Power to Help Others!

 Series:  Power to Live! 

Prayer

Introduction:

A.   John Wesley, the man considered to be the founder of Methodism, didn=t really have any theological problems with the Anglican Church (Church of England), so he never left the Anglican Church.  He died an Anglican Priest.

 

          1.   Here is a clip I use for Methodist 101; it is a little

              longer than I usually use for a sermon clip, but it gives a good overview of the beginnings of Methodism with John Wesley.

 

     2.   Watch this clip:

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_Oe-RThZeE&list=PLyljBYrZY8J5YM0X0jUQyANZSH3CAtZ0X&index=1

 

B.   Wesley was troubled by what he saw the church doing with their faith; his problem was with the church’s practice of faith.

 

     C.   For this reason, Wesley began to go outside the church walls

          and started class meetings where he held the members accountable for what they were doing with their faith.  He would ask them questions like, are you visiting the sick, are you visiting the prisons, are you giving to the poor?  Etc.

 

     D.   He began to do field preaching (out on the mission field, like on the streets and in the workplace, rather than out in the middle of a corn field) rather than preaching in the church           building to reach the people who were not being reached by the church.

 

Trans.

How does this affect who we are as a church today?  Wesley was

very involved in helping ministries!  I think our scripture

for today gives us scriptural support for that.  Listen as we

see how Jesus gives us the APower to Help Others.@

 

Read John 9: 1-12

 

I.   Let=s look at the scripture:

A.   Jesus and his disciples are walking along.  The disciples ask him, ADid this man sin or his parents that he was born this way?@

 

B.   You see back then there was a common misconception that when you were sick it was because of your sins or your parents.  We have that same misconception today.

1.   Jesus answers neither!

2.   He wasn=t sick because of his sin.

3.   Sometimes, we just get sick.

     4.   We aren=t always sheltered from this, even as Christians!

     5.   Just because someone has fallen upon hard times it

          doesn’t mean they have it coming to them because of their

          sin or what they have done.  Sometimes it is, but we

          can’t make that assumption.

 

C.   Jesus isn=t even asked by the man (I think this is significant), but he takes dust mixed with saliva to make mud to put on his eyes.

1.   He tells him to wash, and when he does, he is healed.

1.      Jesus helped even when he wasn=t asked to, because it was the thing to do!

 

I.      What does this scripture say to us today?

A.   First, I am sure that Jesus helps us many times when we don=t ask.  We should probably realize that and be thankful as we talked about last week.

 

B.   Second, we shouldn=t always have to be asked to help.  We should be looking for ways that we can help others!  There are needs all around us.

     1.   Young people who need an opportunity to socialize in a wholesome environment.

2.   Young people who need guidance.

3.   Senior adults who are lonely and need someone to care.

4.   Young couples who are struggling with how to raise their kids.

5.   People who don=t know where their next meal will come from.

6.   People who don=t know God!

7.   Maybe we aren’t equipped to meet all these needs, but for some we might just be the ones who need to act.

8.   Our Wesleyan heritage calls us to look around at the needs we see and act in ways we can!

 

      C.   So we need to ask how we can meet those needs.

           1.  Sometimes, the answer may be in starting new ministries.

              a.   John Wesley started small groups to hold people

                   accountable to do something with their faith.

              b.   These small groups later became Methodist societies

                   and later in America the Methodist Church!

              c.   Starting new ministries is very Wesleyan!

 2.  Other times, the answer may be in supporting ministries that are already started.

     a.   Support the Thrift Store! That at one time was a new

          ministry!

b.   Support the missions we support as a church: Mozambique, Heifer International, Options, and Gideons to name a few.

 

c.   Support our food ministries to help people in need, such as the free food shelf.

d.   Support our efforts to provide meals and transportation for those of our church who need it.

 

I.      It is the Christian thing to do, but we don=t have to do it alone.

A.   Jesus gives us the power to help others. Don=t try to go it alone. Because of the resurrection, we are empowered to help others and to make a difference! Christ is there to help us!    

B.   Pray! Seek God’s leading in prayer!

 

C.   Seek God in Bible Study!

 

D.   When you have your answer to what you can do, tap into the power to Help Others.

 

Conclusion:

A.   John Wesley understood an important principle about faith.

 

     “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

                                                John Wesley

 

B.   Faith should move us to practice. It should move us to do something! 

 

C.   Has your faith moved you to helping others, to putting your faith into practice?  If not, come to the one who can give you the power to do that! Amen!

 

 

Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion

Power to Be Thankful!

 Series: Power to Live!

 Introduction:

A.   We've just come through Lent, Passion Week, and last week  celebrated the Resurrection!

B.   Because of the resurrection, we have the power to live for God!  We have the power to change and be better!  We have the power to do and be lots of things!

C.   Watch this clip:

 

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIXJVVVEGIg

 

Trans.

The first one is APower to Be Thankful.@  Let's look this morning and see how Jesus gives us the power to be thankful and look at our own inclinations toward being thankful or not!

 

Prayer

Luke 17: 11-19

 

I.   Jesus healed ten lepers, notice the difference in the response

of the one leper to that of the other nine!

 

A.   They were all healed - they were all blessed!

 

B.   But the nine didn't return to give thanks!

1.   Perhaps they felt it would have happened anyway!

a.   Sometimes we are prone to explain our blessings

away this way.

b.   Even when we have been praying for someone or

     about a situation, when the person's situation

becomes better or our own situation is resolved, we forget to give thanks to God!

c.   Boy, I'm glad it worked out that way; that was sure lucky! (luck - another reason for it to be

resolved!)

2.   Perhaps they felt they deserved the blessing; after

all, they had never done anything to deserve that

type of lifestyle! They didn't owe thanks because

they had it coming!

a.   Sometimes, we are this way!

b.   We feel that what the person has done for us is

only fair, or we feel that what God has done

for us is only fair!

c.   We forget that the other person or God didn't

              really have to do anything!

d.   Examples from former pastorates:

 

Indiana, took wrapped presents for Christmas to

some in our community who we learned had fallen

on bad times. 

 

Responses varied: some, "Just put them here."

Others would be so thankful, they just

couldn't believe someone was doing  that for

them.

 

Food pantry ministry: you can see it in peoples

responses to that. Some are so thankful!

Others just seem to expect it!

 

I see it and I am sure you do too in responses

from people receiving gas or help from

the Thrift Store!

         

                                                          This is the difference between expecting

                                                          someone or God to do for us because we deserve

                                                          it and realizing that all that people or God do

                                                          for us is a gift that doesn't have to be given:

                                                          one we do not have coming to us!

 

3.   Back to lepers: Perhaps they got caught up in

     the opportunities their new life opened up to

     them and "forgot" to give thanks!  Do we

     sometimes get so excited about the gift that we

     forget to thank the giver?

 

C.   But notice the one that did.

 

1.   He realized what life had been like without Jesus.

2.   He looked at what he had because of Jesus!

3.   And he was "grateful!"

4.   So he went all the way back and thanked Jesus for

what he had done!  When someone says thanks at the

time you do something for them, it is one thing, but

when someone goes to an effort to come back later,

they are really showing gratitude!  This was the

case with this man!

              5.   I believe that, because of the resurrection, Jesus

empowers us to express thanks in this way!

 

 

II.  Which one are you the most like?

 

James 1:17

"Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from

 above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is

 no variation or shadow due to change."

 

A.   Do we realize this and realize what we wouldn't have if it

weren't for God and respond by giving "Thanks" for the good

things?

 

B.   Or do we:

1.   Feel they would happen anyway?

2.   Feel we deserve them?

3.   Get caught up in the good things & forget to give thanks?

 

Conclusion:

A.   In concluding this morning, because of the resurrection, God

gives us the power to be thankful!.  Because of the

resurrection, we can be transformed in this virtue!

 

B.   Do we need to tap into that power this morning?.

 

C.   As we encounter Christ at the table, you can tap into that

power to be changed into a person who is thankful to God for

God’s blessings.  You can be that person who thanks God for

answers to prayer!  You can be that person who is thankful to

people instead of thinking they only did what they should! You

can be that person who puts a priority on being Thankful!

 

     D.   Maybe you’ve never made a commitment to Christ and maybe you

are feeling convicted in that, you can make a commitment to

Christ for the first time too as you come and encounter Christ

at the table.  If you do, let me know so I can help you with

your new walk in Christ!

 

 

Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion

Resurrection: Life, Hope, and Proclamation!

 

Easter Service!

 

                          Mark 16:1-8

 

                     Prayer of Illumination

 

Watch clip: “Son of God” resurrection clip.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaS-9AP96gE

 

I.   The resurrection is the life of Christianity!

 

     A.   If we could be taken to a tomb where the founder of              Christianity lay and Jesus were still there, our                 preaching and singing would be for nothing!

 

     B.   Our religion would be just like any other world                  religion.

 

C.   But we can't.  The scripture today states that Jesus is not there!  People have never come up with a body that is believed to be that of Christ.

 

D.   Even for those who do not believe, this must be a mystery because the historical Jesus, who there is not much doubt lived, cannot be found!  He is not there!

 

     E.   Upon this fact is the Life of Christianity.

 

II.  The resurrection is the hope of Christianity!

 

     A.   We have the hope that our God has the power to bring             us through whatever we face in life.

1.   Trials, temptations, crises, loss of a loved one,

and whatever we face in life, Jesus can bring us

through them.

2.   Because he lived life as a human and understands,

but yet is God.

 

     B.   We have the hope that we as a Church and the people of

          God can make a positive difference in the world.

 

 

 

1.   Our church has a good location; it is one of the first churches you see when you come into town.  It has great curb appeal; we have a nice facility.  We are in a county seat town.  A lot of people come by our church in a day.  The possibilities are great!

2.   Our church is seen by the bishop and cabinet as a living church that is and can make a difference in this community. I hope you get that!  That is why they chose us for the Cohort!

3.   Some of you also have that vision and hope, which I can see as we talk and meet together!

          4.   If you don't have the vision; let's catch the

hope and vision that is possible because of the resurrection! We can make a difference!

 

C.   We have the hope that our God is able to raise us also!

1.   We have the hope that this life is not all there is.

2.   Some would have a pretty miserable existence if this life were all there is, but thanks be to God, it is not!

          3.   So the resurrection is the hope of Christianity!

 

III. The resurrection is the proclamation of Christianity!

 

     A.   The God who raised Jesus can forgive our sins!

 

     B.   The God who raised Jesus can raise us up also!

 

     C.   The God who raised Jesus is a God of Power!

 

D.   The God who raised Jesus is what our world needs, so the resurrection is the proclamation of Christianity; so let's proclaim it!

 

Conclusion:

     A.   In our video, Peter says, he’s not gone he’s back!

 

     B.   Later, he says, “we have work to do!”

 

C.   So as we encounter Christ at the table today, it is

quite fitting that our observance of the Lord's Supper

be celebrated from this context.

 

 

          1.   Our observance of the Lord's Supper is a victory

              celebration!

          2.   We do not serve a God who was slaughtered on the

              cross and sealed in a tomb forever!

          3.   We serve a God who was and is victorious over

sin, hell, and the grave.

          4.   So as you encounter Christ at the table today,

let the living Christ empower you to get to work,

to let Christ use you as a vessel of God’s love,

and to let Christ use you to be invitational to

others!

 

D.   So I say, Brothers and sisters, we too have work to do!  As we go forth today, proclaim the life and hope of Christianity!  He is not here; he has risen!!

 

Prayer of Confession

Celebration of Communion

The Agony of Gethsemane.

 6th Sunday in Lent: Palm/Passion Sunday!

 

Introduction:

A.   When was the price paid for our sins?  The Cross?

 

B.   But was it all paid there?

 

C.   I believe there was a great price paid even before Christ came to the cross.

 

Trans.

Let's look this morning at this price!

 

                    Prayer

                Luke 22:39-46

Text:

"And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat           was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the               ground."  (vs. 44 KJV)

 

I.   Notice his agony!

 

"And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly:"

 

What caused this agony?

 

Perhaps we can never understand this completely, but let's go back in our minds eye and try to understand where Christ was at this time and what was his agony.

 

Remember Christ was God, but Christ was also human!

 

A.   Perhaps, it was partly as a result of Christ fully comprehending the meaning of sin.

 

1.   Remember back to a time when you did something wrong: when

a.   you stayed awake at night think of what you should

have done.

b.   you laid there thinking of how what you did hurt other people.

c.   Remember how you agonized over your failure?

 

2.   As Christ realized how sin hurts people and how it hurts  God and as Christ realized this was the sin that he would  carry, imagine how Christ felt!

3.   Charles Spurgeon says of this verse,

 

"In that night the words of Isaiah were fulfilled; 'The  Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.' Now he  stood as the sin-bearer, the substitute accepted by Divine justice to bear that we might never bear the whole of wrath divine."

 

In other words, Spurgeon was saying, "That night the sins of the world were placed on Christ, and Christ felt the guilt of the world!"

 

B.   Perhaps, Christ realized all the shame and suffering of His

crucifixion.

1.   being betrayed by a friend.

2.   being seized by the officers as a criminal; crucifixion was the execution of the lowliest of criminals.

3.   the mockery of a trial.

4.   the nailing to the cross, and the pain of the thirst.

5.   And above all, being forsaken by God!

 

C.   Going along with Spurgeon once again, perhaps even now, God had

begun to withdraw God's presence from Christ, and Christ was getting a taste of the separation that was to fully come!

 

D.   Perhaps, Christ was facing the greatest temptation of his life,

even more intense than the 40 days in the wilderness!  What could some of these temptations have been?

 

1.   To leave the work unfinished.

"If it be possible, let this  cup pass from me."

Imagine what Satan could have said:

a.   Are you sure you are the one that is to pay this

awful price?

b.   Look at your weakness; you are even now sweating

blood!

c.   But if you are the one, what good will it do?

All will forsake you!  Even now, your best friends  are asleep when you need them most!  They will scatter; are they worth it?

d.   We can be sure that Satan used all his resources at

this time to defeat Christ!

 

2.   The fear that his strength would not be sufficient.

Again, imagine what Satan could have said:

a.   How can you stand to be treated as a criminal?

You deserve better than that; you are the creator

of the universe!  Are you going to let them treat you

that way?

b.   How can you stand to have God turn away from you?

c.   How can you stand to see your broken-hearted mother

at the foot of the cross?

d.   You won't be able to stand it!

e.   But God sent angels to strengthen Christ.

              (vs. 43)

3.   The fear that he wouldn't be able to achieve the  redemption of people: that when they scattered and Christ was dead Satan would prevail.

 

II.  Notice the Savior's prayer!  When we are tempted and want to overcome, our greatest tool is prayer!  Let's look at the prayer of Christ:

 

A.   It was  a private prayer.

1.   Family prayer is good.  Prayer in the church is good.  There is a place for these.

2.   But to overcome temptation, we need to come to the Lord in

Private prayer!

 

B.   It was a humble prayer.

1.   Notice he didn't come before God as an equal and make his

demands.  If anyone could have, he could!

2.   But Christ kneeled down (Matt. 26:39 says Christ fell on his face) like someone coming before royalty and made his request to God.

 

C.   It was a persevering prayer.

1.   He prayed three times using almost the same words, but  each time the prayer was from the heart.

2.   He prayed about it until he was sure he had his answer!

 

D.   It was an Earnest prayer.  It was a prayer in which Christ wept

as he poured his heart out to God.

 

E.   At last, it was a prayer of resignation.  "Nevertheless, not my

will but thine be done!"  (vs. 42)

 

III. Notice Christ prevailed!  This is a turning point.

 

A.   Christ arose and knew what he must do.

 

B.   We do not see any more question as to whether or not to go through with it!

 

C.   Christ had received the strength that he needed; he had received the guidance that he needed.

 

D.   He had won the victory over Satan.  We do not see where Christ  ever struggles with temptation again!  His mind was set for the cross!  He would follow through with the plan!

 

Conclusion:

A.   Christ suffered much agony even before he came to the cross.  During this time, Christ prayed very earnestly.

B.   Christ arose from his prayer with some advice for his  disciples, "pray, lest ye enter into temptation."

 

C.   We need to take an example from the way Christ handled his moment of trial.

1.   Do we pray as earnestly as Christ did?

2.   If we did, maybe we wouldn't fall into temptation.

3.   Are we praying for guidance for our church as earnestly as

Christ prayed for guidance?

4.   If we are, we will get our answer, and we'll be used of  the Lord In greater ways in the future than we have experienced in the past!

 

D.   Christ believed enough in what he was doing for us that he went all the way.  Christ thought we were worth it!  Satan probably tried to convince Christ that it wasn't worth it and that we           wouldn't trust in what he was doing for us. (pause)  Who was right where we are concerned?

 

Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion

Where Life and Death Intersect!

 5^th Sunday in Lent!                                            

 

Prayer

                                                                    John 11:1-44

First Movement:                               

I woke one morning to a contact that a pastor dreads to receive.  I believe we were in the middle of breakfast prep and maybe about to have my first cup of coffee and ding dong the bell rings.  I go to the door and a Sheriff is standing at the door.  He asks, are you pastor Mike?  I say, yes.  He says, we were called to an accident this morning where a man riding a motorcycle last night hit some gravel, straightened out a curve, and hit a tree and was killed. A passer byer saw him lying in the field and called us.  His name is Tom Smith (the name has been changed to protect the innocent), and we found this card in his wallet.  He showed me one of my business cards that I pass out.  He asked, “Do you know him?”  I said, “Yes, he and his family go to my church.”  He then said, “Do you know where they live, and can you go with me to take the news of his death to his family?”  I said yes and quickly grabbed some things to lead him out to the house.

 

Let me tell you some things about Tom.  Tom was a single parent.  His ex-wife had been in and out of prison, on and off of drugs, and for the most part had nothing to do with him or their 15 year old daughter.  Tom worked and provided for his daughter, and the best I could tell was a loving parent.  He liked to ride his motorcycle.  He wasn’t real regular at church, but he came occasionally.  He worked a lot on Sundays but came when he could.  I think I had given the card to him one time he was there or perhaps at a time I had visited him when he was sick or in the hospital.  He actually lived in a neighboring town with his daughter, and his daughter was also involved with some of the activities at a United Methodist church there.  Tom spent a lot of his time at his mother’s house which was in my parish.  His mother had been a Sunday School teacher in my church for years before I came.  Now, she was one of my shut-ins, and Tom’s sister had moved back to live with her and take care of her.  Tom’s sister was my song leader at church.  Tom usually left his daughter with his mother when he was at work, so that is where I took the Sheriff.

 

When we arrived at the house, the Sheriff quickly dropped the news in a formal sort of way and left them with me.  They were in shock to say the least.  The sister was shouting, NO, NO!  in broken English that seemed like her voice would cut in and out, for it seemed like forever.  Even as a pastor, I searched for words that I could say to give any immediate help, but found that the best thing I could do was be there with them until the shock wore off and they were  able to hear a prayer and words of hope.  I found out that Tom’s daughter was on a mission trip with the UMC in the neighboring town, so having that pastor in my cell phone, I called him so that they could get word to the daughter.  This was a great concern for the mother and sister, and I was able to arrange for his daughter to be contacted.   A couple of the adults on the mission trip got together, broke the news to her, and arranged to bring her home early.

 

This is one of those times when we wake up and all of a sudden we are faced with death, for me and this family!  It is a reality of life: life and death do intersect!

           

Second Movement:

            Our scripture today is again from John’s gospel.  It has no parallel in the synoptic gospels; it is only in John’s gospel that we have this story of the raising of Lazarus.  Like the story of the Blind man, from last week, had a double meaning about Spiritual blindness, this story has a double meaning about life and death.  Like the water that Jesus offered the Samaritan woman at the well was more than physical water, the life that Jesus offers here is more than physical life. 

 

            As I read this story this week with fresh eyes, four phrases caught my attention, so I want to tell this story around these four phrases today:

A.  “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (v. 16)

B.  “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?” (vs. 25-26)

C.  “Jesus began to weep.” (v. 35)

D.  “Unbind him, and let him go.” (v. 44)

 

Third Movement:  

A.      “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” 

Jesus and the disciples get the word that Lazarus is sick.  Jesus intentionally waits a few more days before going to help him.  When he does go, he says he is asleep but actually means he has died.  Again here, Jesus says something similar to what he said about the man being born blind so that “God’s works might be revealed in him.”  Here he says “this illness does not lead to death but that God may be glorified through it.” 

 

After a few days, Jesus and the disciples leave to go to the home of Lazarus.  There is a lot of reluctance by the disciples.  This region seems to spell trouble for them.  The disciples remind Jesus that they have tried to stone him here. (vs. 8)  John records two of these instances in chap. 8 vs. 59 and in chap. 10 vs. 31.  Jesus is still determined to go.  Thomas says, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

 

I find this greatly ironic!  This is one of several places where the disciples pledge their allegiance to Jesus even to death, and here it is Thomas: the one who would later be branded, doubting Thomas!  It is easy to pledge allegiance when we are in a group of other followers, but what about when the chips are down.  When the chips were down, Thomas and the other followers fled.  It is easy to speak bravely about Jesus when we aren’t afraid anyone who will throw insults or stones our way, but what about when we aren’t surrounded by other Christians?  It is easy for us to testify, sing praises to God, and speak for Jesus when we are here at church, but what about when we are on our own through the rest of the week?  Do we speak for Jesus then?  This goes right along with the sermon last week, “The Man who would not be silenced.”  The disciples were silenced when the chips were down; how about us?

 

B.      “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they

die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?” (vs. 25-26)

 

Jesus arrives at the home of Lazarus (who is now dead) and his sister’s Martha and Mary.  Martha comes out to him first and says, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  They had faith that Jesus could heal the sick, but death seemed beyond the realm that even Jesus could do anything about. 

 

After a short conversation Jesus replies with, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?” (vs. 25-26)   The word for life that is used here is not the old life which is promised to Lazarus but a new life.  The word is aionios – the life of the final eon.  (Interpretation Commentary) 

 

This is some deep stuff here, and I am sure those who were with Jesus at the time did not fully understand; they just knew that Jesus brought Lazarus back to physical life, and they just knew that when Jesus set up his earthly kingdom, they wanted to be on his side!  They didn’t hear the hidden meaning, but John wants us to know though after Jesus’ death and resurrection that Jesus has the power over eternal life!  If we believe in Jesus, this life is not all there is!  There is hope beyond the grave!  We will live on with God forever, for we will never die because Jesus has power even over death!  Praise God!  

 

Herein is the hope for people like Tom’s family!  Even though they would have to figure out who would take care of the daughter for a few more years, and even though they would miss him, there is hope that Tom lives on with God in this new life!  Praise God!

 

C.     “Jesus began to weep.” (v. 35)

 

Don’t you find it ironic that Jesus weeps here?  He has already said this illness is not unto death!  He knows that he is going to raise him up, so why does he weep?  Because Jesus had feelings, and as he looked around and saw his loved ones weeping and those in the crowd who were loved ones of Lazarus weeping, he hurt with them!

 

As resurrection people, we now believe in the trinity!  We believe that Jesus was God!  We believe that the earthly life of Jesus gives us our greatest revelation of God, so what do we glean from this?  God is a feeling God!  God hurts with us when we hurt!  God rejoices with us when we rejoice!  Because God has lived among us in the person of Jesus Christ, God can give us what we need as we walk this journey of life!  Indeed, we do have a “great high priest who has passed through the heavens.” (Heb. 4:14)  “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15)  So we can approach the throne of grace to find grace and help in time of need!  God is there!  God can give us what we need!  Praise God!

 

D.      “Unbind him, and let him go.” (v. 44)

 

I love this!  Jesus worked the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, but it was up to those onlookers to unbind him, and let him go!

 

 Jesus is still in the business of raising people from the dead.  Here goes more of that hidden meaning!  We are all dead in trespasses and sins!  We are separated from God!  Through Jesus, we can be given new life!  That life is not just for eternity, but it can start now!  We can be given forgiveness!  We can begin a life of purpose!  Life can have meaning!  That life is through Christ!   But get this, it is the Church who unbinds them, and lets them go!  It is us who gives them a place to serve in the Kingdom of God!  It is us who gives them a chance at this new life!  Praise God for a chance to be a part of what God is doing in the world! 

 

Forth Movement:

            So there is a lot that we can glean from this passage.  For today, we’ve had to consider whether we stand for Jesus when we aren’t surrounded by Christians or if we like the disciples have good intentions but flea when the heat is on.  As you encounter Christ at the table today, maybe you need to come and pray for strength today?

 

We’ve looked at the promise of new life in Christ and the hope that brings to us as Christians: eternal life as well as new life today.  Have you received that new life in Christ?  As you encounter Christ at the table, maybe you want to receive Christ today.  Let me know if you do that so I can help you with your new journey in Christ!

 

We have looked at why Jesus wept!  We have learned to understand God as a feeling God who can help us on our journey.  As you encounter Christ at the table, maybe you need to approach the throne of grace today to find help to help you on your journey?  You can do that as you come.

 

Lastly, I challenge you church, be a church that is an unbinding church!  Be willing to let new people find their place in God’s kingdom!  Be willing to unbind them and turn them loose for ministry!  Thanks be to God! Amen!

 

                                                             Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion