Luke 8:4-15

Luke 8:4-15

Getting Out The Big Digger
August 23, 2009

Last in summer series on “You’ve Got Questions – God Has Answers”

Life is filled with things that bother us and that are problems for us – questions we might wish we had answers for.  These things can range from how to deal with the economy and the way it affects our daily living to how to be a Christian parent to how to deal with “difficult people” to how to deal with emotions such as anger to how to keep from saying things that we know are not things God would have us be saying to how to respond when things are moving a lot slower that we would like for them to to how to deal with feelings of loneliness and the questions of how we can be sure of God’s love to questions about if God hears our prayers to questions about why we don’t seem to be growing in our faith.

The Bible is our guide to living life in God’s ways – and contains God’s answers to our questions in life. Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that:

^“16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

This summer we’re looking at some of the issues and questions we may face in our lives – and how God would have us deal with them.  Today we are going to end this series as we look at an issue that many people deal with – the question of why we don’t seem to be able to grow in our faith.

I don’t know about you – but there seems to be times in my life that I just can’t seem to grow in my faith.  Yes – it’s true – even ministers have times when their faith seems to be stagnant.

What do we do at times like that?

Sometimes what we have to do is inspect our lives – our hearts – and see what’s in there that may be choking out the growth God wants us to have.

Jesus told a parable about a farmer who sowed some seeds – and what happened to them.

Listen to God’s word as Luke records this parable in Luke 8:4-15:   Read Scripture

When I graduated from Seminary I began serving a two church field in North Carolina.  Sally and I moved from the big city of Atlanta to rural North Carolina – and were at a loss as to how to do things like farm, have gardens, or what to do with vegetables people gave us.  Both of us had grown up in towns – all we know about fresh vegetables was that we ate them.  We had no idea what “blanching” meant – or what it meant to “put up” vegetables.  We still don’t know a whole lot – but we know more now than we did then!

The first spring I got the bright idea that I would be like the rest of the folks in the community and grow a garden.

Not the brightest idea I ever had – but I was determined that I was going to plant some corn, beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers.  I ended up with a pretty good size garden.  Folks said that the fact that it was planted where a horse stable had been years before and the ground was well fertilized didn’t hurt!

When I decided I was going to plant my garden, I asked one of the church members if he could come and plow up the ground with his tractor.  He did – and I thought it looked pretty good.  He, however, had also brought another tool with him I was not familiar with.

“What’s that?”

I asked him.

“Some folks call it a mattock – but we call it a big digger”.

“What do you do with it?” I asked.

“You dig.”

“Oh”  I responded.

I finally began to understand that I was supposed to go through the plowed garden plot with the big digger and break up clots, get out weeds and rocks, and get out grass.  This had to be done before the seeds and plants could be planted.

So I started digging. And digging. And digging.

I began to wonder why I had wanted a garden in the first place.

As the spring and summer wore on I continued to be a reluctant user of the big digger.  It seemed that every day I would have to get out the big digger and dig up weeds – more rocks – and more grass.

Sally even found jobs for me to do with the big digger.

Flower beds needed to be created in places where there were no flower beds – and she would call out “Bill – get out the big digger.”

Trees needed to be planted where there were no holes for them – and she would call out “Bill – get out the big digger.”

Plants would need to be planted – and she would call out —- well, you get the picture.

The big digger and I became weekend companions.  Try as I might, I could not get away from it on most Saturdays.

My friend let me borrow his big digger – but before long he gave it to me and got himself a new one.  His wife had grown up on a farm – and said that every spring her dad would have to go to town and buy a new big digger because he had worn the old one out.

I must admit that the big digger I still have is almost 25 years old – and not worn out yet!

Big diggers – or mattocks – are great tools to have around.  They can help you clear ground, get up weeds, get up rocks, dig holes – a number of things can be done with a big digger.

But – here’s the thing – sometimes we need to take a big digger to our hearts – our souls.

Sometimes there can be weeds – rocks – and thorns in our souls that we need to get out  because they are choking out our spiritual growth.

The Parable of the Sower that Jesus tells in our passage for today is a very familiar portion of scripture. It can be very tempting to think to yourself, “I’ve heard this story a hundred times and there is nothing new for me to hear.” It’s possible for us to think that we know this story so well that we close our ears to what the Lord wants to say to us. In fact, that is one of the points of the parable. Right after Jesus told the parable He called out:

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

You know — how we listen and respond to God — as He speaks to us — will determine the amount of growth and spiritual fruit we will have.

Another way to say it is this: the condition of your heart will determine what God’s Word can do in your life.

The condition of your heart will determine what happens to God’s Word in your life – and determine what God can do in your life.

I believe that your heart can take on one of the four characteristics Jesus talks about in this parable.

First of all — you can have a hard heart.

You can hear God’s word – but not respond – not let it take root and not let God work in your life.

One example of this is that when other people attack you, malign you, abuse you, gossip about you, slander you, or hurt you, the natural response is to protect yourself. You will either rise up and lash back, recoil and put up a wall to shield yourself from continued attack or you will run in order to escape. Whether you rise up, recoil or run, you will have a tendency to hold on to the hurt and play back in your mind the scenes of attack and hear over and over again the hurtful words that were spoken. As you harbor those images and words, if you do not allow God to bring you healing and help, you can become hardened by bitterness. Through unforgiveness and resentment, you can become so hard that your heart is unresponsive to God’s Word and your life never changes.

Yea – one way to respond to God’s Word in your life – and what God is trying to do in your life – is to be hard hearted and not allow God’s Word to take took in your life – not let God work in your life.

For God’s Word to take root in your life and for God to make a difference in your life, sometimes you have to get out the big digger  and soften up your hard heart so God’s Word can take root.

Secondly – your heart can be like the stony ground.

This is when God’s Word comes to you but it does not have a lasting impact — for there is no root that goes deep into your heart.

An example of this might be if you come to church looking for an emotional lift – and you hear the Word of God and accept it with joy — but you don’t do anything more with it after you leave the Church.

Jesus says about this type:

“They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.”(v.13)

A lot of times people complain  church is no longer meeting their needs and they feel empty. But if you ask them if they are reading their Bible or praying, not many would say that they were. You see — if you are only fed or expect to only be fed on Sunday mornings, you will starve spiritually. You can’t feed your sinful nature six days a week and expect to hear from God and receive all you need to grow spiritually from a one hour service. You might feel emotionally uplifted for awhile because God’s Word is good every time you hear it, but you cannot grow as a Christian without getting rooted in God’s Word.

For God’s Word to take root in your life and for God to do something in your life your  heart has to be fertile and deep — not shallow and rocky under the surface.

For God’s Word to take root in your life and for God to make a difference in your life, sometimes you have to get out the big digger – and remove the things that are blocking your growth – blocking God’s Word from really working in your life.

Thirdly – your heart can be like the thorny ground.

This can happen if you are distracted and anxious.

Instead of having your mind and heart devoted to pleasing God and pursuing righteousness, your heart might be divided.

Remember that Satan’s battle cry is, “Divide and conquer.” A divided mind and heart will always prevent God’s Word from producing a bumper crop in your life.

Maybe you need to ask yourself:

“What is it that I’m really living for?”

“Am I living for myself or for God?”

“Am I in control or is God?”

“Will I strive to meet my own needs or will I let God take control?”

“Do I really trust God when trouble comes?”

If your focus is on worldly wisdom, earthy pleasures and personal ambitions, then your heart will be full of thorns and God’s word might be choked out.

For God’s Word to take root in your life and for God to make a difference in your life, sometimes you have to get out the big digger and remove the thorns that are choking your growth – choking out God’s Word from really working in your life.

Fourth — your heart can be good soil where God’s Word can grow and God can make a difference in your life.

If your heart is good soil where God’s Word can grow and God can make a difference in your life you’ll hear God’s Word, apply it to your life and receive a harvest of spiritual fruit. Your heart will be like good soil — fertile ground for God to use.

God wants to see His Word produce fruit in your life.

God wants to produce change in your life — and desires to make your life fruitful and Christlike.

It all depends on the condition of your heart.

Every time God’s Word comes to you, the condition of your heart will dictate how you will respond. Since God wants you to have a heart that is good soil for him to use – the question is how can you  cultivate a ready and rich heart—a heart that is rich soil for God’s Word to grow in and produce fruit?

In other words, how can you  have a good heart for God to plant His Word in?

Sometimes you have to get out the big digger – so to speak – loosen up the hard heart – taking out the stones that can block the roots from going deep – and taking out the thorns that can choke out the growth.

Sometimes you have to get out the big digger.

I’m going to suggest four steps here – four ways to “get out the big digger” and have your heart ready for God’s Word to take root in your life and God to make a difference in your life.

The first thing you might have to do is to turn your heart over.

Like new ground has to be turned over with a plow – or a big digger – before you can plant – your heart has to be turned over before God’s Word can take root and God can make a difference in your life.

How do you do this?

You have to repent of any known sin.

It is no mistake that the word repent means, “to turn.” Repentance means to turn away from sin and pursue righteousness. To repent means that you make a 180 degree change in your direction. You don’t say that you are sorry and you will try to do better, you confess that you have sinned and you need God’s forgiveness and grace. In order to cultivate a heart that is good soil for God to plant His Word and for it to grow in, you need to plow up your heart and mind and turn control over to God. Ask God to break up the hard rocky surface of your heart and turn over the bitterness and unforgiveness that has made you unproductive and useless in the past.

Get out the big digger – and turn your heart over.

Next – you have to fertilize the soil of your heart.

Like you have to work in fertilizer into the soil – using the big digger to work the fertilizer into the soil before you can plant seeds and expect a crop – sometimes you have to fertilize the soil of your heart so God’s Word can take root in it and grow.

You can do this by spending time in God’s Word so that the life-giving truth of scripture can soak deep into your heart.

You can allow the Bible to fill your heart and mind so that it permeates your thoughts.

As you do this, you are literally washing away the negative, deadly ingredients that result in doubt, fear and defeat — and they are replaced with faith, confidence and victory.

Sally uses bottles of Cheer in her pottery work – but before she can use then she has t get all the Cheer out. The only way to do that is to run fresh water continuously into the bottle and dump it out until the Cheer is gone. Sometimes you have to continually run God’s Word into your heart and dump out everything else that’s in it so God’s Word can take root in your life and God can mae a difference in your life.

Get out the big digger – and fertilize your heart.

Next – you need to sow God’s Word into the situations of your life.

Like you might use the big digger to sow the seed into the soil – you need to sow God’s Word into the situations of your life.

Jesus tells us to not just be hearers of God’s Word — but doers as well.

If you want God to be able to reap a harvest from your life, you have to apply the truth of the Bible into your life and do what it says.

You need to apply God’s Word to the things you face everyday.

You need to look for what the Bible says about the situations you face and follow the principals of scripture.

In other words, you need to put your faith into practice and live what scripture teaches.

Don’t just say you believe it — live it.

Paul Harvey once said:

“If you don’t live it, you don’t believe it.”

How true that is!

Get out the big digger – and work God’s Word into the situations of your life.

Lastly – you need to weed the garden of your heart.

Like you have to use the big digger every day in your garden to keep the weeds out, you need to keep weeds out of the garden of your heart that will keep God’s Word from growing and producing fruit – keep God’s Word from making a difference in your life.

Weed out from your heart the thorns of anxiety, worry and the cares of the world.

Don’t allow weeds of evil to grow, but remove them from your heart and life.

Be careful what you watch, listen to and read. Don’t let weeds take root in your heart.

Protect your heart and your relationship with God – and keep the standard of holiness and purity always before you. With your eyes on God and your trust in Him, live to please and love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

Get out the big digger – and weed the garden of your heart.

Friends — God wants to produce change in your life — and desires to make your life fruitful and Christlike – but it all depends on the condition of your heart.

Every time God’s Word comes to you, the condition of your heart will dictate how you will respond. God wants you to have a heart that is good soil for Him to use – but you need cultivate a ready and rich heart — a heart that is rich soil for God’s Word to grow in and produce fruit.

If you will get out the big digger – and turn your heart over, fertilize the soil of your heart with God’s word – sow God’s word into the situations of your life – and weed the garden of your life – your heart will be ready soil – soil that is good for God to use –and with good soil that is daily cultivated and ready to receive His Word God will produce a harvest and your life will be changed. Amen.

Luke 24:13-35

Luke 24: 13-35

Easter Means Changed Lives: Cleopas’ Story

Part 3 0f 2009 Hopewell Easter series: Easter Means Changed Lives

May 3, 2009

Easter 4

Read Scripture

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 worship during the Easter season we are looking at several people who had experiences with the risen Christ – and had their lives changed. As we look at their stories, we’ll see 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.

God can change our lives – can change our Church – can change our community – and can change our world.

God can make our lives – our Church – our community – and our world — new.

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

God is changing us – changing our lives – changing our Church – changing our community and changing our world — in the resurrection of Christ.

Easter means changed lives.

The message of Easter is a message of hope – a message of joy – and a message of change — especially when it is least expected.

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

Two of those who experienced the risen Christ – and had their lives changed – were Cleopas and a friend of his – whose name we don’t know.

We don’t know a lot about Cleopas – but we can look at his name – especially the Greek version of his name — other pieces of scripture — and some bits of ancient Church history and piece together some things about him. The name Cleopas appears in the passage from Luke we’re looking at today – and also in John 19:25 as he is listed as the husband of a Mary who was present at the crucifixion – not Mary the mother but “another Mary”. In the Latin language, which was common in Biblical times, the name in Cleopas in Aramaic would have been Alphaeus – the name given as the father of James “the lesser” (called that to distinguish him from the brother of John) in all four of  Gospels lists of the 12 disciples.  And here’s another interesting tidbit — Eusebius, the fourth century church historian, records that Cleopas was the brother of Joseph of Nazareth–Jesus’ earthly father.

So – if we are making correct assumptions with all these connections here – Cleopas was not only a follower of Jesus – but was his uncle – the father of one of the disciples – and the husband of one of the women at the crucifixion.  Very close connections indeed!

So – it’s understandable that Cleopas and his unnamed friend were confused and felt very “down” that first Easter evening as they made the 7 mile walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus.

They must have felt that everything they had hoped for in Jesus had died and been buried with Him.

Especially if you believe the inferences in the name Cleopas from scripture and from the historian Eusebius, you can understand how he must have felt that first Easter evening.

His nephew – one that he loved – had been crucified.

His nephew – whom his son James had given his life to follow and learn from – had been crucified.

His nephew – whom he may have followed himself – come to believe – as his son James believed – was the Christ – had been crucified.

His nephew – whom he may have believed was his hope for salvation – the Messiah – God’s “anointed one” who would make a difference in his life – his community – and the world – was dead.

He may have been at the cross on that Friday – and his wife may have stood with Mary – the mother of Jesus – as Jesus died.

He had hoped that Jesus was the one who would redeem Israel – bring God’s will for salvation and love and peace to their lives – their community – and their world.

But now those hopes seemed to be as dead and buried as Jesus was.

Even reports that the tomb was now empty seemed like empty hope.

As Cleopas and his friend made the 7 mile walk to Emmaus that first Easter evening they were very sad – depressed – and felt that there was no longer anything to hope for.

As a stranger came along beside them and began talking to them, all they could do was share their grief and sadness.

As the stranger explained scripture to them, they had a hard time hearing what He was saying – their grief and sadness was so strong.

As arrived in Emmaus they did remember their manners and extended hospitality to the stranger – inviting Him to stay with them that evening.

Then – it happened.

As they sat at the supper table with this stranger, He took the bread and broke it – and with that – as Luke puts it –

Their eyes were opened and they recognized Him.

Maybe Cleopas had been along at The Last Supper or some other time like the feeding of the 5,000 or the 4,000 or some other shared meal where Jesus had broken and shared bread –  or maybe his son James had told him stores – but somehow Cleopas and his friend recognized Jesus.

This was not a stranger – it was Jesus!

Jesus – Cleopas’ nephew (if we are believe the connection established by  Eusebius).

Jesus – whom Cleopas’ son James had given his life to following!

Jesus — whom Cleopas had come to hope was the one who would redeem Israel – bring God’s will for salvation and love and peace to their lives – their community – and their world!

Jesus – not dead – but alive!

Then – He vanished.

But – in that brief encounter – Cleopas and his friend had their lives changed.

No longer were they sad and depressed.

No longer did they feel that all was lost.

No longer did they feel that there was no hope.

No longer did they feel that there was no hope for their lives – their community – and their world.

Now – they knew that all was not lost.

Now – they knew that there was hope.

Now – they knew that things could be different.

Now – they knew there was hope for their lives – their community – and their world.

Now – they knew that there was indeed hope –

They knew things could be c hanged –

They knew God was doing something new and marvelous –

because now they knew that Jesus had risen!

The news that Jesus had risen – that Jesus was alive – that there was hope – and that God was indeed doing new things – thrilled them so much that it was like their hearts were set on fire – and they ran back to Jerusalem – probably setting a world record for a 7 mile run – with the great news that Jesus had risen!

Jesus has risen!

We saw Him!

Their hearts were set on fire —

Their lives were set on fire by the risen Christ – and they began spreading the news that Christ had risen – and the fire in their hearts began a conflagration that set their community and the world on fire for God!

They experienced the risen Christ – God put a spark in their hearts – and the fire continues to burn to this day!

Their lives were changed.

They went from hopeless and depressed to hope – filled and excited – because they experienced the risen Christ!

Friends – that’s what Easter is all about!

Easter means lives can be changed. .

The resurrection of Christ means lives can be changed.

The resurrection of Christ means that God is changing lives.

The resurrection of Christ means that God can change our lives – can change our Church – can change our community – and can change our world.

The resurrection of Christ means that God can make our lives – our Church – our community – and our world — new.

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

God is changing us – changing our lives – changing our Church – changing our community and changing our world — in the resurrection of Christ.

Easter means changed lives.

The message of Easter is a message of hope – a message of joy – and a message of change — especially when it is least expected.

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

That’s what happened to Cleopas – his friend – and so many others as they experienced the risen Christ – their lives were changed – their hearts were set on fire — and God changed the world as they shared their excitement.

That can happen to us.

That can happen to you.

You can experience the risen Lord – you can let Jesus touch your life and change you –  you can let Jesus put a spark of excitement in your heart – a spark that you can share and that can start a fire for God that can burn and change this Church – this community – and the world.

Like Cleopas — you can be “on fire” for God!

Friends – Easter means that God is doing something new and different – changing us – changing our Church – changing our community – and changing the world with His news of salvation – new relationships with Him —  and hope.

Easter means that we can be filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and that boldly do the work of Christ in the world.

Easter means that you can be “on fire”!

Easter means that you can be filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and boldly do the work of Christ in the world.

Easter means that you can be “on fire”!

“On fire” for Christ!

“On fire” for God!

“On fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with others here in the Church – and with the world.

I talked about the “domino effect” a few weeks ago – how when you line up dominoes and push one they all begin to fall – but that the first had to fall to start the process. I invited you to be that first domino – that first one to get excited about Christ and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with others – so that the Church and the community can become excited about God is doing among us.

Not only do you need to be the first domino.

You need to be the first spark – the spark that God can use to create a fire in the Church and the community for Him and His will.

Easter means that you can be “on fire”!

Easter means that you can be filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and boldly do the work of Christ in the world.

Easter means that you can be the one to start the fire for God and for Christ.

God is doing a new thing!

God wants you to be a part of that!

God wants you to be “on fire”.

“On fire” for Christ!

“On fire” for God!

“On fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with others.

Friends — we are gathered here on this Fourth Sunday of Easter to celebrate something!

We are gathered here to celebrate the power of the resurrection of Christ – the new things God is doing in our lives – our Church – our community – and our world — the “fire” that the risen Christ can “spark” within our hearts and within our lives.

There can be a fire today!

A Holy Fire that God can start and that can’t be put out!

But – it has to start somewhere.

It has to start with someone.

Will it be you?

Will others look at how you are living – your excitement – your joy – your commitment to sharing Christ with others – and be alarmed at the fire that is within you?

Will they look at you — how you are living – your excitement – your joy – your commitment to sharing Christ with others – and want to pull the fire alarm because your excitement is so contagious?

Will your joy and excitement for the risen Christ start a conflagration  that will set the Church and the community on fire for Christ?

There can be a fire today!

A Holy Fire that God can start and that can’t be put out!

But – it has to start somewhere.

It has to start with someone.

Will it be you?

The fire that burned in the heart of Cleopas and his friend started a conflagration that changed the world. This was no “false alarm” – this was a fire that became a fire that consumed each of their hearts and lives and through them consumed the hearts and lives of thousands of others.

They experienced Christ – and became “on fire” for Christ!

“On fire” for God!

“On fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with each other and the world.

So –what about you?

Friends – I want to give you fair warning here — there is a report of a fire here at Hopewell.

Some have reported seeing smoke as some of us have become excited.

Some have sounded the alarm.

Some have become alarmed as over 13 members and friends of Hopewell gathered last weekend and scatted into the community – doing things for those who needed things done for them.

Some have become alarmed as there is talk that some of us just might take gather and scatter into the community with the message of Christ and the Church– going in teams to spread the word of what God is doing for us here at Hopewell.

Some have become alarmed and have begun to talk about us!

But – here is a question – is it a false alarm?

Or – is it a conflagration – the fire of excitement and enthusiasm that can touch us – consume us – and through us touch and consume our community and the world?

Are we really “on fire”?

Are you “on fire”?

“On fire” for Christ?

“On fire” for God?

“On fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with each other and the world?

Easter means that you can be filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and boldly do the work of Christ in the world.

Easter means that you can be the one to start the fire for God and for Christ.

God is doing a new thing!

God wants you to be a part of that!

God wants you to be “on fire”.

“On fire” for Christ!

“On fire” for God!

“On fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with others.

Like Cleopas and his friend after recognizing Christ — you can let the risen Christ touch your life — and you can be “on fire” — filled with the joy of the risen  Christ and sharing that joy with everyone you know and in everything you say and do.

You can let the risen Christ make a difference in how you live.

You can be “on fire” for the risen Christ – and doing His work with joy and enthusiasm – and your fire can set a spark in others – and the Church and the world can be changed for God’s glory.

Don’t let the “report of a fire” here be a false alarm!

Let it be the truth!

Let it truly be the consuming fire of the Holy Spirit and the risen Christ at work in you and in each of us – moving you and each of us us to greater commitment – and moving you and each of us to greater excitement for what God is calling us to do.

Can you see the spark?

Can you see the flame?

God is doing something new here.

There is a spark of excitement here at Hopewell – but we have to let it grow and burn even more brightly until it becomes that conflagration that can consume us – consume the Church – and through us consume our community and the world.

In camping you might start a fire with a small flame – or just a spark – but if you give it the right things — and keep it away from the wrong things — it can grow into a roaring fire.

One thing a spark needs is fuel – maybe some small twigs at first – then some bigger pieces of wood as it grows into a fire.

What is the fuel we need if we are going to let the spark of excitement here at Hopewell?

One thing we need is commitment to the things that can help us grow as Christians.

Things like a commitment from each of us to our devotional lives – our daily prayers – our daily reading of God’s word and growing in our lives as Christians.

Daily, personal study of God’s word is vital if we are going to be “Easter Christians” – “on fire” for God – “on fire” for Christ.

As you commit yourself to daily, personal study of God’s word – you will burn more brightly for Christ.

Then – you can add other types of fuel – like a commitment to the worship – the study – the fellowship –and the service times we have here at Hopewell.  As you become more and more committed to your personal faith and your involvement in the things of the Church you will see the flame – the fire of excitement and commitment to the things of Christ – grow into a consuming fire – a conflagration that can consume us and though us consume this community – and the world.

Fuel is one of the things that a spark needs if it is going to grow.

Sharing of ideas – acceptance of ideas – and Christian love and fellowship are some of the other “right things” that can help fan the flame of commitment here at Hopewell.

But – as I said – there are some things you want to keep a spark away from – because they can snuff it out quickly.

Water and dirt – anything to take away the oxygen – are some of the things that can put out a fire when you are camping. These are things you want to keep away from the flame.

There are some things we need to keep away from the spark of excitement here at Hopewell, also.

Things like not participating.

Things like not caring.

Things like not being willing to consider new ideas and new ways of doing things.

Things like not being willing to get involved in your own prayer life – or the  worship – the study – the fellowship –and the service times we have here at Hopewell.

These are the things that can put out that flame – that fire – quickly.

These are the things that can turn the report of a fire in the Church into a false alarm.

But – as you get more and more involved in the things that can fuel the fire of excitement – the Holy Fire God wants us to have in our lives and the Church – others will see the difference the risen Christ is making – and the spark will grow.

Friends — Easter means lives can be changed. .

The resurrection of Christ means lives can be changed.

The resurrection of Christ means that God is changing lives.

The resurrection of Christ means that God can change our lives – can change our Church – can change our community – and can change our world.

The resurrection of Christ means that God can make our lives – our Church – our community – and our world — new.

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

God is changing us – changing our lives – changing our Church – changing our community and changing our world — in the resurrection of Christ.

Easter means changed lives.

Easter means that you can have your life set on fire for Christ – and your spark can spread to the Church – the community – and the world.

Because of the risen Christ, you can be on fire – for Christ.

Because of the risen Christ, we call can be on fire – and God can make a difference in our lives – our Church – our community – and the world.

Amen.

Matthew 22:34-40, Matthew 28:16-20, Luke 16:19-31

Matthew 22:34-40

Matthew 28:16-20

Luke 16:19-31

February 1, 2009

“A Great Commitment To Ministry”

Part 3 of The Purpose Driven Church series

Read Scripture

A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great

Commission makes for a great Church.

That’s what Rick Warren – in his book The Purpose Driven Church – gives as a purpose statement for a great church.

A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission makes for a great Church.

If we are going to be the Church God wants us to be, we are going to have to have a vision for what we can do for God’s glory in the community and the world. We’ll have an exciting opportunity to begin the Acts 16:5 Initiative – where consultants from the Vital Churches Institute will be working with churches in New Harmony Presbytery – later this year – but as we wait for that opportunity we are going to look at what God may be calling us to do as a Church by studying Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Church on Wednesday nights and my preaching on topics from the book on Sundays.

The thing we need to remember is that as a Church, we can’t do everything.

Not every Church can do everything.

No one Church can do everything.

But – every Church can do some things.

There are things we can do.

There are things we should do.

In fact — there are things we must do if we are going to be the Church God would have us to be.

Every Church can’t do everything – but every Church can do some things.

We can’t do everything – but we can do some things.

So – what are we supposed to be doing?

What are the things we can do – should do – indeed must do – to be the Church God intends for us to be – and to do God’s work and will in the community and in the world?

What are the things that should define who we should be?

What are the things that we should be focused on as a Church – and that we should do and do well?

What are the things that we should talk about when we talk about Hopewell to others:

“At Hopewell we ….”

What are the things others should talk about when they talk about Hopewell:

“At Hopewell they …”

What are the things that should be our focus – our purpose – that we should use to define ourselves — and that others should use to define us?

What is our purpose as a Church?

Rick Warren writes that

A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission makes for a great Church.

A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission makes for a great Church.

A great commitment to loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind and loving others as ourselves – that’s what we find in Matthew 23 with the Great Commandment –

And a great commitment to going and making disciples for Christ – that’s what we find in Matthew 28 with the Great Commission –

Makes for a great church!

A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission makes for a great Church.

I really like that statement. I believe that it encompasses the things that are most important for us to be doing as a Church – and keeps our focus on God – on others – and on making disciples.

A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission makes for a great Church.

But – we can’t just have nifty little sayings such as this one and expect to truly be the Church God wants us to be. It takes much more than just words to do God’s work in the community and the world – it takes commitment – and it takes action.

If we are going to say that loving God with all our hearts, souls, and minds — loving others as ourselves – - and going into the community and the world to make disciples for Christ – is our purpose as a Church – then we have to be focused on these things – and focused on how we can do these things and put actions behind these words. We have to be focused – and committed – to truly being people and a Church that loves God – loves others – and makes disciples.

In his book Warren gives 5 things that a church needs to focus on to truly live out it’s purpose of loving God – loving others – and making disciples. These things are:

Worship

Ministry

Evangelism

Fellowship

Discipleship

Warren ties Worship and Ministry to the Great Commandment – loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind and loving others as yourself — and ties Evangelism, Fellowship, and Discipleship to the Great Commandment – going and making disciples, baptizing, and teaching.

A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission makes for a great Church.

Last week we looked at worship – and how loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind leads us to have a heart for worship – and how we need a commitment to worship.

Today we are going to look at ministry – and how loving our neighbor as ourselves leads us to a great commitment to ministry.

A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission makes for a great Church.

A great commitment to ministry makes for a great Church.

If we here at Hopewell are going to be the Church God intends for us to be we are going to have to be committed to loving others as much as we love ourselves – and that means being committed to ministry .

A great commitment to ministry makes for a great Church.

One of my favorite songs in contemporary Christian music is the song “If We Are The Body” by the group Casting Crowns. It gives various situations where people are in need – but Christians do not reach out to them.

The chorus has the words:

But if we are the body
why aren’t his arms reaching
why aren’t his hands healing
why aren’t his words teaching
if we are the body
why aren’t his feet going
why is his love not showing them there is a way
there is a way

To me, this song voices what Jesus taught – and what Warren writes about a great Church needing a great commitment to ministry. \

If we here at Hopewell are going to be the Church God intends for us to be, we are going to have to be committed to loving others as much as we love ourselves – committed to being the body of Christ reaching out into the community and the world — committed to ministry .

A great commitment to ministry makes for a great Church.

In the story Jesus tells in our passage from Luke He seems to infer that people who are not committed to loving others and reaching out to others with His love are in trouble.

That’s the clear implication of the story about the rich man and Lazarus.

We’re in trouble if we don’t see and respond to the needs of the people in our community and the world .

If we here at Hopewell are going to be the Church God intends for us to be, we are going to have to be committed to loving others as much as we love ourselves – committed to being the body of Christ reaching out into the community and the world – committed to ministry .

A great commitment to ministry makes for a great Church.

You know – there is a great need in the world – indeed in our own community – for Churches who are committed to ministry – indeed for people who are committed to ministry.

Contemporary Lazarus figures are everywhere – men, women, and children of every description who do not have what they need to get by and survive from day to day. And – the thing is – I believe that it is going to get much worse before it gets better. With an insecure economy already, and news this week from the Paper Mill making things look a whole lot worse, I believe that more and more people are going to have more and more needs. Just looking at the 40 or so employees at the Paper Mill is not enough – you also have to consider folks who cut the wood, drive the trucks, and do all the things that keep the Paper Mill operating – and then you have the businesses that depend on employees of the Paper Mill and those who support the work of the Paper Mill. Yes – there are contemporary Lazarus figures everywhere – and we will probably see more and more of them. I used to see people in need every day when I lived in North Carolina and was the director of the Reidsville Outreach Center — but I see them now also as I drive through Florence – even as I drive through Claussen. But you see them also – or at least you can if you’ll only look and don’t turn the other way and avoid them.

Unfortunately — even today even in America – even in Florence – Lazarus – or those like him – lives!

And – again unfortunately – part of the reason there are still many who are like Lazarus – is that there are still many who are like the rich man – who have enough to help Lazarus and then some – but refuse to see the need and refuse to help.

If we here at Hopewell are going to be the Church God intends for us to be, we are going to have to be committed to loving others as much as we love ourselves – committed to being the body of Christ reaching out into the community and the world – committed to ministry .

A great commitment to ministry makes for a great Church.

Lazarus still lives in the lives of the poor –

The rich man still lives in the lives of those who have the ability to help the Lazarus’ of the world – but refuse to do so.

If we here at Hopewell are going to be the Church God intends for us to be, we are going to have to be committed to loving others as much as we love ourselves – committed to being the body of Christ reaching out into the community and the world – committed to ministry .

A great commitment to ministry makes for a great Church.

You see – those of us who can help the poor – Jesus says – have a duty to do so – a duty to employ whatever resources we have to help those in need. Blow that responsibility off, says Jesus, and there will be – as they say — hell to pay.

This parable of Jesus has a strong message.

Hopefully it is a message that will make us all sit up and take note.

Jesus begins the parable of the rich man and Lazarus by highlighting in graphic detail the gap that exists between the two – the rich man lives in sumptuous affluence — while just outside the gates the poor man sits, dogs licking the sores on his body.

The rich man goes to bed each night having had his fill of food – while the poor man goes to bed hungry.

The rich man – with all his affluence — does nothing at all to help Lazarus – in all his poverty.

Well – that’s not the end of the story – is it?

The poor man dies and is carried to Abraham’s side, a metaphor for heaven or the eternal home of the righteous.

Then, some time later, the rich man dies.

He does not go to Abraham – but if he were playing Monopoly he would draw a card that would read

Go Straight To Hell.

Do Not Pass Go.

Do Not Collect 200 Dollars.

Yes – he goes straight to hell – and in hell he suffers terribly.

On the distant horizon, however, he sees the beggar Lazarus enjoying the bliss of heaven — and he calls out to Abraham — pleading for him to send Lazarus on a mission of mercy to cool his burning thirst.

Abraham then says to the rich man something like:

“You had your chance in life and you blew it.

Now you have to pay for your cruel and selfish neglect.

And it’s not only you.

Your ignorant and insensitive brothers,

who are still living, are currently in harm’s way

in the same regard. Moses and the prophets made it clear

what their duty is, but they’re hardened to their

counsel just like you were. Forget trying to warn them.

It won’t do any good.”

Wow.

A story like this should give most of us pause because the truth of the matter is, in terms of relative affluence, we’re in the position the rich man was in his life – but do not want to be in the position the rich man was in his death.

If we here at Hopewell are going to be the Church God intends for us to be, we are going to have to be committed to loving others as much as we love ourselves – committed to being the body of Christ reaching out into the community and the world – committed to ministry .

A great commitment to ministry makes for a great Church.

I believe we all need to sit up and pay careful attention to what Jesus is telling us here.

Part of our job – as God’s people – is love others as much as we love ourselves – and reach out to others in need with the love of God in what we call ministry – specific actions of love and grace. Part of our job is to be the body of Christ in the world – sharing His love with all people – but particularly those in need.

A great commitment to ministry makes for a great Church.

Most of us understand full well what we’re being told in this parable of Jesus. We understand that – although we are not rich – we also are not poor. We may not feel that we live like the rich man in Jesus’ story, but we truly do not live like Lazarus, either.

We have the ability to reach out to others with God’s love and be involved in acts of kindness and ministry.

The question is – do we?

If we here at Hopewell are going to be the Church God intends for us to be, we are going to have to be committed to loving others as much as we love ourselves – committed to being the body of Christ reaching out into the community and the world – committed to ministry .

A great commitment to ministry makes for a great Church.

Henri Nouwen was a great religious writer who died several years ago. In one of his essays – “Seeds of Hope” – he wrote:

“Our lives as we live them seem like lives that anticipate questions

that will never be asked. It seems as if we are getting ourselves ready

for the question “How much did you earn in your lifetime’? or “How

many friends did you make”? or “How much progress did you make

in your career” ? or “How much influence did you have on people”?

Were any of these the question Christ will ask us, many of us could

approach the judgement throne with confidence.

But we are not going to hear these questions.

The question we are all going to face is the question we are the least

prepared for:

“What have you done for the least of mine”?

As long as there are those who are in need – there will be that question:

“What have you done for the least of mine”?

That’s the question the rich man in Jesus’ story could not answer in a suitable way – for the truth was he had done nothing.

How would you be able to answer that question?

I don’t believe the question God is going to ask us is going to be:

“How much did you earn in your lifetime’?

I don’t believe the question God is going to ask us is going to be:

“How many friends did you make”?

I don’t believe the question God is going to ask us is going to be:

“How much progress did you make in your career” ?

I don’t believe the question God is going to ask us is going to be:

“How much influence did you have on people”?

I believe the question Jesus is going to ask us is going to be:

“What have you done for the least of mine”?

“What have you done for the least of mine”?

“What did you do to love others as much as you loved yourselves?”

“In what ways did you reach out to others with my love?”

These are the questions we as individuals will have to answer.

“In what ways did you do show my love to others?”

As a Church, God is not asking us at Hopewell how big our building is – or how historic it is – or well we keep up the grounds or the cemetery – or how many times we do things together. All these things are important and we’ll talk about them later in this series – but – after loving God with all our hearts, minds, and souls – the second most important thing we must do is love others – and show God’s love to others.

That’s why – if we are going to be the individuals and the Church God is calling us to be — we are going to have to be committed to loving others as much as we love ourselves – and that means being committed to ministry .

A great commitment to ministry makes for a great Church.

So – how would we answer God’s question?

What have we done to help the poor – the needy –the hungry – the homeless?

What have we done?

“What have you done for the least of mine”?

That is the question.

What have we done to love others as much as we love ourselves – ajnd reach out to others with God’s love?

What is our answer?

What have we done?

Have we tried to help – or do we just turn your heads and look away?

Have we tried to do something – or have we not done anything?

This is one of those situations where there is very little grey area – no room for sitting on the fence – no “maybe’s”

We have either tried to help those in need – or we haven’t – it’s just that simple!

If we are going to be the individuals and the Church God is calling us to be — we are going to have to be committed to loving others as much as we love ourselves – a great commitment to being the hands and feet of Christ in the world — and that means being committed to ministry .

A great commitment to ministry makes for a great Church.

What have we done to show God’s love to those in need in our community and the world?

That’s the question.

What is our answer?

What have we done?

We know the problems of those in our community.

We also know the solution – get out there and do something – give of what we have for someone else who does not have –make contributions of money and food to organizations that are helping those in need – volunteer our time to organizations that are helping those in need – be willing to help those you can help. Don’t sit back and wait to be asked to help – be committed to helping when you see the need!

We know how to love others as much as we love ourselves and to be committed to ministry – to reaching out to others with the love of God.

So – what have we done?:

If we know the problem – and we know the solution – but don’t do anything – then we are a part of the problem.

We have a choice here.

We can be a part of the problem –

We can talk about how bad it is that people are poor or in need –

We can talk about how bad it is people are homeless –

but not do a thing about it.

not love others as much as we love ourselves

not reach out with God’s love to those in need

not have a great commitment to ministry.

Or –

We can be a part of the solution –

reaching out to others with what God has blessed us with –

showing God’s love to those who need to see it –

using what God has blessed us with to be a blessing to others.

loving God and loving others

loving others as much as we love ourselves

reaching out with God’s love to those in need

having a great commitment to ministry.

It’s our choice.

We can be a part of the problem – or a part of the solution.

As we consider this choice, we need to remember God’s question:

“What have you done for the least of mine”?

Today is an exciting at Hopewell.

We have ordained Wendy Bryant to the office of Elder and installed her – along with Jean McPherson and Mary Baker – onto the Session. We have an opportunity to commit to new things – to new ministries – to new ways to love God and love others.

Will we?

Will you?

Today is also Super Bowl Sunday.

As much as I love sports, I must admit that the Super Bowl is an example of American excess.

But – we have an opportunity today to reach out to those in need in our very community by contributing to the Souper Bowl of Caring as we leave worship today. The young people are going to be at the doors with bowls collecting an offering – an offering that will go to The House of Hope – a great organization that does great things for the poor and homeless in our area.

Rick Warren writes that:

A great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission makes for a great Church.

Part of the Great Commandment is loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind – having a great commitment to worship.

The other part is loving others as we love ourselves – having a great commitment to ministry – a great commitment to being the body of Christn reaching out to the world.

As we go through this series we’ll look at the great commitment to the Great Commission and how that works itself out in our commitments to evangelism, fellowship, and discipleship – but for today – let’s remember that we need to have a great commitment to loving others as much as we love ourselves – and a great commitment to ministry.

A great commitment to ministry makes for a great Church. Amen.

Luke 1:26-38

Luke 1:26-28

“Have A Mary Christmas”

December 21, 2008

Advent 4

Read Scripture

Mary,

Nazareth girl,

what did you know of ethereal beings

with messages from God?

What did you know of men

when you found yourself with child?

What did you know of babies,

you, barely out of childhood yourself?

God-chosen girl;

What did you know of God

that brought you to this stable

most blessed among women?

Could it be that you had been ready

waiting

listening

for the footsteps of an angel?

Could it be that there are messages for us

if we had the faith to listen?

Ann Weems “Mary, Nazareth Girl” Kneeling in Bethlehem p.25

So Ann Weems beautifully probes the mind — faith — and expectations of Mary — and so invites us to probe our mind — faith — and expectations.

Faith and expectations — especially when it comes to the things of God — need to be geared towards surprises — towards wonder — towards the surprising and wonder – full and wonder – filled ways God works through the events and people in our lives — the times God comes to us in ways we do not expect — and through events and people we would never expect. With God — we have to have faith to see the unexpected — and even expect the unexpected. With God we

have to be in tune to things of wonder and mystery — so we can be touched by the wonder – full and wonder – filled, mysterious, things of God.

We have to have eyes to see — and a faith to understand — the surprising and wonderful moments of God in our lives. We have to have a sense of wonder and awe when we are dealing with the things of God.

Mary may not have known much about men – or babies – but Mary knew how to have her eyes to see – and faith to understand — the surprising and wonderful moments of God in our lives.

Yes — when it comes to God’s work in our lives — we have to be able to see and understand God’s surprises — the awe-inspiring, wonder-filled, wonder-full ways of God.

What a surprise Gabriel’s visit — and message — to Mary must have been.

Imagine that you are Mary

You are poor — you live in Nazareth in the Roman province of Palestine — the year is somewhere around what we now term as 30AD — you have had a very humble upbringing. You are not unusual or extraordinary in any way. You are a very typical, poor, young Hebrew girl.

You live a very average life. Like most girls your age, you are engaged to be married. You are engaged to Joseph — a man somewhat older than you. He is a carpenter. You hope his business will continue to prosper — how you would love to not have to constantly worry if you will have enough flour to bake bread for the next day.

In other words, you are a typical, poor, simple, ordinary Jewish girl — nothing extraordinary — and you feel that there isn’t much in store for you in life besides that of being a peasant in Nazareth.

Or at least that’s what you think.

Then — the most surprising — wonder – full — wonder – filled thing happens. One day an angel appears to you. The angel tells you that the Messiah — the one you and your people had prayed for for centuries — was finally coming. The one hoped for to establish David’s throne forever — the fulfillment of Nathan’s prophecy to David — was coming. The prayers of your people were going to be answered — and you were going to be the one to bring the Messiah into the world.

You are ecstatic with joy.

The Messiah is coming.

David’s throne will be established forever – just as Nathan said.

God is actually going to answer prayers.

But — you be the one to bring the Messiah into the world?

You be the one to bring the one to forever establish David’s throne into the world?

It made little sense.

It is too wonder – full — too wonder – filled — to be true.

Just as Nathan’s message to David years ago — this is indeed a surprise!

It is indeed a surprise.

But you remember that throughout your people’s history God has come in surprising — wonder – full — wonderful – filled ways. You praise God — and although you are confused and scared — you praise God for His surprising — wonder – full — wonder – filled ways.

God establishing David’s throne forever — and doing it through Mary?

A savior born of a virgin in lowly Bethlehem?

Not exactly what we would expect — is it?

It is surprising.

It is full of wonder.

It is wonder – full.

It is wonder – filled.

But it is God.

God — who comes to us in awe-inspiring ways — in ways that are filled with wonder — ways that are wonder – full and wonder – filled.

Indeed — when it comes to God — we have to come to see — and expect — the awe – inspiring, wonder-full, wonder-filled ways of God.

But — I’m afraid we have lost our ability to see and expect the things of God. We seem to have lost the ability to see and experience and realize the wonder and awe of God’s work in our lives. We have lost our sense of wonder and amazement at the things of God — or things of life in general.

Our ability to be filled with wonder and amazement at the things of God — or anything else in the world — is not what it can or maybe even should be.

G. K. Chesterton is an English priest and author who gives this illustration about how we lose our sense of wonder and awe as we grow older and the world is more a part of us.

He says tell the following sentence to three groups of children — ten year olds — six year olds — and three year olds.

The sentence he suggests is:

The man slowly crept up the steps — he put his hand on the knob of the door — and turned it slowly — slowly — slowly — when suddenly out jumped out — A DRAGON!

Chesterton contends that when you tell this to ten year olds, their eyes begin to get filled with wonder as the dragon jumps from the door.

Six year olds, however, would start getting a sense of wonder and awe as the man turned to doorknob.

Three year olds, however, begin to react with wonder and awe as the man slowly climbs the steps.

Chesterton’s point is that we lose our sense of wonder and praise as we get older. He believes we need to regain that sense of wonder — because as we lose the wonder and amazement from our lives — we lose our ability to recognize and take part in the wonder – full and wonder – filled things of God.

Indeed — our sense of wonder and amazement at the things of God has pretty much been lost.

Just look at how we celebrate Christmas.

We have completely programmed surprise and wonder out of Christmas — haven’t we?

We give and receive gifts based on what we want — or can use — with little or no regard to the fact that something we never thought of — something that is a complete surprise — something that is so wonderful we would have never expected or asked for it — may indeed be the best gift of all. We are scared to venture to buy someone a gift that would be a complete surprise — so we ask them to give us a list to choose from — and even number the suggestions as to which would be the most appreciated.

Not much surprise to it at all —

Not much room for surprises – -

Not much room for wonder – -

Not much room for the surprising — wonder – full – - wonder – filled things of God —

Not much room for God at all.

But — friends — Christmas is about a real surprise.

It is about a really wonder – full and wonder – filled event.

The coming of Christ into our world is the most surprising — wonder – full — wonder – filled event that has ever occurred.

Christmas is about being full of awe and wonder at the ways of God. It is a wonder – full and wonder – filled time. It is about a total reversal of our want – list as Christ comes into our lives and changes all aspects of our lives with the glory of God.

It indeed needs to be a wonder – full and wonder – filled time.

Maybe Mary knew that.

Maybe she had been looking for that.

Maybe she was looking for the wonder – full and mysterious ways of God.

Maybe she was able to have a sense of awe and wonder at the things of God in her life — and that is what made her able to see the angel as it stood before her.

We need to have a life of wonder — a life full of the wonder of the things of God.

We need to have a sense of wonder at the things of God.

We need a sense of surprise at God’s work.

We need a sense of awe and wonder at God’s work.

Friends — Christmas is about the wonder – full fact that God has come into our lives — and our lives — our world — will never be that same again.

We need a wonder – full Christmas.

We need a Christmas full of the love of God — seeing God all around us — and celebrating the wondrous fact that God has come into our world.

We need to have a wonder – full life – seeing and realizing and celebrating the Friends — Christmas is about the wonder – full fact that God has come into our lives — and our lives — our world — will never be that same again.

We need to have a wonder – full life – seeing and realizing and celebrating the wonder – full things of God in our lives.

Yes — we need to have a wonder – full Christmas.

Indeed — as Weems writes:

Could it be that there are messages for us

if we had the faith to listen?

Have faith.

Re-gain that sense of wonder and surprise at the things of God in the world.

Be more like Mary.

Have eyes to see – and faith to understand — the surprising and wonderful moments of God in our lives in our community – in our world.

See the surprising ways God comes into our lives and world – and commit yourself to serving this God who came to Mary in a surprising way – and continues to come to each of us in surprising ways – if we will just be willing to see and be a part of His work in our lives and world.

Be more like Mary.

Have a Mary Christmas. Amen.

Luke 17:11-19

Matthew 23:34-40

Luke 17:11-19

“An Attitude Of Gratitude”

Part 4 of Hopewell Stewardship Series 2008

November 23, 2008

What are the most important things for us to be doing?

What are the most important things for us to remember?

We began our Stewardship emphasis for this year 4 weeks ago as we looked at what it truly means to live as Christians – and what the most important things are for us to remember as we strive to live our lives in God’s ways.

What are the most important things for us to be doing?

What are the most important things for us to remember?

4 weeks ago I talked a little about “final exams” and the Ordination Exams every Seminary graduate has to take before being ordained – and how they were filled with questions to which we prayed that we had answers.

I also talked about how Rick Warren — in his book The Purpose Driven Life — writes that God has a Final Exam for us. He writes that — when our life is over — God is going to have 2 questions for us:

1. How did you respond to my Son Jesus Christ?

2. What did you do with what I gave you?

2 questions.

If you answer them in the way God wants you to answer them, He has a place in heaven prepared for you.

If not, your place will not be in heaven.

Maybe it would be wise to look at how to answer these questions in the way that will please God. As we move through November, we are going to look at the fact that God has questions for us – and whether or not we have answers.

4 weeks ago we looked at the primary passage that we’ll be looking at for the next few weeks — Matthew 22:34-40 – and saw that responding to Jesus by loving God with all our heart, soul and mind – and loving others as ourselves – are the 2 primary ways we can respond to God’s questions of how we responded to Jesus and what we did with what He gave us.

3 weeks ago we looked further at exactly what it means to love God and love others as we looked at Matthew 23:1-12 – and discovered that we not only have to talk about loving God and serving others – we have to do it. We can’t be “Do as I say – not as I do” Christians – we can’t be “Do as I say – not as I do” Church members – but we have to be Christians – we have to Church members – that show God and the Christian life to others I what we say and in what we do.

2 weeks ago we continued as we looked at Matthew 25:1-13 – and saw that it means using the gifts God has given us wisely. You see — when it comes to living the Christian life and using the gifts God has given us – we have to wise guys – and wise gals.

Last week we continued by looking at Matthew 25:14-30 – and saw that God does not want us to waste our talents.

Today we are going to look at Luke 17:11-19 – and see that we need to have an attitude of gratitude – and be thankful for all God has given us.

Listen to God’s word as we look again at Matthew 22:34-40 – then look at Luke 17:11-19.

How did you respond to my Son Jesus Christ?

What did you do with what I gave you?

2 questions that God may ask us when we get to heaven.

How did you respond to my Son Jesus Christ?

What did you do with what I gave you?

God does not want us to have to say:

“Lord – I know you gave me so much – and I know that you blessed me in so many ways – but it was hard for me to remember what I had to be thankful for as I lived my life every day.

Things happened, Lord.

Sometimes there were bad things going on in my life and I found it hard to focus on the good.

And then – at other times things were going reall well – but I didn’t think about how the good things were really from you – and I didn’t stop and thank you for them.

You understand – don’t you – Lord?”

No – that is not the response God wants to hear from us when He asks us how we responded to Christ and what we did with what He gave us.

And – yes – God would understand that response – but what God would understand is not what we might want Him to understand.

What He would probably understand is that we were not thankful for what He gave us.

What we would understand is that we did not an attitude of gratitude.

When it comes to responding to Christ, and using what God has given us – we need to look at all that God has given us – and have an attitude of gratitude.

We need an attitude of gratitude.

We need an attitude of gratitude.

How did you respond to my Son Jesus Christ?

What did you do with what I gave you?

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind

Love your neighbor

Love God

Love others

Love Jesus

Love others

How did you respond to my Son Jesus Christ?

What did you do with what I gave you?

If you can say:

“I loved Jesus with all my heart – soul – and mind”

You are able to give a response that is in line with what God wills for you to answer.

Having a personal relationship with Christ is the first step towards living the life God would have us live. That’s why – every day – you need to ask yourself:

“How are Jesus and I getting along – right now?”

“How are Jesus and I getting along – right now?”

If you can also say:

“Lord – I loved Jesus – and I used what You gave me for Your glory – and to do Your work and will in the Church and the community”

You are able to answer God’s questions in the way God intendeds.

If you can also say:

“Lord – I loved Jesus – and I used what You gave me wisely –

I used Your gifts to me to make a difference in the world and the community for Your glory – I used what You gave me to do Your work in the community and the Church – I used what You gave me wisely to make a difference for You in the Church and the community.”

You are able to answer God ‘s questions in the way God intends.

If you can also say:

“Lord – I loved Jesus – and I knew You gave me many talents and many abilities. I used them for Your glory and to do Your work in the community and the Church. I did not waste my talents and abilities – but used them for Your glory”.

You are able to answer God ‘s questions in the way God intends.

If you can say:

“Lord – I loved Jesus – was aware of all you gifts to me – and thankfully used them for Your word and will in the world.”

You are able to answer God ‘s questions in the way God intends.

How did you respond to my Son Jesus Christ?

What did you do with what I gave you?

We need to have an attitude of gratitude.

An attitude of gratitude.

I read about a man who was talking to his teenage son after the two ot them had ridden a commuter train outside of New York City. It seems they were surrounded by middle-aged men who were worn out. Their clothes were wrinkled, their shirts were heavy with perspiration as they hunched over in their seats and clutched their copies of The Wall Street Journal.

After they got off the train, the son said: “Dad, they all seemed depressed.”

Have you ever noticed how few people appear — from the looks of their faces and from their body language — to be really happy? As you observe people from your automobile, or see them walking in the grocery store or the shopping malls, you see face after face looking tired, worn out, bored, or just drained of any emotion. You can go for hours without encountering a single truly happy person.

Life gets more serious as we get older; we know that. But one gets the impression that even kids are not as carefree as they were in the past. It’s a fact that team spirit and school enthusiasm have significantly weakened at the secondary level all over our country. High school students are a lot more serious than they once were. When you notice young people not having as much fun as they’re really entitled to have, you realize this is a symptom of a serious problem.

There are a myriad of reasons. Young people are from hurting and broken homes. The economy is not as promising as it once was; kids face doubt about the future. They face pressure to do well academically to get into a good school—a cheap school but a good school. They’re studying harder. They face scary problems in schools; violence is commonplace. There’s a lot of pressure to have sex—but don’t get pregnant! There’s confusion about sexual identity, and the rules change rapidly. Many young people don’t have a compassionate, wise person to help them sort these things out. No wonder it’s not as much fun to be a kid nowadays.

One of the most important things any church can do for young people is help them laugh. I love being a part of our Youth Group activities where our young people gather and we laugh – talk – and share God’s love with each other. I hope y’all realize what a great group of youth we have here at Hopewell – and what great leaders we have.

Churches and Christian homes can – and should — be places of joy. One of the secrets of a joyful spirit is coming to understand the graciousness of God.

Our mighty, holy, awesome God is at heart a gracious, generous, giving, compassionate, merciful God who cares about you – and blesses you.

When you look at all God has blessed you with, you can be thankful – and have an attitude of gratitude.

An attitude of gratitude.

How did you respond to my Son Jesus Christ?

What did you do with what I gave you?

Love Jesus

See what God has given you – be thankful for it – and use it for God’s glory.

Have:

An attitude of gratitude.

If we can come to appreciate and understand this, and let it work its way through our lives—our thoughts, our emotions, our relationships—we can be transformed by the grace of God. We will become more thankful people, and thankful people are joyful people. With Thanksgiving Day this week — it’s an appropriate time to reflect on this.

An attitude of gratitude.

Luke has given us a story from the life of Jesus that helps us reflect on the importance of being thankful for God’s goodness to us – the importance of this attitude of gratitude. Luke’s story can help us to grow in our own understanding of this important issue. With the story of the ten lepers, Luke emphasizes the rarity of a thankful spirit – the rarity of this attitude of gratitude.

Jesus healed 10 lepers of the hideous disease – and only one returns to thank Him. Notice Jesus’ final words:

And Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give God praise?’”

Ten had been healed of a disease that made them outcasts to society and that made them disfigured people – but only took the time to thank the person who had made his recovery possible.

Only one had an attitude of gratitude.

How did you respond to my Son Jesus Christ?

What did you do with what I gave you?

Love Jesus

See what God has given you – be thankful for it – and use it for God’s glory.

Have:

An attitude of gratitude.

Gratitude is rarely expressed.

A clergyman included this item in his annual parochial report: “Nine persons lost at sea.” When the congregation read it, they expressed shock and amazement. He said, “Well, eleven people came to me and requested prayers for e voyages they were taking this year. . But only two asked me to give thanks for a safe return. So I assumed the other nine were lost at sea.”

A man writing at the post office desk was approached by an older fellow who had a post card in his hand. The old man said, “Sir, could you please address this post card for me?” The man gladly did so, and he agreed to write a short message on the post card, and he even signed it for the man, too. Finally the man doing the writing said to the older man, “Now, is there anything else I can do for you?” The old fellow thought about it for a minute, and he said, “Yes, at the end could you just put, ‘P.S. Please excuse the sloppy handwriting.’”

How often do you hear people express sincere gratitude? Try an experiment. Keep track of the number of complaints you hear each day, and compare that with the number of times you hear people express sincere words of gratitude. The complaints will probably outnumber the expressions of gratitude.

Are we really grateful?

Do we really have attitudes of gratitude?
Or — are we more apt to complain than to give God thanks?

A person who has begun to accept how gracious God is to them becomes a grateful person. The have an attitude of gratitude – and are thankful people.

How did you respond to my Son Jesus Christ?

What did you do with what I gave you?

Love Jesus

See what God has given you – be thankful for it – and use it for God’s glory.

Have:

An attitude of gratitude.

I want to offer you three reasons to be thankful

First, be thankful for all the resources God has given you: creative minds, the ability to choose and act decisively, limitless knowledge to be discovered, the ability to grow and expand your horizons in art, music, literature, humor, and beauty—not to mention God Himself, who cares and hears and has given us His Word to show us how to live.

Perhaps some of you here today hace many problems in your lives. I would think that, whatever troubles you might be experiencing, you could sit down and without any trouble make a list of at least fifty concrete things for which to give God thanks. And that’s probably the best therapy for a troubled spirit.

How did you respond to my Son Jesus Christ?

What did you do with what I gave you?

Love Jesus

See what God has given you – be thankful for it – and use it for God’s glory.

Have:

An attitude of gratitude.

A second reason to be thankful is the providence of God. Over and beyond all things that happen, God is at work—guiding, directing, and bringing about his purposes.

In her book, The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom tells about an incident that taught her the principle of giving thanks in all things. It was during World War II. Corrie and her sister, Betsy, had been harboring Jewish people in their home, so they were arrested and imprisoned at Ravensbruck Camp. The barracks was extremely crowded and infested with fleas. One morning they read, in their tattered Bible, from 1 Thessalonians the reminder to rejoice in all things. Betsy said, “Corrie, we’ve got to give thanks for this barracks and even for these fleas.” Corrie replied, “No way am I going to thank God for fleas.” But Betsy was persuasive, and they did thank God even for the fleas. During the months that followed, they found that their barracks was left relatively unsupervised, and they could do Bible study, talk openly, and even pray in the barracks. It was their only place of refuge. Several months later they learned that the reason the guards never entered their barracks was because of those blasted fleas.

How did you respond to my Son Jesus Christ?

What did you do with what I gave you?

Love Jesus

See what God has given you – be thankful for it – and use it for God’s glory.

Have:

An attitude of gratitude.

The third reason for giving God thanks is that we’re commanded to be thankful. For our welfare, we’re told over and over to give thanks. Paul says we’re to be joyful and pray continually. We are to give thanks in all circumstances—”For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Isn’t that why so much of our worship is devoted to giving thanks?

I read of a minister who was meeting with a group of men in his church. One of them commented that he had been learning the lesson of giving God thanks in difficult times. He talked with some pain about serious job problems over the last seven or eight years and how his wife had been recently diagnosed with cancer. He said that he had been learning to give God thanks in the midst of these difficulties.

Choosing, as an act of the will, to thank God in whatever circumstances shows spiritual maturity. It not only pleases God, it puts our problems in proper perspective.

How did you respond to my Son Jesus Christ?

What did you do with what I gave you?

Love Jesus

See what God has given you – be thankful for it – and use it for God’s glory.

Have:

An attitude of gratitude.

John Henry Jowett, a British preacher of an earlier generation, said this about gratitude: “Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic.” What did he mean? He meant that gratitude, like a vaccine, can prevent the invasion of a disgruntled, discouraged spirit. Like an antitoxin, gratitude can prevent the effects of the poisons of cynicism, criticalness, and grumbling. Like an antiseptic, a spirit of gratitude can soothe and heal the most troubled spirit.

To stop in the midst of a situation and simply breathe a three-word prayer, “Thank you, Lord,” can change everything. If you want to be a joyful person, you must develop an attitude of gratitude. A thankful spirit produces a joyful person. People who focus on their difficulties are difficult to be around. People who focus on their blessings are a blessing to be around. There’s no shame in weeping over our difficulties. Jesus weeps with us. But gratitude is the ground out of which a peaceful, thankful, trusting spirit can develop. Our tendency is to focus on our problems rather than on our blessings.

How did you respond to my Son Jesus Christ?

What did you do with what I gave you?

Love God – love Jesus.

See what God has given you – and use it – wisely – for God’s glory.

See all that God has blessed you with – and have an attitude of gratitude.

What would it be like if we all were to devote ourselves to loving God and Jesus – asking ourselves each day: “How are Jesus and I getting along – right now?” – and if we all were to devote ourselves to giving thanks to God for all He has blessed us with – and devote ourselves to having an attitude of gratitude – an attitude of praising God for His gifts to us – and using them for His glory?

What would that look like?

What would the Church look like if we all committed ourselves to these things?

I dare say it would look – and even sound – different – as we all shared God’s love with each other and used what God has blessed us with for His work.

What would the community look like if we all were to devote ourselves to these things?

I dare say it would look – and even sound – different as we made a difference for God’s glory in this community.

What would the world look like if we all were to devote ourselves to these things?

I dare say it would look – and even sound – different as we made a difference for God’s glory in the world.

When God asks us:

How did you respond to my Son Jesus Christ?

What did you do with what I gave you?

We need to be able to say that we loved Jesus with all our heart – soul – and mind – that we continually asked ourselves:

How are Jesus and I getting along – right now?

and do what we can to make our relationship with Christ vital and strong.

We also need to be able to say to God:

I realized your gifts to me – and with joy and gratitude used them to make a difference in the Church – the community – and the world.

We need to be able to say that we had:

An attitude of gratitude.

Amen.

Luke 24:13-35

Luke 24: 13-35

An “Easter Church” Is On Fire!

Easter 3 April 6, 2008

Christ has risen! He has risen indeed!

As Christians, we confess that Christ has risen. We believe that He has risen and lives in our hearts — but we also believe that He has truly and physically risen.

We believe that the tomb of Christ is empty.

We believe that the power of death has been broken – broken for Jesus and broken for us.

We can’t begin to understand the divine power that rose Jesus from the dead. The more we try to understand it, the more astounded by it we become.

But — here is a truth that is even more astounding:

The same power that shattered the prison of death sets us free from all that binds us.

The very Spirit of God that rose Jesus from the dead can live in us to empowers us for the ministry God calls us to be doing in the world.

You see — resurrection power is for us, in us, and at work through us.

We can live as “Easter Christians” – and be an “Easter Church”.

This means that we not only live in gratitude for our salvation and hope for the future, but we can also live lives that are filled with the power of God for His work in the world. We can be filled with His power and let His power touch every aspect of our lives.

We can be filled with His power – and let His power touch every aspect of our Church.

Christ has risen – and we can be “Easter Christians” – we can be an “Easter Church” – filled with the power of the risen Christ and doing the work of the risen Christ.

During this season of Easter we are going to be looking at different aspects of what it means to be an “Easter Church” – filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and boldly doing the work of Christ in the world.

We began last week by looking at John 20:19-31 – the story of Jesus and Thomas – and see that an “Easter Church” believes.

Today we’re going to add another aspect of what it means to be an “Ester Church” as we look at Luke 24:13-35 – the story of Jesus – Cleopas – and another follower on the road to Emmaus – and will see that an “Easter Church” is on fire.

Read Scripture

Sunday, May 19, 1991.

The Day of Pentecost that year — but — instead of being in the pulpits of the Wentworth and Smyrna Presbyterian Churches outside of Reidsville, NC – preaching and leading worship on that day — 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 – the night before I could not sleep — a rarity for me — so I was up and 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 motel:

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

I finally drifted off to sleep that night – but I kept imagining that I heard that voice alarm –

There is a report of a fire in the building

There is a report of a fire in the building

There is a report

of a fire

in the building

a report

of a fire

a fire

in the building.

Friends – one of the marks of an “Easter Church” – a Church that is filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and that boldly does the work of Christ in the world – is that it is “on fire”!

“On fire” for Christ!

“On fire” for God!

“On fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with each other and the world.

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

“On fire” for Christ!

“On fire” for God!

“On fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with each other and the world.

We are gathered here on this Third Sunday of Easter – this season when we celebrate the power of the resurrection of Christ – the “fire” that the risen Christ can “spark” within our hearts and within our lives – the “fire” that we can have as a Church that is following our risen Lord.

Indeed – there can be a report of a fire in then building.

There can be a report of a fire in the Church.

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

“On fire” for Christ!

“On fire” for God!

“On fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with each other and the world.

But — was the Holiday Inn Sally and I and our families were staying in really on fire?

No – it was a false alarm.

What about the report of a fire here at Hopewell – the report that we are an “Easter Church” – a Church that is “on fire” for Christ — “on fire” for God — “on fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with each other and the world?

Is it a true report?

Or – a false alarm?

You know – too many times we are too much like Cleopas and his companion before they recognized the risen Christ – and too little like them after they recognized Him.

On that Easter evening as they walked to Emmaus Cleopas and his companion had every reason to be excited – filled with excitement and enthusiasm – they had every reason to be “on fire” for Christ – “on fire” for God – “on fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with each other and the world .

They had heard the glorious news that Christ had risen.

They had heard that the women had seen a vision of angels who had declared the glorious news of the resurrection.

They should have been filled with excitement.

They should have been “on fire”!

But – they were not.

Instead — they were distraught.

The news of the resurrection did not make them joyous.

The news of the resurrection did not set them “on fire” with excitement and enthusiasm for what God was doing – and what they could be doing for God.

No — instead of making them joyous – the news of the resurrection made them even more confused.

Instead of being “on fire” with the news of the risen Christ, they are not able to see what the resurrection meant for them.

They did not realize that the resurrection could change their lives.

They do not realize that the despair of their lives could be changed into glorious hope because of the resurrection of Christ.

They did not see that they could rejoice in the news of the resurrection – and be “on fire” for God.

They did not see that they could be “Easter Christians” —

“On fire” for Christ!

“On fire” for God!

“On fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with each other and the world.

You know – we are like that too many times.

Like Cleopas and his friend — too many times we choose the old ways of living — the old patterns of our lives — as if we were oblivious — or blind — to the resurrection. We choose to live in ways the world and our sinful habits dictate to us — ways that have nothing to do with proclaiming the resurrected Christ to the world. We even choose to live as if we did before we even knew Christ. Our actions are not as different as they could be.

Maybe we choose to do God’s will — until something else comes along to attract our attention.

Maybe we choose to be faithful and committed to God and the church — until we find something else we deem more interesting.

We may even take part in the work of our risen Lord and the work of the church – - until we find something else that we prefer.

We may try to live as God’s committed, excited people in the world – as people “on fire” for God and Christ — until the ways of the world interest us again.

But — what happens when the resurrected Christ made Himself known to Cleopas and his companion?

Their eyes were opened —

They understood —

They understood that they did not have to live in despair —

They understood that they could live in glorious hope —

They understood that their lives could be changed —

They understood that the resurrection could make a difference in their lives.

They understood that they could be “Easter Christians” – on fire for God – on fire for Christ — “on fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with each other and the world!

As the risen Christ departed from them, they looked at each other and said:

“Were not our hearts burning within us

while he talked with us on the road and

opened the Scriptures to us?”

They became excited!

They became “Easter Christians” – on fire for God – “on fire” for Christ — “on fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with each other and the world – and – with the other followers of the risen Christ – they gave their lives to doing the work of the risen Christ in the world.

This was no “false alarm” – this was a fire that became a conflagration that consumed each of their hearts and lives and through them consumed the hearts and lives of thousands of others.

They became “Easter Christians”.

They became an “Easter Church”

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

“On fire” for Christ!

“On fire” for God!

“On fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with each other and the world.

So – what about us?

What about you?

What about me?

Yes – there is a report of a fire here at Hopewell.

Some have reported seeing smoke as some of us have become excited.

Some have sounded the alarm:

There is a report of a fire in the Church

There is a report of a fire in the Church

But – is it a false alarm?

Or – is it a conflagration – the fire of excitement and enthusiasm that can touch us – consume us – and through us touch and consume our community and the world?

Friends – one of the marks of an “Easter Church” – a Church that is filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and that boldly does the work of Christ in the world – is that it is “on fire”!

“On fire” for Christ!

“On fire” for God!

“On fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with each other and the world.

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

“On fire” for Christ!

“On fire” for God!

“On fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with each other and the world.

There is a report of a fire in the Church

There is a report of a fire in the Church

But – is it a false alarm?

Like Cleopas and his friend after recognizing Christ —

We can let the risen Christ touch our lives —

You can let the risen Christ touch your life – and you can be an “Easter Christian” – filled with the joy of the risen Christ and sharing that joy with everyone you know and in everything you say and do.

You can let the risen Christ make a difference in how you live.

You don’t have to live without a commitment to God.

You don’t have to live in the old ways – you can live in new and exciting ways.

You can be “on fire” for the risen Christ – and doing His work with joy and enthusiasm.

We can all be “on fire” for Christ!

This Church can be “on fire” for Christ!

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

“On fire” for Christ!

“On fire” for God!

There is a report of a fire in the Church.

Don’t let it be a false alarm!

Let it be the truth!

Let it truly be the consuming fire of the Holy Spirit and the risen Christ at work in each of us – moving us to greater commitment – and moving us to greater excitement for what God is calling us to do.

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

“On fire” for Christ!

“On fire” for God!

There is a report of a fire in the Church.

Can you see the spark?

Can you see the flame?

There is a spark of excitement here at Hopewell – but we have to let it grow and burn even more brightly until it becomes that conflagration that can consume us – consume the Church – and through us consume our community and the world.

Have you ever been camping – and had to build a fire at a campsite?

You might start with a small flame – or just a spark – but if you give it the right things — and keep it away from the wrong things — it can grow into a roaring fire.

One thing a spark needs is fuel – maybe some small twigs at first – then some bigger pieces of wood as it grows into a fire.

What is the fuel we need if we are going to let the spark of excitement here at Hopewell?

One thing we need is commitment to the things that can help us grow as Christians.

Things like a commitment from each of us to our devotional lives – our daily prayers – our daily reading of God’s word and growing in our lives as Christians.

Daily, personal study of God’s word is vital if we are going to be “Easter Christians” – “on fire” for God – “on fire” for Christ.

But – this means more than just reading a passage of scripture and then putting away the Bible – not giving what we read a second thought. It means really taking a hard look at scripture – and trying to understand what God is saying to you through what you’re reading.

In your bulletin you’ll find a tool Danny Murphy shared with the Session when he met with us in February. It’s called a Biblical Application Study Sheet – or what I call a Biblical Spectacles sheet.

I’ve used this tool since Danny shared it with us – and have been blessed by it.

Take yours out of your bulletin and look at it.

(Go over sheet)

This is one tool that can help us fan the flame within each of us – become “Easter Christians” – and an “Easter Church” – on fire for Christ – “on fire” for God.

Then – you can add a commitment to the worship – the study – the fellowship –and the service times we have here at Hopewell. As you become more and more committed to your personal faith and your involvement in the things of the Church you will see the flame – the fire of excitement and commitment to the things of Christ – grow into a consuming fire – a conflagration that can consume us and though us consume this community – and the world.

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

“On fire” for Christ!

“On fire” for God!

There is a spark of excitement here at Hopewell!

Can you see it?

Fuel is one of the things that a spark needs if it is going to grow. Sharing of ideas – acceptance of ideas – and Christian love and fellowship are some of the other “right things” that can help fan the flame of commitment here at Hopewell.

But – as I said – there are some things you want to keep a spark away from – because they can snuff it out quickly.

Water and dirt – anything to take away the oxygen – are some of the things that can put out a fire when you are camping. These are things you want to keep away from the flame.

There are some things we need to keep away from the spark of excitement here at Hopewell, also.

Things like not participating.

Things like not caring.

Things like not being willing to consider new ideas and new ways of doing things.

Things like not being willing to get involved in your own prayer life – or the worship – the study – the fellowship –and the service times we have here at Hopewell.

These are the things that can put out that flame – that fire – quickly.

These are the things that can turn the report of a fire in the Church into a false alarm.

Friends – one of the marks of an “Easter Church” – a Church that is filled with the joy and power of the resurrection of Christ – and that boldly does the work of Christ in the world – is that it is “on fire”!

“On fire” for Christ!

“On fire” for God!

“On fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with each other and the world.

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

“On fire” for Christ!

“On fire” for God!

“On fire” for doing God’s work and sharing the joy of the risen Christ with each other and the world.

There is a report of a fire in the Church

There is a report of a fire in the Church

Let’s do all we can to “fan the flame” – so we can each be “Easter Christians” – and we can be an “Easter Church”.

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

An “Easter Church” is on fire!

Amen.

Luke 2:1-20

Luke 2:1-20

God Has Come – Open Your Hearts And Receive Him

December 23, 2007

Part 4 of 2007 Advent series – God comes: Open your eyes to see Him, your ears to hear Him, your mouth to proclaim it, and your heart to receive Him!

 

We are almost all the of the way through the Season of Advent! 

            The Sanctuary is still beautifully decorated – the Chrismon tree is still up and the Chrismons are still in place – the garland –  the wreaths – and the poinsettias are beautifully placed around the sanctuary – and now four  of the candles on the Advent Wreath has been lit.

            Yes – we are almost all of the way through the Season of Advent!

            Almost all of the way through Advent – and that can only mean one thing –

Christmas is coming!

            Christmas is coming!

            Of course, all you have to do is look around you and you’ll know that Christmas is near. The beautiful Church decorations – the burning Advent candles —  the parties we are having parties and making plans for — the fact that the Joy Gift program was last Sunday night — the fact that we have reached out to those in the community in need for Christmas – the fact the young people gathered to practice for the Christmas Eve service yesterday — and all of the other activities that are taking place lets you know that Christmas is coming!

            And — in the world outside the church you can also tell that Christmas is coming! Newspapers are stuffed with flyers from stores advertising special sales – stores are decorated for Christmas – the sound of Christmas music can be heard in the stores – stores are full of shoppers – and the lights downtown on the Christmas tree and around the mall are shining brightly .  Television stations are showing Christmas specials – many that are heartwarming stories of love and laughter.

Yes – Christmas is coming! 

            When you add in everything else December brings – decorating, Christmas shopping, parties, family gatherings, etc., etc. etc., — well – there is very little doubt that Christmas is indeed coming!

            Christmas is coming!

            It’s 2 days away!

            These words can make children’s eyes get big with anticipation and excitement – and adults eyes get big with fear over all they have to do and not much time to do it in!

            Christmas is coming!

            But – wait – it’s not Christmas yet.

            Christmas is coming – but it is not here!

            Christmas is still 2 days away – and while this is the last Sunday in Advent it is still the Season of Advent!

Advent is a season we overlook so many times as we rush to Christmas.

            Advent is not promoted by the world outside the church – the world that rushes to Christmas before Halloween is over – and so many times it is overlooked by churches also. But – even though it is overlooked many times – it is an important season for us.

Advent is a time for waiting for the coming of Christ – preparing our hearts and minds for Christ to come into our lives and change us.

Advent is important because it gives us an opportunity to realize that Christ is with us – that God has come into our lives and our world – has changed us – and can change our world.

Advent is important because it gives us an opportunity to see that God is active in our lives and in our world – an opportunity to hear God’s activity in our lives and in our world – an opportunity to proclaim the activity of God in our lives and in our world – and an opportunity to open our hearts and let God come again into our lives and change us.

Advent can be a time for:

Open eyes to see God

Open ears to hear God

Open mouths to tell about God

and Open hearts to accept God

We’re looking at these aspects of the Season of Advent as we go through this Season this month. 

God has come!

            Open your eyes to see God

            Open your ears to hear God

            Open mouths to tell about God

            Open your hearts to accept God

            3 weeks ago we looked at Mark 13:32-37 and discovered that we need to be vigilant – keeping our eyes open to see that God is at work in our world.

            2 weeks ago we looked at Mark 1:1-8 and saw how we need to hear the good news that God has come into our world.

            Last week we looked at Luke 1:26-56 – and learned how we can open our mouths and proclaim the great things God has done for us.

            Today we are going to look at the birth of Christ as Luke records it in Luke 2:1-20 – and see how we need to open our hearts and let Christ enter our lives and make a difference to us.

            Listen to God’s word in Luke 2:1-20 

            Read Scripture

Merry Christmas!

We exchange that greeting quite often this time of year – and in 2 days we can wish a Merry Christmas to everyone we see on Christmas day itself! 

            Merry Christmas!

            What do those words mean to you?

            What does Christmas mean to you?

            Well, for some Christmas might mean Santa – what Santa is going to bring – toys and candy and all the things a child can imagine. That vision of Christmas can excite us.

            What does Christmas mean to you?

            For others Christmas might mean shopping – getting gifts to give — trying to pick out a “perfect gift” for a friend or loved one.  That vision of Christmas can really tire us.

What does Christmas mean to you?

For others it might mean family gatherings and good times together.  This vision of Christmas is – for the most part – one that warms our hearts.

            For many people Christmas might mean decorations – houses with bright lights and decorated trees – and these days even decorated yards complete with lights shaped into statues of deer of larger than life inflatable Santas or snowmen.

            What does Christmas mean to you?

            I suspect Christmas means a combination of things to you.

I know it does for me.

            I can remember Christmases when I was growing up.

            Being the youngest I kept the excitement and wonder of Christmas longer than my older – and wiser — sisters. I lived in Rock Hill, and my family would always go to Charlotte to see “The Singing Christmas Tree” at Ovens Auditorium – a wonderful program that featured a choir singing from a Christmas Tree shaped platform – much as what they have at Florence Baptist Temple.  We would then go out to eat – and maybe go to see the lights – not to mention the sights of sounds – of downtown Charlotte – complete with store windows at Belk’s and Ivey’s department stores decorated with animated Santas, elves, and the like. This was in the late 1950’s and early to mid 1960’s when downtown Charlotte was still the major shopping area and no one knew what a Mall was!

            I was always enthralled with downtown Charlotte at Christmas.

            About a week before Christmas I would get a phone call from Santa.  That would be a highlight of the season for me. 

            On Christmas Eve we would go to Church – then come home and get ready for bed.  We would put out cookies and cokes for Santa and each of the reindeer – including, of course, Rudolph.

            It would seem like the longest night of the year – until finally Christmas day would dawn – and my sisters and I would bound into the Living Room to see what Santa had left us.  For me it would usually be a cowboy hat and pistol – or an electric train – or an electric football game – or a ball. 

One year – I was probably around 2 or 3 — I got a wooden Rocking Horse on springs that I rode for hours every day – wearing out countless sets of springs. It got to where the man at our local Hardware store would point to the rack where the big springs were every time Mom entered the store!   I named the Rocking Horse “Book A By” – and whenever Mom and Dad would go anywhere and leave me with a baby sitter they’d have to explain to them that “Book A By” was my horse, “muck a much” was what I called water – or really anything liquid – and other words I would use that may not be easily translated by anyone not versed in the language I spoke as a young child. For instance, if I said “Book A By ka muck a muck” that meant my horse wanted water!

         I also remember as a teenager the year I got my first “real” drum set – a chrome Ludwig snare drum with a pearl Ludwig bass drum – 2 matching mounted tom toms – a matching floor tom tom – 1 small and 1 larger standing Zildzen cymbals and a high hat set of 2 cymbals. If you know anything about drums and drum equipment in the mid to late 1960’s you’ll recognize those names! I’m not  sure Mom and Dad ever forgave Santa for that – for drumming became a passion of mine that grew more and more expensive with each new drum or cymbal – and also because louder and louder. I really don’t see how my parents tolerated it!

            Well — by late afternoon when the house was a wreck and everyone exhausted – it would be time to go to my Grandmother’s house for the “family gathering” – complete with cousins and other folks you didn’t know.

            So – my memories of Christmas are a combination of sights – sounds – and emotions.

            Yours probably are, too.

            But – what does Christmas mean to you?

            Increasingly – for me – Christmas has come to mean a celebration of God’s love – and the wonderful fact that God has come into our world through Christ – and continues to come into our world. 

            Christmas is a celebration of love.

            A celebration of God’s love – a love so great that God did not let us die in sin but provided salvation for us through Jesus Christ – this baby in the manger who became an adult on the cross – and who died for our sins and yet rose again so we can have everlasting life.

            Christmas is a celebration of God’s coming into our lives through Jesus Christ.

            Irenaeus – a Christian leader from the first century – put it this way:

            “The Son of God became a son of man – so that the sons of men could become sons of God”

            Did you catch that?

            “The Son of God became a son of man – so that the sons of men could become sons of God”

            What a beautiful – wonderful thought that is.  The thought that God would become like us – so we can become like Him.  

            I believe that the coming of God into our world through Christ tells us a lot about God.

            It tells us that God does not let us die in our sins without the opportunity for salvation.

It tells us that God does not leave us in our suffering and sorrow of this life. 

It tells us that God does not abandon us in the hardest and harshest times of our lives.   

            It tells us that — in the hardest and harshest times – God comes.

            It tells us that God comes with hope and with new possibilities.

            The good news the angels brought to the shepherds on that first Christmas night was the news that their lives as the poorest of the poor in a country occupied by the Roman army could be different.  God had come – Christ had been born – and all things could be different.

            The good news God brings to us today is that – even in the midst of the tragedies of our lives – the times when things seem to be the lowest they can be – times of war and violence – times of economic distress and joblessness – times when children go hungry while adults do what they want – times when poverty is rampant –  times when despair and depression want to grab us and not let us go – even in all these times and despite all these things – God has come – Christ has been born – things can be different.

            The news of Christmas is good news – Christ has been born – God has come!

            Christmas means that God has come!

Christmas means that we can see God in the world and in our lives – hear God’s presence in our world and in our lives – tell everyone we know that God is active in our world and in our lives – and open our hearts to receive God – so that in our world and in our lives can really make a difference in our world and in our lives.   

            God has come!

            God has come!

            Open your heart and receive God.

            Open your heart and receive God.

            In the midst of our lives – God has come – and God continues to come and to work in our lives and in our world for His will for salvation and love and justice and healing. 

            Sometimes we have to stop from the hustle and bustle of our lives and really reflect on the glorious fact that God has come.

            In 1973 my Dad and I went on a trip with some other members of my Church to Israel.  Early one morning our tour bus left Jerusalem early.  I was a cloudy November day but our spirits were high – we were going to Bethlehem – the town of Jesus’ birth.  As we rode through the hills of Judea that surrounded Bethlehem we were filled with excitement and anticipation.  As we made a steep turn, the town of Bethlehem lay below us – and everyone on the bus began singing:

            O little town of Bethlehem

            How still we see thee lie.

            It did not take us long, though, to realize that Bethlehem was anything but still.

            Our bus passed people rushing to market – merchants selling their wares –  young children running along the side of bus – ready for the doors to open so they could rush on the bus and sell us “souvenirs”.  The bus finally stopped in front of the Church of the Nativity – and when we finally made our way through the crowds into the Church we enjoyed the quiet we found.  We sat in pews – waiting our turn to walk down the narrow steps to view the replica of the manger where Christ was born.  When it came our turn to walk down the steps, Dad and I stood in awe at the place that must have been just like it was when Christ was born – a cold, damp, cave, far away from the crowded streets.  As we walked back through the crowded and confusing streets of Bethlehem to our bus, we still had a feeling of peace – and joy.  We had taken a few moments to remember the purpose of our trip.

We had taken a few moments to remember the purpose of our lives.

            Christmas means that God has come.

            Christmas means that God has comes.

God has come into our lives.

God has come into our world.

God has come with hope and healing and love and grace.

God has come.

Open your heart and receive God.

            Open your heart and receive God.

That’s the message of Christmas.

God has come.

 Open your heart and receive God.

            Open your heart and receive God.

Friends – that is what Christmas is really all about.

Sure – Santa and gifts and decorations and family are all a part of what Christmas is all about – but beyond all these things – Christmas is all about God – who has come into our lives and into our world and changes them with His great love.

God has come.  

God has come into our lives – whatever situations we may find ourselves in – God has come.

God has come — into our world – whatever situations there may be – God has come.

God has come.  

Realize it

Open your heart and receive Him.

See God at work.

Hear God at work.

Share with others that God is at work.

Make a difference for God’s glory in the lives of others.

Be God’s instruments of love and grace and a different way to live in the lives of those who need to experience God’s love – God’s grace – and the difference God can make in the world.

God has come.

Open your heart and receive God.

            Open your heart and receive God.

You know –when we open our hearts receive God – when we share God’s love and God’s will with others – when we open our ears to hear God at work and open our eyes to see God at work — we experience God again for ourselves.

The Son of God became a son of man – so that the sons and daughters of men could become sons and daughters of God.

God has come.

That’s what Christmas means.

God has come.

Open your eyes to see Him.

Open your ears to hear Him.

Open your moth to tell others about Him.

Open your heart to receive Him.

God has come.

Amen

Luke 1:26-56

Luke 1:26-56

God Has Come: Open Your Mouths And Tell The Good News

December 16, 2007

Part 3 of 2007 Advent series: God Has Come: Open your eyes and see God, Open your ears and hear God, open your mouths and tell about God, open your hearts and accept God.     

 We are ¾ of the way through the Season of Advent! 

            The Sanctuary is still beautifully decorated – the Chrismon tree is up and the Chrismons are in place – the garland and the wreaths are beautifully placed around the sanctuary and today the poinsettias are in place – and now three of the candles on the Advent Wreath have been lit.

            Yes – we are ¾ of the way through the Season of Advent!

             ¾ of the way through Advent – and that can only mean one thing –

Christmas is coming!

            Christmas is coming!

             Of course, all you have to do is look around you and you’ll know that Christmas is near. The beautiful Church decorations – the burning Advent candles —  the parties we are having parties and making plans for — the fact that the Joy Gift program is tonight — the fact that we are planning how to reach out to those in the community in need for Christmas – and all of the other activities that are taking place lets you know that Christmas is coming!

             In the world outside the church you can also tell that Christmas is coming! Newspapers are stuffed with flyers from stores advertising special sales – stores are decorated for Christmas – the sound of Christmas music can be heard in the stores – stores are full of shoppers – and the lights downtown on the Christmas tree and around the mall are shining brightly .  Television stations are showing Christmas specials – many that are heartwarming stories of love and laughter.

 Yes – Christmas is coming! 

            When you add in everything else December brings – decorating, Christmas shopping, parties, family gatherings, etc., etc. etc., — well – there is very little doubt that Christmas is indeed coming!

             Christmas is coming!

            These words can make children’s eyes get big with anticipation and excitement – and adults eyes get big with fear over all they have to do and not much time to do it in!

             Christmas is coming!

             But – wait – it’s not Christmas yet.

            Christmas is coming – but it is not here!

            Christmas is still a week and 2 days away – we are still in the Season of Advent!

            Advent is a season we overlook so many times as we rush to Christmas.

             Advent is not promoted by the world outside the church – the world that rushes to Christmas before Halloween is over – and so many times it is overlooked by churches also. But – even though it is overlooked many times – it is an important season for us.

Advent is a time for waiting for the coming of Christ – preparing our hearts and minds for Christ to come into our lives and change us.

Advent is important because it gives us an opportunity to realize that Christ is with us – that God has come into our lives and our world – has changed us – and can change our world.

Advent is important because it gives us an opportunity to see that God is active in our lives and in our world – an opportunity to hear God’s activity in our lives and in our world – an opportunity to proclaim the activity of God in our lives and in our world – and an opportunity to open our hearts and let God come again into our lives and change us.

Advent can be a time for:

Open eyes to see God

Open ears to hear God

Open mouths to tell about God

and Open hearts to accept God

We’re looking at these aspects of the Season of Advent as we go through this Season this month. 

God has come!

            Open your eyes to see God

            Open your ears to hear God

            Open mouths to tell about God

            Open your hearts to accept God

            2 weeks ago we looked at Mark 13:32-37 and discovered that we need to be vigilant – keeping our eyes open to see that God is at work in our world.

            Last week we looked at Mark 1:1-8 and saw how we need to hear the good news that God has come into our world.

            Today we’re going to look at Luke 1:26-56 – and learn how we can open our mouths and proclaim the great things God has done.

            Listen to God’s word from Luke 1:26-56:

            God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

            Open your mouth and tell the good news!

love this time of year!

            I love to sing the carols, hymns, and other Christmas songs that we hear this time of year!

            I love to go to parties and laugh and talk and joke with friends and family.

            I love talking about what God has done for us through the birth of Christ.

            I love preaching this time of year and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ!

            This year I have loved the fact that the young people have been almost fighting for parts in the Joy Gift program and the Christmas Eve service – and speaking parts, no less!

            And yes – I admit it – I love eating the delicious food that seems to show up so much this time of year!

            You know – when I think about it – the things I love about this time of year – singing, laughing, talking, joking, preaching, eating – all have to do with my mouth!

            You probably know by now that I am one of those people who can’t seem to keep my mouth shut – it’s open most of the time.  I used to even sleep with my mouth open – but I think that now that I have my CPAP machine for my sleep apnea I may not open my mouth so much while asleep. 

I think that Sally is thankful for those few hours of silence!

But yea – I admit it — I like to use my mouth — and keep it open most of the time!

So – you might not too surprised when I say:

God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                       In our scripture passage from Luke 1 we have a young girl named Mary who had some wonderful news to tell – and who opened her mouth and told what she knew about God!

            To understand just how good the good news Mary opened her mouth and proclaimed was for her, we have to understand some things about Mary.

            Maybe imagining that you are Mary will help some.

            Imagine that you are Mary.

            You are poor — you live in Nazareth in the Roman province of Palestine — the year is somewhere around what we now term as 30AD — you have had a very humble upbringing.  You are not unusual or extraordinary in any way.  You are a very typical, poor, young Hebrew girl. 

            You live a very average life.  Like most girls your age, you are engaged to be married.  You are engaged to Joseph — a man somewhat older than you.  He is a carpenter, and you hope his business will continue to prosper.  You would love to not have to constantly worry if you will have enough flour to bake bread for the next day!

            In other words, you are a typical, poor, simple, ordinary Jewish girl — nothing extraordinary — and you feel that there isn’t much in store for you in life besides that of being a peasant in Nazareth. 

In a society dominated by males — a society that honored people with age – a society that put a lot of emphasis on where you lived – you — Mary – a young girl from Nazareth –   don’t see much hope for better days than the ones you are having now. 

Or at least that’s what you think.

            Then — the most surprising — unexpected thing happens. 

            One day an angel appears to you.  

The angel tells you that the Messiah — the one you and your people had prayed for for centuries — was finally coming.  The prayers of your people were going to be answered — and you were going to be the one to bring the Messiah into the world. 

            You are ecstatic with joy.

            The Messiah is coming!

            God is actually going to answer prayers!

            But — you be the one to bring the Messiah into the world?

            It made little sense.

            It is just too unexpected!

            Nobody expected the Messiah to be born of a poor — lowly — virgin!

            It was indeed unexpected!

            But — then you remember that God will come when — where — and to whom God chooses!

            You remember that throughout your peoples history God has come in unexpected ways and through unexpected people.  You praise God — and although you are confused and scared — you praise God for His surprising — unexpected — and wonderful ways. 

            God was going to break into the world through the coming of Jesus Christ.

            That was good news!

            But – the best news was that God was going to use an ordinary girl like Mary to bless all people!

            That was good news!

            In fact, that was the best news of all!

            That was news that Mary just could not keep to herself – so she rushes off to see her cousin Elizabeth – who also was part of this mysterious blessing God was bringing into the world – and breaks into a beautiful song of praise to God for all the great things God was doing!

            Mary knew that God was coming – and she

            Opened her mouth told the good news!

           She opened her mouth and told the good news!

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

         Mary indeed had great news to share – God was coming! God was breaking into the world in a new and marvelous way! God was coming to save God’s people – and was going to do it in a way that was completely unexpected! In a society dominated by males – that honored the elderly – that put emphasis on where people lived – God was going to bless the entire world through her – a young girl in Nazareth. God was going to change the world – God was going to enter the world! This was great news – and Mary could not help but tell it!   

            Mary knew that God was coming – and she

            Opened her mouth told the good news!

            She opened her mouth and told the good news!

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

             God chose to “break all the rules” so to speak and chose to enter the world through a young, virgin girl from Nazareth. A nobody from nowhere – but God chose to make her somebody – God chose to make her the one to bring Him into the world.

            Wow!

            What great news that was!

            God was coming into the world – and was choosing a nobody from nowhere make it happen!

            Mary knew that God didn’t choose her to bring Him into the world because she was perfect – or sinless – or even more devoted than others.  Mary sensed that God chose her to bring His salvation into the world purely and simply because He chose to do so.

            The angel Gabriel called Mary “you who are highly favored” – and tells her “you have found favor with God”.  The truth is that Mary was not chosen by God because she deserved God’s favor, but she received favor because God chose her. God chose to take someone who had done nothing to deserve His favor and chose her to be His instrument to save all people.

            I believe that Mary sensed this – that Mary realized that God was choosing her – and was going to act in a new way to save all people through her –  

            Mary knew that God was coming – and she

            Opened her mouth told the good news!

            She opened her mouth and told the good news!

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

              You know — Mary’s good news is still good news today!

            The great news that God has come – has changed our world – can change our lives – and give us salvation is the best news that we can ever know – and the best news that we can ever tell! The great news that God takes people who do not deserve His love and loves them – that God takes people who do not deserve to be saved and saves them – that God takes people who have done nothing to deserve to have their lives changed and changes them –- that God sees our world – and – although we have done nothing to deserve anything different makes things different – that God can take us “nobodies from nowhere” – so to speak – and make us His beloved children – purely and simply because that is what God chooses to do – is the greatest news we will ever know – the greatest new we will ever hear – and the greatest news we will ever tell!

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

             You know – they say that good new travels fast.

            When we hear that someone has had a baby – we want to tell everyone!

            When we hear that someone who was sick is now well – we want to tell everyone!

            When we eat at a good restaurant we want to make sure everyone knows about it!

            When we have good news to celebrate – we want to share it!

            But – what about the best news of all – the great news – the life changing news – the world changing news – that God has come and our lives and our world can be changed?

            You’d think we want to shout it from the rooftops!

            You’d think we would be like Mary – rushing out into the world and proclaiming the greatness of God – literally singing the glories of what God has done!

            Or at least that’s what you’d think – isn’t it?

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

             Too many times we pass up opportunity after opportunity to tell the good news that God has come into our lives – into our world – and that our lives and our world can never be the same again. At the precise moments that we need to be opening our mouths and telling the good news of what God has done we shut our mouths and don’t say a word. One of the best ways to get some of us to shut up is to ask us to share our testimony or to lead a group in prayer.  The most talkative person can suddenly be at a loss for words when they have an opportunity to talk about what God has done in their lives.

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

             Maybe you’ve heard the story about the shoe company that sent a salesperson into the jungles of Africa.  After a few days he radioed his boss that there was no way anyone could sell shoes to the natives.  The company brought that salesperson home – and sent another.  Within a few days he radioed his boss that he had sold over 200 pairs of shoes and needed more shoes sent to him as quickly as possible.  The boss became curious as to why the first salesman failed miserably and the second did so well.  It turned out that the first salesman went and saw that no one in the area wore shoes – and couldn’t see that he could convince them to do so.  When the second salesman saw that no one wore shoes, he seized the opportunity and sold his product!

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

             Friends – too many times we are like the first salesman and not like the second!  We know that others need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ – the good news that God has come into our world and changed our lives and our world – the news that God has come and nothing has to be the same again – the news that God saves us – not because of who we are but because of who God is – the good news – the great life changing news of Jesus Christ – but we just can’t bring ourselves to tell them! We see the fact that the world needs to hear the good news of Jesus Christ as a deterrent and not an opportunity.

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

                        Open your mouth and tell the good news!

             Friends – when it comes to talking about God – when it comes to telling the good news that God has come into our world and changed our lives and our world – when it comes to telling the news that God has come and lives can be changed – when it comes to telling the news that God loves us and saves us — we need to open our mouths and tell the good news!

            Mary had good news – great news – to tell – and rushed to tell the world what she knew about God.

            We have good news – great news to tell.

            You have good news – great news – to tell.

            Don’t keep it to yourself!

            Go – tell it – at work – at school – at the store – at the mall – everywhere — wherever God puts you –  tell the good news!

            God has come!

            Our lives can be changed!

            Our world can be changed!

            We can be different people!

            We can live differently!

            God loves us – not because of anything we’ve done to deserve it – but purely and simply because God has chosen to love us.

            God saves us from our sins — not because of anything we’ve done to deserve it – but purely and simply because God has chosen to save us.

             That’s the good news of Christmas! 

            That’s good news!

            That’s the good news that we need to open our eyes to see and our ears to hear!

            That’s the good news that we need to open our mouths to tell!

 God has come!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

Open your mouth and tell the good news!

 Amen

 

                       

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luke 15:1-3,15-32

Luke 15:1-3, 15-32

“Walk Like Jesus Taught: Walk Back To God”

August 26, 2007

End of “Walk Like Jesus Taught” series

             

This summer we’ve been looking at how we can learn to walk like Jesus taught.  Jesus has taught us how to walk in His ways – how to be His people – how to follow in His footsteps – and we need to look at His words – His teachings – so we can walk as He taught us how to walk. 

We need to learn to walk like Jesus taught.

We need to learn to walk like Jesus taught.

We’ve been looking at one of the places where Jesus taught us how to walk in His ways — the Sermon On The Mount – Matthew chapters 5-7.  As we’ve looked at these chapters we’ve seen how Jesus taught us to walk – and we’ve been learning how to

 

Walk Like Jesus Taught

We’ve seen 8 steps to learning to walk like Jesus taught: 

Walk in God’s blessing

Walk like Jesus walked

Walk in righteousness

Walk in love

Walk in true righteousness

Walk in trust

Walk like you want others to walk

            Walk and don’t fall.

 

            Or – really – 8 practical steps to what it means to walking like Jesus walked:

 1. Surrender your life to God. (that’s what I’ve called walking in God’s blessings)

2. Strive to be God’s light to the world (that’s what I’ve called walking as Jesus walked)

3. Take drastic steps to eradicate sin from your life. (that’s what I’ve called  walking in righteousness)

4. Treat all people with lovingkindness (that’s what I’ve called walking in love)

5. Let your religious acts be for God and not for show (that’s what I’ve called walking in true righteousness)

6. Trust God for your needs and seek His will for your life (that’s what I’ve called walking in trust)

7. Stop judging others (that’s what I’ve called walking like you want others to walk)

8. Strive to do God’s will. (that’s what I’ve called walking and not falling) 

 

There is one more very practical – and very necessary – step I want to address today.  This step comes from a passage of scripture that’s not a part of the Sermon On The Mount – in fact it’s in the Gospel of Luke – not Matthew – but this step is really the most vital step of all if we are going to be the people God has called us to be – and if we are going to walk like Jesus taught.

 

The passage for today is Luke 15:1-3,15-32 – and the step we need to learn is walking back to God.

 

Listen to God’s word:

Read Scripture

 

Walk like Jesus Taught: 

Walk in God’s blessing

Walk like Jesus walked

Walk in righteousness

Walk in love

Walk in true righteousness

Walk in trust

Walk like you want others to walk

Walk and don’t fall

Walk back to God

 

            2 of the most beautiful words in the English language are:

            Welcome home!

Welcome home! 

            Whether you’ve been away a few hours — a day — several days — a week — several weeks — a month — several months — a year — several years — however long you’ve been away — and whatever the circumstances of your being away have been — when you finally get home — there are two words you love to hear —

            Welcome home!

Welcome home! 

            Our Gospel lesson for today deals with coming home — and being welcomed home.

            Welcome home!

Welcome home! 

You know the story of the Prodigal — but listen to this story:

            Life was not easy for Raul Sample.

            He could not remember his mother saying a kind word to him as he grew up.  She never showed him love or affection.  He grew up angry, and as an angry adult he committed crimes that landed him in prison. The worst punishment in the prison in which he was confined was what they called “The Tomb.”  This was a four-by-eight foot basement cell with no windows, two solid steel plates for a door, a solid slab of concrete for a bed, and absolute darkness. In his sixteenth year of imprisonment Raul talked back to a guard.  For this, he was confined to “The Tomb”. This was not his first stay in “The Tomb” — but there was something different this time. He became terrified as soon as they shoved him into “The Tomb.”  He heard rushing water nearby, and he was certain that it was going to seep in and drown him. He went crazy. He ran around the cell. He rolled on the floor. Eventually he tired himself out and lay on the cold, hard floor, covering his face with both hands and crying out : “Help me, God! Help meee!”

            He felt alone.

            He felt desperate.

            He felt that all hope was gone.

            He felt that no one cared. 

 

            Now — can’t you imagine that that’s how the son in our Gospel lesson may have felt — when he had spent all his inheritance — which he had been bold enough to ask for before his father died — but had spent it all on riotous living — and now was feeding a Gentiles pigs — the lowest thing a Jew could do?             When he finally came to his senses — realized what he had done — he probably felt like Raul in “The Tomb” – alone – desperate — like all hope was gone – like no one cared. 

 

            Maybe he cried out like Raul — “Help me, God! Help meee!”

            So  what does he do?

            What can he do?

            At that point — and only at that point — he decided to go back to his father — and beg his father to at least take him back as a slave.  He knew he couldn’t be treated as a son any more — he’d made too many mistakes – there was just no way his father would accept him back as a son — but maybe — just maybe — he’d have some compassion on him and take him back as a slave.

            But then — before he gets to his home — he looks up. Here came his father. He braced himself for the lecture he would probably receive — and most definitely deserved. 

            But — what happened?

            His father totally surprised him! Instead of a gesture of disdain and hate — he got open arms and an embrace. Instead of a lecture and banishment from the family — he got the words:

            Welcome home!

Welcome home! 

            It is hard to believe — isn’t it?

            This son who did nothing to deserve anything but stiff punishment doesn’t get anything  – not even a lecture — but only a hug — a ring that showed he was indeed part of the family – a feast — and the words:

            Welcome home!

Welcome home! 

 

            It is almost too much for us to comprehend!

            It is certainly too much for the obedient older brother to comprehend. He has been at home — tending the fields — the livestock — taking care to the family responsibilities all this time — and now this brother who has been away — wasting  his inheritance — humiliating himself by working for Gentiles — even lowering  himself to feeding pigs — this one who he feels doesn’t even deserve to be treated as a brother — comes home and gets the ring — the feast — and the words:

            Welcome home!

Welcome home! 

            No — it makes no sense at all. Speaking from a human standpoint — it truly makes no sense.

            If we were in this same situation, not very many of us would behave like the father.  No — we may not behave like the father at all. We would probably behave more like the younger son or the older son – either the prodigal or the obedient one — either running wild and doing what we want to do until we get to the end of our rope — or sitting in judgment of those who do.

            But — praise God — God is not like us. God is like the father — the father who — in spite of all the younger son has done — loves him — accepts him — lets him know that he loves him — and invites his older son to do the same.

 

            Walk like Jesus taught

Walk like Jesus taught.

 

This means:

 Walking in God’s blessing

Walking like Jesus walked

Walking  in righteousness

Walking in love

Walking in true righteousness

Walking in trust

Walking like you want others to walk

Walking and not falling

But – this also means — walking back to God

 

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

 

That’s really the first step you must take to walk like Jesus taught – although it’s the last one we’re looking at in this series.

If you really want to walk like Jesus taught, the first step you’re going to have to take is to walk back to God.

 

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

 

            Who are you the most like in this story Jesus told?

            Are you more like the younger son?

            Is your story one of turning your back on God — wanting to go your way — looking for the things of the world — looking for worldly pleasure?

            Or maybe it’s been just not paying much attention to God — not paying much attention to the things of God — not paying much attention to what God wants you to be doing in your life — not making the things of God the most important things of your life. Is that the way it’s been for you?

            Or – then again — maybe you feel that you’ve gone too far — that there is no way God could love — forgive — or accept you. Not after what you’ve done.

            So — has your life been like that of the younger son?

 

            Well – I’m going to give you some advice –

 

            Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

 

            If you’re life has been like that of the prodigal, you may be afraid to turn to God. Maybe you’re afraid that God will punish you. Maybe you’re afraid that God will not accept you. Maybe you’re afraid that God will turn His back on you — and say: “You’ve turned your back on me too many times! Now go away!”

            Friends – if you walk like Jesus taught and walk back to God — that’s not what God will say at all! No – - if you walk like Jesus taught and walk back to God —  God will say:         Welcome home! Welcome home!

            Rolling in a Gentiles pig pen was not the end of the story for the son.

            And – you know what?  Rolling on the floor of “the Tomb” was not the end of the story for Raul Sample. As Raul lay on the floor of “The Tomb” — covering his face with his hands – and crying out “Help me, God! Help meeee!” something he says to be miraculous happened.  He said later that  he saw “a ray of light between his fingers.” Slowly he uncovered his face, and it was as if the cell was lit — like someone had turned on a light bulb. He was no longer afraid. He felt engulfed by the presence of God.           He felt strangely reassured. He began breathing freely. Never before had he felt such peace and well being.

 

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

 

            After his experience in “The Tomb”, Raul knew that God was real. He had experienced God’s grace. His life was forever changed. He was released from prison in 1972, and became the first convict to work in  the Governor of Texas’ office, the first convict in Texas to serve as a probation officer, and the first to serve on the staff of the State Bar of Texas as a division head.  He finally received a full pardon for his crimes.

 

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

 

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. It doesn’t matter where you’ve been. If you will turn back to God — there’s just one message He’ll give to you:

Welcome!

Welcome!

           

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

OK — maybe your story is not like that of the younger son in Jesus’ story — maybe you are more like the older son. Maybe you have tried to live in God’s ways all your life — and feel you’ve done a pretty good job. Maybe you’ve been at church every time the doors have opened — or almost every time.  Maybe you’ve been very active in the church — and have been a very dependable person.

            If that’s how you’ve been – how do you feel when someone who hasn’t been as dependable as you — or someone who has just made a mess out of their lives — finally comes to God — finally come to the church – finally decides to walk like Jesus taught and walks back to God — and decides to change their lives?

            Do you welcome them with open arms and say:

“Welcome!”

or — are you somewhat stand-offish – maybe thinking that they are going to have to prove their change of life before you accept them?

 

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

 

            Are you like the older brother in Jesus’ story?

            God isn’t.

 

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

 

            God loves us.

            God accepts us.

            God doesn’t wait for us to prove ourselves.

            God just says:

            Welcome home!

            Welcome home!

 

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

 

            You know – there is only one thing that God wants us to say to anyone and everyone who may need to hear it – and that is:

            Welcome home!

            Welcome home!

 

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

 

Through Jesus Christ, God gives forgiveness to those who walk back to Him.  God then wants us — God’s forgiven people — to forgive others. God wants us to walk like Jesus taught – and walk back to God – God wants us to experience His  forgiveness — His message of “welcome home” — and share that with others.

 

            You know — we all need God’s forgiveness.

            In one way or another, for one thing or for many things, we all need to walk like Jesus taught – and walk back to God. We all need to hear God say:

Welcome home!

Welcome home!  

 

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

 

            If you are like the younger brother – if you have turned your back on God or not been interested in the things of God – then you need to come back to God – you need to let God change your life – you need to begin living in the ways of God – and you need to experience God’s love.

 

            You need to:

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

 

            Whatever you might think God might say to you when you turn back to Him — what He will say is:

            Welcome home!

            Welcome home!

 

            And you know what — even if you have been more like the older brother – you need to come back to God.  You see — none of us is perfect — all of us have — in some way — turned away from God.  We all can stand to have some aspect of our lives changed by God. 

 

            We all need to:

 

             Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

 

            We all need to walk back to God — and hear God say:

            Welcome home!

            Welcome home!

            Then — we all need to be what Paul calls in 2 Corinthians 5 — “ministers of reconciliation” — people who share God’s message of “welcome home!” with all the world.

            Whatever your particular story may be — God invites you to turn to Him — and hear Him say:

            Welcome home!

            Welcome home!

 

            Whatever direction you may have gone in your life – whatever direction you may be going now –

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

Walk like Jesus taught: Walk Back To God

 

So – walking like Jesus taught means:

Walking in God’s blessing

Walking like Jesus walked

Walking  in righteousness

Walking in love

Walking in true righteousness

Walking in trust

Walking like you want others to walk

Walking and not falling

 

Walking like Jesus taught means walking back to God.

Amen.

 

           

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 24:12-25

1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Luke 24:13-35

Easter Means You Can Focus On Christ

May 6, 2007

Part 4 of 2007 series “Easter Means …”

The Lord has risen!

Alleluia! He has risen indeed!

The sign in front of the Church reads:

Come In And Discover The Secret To New Life

Come In And Discover The Secret To New Life

Come in.

Discover.

New life.

The Lord has risen!

Alleluia! He has risen indeed!

That’s the message of Easter.

New life.

The amazing message of Easter is a message that life can be filled with hope – you can be forgiven – you can have a life of joy — especially when it is least expected.

Easter means you can be forgiven – you can have hope – you can have joy — and you can have new life – especially when it seems that forgiveness is impossible – life is hopeless – there can never again be any joy to your life — and a new life is only a dream.

Come In And Discover The Secret To New Life

Come in.

Discover.

New life.

That’s the message of Easter.

But – you know — sometimes it’s hard to believe that the message of Easter – the new life – the hope – the joy – the forgiveness – that Easter promises us – can be true.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe the in the hope – the forgiveness – the joy – the new life Easter offers us.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe that – because of the event of Easter — God is up to doing something that is new and marvelous in our lives.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe that – because of the event of Easter — God is changing us — and our world — by the resurrection of Christ.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe that – because of the event of Easter — our lives can be changed and made new.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe the message of Easter – the message of hope – the message of forgiveness – the message of joy — especially when these things are least expected.

There may be times in your life when it’s hard for you to believe that Easter means you can be forgiven – you can have hope – you can have joy — and you can have new life – especially when it seems that forgiveness is impossible – life is hopeless – there is no chance for joy — and a new life is only a dream.

Life can have a way of hitting you hard sometimes.

Circumstances beyond your control can seemingly take away any hope for a new life of joy – hope – and forgiveness.

But – here’s the truth –

In the midst of your pain – in the midst of your feeling that joy –hope – and forgiveness will never again be realities for you – in the midst of the feeling that you will never again experience anything new in your life –

Or – I think that it would be better to say:

In spite of your pain –

in spite of your feelings that joy –hope – and forgiveness will never again be realities for you –

in spite of the feeling that you will never again experience anything new in your life –

the truth is:

The Lord has risen!

Alleluia! He has risen indeed!

Easter means you can be forgiven – you can have hope – you can have joy — and you can have new life – especially when it seems that forgiveness is impossible – life is hopeless – and a new life is only a dream.

Yea – the sign out front is right – even in your most painful and joyless times — because of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – we can say to each other – we can say to the world – and I can say to you:

Come In And Discover The Secret To New Life

Come in.

Discover.

New life.

I’m glad that Easter is a Season – not just a day!

We need to take some time to look at the wonderful news that Christ has risen – and the implications of joy – forgiveness – and new life the resurrection can have for our lives.

We’ve been spending the last few weeks looking at the way the resurrection changed the lives of the first believers in Christ – and how it can change our lives, also. We’re going to continue that today.

The amazing — life changing — fact of Easter is that:

God can make your new.

God is up to doing something that is new and marvelous in your life.

The Apostle Paul knew what the resurrection meant – and the hope – joy – forgiveness – and new life he had because Christ had risen from the dead – and Paul spent the rest of his life declaring the amazing truth that Christ had risen and hope – joy – and forgiveness was possible — because Christ has risen.

So did a man by the name of Cleopas who – along with an unnamed friend – experienced the hope – joy – forgiveness – and new life they had because Christ had risen from the dead – and that experience set their hearts on fire for Christ.

Listen to God’s word – first in 1 Corinthians 15:11-20 – then in Luke 24:13-35: Read Scripture

The sign in front of the Church for the Easter season proclaims:

Come In And Discover The Secret To New Life

Come in.

Discover.

New life.

Easter means you can be forgiven – you can have hope – you can have joy — and you can have new life – especially when it seems that forgiveness is impossible – life is hopeless – there is no more joy in your life — and a new life is only a dream.

Easter means that – in spite of the painful times in your life — in spite of the times you may feel that joy –hope – and forgiveness will never again be realities for you – in spite of the times you may feel that you will never again experience anything new in your life –

the truth is – Christ is risen – and God is doing something new in your life – even when you least expect it!

Easter means that you can have a new focus for your life.

Easter means that you don’t have to focus on the things in your life that hurt you – the things of life that can hit you hard and that seem to take all the joy and excitement and reason for living out of you – the things in your life that seem to take away all hope for anything new ever happening in your life again. You don’t have to focus on these things – but – in spite of these things – and I the midst of these things — you can focus on Christ.

Easter means you can focus on Christ.

Easter means you can focus on Christ.

Don’t you think that Cleopas and his friend must have felt that the crucifixion of Christ had taken away all hope for joy and excitement from them – and even taken away all reason for living – as they walked to the town of Emmaus? They had hoped that Jesus was the Messiah – the Son of God – the one who would redeem Israel and lead them to salvation. They had pinned all hope and meaning for their lives on Him.

They had seen Him heal the sick – they had heard Him teach God’s ways – they had at least heard that He had raised Lazarus from the dead — even if they had not seen it.

But all that had changed.

Jesus had been crucified.

Jesus had died.

And their hope and joy and reason for living had died with Him.

As they walked along that evening to the town of Emmaus and talked about the terrible events that had occurred in Jerusalem that week – their despair and sadness must have been apparent.

Even as the resurrected Christ came to them – talked to them – and shared the truths about what scripture said with them – they did not realize that it was Jesus. All they could focus on was that their faith in Christ now seemed futile. It had no meaning for them any more. The events that had taken place in Jerusalem that week were so painful for them that they could not even entertain the thought that anything good or new or different could occur.

But then something happened.

They experienced the risen Christ.

Christ broke the bread at the table – and they realized that He was with them.

They realized that Christ had risen!

They realized that Christ had been with them as they had walked along and talked about the tragic events that had shaken their lives.

They realized that – in spite of the tragic events that had hit them so hard that week in Jerusalem – Jesus had risen!

They realized that they didn’t have to focus on the tragic events of their lives – but they could focus on Jesus – they could focus on the fact that – in spite of the painful times in their lives — in spite of the times they felt that joy –hope – and forgiveness would never again be realities for them – in spite of the times they may have felt that they would never again experience anything new in their lives –

the truth was – Christ had risen – and God was doing something new in their lives – even when they least expected it!

They realized that they no longer had to focus on the painful times of their lives – the times that seemed to take away all hope for joy and new life from them – but they could now focus on Christ – and the new life – new hope – new joy – and new opportunities for living Christ offered them – in spite of everything else that might happen in their lives.

They realized that Easter meant that they could focus on Christ.

They realized that the message of Easter was they could be forgiven – they could have hope – they could have joy — and they could have new life – especially when it seemed that forgiveness was impossible – life is hopeless – and a new life only a dream.

I’m sure that – if Cleopas and his friend were standing out on the road today in front of the Church – they would be proclaiming – along with the sign out front –

Come In And Discover The Secret To New Life

Come in.

Discover.

New life.

Cleopas and his friend learned that Easter meant that – instead of focusing on the hard and painful times of their lives – they could focus on Christ.

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

But — there are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe the in the hope – the forgiveness – the joy – the new life Easter offers us.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to focus on Christ – and the hope – joy – and new life He gives us.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to focus on Christ – and the fact that God is up to doing something that is new and marvelous in our lives.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to focus on Christ and believe that – because of the event of Easter — God is changing us — and our world — by the resurrection of Christ.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to believe that – because of the event of Easter — our lives can be changed and made new.

There are times in our lives when it’s hard for us to focus on Christ and believe the message of Easter – the message of hope – the message of forgiveness – the message of joy — especially when these things are least expected.

There may be times in your life when it’s hard for you to focus on Christ and believe that Easter means you can be forgiven – you can have hope – you can have joy — and you can have new life – especially when it seems that forgiveness is impossible – life is hopeless – there is no chance for joy — and a new life is only a dream.

There are so many times that life can have a way of hitting you hard.

Like Cleopas and his friend, you may have circumstances in your life that are beyond your control and that can seemingly take away any hope for a new life of joy – hope – and forgiveness from you.

But – here’s the truth –

In spite of your pain – in spite of your feelings that joy –hope – and forgiveness will never again be realities for you in spite of the feeling that you will never again experience anything new in your life the truth is that Jesus has risen – God is doing something new in your life – and you can focus on Christ instead of the pain and sorrow that seems to take your attention away from Christ.

The truth is that

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

Several weeks ago the world was shocked as over 33 students were killed at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, VA.

How could such a senseless tragedy have occurred? people asked.

The lives of many people were shattered by the pain and confusion of the murders – and the more they focused on the pain and confusion they more they felt hopeless and confused.

At the Memorial Service that was held several days after the murders, the poet Nikki Giovanni led those assembled in a chant of hope and determination that seemed to change the focus of the event for the campus – and for the world. They would not let themselves focus on hopelessness – but – as the chant went:

“We will prevail, we will prevail.

We are Virginia Tech.

We are Virginia Tech.

We are Virginia Tech.”

Great words of hope and inspiration.

But – even greater – is the fact that this chant seemed to change the focus for the students, and faculty at Virginia Tech – what has been called “the Virginia Tech family”. They were not going to focus on the fact that the tragedy occurred – but they were going to focus on rebuilding and hope.

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

As long as Cleopas and his friend focused on the things that had happened in Jerusalem – the death of Christ and the feeling of hopelessness it gave them – they could not see that Christ was with them as they walked along. But – when they began to focus on Christ – things changed – and they realized the hope and the joy that Christ gave them – in spite of the events in Jerusalem or any other event in their lives.

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

You know – if you live your life focusing on the things that happen to you and that hurt you – you will never find the joy and new life God wants you to have. But – if you focus on Christ – you will discover that – in spite of the things that hurt you and the hard, painful times of your life – God is with you.

You need have the right focus in your life if you want to really discover the life God wants you to live – with all it’s joy, all it’s hope, and all it’s newness.

Without the right focus, you can be like the story I once heard about the best horse jockey in the world. He had been hired to ride one owner’s horse to victory over the horse of his greatest rival. One race day, the horses of both owners were heading toward the finish line neck in neck, when suddenly, a third horse went down in front of them causing all of the horses to fall. Well, the best jockey in the world quickly regained his composure, remounted, and rode on to victory. Returning to the paddock, the best jockey in the world thought he had done a good job – but he found the owner who had hired him full of anger.

“What’s the matter?” the jockey asked, “I won, didn’t I?”
“Yes you won, but you still don’t know, do you?” the owner fumed.

“Know what?” the jockey asked.
“That you won the race riding on my rival’s horse – not mine!”

In all the confusion of the fall, the jockey had lost his focus – mounted the rival’s horse – and won the race.

If you don’t have the right focus in your life, it can be like riding the wrong horse to victory.

You might “win” – but you’ll still “lose”!

If you let yourself focus on the events of your life – especially the ones that are painful and that hurt you – the ones that can make you doubt God’s presence in your life or God’s love for you – the ones that can make you feel that there is no hope for any semblance of joy or any semblance for new life – you will never be able to experience the new life God offers you.

But – if you will let yourself focus on Christ, you’ll discover that – in spite of the painful, tragic, and hurtful times of your life, God is with you – offering a new sense of joy, a new sense of excitement, and a new sense of hope.

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

Is there something in your life you are focusing on that keeps you from focusing on Christ?

Is there something in your life you are focusing on that keeps you from focusing on the joy – the love – the new life – that the risen Christ offers you?

Maybe you have had a serious tragedy in your life – and you just can’t seem to get past it.

Maybe there is something going on in your life right now – an illness or a setback or something going on at work or in your family.

Is there something in your life you are focusing on that keeps you from focusing on the joy – the love – the new life – that the risen Christ offers you?

If you will let God, God will help you change your focus. God will help you take your focus off of the painful things and put your focus on to Christ.

The Holy Spirit can help you turn your focus away from the painful events of your life on to God’s promises for new life and new hope. Ask the Lord to help you be filled with the power of the risen Christ so you can consistently refocus your thoughts away from the negatives and on to God’s positive work in your life.

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

The inspiring words Nikki Giovanni lead those assembled after the Virigina Tech tragedy :

“We will prevail, we will prevail.

We are Virginia Tech.

We are Virginia Tech.

We are Virginia Tech.”

took their focus off of the pain and put it on hope.

The message of Easter – that in spite of the painful times in your life — in spite of the times you may feel that joy –hope – and forgiveness will never again be realities for you – in spite of the times you may feel that you will never again experience anything new in your life –

the truth that Christ is risen – and God is doing something new in your life – even when you least expect it –

can take your focus off of the pain and hopelessness you may feel and put it on Christ.

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

Easter Means You Can Focus on Christ

To paraphrase Nikki Giovanni,

We will prevail

We will prevail

Christ has risen!

We are Christians!

We are Christians!

Yea – that’s the secret to new life!

We will prevail

We will prevail

Christ has risen!

We are Christians!

We are Christians!

Easter indeed means you can focus on Christ.

Easter means you can focus on Christ.

Amen.