The Memorial of the Believer!

 Memorial Day Weekend and Trinity Sunday!

  

Introduction:

     A.   Tomorrow is Memorial Day!

          1.   This is a day when we as Americans remember those                who have died in defense of our country and our                  freedoms.

              a.   Some of those are remembered by monuments that                  have been built in honor of the dead of a                        certain war.

              b.   Others we remember by visiting the cemetery                     where they are buried.

          2.   We owe a lot to these people and it's fitting that               we should pay them honor!

 

     B.   Christianity has its own war heros, but there is one who         stands out above all the rest.  Without His contribution,        the war against sin would not have been won!

 

     Trans.

          I want to remember this war hero this morning!  To do      that we won't go to a tombstone over his grave, but we will go to an empty grave because he is not there!

 

                            Prayer

 

                 Luke 24: 1-7 and Rom. 8:19-27

 

I.   As we approach the grave this morning, let's remember the   things that led to the grave!

 

     A.   First, we must go back to the beginning because that is          where it all starts.

1.   In the beginning God created humankind!  Whether you take Genesis chapters 1&2 literally or whether you believe that God did it through the process of evolution as Theocratic Evolutionist believe, God did it!

2.   God didn't want humankind to have to serve God, so God gave them a choice; God wanted humankind to want to serve God!

          3.   But we chose not to serve God!  I say we because if              you will go back to when you became of the age of                accountability you will realize that you too had a               choice, and you chose to sin!  This choice separated             us from God!

 

     B.   God didn't want to leave it here; God still wanted us to         have a chance to start again, so God placed Godself in           Mary's womb.  "And God became flesh and dwelt among us .         . ."

 

     C.   So Jesus was born!

          1.   Not to the family of a king which He deserved!

          2.   But to the family of a carpenter!

          3.   He never had much of this world's goods, but He                  showed us that didn't really matter!

 

     D.   Jesus showed us how to live!  He showed us how to love!          He is our best revelation of what God is really like!

 

     E.   Then Jesus gave his life for you!  I say you because             this is a personal thing.  If you or I had been the only         one lost, I believe He'd still have given his life to               save us!

          1.   You know, if I were going to die for someone, I                  believe I'd want to go the quickest and least                   painful way!

          2.   But Jesus didn't; he went probably the most painful              way!

              a.   The charges of course were drummed up; he was                   guilty of no crime, but he felt our guilt!

              b.   He was beaten practically to death!

              c.   He was laughed at and ridiculed!

              d.   He was nailed to the cross and hung there to                    die while everyone turned against him.

                   1)   Even the father (God) turned His back on                        Him.

                   2)   This must have been the most agonizing                          thing He faced while on Earth!

 

     F.   Then Jesus was placed in the tomb.  A borrowed tomb at           that!

 

     G.   So you see this morning we owe a lot to Jesus!  He               suffered a lot for us!

 

II.  So let's approach the tomb this morning and remember Him!

     A.   Oh, wait;  he's not there; the tomb is empty!  Just like         he said it would be!

 

     B.   What does this mean?

          1.   Does it mean someone stole the body?  That's what                the guards claimed!

              a.   But if someone stole the body, how did they                     remove the stone?  How did they get around the                   guards?  Pilot thought he had taken precautions                  against this!

              b.   And wouldn't the guards have been successful in                 killing at least one of the thieves?  But they                   have nothing to show for their claims!

          2.   What about all those that claim they saw Jesus after             this happened?

              a.   This must all mean that Jesus did arise just                    like He said he would!

              b.   He must have been truly God!

              c.   The price must be paid for my sins, so I can be                 put back in a relationship with God if I                        receive Him!  Sin has been conquered!

              d.   If Jesus can raise Himself up, then I can                       believe He can raise me up also!  This life                      isn't all there is!

 

III. Christ has been raised!  Christ has ascended! The Spirit has

come to the Church!  We have celebrated all of this on past Sundays!

A.   Our second passage gives us our Trinitarian view of God!

 

B.   Paul has just preached Jesus for salvation in the

scriptures leading up to this! Just as I have today!

    

     C.   Here he says, we wait in hope!  The Spirit helps us in our.

weakness!  The Spirit intercedes for us!

 

     D.   Then Paul says, God searches our hearts and the Spirit

intercedes according to God’s will!

 

     E.   The God head all works together that we might know and come

to God!  Thanks be to God!

 

IV.  Coming back to our thoughts of the ultimate war hero that

Christians should remember today; you see we really do owe

a lot to Jesus this Memorial Day!

 

     A.   We owe Him our gratitude!  He did something for us we            couldn't have done on our own!

 

              "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that               not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of                works lest any man should boast"  (Eph. 2:8&9).

 

     B.   We owe him our lives, our lives in service.  Not dead!

                                           Also: Rom. 12:1&2

 

Conclusion:

     A.   As we encounter Jesus at the table this morning, won't you

come this morning and receive Jesus into your heart and

ask for God's forgiveness because of what Jesus has done?

 

1.   As we remember what Jesus did, we don't profit unless

We go beyond that and receive what He has done as a      sacrifice for our sins!

          2.   The funny thing about all of this is we have the

               best end of the deal!!  If you have never made a

commitment, won't you do that this morning?

          3.   If you do, let me know so I can help with your new

walk with Christ!

 

     B.   Maybe, as we encounter Jesus at the table, you need to pledge

to go deeper as a result of gratitude for what Jesus has

done for you?  You can do that this morning too!

 

                      Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion

 

A Precious Promise!

   Pentecost Sunday!

  Introduction:

A.   The last words that Matthew recorded spoken by our Lord are referred to as "The Great Commission." 

Read   Matt. 28:18-20

 

B.   This is a passage of instruction to them and to us; it could even be looked upon as a "Charge."

 

Trans.

It closes with a promise, and that is what I would like to look at today.  The fulfillment of this promise is what we are celebrating today!

 

                            Prayer

 Text:

"And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."  (Matt. 28:20b  NRSV)

 

I.   I'm sure this turned out to be a precious promise to the disciples!

A.   They would face much persecution in their lifetimes!

B.   Many of the 12 died the death of a martyr!

1.   Andrew

When a Governor in Greece's brother and wife converted to Christianity, he became enraged and had Andrew arrested and condemned to die on the cross. Andrew, feeling unworthy to be crucified on the same-shaped cross as his Master, begged that his be different.  So, he was crucified on an X-shaped cross."  (Nelson Study Bible pg. 1245)

2.   Bartholomew

"tradition says that he preached in India, and his  death seems to have taken place there.  He died a  martyr for his Lord.  He was flayed [strip the skin off] alive with knives."  (Nelson 1245)

3.   James, son of Zebedee

"He was the first of the twelve to become a martyr."

(Nelson 1245)

4.   James, son of Alpheus

"Tradition tells us that he also died as a martyr and his body was sawed in pieces."  (Nelson 1246)

5.   Peter

"Peter was martyred on the cross.  Peter requested the he might be crucified head downward for he was not worthy to die as his Lord had died."  (Nelson                1247)

6.   Philip

"It is said that he died by hanging.  While he was dying, he requested that his body be wrapped not in  linen but in papyrus for he was not worthy that even his dead body should be treated as the body of Jesus  had been treated."  (Nelson 1248)

7.   Thomas

"It is said that he was commissioned to build a palace for the king of India, and he was killed with a spear as a martyr for his Lord." (Nelson 1248)

 

C.   But they had this promise to hang onto, that the Lord would be with them until the end!  Thanks be to God!

 

II.  The Promise is there for us to hang on to today also, just as    it was for them!

A.   At first, he was there in bodily form for them.

B.   Later, he was there in the Spirit.

C.   He is here for us in the Spirit too!

A.      That is what Pentecost is all about!

 

III. Let's look at some times it is important for us to know that he will be there for us.

A.   He will be there when we are tempted!

1.   He can help us through temptation.

2.   He was tempted and knows what strength we need to  resist!

3.   He will provide the strength!

 

B.   He will be there when others fail us!

1.   How many of you have had great confidence in someone only to have them fail or fall?

2.   It hurts doesn't it?  It can depress us to the point  that we just want to give up!

3.   The Lord can help us through these times if we will  keep our eyes on him; he knows what it is like to be  betrayed or let down!

4.   We have to be able to trust fellow Christians, but when that trust is betrayed, He'll bring us through.

 

C.   He will be there when persecutions come!

1.   The persecution may be that of death such as the apostles faced, or it may be in the form of being made fun of which is still a form of persecution.

2.   Whichever the case, the Lord can give us the strength that we need to overcome and not give in  under the persecution!

 

D.   He will be there when sickness comes!

1.   When we don't know if the sickness will take our lives or not, we know that if it does we will go on  to be with the Lord.  We will be finally healed!  He  will take care of us!

2.   Because of this, we can face sickness with a positive outlook!

 

E.   He will be there when tragedy strikes!

1.   When the world is jerked out from under us, he will  be there to help us put it back together!

2.   That's what He wants to do.

a.   put it back together.

b.   help us see things in perspective!

c.   help us to be better because of it!

 

F.   He will be there as we undertake mission to fulfill the great commission!

     1.   Answer the call into the ministry!

     2.   Be a teacher!

     3.   Give a word of testimony or invite someone to church!

          4.   Support missions or serve in a mission, such as the

              Thrift Store!

          5.   The Spirit will guide us!  Praise the Lord!

 

G.   Lastly, but not least importantly, He will be there when we face death!

 

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."  (Psalm 23:4)

 

1.   Death has really got to be scary without the Lord.

2.   But with the Lord, it is a doorway into Heaven.

3.   It is only a "shadow" of what death is without Christ!

 

IV.  What is life without the Lord?

A.   It is scary!

B.   It is lonely!

C.   It is meaningless!

D.   It is hard!

E.   Oh yes, there will be fun times, but when tragedy strikes, what then?  When everyday life sets in, what then?

 

Conclusion:

A.   Aren't you glad that the Lord gave us this promise?

 

"Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the  age."

 

B.   Aren't you glad that we have someone to go with us through these hard times of life?

 

C.   Aren't you glad that we can have a meaningful and full life?

 

D.   As we encounter Christ at the table this morning, let’s thank God for Christ’s indwelling Spirit.  Let’s yield to that Spirit’s leading in our lives!

 

Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion

The Sacrificial Love of Motherhood

 Mother’s Day and Ascension Sunday!

 

Introduction: 

A.   Where I once pastored in Indiana there was a bird that would build its nest among the rocks on our parking lot about once a year.

B.   It was a Killdeer.

Killdeer  (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 15th ed., 1980)

1.   "American bird that frequents grassy mud flats, pastures, and fields. . ."

2.   "The killdeer is named for its loud insistent whistle."

3.   "The parents take turns incubating."

4.   "Intruders are led away from the nesting area by a 'broken

 wing' distraction behavior, in which a parent bird limps

 or flutters along the ground, appearing to be injured."

     C.   When we would drive unto the parking lot and saw this bird

running across the lot like it was hurt, we knew to look for

the nest among the rocks, and we would set a chair over it so

nobody would run over it.

 

watch this clip of the Killdeer’s broken wing act:

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qviXH1K5Xpc

    

D.   Also called killdee  (Webster's). You will probably notice me calling it this.

 

Trans. 

The killdee's role as mother is one of a sacrificial love!  She risks her own life for her babies. Jesus is another type of this sacrificial love.

 

Prayer

Matthew 23:29-39

 

(Mat 23:37 NRSV)  "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

 

I.   Jesus compared himself to that of a mother.

 

A.   The Jewish man was a loving, caring type of individual. Thus, the Jews didn't have a problem with giving God the title of father.  To them, giving God the title father meant one that is loving and caring, much like we many times think of mothers today.

 

B.   Because of this, Jesus didn't have a problem here with comparing himself to a mother chicken.

 

1.   He wanted to tenderly gather them under his wings to care

     for them and nurture them.

2.   He would eventually give his life for them and for all the

world.

3.   His was a sacrificial love!

 

C.   But they would not.  This did not stop him from loving them

sacrificially, eventually giving his life for them and for us.

 

D.   He still wants to gather us in & love us, restoring us back to God.  Will we let him?

 

II.  But there is something about mothers that allowed Jesus to use them for this illustration, and this is Mother's Day, so let's talk about this.  A mother's love is sacrificial.

 

A.   Mother, many times, must sacrifice having her own way.

Mother should sometimes get her way too, but many times she

has to do her share of giving in.

B.   Mother, many times, must sacrifice getting a good nights sleep.

1.   Mother will miss sleep when her children are sick, and yes, the father should help out here too.

2.   If mother works, it will be a real sacrifice because the

children cannot help being sick, and they need cared for just the same.

3.   If mother doesn't work outside the home, it is still a

     real sacrifice because she probably will not have time to catch up on that sleep she has lost.

4.   Children are a responsibility, and when children are sick,

parents sacrifice!

5.   Mother sacrifices this time without giving it a second

thought.

 

C.   Mother, many times, will sacrifice getting the "things" she "wants" in order to have money to buy things for the children.

1.   A real mother will do this almost automatically.

2.   Fathers, watch out for mother so that she doesn't leave

     herself out to the point that her physical needs are neglected.

 

D.   Mother, many times, will sacrifice her time.

1.   Time to do the things she would like to do.

 

2.   Because she realizes that her children would like to do

something else or want her to do something with them.

 

E.   Mother, many times, will sacrifice her very life.

1.   After mother has done all the above sacrificing, she will

wake up one day and her life  has been spent, not on herself but on her family.

 

2.   Sometimes mother may actually give her life in defense of  her children: ex. protection from intruders?

 

III. Is it worth all of the sacrifice?

 

A.   How do you want to be remembered?

1.   Will your children remember you in their adult years as a

mother who always wanted her own way, who resentfully took care of them when they were sick, who never had time for them, and who always got the things she wanted at their expense?

2.   Or will your children remember you in their adult years as a mother who taught them to give and take by her example, who always took care of them when they were sick without               complaint, who always had time for them, and who gave up  things that she wanted so they could have things they wanted or needed?

 

B.   Relationships are worth the investment;  to have friends, one must show himself/herself friendly.

 

C.   It is the same with motherhood; to be reverenced as a real mother, one must show herself motherly.

 

Conclusion:

A.   Jesus used mothers as an example of how he wanted to gather his children up and take care of them.

B.   Mothers are special people.

 

Poem

 

She could not paint, nor write, nor rhyme

Her footprints on the sands of time,

As some distinguished women do;

Just simple things of life she knew -

Like tucking little folks in bed,

Or soothing someone's aching head.

 

She was no singer, neither blessed

With any special loveliness

To win applause and passing fame;

No headlines ever blazed her name.

But, oh, she was a shining light

To all her loved ones, day and night!

 

Her home her kingdom, she its queen;

Her reign was faithful, honest, clean,

Impartial, loving, just, to each

And every one she sought to teach.

Her name?  Of course, there is no other

In all the world so sweet - just Mother!     May Allread Baker

 

     C.   An interesting thing about the Killdee is that this sacrificial

broken wing act was shared by the father too. Mother and Father

take turns protecting the nest and eggs.

 

1.   Sacrificial love isn’t just for the mother.

2.   Whether you are a mother, father, grandmother,

grandfather, son, or daughter, we all need sacrificial

love.  We need Christ’s sacrificial love and we need to

exemplify sacrificial love in our lives.

          3.   On this day, we also celebrate Christ ascending back to

Heaven.  Christ is there making intersession for us.  As

we encounter this risen and ascended Christ at the table,

ask Christ to help you to grow in this kind of love!

 

Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion

Power to Tell Others about God.

 6^th Sunday of Easter!

 Series: Power to Live!

Intro:

A.   In Acts chapter 2, the Holy Spirit comes with power upon the church, and all present are able to hear the gospel message in their own language!

 

B.   We find the end results of this recorded at the last of the chapter where Luke records, (read vs. 42-47)

 

C.   The Holy Spirit so empowered the church that souls were being added to the church daily!

 

D.   Jesus gives us the power for that to happen today!  For us to tell others about God!

 

E.   This all starts with telling our friends about Jesus.

 

F.   We see this modeled in the New Testament when Jesus is calling his first followers. 

 

Prayer

John 1:35-50 & Mark 1:14-20

 

I.   What is a friend?

 

A.   Webster:  A person to whom one is attached by affection; an intimate acquaintance.

 

B.   A friend is someone we share life with.

 

C.   If we get something good, we want to share it with our friends.

 

II.  We see in this account of the calling of some of the first

     disciples how when Andrew & Philip found something good they

shared it with their friends!

 

A.   They had a great love for their friends!

1.   They were special to them!

2.   They wanted them to have good things too!

 

B.   Christ, the Messiah, was a good thing!

1.   He was the one who was going to destroy their enemies and

release them from bondage!

2.   He promised them no more hurt, no more pain, no more oppression!

3.   Summed up, he promised them hope, a light at the end of

The darkness!

 

 

C.   So they wanted their dear friends to share in this new-found

"Hope!"

 

D.   In Mark=s account of the calling of the first disciples, Jesus says, AFollow me and I will make you fishers of people.@ Mark 1:14-20 (NRSV)

 

     1.   Without getting into the differences of the accounts, the

          message is clear that Jesus wants us intentionally

          telling the Good News!

     2.   In Johns account, they immediately began doing that; they

          began to tell their friends and relatives!

     3.   That is what we are here for, to tell the good news and

          Make disciples by word and deed!

 

III. Do we have friends?

 

A.   Do we believe that the message of Christ is good news?

 

B.   Do we want our friends to have good news?

 

C.   Of course we do, we love them!

 

D.   We want the best for them if they are true friends!

 

IV.  We too have a great Hope in Jesus; that is good news!

 

A.   The Israelites misunderstood the prophesies & promises of the

Messiah!

1.   They thought Christ was going to deliver them from the

bondage & oppression of other nations ruling over them!

2.   They were expecting an Earthly Kingdom!

 

B.   But we know today:

1.   That the delivery from bondage was from that of sin;

Christ destroyed sin's hold on us!

2.   That the no more pain and no more hurt referred to a

Heavenly Kingdom!

3.   Besides this, we know that living for Christ gives life

meaning today!!

     4.   We know that Christ wants us to live as kingdom people

          And make a difference today!

a.   Feed the hungry!

b.   Cloth the poor!

c.   Overcome oppression!

 

C.   So Jesus is the best this life has to offer!

 

V.   If we really love our friends, shouldn't we want to share Jesus with them today just as the 1st disciples did?

A.   That is why we teach or preach!  Because of love, we are

Sharing Jesus with a friend!

 

B.   But each one of us should be involved in the ministry of some

way, some how sharing Jesus with a friend!

1.   We can invite others to church or our small group.

2.   We can tell them what Christ means to us!

3.   We can talk about it while we are doing the things with

Our friends through the week: shopping, working, playing.

          4.   As we do these things with our friends, we can create a

time to share!

          5.   Are we involved in this ministry of sharing Jesus with a

friend?

          6.   As you go out, we have a sign that says you are now

entering the mission field.  Are you being a part of this

ministry as you go forth or is church just a Sunday thing for you?

     C.   But we don’t go alone because of the resurrection!

          1.   Christ goes with us!

          2.   The Great Commission in Matt. 28:19-20 ends with “And

remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

          3.   As you leave and go into the mission field, Christ goes

with us! We signify that each Sunday with the taking out

of the flame at the end of the service.

 

Conclusion:

A.   That is the way the first disciples shared!

 

B.   That is the way the good news can be shared today!

 

C.   Jesus gives us the Power to tell others about God!

 

D.   Have we tapped into that power?

 

     As we encounter Christ at the table today, we can tap into the power to tell others about God. Thanks be to God!

 

Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion