Ezkiel 37:1-14, Acts 2:1-21, John 15:26-27

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Acts 2:1-21

John 15:26-27

Come, Holy Spirit

May 31, 2009

Pentecost

What an eerie – and yet tremendously exciting – description of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

What an eerie — and yet tremendously exciting — description of the Spirit of God bringing life to lifeless, dry bones.

Eerie – yes – even scary – and yet intriguing – and indeed exciting.

But still scary.

Today is Pentecost.

One of the three most important days in the church year – along with Christmas and Easter.  This is the day we celebrate the coming and power of the Holy Spirit – and yet we seem to be uncomfortable with it.  We don’t quite know what to do with it.  It’s hard to generate enthusiasm for Pentecost.

Why do we not celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit in the same way we celebrate the coming of Christ – or the resurrection of Christ?

I’m not sure – - but I’m afraid it has something to do with the fact that we are scared.

We are comfortable with looking back at the Bible and saying -

“Yes – how wonderful the coming to the Holy Spirit was ” – -

or “Yes – how wonderful it was that the Spirit of God brought life the dry bones” —

but yet – - what we would do if it happened here and now?

The very thought of the Spirit coming into our lives and this Church right now scares us to — – doesn’t it?

We want to be able to look back and admire the coming of the Spirit – while keeping it at a safe distance from us.  Like a lion or tiger in the zoo or a shark at an aquarium.  It’s great to look at – but don’t let it get up close and personal.

The coming of the Holy Spirit is scary.

It’s risky business!

We don’t know what might happen if the Holy Spirit were to suddenly come upon us – do we?

We don’t know what might happen if we were to experience the renewing — life giving work of God’s Spirit — here and now – do we?

We don’t know what might happen if we were to experience a Pentecost of sorts here and now – do we?

And that can be scary!

We just might get excited.

We just might start worshipping like we really mean it.

We just might start really loving each other.

We just might become excited about doing God’s will.

We just might start really wanting to do something – to really make a difference for God’s glory.

We just might start wanting our faith to really mean something to us – and make a difference in how we live.

Yea – scary – risky business.

We wouldn’t want any of this to really happen – would we?

We don’t really want to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit – - the new life offered by the Spirit of God — because we are scared of what might happen if we do.

Let Pentecost just be something that happened “back then” – let’s just observe it as a historical event – but let’s not get carried away with it.  Let’s not act like it could happen here – and now.

Let the vision of the dry bones receiving life be just that — a vision — don’t let it be reality — especially not reality for us!

But — guess what — while  we try to avoid getting the Holy Spirit as if we were trying to avoid getting the Swine Flu

we also bemoan the fact that we just can’t get anything going –

we bemoan the fact that we can’t seem to grow as a Church!

Maybe – just maybe — we should re–think Pentecost.

Maybe we should re-think our attitudes about the life changing – Church changing power of the Holy Spirit.

Do you think that maybe we should take another look at Pentecost – and what the Holy Spirit can do for us – here – and now?

Do you think we should take another look at the life-giving power of God’s Spirit?

Should we take another look at the excitement and enthusiasm of the disciples – the new life of the dead bones – and maybe take the coming of the Holy Spirit more seriously – and see if there is a chance it could happen again – now?

What do you think can really make a difference in our lives and our Church?

Friends – it’s the work of the Holy Spirit that can make a difference in our lives – and the Church – so we need to see what the Spirit can do for us – pray to be filled with the Spirit – and learn to walk in the Spirit all our lives.

Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, said that if there was one message he could preach to the church, it would be a message about how to be filled with the Holy Spirit. That’s how much of a difference the filling of the Holy Spirit can make in a person’s life.

Many people give up on trying to live the Christian life because it’s too hard. The fact is, it’s not just hard—it’s impossible.

It’s impossible to live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit’s power.

If we are going to be the Christians God wants us to be – and the Church God wants us to be – we had better start praying for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

You see — the Holy Spirit is the oil that makes the machinery of your life run smoothly. Have you ever tried driving a car without oil? You know what happens, don’t you. The engine locks up and breaks down. It’s the same way for a Christian who lives without the oil of the Holy Spirit in their life.

Some of you have been walking in the Spirit for many years – but fr some of you the idea of being filled with the Holy Spirit is a new concept. But the fact is that all of us need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The fact is that – if we are going to be the Christians God wants us to be – and the Church God wants us to be – we are going to have to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

On this Pentecost – let’s look at a passage of Scripture that teaches in plain detail what the Holy Spirit can do for you, how you can be filled with the Holy Spirit, and how you can live a Spirit-filled life. The passage we’ll look at is in Ezekiel 37, the story of the Valley of the Dry Bones. This passage teaches us a great deal about the Holy Spirit.

If you can turn to your Bibles or a pew Bible that might be helpful – because we are going to be referring to Ezekiel 37 a lot.

Look at the passage.

What can the Holy Spirit do for you?

Well – let’s look at some things the Holy Spirit can do for you:

One thing is: He can revitalize your life.

Take a look at verse 5 in Ezekiel 37 –

(v. 5) This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you and you will come to life.

Then — skip down to verse 14…

(v. 14) I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live.

That’s what the Holy Spirit does for you.

He revitalizes you.

He takes you from the point of merely surviving to the point of truly living.

He changes your life from “black and white” to the “wonderful world of living color” – so to speak.

It’s as if your life “mono” to “stereo”.

It’s as if your life were changed from a moped to a mercedes.

The Holy Spirit revitalizes your life.

He infuses you with freshness, and with newness.

Another thing the Holy Spirit can do for you is that He can renew your hope. Take a look at verse 11 – 12:

(v. 11-12) Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord days: O My people I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord.”

What’s God doing here?

He’s sending the Holy Spirit and renewing their hope.

Have there been times in your life when you felt like the people of Israel felt here?

Have there been times when you have said:

“My bones are dried up and my hope is gone”?

I think we all have.

The presence of the Holy Spirit changes your perspective on life. One of the benefits of life that is filled with the Holy Spirit is that the Spirit renews your hope.

In Ephesians 1 Paul says that the Holy Spirit is given to us as…

…a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those        who are God’s possession…(Ephesians 1:14)

Paul’s saying g that the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life guarantees that you will get through this life—no matter how dark it may seem, no matter dry you may feel, no matter how desperate things might be—the Holy Spirit will keep your hope alive. A benefit of the Spirit filled life is the absence of despair.

Another thing the Holy Spirit does for you is that the Spirit will restore your dreams. Look at what Ezekiel writes in verse 14:

I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. (vs. 14)

The people of Israel had a dream of living in their own land. When Ezekiel recorded these words from God they had been living for years in exile. God was saying /to them:

“Do you know that dream I gave you? Don’t give up on it. I’ll restore it.”

God will do the same for you.

Too many of us go through life like we’re living in exile. We live like we’ve been banished from our homeland, banished from the benefits and promises that all children of God can claim. If you’re not walking in victory, you’re living in exile. If you’re not experiencing power over sin, you’re living in exile. If you’re not filled with joy, and peace, and hope, and love—you’re living in exile.

God didn’t create us to live in exile. He created us to experience the benefits of our heavenly citizenship here on earth. It is through the fullness of the Holy Spirit that we experience the fullness of life. In him we experience life as it should be lived.

That’s what the Holy Spirit can do for you. He’ll revitalize you, He’ll renew your hope, and He’ll restore your dreams. He’ll give you life as it should be lived.

Now, maybe you’re saying,

“I want that. I want to go from the Valley of Dry Bones to the Valley of Life. How do I get there? How do I experience this difference in my life?”

Let’s take a look at that right now—how to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

First of all… you have to ask for it. In fact, “asking” may not be a strong enough term. A better term might be “speak it” or “claim it.” Take a look at Ezekiel 37:4:

(v. 4) “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life…’”

The fullness of the Spirit is God’s promise to all believers. It’s a promise that we can all claim; it’s a promise that God will certainly deliver. But here’s the thing — if we don’t claim it, if we don’t speak it, if we don’t ask for it—we’ll never experience it.

You know — there are times when I have to speak to myself the same way that Ezekiel spoke to the bones in the valley. I have to say:

Bill, hear the Word of the Lord. The Spirit of God is going to breathe life into you. Receive it! Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Stop doubting Hm. Stop flirting with despair. Let God do His work.”

Maybe you need to have a little talk to that effect with yourself!

In Ephesians 5: 18 Paul writes:

Be filled with the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)

He writes it as an imperative command. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is an act of obedience on our part. It’s something we do; it’s something we initiate by asking for it…by claiming it as God’s promise. If you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit, then ask for it. Say:

“God, fill me with your Spirit.”

The first step to being filled with the Holy Spirit is that just that easy.

The second step is easy also. After you’ve asked to be filled with the Holy Spirit, you need to accept It. Another way to say it is “Receive it.” Even though we initiate the work of the Spirit in our lives by asking for it, being filled with the Spirit is not something we can do for ourselves. It is something that God must do for us — it is something we must receive. We receive the Holy Spirit by yielding to  Him ..by allowing Him to have His way in our lives.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is that simple.

You ask for it. You accept it – then you act on it.

Imagine with me if you will that your banker called you and said, “Someone has just deposited $10 million into your bank account. It’s there…and it’s all yours.”

How long would it take for you to act on it?

What would you do?

You would probably start writing checks (10% going to the Church, of course).  paying bills, making investments, giving gifts, and so on.

Or you might say, “But I don’t feel like a millionaire. I don’t look like a millionaire. I don’t deserve to be a millionaire. I don’t see any of the money…where is it?”

But the fact is, in this scenario you are a millionaire. You can live like a millionaire, if you’re willing to act on it.

In the same way, God has placed a deposit into your spiritual account — He has offered you the Holy Spirit. In your account there is joy, peace, love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. In your account there are spiritual gifts, there is power, there is life. They are yours, but you have to act on it. You have to start “writing checks”, so to speak. Don’t wait until you feel it—just do it.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not an elusive experience that we have to spend half of our lives chasing after. It is the promise of God, it is the command of  God, and it is available to all believers. If your heart is right with God, you can be filled with the Holy Spirit right now. Ask for it. Accept it. Act on it. It’s that easy

There’s another thing about the Spirit filled life we need to know.  In addition to knowing how to be filled with the Holy Spirit, we also need to know how to walk in the Spirit.

Bill Bright, whom I mentioned earlier, taught a principle called “Spiritual Breathing.” His concept was that, as we go throughout the day, we can become aware of impurities in our life, and can “exhale” them by confessing them to God. And then we can “inhale” his presence in our lives by surrendering ourselves to his control.

When you’re going throughout your day, and you realize you’ve just had an thought you should not have had, don’t wait to repent — don’t wait to confess it—take care of it right then. Breathe out – and ask God for forgiveness, — and breathe in – receiving the forgiveness God gives.

Do this all day long, every day of your life.

Whenever you think something or say something or do something that breaks the flow of the Spirit in your life, exhale — confess it immediately and surrender control to him. You exhale what is impure in your life, you inhale his presence. The idea is that you recognize and acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life throughout the day. You walk with him all day long.

This is how Paul said it in Galatians 5:

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

I like that phrase—let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Walking in the Spirit is an all-day, every-day experience. And it’s the key to victory. It’s the key to a dynamic relationship with Jesus.

God’s promise in Ezekiel is:

(v. 14) I will put my Spirit in you and you will live.

Anything less is just existing. God wants to fill your life with living color. He wants to revitalize you; He wants to renew your hope; He wants to restore your dreams. He wants to fill you with the Holy Spirit, so that you can live in his power.

Is this what you want?

Then ask for it. Accept it. Act on it. He will do it: he will fill you with his Spirit. And then, beginning at this very moment, start practicing spiritual breathing—keep in step with the Holy Spirit throughout the day, every day. I can promise this: His presence in your life means that you will never be the same.

So – it’s pretty easy to live that Spirit filled life.

What might happen if we were to ask for God’s Spirit – act on God’s gift – and walk in the Spirit?

Let’s try and see!

Let’s take the coming of the Spirit off the pages of the book – and into our lives as we ask for – act on – and walk in the Spirit of God. Amen.

Acts 9:1-19

Acts 9: 1-19

Easter Means Changed Lives: Saul’s Story

Part 4 0f 2009 Hopewell Easter series: Easter Means Changed Lives

May 24, 2009

Easter 7

The Season of Easter is the most joyously celebrative season we have as Christians.  It is the season when we focus on the resurrection of Christ – and the joy – the hope – the new life – the changed life – Christ offers.

This year as we have worshipped during the Easter season we have looked  at several people who had experiences with the risen Christ – and had their lives changed. As have we looked at their stories, we’ve seen how the resurrection of Christ can change us – change our lives – change our Church – change our community – and change our world.

Easter means changed lives.

The resurrection of Christ means changed lives.

The resurrection of Christ means that God is changing lives.

Easter means that God is up to doing something that is new and marvelous.

Easter means changed lives.

The message of Easter is that our lives – our Church – our community – and the world can be changed – because Christ has risen.

One person who experienced the life – changing power of the risen Christ was Saul – who had his life – his purpose for living – his name – his identity – everything about him — changed by an experience with the risen Christ.

Listen to how Saul had a lfe -m changing relationship with Christ.

Read scripture

Here’s a question for you:

What will it take for God to get you attention – and for you to say to God:

“What do you want me to do”?

God has a plan for each of our lives – and has things He wants each of us to do – but too often we become so caught up in our own world and the things we think God wants us to do that we don’t pay attention to God.

Sometimes God has to do something drastic to get our attention.

Saul had to have a flash of lightning and a dramatic vision of the risen Christ before he would pay attention to God – and ask God:

“What do you want me to do”?

What about you?

What will it take for God to get you attention – and for you to say to God:

“What do you want me to do”?

You see — Saul was a man who hated the church. He hated Jesus. He hated Christians and he hated anything that had to do with Christianity.

Because of his hatred of Christianity, he did everything within his power to destroy it. And that was his intent as our passage for today begins.  Saul is going to Damascus with warrants to arrest any Christians he might find there.

Saul is moving against Christ Himself.

But God had a plan.
God was going to change Saul – get his attention – and let him know what God’s plan for his life was.

It was just going to take a bolt of lightning and a dramatic vision of the risen Christ to get his attention – but God was willing to use whatever it would take to get Saul to listen to Him and do His will.

God was willing to do whatever it would take to get Saul to say:

“What do you want me to do?”

What will God have to do to get your attention – and for you to say to God:

“What do you want me to do”?

Now – don’t misunderstand me here.

I did not say that Saul was not a believer in God – or that he did not know God – that was not the case at all.

Maybe he know God too well – or “knew enough about God to be dangerous”.

Anyway – he certainly knew about God!

He was a Pharisee – a leader of the Jewish people.

He had a deep love and appreciation for his Jewish faith.

He was educated as a rabbi by Gamaliel in Jerusalem.

That means that he could relate to educated people.
He spoke Aramaic and Greek. That meant that he could speak to people in their own language.
He was passionately serious about his belief in God.
He knew the Scriptures backwards and forwards.
He studied the Scriptures daily and applied them to his life.
But – you know what — Saul was a religiously active person who was dead wrong about his beliefs about God. Saul missed the point – he had a wonderful religion but did not have a wonderful relationship with God.

So, here is Saul with all of his knowledge and all of his commitment – going along the road to Damascus on what he thought was a mission from God — then, suddenly a bright light shines around him and he is struck down. Then a voice cries out,

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

Saul replies, “Who are you, Lord?”

And the voice replies: “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.”
When Saul is knocked down by God, he does something that reveals a change in his life – and change that would last forever.

He asks two questions.

They are probably the two most important questions anyone can ever ask God.

They are;
Who are you?

What do you want me to do?

What will it take for God to get you attention – and for you to say to God:

“What do you want me to do”?

The first question Saul asks is, “Who are you?”
This is a personal question.

Please, God, who are you?

Suddenly, Saul realized that this was not the God he thought he knew.

This was not the God that he had been serving.

So he cries out, “who are you?”

All of his years of training and in one brilliant second, Saul realizes that he doesn’t know God at all.

For Saul – serving God was keeping up with a list of do’s and don’ts.

On the road to Damascus, Saul met a God he never dreamed existed and so he asked, “Who are you?”

Saul’s question is not only a personal question — it’s also a relational question.

It’s not just a “who are you?” – but it’s  “who are you to me?”

Saul wasn’t seeking just information when he asked Jesus that question. He wanted to know what this meant for his life.

Jesus’ response was,

“I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.”

I believe that it was at this time that Saul surrendered his life to Jesus Christ.      Why do I say that?

Because of the next question he asks Jesus.
What do you want me to do?

You see, Saul goes from a Pharisee to being  a disciple

Saul goes from being a persecutor to being a proclaimer of Jesus Christ.

When Saul asks

What do you want me to do?

He has surrendered his will to the will of Jesus Christ.

Lord, What do you want me to do?
That’s a question of Lordship.
It’s as if Saul is saying, “I have been leading my own life, doing my own thing. I thought I was doing your business, but I was wrong, now I only want to do your will,.”

Tell me Lord, What do you want me to do?
Really, it is a faith question.

Later, in writing to the Corinthians, Paul would say, “for we walk by faith,  not by sight.” Whenever I read that, I wonder if that isn’t something that he learned immediately on the road to Damascus. The Lord took away his sight for three days. In those three days, all Saul could do was walk by faith. And he would be walking by faith for the rest of his life.

He begins immediately.

Jesus tells him, “Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.”

At this point, Saul didn’t make any excuses.

He could have said:

Lord – I can’t see.

I’m confused,

I don’t know all the answers

No — even though he must be led by the hand, he goes into Damascus, where he would begin a ministry that would lead him all over the known world.
Saul had thought that he was zealous for God – but he was only zealous for himself.

God had to find a dramatic way to get Saul’s attention.
Saul could not hear God speak to him as he read the Scriptures.
Saul could not hear God speak to him in church each week.
Saul could not hear God speak to him because he had his own system of beliefs that were preventing him from hearing and understanding the truth about Christ.
Christ had to flash a bright light from heaven to get Saul’s attention.
God was unable to get Saul to listen to him any other way, and God had to do something drastic in Saul’s life to get him to turn around understand the truth.
Saul was blinded by Christ.
Christ physically blinded Saul to tell him that he was Spiritually blind as well — that he wasn’t seeing the truth — that he wasn’t seeing God — that he wasn’t seeing Scriptures correctly — that he wasn’t seeing the Way to God. Christ blinded Saul to let him know that he wasn’t seeing what God really wanted him to do with his life.

What will God have to do to you to let you know that He has something He wants you to be doing – and to bring you to the point of saying:

Lord – what do you want me to do?

Unfortunately, there are many people like Saul still today.
There are people who are spiritually blind who lash out and attack those who aren’t.
There are people who are spiritually blind who think they are doing God a favor by throwing a fit when others do things they don’t like.
There are people who are spiritually blind who will not stray from the old ways the way things used to be done — tradition — this is the way we have always done it – and never bothering to ask if this is what God wants.
There are people that — before they accept change or are willing to do something a different way — God may have to strike blind or do some other drastic thing – just to get their attention.

And then – there are some who will not ask God what He wants them to do – and will have to have a dramatic experience before they come to their sense and see that God has a plan for their lives – and that they need to seek it out and put it into action.

Are you one of these?

Is God going to have to do something drastic – something dramatic – to bring you to the point that you are willing to say to Him:

“What do you want me to do?”

Paul was spiritually blind and Christ had to physically blind him in order to get his attention.

What more does Christ have to do to get your attention?

You may not have the kind of experience that Saul had, but I believe that God is continuing to work in your lives and make you into the person God would have you be.

Christ just has to get you attention – and bring you to the point where you are willing to ask Him:

What do you want me to do?

Maybe the reason this may be hard for you is because you may wonder:

Can I change?
You might have some destructive things in your life — and not know how to shake them – even when you want to.

But the message of the gospel is that we can change.

The message of Easter is that God is in the life changing business.
It may not come all at once, but little by little as you open yourself up to God’s work in your life, you can change.

Paul wrote in Galatians 2:19-20:

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is     Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
God can change you.

Just like God changed Saul into Paul, God can change you into who God wants you to be.

But – you have to overcome whatever it is that is keeping you from asking God what His will is for your life –  and you have to ask God:

What do you want me to do?

And then you have to do it!

I praise God that Saul saw the light
I praise God that you and I can be brought to the point where we ask God:

What do you want me to do?

And then we do it!

If God can take someone like Saul and change him into someone like Paul – God can surely take you – and make you the person God wants you to be.  But it may take drastic measures on God’s part to get your attention.

Sometimes it seems that we are too complacent – too sure of ourselves – and too sure of our ideas and too sure what we are doing – to ask God what He wants us to do. But, believe me, God has a plan for your life – and God will do whatever it takes to bring you to the point that you say:

“What do you want me to do?”

Paul went from persecuting Christians to preaching to Christians.
Paul went from bringing death to sharing life.
Paul certainly knew that of which he spoke when he wrote
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are       passed  away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians   5:17)
When Christ gets a hold of you, He will change your life!
When Christ works in your life to save you, He will change you!
Christ will make you into a new person, just like He did Paul.
When Christ works in a person’s life, he works powerfully, just like He did in Paul.
All Christ asks you to do is ask His will – and then follow.

Pray for God to show you His will.

Don’t wait for God to do something drastic or dramatic in your life – pray that God will show you His will – now.

Pray for God to show you His will for your life – then be brave – don’t make excuses – but act on it.

The same Christ that made such a dramatic change in Saul can do the same in your life!
What more does the Lord have to do to bring you to the point where – like Saul – you ask Him:

What do you want me to do?
There was a shepherd who lived in Ireland– and his granddaughter went to visit him. While visiting with him, she walked into a barn and saw a young lamb with its leg in a splint. “She asked her grandfather what had happened – and he responded:

“ Oh — he had a bad habit of running off, so the other day, I broke his leg.”

The girl began to cry.

“Why on earth would you do that”, she asked.

“Well”, he said, “the little guy had a bad habit of running off. Every time he would do that, he would be in danger. He could fall off the edge of a cliff and kill himself, or a wolf or some other predator could find him, kill him and eat him. Every time he ran off, I would have to go find him. Then, I would set him with the rest of the flock only to have him run off again. So, I broke his leg. But, that’s not the end of it. After I broke his leg, I also mended it. I put a splint on it, all the while, I was talking to him, comforting him, consoling him. Now, I have to carry water in to him every day. Not only that, I have to feed him by hand. As I do, I continue to talk to him and comfort him. By the time his leg heals, he will know my voice. He will know that it is I who takes care of him. He will come when I call him. He will stay with me, no matter what. Now, I will be able to lead him, and the rest of the sheep will follow him. This lamb will one day be the best sheep of the flock – why, because the other day, I broke his leg. In order to break its will, I had to break its leg.”

Often, for God to be able to use us, He must do something to get our attention – and He is more than ready to do that. That’s what God did to Saul – He got his attention in a dramatic way – and then He restored him. In that process, Saul discovered the true and living God who is Jesus Christ.
What more does the Lord have to do in your life for you to recognize who He is and ask the question:

Lord – what do you want me to do for you!? Amen.

Acts 16:5

Acts 16:5

Strengthened In Faith – Growing In Numbers

February 22, 2009

For the past 5 weeks we have been looking at having a great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission for our lives and the Church. Using ideas from Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Church we have looked at how a great commitment to loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind – that’s the Great Commandment that we have in Matthew 22:37-39 – and going and making disciples for Christ – that ‘s the Great Commission that we find in Matthew 28:18-20 – make for great Christians and a great Church – and affects how we as a Church and as individual Christians go about our tasks of worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship, and discipleship.

I had planned to preach on the final task that Warren ties to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission – discipleship – today — but felt that it was more important – before we begin our focus for the Season of Lent nest week – to take a closer look at an opportunity we will have in a few weeks to begin an exciting adventure with other churches in our Presbytery – The Acts 16:5 Initiative.

I have said for the past 5 weeks that we were preparing ourselves for The Acts 16:5 Initiative by looking at our purpose as a Church – my preaching on ideas from Rick Warren’s book and our studying these ideas on Wednesday nights.

Now it’s time for us do something about the Acts 16:5 Initiative.

I want to tell you some things the about the Acts 16:5 Initiative – the process Presbytery has gone through to choose this program – and 3 questions about the Acts 16:5 Initiative – namely:

1. What is it?

2. What’s in it for us?

3. What do we need to do now?

Several member of the Session are going to share their thoughts on it also.

First – what process has Presbytery gone through to choose the Acts 16:5 Initiative to offer to churches in this area – and what role have I played in the process?

Let’s go back about 3 years to when I was interviewing with the PNC. I was asked what ideas I would bring to help Hopewell grow and do all it can for God in the community. I replied that I did not have a “bag of tricks” to bring with me because I knew that every church is different and needs different things – but I would commit myself to getting to know the members of Hopewell and their needs – and helping you look for ways to deepen your faith and reach your potential for God’s glory.

I believe that I have used the gifts God has given me to be a Pastor to the members of Hopewell – and that I will continue to do so. I also believe that I have spent a lot of time learning about how to help churches grow and reach their potential – and the Session and I have looked at ways we can do this here at Hopewell.

The Session invited Judd Shaw and Ray Howe to come and lead us in a discussion of ways we can reach out to the community – including ways to get folks who live on Claussen road to turn towards Hopewell on Sundays instead of turning towards Florence.

The Session also met with Danny Murphy — an Associate Executive Presbyter with Trinity Presbytery in Columbia and a staff person with the denominations Church Growth team – who spent a morning with us last February sharing his ideas on how churches can grow and reach their potential.

Personally, as soon as I was approved as the minister of Hopewell I began talking to Preston Shealey – minister at Trinity Presbyterian at Surfside Beach and a good friend of mine for many years — who at the time was chair of Presbytery’s Church Development Division. I found out that there was an opening on that Division, and I volunteered and was elected to serve. I thought that being a part of CDD would put me in touch with ideas and ways to help churches – and would be a benefit to Hopewell. I have also taken advantage of many opportunities to learn about different programs and ways to help churches grow as I have – with the help of Hopewell and Presbytery – attended several training events and conferences that focused on church change and church growth.

So – during the 2 years I have been here at Hopewell, I have also been working with Presbytery through CDD to look for ways to help all the churches in New Harmony Presbytery. As I have shared ideas dreams and visions and listened to the ideas, dreams, and visions of others, I have been a part of the conversation on Presbytery level of how we can help churches reach their potential.

In November CDD finally decided that we needed to offer a program to the churches that would help them grow and reach their potential for God. After looking at and praying about various options, the Acts 16:5 Initiative from the Vital Churches Institute was decided upon. Kevin Cauley , pastor of First Presbyterian in Darlington, and I were asked to be co – chairs of Presbytery’s “Acts 16:5 Leadership Team” – and plans were made for the program to be introduced to the churches.

So – now for the 3 questions about the acts 16:5 Initiative:

1. What is it?

2. What’s in it for us?

3. What do we need to do now?

1. What is it?

The Acts 16:5 Initiative is a program designed by Stan Ott, a Presbyterian pastor with a passion for helping churches grow and reach people with the Good News of Jesus Christ. He named the program after the scripture – Acts 16:5 – which says that:

“the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew in numbers”

The key to church growth is being strengthened in the faith.

If a church is strengthened in the faith, it will grow in numbers.

If church members are strengthened in their faith, the church will reach it’s potential for God’s glory.

“the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew in numbers”

Ott designed a program that is scripturally based and that helps churches grow in their faith – and in numbers.

Since the Acts 16:5 Initiative has been introduced, Presbyterian churches throughout the country have used it and have grown – in faith and in numbers.

The Acts 16:5 Initiative is a 3 year process in which consultants from Ott’s Vital Churches Institute come and work with churches who participate in the program to pray with and for them, give them resources to help them grow in faith and numbers, and help them develop the all – important “action plans” so they can actually grow – in faith and in numbers. The consultants – who are all pastors of churches that have benefited from this process – come and meet with all of the churches taking part several times a year – then the churches meet together several times a year to discuss what they have learned and what they have done – and what they are planning to do – so that they can grow in faith and numbers. So – for 3 years churches are meeting with consultants familiar with their situations – and then are meeting with each other to plan how to implement what they are learning.

So – now for question 2

What’s in it for us?

Well – let me ask you a question:

How many of you think that it’s important for Hopewell to grow in faith and in numbers?

How many of you think that would be a good thing?
Go head – raise your hands. Let’s have a show of hands here.

How many of you think that it’s important for Hopewell to grow in faith and in numbers?

Ok – now – let me ask you another question –

How many of you know how we are going to do this?

Any ideas?

I didn’t think so!

That’s the problem – we might think it’s vital for the Church to grow in faith and in numbers – but we might not know how to do it. Even if we know how it was done in the past we may not know how to do it now.

That’s why I am excited about the Acts 16:5 Initiative.

Ott is very creative in coming up with ideas for things churches can do so the members can grow in their faith and the church can grow in numbers. He believes – as I do – that a definition of insanity is: “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results each time.” He knows that we have to try new things and do new things to grow in our own faith and reach the world with God’s love.

The Acts 16:5 Initiative would offer us a lot of different resources and new ideas us to grow – in faith and in numbers – and the consultants would be available for calls and contact every day as we would implement the particular plans we feel would be the best for us. Other churches in this Presbytery taking part will also be meeting with us as we share together.

That’s what’s in it for us – and our community.

Follks offering resources – ideas – proven strategies – and prayers for new ways for us to grow in faith and numbers.

I find that to be very exciting!

OK – so you know a little bit more about how I came to know about the Acts 16:5 Initiative – how Presbytery came to choose this particular program to offer churches in this area – what the Acts 16:5 Initiative is – and what might be in it for us.

There’s one more question I would like for us to consider before others talk about it.

What do we have to do – now?

Friends – we can talk about this and plan for it and be “fixin’ to get ready to commence to plan …” but there comes a time when have to do.

When Jesus called the first disciples they didn’t say: “let me think about it…” no – Mark says that immediately they dropped everything and followed. In fact, Jesus pointed out that those who gave Him excuses were not fit to follow Him. It was only those ready to do something when He called to them who made disciples.

There comes a time when we can’t sit and do nothing.

When God gives us opportunities to grow in faith and numbers, we have to take advantage of those opportunities.

God is giving us the opportunity.

We need to take advantage of it.

The first step in taking advantage of the opportunity is for some of us to go to what they are calling the “Launch” that will take place March 30-31 from 9:00 – 4:00 each day at First Presbyterian, Sumter. We need several from the Session to go – but we also need several from the congregation. We need members of the congregation to commit to going and hearing about this program – then prayerfully decide if it is for us – and help us promote it to the rest of the congregation.

Remember a few minutes ago when I asked who thought it would be a good idea for Hopewell to grow in faith and numbers?

Do you think this will be a good idea?

If so, prayerfully consider going with us to the “Acts 16:5 Launch” on March 30-31! It’s free – no expense – but the information shared and the learning will be invaluable.

Let me or a member of the Session know as soon as you can if you would like to go with us – we are going to have to let Presbytery know by March 15 so I am going to say to let us know by March 8 – 3 weeks from today – so plans can be made.

Let’s commit to learning more about what the Acts 16:5 Initiative offers us!

Let’s commit to looking at ways God wants us to grow – in faith and in numbers. Amen.

Some members of the Session are now going to share their ideas about this program and the potential it holds for us.

Acts 2:42-47, John 13:1-17

Acts 2:42-47

John 13:1-17

“Let’s Be A Church That Serves”

October 7, 2007 (Communion Meditation)

Part 5 (Final sermon) of “Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be” series

For the month of September we looked at how we can be the very best Church we can be – or how we can be the Church God wants us to be.

We began by noting that we can’t just gather our ideas about what we need to be doing as a Church – or our ideas about what we can do to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be – without first looking to God and seeking what God’s ideas are about what we need to be doing here at Hopewell – and what God thinks we need to be doing to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be.

The point is that we all want to make Hopewell the best Church it can be – and we may have many ideas and plans for how to make it that way. That’s a good thing — I count it as a blessing that Hopewell is a Church where the members care about the Church and want to make it the best it can be. But – we need to also take a look at what God may be calling us to be doing – and what God may feel we need to be doing to be the very best Church we can be. It’s great to have ideas and get input from each other about how we can make Hopewell the very best Church it can be. We certainly need to share ideas and plans for actions we can take – as well as participate in the things we are doing. But – first of all – we don’t need to look at our ideas about what we need to be doing as a Church – but we need to – first of all – look at what God feels we need to be doing to be the very best Church we can be.

The questions we need to consider are not:

What do you think we need to be doing as a Church?

Or

What are some things you think we need to do to be the best Church we can be?

But – they are:

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

These are the questions we started considering two weeks ago and will continue to consider for the next two weeks.

How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

We’ve looked at how the book of Acts describes the early church to find answers to that question. The last few verses of Acts 2 says that there were certain things the members of the early church committed themselves to – things like:

1. telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ

2. worshipping and exalting God

3. working together for God’s glory

4. growing in Christ

5. serving God and others

and it says God blessed them and “added to their number” because they were seeking and following His will for their church.

We’ve looked at these things that the members of the early church committed themselves to so could cam get a vision for how we can take steps to commit ourselves to these things, and do our part towards making Hopewell the Church God wants Hopewell to be.

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be.

That’s been the theme for our month of September – and we will look at this one more time today.

Four weeks ago we looked at Acts 2:42-47 and the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20 – and saw how a Church with a great commitment to the Great Commission is a great Church. We saw how we need to commit ourselves to being a Church that tells Good News!

Three weeks ago week we added a second step to the process as we look at Acts 2: 42-47 and Ephesians 5:1-20 – and discovered that we need t be a Church that exalts God.

Two weeks ago we added a third step as we looked at Acts 2:42-47 and 1 Corinthians 12 – and saw how we need to be a Church that works together.

Last week we looked at Colossians 1:3-14 – and see how God wants us to be Church that grows in Christ.

So – we have 4 steps to how we can become the Church God wants us to be:

1. telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ

2. worshipping and exalting God

3. working together for God’s glory

4. growing in Christ

We’re going to add one more step to this today as we look at Acts 2:42-47 and John 13:1-17 – and see how God wants us to be a Church that serves.

Listen to God’s Word. (Read passages)

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be!

Let’s be a Church that tells the Good News!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that works together!

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

Let’s be a Church that serves!

We have already noted that — when you look at the description of the early church that Acts 2:42-47 gives us — you get the sense that this was not a church that people joined just because it would look good on their resume or because they thought it would help them make influential friends or help their standing in the community. No – this was a group of individuals whose lives had been changed by God, and who were committed to living a life that showed others the difference God had made in their lives. This was a group of people who were committed to sharing with others the life changing news that God had come into the world through Jesus Christ – people who wanted to exalt and glorify God and reflect the glory of God in their worship and in the way they lived their lives — people who wanted to work together for the glory of God in the world – people who were committed to growing in their relationships with Christ.

This was also a group of people who were committed to serving each other and others.

You could tell they were committed to these things from the way they worshipped:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42)

and the way they lived as they:

gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. (Acts 2:45-47)

They wanted to tell others about God — exalt and glorify God – live lives that showed God’s glory to the world – work together to show God to the world through their worship and their actions – grow in Christ – and serve each other and others. And – God blessed them and added to their numbers daily.

They were the Church God wanted them to be – telling the Good News of God, exalting God, working together for the glory of God, growing in Christ, and serving each other and others in need.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that tells the Good News!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that works together!

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

Let’s be a Church that serves!

Some of you know your Bible pretty well and know what the customs and traditions of Biblical times were. Some of you know that the washing of feet that our passage from John 13 describes was a common custom in Jesus’ day. You see — the roads of Palestine were dirt. In dry weather, they were inches deep in dust, and in wet weather, they were liquid mud. Since the shoes ordinary people wore were sandals, their feet would become extremely dusty or muddy as they walked along. There were always great water pots at the door of a house, and a servant would be at the door with a pitcher and a towel to wash the soiled feet of the guests as they came in.

The only thing was that Jesus’ little company of friends had no servants. The duties which servants would carry out in wealthier circles had to be shared among each other. They would take turns doing things like serving each other or washing each others feet at the end of a long day of travel.

But not on this night.

Most of you are also aware that John’s gospel is only one account of the Last Supper. We find parallel descriptions in the other gospels, each of them giving details of events of this night that particularly interest them Luke records in Luke 22 (Luke 22:24- 27) that an argument had sprung up among them that night as to who would be regarded as “the greatest.” Well, that may well have resulted in ruffled feathers and sore feelings — such sore feelings that the disciples may have trooped into the upper room like a bunch of kids sulking and pouting – no one willing to see the pitcher and basin and towel set there for their use — despite the fact that they normally would have taken turns with the task of washing each other’s feet and thought nothing about it. On this particular night all of them sat stubbornly in their places and would have nothing to do with the menial duty of washing the feet of the others.

Well, Jesus’ response was one of thinly veiled disgust at the behavior of the disciples. No doubt, the fact that He took the servant role they were unwilling to take was a visible parable of what He expected of His followers.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that serves!

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to say that this lesson Jesus gave the disciples of serving others and serving each other is one that we have taken to heart – and one that we live out every day?

It would be great to be able to say that — but would it be honest?

The world is full of people who are standing on their dignity when they ought to be kneeling at the feet of their others. The church is filled with such people also. In every sphere of life, the desire for prominence and the unwillingness to take a subordinate place wrecks the scheme of things. In sports, a player may be omitted from the team one day and then refuse to play any more. In politics, an aspiring politician may passed over for some office to which he thought he had a right and then refuse to accept any “lesser” office. In life it may happen that someone is given a quite unintentional slight and either explodes in anger or broods in sulkiness for days afterwards.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that serves!

When we are tempted to think of our dignity, our prestige, or our rights, we need to look again at Jesus — the Son of God — a towel wrapped around Him — kneeling at his disciples’ feet – serving.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that serves!

During World War II, England needed to increase its production of coal to generate power for the factories and businesses that kept the war effort going. Winston Churchill called together labor leaders to enlist their support in this. At the end of his presentation he asked them to picture in their minds a parade – a parade he knew would be held in Piccadilly Circus after the war:

“First,” he said, “would come the sailors who had kept the vital sea lanes open. Then would come the soldiers who had come home from Dunkirk and then gone on to defeat Rommel in Africa. Then would come the pilots who had driven the Luftwaffe from the sky. “Last of all,” he said, “would come a long line of sweat-stained, soot-streaked men in miner’s caps. Someone would cry from the crowd, “And where were you during the critical days of our struggle?” And from ten thousand throats would come the answer, “We were deep in the earth with our faces to the coal.”

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that serves!

Not all the work that needs to be done in the world or in the Church is glorious or glamorous. But it is often the people with their “faces to the coal” – as Churchill said — or, in the case of the lesson Jesus was trying to teach His followers –”faces to the feet” – who get the job done.

Yea –the people who are willing to serve – it’s the people who willing to put their “faces to the feet” and serve others – who get the job done. These are the people who are truly serving Christ – and it’s a church that is filled with these kinds of folks that is the church God wants it to be!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that serves!

An admirer once asked the late, great orchestra conductor Leonard Bernstein what was the most difficult instrument to play. He responded :

“Second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find one who plays second violin with as much enthusiasm or second french horn or second flute, now that’s a problem. And yet if no one plays second, we have no harmony.”

If no one is willing to “play second” – if no one is willing to take the role of the servant – if no one is willing to serve others – there is no harmony – and we can not be the Church God wants us to be.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that serves!

John records Jesus’ words after He had washed the feet of the disciples:

12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Jesus served the disciples.

Jesus called them to serve each other – and others.

Jesus calls us – as His disciples – as His Church — to serve.

As we have looked at Acts 2:42-47 we have seen that the early church strove to be the church God wanted them to be by:

1. telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ

2. worshipping and exalting God

3. working together for God’s glory

4. growing in Christ

5. serving God and others

Friends – earlier in this service we came around God’s table and celebrated the Sacrament of Communion. Let’s let this be an act of commitment for us – an act of committing ourselves here at Hopewell to being the Church God wants us to be – a Church that:

1. tells others the Good News of Jesus Christ

2. worships and exalts God

3. works together for God’s glory

4. grows in Christ

5. serves God and others

Yea – let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Amen

Acts 2:42-47, Colossians 1:3-14

Acts 2:42-47

Colossians 1:3-14

“Let’s Be A Church That Grows In Christ”

September 30, 2007

Part 4 of “Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be” series

For the month of September we’re looking how we can be the very best Church we can be – or how we can be the Church God wants us to be.

            Three weeks ago we began by noting that we can’t just gather our ideas about what we need to be doing as a Church – or our ideas about what we can do to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be – without first looking to God and seeking what God’s ideas are about what we need to be doing here at Hopewell – and what God thinks we need to be doing to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be.

The point is that we all want to make Hopewell the best Church it can be – and we may have many ideas and plans for how to make it that way. That’s a good thing — I count it as a blessing that Hopewell is a Church where the members care about the Church and want to make it the best it can be. But – we need to also take a look at what God may be calling us to be doing – and what God may feel we need to be doing to be the very best Church we can be. It’s great to have ideas and get input from each other about how we can make Hopewell the very best Church it can be. We certainly need to share ideas and plans for actions we can take – as well as participate in the things we are doing. But – first of all – we don’t need to look at our ideas about what we need to be doing as a Church – but we need to – first of all – look at what God feels we need to be doing to be the very best Church we can be.

The questions we need to consider are not:

What do you think we need to be doing as a Church?

Or

            What are some things you think we need to do to be the best Church we can be?

            But – they are:

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

            What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

            What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

            These are the questions we started considering two weeks ago and will continue to consider for the next two weeks.

            How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

            How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

            We’re looking at how the book of Acts describes the early church to find answers to that question. The book of Acts says that there were certain things the members of the early church committed themselves to – things like:

1. telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ

2. worshipping and exalting God

3. working together for God’s glory

4. growing in Christ

5. serving God and others

and it says God blessed them and “added to their number” because they were seeking and following His will for their church.

We’re looking at these things that the members of the early church committed themselves to so we cam get a vision for how we can take steps to commit ourselves to these things, and do our part towards making Hopewell the Church God wants Hopewell to be.

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be.

That’s the theme for our month of September.

Three weeks ago we looked at Acts 2:42-47 and the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20 – and saw how a Church with a great commitment to the Great Commission is a great Church. We saw how we need to commit ourselves to being a Church that tells Good News!

Two weeks ago week we added a second step to the process as we look at Acts 2: 42-47 and Ephesians 5:1-20 – and discovered that we need t be a Church that exalts God.

Last week we added a third step as we looked at Acts 2:42-47 and 1 Corinthians 12 – and saw how we need to be a Church that works together.

Today we are going to consider a passage from Colossians 1:3-14 — and discover how we need to be a Church that grows in Christ.

Listen to God’s Word. (Read passages)

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be!

Let’s be a Church that tells the Good News!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that works together!

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

We have already noted that — when you look at the description of the early church that Acts 2:42-47 gives us — you get the sense that this was not a church that people joined just because it would look good on their resume or because they thought it would help them make influential friends or help their standing in the community. No – this was a group of individuals whose lives had been changed by God, and who were committed to living a life that showed others the difference God had made in their lives. This was a group of people who wanted to exalt and glorify God – and reflect the glory of God in their worship and in the way they lived their lives. This was a group of people who wanted to work together for the glory of God in the world. This was a group of people who were committed to growing in their relationships with Christ.

You could tell they were committed to these things from the way they worshiped:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42)

and the way they lived as they:

gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. (Acts 2:45-47)

They wanted to exalt and glorify God – they wanted to live lives that showed God’s glory to the world – committed themselves to working together to show God to the world through their worship and their actions – and committed themselves to growing in Christ. And – God blessed them and added to their numbers daily.

They were the Church God wanted them to be – telling the Good News of God, exalting God, working together for the glory of God, and growing in Christ.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
            Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

In Colossians 1:3-14, Paul is excited about what’s going on in the church at the Greek city of Colosse. The church was growing – they had a great faith and a great amount of love for God, for each other, and for others. He prayed that they would continue growing – and would be filled with the knowledge of God. Paul wanted the church to be a church that grew – not only in numbers – but a church that grew in Christ.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
            Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

If Hopewell is going to be the Church that God wants it to be – if we are going to be the Church that God wants us to be – we are going to have to be a Church that grows in Christ. It’s a great thing to grow numerically – and we are celebrating that today. But we not only need to grow numerically – we also need to grow spiritually – we have to be committed to – as Paul writes – being filled

with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9)

What this means is that each member of Hopewell – each of us – are going to have to be committed to growing in Christ.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
            Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

Paul gives us 4 hints here in Colossians 1:3-14 to what it means to be a Church that grows in Christ.

1. First – we need to grow in the knowledge of God.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10)

A friend of mine related top me how one day he was getting to go to a meeting when his son asked him if he could go with him.

He replied: “Sorry, but no. The meeting will be long and tedious. You’ll be bored out of your skull.”

His son looked at him and said:

“You’ll be there – won’t you?”

“Yes” my friend replied.

His son then said: “Then it won’t be too bad.”

How do you think that made my friend feel?

Can you guess that the son got to go to the meeting?

My friend says that occasionally his son will ask him a question, like

“Who was your favorite band when you were in high school?” or

“Who’s your favorite quarterback?” or

“Who will you vote for to be President?”

His son asks questions like this because he wants to know him, and this desire pleases my friend very much.

In the same way, God is pleased with us when we have a desire to know him.

Some people approach knowing God in a backwards manner. They try to develop an image of God that pleases them. I was in a church once and there was a notice on the bulletin board for an upcoming workshop called, “Do-It-Yourself Theology.” The poster said that the workshop would help you “develop a concept of God you can live with.”

Friends — this is not the way to approach God. We can’t say, “This is the kind of God that pleases me, so this is how I want God to be.” Instead, our attitude must be, “God, reveal yourself to me. Show me the way you are.”

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
            Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

Do you want Hopewell to be the Church God wants it to be? Then, you are going to have to be the Christian God wants you to be. You are going to have to grow in your relationship with Christ. One way to do that is to grow in your knowledge of Christ. You are going to have to get to know Him. How do you do that? Well, how do you get to know anyone? You do it by spending time with them. God wants you to know Him, and He will make Himself known to you if you will make the effort to know Him. The more time you spend in God’s presence, in his Word,

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
            Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

One step is to grow in your knowledge of God.

A second step is:

2. Do good.

Paul writes:

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10)

As Christians, we can live with the assurance that our good works are not wasted. When we do good, God blesses our good works and uses them for His eternal purposes, even if we don’t see immediate results from our efforts. The “bearing fruit” part that Paul talks about here is God’s responsibility. God will make it happen. The “good works” part, however, is our responsibility.

Now, I want to make one thing clear:

Our good works do not save us.

If you want to spend eternity in heaven with Jesus, and your strategy for getting there consists exclusively of doing a bunch of good deeds, then it’ll never happen! You can’t work your way into heaven. You can’t “do-good” your way into a right relationship with God. If you want to come alive spiritually, there’s only one way it can happen: you have to have a personal relationship with Christ. You must surrender your life to Christ and ask Him to come into your heart and forgive of your sins and fill you with the Holy Spirit and make you into a brand new person. When you do that, He makes you spiritually alive and changes you into a brand new person! That’s when you’re ready and able to do good works.

Doing good works doesn’t save you or make you more of a child of God than you were before. There’s a first – things – first principle at work here; you must give your life to Jesus before you can begin to work for him.

When I was growing up I had jobs I had to do. The list included cleaning my room, doing my homework, taking out the trash, and other things that helped around the house. My Dad always made it clear to me that I didn’t do these things in order to be a part of the family, but I did them because I was part of the family. When I did my work, Dad was pleased. It pleased him because I was part of his family – I was his child. When my friend across the street did his homework, it didn’t make any difference to Dad because he wasn’t a part of our family – he was not Dad’s child.

God wants us to do good works. He has things He wants us to do because we are a part of His family.

What kind of good works? Well, the Bible gives us a great deal of direction in this matter—there are hundreds of commandments to follow. We’re to help the poor, we’re to reach out to the lost, we’re to honor our parents, we’re to encourage our children, we’re to forgive our enemies, we’re to show mercy and compassion to others…I could go on and on. These are all general “good works” that we should all be doing.

But – you might ask – what specific good work does God want you to be doing? Well, the answer to this question is determined by the answer to three other questions:

1. What has God given you the ability to do?

2. What has God given you the desire to do?

3. What has God given you the opportunity to do?

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
            Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

Be a person who does good works!

Examined your options — what God has given you a desire to do, an ability to do, and an opportunity to do — and you’ll have some idea of what good works God wants you to do.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

    Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
                Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

One way is to grow in the knowledge of God.

Another way is to do good.

There’s a third way Paul gives us in Colossians 1:3-14:

3. Endure with patience.

When you read Scripture you can’t help but notice that God places a great deal of value on endurance. It’s not enough to start well, God wants us to finish well, also – to endure to the end.

God places great value on the ability to endure, but let’s not lose sight of where the ability to endure comes from. There’s only one way we can endure: if we are, in Paul’s words…

…strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience… (Colossians 1:10)

The bottom line is this: if you try to live your life in your own power, or by your won strength, you’ll probably fail. But, if you yield yourself to God, He’ll fill you with His strength and power, and give you the ability to endure.

I heard about a little boy who was trying to fix his bicycle, and he wasn’t having much success at it. He tried and he tried, and he failed again and again. Finally, in frustration, he threw down his tools and said to his father, “I give up. I’ve done everything that I can, but I just can’t fix my bike.”

His father said, “Have you asked for my help?”

The boy said, “No.”

The dad said, “Then you haven’t done everything you can do.”

You see — God wants us to endure till the end, but the only way that can be done is trusting Him to strengthen us according to His might — not our own. And how do you receive His power? Just like the little boy who needed help with the bicycle — you ask. It pleases God when we trust Him. It pleases God when we depend on Him. It pleases God when we turn to Him as our only source of strength.

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
            Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

One way is to grow in the knowledge of God.

Another way is to do good.

A third way is to learn to endure with patience.

There’s a fourth way Paul gives us here:

4. Have a thankful heart.

Paul says we should be…

giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

When we begin to understand what Christ has done for us we cannot help but feel grateful! ..

He’s given us an eternal inheritance in heaven;

He’s rescued us from darkness of sin;

He’s saved us;

He’s forgiven our sins.

Think of all the other things God has done for you…all the blessings he has put in your life—the people who love you, your job, your home, your family, this country, this church—when you think of all that God has done for you, you cannot help but feel grateful. However, God does not want our gratitude to be expressed from a sense of dread; he wants it to be expressed from a sense of joy—”joyfully giving thanks to the Father.”

Do you see what Paul is saying?

God wants you to say “thank you” to Him and give Him praise. It pleases God to hear his children say, “Thank you.” But – God also wants us to joyously celebrate all the blessings He gives us!

depend on Him. It pleases God when we turn to Him as our only source of strength.

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
            Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

If Hopewell is going to be the Church God wants Hopewell to be, it’s going to have to be a Church that grows in Christ. What that means is that we are going to have to be people who grow in Christ.

Paul gives us 4 things to in this process of becoming people who grow in Christ:

1. Grow in the knowledge of God.

2. Do good.

3. Learn to endure with patience.

4. Have a thankful heart.

Grow in Christ!

Grow in the knowledge God – do good – learn to endure with patience – have a thankful heart.

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

Amen.

Acts 2:42-47, I Corinthians 12

 

 

1 Corinthians 12

Acts 2:42-47

“Let’s Be A Church That Works Together”

September 23, 2007

Part 3 of “Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be” series

For the month of September we’re looking how we can be the very best Church we can be – or how we can be the Church God wants us to be.

            Two weeks ago we began by noting that we can’t just gather our ideas about what we need to be doing as a Church – or our ideas about what we can do to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be – without first looking to God and seeking what God’s ideas are about what we need to be doing here at Hopewell – and what God thinks we need to be doing to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be.

The point is that we all want to make Hopewell the best Church it can be – and we may have many ideas and plans for how to make it that way. That’s a good thing — I count it as a blessing that Hopewell is a Church where the members care about the Church and want to make it the best it can be. But – we need to also take a look at what God may be calling us to be doing – and what God may feel we need to be doing to be the very best Church we can be. It’s great to have ideas and get input from each other about how we can make Hopewell the very best Church it can be. We certainly need to share ideas and plans for actions we can take – as well as participate in the things we are doing. But – first of all – we don’t need to look at our ideas about what we need to be doing as a Church – but we need to – first of all – look at what God feels we need to be doing to be the very best Church we can be.

The questions we need to consider are not:

What do you think we need to be doing as a Church?

Or

            What are some things you think we need to do to be the best Church we can be?

            But – they are:

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

            What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

            What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

            These are the questions we started considering two weeks ago and will continue to consider for the next two weeks.

            How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

            How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

            We’re looking at how the book of Acts describes the early church to find answers to that question. The book of Acts says that there were certain things the members of the early church committed themselves to – things like:

1. telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ

2. worshipping and exalting God

3. working together for God’s glory

4. growing in Christ

5. serving God and others

and it says God blessed them and “added to their number” because they were seeking and following His will for their church.

We’re looking at these things that the members of the early church committed themselves to so we cam get a vision for how we can take steps to commit ourselves to these things, and do our part towards making Hopewell the Church God wants Hopewell to be.

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be.

That’s the theme for our month of September.

Two weeks ago we looked at the passage from Acts 2 and the Great Commission in Matthew 28:26-30 – and saw how a Church with a great commitment to the Great Commission is a great Church. We saw how we need to commit ourselves to being a Church that tells Good News!

Last week we added a second step to the process as we look at Acts 2: 42-47 and Ephesians 5:1-20 – and discovered that we need t be a Church that exalts God.

Today we’re going to add a third step as we look at Acts 2:42-47 and 1 Corinthians 12 – and see how we need to be a Church that works together.

Listen to God’s Word. (Read passages)

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be!

Let’s be a Church that tells the Good News!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

You may remember that we noted last week that — when you look at the description of the early church that Acts 2:42-47 gives us — you get the sense that this was not a church that people joined just because it would look good on their resume or because they thought it would help them make influential friends or help their standing in the community. No – this was a group of individuals whose lives had been changed by God, and who were committed to living a life that showed others the difference God had made in their lives. This was a group of people who wanted to exalt and glorify God – and reflect the glory of God in their worship and in the way they lived their lives. You could tell from the way they worshipped:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42)

and the way they lived as they:

gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. (Acts 2:45-47)

They wanted to exalt and glorify God – they wanted to live lives that showed God’s glory to the world – and committed themselves to working together to show God to the world through their worship and their actions. And – God blessed them and added to their numbers daily.

They were the Church God wanted them to be – telling the Good News of God, exalting God, and working together for the glory of God.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

If we are going to the Church God wants us to be, we are going to have to commit ourselves to being a Church that tells the Good News that God has come into the world – sins can be forgiven – and lives can be changed – we are going to have to commit ourselves to living lives that exalt and glorify God – and we are going to have to commit ourselves to working together for the glory of God.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

One of my favorite things to do on Sunday as a kid was to read the Sunday comics (or the funnies as we called them). Of all the comics I read, the one that I never missed was Peanuts. In one of those cartoons, Lucy came into the room and demanded that Linus change the channel on the TV.

“What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?” asked Linus.
“These five fingers,” replied Lucy.

“Individually they’re nothing, but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold.”
“Which channel do you want?” asked Linus.
Turning away, he looked at his fingers and said, “Why can’t you guys get organized like that?”

While I don’t condone Lucy’s methods, however effective they might have been, she does give us a powerful illustration of what might happen if we here at Hopewell Presbyterian were to work together.

Remember what she said: “Individually they’re nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold.”

It is when we come together – it is when we work together — that we become an effective instrument to be used in the world for the glory of God – and that is a wonderful thing to behold!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that works together!
Let’s be a Church that works together!

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul compares the Church to the human body. Through this analogy, he communicates the important truth of our need to accept our differences as individual members of the Body of Christ and to recognize these differences as vital to the proper functioning of the whole. Our differences are not to be accentuated, resulting in division. Rather, they are for the purpose of meeting the various needs that exist within the Church—both locally and globally. There are many parts because there are many needs. And without the various parts, some needs would be neglected.

I’m going to help you understand Paul’s teaching in this section by summarizing all that he says in just 3 words—so if you fail to hear anything else that is said, don’t miss these three words. The point that Paul is trying to make can be summed up in this motto:

You are needed!

Let me repeat it so there’s no mistaking it:

You are needed!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that works together!
Let’s be a Church that works together!

If we are going to be a Church that works together, we are going to have to be a church that says to each other:

You are needed!

We are going to have to be a Church where everyone realizes that

You are needed!

We are going to have to be a Church where everyone says to everyone else:

You are needed!

Here in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul gives us three principles to drive home the point that each person is needed – and that we all need each other.

First – Each Member Is Indispensable

The first principle that Paul wants us to understand about our need for one another is that each member is indispensable. While each member of the Body of Christ is not the same, each of us is essential to the whole. Paul uses the analogy of the human body, which is made up of many different parts, to show us how the variety of parts – eyes, hands, ears, nose — is essential to the whole-ness of the body. Each part must be present in order for the body to be complete. If the human body was made up of only one part, then it would cease to be a body—by definition, a body is made up of many parts.
If it were possible for a body to be made up on only one part, then it would be an extremely limited body—it would miss out on all the functionality and potential of all the other parts. We are given eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to touch, and noses to smell. The various parts of our human bodies contribute to the whole in unique and significant ways that no other part can do.
Each part of the body is indispensable.

Each part of the body is needed.

So it is with the Body of Christ.

God has made us all different and unique.

He gives each of us particular gifts that no one else has in the same way we do. We are each special and we are each necessary. We each need to do what we can do – we all need to do the things God has created and gifted to do – for us to function in the way God intends for us top function as a Church.

Each part of the body is indispensable.

Each part of the body is needed.

Each one of us in the Church is indispensable.

Each one of us in the Church is needed.

You are needed!

You are needed!

I read about a very wise mother who – when her child came home from school one day crying because they had been given only a small part in the children’s program while their friend got the leading role — took off her watch and put it in her child’s hand.

“What do you see?” the mother asked.

“A gold case, a face, and two hands” the child replied.

Then — opening the back of the watch – the mother repeated the question. The child told her that there were many tiny wheels.

“This watch would be useless,” the mother said, “without every part—even the ones you can hardly see.”

Each one of us in the Church is indispensable.

Each one of us in the Church is needed.

You are needed!

You are needed!

Not all of us will play the leading roles in the Church. Some of us have to be the supporting actors and actresses. But we all have a purpose and a place in the Church. Each of us is important and essential. In order for the Church to function properly, it must have a variety of parts that work together as a whole. Remember: You are needed!

Each one of us in the Church is indispensable.

Each one of us in the Church is needed.

You are needed!

You are needed!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

Each member is indispensable.

There’s a second point Paul makes –

Each Member Is Interdependent

The second principle in the passage from 1 Corinthians 12 is that each member is interdependent. That means that every part of the Body of Christ relies on the proper functioning of every other part.

Without the parts of our bodies cooperating with each other, it not only would be hard to dance the Hokey Pokey – as the Young Disciples found out earlier – but many (if not all) of the vital tasks our bodies perform would be impossible.

        Take, for example, the simple act of speaking, like I’m doing right now. If any of the parts of my body that are necessary for speech were to decide that they didn’t want to participate in this act, it would be impossible for me to talk at this very…moment. Speech is possible only when my brain, nerves, tongue, jaws, lips, larynx, lungs, diaphragm, heart, veins, arteries, capillaries and parts unknown to me all work together for that specific purpose. What appears on the surface to be the work of only one part of the body is actually a very complex and precise cooperative act of many members of the body.

            The same is true of the Church.

            Each member of the Body of Christ is interdependent. Even the most menial task in the Church requires a coordinated effort between the various members. It has been noted that the best pictures of the church are group pictures. The more mature we become in Christ, the more we realize that we need each other.

You are needed!

Each person in the Church is important – and has an important part to play as we do the work of God in the world.

Each person in the Church is needed!

You are needed!

You are needed!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

In a certain mountain village in Europe several centuries ago, a nobleman wondered what legacy he should leave to the townspeople. At last he decided to build them a church. No one saw the complete plans for the church until it was finished. When the people gathered, they marveled at its beauty and completeness. Then someone asked, “But where are the lamps? How will they be lighted?” The nobleman pointed to some brackets in the walls. Then he gave each family a lamp that they were to bring with them each time they came to worship. “Each time you are here the area where you are seated will be lighted,” the nobleman said. “Each time you are not here, that area will be dark. This is to remind you that whenever you fail to come to church, some part of God’s house will be dark”

You are needed!

Each person in the Church is important – and has an important part to play as we do the work of God in the world.

Each person in the Church is needed!

You are needed!

You are needed!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

When a child flies a kite, we might ask: “Who is flying the kite?”

            “I am,” the wind might boast!
“I am,” the paper might reply!
“I am,” the tail might exclaim!
“I am,” the string might insist!
“I am,” the child might boast!
But in reality, they are ALL flying the kite!

If the wind had lulled, if the paper had torn, if the tail had gotten caught in the tree, if the string had broken, or the child had fallen, then the kite would have come down! Each had a part to play!

In the Church, we are all needed – we all have a part to play.

You are needed!

Each person in the Church is important – and has an important part to play as we do the work of God in the world.

Each person in the Church is needed!

You are needed!

You are needed!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

              Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

You are needed!

You are needed!

            God has placed you here in a strategic role! You are an important part of the success and effectiveness of Hopewell Preabyterian Church! Everyone else is depending on you to be here and to carry out your particular function. And when you fail to be here and/or carry out your function in the Church, the whole Church suffers.

So use your gifts to the glory of God and leave the results to him.

Remember: You are needed!

You are needed!

Each person in the Church is important – and has an important part to play as we do the work of God in the world.

Each person in the Church is needed!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

            Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

You are needed!

You are needed!

Each member of the Church is indispensable!

Each member of the Church is interdependent!

            The third point Paul makes is that each member of the Church is interconnected.

Anything that affects one member of the Body of Christ is felt by all of the members. You know — most of us don’t give a lot of thought to our toes, especially our little pinkie toes (except, perhaps, when we’re playing with our children and it comes to that part in the game where it’s time to say, “And this little piggy went, ‘Wee, wee, wee,’ all the way home”). Pinkie toes—they’re just things we don’t normally spend hours reflecting upon. But suppose you’re at home, running around barefoot, and you carelessly happen to bump that pinkie toe into the leg of a chair. Let me assure you, it will become immediately evident that your pinkie toe does, in fact, exist. Every part of your body will join in its pain. The leg and foot that is not injured will begin to jump up and down. Your back will bend over in order to enable your arm and hand to extend a soothing massage. All the members necessary for speech will join in and offer groans that words cannot express. No part of your body will go untouched by the injury to your pinkie toe. All will be affected.

If you don’t believe me, try it some time.

        That’s exactly how it’s supposed to work in the Body of Christ. That’s what Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians 12:26:

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

            We are all related. There are ties between each of us that make us inseparable. When something happens to one member the Church, whether it is good or bad, all of us are to respond accordingly. In practical terms, this means that I cannot be blind to what is happening in your life and you cannot be blind to what is happening in mine. If each of us is going to remain a vital part of the Church, then we must do our part in seeing that we are in touch with all of the other members of this body – in touch with each other. We have to know if they are hurting, and join them in their suffering. We have to know if they are rejoicing, and join them in their happiness.

Each member of the Church is indispensable!

Each member of the Church is interdependent!

Each member is interconnected.

You are needed!

Each person in the Church is important – and has an important part to play as we do the work of God in the world.

Each person in the Church is needed!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

            Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

You are needed!

You are needed!

            One thing we have to avoid in the Church is what I call spiritual leprosy. A simple description of leprosy is that it is a disease that causes a gradual loss of feeling. What happens to those infected by the bacteria that causes leprosy is that they become numb to the conditions surrounding them. They can’t sense what is happening around them. One who has leprosy could cut themselves and never experience the sensation of pain. As a result, the wound receives no attention, and infection sets in. If not treated in time, the infection could progress to gangrene and eventually destroy the whole body.
                This is what happens when a Church has what I call “Spiritual Leprosy”. The members become unable to sense what is occurring in the lives of the other members of the body. One member may get injured. If that injury is not attended to, it will become progressively worse until that person is finally ruined. We must beware that we do not become infected with this fatal disease. We are interconnected to one another. We must share in the experiences of one another.

            Get to know each other. Don’t just spend all of your time with certain people in the Church –make yourself know others.

            Take the first step — don’t wait until they come to you. And keep your eyes focused outward to the needs of others. Join others in their grief and joy. Remember: you are needed!

Each member of the Church is indispensable!

Each member of the Church is interdependent!

Each member is interconnected.

You are needed!

Each person in the Church is important – and has an important part to play as we do the work of God in the world.

Each person in the Church is needed!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

            Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

You are needed!

You are needed!

            If we are going to be the Church God wants us to be, we’re going to have to take our cue from the early Church – and the way it is described in Acts 2.

We are going to have to be a Church that tells the good news that Jesus Christ has come into the world and that sins can be forgiven and lives can be changed.

We are going to have to be a Church that glorifies God!’

We are going to have to be a Church that works together!

We are going to have to be a Church where each member is indispensable!

We are going to have to be a Church where each member is interdependent!

We are going to have to be a Church where each member is interconnected!

We are going to have to be a Church where each member is needed!

We are going to have to be a Church that communicates to each member:
You are needed!

We are going to have to be a Church where each person is important – and has an important part to play as we do the work of God in the world.

We are going to have to be a Church that celebrates that each person is needed.

OK — you’ve heard me say it enough times – and now it’s your turn. Everyone stand up — turn to the person next to you – and say to them:

“You are needed!”

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

            Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

Amen

 

Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 5:1-20

Acts 2:42-47

Ephesians 5:1-20

“Let’s Be A Church That Exalts God”

Part 2 of “Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be” series

September 16, 2007

For the month of September we’re looking how we can be the very best Church we can be – or how we can be the Church God wants us to be.

Last week we began by noting that we can’t just gather our ideas about what we need to be doing as a Church – or our ideas about we can do to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be – without first looking to God to seek what God’s ideas are about what we need to be doing here at Hopewell – and what God thinks we need to be doing to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be.

The point is that we all want to make Hopewell the best Church it can be – and all of us we may have ideas and plans on how to make it that way. That’s a good thing — I count it as a blessing that Hopewell is a Church where the members care about the Church and want to make it the best it can be. But – we need to also take a look at what God may be calling us to be doing – and what God may feel we need to be doing to be the very best Church we can be. It’s great to have ideas and get input from each other about how we can make Hopewell the very best Church it can be. We certainly need to share ideas and plans for actions we can take – as well as participate in the things we are doing. But – first of all – we don’t need to look at our ideas about what we need to be doing as a Church – but we need to – first of all – look at what God feels we need to be doing to be the very best Church we can be.

The questions we need to consider are not:

What do you think we need to be doing as a Church?

Or

What are some things you think we need to do to be the best Church we can be?

But – they are:

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

These are the questions we started considering last week and will continue to consider for the next few weeks.

How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

We’re looking at how the book of Acts describes the early church to find answers to that question. The book of Acts says that there were certain things the members of the early committed themselves to – things like:

1. telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ

2. worshipping and exalting God

3. working together for God’s glory

4. growing in Christ

5. serving God and others

and it says God blessed them and “added to their number” because they were seeking and following His will for their church.

We’re looking at these things that the members of the early church committed themselves to so we cam get a vision for how we can take steps to commit ourselves to these things, and do our part towards making Hopewell the Church God wants Hopewell to be.

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be.

That’s the theme for our month of September. Last week we looked at the passage from Acts 2 and the Great Commission in Matthew 28:26-30 – and saw how a Church with a great commitment to the Great Commission is a great Church. We saw how we need to commit ourselves to being a Church that tells Good News!

Today we’re going to add a second step to the process as we look at Acts 2: 42-47 and Ephesians 5:1-20 – and discover that we need t be a Church that exalts God.

Listen to God’s Word in Acts 2:42-47 and also Ephesians 5:1-20:

Read Scripture

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

1. Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

2. Let’s Be A Church That Exalts God

When you look at the description of the early church that Acts 2:42047 gives us, you get the sense that this was not a church people joined just because it would look good on their resume or because they thought it would help them make influential friends or help their standing in the community. No – this was a group of individuals whose lives had been changed by God, and who were committed to living a life that showed others the difference God had made in their lives. This was a group of people who wanted to exalt and glorify God – and reflect the glory of God in their worship and in the way they lived their lives.

This was a church that exalted God.

You could tell that in the way they worshipped:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42)

And you could tell it in the way they lived as they:

gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. (Acts 2:45-47)

They were a group of people whose lives had been changed by God, and who were committed to living a life that showed others the difference God had made in their lives. They were a group of people who wanted to exalt and glorify God — and reflect the glory of God in their worship and in the way they lived their lives. And – God blessed them – and

added to their number those who were being saved.

They were a church that exalted God – and God blessed them and used them to bring others to Him.

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Why can it be said that the early church was a church that exalted God? Because it’s members exalted God and lived lives that showed the glory of God to the world — they were a group of people who wanted to exalt and glorify God — and reflected the glory of God in their worship and in the way they lived their lives. The church exalted God because it’s members exalted God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

If Hopewell is going to be a Church that exalts God – what do you think is going to have to happen?

It’s members are going to have to be people who live lives that exalt God! And who are it’s members? You are! You are going to have to live a life that exalts God! And – while the Book of Order does not allow me to be a member of Hopewell – I can’t run away from the fact that I represent Hopewell to the community – possibly more so than any of you do – so I’m going to add myself to this list of those who are going to have to live a life that exalts God.

So – here we go – if Hopewell is going to be a Church that exalts God, we are going to have to be live lives that exalt God.

If Hopewell is going to be a Church that exalts God, we are going to have to live lives that exalt God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Ok – but what does that mean – so we have to live lives that exalt God. How do we do that?

In Ephesians 5 Paul calls on us to “be imitators of God” . That’s how we exalt and glorify God — we imitate God. We live lives that help others see God in the way we live – the things we do – the things we say — and the way we worship. Yea – we exalt God by imitating God.

You know – I enjoy good comedy – and one of my favorite genres of comedy is that of impersonation. I love watching people who can do good impersonations of others. I grew up with the likes of Rich Little and his impersonation of Richard Nixon. Dana Carvey’s impersonation of the senior George Bush was one of the best—even the former president loved it. Being a good impersonator requires more that just knowing some things about the person you are imitating – it requires actually learning to talk like that person – it requires taking on some of that person’s characteristics. In the same way, if we are going to be – imitators of God – as Paul calls us to be – we are going to have to learn things about God – and we also are going to have to take on some of God’s characteristics in our own lives.

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

To be a Church that exalts God, we are going to have to be people who imitate God – who show God to the world – who take on some of God’s characteristics in our lives and show God to others.

But – maybe you’ve tried to imitate God in the past – or maybe you’re trying to imitate God now – and have found it to be difficult. Maybe your plan for being an imitator of God – your plan for exalting God in how you live your life day in and day out is not working.

I’m reminded of the football quarterback whose team was being beaten at the hands of a much more talented and a much larger team. Every time his team would get the ball, his coach would call for running plays – and every time they would lose yardage. The quarterback would complain to the coach about running the ball every time and would point out that it wasn’t working – but the coach would respond “that’s our game plan and we’re going to stick with it.” Finally the coach called some pass plays – and the team started moving down the field – scoring points – until finally with just a few minutes left in the game they only 6 points behind. It came down to one final play. The coach reverted to his original plan – and called a running play – but the quarterback knew better. He called for a pass play – one that was brilliantly executed – and the team scored and kicked the extra point – winning the game. The coach, while excited about winning, was also concerned about why the quarterback had changed the play he had called for. When he asked the quarterback, he replied: “Well, coach, your plan A didn’t work – so I thought I’d try my Plan B.”

A lot of times in our live plan A doesn’t work – so we have to go to plan B. I’m going to recommend something today. I’m going to recommend that – if we want to truly be a Church that exalts God – if we really want to be people who exalt God and are imitators of God – if we really want to be a group of people who exalt and glorify God and reflect the glory of God in our worship and in the way we live our lives – we are going to have to scrap whatever plan A is and go to plan B – or really we have to go with plan B E – Plan Be!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

As we look at Ephesians 5:1-20 I believe that we will find 5 steps to “Plan Be” – 5 things we have to “be” to be people who imitate and exalt God – and a Church that exalts God.

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

To be a Church that exalts God we have to go with Plan Be.

The first step to “Plan Be” is:

1. Be an imitator of God

Be an imitator of God.

1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

One thing we have to do to be an imitator of God – to be a person who exalts God and show God to the world – is to love. Paul’s not talking about a feeling here – he’s referring to actions – actions that show God’s love to others even when we might not feel like showing God’s love to them. When we do such actions, we imitate – and we exalt God.

An example of this type of love is the ability to forgive others. Forgiveness is not easy. Mohandas Gandhi said: “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” He may not have been a Christian, but Gandhi understood this aspect of forgiveness: It requires strength. Forgiving others is not easy – but if we are going to be people who imitate and exalt God we have to be people who can forgive. I think that one thing that can make forgiving others easier is to remember what God has forgiven you for. When you have something to forgive someone for, when someone hurts you – your Plan A might be to get revenge. If so, let me suggest you go to Plan Be – Be an Imitator of God. Remember all the things God has forgiven you for, and do what you can to imitate God by forgiving others.

Plan Be starts with: Be an imitator of God.

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

To be a Church that exalts God we have to go with Plan Be.

The first step to Plan Be is: Be an imitator of God

The second step is:

2. Be different

Paul calls on us to be different from others:

3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^[a] 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.

Be different.

If we are going to live lives that exalt God – lives that glorify God – lives and show God to the world – we are going to have to lives lives that are different from others. We are going to have to be different. It may be easy to be different from those who are sexually immoral – but what about greed – what about obscenity – what about “foolish talk” – or “coarse joking”? These are not easy things to avoid because we come around those who indulge in these things every day. We come across these things and are exposed to these things in a lot of ways at work or as we go about our daily tasks – and we even invite these things into our homes with the things we watch on TV or the things we download or view on the internet.

If you find that your “Plan A” for your life is to do, think, and say the things everyone else does, thinks, and says – if you find that your “Plan A” for your life makes you look, talk, and do things just like everybody else – if you find your “Plan A” for your how you live your life doesn’t make you a person that is noticeably different for the glory of God from everyone else – then I invite you to try “Plan Be” – Be different.

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

To be a Church that exalts God we have to go with Plan Be.

The first step to Plan Be is: Be an imitator of God. The second step is: Be different

The third step is:

3. Be careful.

Paul writes:

15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Be careful. This word the NIV translates “careful” can also be translated as “cautious.” In his modern translation The Message Eugene Peterson translates it: “Watch your step.” Another paraphrase could be, “Pay attention to how you live.“

Be careful. Be cautious. Watch your step. Pay attention to how you live.

Be careful.

If you’ve ever traveled, then you might know what it’s like to be in a strange city — always watching where you are – not knowing if you’re in a safe neighborhood — carefully reading every street sign so you can find your way around. If you’re like most people, you are much more deliberate, much more careful about your actions when you travel than you are when you are at home.

Be careful – Paul says.

Be careful. Be cautious. Watch your step. Pay attention to how you live.

Have you ever played on a sports team? If so, have you ever played in a big game? A championship game? You realize how important every play is. Every time you step up to the plate, you realize, I could help win this game with a good at-bat. Every time the ball is hit your direction you think, “I could help win this game if I play this ball right.” Every play matters in a championship game.

Be careful. Be cautious. Watch your step. Pay attention to how you live

These are two great metaphors for daily living. They help us live out Paul’s command to “be careful.” We should approach every day with a certain amount of caution, because there is spiritual danger all around us. When the pressure to succeed is mounting and you start to think about cutting some ethical corners, be careful. When that person in the office says something subtly flirtatious, be careful. When you come home on edge and as soon as you walk in the door your spouse says the wrong thing, be careful. Danger lurks at every turn of the day. Be careful. Approach each moment of each day with caution. But – we should also approach every moment of the day with anticipation. We should always remember that we have an opportunity to make a real difference for the glory of God in someone’s life if we will say the right thing or do the right thing. Everything we do might matter to someone else – so we have to be careful – and make sure what we do is the right thing.

If your “Plan A” to life is to just live every day in a haphazard manner and not really think about what you do, think, or say, I invite you to try “Plan Be” – and be careful!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

To be a Church that exalts God we have to go with Plan Be.

The first step to Plan Be is: Be an imitator of God. The second step is: Be different. The third step is: Be careful. The 4^th step is:

4. Be Filled with the Spirit

Paul writes:

17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Paul’s command to be filled with the Holy Spirit is an indication that when it comes to being Spirit-filled, the ball is in our court. It is up to us to activate it. How do you activate it? It’s very simple. You ask, you yield, you receive. You ask God to fill you with his Holy Spirit, to give you as much of Him as you can have. You ask, and then you yield yourself to Him, surrendering your will to His will. And you receive it, because at that moment He fills you with his Spirit. You don’t have to wait for a feeling or any kind of sign, because the proof of his presence is not in your emotions, it’s in the reliability of his word. It is God’s will that you be filled with the Holy Spirit. If you ask him to fill you with a heart yielded to Him, He will fill you—guaranteed. Sometimes you won’t feel like you are filled with the Spirit, but if you ask God to fill you, if you let God work in your life, he’ll do it.

There are a lot of things we can fill our lives with – but if you let God fill you with His Spirit, He’ll do it – and you’ll live a life that exalts God.

If your “Plan A” for your life fills you with anything but the Spirit of God, I invite you to try “Plan Be” – and Be Filled with God’s Spirit.

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

To be a Church that exalts God, we have to go with Plan Be.

The first step to Plan Be is: Be an imitator of God. The second step is: Be different. The third step is: Be careful. The 4^th step is:Be Filled with the Spirit. The 5^th step is:

5. Be worshipful

Paul writes:

19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Being worshipful is more than just what we do inside this Church – but it involves giving praise to God in everything we do. Being worshipful involves taking joy in whatever we are doing – and doing everything for the glory of God. Being worshipful involves being in communion with God every day – every moment – so God can guide you and direct you in the ways He wants you to go and you can make the difference He wants you to make for His glory in the world.

If your “Plan A” for your life doesn’t lead you to having a joyous, worshipful attitude that puts you in touch with God and lead you to serving God in every way you can, I invite you to try “Plan Be” – and be worshipful.

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

To be a Church that exalts God, we have to follow “Plan Be” –

1. Be an imitator of God

2. Be different

3. Be careful.

4. Be filled with the Spriit

5. Be worshipful

Acts 2:42-47 shows us a church where the members knew the difference God had made in their lives – and committed themselves to showing God to others in the way they lived their lives. They told the world the good news that God had come into the world and had changed their lives – and could change the world. They lived their lives in ways that exalted and glorified God.

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Ws To Be!

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Ws To Be!

Let’s be a Church that tells Good News!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Amen

Acts 2:42-47, Matthew 28:16-20

Acts 2: 42-47

Matthew 28:16-20

“Be The Church God Wants Us To Be: Be A Church That Tells Good News”

September 9, 2007 

Part 1 of “Be The Church God Wants Us To Be” series 

 

            What do you think we need to be doing as a Church?

            What are some things you think we need to do to be the best Church we can be?

            If I were to pose that question and ask for a  responses from you in a setting different from Sunday morning worship, we might come up with a rather long list – for I am certain that you all have things you think the Church needs to be doing and you all have ideas of how to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be. I count it as a blessing that Hopewell is a Church where the members care about the Church and want to make it the best it can be.

Yea — we all want to make Hopewell the best Church it can be – and all of us we may have ideas and plans on how to make it that way.   

            Maybe what we should do is have a meeting – get everyone’s input —  – gather ideas about what we think we need to be doing as a Church – gather ideas about what we could be doing to make Hopewell the very best Church that it can be.

            What do y’all think?

            Yea – maybe that’s what we should do.

            Maybe we could bring in an outside consultant who could help us brainstorm – gather our ideas – prioritize them – and maybe even come up with an action plan of how we can accomplish our goals and become the best Church we can be!

            What do you think?

            You want to know what I think?

            I think we’d be leaving out a key ingredient in our attempt the be the best Church we can be – that key ingredient being God.

It’s great to have ideas and get input from each other about how we can make Hopewell the very best Church it can be.  We certainly need to share ideas and plans for actions we can take – as well as participate in the things we are doing.   But  – first of all – we don’t need to look at our ideas about what we need to be doing as a Church – but we need to – first of all – look at what God feels we need to be doing to be the very best Church we can be.

If we focus on what we think we need to be doing and what we think we can do to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be, we run the risk of never really discovering what God has in mind for us as a Church and what God wants us be  doing as a Church.  We run the risk of never learning what God would have us do to be the Church God want us to be – and it is what God thinks that we need to be doing, not what we think.

Again – sharing our ideas is good – even needed – but first we all need to pray for God to give us His vision and His ideas for the Church             

In the series I preached on Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life I related a story Warren used to illustrate the point that we can’t discover our true purpose for our lives by looking at what think we should be doing – but we need to focus on discovering  what God thinks we should be doing. 

Warren relates that once – while driving in the mountains – he was on a remote mountain road and couldn’t seem to get where he wanted to go.  He was afraid that he was lost.  After driving on the remote mountain road for some time (his wife was probably telling him to stop and ask for directions) he finally did stop and ask for directions.  The response he got was:

“O – you can’t get there on this road.

You’ll have to go back down the mountain and take the other road.”

Warren says that – if we are looking for true purpose for our lives by looking at our own ideas or the ideas of other people – we will never discover our true purpose.  We’re on the wrong road.  But – if we look for true purpose for our lives by looking at God’s will and following God’s advice – we will discover what God is calling us to do.

In the same way, we are not going to discover what we need to be doing as a Church by looking at our ideas. We are only going to discover what we need to be doing as a Church – the things we need to do to be the best Church we can be – if pray for God to give us a vision and look at God’s ideas and what God wants us to be doing as Church.

 So – the questions we need to consider are not:

What do you think we need to be doing as a Church?

Or

            What are some things you think we need to do to be the best Church we can be?

            But – they are:  

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

            What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

            What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

            These are the questions we are going to consider the next few weeks.

            How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

            How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

            We’re going to be looking at how the book of Acts describes the early church to find answers to that question.

            The book of Acts says that there were certain things the members of the early committed themselves to – things like:

1.      telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ

2.      worshipping and exalting God

3.      working together for God’s glory

4.      growing in Christ

5.      serving God and others

and it says God blessed them and “added to their number” because they were seeking and following His will for their church. 

For the next 5 weeks we are going to look at these things the members of the early church committed themselves to.  As we look at these things we are going to see how we can take steps to commit ourselves to these things, do our part towards making Hopewell the Church God wants Hopewell to be.

I’ve entitled this series: Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be – and have titled the focuses for each week:

1.      Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

2.      Let’s Be A Church That Exalts God

3.      Let’s Be A Church That Works Together

4.      Let’s Be A Church That Grows In Christ

5.      Let’s Be A Church That Serves

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be:

1. Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

2. Let’s Be A Church That Exalts God

3. Let’s Be A Church That Works Together

4. Let’s Be A Church That Grows In Christ

5. Let’s Be A Church That Serves

Today – we’re going to look at being a Church that tells good news.

Listen to God’s word as we look at – first of all – the description of the early church  in Acts 2: 42-47 – then the command Jesus gives us to tell the good news to all the world as we find it in Matthew 28:16-20. 

Listen to God’s word.

 Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be:

1. Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

2. Let’s Be A Church That Exalts God

3. Let’s Be A Church That Works Together

4. Let’s Be A Church That Grows In Christ

5. Let’s Be A Church That Serves

Let’s be a Church that tells good news.

Let’s be a Church that tells good news.

In his book The Purpose Driven Church Rick Warren makes the comment:

“A great commitment to the great commission makes for a great Church”. 

A great commitment to the great commission makes for a great Church.

Jesus commissions His followers to:

“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20)

This is what we call “The Great Commission”. 

            Go

            Make disciples

            Baptize

            Teach

The Great Commission.

Someone once noted that this is not “The Great Suggestion” – it is not optional – it is not something we can do if we feel like it or if we think we are called to do it or if we think we have the gifts to do it. This is “The Great Commission” – it is Jesus’ order to us as His followers – it is what Jesus calls us to be doing – whether we feel like it or not – or feel particularly called to do it or not – or feel particularly gifted to do it or not – it is our commission – or order.  

“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20)

Go

Make disciples

Baptize

Teach

What this means is that – if we are going to be the Church God wants us to be – we are going to have to have a great commitment to this Great Commission.  We are going to have to be a Church that is committed to proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to those around us in our community and in the world.

We are going to have to be a Church that is committed to telling everyone the Good News that Jesus Christ has come into the world – their sins can be forgiven – their lives can be changed – and they can be blessed.

That’s the good news we have to share with the world.

 Jesus Christ has come into the world – sins can be forgiven –lives can be changed – people can be blessed.

Folks – the first thing we need to be – as we strive to be the Church God wants us to be – is a Church that tells the Good News.

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Go – Jesus says – go –

 “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20)

Go

Make disciples

Baptize

Teach

Go – tell the good news.

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

When we look at the description of the first church in Acts 2, we see some opf the things they were doing, and we see some of the results.

42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

They were:

1.      telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ

2.      worshipping and exalting God

3.      working together for God’s glory

4.      growing in Christ

5.      serving God and others

The first thing they were doing was telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ –   the  Good News that Jesus Christ has come into the world – that their sins can be forgiven – that their lives can be changed – and that they can be blessed.

First of all, they were being a Church told the Good News – and because they were doing this, God blessed them and “added to their number those who were being saved.”

If we are going to be the Church God wants us, to be, we are going to have to be a Church that tells Good News.

 Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Let’s be a Church that has a great commitment to the Great Commission.

 Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

OK – you might be thinking – that sounds well and good – but how do we do that?  Well, if you’re thinking of asking that question – I’m glad you asked – because I think this Great Commission gives us some specific things we can be doing to be a Church that tells Good News.

“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20)

            I see a 3 step process here.

            1. The first step is : Go.

            Go.

            That’s what Jesus said to his disciples: “go…”

This is a basic principle for success in any venture, id it not?

You don’t wait for success to come to you, you go after success.

 For example, suppose a friend of yours needs a job. What advice would you give?

Would you say, “Well, you know, you’re a sharp guy. If I were you, I would sit by the phone and wait for a Fortune 500 company to realize that you’re available and call you with an offer.”

Would that be your advice?

I don’t think so!

You would probably say something along the lines of: “You know, if you need a job, then hit the streets, start knocking on doors, and eventually someone will hire you.” The flip side of this coin is that if you have a business, do you want to wait to see if the most talented people seek you out, or do you want to go after them and offer them a job? The most talented people have lots of offers; if you don’t seek them out, they won’t know you exist. In my experience as an employee, the best jobs I’ve had are the ones I pursued. In my experience as an employer, the best workers I’ve had are the ones I’ve pursued.

How does this relate to living out the Great Commission – being the Church God wants us to be – being a Church with a great commitment to the Great Commission – being a Church that tells Good News?  Well, if we want to be the Church God wants us to be – if we are going to be a Church that has a great commitment to the Great Commission – if we are going to be a Church that tells Good News – if we are going to be a Church that is impacting the community and the world with the love of Jesus Christ and telling people that  Jesus Christ has come into the world – sins can be forgiven –lives can be changed – and they can be blessed – we are going to have to go and do it! We can’t sit here or sit in our homes  and wait for the community – for the world — to come to us. We have to go out into the community – into the world – with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

We are going to have to go.

Oh – yea – we’ve go a beautiful building with a sign out front that says Hopewell Presbyterian Church.  The building we worship in now has been here since the 1820’s – and there has been a Church here or across the road since 1770.  The cemetery has been here since 1770.  Some form of Hopewell Presbyterian Church has stood here since 1770.  It might be tempting to think to think that if we just sit here – people will come to us. Well, yea, if we wait long enough, a few people will find us and might decide to visit. But if we really want to reach this community, we have to go—we have to reach out.

Go.

We can do that in a variety of ways. Advertising through direct mail and the newspapers is one way. Providing outreach ministries such as clothing and food drives is another. Providing exciting programs and activities families, for men, and for women is another.  Providing youth and children’s ministries that give uplifting ways for them to have fun and fellowship and to learn about God is another way we can display our commitment to the Great Commission and reach out into the community with the love of God and the Good News that  Jesus Christ has come into the world – sins can be forgiven –lives can be changed – and they can be blessed.  Having special services like the one we had a few weeks ago with Curtis and Lesa Hudson is another way to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ into the community. 

All these things are important and are great ideas – but they will be better and demonstrate a greater commitment to the Great Commission if we all go – “go”   Jesus said — we need to be our best salespeople spending time telling our friends and neighbors – the young people that live around us — about the exciting things we’re doing and inviting them to come – even if it means picking them up and bringing them with us! When we’re having special programs we need to be willing to go out and put posters flyers out into the community to let people know about it. We have to go and do it! 

Of course, we also have to be willing to talk to people about their relationship with God – the difference God can make in their lives – and inviting them to visit our Church if they don’t have a Church.  And we can never forget how important it is to tell someone you know about what Jesus has done for you and what he can do for them, too.

All of these are ways we can go into the community and into the world with our great commitment to the Great Commission – letting people know the Good News that Jesus Christ has come into the world – sins can be forgiven – lives can be changed – and they can be blessed.  All of these are ways we can be the Church God wants us to be – a Church that tells Good News.

Let’s be a Church that has a great commitment to the Great Commission.

 Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20)

Jesus said, “Go.” That’s the first key word – the first step toward being a Church that tells Good News. The second key word – the second step — is…

2. Stay.

Now you’re probably thinking:

You just said we needed to go. Now you’re saying we need to stay.  Which is it? 

Well – it’s both!

We’re supposed to go – and we’re supposed to stay.

Here’s what I mean — Jesus said ;

Therefore go and make disciples…baptizing them…teaching them… (Matthew 28:19)

He’s talking about going – but He’s also talking about staying. He’s talking about a long-term commitment to the people we serve.

When the Germans began their attacks that began World War II they used a tactic they called blitzkrieg – rushing in to an area with a lot of firepower, air attacks, and ground attacks, subduing the opposition, then moving on to the next area. Being the Church God want us to be – telling the Good News of Jesus Christ to our community and our world – having a great commitment to the Great Commission – being committed to letting people know the Good News that Jesus Christ has come into the world – sins can be forgiven – lives can be changed – and they can be blessed – can not be a matter of  Holy  Blitzkrieg.  It can’t be a case of our dong a few programs – having a few special events – putting up a few posters – talking about what Jesus has done for us and can do for others for just a few weeks – then giving up when it doesn’t look like it’s making a difference. It’s about our doing these things consistently – day after day – week after week – month after month – year after year – and doing these things  long enough to make long-term change. It’s about our going into the community – going into the world – with our great commitment to the Great Commission – but it’s also about our staying – or doing these things on a consistent basis – so people can really see that we are serious when we tell them the Good News – that we are really serious when we say that Jesus Christ has come into the world – sins can be forgiven – lives can be changed – and they can be blessed. 

Anyone can build a Church. Anyone can put up a building, have snappy and up to date worship and have youth and adult ministries – and might have some success with it at first.  But the real success comes in working with people day in and day out on a long term basis – demonstrating to them the love and commitment God has for them. This takes work and a long term commitment – but those who have the commitment to do the work are the ones who make a real difference in their communities and the world for Christ.

    Dawson Trotman, founder of the Navigators, once picked up a hitchhiker, who got in his car and began to swear profusely. Dawson’s habit was to share Christ with everyone he met, and as he began witnessing to this young man, he suddenly recognized him. He had witnessed to the same man months earlier, and the man had accepted Christ. Dawson had sent him on his way with the promise of Philippians 1:6—that God would finish the work he began in him. This event was a turning point for Dawson, because he realized that simply sharing the gospel was not enough — it was necessary to follow-up with new converts to help them become fully devoted disciples. As a result, his ministry took on a new direction, with a commitment to helping Christians become disciples and disciple-makers.

If you want to make a difference in people’s lives, you have to make a long-term commitment to be part of their lives. You have to be willing to stay with them, to help them grow.

In order for our church to be effective, our commitment to this community must be long-term.  It’s as simple as this: the longer we stay focused on fulfilling the Great Commission – the longer we go out and share Christ with others – the longer we strive to do everything we can to  tell the Good News of Jesus Christ to our community and our world – the longer we are committed to letting people know the Good News that Jesus Christ has come into the world – sins can be forgiven – lives can be changed – and they can be blessed – the more God will bless us, and the more effective we will be.

Let’s be a Church that has a great commitment to the Great Commission.

 Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20)

The first step is go.

The second is stay.

The third is –

3. Demonstrate.

Jesus said:

teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:20)

He said, “Teaching them.” Not just “telling them,” but “teaching them.” There’s a difference between “telling” someone something and “teaching” someone something – isn’t there? “Teaching” places a certain amount of responsibility on  the teacher. Well, it is our job—our responsibility—to communicate the message of the gospel effectively. This involves more than words. It involves demonstrating the Christian life with our actions. Albert Schweitzer said, “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It’s the only thing.” God wants us to show others what it means to be truly Christian. He wants us to lead by example. That’s how you teach people to become disciples. It’s not enough to describe obedience — we must demonstrate it — and keep demonstrating it until the lesson is learned. If we are truly going to be the Church God wants us to be, if we are going to have a great commitment to the Great Commission and if we are truly going to be a Church that tells Good News – we are each going to have to be committed to being the Christian God wants us to be so people can see by our example the difference Christ has made in our lives and can make in theirs. That was truly one of the things people noticed about the members of the early church as our description from Acts 2 tells us.  Is it something people will notice about us? 

Let’s be a Church that has a great commitment to the Great Commission.

            Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20)

To do this, we have to go – going into the world – into the community – telling people the Good News that Jesus Christ has come into the world – sins can be forgiven – lives can be changed – and people can be blessed. 

We also have to stay.  Staying with it – staying with our ministries and our message – being committed to our message and the life changing love of Christ and committed to sticking with out message so others can see the difference Christ has made in our lives.

We also have to demonstrate the life changing love of Christ in our actions – the way we treat others – the way we relate to others – the things we do. 

Friends — Let’s be a Church that has a great commitment to the Great Commission.

 Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Eric Hoey, the PC(USA)’s Director For Evangelism And Church Growth, made a talk at the National Evangelism Conference I attended in Nashville last week.  In it, he asked the ministers and church leaders gathered if they were spending more time in church meetings or in attempts to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. He said that too many Christians spend too much time planning on how to tell the Good News to the world and too little time actually doing it.

He made the statement:

“If God gives you opportunity to open your mouth and share your faith, seize that opportunity.”

Remember – that was a Presbyterian who said that!

Not only that – that was one of the staff people on the General Assembly level of our denomination – who said that.

If I didn’t discover anything else at the conference last week – I discovered that God is doing a new thing in our denomination – and can do a new thing in our Church!

“If God gives you opportunity to open your mouth and share your faith, seize that opportunity.”

Don’t back away from it – do it!

If Jesus has made a difference in your life, talk about it!  Tell the world the Good News that Jesus Christ has come into your life – your sins have been forgiven – your life has been changed – you have been blessed  – and that Jesus can come into their life also – forgive their sins – change them – and bless them!

  Yea — “If God gives you opportunity to open your mouth and share your faith, seize that opportunity.”

So – what does God want us to be doing as a Church?

How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

First of all by being a Church that tells Good News!

Be the Church God wants us to be!

Be a Church that tells Good News!

Be a Church that tells Good News!

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

           

 

 

 

Ezekial 37:1-14, Acts 2:1-21, John 15:26-27, 16:4(b)-15

“IS THIS PENTECOST?”

EZEKIAL 37:1-14

ACTS 2:1-21

                                JOHN 15:26-27, 16:4b-15

PENTECOST      COMMUNION       JUNE 4, 2006

 

                “WHEN THE DAY OF PENTECOST HAD COME,

THEY WERE ALL TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE,

AND SUDDENLY FROM HEAVEN THERE CAME A SOUND

LIKE THE RUSH OF A VIOLENT WIND,

AND IT FILLED THE ENTIRE HOUSE WHERE THEY WERE SITTING.

DIVIDED TONGUES, AS OF FIRE, APPEARED AMONG THEM,

AND A TONGUE RESTED ON EACH OF THEM.

ALL OF THEM WERE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK IN OTHER LANGUAGES AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM ABILITY.”

ACTS 2:1-4

 

“THEN HE SAID TO ME, ‘PROPHESY TO THE BREATH, PROPHESY, MORTAL, AND SAY TO THE BREATH:  THUS SAYS THE LORD GOD: COME FROM THE FOUR WINDS, O BREATH, AND BREATHE UPON THESE SLAIN. THAT THEY MAY LIVE.’  I PROPHESIED AS HE COMMANDED, AND

THE BREATH CAME INTO THEM, AND THEY LIVED,

AND STOOD ON THEIR FEET, A VAST MULITITUDE.”

EZEKIAL 37:9-10

 

                What an eerie – and yet tremendously exciting – description of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

                What an eerie — and yet tremendously exciting — description of the Spirit of God bringing life to lifeless, dry bones.

                Eerie – yes – even scary –

and yet intriguing – and indeed exciting.

But still scary.

 

A few years ago Sally and I were at Myrtle Beach, SC with her brother John and his girls.  One day we went to the Aquarium – and one of the features there was what appeared to be a clear  underwater tube you could walk through and have the fish all around you – even swimming over the tube – and therefore over your head.  That was very interesting and fun – you got to see the fish up close.  But sometimes – like when the sharks would swim over the tube – and therefore over your head – or when the sharks would chase other fish and they would get close to the tube – it could be unnerving.

It was fun to watch the sharks and other fish – as long as they did not get too close.

 

                I’m afraid that the coming of the Holy Spirit — the coming at Pentecost — the giving of life to the dry bones — is something we may want to admire and look at – but keep at a safe distance – like a lion or tiger in the zoo or a shark at the Aquarium — whose strength and beauty we may admire – as long as we know it’s a safe distance from us. 

We are not too comfortable if lions or tigers or sharks get up close and personal.

 

Is that the way we feel about Pentecost?

                Is that the way we fell about the coming of the Holy Spirit?

                Is that the way we feel about the renewing and life-giving work of the Spirit?

                I’m afraid it is.

 

                At least that’s what our actions show. 

 

                Today is Pentecost.

                One of the three most important days in the church year – along with Christmas and Easter.  This is the day we celebrate the coming and power of the Holy Spirit – and yet we seem to be uncomfortable with it.  We don’t quite know what to do with it.  It’s hard to generate enthusiasm for Pentecost.

                It’s hard to generate excitement for Pentecost.

                Easter and Christmas draw large crowds to church.

                But Pentecost?

                Apparently not – huh?

                Why do we not celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit in the same way we celebrate the coming of Christ – or the resurrection of Christ?

                I’m not sure – - but I’m afraid it has something to do with the fact that we are scared. 

We are comfortable with looking back at the Bible and saying -

                 “Yes – how wonderful the coming to the Holy Spirit was ” – -

                or “Yes – how wonderful it was that the Spirit of God brought life the dry bones” —

 but yet – - what we would do if it happened here and now?

                The very thought of the Spirit coming into our lives and this Church right now scares us to — – doesn’t it?

                 We want to be able to look back and admire the coming of the Spirit – while keeping it at a safe distance from us.  Like a lion or tiger in the zoo or a shark at an aquarium.  It’s great to look at – but don’t let it get up close and personal. 

 

                The coming of the Holy Spirit is scary.

                It’s risky business! 

                We don’t know what might happen if the Holy Spirit were to suddenly come upon us – do we? 

                We don’t know what might happen if we were to experience the renewing — life giving work of God’s Spirit — here and now – do we?

                We don’t know what might happen if we were to experience a Pentecost of sorts here and now – do we?

                And that can be scary!

 

                We just might get excited.

                We just might see God as who He really is — and ourselves as the helpless and hopeless sinners we really are.

                We just might see that it is only through the death of Christ that we are saved.

                We just might really accept Christ as our Lord and Savior and start living as God calls us to live.  

                We just might start worshipping like we really mean it.

                We just might start really loving each other.

                We just might become excited about doing God’s will.

                We just might start really wanting to do something – to really make a difference for God’s glory and for the good of others in the world.

                We just might start wanting our faith to really mean something to us – and make a difference in how we live.

                Yea – scary – risky business.

                We wouldn’t want any of this to happen – would we?

                It is indeed scary stuff.

                We don’t really want to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit – - the new life offered by the Spirit of God — because we are scared of what might happen if we do.

                Let Pentecost just be something that happened “back then” – let’s just observe it as a historical event – but let’s not get carried away with it.  Let’s not act like it could happen here – and now.

                Let the vision of the dry bones receiving life be just that — a vision — don’t let it be reality — especially not reality for us!

 

                So – we simply nod at Pentecost – at the exciting renewal of the Holy Spirit – at the renewal the Spirit offers – - the new life offered by the power of God’s Spirit — as we go about our unexcited and unexciting lives – with our lifeless, unexcited and unexciting faith – and our unexcited and lifeless, unexciting church.

                But — guess what – 

                all the while we bemoan the fact that we just can’t get anything going – our church is too small – our finances too tight –

                all the while a vast majority of us are are content to sit back and let a vast minority do all the work —

                we are glad to take advantage of the fruits of their labors — if it doesn’t inconvenience us too much or if we can fit it into our busy schedules —

                but we don’t really get in there and do the work and help glorify God through the programs of our Church — do we?

 

                Maybe we should re–think Pentecost.

                Maybe we should re-think our attitudes about the life changing – Church changing power of the Holy Spirit.

                Do you think that maybe we should take another look at Pentecost – and what the Holy Spirit can do for us – here – and now?

                Do you think we should take another look at the life-giving power of God’s Spirit?

                Should we take another look at the excitement and enthusiasm of the disciples – the new life of the dead bones – and maybe take the coming of the Holy Spirit more seriously – and see if there is a chance it could happen again – now?

 

                I say this is the Day of Pentecost.

                I know it is — because my Presbyterian Planning Calendar tells me so.

                But there is nothing about this Church to let me or anybody else know that it is truly Pentecost — truly the day of experiencing the life-giving, life-changing, Church changing, world changing Spirit.

 

                Can Pentecost happen again?

                Can Pentecost happen now?

                Can Pentecost happen – - – to us?

                Can we be given new life?

 

                Indeed —

 

IS THIS PENTECOST?

IS THIS PENTECOST?

                Can this be Pentecost?

                Can it be — for us?

                Can we experience the life-giving, life-changing, Church changing, world changing holy Spirit?

 

                Of course it can be.

                Of course we can.

                God’s Spirit is active – it is moving – it is just as powerful now as it was then. 

                We can be renewed.

                The Spirit can touch us.

                When the Spirit of God swept over the valley of dry bones, they were given new life.

                When the first disciples were touched by the Holy Spirit they were so excited they began to spill out into the streets with the message of God’s great deeds in to world. 

                It can happen.

                It’s up to God to make it happen – but it is also up to us.

                God  wants it to happen — and will make it happen – - when we are ready.

 

                When we are ready, that life-giving, life-changing, Church changing, world changing Holy Spirit can – and will come upon us and do God’s work in our lives – in our Church – and in our world.

                But we have to be ready.

                The old addege that “You can lead a horse to water — but you can’t make it drink” — is indeed true. 

                We  have opportunities for ministry before us – opportunities to be renewed by God’s Holy Spirit and become the excited Christians God’s Spirit can make us  — sharing our faith and the love of God. 

But many times we don’t take advantage of the opportunities.

                The “water” is there — but we dont’ drink it.

                God’s Holy Spirit is ready to renew — but we don’t let it.

                Why is that?

                  Could it be that we are not “thirsty” enough? 

                Could  it be that we don’t care enough being renewed by the Holy Spirit? 

Could it be we are not “thirsty” enough for a renewing from God’s Spirit?

                How thirsty are you for God?

                How much do you want to be renewed?

                How much do you want us to experience the life-giving, life-changing, Church changing, world changing Spirit?

                That’s the question you have to answer.

 

IS THIS PENTECOST?

IS THIS PENTECOST?

 

                Only if you want it to be.

                Only if you are ready.

                God wants it to be.

                God is ready.

 

                Are you?

 

                The Spirit of God can give us new life.

                It can happen.

                It does happen.

                Let it happen.

                Just as it happened to the disciples — just as it happened to the dry bones — it can happen — here — and now.

                Celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit among us.

                Open yourself up for the leading of the Holy Spirit.

 

                You have heard me tell my story of one Pentecost several years ago.

It was May 19, 1991.  Sally and I and our families were at a Holiday Inn in Decatur, GA for my graduation with my Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary. I was excited and could not sleep (a rarity for me!) – so I was reading from Acts 2 as Saturday night turned to Sunday morning.  A few minutes after 12 on that Pentecost day there was a voice alarm in the building:

“There is a report of a fire in the building.

Please exit the building.”

“There is a report of a fire in the building.

Please exit the building.”

“There is a report of a fire in the building.

Please exit the building.”

On and on it droned as people got up and obeyed the voice – exiting the building.

We made sure all our families were safe as we gathered outside.

A few minutes later we learned that it was a false alarm – and returned to our rooms.

Friends – there may be a report of a fire – a report of excitement and enthusiasm spreading among us.

The Holy Spirit can kindle a fire within us.

Let’s not let the report be a false alarm!  

                The coming of the Holy Spirit should not be contained to the Bible stories. 

It can continue now –

it can continue here –

it can continue today. 

                Renewal can be just as real today as it was then.

                The Holy Spirit is just as powerful now as it was then.

 

                So – the question is —

 

IS THIS PENTECOST?

IS THIS PENTECOST?

 

                What better way to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit than around the Lord’s table?

                Come.

                Celebrate.

                Recommit to being the Christian — the Church — God calls and renews us to be.

                Recommit to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

                Experience the renewing work of the God’s Holy Spirit in your life – and we will experience it in our Church – in our community – and in our world.

 

IS THIS PENTECOST?

IS THIS PENTECOST?

 

                God wants it to be.

                Do you?

 

                AMEN.

 

 

Acts 1:6-14, John 17:6-19

Acts 1:6-14

John 17:6-19

“Be Sanctified”

Easter 7 May 28, 2006

Christ has risen!

Alleluia!

He has risen indeed!

During this season of Easter we proclaim and celebrate the glorious fact that Christ has risen.

Christ has risen!

Alleluia!

He has risen indeed!

Indeed.

Christ has risen!

Our lives can be changed!

Christ has risen!

Our relationship with God can be changed!

Christ has risen!

Our world can be changed!

Christ has risen!

Our Church can be changed!

Christ has risen!

Nothing has to stay the same – everything can be changed – because:

Christ has risen!

Alleluia!

He has risen indeed!

We can have a life-changing relationship with Christ — we can let Him change our lives with His love — then — we can go into the world and work to show His love to the world — changing the world around us with the life-changing love of the risen Christ.

One of the ways the resurrection of Christ can change our lives is that we can be sanctified.

Sanctified

Set apart – different – with different actions – words – thoughts – and attitudes than everyone else.

We don’t have to act like everyone else – we can be sanctified.

We can be sanctified – because

Christ has risen!

Alleluia!

He has risen indeed!

Our scripture passages for today give us 2 pictures of what it means to be sanctified.

In our Gospel passage Jesus prays for His disciples to be sanctified.

In our passage from Acts the disciples wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit by praying for God to sanctify them –- – - and waiting for God to bring the results.

And what results they get because they devoted themselves to praying for God to sanctify them!

Take a look at our Gospel passage.

Here we have Jesus and the disciples gathered for the last time before He would be crucified. Jesus knew that He would soon die.

He knew that He was leaving His disciples behind to carry on His work.

Maybe when He thought about this He was more than just a little concerned about them.

He knew that their lives would not be easy.

When they followed Jesus' teachings, people would hate them just as they had hated Him.

Of course, not everyone hated Jesus and not everyone would hate His disciples.

Many people loved Jesus. They came in great numbers to hear Him. They crowded around Him, hoping for miracles. They brought their children so that He might touch them. They welcomed Him into Jerusalem with palm branches and Hosannas.

But some people did hate Jesus.

The scribes and Pharisees hated Jesus. They were well-established — powerful. They were used to people catering to them — standing aside as they came down the sidewalk — reserving the best seats for them. They were religious men — holy men — but they had come to enjoy too much the perks of their office. They had forgotten that God had called them, not for honor, but for service.

Jesus didn't honor the scribes and Pharisees.

He insulted them. He exposed their sins. He called them hypocrites. He told them that they were whitewashed tombs — beautiful on the outside but full of dead men's bones on the inside.

It is no wonder that they didn't like Jesus.

It is no wonder that they sought to kill him.

Given their power and wealth, it is no wonder that they succeeded.

Well — Jesus knew that these same men and others like them would bring their power and wealth against the disciples, just as they were bringing their power against Him.

So – what did He do?

Jesus prayed for the disciples.

First he prayed,

"Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one" (v. 11).

"Protect them!" He prayed!

Jesus wasn't praying that the disciples have an easy life. He wasn't praying that they become rich and famous. He was praying that God would protect them.

"Protect them…so that they may be one."

We need God's help, don't we! We Christians are often our own worst enemies.

We have divided ourselves into denominations.

We have divided ourselves by theological persuasion — liberal versus conservative.

We have divided ourselves by race — someone has observed that eleven o'clock on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour of the week.

And some Churches are even divided into those who want red carpet versus those who want green carpet.

The devil must be licking his chops!

We Christians need to learn to work and play nicely together. We need to learn to respect each other, even in our differences. We need to love one another, which is often difficult. We need to do those things so that we can be effective witnesses for Christ — so that we can draw people to him.

We certainly need help with that — so Jesus prays, "Protect them…so that they may be one."

Then Jesus prays, "I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one" (v. 15).

The New Testament was written originally in Greek, and the Greek word for world is kosmos.

In this prayer, Jesus says that Christians "do not belong to the kosmos" but "are in the kosmos." He doesn't ask God to take us out of the kosmos, but instead asks God to protect us from the evil one.

When Jesus talks about the kosmos, he isn't talking about planet Earth. When Jesus talks about the kosmos, he is talking about the forces of evil opposed to God.

What are those?

We don't have to look far to see them.

There are so many kosmos-forces all around us.

The church exists as an island in a kosmos-sea — and it's our job to clean up the sea.

I think that you know what I mean, but I'll give some examples anyway.

We live in a kosmos-world where motion pictures and television are saturated with sex, violence, and coarseness — where the Internet is saturated with pornography and gambling — where our streets and schools are saturated with drugs.

It is a kosmos-world — a world where the forces of evil are always in opposition to God — and Jesus left us here to set the world right. He left us here to be a bit of leaven that would leaven the whole loaf.

It is a huge job, and we have a long way to go.

So Jesus prayed, "Protect them from the evil one."

Boy – do we ever need that prayer.

We need it for our children, but we also need it for ourselves.

Our children are at risk, but we are at risk too. I have known Christians who let themselves become addicted to alcohol or drugs or gambling or pornography or violent entertainments. Every once in a while the newspapers run articles of respected members of the community who lose their job and family because of an addiction to Internet pornography.

W live in a kosmos-world.

Jesus prayed, "Protect them from the evil one!"

We need God's protection.

We also need to use our heads!

We need to avoid the things that would drag us down — the things that threaten to destroy us. We need God's help, but we also need to cooperate with God when he tries to help us.

So — Jesus prays, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth" (v. 17).

This word "sanctify" is interesting.

It means "make them holy" — "make them into saints."

Some of you are probably sitting there right now rolling your eyes.

"Fat chance!" is what you are thinking.

But we serve a mighty God!

Everything is possible!

Sanctify them!

Make them holy!

Make them more like you, God!

We need God to make us holy — for our sake — for the sake of our families — for the sake of those with whom we work — for the sake of our community — for the sake of our nation — for the sake of the world.

That is the only way that we can make things better — by first becoming better ourselves.

We cannot become better by ourselves.

We need God's help.

"Sanctify them!" Jesus says.

Make them holy.

Holiness has power to make things better.

Holiness has power to change people's lives.

Holiness has power to change the world.

I read not long ago about NBA Star A C Green.

Some of you probably recognize that name.

Green is retired from basketball now, but he was a member of the LA Lakers team when they won three NBA championships. He holds the NBA record for the most consecutive games played (1192). They called him "Iron Man."

Wouldn't that be great — to play in the NBA – win 3 titles — and to have your teammates call you "Iron Man"!

But Green is more than a great basketball player.

He is also a great Christian.

He is a man who determined to use his fame and fortune to make a difference for Jesus.

He determined to use his fame and fortune to help kids — to help his teammates — to help his community — to make this a better world.

Sports heroes are exposed to more temptations than most of us — money temptations — sexual temptations – drugs – both recreational and performance enhancing.

Green determined to let God make him holy so that he could help others.

The thing that got him the most press was his determination to abstain from sex until marriage. Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly called Green "The NBA Player Who Has Never Scored."

Green didn't try to do it by himself.

He found other Christians who shared his values, and he invited them to hold him accountable.

Hear that!

We can't become holy people in isolation. We need the help of holy friends. Green says of his friends, "They keep me in line so much that I'm sure there have been temptations around the corner that thankfully I've never known about."

That's possible, you know.

Each time you avoid temptation you strengthen yourself against future temptation.

It's like working out in the gym.

Strength begets strength!

Green maintained his convictions through thick and thin. He said, "I promised God this, and I'm not going to break it. I love myself and my future wife too much to waste it."

Green finally married in 2002, so he no longer has to practice abstinence – but He does continue to practice his faith.

He has established the A. C. Green Youth Foundation to promote abstinence until marriage. He is continuing to do good things through the Christ who strengthens him.

I was struck in particular by something that one of Green's teammates once said about him. Anthony Mason, a young man who had lots of off-court troubles, found himself drawn to Green. Like lots of troubled people, he was looking for someone solid — someone trustworthy — and he found that person in A. C. Green.

Mason was quoted as saying, "You would think of Green as a goody-two-shoes, but to see (his convictions) up close, you realize that's the way you're supposed to live."

It might seem like a small thing that Green did — keeping himself sexually pure until marriage — but it didn't turn out to be a small thing. By the grace of God, it became a way of changing lives for the better — of changing the world for the better.

"Sanctify them!" Jesus prays.

Make them holy.

Make them part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

Help them to make a difference in their family — in their church — in their community — in their world.

"Sanctify us!" needs to be our prayer.

Make us holy.

Help us to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

Help us to make a difference in our family — in our church — in our community — in the world.

Sanctify them!

That was Jesus’ prayer for the disciples – and for us!

Sanctify them!

Make them holy!

Make them different!

Give them different actions – different thoughts – different words!

Sanctify them!

The passage I read from Acts 1 before the sermon is an illustration of how to be sanctified – how to be different – with different actions – different thoughts – different words!

When Jesus went back to heaven, the disciples may not have known what to do next.

They may have remembered that Jesus had prayed for them to be sanctified – but they may have not felt very sanctified – very different.

What did they do?

They prayed.

They prayed for God to sanctify them.

They prayed for God to help them be different in thoughts – words – and actions.

Like us today – the disciples know that if they were going to be different from everyone else – they were going to have to have help and strength.

So they prayed for help.

They prayed for strength.

And – even though our passage from Acts does not include it – I’ll give you a “sneak peak” into what we will see next week – when the disciples prayed to be made different – to be sanctified – God answered – in a powerful way!

The Spirit filled them.

They were strengthened.

They were sanctified – to where they became strong to carry on Christ’s work in the world.

Sanctify them!

Jesus prayed.

Sanctify us!

The disciples prayed.

Sanctify me!

AC Green prayed.

When they prayed that prayer – the disciples were blessed – sanctified – strengthened – so they could live the different lives God called them to live.

When AC Green prayed that prayer he was blessed – sanctified – strengthened – so he could make a difference – and live the different life God called him to live.

When we pray that prayer we can be blessed – sanctified – strengthened – so we can make a difference – and live the different life God calls us to live!

Sanctify us, O God!

Sanctify me, O God!

On your bulletin cover is a prayer for sanctification.

Turn to that now – and let’s pray that together –

Sanctify me, O Lord.

Make me holy.

Help me to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

Help me to make a difference in my family — in my church — in my community – and in my world. In Your name I pray, Amen.

I invite you to keep that prayer. Put it somewhere you can see it every day.

Pray it daily. Ask God to help you — and you can be sure that He will.

Like AC Green you may need someone to hold you accountable – if so, find that person.

Pray that God will sanctify you – protect you from the devil and the temptations of the world – make you different – a part of the solutions instead of the problems – making a difference in your family – your church – your community – and in the world.

Let’s pray that prayer together one more time:

Sanctify me, O Lord.

Make me holy.

Help me to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

Help me to make a difference in my family — in my church — in my community – and in my world. In Your name I pray, Amen.

Indeed friends:

Christ has risen!

Alleluia!

He has risen indeed!

And we can be sanctified!