Philippians 2:12-18 –
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Luke 12:22-34
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you – you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
We were early and the only person we saw upstairs said good morning in passing. When we were downstairs another woman said a cheery hello and, noticing my interest in the kitchen, stepped out to ask if we were visitors. She was quick to apologize for not having a greeter in the narthex and quite surprised when I said I might do the job. She made me feel like family.
We joined about 70-80 people for an 8 a.m. service. The sanctuary is pleasant, and while reading the announcements on the screen I wondered if the screen might be hiding a cross. When the service began I was pleased to see displayed on the screen a photo of the cross and the organ pipes it obscured.
The signage I saw was small and simple but effective.
Many songs were accompanied by a French horn, which was a real asset. The male soloist who played guitar during the offering sounded professional. I believe there were also two men playing guitars and two men and a woman singing vocals. I wish we could have heard the woman’s voice. The songs were good and sung with passion usually reserved for “Here I Am, Lord.”
The Youth Pastor read some of the Scripture and I liked the inflection in his voice.
It sounded like an instrument amplifier was left on during the message, which could detract. But I realized that the sermon seemed long to me because he was preaching to the choir: it was a message I completely agree with. I don’t remember to whom the line was credited, but it reminded me of relatives and friends I have known: “I have had a lot of trouble, most of which never happens.”
The pastor acknowledged he was preaching to himself, and me likewise. We know it to be true and can extoll it to others, but we fail miserably at living it. We are blessed that our Lord understands and forgives us.
Sometimes there is a word or two that really speaks to me and today it was “our stuff owns us.” Guilty and determined to do something about it. I will trust my personal security to GPS: God Personified in the Son.
We arrived with plenty of time to look around this well laid out and cared for facility. As we toured we encountered several people who greeted us warmly. This is another church that, even with two services, recognized visitors.
From all indications, the signage is a work in progress, but there was enough to point us in the right direction.
Mission seems to be very high on the list for this church. Bulletin boards and other displays indicate support for numerous missionaries who looked to be international but I could find no indication of what location they were serving.
Ministry to the youth is another area of importance, proven by the presence of a friendly and well-spoken Youth Pastor.
The sanctuary is lovely, with white and off-white walls accentuated with varying shades of purple which brought out the colors of the stained glass and allowed the bit of bright red in the windows to really stand out.
The music was led by a director with a strong voice and provided by several talented people who, if they are not professional certainly could have been. Their sound was unique, and with a keyboard and two guitars, I think the unique sound I was hearing was the French horn, which added a lot. I appreciated the special music during the offering also…the soloist accompanied himself on the guitar and sounded a lot like a country singer whose name escapes me.
The message, “Fear Not, the Kingdom Is Yours,” was presented by Associate Pastor Eric Rodes and centered on the uselessness and, indeed, sinfulness of worry. He pointed out that worry drains our ability to get something done and it is Satan’s lie that it gets us somewhere.
He declared that what worry does do is cast doubt on God’s care; the world says you are poor if you lack certain things, but it is the one who has a lot and wants more who is poor, while the one who is content with less is rich. “Having” is not the problem; the issue is how you view what you have. The biblical perspective means you (1) hold it loosely, (2) use it for the Kingdom, and (3) be prepared to let go of it if/when God asks you to. Otherwise it owns us and prevents us from ministering freely to others because we see them as enemies.
God has recently been guiding me into considering the negative effects of worry and today’s message has given me further food for thought. It is so easy to buy into the world’s messages, but God’s messages are countercultural. The world says I should be thinner, richer, have a bigger house, a more expensive vehicle, take luxurious vacations; God reminds me He has already blessed me beyond anything I could have imagined and if I will simply be the person He made me to be and do what He placed me here to do, I will be happy because I am fulfilling His plan for me.
The idea of choosing to be happy with what God has provided is, I think, what Paul meant in Philippians 3:7 when he wrote, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” To choose not to worry about what we feel we’ve lost in this life and instead decide to be happy with what God has given us if for no other reason than because it comes from the hand of Christ, trusting His love and provision. I think I have come to believe that is the key to happiness and contentment.
Lord, help us all to rid our lives of the things that separate us from You. We pray for the grace to trust and obey. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
1 comment:
HI,
This is the church I attend, I am glad you were able to visit. Thank you for the kind words and prayers.
I will be praying for you as you visit other local congregations
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