When Linda and I were first married I was a farmer, not a very good farmer but for 10 years I gave it a try. We suffered through drought, hail, too much rain, sometimes too many bugs and too many weeds but one year the harvest was beyond anything we imagined. The crops produced way beyond our expectations. The bins filled up, the granaries were filled right up to the top of the walls, and the corn crib couldn’t hold another ear of corn, so we made a pile right beside the pen of sows. The harvest was so great.
But there weren’t any extra laborers to help get it in, just Linda and me. Everybody was in the same predicament, a huge harvest and not an overabundance of people to help get it in.
That’s the way it is sometimes. Most of the time when I worked at Glacier there was more work than there were people to do the work so we would have to work 10-hour days five days a week and then work Saturdays and sometimes Sundays. After a while it began to wear on everybody and we became pretty grumpy. We complained a lot. And we wondered when it would end. Why didn’t they hire more people? We were getting tired of the overtime.
Our supervisors and their managers tried to explain that this was a short term thing. They didn’t want to hire folks and then have to lay them off. Well that kind of made sense but after couple years of the same thing we were ready for a break.
Jesus went out into the towns and the countryside preaching, teaching, and healing folks everyday. He quietly observed that they were like sheep without a shepherd. They were just getting by day by day, paycheck to paycheck you might say. Kind of like some folks today.
They were looking for something or someone to show them the way. Jesus could tell that their basic needs weren’t being met. They were seeking and no one noticed, except God. That’s why Jesus was there.
Jesus knew he wasn’t going to be here long and it was time for his disciples to learn what it meant to do ministry. He could see that the harvest was huge but there weren’t many laborers. So he asked them to pray, to get down on their knees and pray for laborers.
God answered their prayers then by showing them that they were the answer, the needed laborers were in fact they themselves. Jesus told them that they weren’t to start with the Gentiles or the Samaritans but with the people in their own neighborhoods, the lost ones of their own families and friends.
I believe that is God’s message for us today. We are to go out into our own neighborhoods and preach the good news to those who are lost or wandering looking for the way home. I believe we are to start with those from our own congregation who have fallen away from the church. You know who they are. You may have even taken the time to go visit them and try to understand why they quit participating. And you may have been rebuffed and so didn’t go back again. Or maybe you did go back another time and they just didn’t seem interested.
But then there are those others we haven’t visited, the ones who have just kind of quietly faded into the woodwork of the community. They’re really like lost sheep. They need God, they need healing.
Friends, the harvest is great. And God needs you to get down on your knees and pray for laborers. And when you get up and brush the dust off your knees I think you will find that your prayers have been answered. The laborers are you.
I would like to quote one of the contributors to Desperate Preacher.com. Glen in OH said this, “Jesus says, go to them. Go to them and confront their pain with them. Tell their illnesses and diseases, "You have NO power!" Tell the unclean spirits that torment their minds and distort their self-image, "You have NO power!" Tell the religious elite and scripture shouters who are quick to judge and slow to serve, "You have NO power!" Tell the politicians who court the votes and resources of the rich and ignore the poverty and desolation of the poor, "You have NO power!" Tell the presidents and kings of this world who are obsessed with making war at the expense of those with no voice, "You have NOpower!" Tell those who secretly laugh and scoff when humanity cries out for peace, "You have NO power!" Tell those who preach a message of fear and hate, "You have NO power!"”
“Going to the "lost sheep" is dangerous. Preaching good news to these dangerous ones is dangerous. Acknowledging these powerless ones isdangerous. Jesus said so. He warned his disciples, and he warns us, too.”
Too often we don’t think we have the power or if we do think we have the power we are consumed with a fear that keeps us from the fields. Friends, these are our family and friends who need healing. Some of them may be friends we haven’t met yet but they are our friends.
In the words of Paul, “Throw open your doors to God.” It takes faith to do this work. God has given us his grace. Pray that our faith will be strengthened.
Jesus isn’t waiting for us to get ready. The laborers have been sent out but more are needed. The sheep are wandering; the crop is heavy with grain and waiting to be gathered in.
I just realized that there may be some here who have never herded sheep or harvested grain and therefore may not understand the references to sheep and harvest. These words may have no relevance to the average person today.
But think about what it would be like if Jesus came to our school, our places of work, to our church, how do you think he might respond to what he sees, especially today with the crowds of people here looking for antiques and good eats?
Wow! What a bunch of people. There’s so many. They look so worn out. Some look about ready to give up. Who helps these people? No one helps them? We need each other so we can be strong enough to go on.
That’s the message today. Let’s pray that God will enable us to see the emotional and spiritual needs of our neighbors. Friends, this means that we are going to have to get out into the midst of things, ask questions, listen, lend a hand, give a hug, and share the good news that the kingdom of heaven is here. By helping each other we can all live better. Our social and spiritual needs will begin to be met.
It is dangerous work. Some may not want our help. That’s okay. Just move on. There is someone down the street who will accept our help, in fact they are praying for it right now.
Remember we aren’t in this alone. Jesus is walking right beside us. He has been there before us. He knows every danger and he will give us what we need to do the work. Have faith my friends. God hears our prayers. He has looked out over the crowds and his heart is breaking for those who are confused and wandering aimlessly in the world.
May God open our eyes so that we can see the harvest and then give us the strength to go out into the harvest. Thanks be to God for his grace. Amen.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Pack It All Up and Move
About 20 years ago Linda came home to the farm at Hancock and told me that she wanted to put a bid in on this house across the street from the school. Actually if I remember right she said that she thought we should look at some houses in Walnut to live in since it would save us money in our commutes to work.
And so I consented to look at some homes that were for sale; one of them was the house owned by Dwight and Lilah Wuster. It must have been meant to be since we did buy it and have been there now some 20 years. I have to tell you thought that I didn’t really think our loan would be approved and then we wouldn’t really move. It looks as if God had other plans.
I don’t know about any of you but I didn’t like the idea of all the work to move from Hancock to Walnut. Somehow everything got moved and we’ve both decided that neither one of us wants to do it again. That was after helping each of our children move from apartments to houses and houses to apartments and …well you know how that goes. It’s just not fun to pack up and move. But sometimes no matter how we feel about things there is something that compels us to load everything in the car and pickup and go. I still don’t think it’s much fun. Have I told you before that I don’t particularly like change?
Every one of the lessons you heard read today is about change or changes that took place because God was calling folks to step outside the boxes they were in and do something different. God’s call to Abram was a very big step, way bigger than our move from Hancock to Walnut. That was only about 18 miles and I didn’t have to walk it.
Abram heard God’s call to leave his home and move to a land that God was going to show him. He didn’t even tell him where, he just told him to go and he went.
God didn’t ask Abram to do anything other than to go. God promised him that he would make him a great nation, his name would be blessed, and his name would be great so that he would be a blessing. And then he promised that he would bless those who blessed Abram and he would curse those who cursed him so that in Abram all the families of the earth would be blessed. Abram’s response was to go forth. I like to think that of course he went, he was a nomad and that’s what they do. They move from one place to another. But even with that it took a lot of faith to pack it all up and go someplace they had never been before.
And all of this Abram did before God had given the people any laws. It was even before God had made his covenant with Abram and sealed it with the circumcision of every male of Abram’s family. God made his promises and then no matter how many times Abram tried to help God and messed it up God stayed to his plan. He fixed whatever it was that Abram messed up.
It takes faith to change, to pack it all up and move, doesn’t it? Just think about how much faith it took for this tax collector, Matthew, to pack it up and follow Jesus. How much faith would it take to turn your whole life around and do something completely foreign to the natural way you were used to doing things? Matthew would no longer be extorting money from his neighbors. What was he going to do for income?
You know that’s what I think keeps quite a few people from doing what they know God is calling them to do. Their faith is not strong enough to believe that God will actually provide everything they need. If they decide to quit a job that has provided very well for them for many years and pack it all up to do what God is calling them to do how are the bills going to be paid? Will they be able to continue to make ends meet? Those are questions most of us ask ourselves and maybe that’s what keeps us from caring for the prisoners, the widows, the oppressed, and the ones who are in need.
Did you notice in the gospel message from Matthew that not only did Jesus ask Matthew to follow him but Jesus actually did most of the following? After he called Matthew, he turned and followed him to his house to sit down and eat with all his disreputable friends. After he left Matthew’s house he was approached by leader of the synagogue who asked him to come to his house and bring his daughter who had died back to life. Jesus followed him to his house. On the way a woman who had been suffering for 12 years with hemorrhaging somehow got through the press of people surrounding Jesus to touch the fringe of his prayer shawl so she could be healed. Jesus turned and his eyes followed her. Her hope was that she would be healed and her faith was confirmed when Jesus said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.”
He continued on his way following this man whose daughter was lying dead at home. The people there laughed scornfully Jesus’ words when he said that she was just sleeping. Can you imagine how that father felt then? These people were ridiculing the man he believed would bring his daughter back to him. It wasn’t until they had all been sent outside that Jesus went in an took the young girl by the hand and she got up. How hard do you think that leader of the synagogue was praying? God made his faith strong enough to buck the crowd and ask Jesus to come to his house.
Friends, God asks us to do difficult things. Most times he asks us to do things that we have no idea about how they can be accomplished. And what do we do? We think about budgets, we think about building maintenance, we think about what we have to work with and don’t often think about this great God who has promised to be with us every step of the way. It is terribly difficult for us to pack it all up, turn around, and have faith that Jesus will follow us into the new frontier where we have been told to go.
God is calling us to do his work. I believe that he will continue to call us to this ministry of serving the community where he has placed us until we answer his call trusting in his promises.
It all depends on faith and that through the grace of our loving God. God is calling us to follow him and he promises that he will follow us as we step out in faith. We are being called to move beyond our comfortable boundaries into the great unknown. Let’s work to cultivate the art of following God wherever he leads us.
Abram had faith in God. God promised he would and Abram believed him. Jesus called Matthew and his faith was such that he answered the call. The woman and the leader of the synagogue had faith that Jesus could heal and God blessed their faith.
Our faith is God’s gift of grace for us. Pray that God makes our faith strong enough to follow him wherever he leads. Thanks be to God for his gift of grace in our lives. Amen
And so I consented to look at some homes that were for sale; one of them was the house owned by Dwight and Lilah Wuster. It must have been meant to be since we did buy it and have been there now some 20 years. I have to tell you thought that I didn’t really think our loan would be approved and then we wouldn’t really move. It looks as if God had other plans.
I don’t know about any of you but I didn’t like the idea of all the work to move from Hancock to Walnut. Somehow everything got moved and we’ve both decided that neither one of us wants to do it again. That was after helping each of our children move from apartments to houses and houses to apartments and …well you know how that goes. It’s just not fun to pack up and move. But sometimes no matter how we feel about things there is something that compels us to load everything in the car and pickup and go. I still don’t think it’s much fun. Have I told you before that I don’t particularly like change?
Every one of the lessons you heard read today is about change or changes that took place because God was calling folks to step outside the boxes they were in and do something different. God’s call to Abram was a very big step, way bigger than our move from Hancock to Walnut. That was only about 18 miles and I didn’t have to walk it.
Abram heard God’s call to leave his home and move to a land that God was going to show him. He didn’t even tell him where, he just told him to go and he went.
God didn’t ask Abram to do anything other than to go. God promised him that he would make him a great nation, his name would be blessed, and his name would be great so that he would be a blessing. And then he promised that he would bless those who blessed Abram and he would curse those who cursed him so that in Abram all the families of the earth would be blessed. Abram’s response was to go forth. I like to think that of course he went, he was a nomad and that’s what they do. They move from one place to another. But even with that it took a lot of faith to pack it all up and go someplace they had never been before.
And all of this Abram did before God had given the people any laws. It was even before God had made his covenant with Abram and sealed it with the circumcision of every male of Abram’s family. God made his promises and then no matter how many times Abram tried to help God and messed it up God stayed to his plan. He fixed whatever it was that Abram messed up.
It takes faith to change, to pack it all up and move, doesn’t it? Just think about how much faith it took for this tax collector, Matthew, to pack it up and follow Jesus. How much faith would it take to turn your whole life around and do something completely foreign to the natural way you were used to doing things? Matthew would no longer be extorting money from his neighbors. What was he going to do for income?
You know that’s what I think keeps quite a few people from doing what they know God is calling them to do. Their faith is not strong enough to believe that God will actually provide everything they need. If they decide to quit a job that has provided very well for them for many years and pack it all up to do what God is calling them to do how are the bills going to be paid? Will they be able to continue to make ends meet? Those are questions most of us ask ourselves and maybe that’s what keeps us from caring for the prisoners, the widows, the oppressed, and the ones who are in need.
Did you notice in the gospel message from Matthew that not only did Jesus ask Matthew to follow him but Jesus actually did most of the following? After he called Matthew, he turned and followed him to his house to sit down and eat with all his disreputable friends. After he left Matthew’s house he was approached by leader of the synagogue who asked him to come to his house and bring his daughter who had died back to life. Jesus followed him to his house. On the way a woman who had been suffering for 12 years with hemorrhaging somehow got through the press of people surrounding Jesus to touch the fringe of his prayer shawl so she could be healed. Jesus turned and his eyes followed her. Her hope was that she would be healed and her faith was confirmed when Jesus said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.”
He continued on his way following this man whose daughter was lying dead at home. The people there laughed scornfully Jesus’ words when he said that she was just sleeping. Can you imagine how that father felt then? These people were ridiculing the man he believed would bring his daughter back to him. It wasn’t until they had all been sent outside that Jesus went in an took the young girl by the hand and she got up. How hard do you think that leader of the synagogue was praying? God made his faith strong enough to buck the crowd and ask Jesus to come to his house.
Friends, God asks us to do difficult things. Most times he asks us to do things that we have no idea about how they can be accomplished. And what do we do? We think about budgets, we think about building maintenance, we think about what we have to work with and don’t often think about this great God who has promised to be with us every step of the way. It is terribly difficult for us to pack it all up, turn around, and have faith that Jesus will follow us into the new frontier where we have been told to go.
God is calling us to do his work. I believe that he will continue to call us to this ministry of serving the community where he has placed us until we answer his call trusting in his promises.
It all depends on faith and that through the grace of our loving God. God is calling us to follow him and he promises that he will follow us as we step out in faith. We are being called to move beyond our comfortable boundaries into the great unknown. Let’s work to cultivate the art of following God wherever he leads us.
Abram had faith in God. God promised he would and Abram believed him. Jesus called Matthew and his faith was such that he answered the call. The woman and the leader of the synagogue had faith that Jesus could heal and God blessed their faith.
Our faith is God’s gift of grace for us. Pray that God makes our faith strong enough to follow him wherever he leads. Thanks be to God for his gift of grace in our lives. Amen
Sunday, June 1, 2008
FOUNDATIONS TO BUILD LIVES ON
Foundations!Trouble with foundationsis that nobody sees them.Roots.Trouble with rootsis that nobody sees them.And in our "show time" societymost people aren’t interested in foundations and rootsMost people want the skin deepthe show mefoundationless-Storyteller from DesperatePreacher.com
Foundations are one of those parts of a house or any building for that matter that most people don’t pay much attention to. We all figure that the contractor we have hired to erect our building knows everything about the building codes and understands the laws of physics and will put a foundation underneath that can’t be shaken. How many of you have checked the foundation of your houses lately? Is it still as strong today as when your house was built?
So, how many of you can tell me what are the requirements for a strong foundation, one that won’t be phased by strong winds or earthquakes? What type of foundation is best, poured concrete, cement block with rebar, or what about a wood foundation? Which one is the best?
I’m like most of you; I put my faith in the person I asked to construct my building to put the proper foundation in place so there would never be a problem for as long as I was alive. You do know that if the original design is flawed the whole house or structure will be susceptible to damage.
In order for a structure to be resistant to high winds or earthquakes the building design has to incorporate strong connections between the foundation, wall, and roof and connections between the walls, particularly at the corners and connections amongst all the components that make up a wall and roof. Connections and what they are made of are very important to a structure.
First, the proper foundation and footings needs to be in place at the proper depth and the proper width to carry the weight of the building sitting on it. And then the two have to be connected properly with bolts and/or plates up through the sill plate and into the walls.
Think about what I have just said and then think about us as human beings. I remember hearing my parents and grandparents talking about kids having a good foundation to build their lives on. I didn’t understand it that well then but now that I’m older and Linda and I have seen our own children more or less grown and out on their own I have a much better understanding what they meant.
Just as the a building must have a foundation constructed of the best materials with the exact physical dimensions to support the weight of the structure for a lifetime or two so our lives need a good foundation. So again, the same question as before, what is the best foundation for our lives?
Let’s start with the Old Testament lesson. It said that Noah was a good man, the most innocent man of his time; he walked with God. And when God told him to build this great boat it said that he did everything God commanded him to do. I guess that meant that he didn’t question him about any of it; he trusted that God’s word was enough. His faith in God to take care of him and not lead him down the wrong path was the foundation he built his life on.
The psalm we listened to this morning asked us to look at the beauty and wonder of the world all around us, to look at God with loving eyes. The psalmist knew that God would fight for us, that he would protect us. The foundation he built his life on was faith that the God who created this world would fight for him and protect him.
Foundations are seldom seen and don’t add a bit to the beauty of the structure but you won’t find one building plan that doesn’t have one. Well maybe you might find one or two, but you all know that kind of building is not going to be around long. It won’t be able to withstand the forces of nature. It probably won’t even last one lifetime.
Paul in his letter to the Romans reminded us that God has a plan for all of us, to rescue everyone who trusts in him. He said that our acts of faith show that we have a right standing before God and because we trust him we really live. Paul tells us that things have changed. It used to be that it was God who set things right but now it’s Jesus who is setting things right. And it’s not just for Jewish Christians but “for everyone who believes in him.”
Because God had a plan and created this solid footing through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ those who put their faith in Jesus are experiencing the glorious lives God wills for all of us. Like Paul said this is “pure gift,” there is absolutely nothing that we can do or could do to get ourselves right with God. We would just mess it up; in fact we often do make messes that he has to clean up for us. Getting the foundation right, trusting in God’s love through the sacrifice of his Son who took the world’s sins upon himself and died, went through Hell for us and rose again, is the first step in building a life that will stand up to the storms Satan sends our way.
It’s begins with the foundation but there’s more to it. In order for a house to be able to withstand the storms and forces of nature everything has to be connected. The connections between the foundation, the walls and the roof have to be solid and the connectors must be made using the right materials. I mean you wouldn’t think of using Liquid Nail to connect all the components of a house together would you. No, in some places you might use bolts and in other places you might use plates of steel or sheet metal straps to connect the structure together.
Connections are important in our lives too. We should begin with a good foundation, a belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior, but then we have to go one step further. We need to be sure that we have good connections. Without connections our lives can fall apart just as buildings do that don’t have all the components of the house secured properly to each other.
What kind of connections do you think we need? Houses or buildings use bolts, rivets, plates, etc but what type of connectors do we need in our lives? How is the foundation connected to the walls and the walls to the roof?
I believe it begins when parents make the decision to bring their families to church to worship and to be taught. I’m making the assumption that they have already given their lives over to Jesus and are now taking the next step.
That’s what church is. It’s about connecting mature Christians with new Christians, mentoring each other; it’s about being connected to each other in our relationships, supporting each other and holding each other accountable and loving each other. People who come to church are connected, connected with God and connected with other people who have come to worship God. Relationships develop in small groups and before you know it we are all held together by our connections.
When we begin by coming to church we learn that there is more we can do to build a strong life, a life that will withstand the forces of evil. We learn to build strong connections with God and each other through the study of the Word, through prayer, and in fellowship in small groups. We build connections when we are “sent” out into the world to make disciples of all nations. We are connected when we go out and tell others about God’s love for us in Jesus Christ. Each of these connections works to grow God’s family and make the church stronger.
It all begins with a strong foundation upon which to build. The body of Christ is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ himself as the cornerstone (Eph. 2:20). Paul told the Corinthians that “No one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.” Jesus is the foundation stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, the sure foundation that the prophet Isaiah talked about.
Friends, our foundation is in Jesus. He is the rock we can rely on to be there for us and support us no matter what comes our way. With Jesus as our foundation we have not one thing to fear. It’s all part of God’s wonderful architectural plan for his church.
Through God’s generous love we are connected to him through Jesus Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are connected to Jesus and his teachings. We are connected to all God’s children when we go out and share the love of God with those we meet on our journey through this life.
Foundations to build lives upon and strong connections to hold everything together trusting in God’s plan for his church, that’s what our lives are all about.
My friends God loved you enough to send his Son to die for you so that you could be saved from your sin. God laid the foundation stone. Today God is calling you to take the next step, trust in his Word, give your life to him and be changed. Come and be connected to the One who gave his life for you so you could be freed from the hold sin has over you life.
God loves each of you and so do I. Amen.
Foundations are one of those parts of a house or any building for that matter that most people don’t pay much attention to. We all figure that the contractor we have hired to erect our building knows everything about the building codes and understands the laws of physics and will put a foundation underneath that can’t be shaken. How many of you have checked the foundation of your houses lately? Is it still as strong today as when your house was built?
So, how many of you can tell me what are the requirements for a strong foundation, one that won’t be phased by strong winds or earthquakes? What type of foundation is best, poured concrete, cement block with rebar, or what about a wood foundation? Which one is the best?
I’m like most of you; I put my faith in the person I asked to construct my building to put the proper foundation in place so there would never be a problem for as long as I was alive. You do know that if the original design is flawed the whole house or structure will be susceptible to damage.
In order for a structure to be resistant to high winds or earthquakes the building design has to incorporate strong connections between the foundation, wall, and roof and connections between the walls, particularly at the corners and connections amongst all the components that make up a wall and roof. Connections and what they are made of are very important to a structure.
First, the proper foundation and footings needs to be in place at the proper depth and the proper width to carry the weight of the building sitting on it. And then the two have to be connected properly with bolts and/or plates up through the sill plate and into the walls.
Think about what I have just said and then think about us as human beings. I remember hearing my parents and grandparents talking about kids having a good foundation to build their lives on. I didn’t understand it that well then but now that I’m older and Linda and I have seen our own children more or less grown and out on their own I have a much better understanding what they meant.
Just as the a building must have a foundation constructed of the best materials with the exact physical dimensions to support the weight of the structure for a lifetime or two so our lives need a good foundation. So again, the same question as before, what is the best foundation for our lives?
Let’s start with the Old Testament lesson. It said that Noah was a good man, the most innocent man of his time; he walked with God. And when God told him to build this great boat it said that he did everything God commanded him to do. I guess that meant that he didn’t question him about any of it; he trusted that God’s word was enough. His faith in God to take care of him and not lead him down the wrong path was the foundation he built his life on.
The psalm we listened to this morning asked us to look at the beauty and wonder of the world all around us, to look at God with loving eyes. The psalmist knew that God would fight for us, that he would protect us. The foundation he built his life on was faith that the God who created this world would fight for him and protect him.
Foundations are seldom seen and don’t add a bit to the beauty of the structure but you won’t find one building plan that doesn’t have one. Well maybe you might find one or two, but you all know that kind of building is not going to be around long. It won’t be able to withstand the forces of nature. It probably won’t even last one lifetime.
Paul in his letter to the Romans reminded us that God has a plan for all of us, to rescue everyone who trusts in him. He said that our acts of faith show that we have a right standing before God and because we trust him we really live. Paul tells us that things have changed. It used to be that it was God who set things right but now it’s Jesus who is setting things right. And it’s not just for Jewish Christians but “for everyone who believes in him.”
Because God had a plan and created this solid footing through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ those who put their faith in Jesus are experiencing the glorious lives God wills for all of us. Like Paul said this is “pure gift,” there is absolutely nothing that we can do or could do to get ourselves right with God. We would just mess it up; in fact we often do make messes that he has to clean up for us. Getting the foundation right, trusting in God’s love through the sacrifice of his Son who took the world’s sins upon himself and died, went through Hell for us and rose again, is the first step in building a life that will stand up to the storms Satan sends our way.
It’s begins with the foundation but there’s more to it. In order for a house to be able to withstand the storms and forces of nature everything has to be connected. The connections between the foundation, the walls and the roof have to be solid and the connectors must be made using the right materials. I mean you wouldn’t think of using Liquid Nail to connect all the components of a house together would you. No, in some places you might use bolts and in other places you might use plates of steel or sheet metal straps to connect the structure together.
Connections are important in our lives too. We should begin with a good foundation, a belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior, but then we have to go one step further. We need to be sure that we have good connections. Without connections our lives can fall apart just as buildings do that don’t have all the components of the house secured properly to each other.
What kind of connections do you think we need? Houses or buildings use bolts, rivets, plates, etc but what type of connectors do we need in our lives? How is the foundation connected to the walls and the walls to the roof?
I believe it begins when parents make the decision to bring their families to church to worship and to be taught. I’m making the assumption that they have already given their lives over to Jesus and are now taking the next step.
That’s what church is. It’s about connecting mature Christians with new Christians, mentoring each other; it’s about being connected to each other in our relationships, supporting each other and holding each other accountable and loving each other. People who come to church are connected, connected with God and connected with other people who have come to worship God. Relationships develop in small groups and before you know it we are all held together by our connections.
When we begin by coming to church we learn that there is more we can do to build a strong life, a life that will withstand the forces of evil. We learn to build strong connections with God and each other through the study of the Word, through prayer, and in fellowship in small groups. We build connections when we are “sent” out into the world to make disciples of all nations. We are connected when we go out and tell others about God’s love for us in Jesus Christ. Each of these connections works to grow God’s family and make the church stronger.
It all begins with a strong foundation upon which to build. The body of Christ is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ himself as the cornerstone (Eph. 2:20). Paul told the Corinthians that “No one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.” Jesus is the foundation stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, the sure foundation that the prophet Isaiah talked about.
Friends, our foundation is in Jesus. He is the rock we can rely on to be there for us and support us no matter what comes our way. With Jesus as our foundation we have not one thing to fear. It’s all part of God’s wonderful architectural plan for his church.
Through God’s generous love we are connected to him through Jesus Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are connected to Jesus and his teachings. We are connected to all God’s children when we go out and share the love of God with those we meet on our journey through this life.
Foundations to build lives upon and strong connections to hold everything together trusting in God’s plan for his church, that’s what our lives are all about.
My friends God loved you enough to send his Son to die for you so that you could be saved from your sin. God laid the foundation stone. Today God is calling you to take the next step, trust in his Word, give your life to him and be changed. Come and be connected to the One who gave his life for you so you could be freed from the hold sin has over you life.
God loves each of you and so do I. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)