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Here's the question of the day:
Paul, Timothy, and Silas were gentle among the Thessalonians like what? (I Thess 2)
And here's the reflection of the day:
1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts.
It's that time of year again. Time to recruit Sunday School teachers. This is always a difficult time of year for churches. Often, the same people teach year after year after year. And the congregation relies on those same people to always teach. But sometimes life happens and schedules change. Then the church is thrown into a bit of chaos as they scramble to cover all the positions needed.
I just had a conversation with someone about teaching Sunday School. This was someone who has taught it before but found it difficult and frustrating. I mentioned that not everyone has the gift of teaching. That's kind of obvious, right? And possibly the worst thing a congregation could would be to put someone in a place where he or she is not particularly gifted. It frustrates that person as well as cheats the students of a positive educational experience.
But sometimes I wonder how many people never volunteer to teach NOT because teaching isn't their gift but instead because they are afraid. Afraid of what, you might be asking. Well, afraid of not being a good teacher, afraid of not knowing enough, and afraid that people will find out they don't know as much (about God, the Bible, the church, etc) that they lead people to believe.
But I Thessalonians 2 reminds us that "we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel." Paul, Timothy, and Silas carried the gospel around the world not for their own glory "but to please God who tests our hearts."
God approved and entrusted them (AND US) with the message of the gospel. And if we don't feel up to (worthy enough? smart enough? articulate enough? fill in your own neurosis) the task, then maybe instead of bowing out of our duty to serve, perhaps we should live a more obedient life in order to feel more worthy; or learn more stuff so we do feel smart enough; or practice public speaking so we're not so afraid. God is always pleased with efforts in any and all of these areas.
Perhaps if we could think of teaching (or any of the "work" in the church) more in terms of pleasing God (and "not to please people") we might find Jesus casting out our fear and replacing it with love. . . and a desire to please God.
Showing posts with label fear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fear. Show all posts
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The Divine Baggage Handler, Sunday Sermon
I think I would rather be woken up by an alarm clock than by the chirping of the birds. Isn't that ridiculous?! I slept with the windows open last night and woke up much earlier than I wanted to because of all the squawking and cheeping. (I love onomatopoeia!) Grr.
At any rate, here are the latest Q&As and the sermon I'll be preaching in a few hours. Hope you have a great time at worship this morning!
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Sat, Apr 25 Where did Jesus go once he entered Jerusalem? What did he do there? (Mark 11)
Mark 11:11 1 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
And here's the question of the day:
Sun, Apr 26 What was the condition Nahash the Ammonite wanted to put on the treaty with Jabesh Gilead? (I Sam 11) (THE ANSWER IS PRETTY GROSS!)
And here's the Sunday Sermon:
The Divine Baggage Handler
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Let us pray: Gracious God, shine the light of your Spirit upon us as we hear these words of Scripture read and proclaimed. Reveal your saving presence in these words, and lead us further down the path of faith. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: 1 Samuel 10:17-24
17 Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the LORD at Mizpah 18 and said to them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you.'
19 But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your calamities and distresses. And you have said, 'No, set a king over us.' So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans."
20 When Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. 21 Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri's clan was chosen. Finally Saul son of Kish was chosen.
But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. 22 So they inquired further of the LORD, "Has the man come here yet?" And the LORD said, "Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage."
23 They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others. 24 Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see the man the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people." Then the people shouted, "Long live the king!"
The grass withers and the flower fades but the Word of the Lord endures forever, Amen.
INTRODUCTION
Israel has come a long way. They started out as a scraggly band of men and women, struggling to figure out how to live out their faith in God. They have been in slavery and been set free. They have been lost in the wilderness and God guided them through it. Now, they have entered the Promised Land and are ready to settle down. And part of settling down involves establishing a government and electing some leaders to help them get organized.
So, the Israelites think about all the other nations they have come into contact with and what kind of government they have. The Israelites decide they want to be like everybody else; they want a king.
However, God is not real keen on this decision; God would prefer that Israel continue to be guided by prophets like Moses, back in the good old days, and, more recently, prophets like Samuel, whom we are reading about today. Prophets are God’s spokespersons so of course God would prefer a prophet to be their leader.
But that’s not what the people want. They want a king. So, God decides, a king they shall have, but the king will be of God’s own choosing.
Samuel gathers all the tribes of Israel together and begins to sort through the possible candidates. He finally settles on the tribe of Benjamin, the clan of Matri, and the son of Kish, named Saul.
The first king of Israel is named . . . Saul is ready to be crowned, and . . . no one can find him. The crowd gathered there begins to buzz—“Where did he go?” they ask. “He was just here a minute ago. What happened?” Saul, the first king of Israel, is hiding in the baggage.
#1
I never really wanted to be a pastor. I was happy hiding in the baggage, like Saul. Hiding in the baggage is easy to do. It’s not exactly comfortable to hide in the baggage, but it’s safe because you think no one will notice you.
I enjoyed hiding in the baggage: I always went to church, was always involved as a participant, but never really was a leader of anything. Being a pastor was the last thing I was thinking about in high school and college. I was safe and secure, hidden in the baggage, just doing my own thing, flying below the radar.
Then my Samuel came along. Actually, I had a bunch of Samuels in my life. And these Samuels started volunteering me for things that I could not do while I was still hiding in the baggage.
So, just like Saul was trying to keep his head down and not get noticed by the Israelites who were searching for a king, I kept my head down and avoided making eye contact. But God found Saul hiding in the baggage, and He found me there too.
And you want to know why I was hiding in the baggage? The very same reason I think Saul was hiding in the baggage. The same reason I think ALL of us spend our fair share hiding in the baggage. And that reason is FEAR. We hide in the baggage because we are AFRAID of what might happen if we come out of hiding.
I was terrified of the responsibility of being a pastor, of trying to a pastor to people who have been a Christian longer than I have even been alive, and believe it or not, I was TERRIFIED of speaking in front of people. When I used to sit in the pews, preaching a sermon seemed like the most painful thing to do—and sometimes the most painful thing to listen to. Why would I want to be the one up front boring people on a Sunday morning?!
My Samuels were calling my name, but fear kept me hiding in the baggage. And for a while, I was safe. But God pointed out Saul’s hiding place in the baggage to all the Israelites who had gathered, and He pointed out mine too.
#2
It seems to me that, on this bright and beautiful Sunday morning, you are either a Samuel or a Saul.
If you are a Samuel, you are a helper of God, looking for new leaders for God’s people. You are looking for talents in people that have yet to be discovered. You are trying to match the gifts you see in people with places they can serve in the church. If you are a Samuel, you are a prayerful person who has already found your niche in the church. And now you want to help others find the place where they fit in too.
If you are a Saul, then you are probably still hiding amongst the suitcases and backpacks. You are uncertain and hesitant, keeping your head down and hoping no one asks you to do anything. You have plenty of gifts and skills and talents, but you’re not sure how those fit in the church. Maybe you’re not even sure you want to be that much a part of the church. But you have a Samuel who is calling your name and depending on you, and you have a God who is ready to help you stand up, head and shoulders above the crowd just like Saul.
Samuel and Saul both had their marching orders from God. Neither one had an easy time with those marching orders either. Speaking for God is a dangerous thing to do, especially when people don’t want to hear some of the more harsh things God has to say to us. Samuel’s job isn’t easy. And it’s not easy to stand up like Saul did and accept the job God was offering to him. Being the king of Israel—the FIRST king of Israel—was something Saul was clueless about, yet he was able to put aside his fear, and crawl out of his hiding place among the baggage.
I’m willing to bet that you all fit into one of these two categories: you’re either a Samuel or you’re a Saul. One is not better or easier than the other; both are necessary for God’s work to be accomplished here on earth. I’m not gonna tell you which category you belong in; that’s for you and God to decide. I AM, however, going to tell you that you belong to one of those categories and God has a job just for you for you to do.
CONCLUSION
Our God is a Divine baggage handler—He stands on the runway, tossing suitcases into the plane and He finds the Sauls who are trying to hide away. The church is actually full of baggage searches—God is always on the lookout for people with the gifts to serve. And God is intent on finding especially those who are hiding in the baggage.
And when fear begins to hold us back because we think we aren’t smart enough or a good enough speaker, God reminds us that He doesn’t call those who are equipped; God equips those whom He calls.
Thanks be to God, the Divine Baggage Handler, who calls all of us out of hiding and gives us all that we need to serve Him faithfully.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
BENEDICTION
Another one of God’s prophets gives us this reassurance: God tells Isaiah, and us, “I have chosen you and not cast you off; do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (Isa 41:9b-10).
If you are a Samuel, look around for someone to encourage. If you are a Saul, gird up your loins and get out of the baggage. God has work for all of us to do.
And go, in peace, to love and serve the Lord, in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
I'm already looking forward to my Sunday afternoon nap. Darn birds. . .
Allison
At any rate, here are the latest Q&As and the sermon I'll be preaching in a few hours. Hope you have a great time at worship this morning!
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Sat, Apr 25 Where did Jesus go once he entered Jerusalem? What did he do there? (Mark 11)
Mark 11:11 1 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
And here's the question of the day:
Sun, Apr 26 What was the condition Nahash the Ammonite wanted to put on the treaty with Jabesh Gilead? (I Sam 11) (THE ANSWER IS PRETTY GROSS!)
And here's the Sunday Sermon:
The Divine Baggage Handler
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Let us pray: Gracious God, shine the light of your Spirit upon us as we hear these words of Scripture read and proclaimed. Reveal your saving presence in these words, and lead us further down the path of faith. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: 1 Samuel 10:17-24
17 Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the LORD at Mizpah 18 and said to them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you.'
19 But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your calamities and distresses. And you have said, 'No, set a king over us.' So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans."
20 When Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. 21 Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri's clan was chosen. Finally Saul son of Kish was chosen.
But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. 22 So they inquired further of the LORD, "Has the man come here yet?" And the LORD said, "Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage."
23 They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others. 24 Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see the man the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people." Then the people shouted, "Long live the king!"
The grass withers and the flower fades but the Word of the Lord endures forever, Amen.
INTRODUCTION
Israel has come a long way. They started out as a scraggly band of men and women, struggling to figure out how to live out their faith in God. They have been in slavery and been set free. They have been lost in the wilderness and God guided them through it. Now, they have entered the Promised Land and are ready to settle down. And part of settling down involves establishing a government and electing some leaders to help them get organized.
So, the Israelites think about all the other nations they have come into contact with and what kind of government they have. The Israelites decide they want to be like everybody else; they want a king.
However, God is not real keen on this decision; God would prefer that Israel continue to be guided by prophets like Moses, back in the good old days, and, more recently, prophets like Samuel, whom we are reading about today. Prophets are God’s spokespersons so of course God would prefer a prophet to be their leader.
But that’s not what the people want. They want a king. So, God decides, a king they shall have, but the king will be of God’s own choosing.
Samuel gathers all the tribes of Israel together and begins to sort through the possible candidates. He finally settles on the tribe of Benjamin, the clan of Matri, and the son of Kish, named Saul.
The first king of Israel is named . . . Saul is ready to be crowned, and . . . no one can find him. The crowd gathered there begins to buzz—“Where did he go?” they ask. “He was just here a minute ago. What happened?” Saul, the first king of Israel, is hiding in the baggage.
#1
I never really wanted to be a pastor. I was happy hiding in the baggage, like Saul. Hiding in the baggage is easy to do. It’s not exactly comfortable to hide in the baggage, but it’s safe because you think no one will notice you.
I enjoyed hiding in the baggage: I always went to church, was always involved as a participant, but never really was a leader of anything. Being a pastor was the last thing I was thinking about in high school and college. I was safe and secure, hidden in the baggage, just doing my own thing, flying below the radar.
Then my Samuel came along. Actually, I had a bunch of Samuels in my life. And these Samuels started volunteering me for things that I could not do while I was still hiding in the baggage.
So, just like Saul was trying to keep his head down and not get noticed by the Israelites who were searching for a king, I kept my head down and avoided making eye contact. But God found Saul hiding in the baggage, and He found me there too.
And you want to know why I was hiding in the baggage? The very same reason I think Saul was hiding in the baggage. The same reason I think ALL of us spend our fair share hiding in the baggage. And that reason is FEAR. We hide in the baggage because we are AFRAID of what might happen if we come out of hiding.
I was terrified of the responsibility of being a pastor, of trying to a pastor to people who have been a Christian longer than I have even been alive, and believe it or not, I was TERRIFIED of speaking in front of people. When I used to sit in the pews, preaching a sermon seemed like the most painful thing to do—and sometimes the most painful thing to listen to. Why would I want to be the one up front boring people on a Sunday morning?!
My Samuels were calling my name, but fear kept me hiding in the baggage. And for a while, I was safe. But God pointed out Saul’s hiding place in the baggage to all the Israelites who had gathered, and He pointed out mine too.
#2
It seems to me that, on this bright and beautiful Sunday morning, you are either a Samuel or a Saul.
If you are a Samuel, you are a helper of God, looking for new leaders for God’s people. You are looking for talents in people that have yet to be discovered. You are trying to match the gifts you see in people with places they can serve in the church. If you are a Samuel, you are a prayerful person who has already found your niche in the church. And now you want to help others find the place where they fit in too.
If you are a Saul, then you are probably still hiding amongst the suitcases and backpacks. You are uncertain and hesitant, keeping your head down and hoping no one asks you to do anything. You have plenty of gifts and skills and talents, but you’re not sure how those fit in the church. Maybe you’re not even sure you want to be that much a part of the church. But you have a Samuel who is calling your name and depending on you, and you have a God who is ready to help you stand up, head and shoulders above the crowd just like Saul.
Samuel and Saul both had their marching orders from God. Neither one had an easy time with those marching orders either. Speaking for God is a dangerous thing to do, especially when people don’t want to hear some of the more harsh things God has to say to us. Samuel’s job isn’t easy. And it’s not easy to stand up like Saul did and accept the job God was offering to him. Being the king of Israel—the FIRST king of Israel—was something Saul was clueless about, yet he was able to put aside his fear, and crawl out of his hiding place among the baggage.
I’m willing to bet that you all fit into one of these two categories: you’re either a Samuel or you’re a Saul. One is not better or easier than the other; both are necessary for God’s work to be accomplished here on earth. I’m not gonna tell you which category you belong in; that’s for you and God to decide. I AM, however, going to tell you that you belong to one of those categories and God has a job just for you for you to do.
CONCLUSION
Our God is a Divine baggage handler—He stands on the runway, tossing suitcases into the plane and He finds the Sauls who are trying to hide away. The church is actually full of baggage searches—God is always on the lookout for people with the gifts to serve. And God is intent on finding especially those who are hiding in the baggage.
And when fear begins to hold us back because we think we aren’t smart enough or a good enough speaker, God reminds us that He doesn’t call those who are equipped; God equips those whom He calls.
Thanks be to God, the Divine Baggage Handler, who calls all of us out of hiding and gives us all that we need to serve Him faithfully.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
BENEDICTION
Another one of God’s prophets gives us this reassurance: God tells Isaiah, and us, “I have chosen you and not cast you off; do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (Isa 41:9b-10).
If you are a Samuel, look around for someone to encourage. If you are a Saul, gird up your loins and get out of the baggage. God has work for all of us to do.
And go, in peace, to love and serve the Lord, in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
I'm already looking forward to my Sunday afternoon nap. Darn birds. . .
Allison
Friday, February 13, 2009
"The Jesus Disturbance"
Happy Friday and day before Valentine's day! (I'm amused by the Ace Sporting Goods Store commercial that is advertising Valentine's day as "Buy Your Love a Glock Day!") I myself am heading out to a chocolate party later this evening. But before the party gets started, let's get down to business. . .
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Thurs, Feb. 12- What did the lame beggar ask of Peter and John? What did the lame beggar receive instead?
Acts 3:3 “He asked them for money.”
Acts 3:6 “. . . but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
And here's the question of the day:
Fri, Feb. 13- What was attached around the hem of the priestly robe?
And here's the reflection of the day:
Will Willimon calls this "the Jesus disturbance," this movement of people who preach and do acts of power (see yesterday's post) in the name of Jesus Christ. And they are upsetting the status quo. Peter and John are out and about, healing in His name. It doesn't take long for the religious leaders to take note of the "Jesus disturbance."
After throwing Peter and John in jail for the night, they call the two disciples to account for their actions. Can you picture the scene? The rulers, elders and religious authorities lined in a row, dressed in their finest tunics (4:6), scornfully looking down on the two disciples, dressed simply and poorly, looking like "unschooled, ordinary men" (4:13)
Willimon points out that the rulers, elders and religious authorities ask the question that is usually asked to disturbers of the peace: "By what power or what name did you do this?" (4:7) (Sidenote: He's talking about the man Peter and John healed in Acts 3). They ask this question, because they assume that they are THE "power" and "name" which gives authority. Things done in any other name or power than theirs is out of the question.
Lowly Peter and John are stuck in front of the religious leaders of their day, "unschooled, ordinary men" (4:13). They are roughneck fellas, working class folks, now called into the high court of the temple. What can they possibly say? How can they possibly say it?
But God steps in. God fills Peter with the Holy Spirit and enables him to say, "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (4:8-12)
Shoot. Peter couldn't have said it any better if he had do it by himself to! But the beautiful thing is--he didn't have to do it by himself because God was with him. God filled him with the Holy Spirit and gave him the words to say. (Sounds a little like Moses and Aaron, doesn't it?) If we are going to be a part of this "Jesus disturbance," we don't need to be afraid of what to say. God will give us the words.
We may not find ourselves in front of the high court of the temple, but we might find ourselves talking about our faith a little more. And we may find that people have questions about our faith--not that they want to debate us, but because they are curious. We can't be afraid to share our faith--to say this is what God is doing in my life--and to encourage others to look at what God is doing in their lives too.
Are you ready to be a part of the "Jesus disturbance?"
Allison
PS As a bonus, here's a link to a song by Jars of Clay (one of my favorite Christian bands) using the line about Jesus being "the stone that the builders rejected": http://www.dizzler.com/music/Jars_Of_Clay/The_Stone. I can't seem to find a video of it, so this is a link to the audio and the lyrics. It's the kind of song that gets stuck in your head--hope you enjoy, over and over again, all day long! It's already stuck in my head!!
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Thurs, Feb. 12- What did the lame beggar ask of Peter and John? What did the lame beggar receive instead?
Acts 3:3 “He asked them for money.”
Acts 3:6 “. . . but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
And here's the question of the day:
Fri, Feb. 13- What was attached around the hem of the priestly robe?
And here's the reflection of the day:
Will Willimon calls this "the Jesus disturbance," this movement of people who preach and do acts of power (see yesterday's post) in the name of Jesus Christ. And they are upsetting the status quo. Peter and John are out and about, healing in His name. It doesn't take long for the religious leaders to take note of the "Jesus disturbance."
After throwing Peter and John in jail for the night, they call the two disciples to account for their actions. Can you picture the scene? The rulers, elders and religious authorities lined in a row, dressed in their finest tunics (4:6), scornfully looking down on the two disciples, dressed simply and poorly, looking like "unschooled, ordinary men" (4:13)
Willimon points out that the rulers, elders and religious authorities ask the question that is usually asked to disturbers of the peace: "By what power or what name did you do this?" (4:7) (Sidenote: He's talking about the man Peter and John healed in Acts 3). They ask this question, because they assume that they are THE "power" and "name" which gives authority. Things done in any other name or power than theirs is out of the question.
Lowly Peter and John are stuck in front of the religious leaders of their day, "unschooled, ordinary men" (4:13). They are roughneck fellas, working class folks, now called into the high court of the temple. What can they possibly say? How can they possibly say it?
But God steps in. God fills Peter with the Holy Spirit and enables him to say, "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (4:8-12)
Shoot. Peter couldn't have said it any better if he had do it by himself to! But the beautiful thing is--he didn't have to do it by himself because God was with him. God filled him with the Holy Spirit and gave him the words to say. (Sounds a little like Moses and Aaron, doesn't it?) If we are going to be a part of this "Jesus disturbance," we don't need to be afraid of what to say. God will give us the words.
We may not find ourselves in front of the high court of the temple, but we might find ourselves talking about our faith a little more. And we may find that people have questions about our faith--not that they want to debate us, but because they are curious. We can't be afraid to share our faith--to say this is what God is doing in my life--and to encourage others to look at what God is doing in their lives too.
Are you ready to be a part of the "Jesus disturbance?"
Allison
PS As a bonus, here's a link to a song by Jars of Clay (one of my favorite Christian bands) using the line about Jesus being "the stone that the builders rejected": http://www.dizzler.com/music/Jars_Of_Clay/The_Stone. I can't seem to find a video of it, so this is a link to the audio and the lyrics. It's the kind of song that gets stuck in your head--hope you enjoy, over and over again, all day long! It's already stuck in my head!!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
My Time Management is Improving!
Wow! My time mangement is improving! I managed to post a Year of the Bible reflection and now I'm posting my sermon from this morning too. Just a little side note: we ordained and installed new elders this morning, so my sermon is leading up to that moment. I also used "The Message" version of the Bible.
INTRODUCTION
My seventh grade English teacher came up with a very clever assignment for our class. She was trying to teach us about creative writing—like writing stories. Well, when someone tells you that you HAVE to write a story, suddenly you can’t think of anything to say. Too much pressure.
So, she started out with something easy. She asked us to write excuses for why we didn’t do our homework. Clever, right? You can be VERY creative when you come up with excuses, and it didn’t really feel like you were under a lot of pressure.
I think the best one I came up with was that my mom was warming up some sweet potato baby food in the microwave and it exploded. We were out of paper towels, so she had to use my homework to clean it up.
I was looking for some other excuses you could use to NOT turn in your homework. I found a cartoon of Garfield saying, “I can’t do homework for medical reasons. It makes me sick.” Somebody else suggested, “I made a paper plane out of it and it got hijacked.” One my sister might hear in one of her math classes is this: “I have a solar powered calculator and it was cloudy.” But I think my favorite excuse for not turning in homework is a twist on the old “my dog ate it” line. This one says, “I can’t turn my homework in because my dog ate it. Seriously, look, I brought a stool sample in to show you.”
MOVE #1
But you know, it’s not just kids who come up with good excuses. Grown-ups are pretty good at coming up with excuses too. Take Moses for example. God had a job for Moses—even appeared to him in the burning bush so Moses would have no doubt that it really was God talking to him—but Moses had a million excuses to get out of doing the job.
God says, “I’m sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the People of Israel, out of Egypt.” And Moses answers, “But why me? What makes you think that I could ever go to Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Can’t you just hear the whine that must have been in his voice?
God answers his excuse saying, “I’ll be with you. Don’t worry about it.” And once again Moses opens his big mouth and says, “Well, what if they ask who sent me? What should I say then?” And God has answer for that excuse too: “Tell them ‘I Am’ sent you.”
Moses comes up with another excuse saying, “They won’t trust me, Lord. They won’t listen to a word I say. They’re going to say, ‘God? Appear to a guy like him? Never!’” And God answers this excuse by giving him miraculous signs to do to prove that God is with him.
When that doesn’t work, Moses tries one more time to come up with an excuse that will get him out of the job God has in mind for him: “Master, please, I don’t talk well. I’ve never been good with words, neither before or after you spoke to me. I stutter and stammer. . . . Oh, Master, please! Send somebody else!” At this point God is a little angry and a little tired of all the excuses Moses is coming up with. But once again he gives an answer the last of the excuses from Moses: “Don’t you have a brother, Aaron the Levite? He’s good with words. I know he is. He speaks very well. . . . I’ll be right there with you as you speak and with him as he speaks, teaching you step by step. He will speak to the people for you.”
So, one by one, God answers every excuse Moses can come up with—eight of them in all. There is no changing God’s mind here. This says a lot about God’s character: He is persistent but patient, understanding but firm. He recognizes all the concerns that Moses has but constantly reassures him that he will not be walking this road alone; God will be with him each step of the way.
MOVE #2
God understands that we all have our insecurities and flaws. Probably God knows those things about us too well. He knows how we let our insecurities and flaws get in the way of ministry. God knows we all have our own flimsy excuses for why we, like Moses, can’t do the job God has for us: we’re too young or too old; we’re too busy or we don’t feel well enough; we’re not smart enough or we’re not good enough or we’re not worthy enough or we don’t have enough faith; we can’t pray out loud, we can’t speak in front of people, and we’re afraid we don’t know enough about the Bible. We’re full of excuses about why God should pick someone else for the job.
But deep down inside, we know these are just flimsy excuses we hold on for dear life to because we’re afraid. We’re afraid of what might happen if we let God have his way in our lives.
If we were standing in Moses’ place in front of the burning bush, we would probably try to slip away, hoping God wouldn’t notice. We know God would have an answer for every excuse we could come up with and that would leave us with no choice but to obey.
There comes a time when every Christian finds themselves in front of the burning bush. There comes a time when every Christian finds themselves taking their shoes off and coming face to face with God. God has a particular task in mind for each one of us, and sooner or later, we’re going to have to decide what we want to do about it. It’s a huge moment—it’s a huge decision. At that moment God will strip away all our excuses and say, “I know you’re afraid, but I’ll be with you every step of the way. Do you trust me?” And then it’s time for us to decide.
CONCLUSION
Now, I don’t know how the Nominating Committee feels about being compared to the burning bush, but that’s kind of what they are. God uses the Nominating Committee to help identify leaders for his church. They accepted their task of prayerful discernment and did the job God called them to do. And we are very grateful to them because they did a good job.
So now it is time to recognize some folks who faced the burning bush, who gave God all the excuses they could think of, and who finally decided to let go of their fear and to trust God. Would Patty Ferris, Craig Sinclair, and Larry Zellers please come forward for the Ordination and Installation of Elders?
BENEDICTION
Next time you see a burning bush, don’t walk on by. Stop, look, and listen to what God is calling you to do. Let go of your fear and trust God. He will be with you each step of the way.
Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
INTRODUCTION
My seventh grade English teacher came up with a very clever assignment for our class. She was trying to teach us about creative writing—like writing stories. Well, when someone tells you that you HAVE to write a story, suddenly you can’t think of anything to say. Too much pressure.
So, she started out with something easy. She asked us to write excuses for why we didn’t do our homework. Clever, right? You can be VERY creative when you come up with excuses, and it didn’t really feel like you were under a lot of pressure.
I think the best one I came up with was that my mom was warming up some sweet potato baby food in the microwave and it exploded. We were out of paper towels, so she had to use my homework to clean it up.
I was looking for some other excuses you could use to NOT turn in your homework. I found a cartoon of Garfield saying, “I can’t do homework for medical reasons. It makes me sick.” Somebody else suggested, “I made a paper plane out of it and it got hijacked.” One my sister might hear in one of her math classes is this: “I have a solar powered calculator and it was cloudy.” But I think my favorite excuse for not turning in homework is a twist on the old “my dog ate it” line. This one says, “I can’t turn my homework in because my dog ate it. Seriously, look, I brought a stool sample in to show you.”
MOVE #1
But you know, it’s not just kids who come up with good excuses. Grown-ups are pretty good at coming up with excuses too. Take Moses for example. God had a job for Moses—even appeared to him in the burning bush so Moses would have no doubt that it really was God talking to him—but Moses had a million excuses to get out of doing the job.
God says, “I’m sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the People of Israel, out of Egypt.” And Moses answers, “But why me? What makes you think that I could ever go to Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Can’t you just hear the whine that must have been in his voice?
God answers his excuse saying, “I’ll be with you. Don’t worry about it.” And once again Moses opens his big mouth and says, “Well, what if they ask who sent me? What should I say then?” And God has answer for that excuse too: “Tell them ‘I Am’ sent you.”
Moses comes up with another excuse saying, “They won’t trust me, Lord. They won’t listen to a word I say. They’re going to say, ‘God? Appear to a guy like him? Never!’” And God answers this excuse by giving him miraculous signs to do to prove that God is with him.
When that doesn’t work, Moses tries one more time to come up with an excuse that will get him out of the job God has in mind for him: “Master, please, I don’t talk well. I’ve never been good with words, neither before or after you spoke to me. I stutter and stammer. . . . Oh, Master, please! Send somebody else!” At this point God is a little angry and a little tired of all the excuses Moses is coming up with. But once again he gives an answer the last of the excuses from Moses: “Don’t you have a brother, Aaron the Levite? He’s good with words. I know he is. He speaks very well. . . . I’ll be right there with you as you speak and with him as he speaks, teaching you step by step. He will speak to the people for you.”
So, one by one, God answers every excuse Moses can come up with—eight of them in all. There is no changing God’s mind here. This says a lot about God’s character: He is persistent but patient, understanding but firm. He recognizes all the concerns that Moses has but constantly reassures him that he will not be walking this road alone; God will be with him each step of the way.
MOVE #2
God understands that we all have our insecurities and flaws. Probably God knows those things about us too well. He knows how we let our insecurities and flaws get in the way of ministry. God knows we all have our own flimsy excuses for why we, like Moses, can’t do the job God has for us: we’re too young or too old; we’re too busy or we don’t feel well enough; we’re not smart enough or we’re not good enough or we’re not worthy enough or we don’t have enough faith; we can’t pray out loud, we can’t speak in front of people, and we’re afraid we don’t know enough about the Bible. We’re full of excuses about why God should pick someone else for the job.
But deep down inside, we know these are just flimsy excuses we hold on for dear life to because we’re afraid. We’re afraid of what might happen if we let God have his way in our lives.
If we were standing in Moses’ place in front of the burning bush, we would probably try to slip away, hoping God wouldn’t notice. We know God would have an answer for every excuse we could come up with and that would leave us with no choice but to obey.
There comes a time when every Christian finds themselves in front of the burning bush. There comes a time when every Christian finds themselves taking their shoes off and coming face to face with God. God has a particular task in mind for each one of us, and sooner or later, we’re going to have to decide what we want to do about it. It’s a huge moment—it’s a huge decision. At that moment God will strip away all our excuses and say, “I know you’re afraid, but I’ll be with you every step of the way. Do you trust me?” And then it’s time for us to decide.
CONCLUSION
Now, I don’t know how the Nominating Committee feels about being compared to the burning bush, but that’s kind of what they are. God uses the Nominating Committee to help identify leaders for his church. They accepted their task of prayerful discernment and did the job God called them to do. And we are very grateful to them because they did a good job.
So now it is time to recognize some folks who faced the burning bush, who gave God all the excuses they could think of, and who finally decided to let go of their fear and to trust God. Would Patty Ferris, Craig Sinclair, and Larry Zellers please come forward for the Ordination and Installation of Elders?
BENEDICTION
Next time you see a burning bush, don’t walk on by. Stop, look, and listen to what God is calling you to do. Let go of your fear and trust God. He will be with you each step of the way.
Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Monday, January 19, 2009
GO STEELERS!
Another bright and beautiful MONDAY morning! I hope you were safe on the roads yesterday. Our turnout in church was a little low--but I was still pleasantly surprised how many people made the effort to come!
PS GO STEELERS!
(Sorry, had to get that out of my system.)
Here's yesterday's question and answer:
Sun, Jan. 18 Psalm 9:2 “2 I will be glad and rejoice in You”. . .
Name 10 things that you thank God for (No right or wrong answer for that!)
And here's today's question of the day:
Mon, Jan. 19 Joseph found favor in one of the Pharaoh’s official’s eyes. What was his name and what did he put Joseph in charge of? (Gen 39)
And here's the reflection of the day:
Invite Jesus In
In Matthew 14 we read about the storm overtaking the disciples in the boat. In the midst of the crashing waves and darkness, the disciples see Jesus walking toward them on the water. High-spirited Peter (the one who always says and does what other people only THINK about doing and saying) wants to be like Jesus: "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water."
And Jesus says, "Come." The winds keep blowing, the waves keep crashing, and Peter wants to walk on water. Instead of thinking of their safety, about the storm--he has eyes only for Jesus. Peter is brave at first, then reality sinks in. And then Peter beings to sink.
How often has that happened to us? How often do we walk without fear along the right path toward Jesus only to let ourselves get distracted by the reality of the situation aournd us? Instead of keeping his eyes on Jesus, Peter loses focus. Does that mean we should never step out in faith? Does that mean Peter doesn't have enough faith?
Not so much. If this is a "pop quiz" of faith (like we talked about in yesterday's post which was the sermon from Sunday morning), the disciples passed. In the end, they invited Jesus INTO the boat with them instead off all trooping out onto the water. Once they invited Jesus into the boat, the winds die down. Once they invited Jesus into the boat, the waves stopped crashing.
How much trouble would we save ourselves if we would just invite Jesus INTO our boats in the first place?
Allison
PS GO STEELERS!
(Sorry, had to get that out of my system.)
Here's yesterday's question and answer:
Sun, Jan. 18 Psalm 9:2 “2 I will be glad and rejoice in You”. . .
Name 10 things that you thank God for (No right or wrong answer for that!)
And here's today's question of the day:
Mon, Jan. 19 Joseph found favor in one of the Pharaoh’s official’s eyes. What was his name and what did he put Joseph in charge of? (Gen 39)
And here's the reflection of the day:
Invite Jesus In
In Matthew 14 we read about the storm overtaking the disciples in the boat. In the midst of the crashing waves and darkness, the disciples see Jesus walking toward them on the water. High-spirited Peter (the one who always says and does what other people only THINK about doing and saying) wants to be like Jesus: "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water."
And Jesus says, "Come." The winds keep blowing, the waves keep crashing, and Peter wants to walk on water. Instead of thinking of their safety, about the storm--he has eyes only for Jesus. Peter is brave at first, then reality sinks in. And then Peter beings to sink.
How often has that happened to us? How often do we walk without fear along the right path toward Jesus only to let ourselves get distracted by the reality of the situation aournd us? Instead of keeping his eyes on Jesus, Peter loses focus. Does that mean we should never step out in faith? Does that mean Peter doesn't have enough faith?
Not so much. If this is a "pop quiz" of faith (like we talked about in yesterday's post which was the sermon from Sunday morning), the disciples passed. In the end, they invited Jesus INTO the boat with them instead off all trooping out onto the water. Once they invited Jesus into the boat, the winds die down. Once they invited Jesus into the boat, the waves stopped crashing.
How much trouble would we save ourselves if we would just invite Jesus INTO our boats in the first place?
Allison
Friday, January 16, 2009
Repentance Part 2
I didn't think it could get any colder. . . yikes! I'm glad I took Rocky out BEFORE I actually knew what the temperature was. Mind over matter, right?
Here's yesterday's question and answer:
Thurs, Jan. 15 Which cities does Jesus denounce? (Matt 11)
(It's kind of a trick question--Jesus mentions a lot of cities, but he only condemns 3 of them.)
Matthew 11:20-24 20 Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."
Here's today's question of the day:
Fri, Jan. 16 What was Jacob’s name changed to? What does it mean? (Gen 32)
And here's the reflection of the day:
Repentance Part 2
Genesis 33 seems to pick up just where the Matthew 11 left off talking about repentance. By now you've read the whole Jacob and Esau story and you know that, though Esau has a bad rap, it's actually JACOB who's the trickster. He's the liar and the cheater, and yet the story follows him, not Esau.
At this point in the story, Jacob feels the need for reconciliation with his twin. Perhaps the guilt of his wrongs wore him down. Perhaps he hoped that enough time had passed that Esau's anger would have passed. Whatever the reason, Jacob feels now is the time to reconcile with his brother. As he begins his approach to Esau's land, his messengers return telling him that Esau and 400 men were coming to meet them. Jacob begins to panic, thinking Esau was still holding a grudge and is now coming for his revenge.
In his heart, Jacob seemed prepared to repent but it looks like his repentance was more out of fear than perhaps even regret. This is not the kind of repentance God is looking for. Repentance out of fear of retribution from God is useless. Repentance should not be fueled by fear.
Repentance is born out of gratitude for the grace of God which is given to use freely. Our repentance is offered to God out of our thankfulness for the forgiveness of our sin and NOT out of fear that if we don't God will punish us. At Bible Study on Wednesday we talked about how faith should be motivated by gratitude and not fear of God. This part of the Jacob and Esau story is a good reminder to consider the motivations of our faith and repentance. Do we believe out of fear of what God might do if we don't believe or out of gratitude for what God did for us on the cross? Is our repentance motivated by fear or faith?
Just a little something for us all to ponder today. . .
Allison
Here's yesterday's question and answer:
Thurs, Jan. 15 Which cities does Jesus denounce? (Matt 11)
(It's kind of a trick question--Jesus mentions a lot of cities, but he only condemns 3 of them.)
Matthew 11:20-24 20 Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."
Here's today's question of the day:
Fri, Jan. 16 What was Jacob’s name changed to? What does it mean? (Gen 32)
And here's the reflection of the day:
Repentance Part 2
Genesis 33 seems to pick up just where the Matthew 11 left off talking about repentance. By now you've read the whole Jacob and Esau story and you know that, though Esau has a bad rap, it's actually JACOB who's the trickster. He's the liar and the cheater, and yet the story follows him, not Esau.
At this point in the story, Jacob feels the need for reconciliation with his twin. Perhaps the guilt of his wrongs wore him down. Perhaps he hoped that enough time had passed that Esau's anger would have passed. Whatever the reason, Jacob feels now is the time to reconcile with his brother. As he begins his approach to Esau's land, his messengers return telling him that Esau and 400 men were coming to meet them. Jacob begins to panic, thinking Esau was still holding a grudge and is now coming for his revenge.
In his heart, Jacob seemed prepared to repent but it looks like his repentance was more out of fear than perhaps even regret. This is not the kind of repentance God is looking for. Repentance out of fear of retribution from God is useless. Repentance should not be fueled by fear.
Repentance is born out of gratitude for the grace of God which is given to use freely. Our repentance is offered to God out of our thankfulness for the forgiveness of our sin and NOT out of fear that if we don't God will punish us. At Bible Study on Wednesday we talked about how faith should be motivated by gratitude and not fear of God. This part of the Jacob and Esau story is a good reminder to consider the motivations of our faith and repentance. Do we believe out of fear of what God might do if we don't believe or out of gratitude for what God did for us on the cross? Is our repentance motivated by fear or faith?
Just a little something for us all to ponder today. . .
Allison
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