Hurricane Season

August 25, 2024 Beginning of the School Year Celebration Ephesians 6:10-20 Hurricane Season 14th Sunday After Pentecost Year B Prelude Greeting Call to Worship ONE: Calling all children of the Living God: the gospel is good news for every age and every stage. ALL: Let us worship together, the young and the old. ONE: The good news is proclaimed in God’s words, and also with crayons, silly songs, snacks, and rest time. ALL: Let us worship together, every generation. ONE: We come together with different abilities and disabilities, learning in a rainbow of ways and styles. ALL: Let us worship together, with our family of faith. ONE: All are welcome in the arms of Christ who proclaimed, “Let the children come!” ALL: Let us worship together, united in our eternal hope. Opening Prayer Let us pray: God our teacher, who helps us to understand the world around us, Thank you for the privilege of education. You have blessed our communities with teachers who take new skills and concepts and pass them along to each new class of young people. God who came as a child to show us how to be fully human, to show us how to be children of God, You have given our children minds that grow and develop in unique ways, at unique speeds, and we are astounded by that miracle. You speak to us through the words, actions, play, and feelings of children. You call us to listen to the Spirit speaking through our young siblings in Christ. We celebrate the beginning of this school year and ask for your blessings upon the children, the educators, and the families who support them all. But in this celebration of education and learning, we do not forget there are children and families and teachers who do not have the resources they need. When systems are unjust, the outcomes are unacceptable. Today we remember those who are beginning school this year: those who have what they need to learn and grow in safety, and those who lack supplies, teachers, safe buildings, and accommodations for all needs and abilities. We come to worship together, to lift up our young people and all those who care for them and teach them. Open our hearts to what you are saying to us today. Amen. Song Stand up, Stand Up for Jesus UMH 514 A Sermon for all Ages – Blessing of the School Year and Supplies BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS Gathering: Before reading through the blessing, Invite kids to bring their backpacks and gather around you. Or, if gathering virtually, invite kids to sit with their backpacks in front of their screen. You may choose to follow the script below, create your own, or skip it altogether. Here are some suggestions to help kids identify and share their feelings during the gathering questions: • Move your thumbs: Kids can use one, or both, thumbs to share how they feel. They can use any combination of thumbs-up (good), thumbs-down (not good), in between (okay), or all around (a little bit of everything). • Raise your hand: This is a great way to expand a child’s feelings vocabulary and help them see they’re not alone in what they feel. Begin by saying, “Raise your hand if you feel (fill in the blank)” then give space for kids to raise their hands. Repeat a few times with different feelings. • Share your voice: Empower kids to identify and share their feelings with their own words and images. If appropriate to your context, encourage them to expand on vague and straightforward feelings like “good” or “okay.” Did you bring your backpack with you today? Can you show me? How are you feeling about starting a new year at school? (Allow time for their responses.) Thank you for being brave and sharing how you feel. Going back to school always invites big feelings to come along with us, and those feelings can be different for everyone! Whether you’re starting school for the first time, moving to a new school, or staying at the same school, we can all feel happy, nervous, scared, curious, ________ (insert any other emotion). Sometimes, we can even feel all those feelings at the same time, and that’s okay! But did you know God is always with us? No matter where we go and what we feel? As we start a new year at school, I want to give you this special backpack tag so that whenever you look at it, you can remember God loves you and is always with you, no matter what. Passing Out the Tags: You may choose to read the following blessing over each child as you give them a tag, or you may choose to pass out all the tags at once and speak this blessing over everyone at the same time. (NAME), this school year, may you be curious and kind, gentle and strong, brave and love Sharing the Blessing: Along with the backpack tag, I also want to share a blessing with you. A blessing is something that you receive, so can you open your hands like you are ready to receive a special gift? As I speak, imagine the words are dancing, floating, and fluttering all around, and watch them as they land on your hands and on your backpack. If you want to receive it, take the blessing and put it in your heart. May these tags remind you that God is always with you. As you sit and as you stand, as you learn and as you play, in every fear and every celebration, may you know God, your friend, is always there. Praying for the School Year: You may also choose to include this prayer to wrap up your blessing of the backpacks. God of fresh starts and new beginnings, we bring ourselves, our big feelings, and our backpacks to you. In our backpacks, we carry blank pages, sharpened pencils, and pointy crayons, and in our hearts, we carry big feelings, unanswered questions, and hopeful expectations. There are endless possibilities of what this new year might bring— of what we might learn, who we might meet, and who we might become. God, our friend who is always with us, be with us through it all. Be with us as we ride the bus. Be with us as we walk. Be with us as we buckle seat belts, zip-up jackets, and tie shoes. However we get there, and whatever we wear, bless this journey into something new. For the grown-ups going back to school, With-Us God, be with them too. Thank you for our teachers, helpers, caregivers, and leaders, and for all they do to help us learn and grow. God, our friend who’s full of wonder, fill their hearts and bless their hands. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE ONE: With you, every transition and new start is a reminder of your goodness, for you are always creating fresh, amazing things in us and through us. Though we are sad about the summer ending, we are grateful for this school year. We appreciate the opportunity to learn and grow, knowing it is one of the biggest privileges we have. With thanks and love, we now offer everything we are to you, asking for your blessing. ONE: We pray as and for students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. We pray for our hearts and all they hold—excitement and nervousness, disappointment and hope. We give you all our loves and fears. We pray for steady self-esteem and deepening resilience. ALL: Loving God, hold us and our prayers ONE: We pray for our minds, that they will expand in wonder and celebration, learning not just from the books studied but the people beside us. Open our minds with a willingness to be changed in unexpected ways, and settle our thought loops in peaceful places. ALL: Loving God, hold us and our prayers. ONE: We pray for our hands, that they will reach out to help welcome and care. Bless our hands with patience and dedication as they grip pencils and type on keyboards, swish paint brushes and clap in song, grip monkey bars and lunch box handles, spin wheelchair tires and basketballs. ALL: Loving God, hold us and our prayers ONE: We pray for our mouths, that they will speak words bringing life and connection. Help us use our mouths to honor the dignity and belovedness of all. Remind us to open our mouths for deep belly breaths when we’re feeling anxious or afraid. ALL: Loving God, hold us and our prayers. ONE: We pray for our feet, that they will move toward those different from us and help others in safe ways. Plant our feet next to those who feel alone, and bless our steps down hallways and sidewalks. We know you are with us wherever our feet go or stay. ALL: Loving God, hold us and our prayers. ONE: We pray for our eyes, that they may see ourselves and others with compassion. Point our eyes toward those who are forgotten or struggling. Grow us in flexibility to see from all kinds of angles. Bless what and how we see, whether we’re looking at a screen, a whiteboard, or the beauty of a person’s face. ONE: We also pray now for teachers, staff and administrators. Bless these faithful servants with courage and confidence, knowing you are in their classroom with a steady hand on their shoulder. Give them peace, patience, and balance in the pressures they face, and bravery to build structures and systems which justly serve all your children. Give them delight in the young ones before them, and recognition of the sweet ways children are also teachers. ALL: Loving God, hold us and our prayers ONE: We pray for health and wholeness, fun and growth, surprise and amazement, for this school year ahead, knowing you will hold us all the way through. ALL: We thank you, God, and love you. Amen. (Liturgy provided by Illustrated Ministries) Passing of the Peace Scripture. Ephesians 6:10-20 Sermon Hurricane Season Superheroes have a way of capturing our attention. There is this deeply rooted human need to look for someone to take care of us, to provide for our needs and to make our lives easier. We yearn for that outside force to break into our lives and to do the things that we can’t do for ourselves. Last week I attended a workshop on telling your life story. Joel Silberman is a media strategist says that usually our superheroes have 4 basic superpowers – they solve problems that no one else can tackle, they are able to heal and regenerate themselves and others, they have super strength or abilities, and they are able to sense things that others can’t see. We Want our Superheroes to Identify with Us Since 1939, Stan Lee created or co-created some of the world’s most popular superheroes. His super-human imagination gave birth to Black Panther, Spider-Man, the X-Men, Thor, Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk, Daredevil, and Ant-Man, just to name a few. Of course, the world has no shortage of storytellers, but Lee was something of a mutant in the field. The Avengers series alone has generated more than $10 billion in ticket sales at the box office since 2008. So, what set his stories apart from the rest? Lee was able to tap into deeply rooted human instincts. He explains his secret in a 1984 interview with ET: The whole formula … was to say: Let’s assume that somebody really could walk on walls like Spider-Man, or turn green and become a monster like The Hulk. That’s a given; we’ll accept that. But, accepting that, what would that person be like in the real world if he really existed? Wouldn’t he still have to worry about making a living? Or having acne and dandruff? Or his girlfriend jilting him? What are the real problems people would have? I think that’s what made the books popular. We all know we need a superhero to rescue us from our enemies and from calamities. But we simultaneously want this hero to be someone with whom we can identify. There are two instincts woven into our fallen nature: the knowledge that we need someone to save us and the deep desire for another to understand our struggles. Lee was also well-known for his cameo appearances inside the stories he had written. Each film since X-Men in 2000 has featured a brief incarnation of the author. Possible Preaching Angle: Stan Lee wasn’t the first to write himself into his storyline. Jesus did not simply rescue us from afar. He wrote himself into our story. He became a man and subjected himself to all the tyrannies of a fallen world. Even though Stan Lee passed away in 2018, his characters will live permanently in our culture. Imagine if you were a superhero – just curious, what would your costume look like? What would be your super powers. (think about that for later) Scott Bayles is a pastor and comic book lover. He talks about one of the highlights of his life is taking his family to meet Stan Lee. Scott has created a whole ministry around his love for comic books. He was written several books connecting the gospel to the marvel and DC universe. Bayles is a pastor in Southern Illinois. He tells the story of traveling to the hometown of Superman, Metropolis, which is also in southern Illinois. Every year in June the town has a superman festival. They also hold the world record for the largest statue of superman. Recently, about 2013, they tried to set the world record for the most people dressed as superman in one place. They have since lost that title, but Scott and his two year old son were present for the moment. The pastor was so excited to have created and sewed his own costume. Today creating superhero costumes is an important part of his ministry. His whole family dresses up in costumes to bring the superheroes to life. He has since created a much better costume for superman. For him, superman has a lot in common with Jesus. The both have a secret identity. Superman spends his day as Clark Kent. Eventually the secret got out, and yet he still poses as Clark Kent. In the gospel of Mark, Jesus constantly tells everyone that he heals not to tell his identity. The both have a duel identity. Superman is both a superhero and Clark Kent. Jesus is both the Son of Joseph and Mary and the Son of God The both have superpowers. Superman has the 4 common superpowers. Jesus heals, provides, sees in the future, see the heart of others, and is able to manipulate nature. The both care for the needs of others and are willing to sacrifice themselves to save others. The best part of the superman stories is when he looses his strength trying to help someone, but somehow he regains it and defeats the bad guys. Jesus dies on the cross, yet is resurrected and saves the world. Stan Lee was not the creator of Superman. Superman was created in 1938 – during the end of the depression and the beginning of WWII. Men who were able to succeed or perform in those tough times were called superman. If you were a superhero, what would your costume look like, what would be your superpowers? I suspect that the original supermen were the characters of the bible. There is just something in our spirit looking for good news, seeking a savior. Thinking of our superheroes and their costumes gives us an excellent perspective for today’s scripture – Ephesians 6. Paul encourages us to put on the armor of God – our superhero costume. So stand with the belt of truth around your waist, justice as your breastplate, 15 and put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to spread the good news of peace. 16 Above all, carry the shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. What is interesting is that truth, justice, peace, faith, salvation and spirit are all attributes of God. Hmmm Paul is telling us that we are the superhero of your own story. I think God is telling us that we are the superheroes of the story of life. What does your costume look like, what are your superpowers? Ephesians says put on God’s armor so that you can make a stand against the tricks of the devil. Whether we are going to school, to work, or to the doctors office we all face challenges in life. We all have issues to deal with. All of us have in some way experienced the tricks of the devil. It is so easy to feel vulnerable and sometimes even helpless. We have all had that kryptonite moment where are are zapped of our power. God reminds us that our power begins with God. Christ in You Makes You Like a Superhero To explain how Christ in us now labors to make us more human, not less, pastor/author Rankin Wilbourne used the following illustration: Consider two superheroes, Batman and Spider-Man. Batman is a rich and strong man with lots of cool gadgets. His superpowers stem from his external possessions. Spider-Man has a few accessories as well, but he is a superhero because of the spider powers he obtained when he was bitten by a radioactive spider. His nature has been changed. Now he has a new power accessible to him, within him. Christ in you makes you more like Spider-Man than Batman. Something alien to you, from outside of you, has entered into you and changed your nature. You now have power that you did not have before. The trouble with this analogy is that Spider-Man became something more than human, while we instead are being restored to our full humanity. We are becoming more like Christ. I Step Out on the Word of God Poet Maya Angelou recalls the struggles of her grandmother living through the great depression. She remembers a lot of things about her grandmother: her wisdom, her stature. But it was her grandmother's faith that Maya remembers most. Clasping her hands behind her back her grandmother would look up into the distant sky and say, "I will step out on the word of God." The great depression was a difficult time for everyone, but "especially so for a single black woman in the South tending her crippled son and two grandchildren." But when faced with mountainous burdens, Maya's grandmother would face the sky and say, "I will step out on the word of God." "She would look up as if she could will herself into the heavens," Maya writes. And because of her grandmother, Maya Angelou grew up knowing that the word of God had power. And now, today, whenever she experiences the injustices of this world, Maya remembers the great faith of her grandmother. God gives us spiritual armor to protect us from the evil we face daily: He gives us truth, righteousness, the willingness to speak up for Christ, and, most importantly, faith. King Duncan, www.Sermons.com In times of struggle, we look to the hills for a savior, but we know our help is always in the lord. According to Ephesians that attributes of God us just our costume. We are more than soldiers of Christ. John C. Purdy, a staff member of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., has written a challenging book entitled Returning God's Call: The Challenge of Christian Living. In it, Purdy suggests that we need a new metaphor for the Christian life. He points out the inadequacy of the old metaphors such as "a soldier in God's army," "a scholar in the school of Christ," "a traveler along the Christian way," "a citizen of the commonwealth; "and a member of Christ's body." We are the ones who can hear God’s call in our life. According to Ephesians we only have one superpower – that is prayer. Prayer William Barclay, in his commentary, points out that the sign of the Christian is when he or she is eager to be on their way to tell the story of Jesus: his death, his resurrection and his ascension. This is the commitment of being a servant for the Lord. Barclay emphasizes that for servant ministry there are three conditions people must have in their prayer life: (1) Prayer must be constant. It is from daily prayer that we find daily strength and holy guidance. (2) Prayer must be intense. No beating around the bush. When you have a clear message from the Lord about a particular concern, be bold about your prayer life. Be the prayer warrior he has called you to be. (3) Prayer must be unselfish. We must learn to pray as much for others as for ourselves. We must seek a community of believers to pray with us and for us. Together we will know the wisdom of the Holy Spirit as it uses us to be a vehicle of servant ministry. Harry Denman, adapting William Barclay’s Commentary If you were a superhero what would your costume look like? I think I would have on white flowing gowns. And I would have the ability to heal, and to read minds. As you go forward in life today, in whatever God has called you into – remember that you are God’s superhero. Whatever challenges you face remember that you have the power of God on your side. Put on your costume, remember your superpower – to rely on God. The world needs you. Let us pray……. Song Hope of the World. UMH 178 Pastoral Prayer Where has the time gone, Lord? It seems as though we just got started with summer, having plans for rest and recreation, leisure and celebration. Then suddenly we are at the end of the summer. We know, as we begin to focus more closely on our daily planners, that time fills up fast with duties, meetings, organizations, and just generally getting back into the swing of things. It is easy for us to get lost in the obligations and to neglect our commitment to you. You have girded us for the journey, giving us armaments of faith. Your beloved Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, has poured out blessings upon blessings in his teachings that we might be made whole and be in good and faithful service to you by serving your world. Open our hearts and spirits, Lord, to faithful ministries in which we may take part. Let us take the extra steps into the wondrous mission to which you have called. Heal, restore, and prepare us for service. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Ephesians sounds as though it could have been written just last year. Did you hear (if this text has been read…otherwise, just quote this line) these directions for life? “Be careful how you live!” That is, “Pay attention!” Pay attention to what God wants for all of us! Pay attention to the song in your hearts, Pay attention to the ways you give thanks to God, in the name of Jesus Christ. Today, we gather to sing, and to show our attitude of gratitude to God through the act of giving from our hearts. We invite you to share your time, your talent and your finances…all showing your spirit of thanksgiving, as you pay attention to what you’ve received. Please give in the ways that work best for you: on-line, with a check or cash, or sending your check thru’ the mail to the church office. And give thanks! Prayer of Thanksgiving Holy God, we do give you thanks for all we have received from your hand: For the goodness of air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, land on which we live…for the love of friends and family…for the safety of this space… for the opportunities we have to reach out to those who are in need, Accept this offering as one response to your generosity. Strengthen our resolve to live in your Spirit, with gratitude. Help us use all your gifts to shape our congregation and our community more like the way we believe your Realm exists – with love, peace, and justice for all. AMEN. (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook Loving God, Coat the year before us with miracles of your mercy and strength, and help us appreciate most of all the bedrock miracle of your presence with us in every single ordinary, sacred moment. Lead us this school year into life-giving rhythms of grace and light, where our regular routines become the framework for worship and blessing. Community Time Joys and Concerns Benediction Children, families, and all who love them, go out into the beautiful world that God has made! Go and play! Go and learn! Go and love others! May you be filled with lovingkindness for yourself and everyone around you. May the prayers of your faith community keep you safe, healthy, and full of joy. Additional Illustrations Sermon Opener - It’s Humble or the Umbles - Ephesians 6:10-20 by Leonard Sweet You know you’ve crossed into some new station in your life when you visit the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art and realize as you are leaving that you completely skipped all the paintings. That’s right, the entire Renaissance wing just was not on the agenda. Suddenly it hits you: You are no longer a student, or a tourist, or an art lover. No, you are a parent of small, squirming children who need to see something big, and strong, and hard-hitting. So your museum tour was through the pyramids. Your museum circuit consisted of huge tombs and temples, the mummies and the caskets of ancient Egypt. But perhaps most importantly, you meandered through the mists of the medieval ages. This means rooms and rooms of ancient, awful-looking weaponry, and the Met’s huge collection of all types of “awesome” armor. There are over 15,000 pieces of ancient armor and weapons in the Metropolitan’s collection — dating from 400 BCE, through the heavily weighted years of medieval Europe, and including a huge collection of Japanese implements and armories, from the fifth through the nineteenth centuries. As you wander around the Museum complete coats of heavy iron armor stand at attention all over the place… Everything Changes When You Are Called Each of these metaphors has served us well in the past, Purdy says, but they are not as useful for today. The metaphor Purdy recommends with much vitality is "Hearers of the Call." His rationale is that this would be the image of one who has heard, and keeps hearing, a persistent summons to belief and action. "Hearers of the Call!" Whether we agree with Purdy or not, that reality is the key to our faithfulness as disciples. The same author goes on to describe how, as a child, he would be outside playing hide and seek with his friends. Inevitably, his front door would open and his mother's voice would call, "John, time to come in!" But Purdy said, "I would go on with hide and seek as though nothing had happened. And to anybody passing by, I looked no different from my playmates." "But", as Purdy continued, "I was different. I had been called - in; everything was changed.” Maxie Dunnam, adapted from John Purdy, Returning God's Call; The Challenge of Christian Living Pray to Gather Strength One time, some time ago, some army troops were participating in a military training exercise in the Mojave Desert. Jim Bolton was on a crew that became separated from the rest of the troops. One of the vehicles in their convoy had lost its traction and had come to rest at the edge of a sand cliff above a fifty-foot drop. The vehicle was hopelessly mired in the sand, and the soldiers in the unit tried to free it several times unsuccessfully. Meanwhile the rest of the company was getting farther away. After another fruitless attempt, when the troops were hot, tired and discouraged, the commander gathered the men together to pray. It seemed kind of out of place for a group of soldiers, and some of the group were uncomfortable with the idea. But after spending a few minutes in prayer, Jim remembers that everyone seemed refreshed. One last time they tried to free the vehicle from the sand, and this time they were successful. Jim doesn't know whether their prayer actually dislodged the vehicle from the cliff's edge or not. But when they took the time to pray, they had a chance to focus their attention on God, relax, and gather their strength. The greatest spiritual weapon we possess is prayer. We can turn to God in prayer at any time. And we can be assured that our prayers will be heard. King Duncan, www.Sermons.com Humility One of my favorite stories, that God uses whenever my head start to swell because everybody keeps telling me I'm such a good preacher is about the preacher who died and went to heaven. This preacher was known as one of the best preachers around. Thousands of people had come to Christ because of his sermons. And he knew it. St. Peter was showing him around and they passed through this huge section of humongous homes. These things were so big, they were nearly Castles, not mansions. Either outside or looking out the window of each of them was a little widow lady or widower or a teenager or a child. And they all looked somewhat overwhelmed by the size of their mansion. The preacher was getting excited, if these people, just you're ordinary every day kind of Christians got those kind of mansions. Imagine what he was going to get. As they ended their trek through the neighborhood, they came upon a large Texas style ranch house. It was gorgeous but wasn't huge. It had everything you could imagine but it was nowhere near what he was expecting. So he asked why? St. Peter sort of grinned and said: "Oh, we appreciate everything you did. You're a great preacher and thousands upon thousands came to Christ because of you. But truthfully, you were just the distraction. The real work, the tough work was done on the knees of every one of those people we passed. They were our prayer warriors. And that's where the real battle was fought." Prayer brings us into the very presence of God. Through prayer we are brought to the throne of grace and we are enabled to stand before God. Not presumptuously but in all humility and because we've been invited there. Billy D. Strayhorn, From the Pulpit, CSS Publishing Company God’s Armor There is a big difference between striving just not to die, and doing all you can to live a life of purpose and meaning. There are freeways, and factories, and families full of people who are just trying not to die. These people keep going to work, keep going on. But they don’t know why. Weekends and vacations become blurry, frantic “festivals” — parties devoted to trying to celebrate something other than the mere survival of another week, another season, another year. For Christians who feel the (enlightening) protective weight of “God’s armor,” there is a different goal: to “stand firm” and to “keep alert.” Christians recognize there are evil forces and genuine enemies. But Christians know that there is a protective layer of divine love that always offers the safety net of salvation. God’s armor does not so much keep us from dying as God’s armor keeps us alive — alive in Christ, alive to love, alive to hope, alive to peace. Leonard Sweet Footprints No doubt you have heard the story Footprints: One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to him, and the other belonging to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, You said that once I decided to follow You, You'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." It's refreshing to be reminded God is with us at all times. I ran across an update which is called "A Variation on Footprints": Now imagine you and the Lord Jesus walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily and consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your prints are disorganized, a stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures and returns. For much of the way, it seems to go like this. But gradually, your footprints come more in line with the Lord's soon paralleling His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends. This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens. Your footprints that were etched in the sand next to the Master's are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints is the small "sand-print," safely enclosed. You and Jesus are becoming one. This goes on for many miles. But you notice another change. The footprint inside the larger footprint seems to grow larger. Eventually, it disappears altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one. Again, this goes on for a long time. But then something awful happens. The second set of footprints is back. And this time, it seems even worse. Zigzags all over the place. They stop. They start. Deep gashes in the sand. A veritable mess of prints. You're amazed and shocked. But this is the end of your dream. Now you speak: "Lord, I understand the first scene with the zigzags and fits and starts and so on. I was a new Christian, just learning. But you walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with you." "That is correct." "Yes, and when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps. I followed You very closely." "Very good. You understand everything so far." "Then the smaller footprints grew and eventually filled in with Yours. I suppose that I was actually growing so much that I was becoming like You in every way." "Precisely." "But this is my question. Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints went back to two, and this time it was worse than the first." The Lord smiles, then laughs. He says, "You didn't know? That was when we danced!" That's what happens when you're equipped. Robert R. Kopp, Golf in the Real Kingdom, CSS Publishing Company • Archie Smith Jr. - there is a difference between stubbornness and sanding firm o Stubbornness - will not listen to different ideas, rejects alternatives, refuses regardless of any facts or change in situation to change position, is not self-reflective or discerning, does not change and does not grow o Standing firm - willingness to listen, debate, consider alternatives to reach a higher goal without sacrificing basic principles. MLK Jr - non-violence, Margaret Sanger - women’s rights After watching a movie or a TV show about a person with superhuman strength, kids may start to believe they could be that person. So they get the mask or the cape, and they are immediately transformed. They go around the house convinced that they are the equivalent of that superhero. A point comes, however, when they are tested just as the superhero was, and reality comes crashing in on them. In the same way, humans struggle to understand God when they view themselves as equal to God. In those moments, they call out to God not for counsel but for explanation. They treat the God of creation as if he is accountable to them instead of the other way around.

Solomon's Wisdom

August 18, 2024 13th Sunday after Pentecost 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14 Solomon’s Wisdom Year B Prelude Greeting Call to Worship (Inspired by Psalm 111) One: Praise the Holy One! Give thanks to God in the congregation. Many: God’s works delight us, inspire us, challenge us, and uphold us. One: Praise the Holy One! Give thanks to God in the congregation. Many. Righteousness endures forever. The covenant is everlasting. One: Praise the Holy One! Give thanks to God in the congregation. Many: Honoring God leads to wisdom. Let us praise the Holy One forever! (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsay) Invocation Holy God, we come together in your presence to offer worship, thanksgiving, and praise. We remember your covenant and acknowledge your abiding presence. Envelop us in your glory, strengthen us to confront the weariness of the world, challenge us to spread the good news, and empower us to be the church you have created us to be. Amen. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsay) Song Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah UMH 127 A Sermon for all Ages Lesson Opening: This lesson discusses the meaning and importance of wisdom, and the story of King Solomon. Consider some activities involving choice or moral dilemma to introduce the topic. To get started, select from one of the following openers, or select another of your own choosing! • Following instructions: wisdom comes from following God’s instructions. Play a simple game like “Simon Says” or “Follow the Leader” to practice following directions. • Ask: Have you heard of wisdom? Who do you think of as wise? • Bible Lesson:1 Kings 3:3-14; Ephesians 5:15-21 • Use whatever translation best suits you and your audience. This passage is one that could be acted out dramatically or simply read and described in turns. Most of the verses here are from the Old Testament, with a follow-up portion from Ephesians. • Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. -1 Kings 3:3 • Set the stage by reminding students of who King David was, and explaining that his son Solomon had now taken over the throne. Solomon followed God for the most part, though he sometimes made mistakes…in this story, Solomon meets God. • Ask: If someone offered to give you something, anything in the whole world, what do you think you would ask for? • Describe how wisdom comes from God. We might think we are wise, but in our own eyes that just amounts to pride. True wisdom comes when we ask God for it, and He is happy to grant that request! God wants us to want wisdom. When we pray, listen to God, and study His word of truth (the Bible), we’ll know more about making positive choices and doing things that will be a blessing to ourselves and others. • Turn attention to another passage that reminds us of the importance of wisdom. Remind students that Ephesians is an “epistle” or letter, and that Paul is writing a letter here to remind people to be wise rather than foolish, and live for God and for others, celebrating what Christ has done… Pray: Say a prayer of thanksgiving to God for HIS wisdom and might. Ask for help in making decisions and doing what’s best. (Kristin Hughley) Affirmation of faith (from the Confession of 1967) In Jesus of Nazareth, true humanity was realized once for all. Jesus, a Palestinian Jew, lived among his own people and shared their needs, temptations, joys, and sorrows. He expressed the love of God in word and deed and became a brother to all. The risen Christ is the Savior of all humanity. Those joined to him by faith are set right with God and commissioned to serve as his reconciling community. Christ is head of this community, the church, which begins with the apostles and continues through all generations. God’s sovereign love is a mystery beyond the reach of the human mind. Human thought ascribes to God superlatives of power, wisdom, and goodness. But God reveals his love in Jesus Christ by showing power in the form of a servant, wisdom in the folly of the cross, and goodness in receiving sinners. The power of God’s love to transform the world discloses that the Redeemer is the Lord and Creator who made all things to serve the purpose of his love. (Presbyterian Outlook, Barbara Chaapel) Scripture 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14 Sermon Solomon’s Wisdom Song Now Thank we all our God UMH 102 Prayers of the People (Presbyterian Outlook, Barbara Chaapel) (don’t print the whole prayer) All-loving God, creator, redeemer and sustainer of our lives, you are Truth, Grace and Love. For your presence with us, we are deeply grateful. Grateful for this earth, our home. For this church, our sanctuary and our community. For each other, our neighbors and for strangers that would become neighbors. And for our calling, our vocation to go into all the world in your name to serve those in need, to companion the lone and the lost. To befriend the friendless. To try to speak and do what is just, and what is loving. We are thankful for music, for the beauty of color, for silence, for the truth of diversity and variety in the fabric of your world. We are grateful for the changing seasons of the year, for growth and for fading, for sea and sky, for the cycling of days. For those with whom we share the world, and for those we love and those who love us. We pray that there may be more places of sanctuary in the world. Safety from the horrors of war. Safety from the violence of guns. Safety from the ravages of power that excludes the poor, the hungry, the old, the sick, the differently abled. Safety for those who feel unseen, unheard, unattended by love. We pray especially this day for the safety of children, whether they are in Israel, in Gaza, in Ukraine, in Darfur, or in our own towns and cities. And for the safety of the world’s seas and lands and wildlife, that they may have places of sanctuary from destruction and extinction. We honor the Indigenous peoples who lived here and loved this land long before we were here. May we hold their sorrow and face honestly the damage our ancestors perpetrated. May we honor the beauty of their tradition and learn its wisdom. As the natural world around us comes to its season of fullness and harvest, we are grateful for food, for daily bread, for the abundance of the land, for those who farm and harvest its good fruits. May all your people and creatures feed in abundance, and taste and smell the fragrance of earth’s produce. Show us ways to share the bounty that we have. We pray today for those who have recently lost those they love. For those who approach the end of life. For those who are sick and long for healing. Comfort them, calm their fears, heal their bodies and their spirits with your loving presence. May they see the sure sign of resurrection in the tiny seed planted in the earth, now grown to abundant harvest, and may they experience the hope of new life promised by your Son. For we know, dear God, that we are never alone; that peace touches our hearts; that love holds our hands; that you are near, our living heart. And so, on this Sabbath day, prepare our way into the ministry you call us to take up. We pray this and all our prayers, in the name of the One who taught us to pray, saying together, “Our Father …”. Lord’s Prayer Response to the Word (John 6) We have heard the word of God today. It is a taste of the bread from heaven. We have experienced the joy of worship. It is a taste of the cup of salvation. We have experienced God’s provision for our life. It is a taste of eternal life. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Jamie Greening) Stewardship Moment In the letter to the Ephesians, believers are instructed how to live: “not as unwise people but as wise.” Sometimes, it takes the wisdom of a child for us to grasp how to live as faithful stewards of all we’ve been given. The story is told of a little boy in church for the first time, who watched as the ushers passed around offering plates. When they came near his pew, the boy said loudly, “Don’t pay for me, Daddy, I’m only five.” Gratefully, in this place, we don’t pay on the basis of being members of a club or observers at a concert or ball game. Instead, we share from the abundance God has already provided for us. When we listen to those who are truly wise, child or adult, we’re able to recognize so many of the true gifts we’ve been given — the air we breathe, the food we eat, the love which surrounds us. Our natural response becomes one of gratitude. So this morning, in true appreciation for the gifts we’ve been given, no matter what our age may be, let’s offer our tithes and gifts to God. Prayer of Thanksgiving Remembering how Jesus invited his followers to love one another, we offer these gifts as signs of our love for our sisters and brothers. Because we have received much from your bounty, God, we ask you now to accept these gifts, to multiply them and allow us to use them so your presence will be known more fully in this congregation, in our community, and in your whole cosmos. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for those on Facebook Beloved of God, go from this place blessed with: Peace! Yes! Joy! Yes! Wisdom! Yes! And grace to share with all! Yes! Thanks be to God. Amen. Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, May 2024. Community Time Joys and concerns Benediction Filled to the brim with the goodness of God; the nourishment of Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, and the power of the Holy Spirit, go now in peace to serve God in all that you think, do and say. God’s peace will always be with you. AMEN. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) Additional illustrations

A Permanent Home - repreach 2009

July 21, 2024 2 Samuel 7:1-14 A Permanent Home 9th Sunday After Pentecost Year B Prelude Call to Worship Come away, disciples of Christ, and rest from your labors. We are weary from our work. Come away, disciples of Christ, and leave the demands of the crowds. There are always more who need our help. Come away, disciples of Christ, and be renewed in fellowship with our shepherd. We too love the sheep, but need our own renewal. We too need to hear anew the teachings of Jesus, to give us strength for the journey. Come away, disciples of Christ, and draw courage from the one who gives us peace. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, BJ Beu) Invocation Wonderful Creator, you come to us with power and gentleness, strength and compassion, peace and joy. We come to you with hope and hopelessness, love and heartbreak, thanksgiving and lament. You fortify us as we go on our journey, assured of your presence and renewed by your love. Give us rest in our coming and our going. Give us joy in ministering in your name. May our worship restore our soul as we dwell in your presence. Amen. (Disciples of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsey) Song Near to the Heart of God UMH 472 Children’s Sermon Title: God’s Promise to David Scripture: 2 Samuel 7 Target Age Group: 3rd-5th grade Lesson Opening Ask: Has someone ever made a promise to you? What was the promise? Did they keep it? Say: People don’t always keep their promises, but you know who does? God! Throughout the Bible we read about many promises that God made to different people, and He always kept those promises. Our story today is about a promise God made to King David, and what’s really cool about this promise is that in some ways it was fulfilled in David’s lifetime, but in other ways God’s promise was kept throughout all eternity! Tell the Story Explain It (Book): This is where you school ‘em! Say: Our story comes from the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel. This is the book that tells the story of David’s life. We have heard several stories from 2 Samuel already, including David being anointed as king, and David fighting Goliath. Last week we learned that Saul, Israel’s first king, was so jealous of David that he wanted to kill him! Say: During a battle between Israel and the Philistines Saul and David’s friend Jonathan, Saul’s son, were both killed. David was finally free from Saul’s attempts to take his life, but he was still saddened by the news that they had died. Say: God had strengthened David and given him victory over all his enemies. Finally there was peace in Israel and David settled into his palace. As he looked at all the splendor around him he said to Nathan the prophet, “How can I possibly go on living in such a beautiful palace while the ark of God stays in a tent on the outskirts of the city?” Say: You see, David had brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, but there wasn’t yet a place for it to rest permanently. So the Ark remained in a tent that David had set up for it. Say: David wanted to build a house for God! Ask: If you were to build a house for God, what would it look like? What would be inside? Ask: Can any building or house truly contain God? Of course not! But David wanted to build a house, or a temple, where God’s presence would dwell and the people could worship the Lord. David wanted to honor God by building a temple. Say: That night the Lord spoke to Nathan telling him what to say to David. God said, “During all the years that Israel traveled in the wilderness I never asked anyone to build me a house. My presence was with you and I traveled in a tent so that I could be near to you. But now I will establish my people in this land and they will have peace at last. I will make David’s name great and I will bless him greatly.” Say: As God continued speaking He made an incredible promise to David. Let’s hear to God’s Word together, and as I read, listen for the promise that He made… Read 2 Samuel 7:11a-16 The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever…Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” Ask: Did you hear the promise God made to David? What was it? Say: God promised that even though David wouldn’t be the one to build a house for him, David’s son would. God also promised that there would always be someone from David’s family on the throne ruling over Israel! Ask: If you were David and had just heard God promise all these wonderful things to you, how do you think you would feel? How would you respond to God? Say: David responded by worshipping God. He was overwhelmed by God’s goodness toward Him and he prayed a prayer of thankfulness. Let’s read David’s response to God. Read 2 Samuel 7:18-29 (portions) Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD?…. How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears…. And now, LORD God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, ‘the LORD Almighty is God over Israel!’ Connect it (Look): Apply it & Answer “How?” Ask: Do you think God kept His promise to David? You bet He did! After David died his son Solomon became the next King over Israel. And just like God promised, Solomon built a beautiful temple for God. We’ll hear more about Solomon and the temple in a few weeks! Ask: What was the other promise God made to David? (That someone from David’s family would always rule over Israel.) Say: God also kept that promise! Ask: Did you know that Jesus was David’s great, great, great, great, great, great grandson? Say: Even though Jesus didn’t sit on a literal throne in Israel, Jesus is the King of kings! He is the ruler of the entire universe! God kept His promise to David by sending Jesus through David’s family. God’s promise is still being fulfilled even to this day, because Jesus is still the King over all creation. Ask: Will there ever be a time when someone else becomes king instead of Jesus? Say: No way! Jesus is our King forever. There is no one more powerful than Jesus, and we can praise Him because He is a good and perfect King in every way. Ask: What are some reasons that Jesus is a good king? Say: One thing that makes Jesus a wonderful King is that He truly loves and cares for us, His people. He cares so much for us in fact that He was willing to die for us. Apart from King Jesus we are totally separated from God because of our sin. But Jesus is such a kind and good king that He died on the cross so our sin could be forgiven. Jesus has made a way for us to be brought back to God! Now, whoever puts their faith in Jesus is part of His forever kingdom! God’s Kingdom isn’t just in heaven when we die. His kingdom is also here and now! We can live in God’s kingdom now by following Jesus. Ask: What are some ways that we can be part of God’s kingdom? (Obey and love God, love God’s Word, care for others, share the gospel, etc.) Say: We can thank God for inviting us to be part of His Kingdom by sending Jesus to be our forever King. Let’s pray and thank God now! Review Questions • What did David want to build for God? (A temple) • Who did God use to tell David that he wouldn’t be the one to build the temple? (Nathan) • What was God’s promise to David? (David’s son would build a temple, and someone from David’s family would always be on the throne.) • Who is our forever King? (Jesus!) • What does this story teach us about God? Affirmation of Faith UMH #887 Passing of the Peace Scripture 2 Samuel 7:1-14 Sermon Walls – why we need them Walls are an important part of our life. What would we do without them, especially in our climate. They protect us, they help us define ourselves, it separates us from people and things that are not in our best interest. And there are certain walls, in certain buildings with have great meaning for us. They tell our story of who we are and what is important to us. Houses – beautiful homes Walls are an important part of our dwellings. They create beautiful homes and buildings. Beautiful houses of God Some of the most beautiful buildings in the world are the ones that we build for God. Churches are beautiful buildings dedicated to God. We just got someone asking to get married in our sanctuary, because it was such a beautiful place. Creating a beautiful place to worship God is a part of our worship experience. So when David decided that he was going to build a beautiful house for God – he was just trying to make sure that his God, had the same respect that all of the others gods of the people around him had. When a national leader came into power, it was expected that you would build a momument for God. What better monument to God could there be besides a house to come and to worship, and say thank you and to acknowledge God as the king of our lives. David’s intention -If he was going to be king – God had to be king David’s intention were very pure. He realized that if he was going to be King, that God had to also be King. God ad brought him from a very long way. God had brought him through some pretty tough times. God had bought his people through some times which questioned the very foundation of who they were and who they were supposed to be. But God had bought David to a good place now, he had bought the country to a stable place. And it was time to make sure that God was in that same place, and taken care of just as well. David had to learn an important lesson that day. Just because the world changes, just because our understanding of God changes – God remains the same. Nathan said no David was told that he was not the build God’s house. That God was not ready to join him in the mist of his success God is still king. God lives with the people.God doesn’t live inside of walls. David could not build a house for God – but God would build a house for David. God promised David that there would always be a member of his family on the throne. That his son would build the temple That his sons would be blessed, and that his son would have to power to be raised up so that David’s name would be remembered forever. People are the true house of God. God doesn’t live within walls, and never will. The true house of God is the hearts of his people. That is where God has always lived and where God will always live. God is free to live with the people. The real problem are walls of our hearts. Walls are important to us, they protect us. They define us, they tell our story. But walls can also hold us in, they can keep us trapped in beliefs that no longer serve out best interest, they can keep other people out, they can keep us from really witnesses what god is doing in the world. They do not contain the spirit of God. The real problem is not the walls that we build around us, the real problem is the walls that we build inside of us. Soldier story In World War I, there was a soldier who was killed in France. His friends wanted to make sure that he was buried before they had to move on. They went to the nearest cemetery to ask if they could bury their friend. The priest asked if he had been baptized catholic – and he had not. So the priest said that he could not be buried. Distraught they buried their friend right outside of the walls of the cemetery. The next day – the priest feeling guilty for not allowing the soldier to be buried within the walls –went outside and moved the fence, so that the soldiers grave would be inside. There are barriers that still need to be torn down People still need to bring them down. Ephesians talks about the walls of our hearts. The ways that we define ourselves in order to exclude those who are not like us. There were still ways that the congregation was dividing itself. Jews felt that they could not associate with gentiles. Greeks felt they could not talk to barbarians. - Anyone who is not like me is an outsider was the mindset. Ephesians message was that through Christ we are a new people. We are one people. Like to priest of the cemetery. He doesn’t change the rules, he just expands them to include everyone else. He changes definitions. The jews separated themselves as a way to get close to God – Through Christ, we are all bought near to God. Ephesians – we go from strangers to family All people, no matter who we are go from strangers and aliens to citizens, saints, members of the household of God. We go from divided, suspicious, self destructive to unified, loving and most importantly hopeful. Kindergarten story There is a television documentary about a kindergarten teacher who noticed that the thing she heard most on the playground was “No you cant play with us”. So she made a rule that from now on, all children had to play with whomever asked to play. Even in kindergarten, the children protested. How could we play with anyone who asked. We have a right to define who we want to play with. Other kids in the school could not understand this rule either. Why would you play with just anyone? The kindergarten agreed that they would try to go along with the rule for a week. When they say it worked – they agreed to do it all of the time. It helped them to meet new friends. A few years later, the teacher saw one of her former students in the store. Lisa was twelve now. She asked her old teacher if she still used the play with anyone rule. Yes replied the teacher. Lisa told her teacher that she too stuck to the rule – if including anyone who wanted to play with her in her world. It was very difficult. She got a lot of flack from her friends. A lot of people did not understand her, even more criticized her. But it was important for her to carry on with the rule to learn to play with anyone. How do we play with others? Walls are beautiful things. They are an important part of our life. But they also keep us locked in, they trap us, they stop us from seeing what God is doing in the world, and they stop us from participating in the real work of God. God inside of our walls, but God is also in the world. God dwells in the homes created for God, but God also lives in the hearts of his people. Those inside and outside. Who are the outsiders today? Who are the ones asking to play with us, and what are the ways that we tell them no? Today we live in a world that is so global, that we are neighborhood is bigger them we can comprehend. Jesus is calling us to think beyond being a good neighbor – to become a family of brothers and sisters. In spite of our differences, inspite of our different understandings – there is only one God. One god who has been with the people and always will. Where are we? Song I Love Thy Kingdom Lord UMH 540 Pastoral Prayer God of peace and hope, we are a nation focused on activity. From every source of media we have opportunities to go and see and do a host of activities. They beckon us to come and have fun, there are activities for all ages. But one of the most necessary activities we neglect is our need for rest. We crowd each day, that has been given by you as a blessing, with busyness. We forget what it is like to sit and listen, to rest, to take time to reflect. Help us to find the quiet moments in which our souls can be made whole again. We know that there will always be much for us to do to serve you in this world, but if we keep up this hectic pace, we will be unable to accomplish anything. We have lifted before you this day names of dear ones for whom we have concern. We feel helpless to lift their burdens and their sorrows. Let us turn these concerns over to you, for you are the Master Healer who restores our souls. Help us to place our trust and our lives in your unending care. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Paul, writing to the Christians in Corinth, describes in great detail how he and his companions have engaged in ministry despite the hurdles they needed to overcome. How are we engaging in ministry in our own community, in 2024? Are you, are WE, engaging every day with patience, kindness, genuine love and truthful speech? Can we honestly declare and defend our work as servants of God? We can demonstrate our own desire to join with Paul as loving followers of Jesus as we share our morning offering. Will you let your financial contribution be one signal of your desire to fully engage in ministry? When you give a significant gift (meaning a portion, not a pittance; a tithe, not a token), you show your connection to those who endured much to share the Gospel. With a wide-open heart Paul appeals to the Corinthians to respond to his letter by opening their own hearts. Today, I do the same. Friends, let’s share our gifts, helping us open wide our own hearts to the love of God we know in Jesus Christ. Prayer of Thanksgiving With deep gratitude, God, we offer these gifts to you. We’re grateful for the many people of faith who have gone before us: Paul, Lydia, Peter, many from our own congregation. Help us use each gift to extend your Realm here on earth, sharing Good News with those who yearn to live in loving relationship with you, with others in this community, and with the wider world. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook Beloved, listen! God calls us to worship in our gathering and in our scattering. May the Triune God bless you as you go from this place to answer God’s call to worship in everything you do in thought, word, and deed that you may be a blessing of love, hope, and peace to all you meet. Amen. Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, May 2024. Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction In your coming and going, may you encounter Jesus on the journey. In your coming and going, may you touch the source of power and healing. In your coming and going, may you find rest. Come and go in peace. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsey) Additional Illustrations

Worthy of Gods Call

August 4, 2024 Ephesians 4:1-16 Year B Worthy of God’s Call Prelude Call to Worship Come, let us serve the Lord with gladness! In Christ we are united as beloved members of the family of God. We are called to serve in larger ways for God than one alone can do. We are also united with all the saints of history. Let us celebrate how nothing across the ages can stop the church. Blessed be the name of the Lord! Invocation Feed us, O God, in this time we spend together, with bread that is eternal. Unite us in a faithful response to your saving activity through Jesus Christ. Open us now to hear and experience, deep within, the word you intend for each one of us. Amen. Song the Churches One Foundation UMH 546 Children’s Sermon Bible Lesson: A Worthy Walk Ephesians has taught us that believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph.3). (For our class I created a visual with the following statements and put a blank for the words that are underlined.) Reviewing what we have learned, help me complete the following statements: • Believers have been chosen before the foundation of the world. • Believers have redemption through Jesus’ blood, the forgiveness of sins. • Believers have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. • Believers are God’s workmanship created to do good works which God prepared in advance. • Believers can do God’s work through the power of the Holy Spirit. If you and I are believers these statements should affect the way we live our lives. Let’s turn in our Bibles to Ephesians 4 and read verse 1. Paul urges believers to live a life worthy of the calling they have received. What does worthy mean? (Dictionary.com “deserving of, fit for”) Paul is urging believers to live a life that is fit for the high calling of being a believer in Christ. Believers have been bought with a high price with the death and shed blood of Jesus. (1 Cor. 6:19) The five statements we just reviewed should affect what we believe and how we walk or live in our private and public life. Ephesians 4 tells us what a worthy walk of a believer looks like. To help us visualize a worthy walk we have the two paths of life, the righteous life and the wicked. We said that a believer is righteous because of their faith in Jesus. However, when a person becomes a follower of Jesus they still have two natures, the Spirit-filled righteous nature and the sinful wicked nature. Remind me again what a believer needs to do to live a Spirit-filled life and not live a sinful life? (Walk daily with the Lord Jesus having a personal quiet time, reading His Word, praying and obeying what He teaches.) On the two paths we will put the brown footprints on the path of the wicked/sinful and the red footprints on the righteous Spirit-filled path. When we complete our study of Ephesians 4 we will clearly see steps of what a worthy walk that pleases God looks like. Choose volunteers to read verses 2-6. What does Paul say are attitudes that a worthy walk includes? (Humble, gentle, patient, enduring love, pursues unity) Paul tells us what unifies all believers in verses 4-6. What are the seven things that Paul says all believers should be unified or in agreement with? (One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all) Let’s read verse 8. What did Jesus give to men (believers)? (Gifts) When you arrived we worked on a spiritual gifts survey to help you identify the areas that God has gifted you to serve. Let’s read verses 11-14. Why does Paul tell us these spiritual gifts were given? 1-to prepare God’s people for works of service 2-for the Body of Christ may be built up until everyone reaches spiritual maturity If you discovered what your spiritual gifts are who are you to use them for? They are to be used for God’s service not for your own desire for fame. Read 15-16. How are believers to speak truth? (In love) A worthy walk for believers includes speaking the truth with love. Ephesians 4:17-32 gives us the picture of how a worthy walk for a believer includes putting away things that are from the wicked path of life and putting on attitudes and actions that please God. Read 17-24. What does Paul tell us we need to put off? (Old self) Why? (It is being corrupted by its deceitful desires) What are believers to put on? (New self) Why should believers have a different attitude? (We were created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness) A worthy walk for believers includes a renewed mind with Christ-like attitudes. How do you think a believer is able to have a mind that is renewed with the right attitudes that please God? (Spending time daily in His Word and prayer) Responsive Reading Psalm 51:1-12 UMH 785 Scripture Ephesian 4:1-16 Sermon Worthy of God’s Call If you went to Wall Street and asked the question: "What is the secret of greatness?" Wall Street would say: "Money, and lots of it." If you were to go to Washington and ask: "What is the secret of greatness?" They would say, "Political clout." If you were to go to Hollywood and ask: "What is the secret of greatness?" Hollywood would say: "Fame." But the greatest man who ever lived, Jesus Christ, had a different answer. He said, "Whoever wants to become great must be a servant to others." (Mt. 20:26 GWT) Success and greatness in the kingdom of God is far different than what it is on planet earth. In the kingdom of God there is no easy way; there is no easy elevator to the top. To get to the top in God's eyes you've got to take the stairs of service. Jesus said again, "For even I didn't come to be served, but to serve others and give My life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45 NLT) The secret to greatness in the kingdom of God is not how many servants you have, but what kind of a servant you are. You remember the story in John chapter 13 when Jesus approached the disciples in the Upper Room where they were going to have the Last Supper? To their surprise He was wearing a towel around His waist and carrying a bowl of water. Peter said, "What's going on?" Jesus said, "It's time to wash feet." Peter sneered and said, "I'm not washing feet, not even yours." Jesus said, "I know, I'm washing yours." Recently I was flying into Washington, DC, and as always I immediately saw the Washington Monument which towers above the entire city. It is 555 ft. 5 1/8 in. high. From the lobby to the observation level it is 50 stories. To get to the top you could either take the elevator, which is the easy way up, or you can take the stairs, 896 of them in all, which is the harder way to the top. As I was gazing at that monument I remembered my good friend Zig Ziglar telling the story of going to Washington, DC and visiting the Washington Monument. He said as he approached the Monument there was a line that seemed like it was a mile long. He walked up to the front to hear what the guide was saying, and the guide announced that there would be a two hour wait to ride the elevator to the top of the Monument. Then with a smile on his face, the guide said, "There's no one waiting to go to the top if you're willing to take the stairs." Sometimes being a Christian can be a challenge, when you are listening to the world. But when we listen to God, it defintitely has its rewards. God also intentionally gives us tools to make the journey easier. We are given the church as a place of support and growing, we have the bible to read how others did it, it also teaches us how to live in a spiritually healthy way. We have teachers and guides, most importantly, God sent Jesus into the world to show us the pathway to getting closer to God. I have been visiting fairs for the last few weeks. One of my favorite things to do is to browse the exhibits. There has always been a few churches within the exhibits. And maybe I just look like a bad person, or maybe the church assumes that all people who attend the fair are bad. One asked me if I died tomorrow if I was sure that I was going to heaven, and I said I certainly hope so since I am a pastor. Another saw me walking by and immediately asked me if I knew the gospel. I told him yes, I think so, I am a pastor. He looked at me still doubting my character and then said, but do you know the gospel of Jesus Christ. I asked him if there was any other kind of gospel out there. The only person who wants to tell the good news to the people is Jesus. The conversation got a little better once I convinced him that I was a United Methodist Pastor. And he was okay once he realized that I indeed did know the bible, and what it teaches about eternal life. That is the message of our scripture today. Even in the midst of all of our differences, even within the church, There is only one Jesus Christ. Epesians says that there is only one Lord, One faith, one baptism, one God who is over all, through all, and in all. Today’s verses are a continuation of last week’s lesson of what God expects of us. Today, Paul gives us words of encouragement to keep the faith, to nurture and take care of one another, to bring others into the fold, and to always be willing to grow in God. I heard about a pastor who gathered his congregation in a circle and told them to picture God at the center of the circle. Then he instructed them to move forward to God. The group complied but at one point they came shoulder to shoulder with each other and stopped. This pastor then said, “You can’t get closer to God without at the same time getting closer to one another.” (5) Maybe we ought to do that exercise some time to emphasize that we are a unit, we are the body of Jesus Christ. You cannot split a body asunder, and have that body carry out its task. We are called to be Jesus in earthly flesh to the world, and it is important that we work together and love one another. So St. Paul says that our unity is critical. Ephesians gives us a list of 7 things that give us strength and support in growing in God. Conduct yourself with humility, gentleness, patience, accept the spirit of peace within you, preserve the unity, have hope,builf up yhr body of Christ, the church. The church grows when you grow. Today we sing a song, One Lord, One faith, one baptism – it is believed that these words are part of a baptism ritual. We all become one with Christ and with the purpose of the gospel when we are baptized. The Episcopal ritual captures this purpose beautifully. It ask - will you strive for justice and peace amongst all people and respect the dignity of every human being? The response is with God’s help I will. In the Methodist tradition we are asked to renounce the forces of wickedness, to remember our faith, to support the church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. When we are baptized, we become a part of the faith – and we live the gospel in everything that we do. I think I just told this story, but it fits perfectly here. There were a group of kindergarteners, who were doing a painting assignment. There were allowed to paint anything that they wanted. Usually when I would get those assignments, I would draw a story and then just pain over it and cover the whole page, One little girl was drawing a picture like that, she was very intent on her masterpiece, so the teacher asked her what she was painting. She said a picture of God. The teachers said but no one has ever seen God, they don’t know what God looks like. She reported weel they wiil when I am finish. Our lives are the maspterpiece that reveals God for the rest of the world. Bishop Prince Taylor is one of my favorite people. I always look forward to seeing him at our meeting of the Executive Committee of the World Methodist Council. Though retired as a bishop, and also, as chairman of the Council, he is always present at our meetings. Recently he told me one of his marvelous stories. He was visiting a tribe deep in the interior of Liberia where he served for a period of time as a bishop. When he arrived after a long, hard journey, the old chief welcomed him formally. Then he said, “Bishop, we believe in God. But sometimes He seems so far away. You be God for us today.” People everywhere are asking that of us. They may not speak it verbally, but their lives cry out for it. We are to be living reminders of the Kingdom, by being living reminders of Christ’s spirit - the fruits of the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, goodness, self- control, - he fruits of the spirit, expressed in ministry to others. Gifts are given for that purpose - to minister and then Paul adds the second purpose for our gifts - he edifying of the body of Christ.” That’s the reason this last truth must be sounded boldly: Four pastors were discussing their favorite Bible translations. One liked the King James because of its beautiful language. Another liked the New Revised Standard version. A third liked the contemporary version The Message. The 4th minister said, "My favorite translation was my Mother's." The other preachers said they didn't know his mother had translated the Bible. "Yes, she did," he replied. "Every day she translated the Bible into life and it was the most convincing translation I ever witnessed!" (3) Our actions tell God’s story for the world. WE are God’s team. When we work together, we not only build up one another, but we also build the kingdom of God. Anglican Bishop James Cruckshank was once asked by a student, “What is the first thing we should do when we start with a new church?” Bishop Cruckshank immediately replied. “Once you arrive, go to your office, sit down and remain there until you realize that what your church is doing is the most important mission in the community. And then give thanks that Christ has called you to be part of it.” (2) The “most important mission in the community” I ask again: how important is church to you? Do you believe that God has a plan for our church? Do you believe that what we are doing, preparing this world for the coming of the Kingdom of God by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is the most important work any group of people can do? Do you believe that or do you look at the church as just another organization that you belong to because it is good for the children or, perhaps, good for business? What makes out church so special, what makes our mission so special? It has you and me in it. When we work together, it changes the the world. Unity laced with love, grace, justice, holiness, prayer and peace, can work miracles and transform the world. Let us pray….. Song In Christ there is not East or West UMH 548 PASTORAL PRAYER It is easy for us to go through the motions of spirituality. We want to say the "right" prayers, and think that we have found the magical key to make holiness appear in our lives. But we are empty, Lord. We hunger and thirst for something that will sustain us through all the times of our lives. We chase after things that will disappoint and hurt, and look past the very thing that will heal and cleanse our lives. Christ is your Bread of Life, the Manna from Heaven, which was and is sent to feed and sustain us in all the wildernesses through which we travel. Help us to stop running after the glitz and glitter, the easy wealth; help us to look truly for the one who will quench our thirst and nourish our souls. As we have lifted up names of people and situations which lay heavy on our hearts today that need your healing touch, help us to remember that we stand continually in need of your healing mercy. Bring us to you, with open and repentant hearts, for your loving care. As we receive the wondrous gift of bread and wine, may we truly be reminded that Christ nurtures and feeds u s with his own life. When we have been nourished, may we go from this place in renewed commitment to serve you, O God, with our very lives. AMEN. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) Lord’s Prayer Offertory Invitation (do not print) As we have been fed, we are sent to feed others. Whatever their need, we now the source of food to nourish them. God supplies the resources we have to give. Let us participate in God’s redeeming activity through our offering of self and substance. Offertory Prayer May our gifts be a worthy response to your call, and our service be a faithful reply to the love we have known in Christ. May these offerings and our lives be poured out in all lowliness, meekness, and patience to communicate your love and your peace. Amen Communion Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook Hunger. Thirst. Death. They have nothing do with us! For we have tasted the bread of life! Feed on this true bread from heaven today, tomorrow and forever, and you will learn the meaning of eternity. Amen. Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction The Bread of Life has called and fed you. Now go forth into God’s world to nourish others, bring God’s love, hope and peace. AMEN. ( United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) Additional Illustrations The pace of living in our society is causing everyone to become less patient, more demanding. The Behavioral Medicine Research Center at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, discovered that those people scoring high in hostility or cynicism have a higher mortality rate. Cynical, hostile people are constantly on the lookout for trouble, so they are more likely to find it. Some of these people will never change. There isn't a lot the church can do to help the irrational, ignorant, hostile person who is always looking for the worst in others. Today, you may not be the husband, the wife, the son, or the daughter you ought to be, but it's never too late to be the person you can be tomorrow. We have received a calling. That's just what it is, because it recognizes that this may not be who you are today. It is calling you to become someone different: completely humble and gentle, patient, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Amen. CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Sermons for Sundays after Pentecost (Middle Third): Sleeping in on Sunday, by Thomas Lentz The body is not confined to any one denomination. A Lutheran once visited the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, and walked up to Dr. W. A. Criswell after the service, and said, "Dr. Criswell, you are so narrow-minded, I bet you think only Baptists are going to heaven." Dr. Criswell said, "I'm more narrow minded than that." The man said, "You are?" Dr. Criswell said, "Yes, I don't even believe all Lutherans are going to heaven." The only people that are going to heaven are born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is one body. There is one Spirit. (v.4) This one Spirit, of course, is the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that creates the body. It is the Holy Spirit that coordinates the body. It is the Holy Spirit that consecrates the body, both corporately and individually. That one Spirit indwells every believer, whether Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, or Charismatic. That indwelling of the Spirit is the basis of our spiritual unity. There is an old parable I read years ago of some Tools that were having a meeting. Brother Hammer was presiding, but the Tools had decided they no longer wanted Brother Hammer to lead. As a matter of fact, they wanted him kicked out of the Tool Chest because he was rough and always made a lot of noise. Brother Hammer heatedly responded: "Well, if I have to go, Brother Screw will have to go too, because he is so lazy you have to turn him over and over to get him to do anything." Brother Screw jumped up and said, "Well, if I have to go, Brother Plane has to go. All the work he ever does is just on the surface. He never gets down to where the deep hard work is." Brother Plane stood up and replied, "Well, if I have to go so does Mr. Saw." He has so many rough edges that he's always doing things that are very cutting." Brother Saw jumped to his feet and said, "Well, if I have to go Mrs. Sandpaper has to go. She's so rough and she's always rubbing people the wrong way." The Tools were at one another's throat bickering and arguing until the Carpenter from Nazareth took them all to his work bench, using each Tool. He made a pulpit from which to preach the Word of God. Then the Tools discovered that when they were yielded to the hands of the Master Carpenter, they could be used working together to build something no one Tool could build alone. Mr. Hammer addressed the Tools again, and said, "It seems to me that when we work together, each doing what we were made to do, the Master can use us." Then all the Tools cried out, "Mr. Hammer, you hit the nail right on the head!" We all need to learn one lesson since we are a part of the same body, and members of that body: It does not matter who gets the credit as long as the job gets done, and God gets the glory. Where love is the proof of maturity in the body, likeness is the purpose of maturity in the body. The ultimate test of my ministry is not how many people we have in Sunday School, not how much money we take up on a given Sunday, not how many buildings we build, not how many parking spaces we pave, not how many acres of land we own. The ultimate test of my ministry is how much you are becoming like the Lord Jesus Christ. When you become like Jesus you want to live for Jesus, and you want to live for Jesus because you fall more deeply in love with Jesus. Back during World War II the Nazis incessantly bombed London, and in the process destroyed a beautiful cathedral. In front of that cathedral was a statue of the Lord Jesus Christ that was badly damaged. Some students got together after the bombing stopped to rebuild this cathedral. After they finished rebuilding the cathedral they decided to rebuild the statue of Christ. They put the entire statue back together except his arms and his hands, which were so badly damaged and destroyed they could not be replaced. Then they came up with a brilliant idea. The inscription at the bottom of the statue read originally "Come unto Me." But they simply changed that inscription to read, "Christ has no hands but our hands." Jesus is the invisible part of the visible Christian, and we are to be the visible part of the invisible Christ. We are to be His eyes that see a lost and dying world; His ears that hear the cries of the hurting and the hopeless; His hands to help the poor and the weary; His feet to go to the ends of the earth, and His mouth to share the gospel of eternal life. When we do that, motivated by love for the Savior, a love for the saint, and a love for the sinner, that is body building at its best. There is one body. (v.4) This means there is one true church made up of all believers of all the ages who have trusted Christ alone for salvation, been washed from their sins by His blood, and have been born again. This body is not denominational, geographical, ecclesiastical, or racial. The body is not confined to any one denomination. A Lutheran once visited the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, and walked up to Dr. W. A. Criswell after the service, and said, "Dr. Criswell, you are so narrow-minded, I bet you think only Baptists are going to heaven." Dr. Criswell said, "I'm more narrow minded than that." The man said, "You are?" Dr. Criswell said, "Yes, I don't even believe all Lutherans are going to heaven." The only people that are going to heaven are born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is one body. There is one Spirit. (v.4) This one Spirit, of course, is the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that creates the body. It is the Holy Spirit that coordinates the body. It is the Holy Spirit that consecrates the body, both corporately and individually. That one Spirit indwells every believer, whether Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, or Charismatic. That indwelling of the Spirit is the basis of our spiritual unity. When that one Spirit fills every believer, you will then have practical unity. You see, the Holy Spirit has one desire to glorify the Son of God. The Holy Spirit leads in one direction to identify the will of God. The Holy Spirit has one design to magnify the Word of God. The Holy Spirit has one determination to edify the church of God. To the extent that every believer is filled with the Holy Spirit, there will be Spirit-filled unity. There is one hope. (v. 4) This one hope is the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Titus said we should be "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13) We may disagree on the facets of the second coming, but not the fact of the second coming. Everybody has an opinion about the exact details of the second coming of Jesus. You have people who are amillennial; they don't believe in a millennial reign. Then you have people who are pre-millennial; they think Jesus is coming back before the millennial reign. You have people who are post-millennial; they believe Jesus is coming back after the millennial reign. Then you have pan-millennialists; they just believe it is all going to pan out. Then you have pro-millennialists; they're for it. But regardless of where you may fall, the one thing to remember is, none of us are on the program committee, but we all can be on the welcoming committee. The thing we must rally around is the fact of the second coming of Jesus Christ. There is one Lord. (v.5) That refers to none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. As we look back in time, and up to the present, there have been a lot of religious leaders who have come and gone. The hallways of history have been littered with so-call prophets, messiahs, soothsayers, and oracles. But there has only been one Lord who has ever walked down the hallways of human history, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. We may belong to different denominations, we may differ on certain areas of worship, work, and witness, but there is only one confession of the true church Jesus Christ is Lord. As Paul said in I Cor. 8:6, "Yet for us there is only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live." There is one faith. (v.5) Now faith here is not describing the act of believing in the Lord Jesus. It is talking about the body of truth as revealed in the Bible. There is one faith. Jude said that we are to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (v.3) The Bible is our source of truth, doctrine, and conviction. There is one baptism. (v.5) There is only one physical baptism. That is, baptism by emersion. At the time this was written, the idea of infant by sprinkling had not even been invented. There was only one baptism the early church knew, and that was believer's baptism, after salvation, by emersion. That is the only true baptism. But there is also only one spiritual baptism the baptism of the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. You can join the visible church by any type of baptism. But only the Holy Spirit can place you into the invisible church. For to be a part of that church you must be baptized into that body by the Holy Spirit. There is one God and Father of all. (v.6) There is only one God, and that is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. That Father is your Father if Jesus Christ is your Lord. If He is our Father, then we are brothers and sisters. If we are brothers and sisters then we are family. We are family because we have one Father and one God. I agree with that song that says, "I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God!" GATHER, NURTURE AND EQUIP • That's the mission we exist for. (Oops!—the mission for which we exist.) • To gather men and women, children and youth into the Body of Christ • To nurture individuals to become living, growing disciples of Jesus Christ • Then to equip the body for ministry and mission in the world …so that, through the life of this congregation, lives would be changed and we would model what it means to be a 21st century New Testament church. Mid-course, he shifts to the image of a household built on the foundation of Christ Jesus, and he encourages them to "maintain the unity of the Body in the bond of peace." One spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and in all and through all. Then he says that within that household, we have all been given various gifts—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. And I would expand the list to include: I am sure you are familiar with the amazing story of the migration of the monarch butterfly, a lovely little creature who blesses our gardens and forests in the summer. Every autumn, millions of monarchs from all over the eastern United States and Canada migrate thousands of miles to a small handful of sites in Mexico where they rest for the winter. Then in the spring, they begin their return trip to the north. The amazing thing is that no individual monarch ever makes the trip to Mexico and back. A butterfly that leaves the Adirondack Mountains in New York will fly all the way to Mexico and spend the winter. In March, it begins the trip northward, but after laying eggs in the milkweed of Texas and Florida, it will die. Those butterflies will continue northward, laying eggs along the way until some of them, maybe three or four generations removed from the original, make it back to mountains of New York. But when August comes, they will head south, aiming for the exact place their great grandparents visited, a place they have never been. Sue Haplern says: "The monarchs always migrate in community and depend on each other. Although a single monarch may make it from New York to Mexico, it is the next generation who completes the journey." Now here is the word for the church. She says: "No one completes the journey solo. It is only as a community that we discover the fullness of God's plan for us." [1] Let me give you another example from the animal world. In Compass, we have been talking about the difference between "sponge evangelism" and "octopus evangelism." For the most part, we are pretty good about sponge evangelism—soaking up folks who come by, get close, walk in the door. But octopus evangelism is something else. It means reaching, stretching, finding, touching, drawing in those who are in need of the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ and may not have even realized it yet. Are we actively reaching, actively inviting, and actively gathering all into the body of Christ? An old story tells about a man who called the church office one day and asked to speak to the "head hog at the trough." The secretary was a little taken aback by this guys attitude and told him that was no way to talk about their pastor. He in turn replied, "Well if that's the way you feel, then I guess I won't give this check for $10,000 I was going to give." To which the secretary replied, "No, no. Wait. I'll see if the big pig is in his office." Have you ever noticed that for some reason, pigs and money seem to go together. We save money in a piggy-bank. We work to "bring home the bacon" so we can "live high on the hog." We don't ever "buy a pig in a poke" because we don't know what we're getting. When we spend a lot of money on frivolous things we've gone "hog wild." When someone puts us down for having too much money they call us a "Capitalist pig." Even in the life of the church, pork meets penny. The term STEWARD traces back to the medieval English title "STY-WARDEN" Or "STY-WARD." Yep, a pig-keeper. Jesus talked a lot about stewards and stewardship. Fortunately, the Hebrew word for steward had nothing to do with pig farming (which, after all, just isn't kosher). Never the less, stewardship of money was a very important topic to Jesus. The only subject he talked about more is the Kingdom of God. (6) A. To do our work, we need a set of tools. Any time you build anything, you need tools, don't you? At minimum a carpenter needs a hammer, a saw, a tape measure, a level and a square. A mechanic needs a set of metric and standard wrenches. A seamstress needs needles, thread, scissors, straight pins, a sewing machine and cloth. An Ice Cream man, needs ice cream, a freezer and a scoop. Paul tells us in this passage that as Christians, part of our job is to be builders. We're called to build up the body of Christ by equipping the saints for the work of ministry. All tools in our tool box have one purpose: "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" B. Let's briefly look at some of those tools. 1. Bible: Of course the first tool in our tool box is the Bible. Scripture paints the background for and tells the reason and purpose behind everything we do. It's the Foundation of the Building we call Faith. It tells us Who WE are and Whose we are. It reminds us from the very beginning words that all we have and all we are comes from God. Four pastors were discussing their favorite Bible translations. One liked the King James because of its beautiful language. Another liked the New Revised Standard version. A third liked the contemporary version The Message. The 4th minister said, "My favorite translation was my Mother's." The other preachers said they didn't know his mother had translated the Bible. "Yes, she did," he replied. "Every day she translated the Bible into life and it was the most convincing translation I ever witnessed!" (3) The Bible is an important Tool because it shapes and molds us into the people God would have us be. And when we are the people God would have us be, we make a difference in the world. 2. Vision: The second tool in the tool box is Vision. You can't build anything unless you've got an idea or a vision about what should be built. Remember the Vision notebooks that Rick Heidman put out at the very beginning of our Building Program. Before we ever started raising money; before we ever started drawing plans, we had to have a Vision of what this building would look like. We had to have a Vision of what we felt God was calling us to do. Someone asked Helen Keller, "What would be worse than being born blind?" She replied, "To have sight with no vision." When we give to God's work, whether it's to support the ministries of the Church or to the Building Fund, we are saying that we have a Vision for what God can do with that money and what God can do with us because we've given that money. (4) 3. Hope: the third tool is Hope. When there is Vision there is Hope because Vision engenders Hope. That Hope comes through Christ Jesus. We have obtained access to the Grace of God through Jesus. He is the only letter of recommendation we need. We don't need any other references but his. His Signature, his Word, his nail-scarred Hands are all we need. He is our letter of introduction, our entrance fee, our resume, and letter of recommendation. He is all we need. His very presence fleshes out the Vision and gives us Hope. 4. Faith: And when we have Hope, then we can have Faith. Which is the next tool in the toolbox. I got a phone call from IRS the other day. They called and wanted to know if I would help them. Not wanting to get in trouble myself, I told them I would, if I could. First the man asked if Woody Mathews was a member of our congregation and I said, "Yes he is." Then the man proceeded to tell me that for the last three years Woody Mathews has claimed that he has donated $20,000 to the church. Then the IRS agent asked: "Did he really write those checks?" And I answered the only way I could. I said: "He will." (5) That's called Faith. You see I have faith that if that really happened, A.J. / Woody would write those checks. The point I'm really trying to make is: Going to church and giving to the church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald's makes you a hamburger. Or jumping into a swimming pool will make you an Olympic Swimmer. You need Faith, faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God as your Savior. He's the one who offers chances and the one who changes everything, so we can live that second chance. Our job is to bring people to the Master. But when we bring people to the Master, our job is not finished, it is just beginning. Because then we are to bring them to maturity and also to ministry. That job description comes right out of the word of God. Ephesians 4 tells us that our job is not just to help sinners become saints, but to lead saints to become servants. From the moment a person becomes a Christian, it becomes our responsibility to help that Christian finish what he starts, and to finish well. This passage tells us how that is to happen. I think I know why most Christians are not growing. They are like a man that walked into a doctor's office with a cucumber up his nose, a carrot in his left ear, and a banana in his right ear. He said, "Doc, what's wrong with me?" The doctor said, "Simple, you're not eating right." But the question still remains: where do we grow from here? So, another truth emerges. We must discover our gifts. Look at the scripture again. Put verse 7 with verses 11 and 12 and listen: Each is gifted, that’s one facet of the truth Paul is sharing. Another facet is that there is a variety of gifts. Did you hear the story of the art teacher who was introducing second graders to the world of creativity? She wanted them to draw and paint as they saw and imagined things. So, as an exercise one day, she “turned them lose” and urged them to paint anything they wished. As she moved around, she was baffled by the efforts of one little girl. The teacher asked her what she was painting. Without hesitation, the girl answered, “God.” “How can you do that?” the teacher asked. “No one has ever seen God. No one knows what God looks like.” “They will when I finish”, was the confident reply. I like that. The confidence of being gifted. Pay attention to Paul: “And (Christ) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers...” The message is clear: a variety of gifts is given, needed gifts befitting every believer, enabling Christian to make his or her own contribution. A seminary professor of another generation retired early because of his health, and died at the age of 58. The last ten years of his life were spent in and out of hospitals. Toward the end of his life this teacher traced the steps and stages of his ministry. He said: “When I began I thought of myself as standing upon the bank of the stream of life, shouting instructions to the swimmers who were down below. I was the expert. The second stage of my ministry, I thought of myself as the rescuer. If I saw someone going down for the third time, I would plunge into the water, rescue them, get them started in the right direction again, then I would return to the bank. But the last ten years of my life, I was in the water, and we were fellow-strugglers with arms around each other, trying to help one another make it to the shore.” I submit to you that that’s what Christ is calling for – from you and me, from this church, to put our arms around each other in the waters of life and swim together to make the Kingdom of the world the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is one body and one Spirit, ... one Lord, one faith, one baptism ... (Ephesians 4:4) A man named Stephen was walking alone one night, out by the bridge which crosses the river on the outskirts of town. As he came up to the bridge, though, he saw a man standing on it as if he were ready to jump off. It was a long way down to the river - jumping would mean certain death. Stephen decided he would try to stop this suicide. He figured that if they started talking and found something they had in common, perhaps the other man would decide he wanted to live. "Tell me something," said Stephen, "are you a religious man?" "Yes, I am," the man said. "Good," said Stephen, "so am I." "Are you of the Christian religion, or the Jewish religion, or perhaps some other?" asked Stephen. "I am of the Christian religion," the man said. "Good," said Stephen, "so am I." "Are you a Protestant Christian or a Catholic Christian?" The man answered, "I am a Protestant Christian." "Good," said Stephen, "so am I." "Do you belong to the Methodist wing of the Protestant Christian church, or the Baptist wing, or some other?" "I belong to the Baptist wing of the Protestant Christian church," replied the man on the bridge. "Good," said Stephen, "so am I." "Are you Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?" "I'm a Northern Baptist," the man said. "Good," said Stephen, "so am I." "Are you an independent Northern Baptist or a denominational Northern Baptist?" "I am a denominational Northern Baptist," the man said. "Good," said Stephen, "so am I." "Are you a fundamentalist denominational Northern Baptist or a liberal denominational Northern Baptist?" The man said, "I am a liberal denominational Northern Baptist." "Good," said Stephen, "so am I." "As a liberal denominational Northern Baptist, which creed do you subscribe to - the New Hampshire Confession of 1833 or the Abstract of Principles of 1859?" "Why, I subscribe to the New Hampshire Confession of 1833." "Die, you heretic!" cried Stephen, and he pushed the man off the bridge. It's fun to laugh at the silly ways Christians divide themselves from one another, but upon deeper reflection the disunity of the church is no laughing matter. John's gospel says quite plainly that Jesus died in order "to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad" (11:52). My friends, if Jesus suffered and died on Calvary's cross to make all believers one (John 17:20-21), how do you think He feels today as He looks upon the fractured and fractious church which bears His name? One of my favorite poets, Archibald Rutledge, wrote a poem entitled “Final Proof.” If you want to score a great hit on Valentine’s Day, just get a copy of my sermon and write these words on the back of your Valentine card. “I do not need some tremendous miracle to give me faith in God: A violet would do, or a spire of goldenrod, or a daisy or two. But if I had to have a magic and a wonder, to rend my doubts asunder, To prove God true -it would be you!” Friends, that’s what I mean by sending a good message! • “Therefore” pushes us to review last week. Paul is making a statement here based on what came before. o V. 20-21 “Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all we could ask or imagine by his power and work within us; glory to him in teh church and in Christ Jesus for all generations, forever and always. Amen.” • Now, after the therefore, is the action: o “Our actions are to be godly and that we are to ‘walk worthy of the calling’. To walk worthy defines the type of life we are to live so as to please and honor God for we are chosen to do good works. That is God’s calling, and our calling is to uphold god’s laws. God desires faithfulness and obedience.” ( Abingdon Preaching Annual, 2018 , 2018, p. 103) • ng within God’s victory means something. This begins the “So what?” section of Paul’s letter. • V. 1-10 Live as a people worthy of the call… o Live right - gentleness, humility, and patience o Accept each other • o  th is the goal of Christian faith.  God wants us to mature - to move somewhere, to grow. This is not about ecstatic conversion and enthusiastic experience. This is about a life of moving toward God - sanctifying grace over time. o An integral part of ‘building up’ the church, of course, is bringing about and maintaining its unity.  Unity over Justice?  Unity over holiness?  Any disunity is evidence that the church is immature.  Careful though, because it is easy to see others as causing the disunity, and they are immature.