Proud of God's Ministers
When we reflect back on the things we have accomplished as a people of God over the last few years, I think we can take some pride in the way we have been working to make this community miss us if we were not here anymore. I am proud of the men and women of God who have stepped forward to build real bridges of hope and care for this community. I am proud that we are making strides to address real concerns and real problems that are happening every day within the shadow of our own building. I am proud of those of you who are willing to sacrifice your time, money, energy and anything else that is needed to make sure the human hurts and hopes of people we don’t even know are being met with compassion. I am proud of the love that is being lived out in this place where God has called all of us to serve. Can you tell that I am proud of you? Can you tell that I am proud of the fact that we are “being the Church” and not just “doing church?” I know we cannot rest, or ever think we have done enough to win this community to the Lord! I understand the task is so overwhelming that we can become discouraged! I know that we have tendencies to want to be inwardly focused in trying to address issues that we face as a congregation. I am aware of all of these things! I can see that we have very real needs! However, when we step away from our own needs for a while and we begin to focus on the needs of others, especially those without the hope of eternal life, we can begin to make eternal impacts on those we are serving. When will we see the impact that we are having on people? I’m not too sure! But I do know this, God will get the glory! The Psalmists writes Ps 115:1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. It is because of God’s love and faithfulness toward us that we can extend that same love and faithfulness to others! Let’s continue to work for the Lord so that what Peter writes will be true for us: 1Pe 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. …because He still lives,JasonComments (0) 15.10.2009. 07:15
Judgmental
Can we get by without making judgments in life? Would it be possible for every person who ever lived to escape making judgments? Or, is it possible for anyone to live without making judgments? Obviously the practical answer to these questions would be no. I mean we make judgments every day. We judge between Tim Hortons or Dunkin Doughnuts for breakfast, McDonalds or Wendy’s for lunch, and Mom’s cooking or “fast food potluck” for supper (college age class this past Tuesday had this type of carry-in). We cannot help but make judgments! They are everywhere and if we plan on getting anywhere in this life we need to know how to make them and why to make them. But, whenever you talk about judgment in our culture you normally hear: “WHO GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO JUDGE?”! Well, this morning we are going to try and tackle the very touchy, somewhat controversial, and certainly much debated topic of judgment. There are many types of judgments that are perfectly acceptable and then there are judgments that are totally unacceptable. How do we know the difference? Well, we must judge! In our text this morning (Luke 6) we will be looking at what Jesus tells us about judgments. We will see that some judgment is bad, some is really bad, some is necessary, and some are down-right essential to our ability to survive and thrive as individual Christians and collectively as the Church of Jesus Christ. But let me give you a warning: our culture has taught us to not be judgmental and so we put up a mental block when we hear the word “judgment.” My plea to you for this sermon is to listen without the mental block and then decide for yourself if our modern view of judgment is compatible with what Jesus said about judgment? (If you get this article by mail, or online and would like a copy of the sermon on CD just call the office, send us an email, or write us a letter and we will be happy to send you a copy.)…because He still lives,JasonComments (0) 19.07.2009. 05:09
No
On December 24th, 1816 a newly ordained Catholic priest took a 20 minute walk to a nearby town that proved to be a very productive walk. No one is really sure what thoughts were going through the head of Josef Mohr but what came out through his pen is considered to be one of the greatest Christmas hymns ever written. On that walk Josef wrote a poem he called “Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!” or better known to us as Silent Night. The music for this peace would come about 3 years later from Franz Gruber, who was the organist for the church where Mohr served as an associate. The inspiration for the song is unquestionable as I can envision a young man walking slowly through the Austrian countryside thinking back to a night that would change the world.
However, the words chosen to begin the song would show Mr. Mohr’s lack of understanding of what must have taken place that night. I have been blessed to be at my wife’s side as she gave birth to all three of our children, and I have also heard stories from other men who have received great pains from their wives as they were giving birth. Based on my humble experiences I can assure you that modern childbirth is no “silent” thing! I am equally convinced that as Mary gave birth to Jesus in a less than sanitary environment, with much less modern medical technology, and with no paid professionals on hand to aide in the delivery, that there is very little chance that this night would be “silent.” I can also state with confidence that this night was full of busy travelers, all trying to find the 1st century version of Motel 6 where they’ll “leave the light on for you.” There would have been merchants out in full swing trying to sell the “warmest, softest, most enjoyable blankets in Bethlehem.” There would have been “camel station” attendants ready to bring out a fresh pale of water. There would have been “donkey travel plazas” with the best rates on straw for miles. I am sure every hustler and gimmick in town was geared up for all of the tax day weary travelers! This would not have been a very silent night at all!
However, “holy night” certainly applies and for this choice in words Mr. Mohr gets a “job well done” sticker! With the first, fresh cry of a babies voice came the most holy event the world had ever known. On this “holy night” life on Earth and in Heaven would change for all of eternity; on this “holy night” Heaven came down to the stench of animals far worse than those surrounding the baby in those stalls; on this “holy night” all of creation was put on notice that “Christ the Savior is born!”; and on this “holy night” the sacrifice for all of my sins began to walk and talk among those He would save. PRAISE GOD FOR THIS “HOLY NIGHT!”
…because He still lives,JasonComments (0) 16.12.2008. 08:51