe in – is useless and futile.

"Futile" (Greek, canos – empty) – a great waste of time.

Church, worship, programs, activities, tithes and offerings – useless.
Loving others, community outreach, missionary work - all secular humanism.

JESUS APPROACH
Jesus didn’t make a big show out of the resurrection. If he did, it could have changed everything.

If it were me … I’d jump out and say, “Ta - Da!” I would have shown off to as many people as possible. They would have known right away: The newspapers, the press, CNN, FOX News.

Jesus, on the other hand, went and spoke with those closest to him, in a mysterious way.

If only he had appeared to Pilate, Caiaphas, Herod, or even Caesar – everything would have been different. But he sought out those closest to him – his friends and followers. It would never have stood up in a court of law. These witnesses have a vested interest.

Ultimately, Jesus was interested in his followers … not in the Pilates, Ciaphas, or Caesars. His followers: these were the ones who had followed him, trusted him, put their faith in him.

OUR RESPONSE
Would you recognize Jesus, if you saw him?

Recognizing Jesus is key to the Easter story.
The first time Mary Magdalene saw the risen Jesus, she thought he was a gardener.
Peter, John, the other disciples all were amazed when they saw the risen Jesus.
Thomas needed to feel his wounds to believe it was him.
Jesus appeared to two people on the road to Emmaus (today’s Sunday School lesson)
I’m sure they would have acted different if they knew it was Jesus.

Mary thought he was a gardener.

I’ve had my share of embarrassing and odd experiences of talking with people that I should have known who they were.

As a college student, I was walking to class, complaining with another person about what I heard about the new professor - it was him. Oops!

At the Cochabamba, Bolivia Airport, I saw a humble looking man sitting alone in the waiting area. I asked him about his perspective on the current social problems affecting Bolivia. I talked about the role of faith in our response to the present riots and that I was on my way to a church meeting to decide how to react to the current wave of political unrest. The person turned out to be Evo Morales, who is presently the President of Bolivia. Oops!

Mary, talking to a gardener in the garden near Jesus’ tomb, “They have taken my Lord away and I don’t know where they have put him.”

Jesus / Gardner, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?

Mary, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Jesus, “Mary”

The sound of her name – in that familiar voice - was all she needed.

Mary went to see a tomb with a body; the other gospels tell us she went to put spices on the body.
Mary found the risen Lord.

I showed the children an empty Easter basket. They were disappointed. Easter is the holiday we celebrate finding nothing. The tomb was empty. We can stay in our disappointment in an empty basket (tomb), or, like the disciples, we can rejoice in seeing the resurrected Jesus.

OUR HOPES
They had hoped that Jesus would be the one who would redeem Israel.

What are your hopes about Jesus? Jesus wants to speak to you in a personal way.

Every Easter morning in Bolivia the protestant evangelical churches march to the Coronilla Hill after an all night prayer vigil (sort of a wake for Jesus). At the Coronilla they celebrate the resurrection!

One year I noticed my friend Jaime Goytia sitting in the crowd of about 20K. Jaime’s father was the 8th protestant Christian in Bolivia. Jaime had seen the believers grow in number from a handful to a great multitude. God is doing things. The risen Jesus is still revealing himself to people going all sorts of places.

Mary didn’t recognize Jesus.
Maybe what’s most important is that Jesus recognized Mary.

Mary felt that God had left her. She (and the other disciples) were without hope and discouraged in the way things turned out.

In the midst of her despair, she was reassured by Jesus presence – He was alive!

Like Mary, we may feel discouraged in the way things have turned out. Jesus presence can assure us as well. Jesus wants you to recognize him. He calls out your name. Are you listening? :I died for you …. Will you live for me?”

Don’t wait for an announcement on the evening news, a CNN newscase, a proclamation from the White House. Look for Jesus; you’ll find him. “Seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) You will be surprised what you find.

Mary was looking for a sealed tomb. She found Jesus.
Mary’s testimony to the others (John 20:18) was, “I have seen the Lord!”

Our testimony is the same – whatever we’re looking for, we need to feel the Lord’s presence in our lives and our testimony is our personal experience with Jesus. That’s enough.

Jesus wants to have a personal relationship with you. It’s the only way you can say, “I have seen the Lord!”

Sermon Synopsis for March 9, 2008

2008-03-12T17:56:00.000-07:00

John 11:1-45 “Into New Life”

We talked about the story of Lazarus in John 11. Maybe you heard about the Children’s Sunday School class that studied the story. The little boy asked the teacher hy the Bible doesn’t mention the others that came out of the grave?

The teacher asked why he thinks there were others in the grave.
The Boy responded, “The Bible says that Lazarus came forth.”

That’s a King James Version Joke. That’s a problem with new translations of the Bible – They ruin a lot of old jokes.

HOW IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?

When our relationship with God is good, it’s easy to do many things:
- To attend church and S.S.
- To contribute to the offering and special projects
- To help out where you can
- Volunteer

What about when things get rough?
- Arthritis is keeping you from doing what you enjoy
- Problems of old age, the body is wearing out
- Financial problems
- Marriage problems
- Tragic accident (boy killed in motorcycle accident a month ago)
- your sister-in-law is dying
- your mother is dying
- you are dying

When difficulties enter our lives, sometimes it affects our relationship with God.

How is your relationship with God then?

Martha, Mary and Lazarus had a special relationship with Jesus. They were good friends.

When Jesus heard Lazarus was ill, he waited a couple of days and then went to visit the family. It doesn’t make sense for him to wait if he really liked Lazarus and family. He told his disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep,” by which he meant Lazarus was dead.

MOST OF US WOULD GO TO THE FUNERAL OF A FRIEND

Funerals are a time to remember special relationships we had with people. They are difficult; because we won’t see that person any longer in just the same way we knew them.

Lazarus (and his sisters Mary and Martha) were friends with Jesus and his disciples. Lazarus had died. Jesus went (late) to the funeral; when all the grieving was in full swing.

It turned out to be one of the oddest funerals in the history of the world – Lazarus came back to life and they had a great reunion among friends. Most funerals don’t turn out that way.
Funerals often bring accusations. (The “if onlys”)
- If only I hadn’t let him go
- If only I had seen the warning symptoms
- If only I had sent her to the doctor sooner

The “If Onlys” can destroy us.

As Jesus was approaching the town of Bethany; the funeral was in full swing. The mourners were “sitting shivah.” Martha came out to see Jesus with her “if only.” “Jesus, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21)

Later on, Mary caught up with Jesus and had her own “if only.”

When I was director of the Baptist Seminary in Cochabamba, Bolivia, we sent our students to do internship ministry. A group was going South, over the Taquina mountain range to minister in rural villages. Long story shorter – a tragic accident killed a number of the students. Enrique Ferufino was one of those who died. A bad case of the “if onlys” hit hard. It hit me, the other students, the churches, the seminary, especially his family and community. It was so bad, we considered closing the seminary for a while.

When Martha came with her “if only,” Jesus told Martha, “Your brother will rise again”
Martha replied, “I know, in the end times.”
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believe in me will live …”
Jesus was telling Martha, “Trust me” “Believe in me”

Jesus came to the funeral so they would trust in him.

JESUS WANTS TO BE OUR FRIEND

John 15:15 says, “I no longer call you servants … instead I call you friends.”

Confession time: I had a speeding ticket last week. Your pastor is in trouble with the law. Sorry. I look at that section of road differently now.

The fact is, when there are police around, I drive differently.

Many people consider God as a police rather than a friend.

Jesus is our Savior. He is our Master. He is the eternal God who came to this earth and was made a man. Jesus is the Son of God who offered Himself as a sacrifice on Calvary for our sins. He who knew no sin was made sin on our behalf that we might be made the righteous of God in Him. Jesus rose from the dead on the third day; thereby proving Himself to be both the Son of God and God the Son. Jesus ascended into heaven and took His place on the throne at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus is our ruler, judge, and King. But is he our friend? Would you be comfortable talking to him the way you do to your friends in "your language?"

Jesus wants that kind of relationship with us. You don’t become friends easy. It means spending time together. It means sharing ideas, feelings, experiences. Going fishing together, hunting together, sewing together, shopping together.

The words friendship and together are just about inseparable.

Jesus became friends with Mary, Martha & Lazarus. And the bottom line of their relationship – he loved them. (Greek: filios – “like a brother”)

Jesus loved Lazarus, and we suppose that Lazarus loved Jesus too.
That’s why Lazarus’ death upset Jesus so much.

Jesus likes to be present at his friends funerals.

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE TELLS US THAT JESUS WANTS TO GO TO OUR FUNERALS, JUST LIKE HE WENT TO LAZARUS’ FUNERAL.

Jesus shares our emotions:
Everyone was crying – Mary, Martha, all the people at the funeral …
What was Jesus’ response?
Shortest verse in the English language Bible (John 11:35) “Jesus wept.”

Why did Jesus weep?
Certainly he was moved by the death of his friend and the emotion of everyone else.
Jesus wept …
Because it isn’t fair!
Death dominates.
It’s not the way God wants it to be

God wants us to live - that’s why Jesus came into the world. We learned that fact from Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus. John 3:16-17 - God loves the world so much, he sent Jesus … so that we might live. God didn’t send Jesus to condemn us – we already feel bad enough … God sent Jesus that through him we might be saved

God cries, God weeps - at a world of sin / anger / hatred / death

God sees the sickness, the sadness, the troubles, the sorrow – and it makes God sad.

So he sends Jesus - to do something about it.

Even though it looks like it’s too late (like it was for Lazarus), the gospel message is “It’s not too late!”

It wasn’t fair that Jesus suffered and died; it was one of the great tragedies of all time.
But God used that suffering and death that we might have life.

Jesus said to disciples in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

When I reflect on my personal friendships, I realized that I really haven’t done much for my friends. Friends do nice things for each other. I had been a friend. I loaned money; treated them to a meal; shared experiences; given them nice gifts (rule: the nicer the gift the better the friend): prayed with them and for them.

I’ve read about friends who: gave a kidney; worked so they could get an education; given large sums of cash. However, I never thought about dying for a friend. It’s tough to think about.

Jesus is just that kind of friend. He wants that kind of relationship with us.

TO THE POINT
Jesus was present at Lazarus funeral. It turned out to be one of the oddest funerals in the history of the world – Lazarus came back to life and they had a great reunion among friends. Most funerals don’t turn out that way.

In two weeks we celebrate the funeral of Jesus (Good Friday). That’s another funeral that didn’t turn out as most people expected.

Friendships are important, but they don't always last. Most of the friends I had as a kid are long gone. The friends I had as a teenager are a distance away. Even many of the friends that I have had as an adult have drifted away. Jesus knows us and loves us. He stands by for us. He cares about our weakness and loneliness. Jesus will always be there for us. He wants to be our friend. He loves us.

Here's Jesus' promise to you! "When you are sad…I will dry your tears. When you are scared…I will comfort your fears…when you are worried…I will give you hope…And when you are lost and cannot see the light…I shall be your beacon, shinning ever so bright. This is my promise, I pledge till the end. 'Why?' you may ask…because you are my friend." Because I love you.

The tragic death of Enrique Ferrufino (long story short), resulted in many coming to Christ.

Lazarus’ death and resurrection resulted in … v. 45 “many … put their faith in him.” They trusted Jesus.

How is your relationship with Jesus?
Is he your friend?
Jesus will come into your life. – Invite Him!
Jesus will come to your funeral.
He will give you new life.

Sermon Synopsis for March 2, 2008

2008-03-04T07:36:00.000-08:00

“Into New Sight” John 9:1-41

Maybe you’ve heard …
Jesus shows up in the darndest places. One day he was in a local coffee shop.

The waiter was washing mugs, when an elderly Dominican man came in and hoisted his bad leg on the chair beside him, pulled himself up painfully, and asked for some espresso. The Dominican looked across the room and said, "Is that Jesus down there?" The waiter nodded and the Dominican told him to give Jesus an espresso too.

The next patron was an ailing Italian with a hunched back and slowness of movement. He shuffled up to the counter and asked for a mocha latte. He also looked down the counter and asked if that was Jesus sitting down there. The waiter nodded and the Italian said to give him a mocha latte.

The third patron, an American, limped in dragging his leg on the floor and hollered, "Waiter, gimme a black coffee. Hey, is that Jesus down there?" The waiter nodded, and the American told him he wanted to buy Jesus a coffee too.

As Jesus got up to leave, he walked over to the Dominican, touched him and said, "For your kindness, you are healed!" The Dominican felt the strength come back to his leg, and he got up and danced to the door.

Jesus touched the Italian and said, "For your kindness you are healed!" The Italian felt his back straighten, and he raised his hands above his head and did a flip out the door.

As Jesus walked toward the American, the American jumped back and exclaimed, "Don't touch me, I'm drawin' disability!"

It’s just a story, but we know that people get comfortable in their condition …
… they work things out and they get comfortable in their disability.

JESUS HAD A HABIT OF GETTING INTO TROUBLE

In today’s scripture passage we see a man who was blind from birth; his encounter with Jesus enabled him to see. He was looking for a donation, but he received sight. Jesus wants us to see … to see what is right and good and pleasing to God.

It’s difficult to imagine, that healing a blind man can get you into trouble, but that’s just what happened to Jesus.

You see, the ones who are truly blind, who truly need to be healed by Jesus, don’t always want to be healed. They’d rather stay on spiritual disability.

Here’s the story in a nutshell: (I thank Cathy, Wanda, Jonna and the Junior Youth for enacting the story in John 9 for us)
One Sabbath Jesus came across a man who had been blind since birth (he had accepted the condition and learned to live with it). The disciples asked him – who is the sinner, this man or his parents? To prove a point (that sin is a human condition and not always a specific sin), Jesus healed the man. He healed him in an odd sort of way – mixing dirt with spit and putting it over his eye and telling him to wash it in the central pool. If someone put mud in my eye, you wouldn’t have to tell me to wash it off.

The children in church liked the idea of playing with mud. We found that Jesus can use ordinary things (like even us) to do amazing things for God.

There are other amazing parts of this scripture story: The reaction of the Jewish leaders.
They were the law enforcers. The Pharisee leaders were more interested in the fact that Jesus did this on a Sabbath, than that the man was healed.

It seems that obedience – or disobedience - to the law was more important than being made well. The Pharisee leaders had a dilemma.

I understand their difficulty, their struggle:
I was recently at a banquet at Weaver Market (Adamstown). Scratched on the stall wall in the men’s room was: “God Loves You.” What do I think? Am I glad that someone wants others to know that God loves them or am I upset that an apparent Christian defaced the wall in the restroom?
I’m not sure how to feel. I’m sure the Pharisee leaders of Jesus time were in a similar quandary.

How do you decide? God gave laws (Sabbath) / God heals.
God makes the rules about what is sin / God cleanses us from sin.

The Pharisee leaders should have rejoiced because of the healing (what God was doing in the life of the blind man), but they chose to focus on the law. Because (they thought) that obedience to the law is what makes you right with God.

The blind man found out that Jesus’ touch and God’s forgiveness made him right with God.

In the face of such an event …
Why would you opt for following the rules when you can have true healing?
Let me put it this way: Why would you stay on disability when you can be healthy?

The disability thing is a good excuse, it’s comfortable, and it’s gladly accepted. But if Jesus brings something better, why not take it?

We sometimes get into a quandary similar to that of the Pharisees.
What about our X-treme Worship:
It has loud rock music; It doesn’t seem respectful and reverent; they don’t use our traditional hymns.
On the other hand, young people are using their gifts for God and are coming to Christ.
How does leadership decide?

Apostle Paul tells us (Phil 2:12) to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”
Our faith is a struggle when it meets real life situations.

THINGS HAPPEN WHEN JESUS IS AROUND

Because of this encounter with Jesus, the man saw differently; his life was changed. Jesus made him right with God. He would never be the same.

You see – this man was struggling with the same issue as Jesus’ disciples.
Because of his blindness (his flaw) he felt that there must be some sin in his life, or in his family, that caused it.

The traditional teaching of the day was that blindness (and any illness) comes because of sin. It was the way of explaining away the problems in their lives.

What about the Problem of Sin?
Much of the discussion in the Scripture passage in John 9 centered on sin. Sin is a problem!
v. 2. Who sinned? The man blind from birth, or his parents?
v. 16. Is Jesus a sinner? Can a sinner perform miracles in God’s name?
vv. 24-25. Is Jesus a sinner? The Pharisee leadership says he is; the healed man is confused about the problem of sin, but he is certain about his healing. The sign of his sin is gone.
v. 31. God doesn’t listen to sinners. If Jesus weren’t from God (sinless) he couldn’t perform miracles.
v. 34. The formerly blind man was “steeped in sin a birth.”

What is Sin? It’s that barrier that keeps us from getting close to God.

You see, the blind man was considered a sinner.
He couldn’t go to the Temple.
He couldn’t offer sacrifices.
He listened to the praise and worship from a distance.
That was a tough situation.

He couldn’t go to God, so God sent Jesus to him.

Jesus doesn’t want his followers on “Spiritual Disability.” He wants to make us right with God. Things happen when Jesus is around.

Pharisee leadership needed to know a few things:
1. For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23). Sickness and illness are part of a fallen world.
2. God wants to forgive us our sins. We need to confess our sins (1 John 1:9)
3. God sent Jesus to heal us from our spiritual disability, to forgive us of our sins.

Isaiah 53:4-5 tells us, “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed.”

John Newton’s mother taught him to pray, but she died when he was 7 and his heart hardened against God. He became a wild, young man who mocked Christianity and drowned himself in drink.

At 23, while a crewman on a slave ship, Newton was jolted awake by a violent storm—so terrifying that he cried out to the Lord. The John Newton who arrived safely in England was a repentant man. For the rest of his life he would refer to March 10, 1748, as the day of his conversion.

Unfortunately, Newton's conversion did not change his views of slavery for many years. He became the captain of his own slave ship. In time, under the influence of famed abolitionist William Wilberforce and Anglican priests John Wesley and George Whitefield, he had another spiritual awakening. In 1760 he became an ordained minister and a powerful foe of slavery.

He eventually became pastor of a church in Olney. While there he wrote a hymn that he had been carrying with him for some time. On Jan. 1, 1773, his congregation sang a new hymn entitled "Faith's Review and Expectation." We know it by a different name.

John Newton wrote, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see." Eventually John Newton's eyes failed and he was totally blind when he died—but he had seen clearly the wonder of God's grace.

God helped John Newton see things differently. His spiritual disability had been cured.

JESUS HELPS US TO SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY

This Lenten Season is a good time to ask, How is your relationship with God? Jesus wants to make you whole, to heal you. Jesus wants to help you see the world differently.

Who needed to see?
Obviously it’s that the man born blind needed to see. Jesus changed his life in many ways.
It becomes obvious that the Pharisee leadership is blind on a deeper level – to God’s presence and power in this world.

We all need to see God at work in the lives of others around us, and in our own lives.

Why did Jesus come?
… to enforce the law, or to set people free?

Dove Award winner Paul Baloche, was in a prayer meeting at his church, Community Christian Fellowship in Lindale, TX. The Pastor prayed, “Open the eyes of our hearts so that we can understand your world.” The phrase stuck in his mind.

One morning, Baloche was playing music on his guitar during an altar call at a revival meeting. The phrase came back to him, “Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord. We want to see You.” The story goes, that others started to sing with him, and the song was born.

Good things (unexpected things) happen when we are in a right relationship with God. …

How is your relationship with God? Maybe you need to sing along?

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord;
Open the eyes of my heart.
I want to see You!
I want to see You!