Sermons

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FINAL Words

I had a person tell me yesterday that I was the only person around that they would want to preach their funeral service.  I’m sure it was a compliment, but I have to admit that I was a little taken back by it.  This was a seemingly healthy person but they stated, “At my age, you start thinking about such things.” 

It did make me think — a little about them and what I might say, but more about me and what I would want my life to say when it finally comes to an end here on earth.  As I  thought about that, I remembered a sermon I preached a year ago as we were doing a series through the book of Acts.  The sermon was based on Paul’s final meeting with the Ephesian elders recorded for us in Acts 20.  I think it provides a workable outline for all of us to consider as we think about our FINAL Words.

Familiar.  Meaningful final words will most often be familiar final words.  Paul didn’t throw in any surprises, but gently reminds them of whose he is, what he’s taught them, and how he’s lived and served.  I can picture his listeners all nodding in agreement as he begins the conversation with words that were familiar because they not only described Paul’s teaching, but his life as well.  It is much easier to believe and connect with a person’s final words if they are familiar to how they lived and who they were.

Instructive.  The final words of a life ought also to be instructive.  These words give hope and peace.  While not stated here in the Acts 20 text, Paul’s life was lived in a way that left a clear instruction, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice” (Philippians 4:9).  Paul’s instructive words let his listeners know that he was aware of what was ahead of him — and he was okay.

Necessary.  Useful final words often contain a necessary element to them.  Things that really need to be said but may be difficult to say and/or hear.  Paul uses the necessary part of his final words to issue a warning.  He warns of danger from the outside and even from within.  Paul warns them that even from among those that are there with him, some would arise and seek to draw disciples away from God and to themselves.  Final words can be a good time to say what has to be said no matter what.

Assuring.  Good final words are assuring words to the hearers.  Even with the necessary warning words, Paul assures them that God can build them up and give them an inheritance.  Paul also assures them that he is not asking any more of them than what he has been willing to give himself.  There is something about good final words that assures others that not only are you going to be okay, they are going to make it as well.

Lasting.  Memorable final words are lasting final words.  Most people have some level of desire to leave a legacy.  I believe that if your final words are familiar, instructive, necessary, and assuring then they will be lasting.  Paul left not just the words of his mouth, but the words of his life and they had a lasting influence — so much so that we still read them today and gain comfort, courage, and conviction.

I pray that you and I would take the time to consider the FINAL words we are sharing with others.  Not so much the words of our mouth, but what are the words of our life saying to those who are watching?  May our FINAL words be a benefit for others to the glory of God!

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Where’s The FIRE? (Part 4: Energy)

This is part 4 of a 4 part series entitled, “Where’s The FIRE?”

Part four of this series brings us to a useful aspect of Fire — Energy!  When brought together in proper balance, the three components we’ve addressed so far — Fuel, Ignition, and Respect, can be used to bring about a life-changing Energy!  It is the energy of a fire that warms us and purifies that which passes through it.  When the fuel and ignition source are used with respect, the energy that fire releases can be used with direction and purpose.

It was the combination of the Word of God ignited by the Holy Spirit and used with respect for all mankind that unleashed an energy in the life of the apostles and early church that turned the world upside down!  Paul states that he was not ashamed of the gospel — the truth of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ — because it is the power, or energy, of God that brings about salvation! 

Is your life in Christ filled with energy?  Do you really believe that you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength?  Is that “all things” according to His will and desire or “all things” according to what you want?  Some times we want the energy of being on fire for God that the early church displayed but we really don’t want the fuel of God’s Word to be that dominant in our life.  We like victory if we’re in charge and we get the credit but we’re not so sure about allowing God’s Spirit to actively live and work in our life each and every moment we live.  We stand for truth, and rightly so, but when it comes to others we desperately want the Jesus who overturned the money tables more than we want the Jesus who says in love, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”

I pray that you and I would experience the energy that comes from the fire of God in our life!  May our consistent time in the Word of God fuel us to face whatever comes our way.  May our quiet time of seeking God and listening to His Spirit ignite the Word in our life so that it is living and active.  May our reverence of God give us a respect for people and a respect for the fire of God so that we would not bring damage to ourself or others.  May the energy that we receive from pursuing God in this way be used to change us into the image and actions of Jesus so that our life would be one that turns the world upside down as we lift up Jesus and He draws those that watch us to Himself.

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Where’s The FIRE? (Part 3: Respect)

This is part 3 of a 4 part series entitled, “Where’s The FIRE?”

Have you ever been so focused on doing something, or getting somewhere, so quickly that someone asks, “Where’s the fire?”  Perhaps you’ve done something so well that you hear the comment, “Wow!  You’re really on fire!”  Or maybe you’ve heard it said about you, or someone else, “They’re really on fire for God!” 

As I thought about each of these, and other similar phrases, I began to wonder what is at the heart of being on fire metaphorically.  What elements are needed to reach the point of “being on fire”, particularly in my relationship with God through Jesus Christ?  Perhaps looking at some elements of a campfire can help us start, or rekindle, a relationship with God that is truly on FIRE!

In the first post of this series I wrote about the Fuel needed for a life “on FIRE” and the second post covered the Ignition source necessary.  Now we turn our attention to an important, but often overlooked, part of a campfire — and of being “on FIRE” — Respect!  A campfire can be a beautiful, warming, even a calming and peaceful thing to watch and experience.  It is a great tool to aid in relaxing, reflecting on the day, and even cooking the day’s meal!  Without the proper respect, however, the same campfire can quickly take a destructive and deadly turn.  Many fires ranging from the small grass fires to the massive wildfires can be traced back to a simple phrase, “I didn’t think it would spread — I thought I had it under control”.  A lack of respect for the conditions, purpose, and need for the fire can allow a small blaze to rapidly spread out of, and beyond, control.

So, what role does Respect have in our being “on FIRE” for God?  My first thought goes to how do we use the burning combination of God’s Word and His Spirit?  We need to have a respect for the power represented through the name of Jesus!  Throughout the Bible there were people who thought they could play with fire — literally and figuratively — and get away with it.  People thought they could manipulate the power of God for their own glory and benefit only to be “burned” in the end.  Without respect, or reverence, for God it is far too easy to attempt to put ourself into a position that only belongs to God.

We also must understand and respect the specific purpose of the fire we represent and any point and time.  Once the Word of God is ignited in our life, how we use it can bring healing and warmth to a person or harm and devastation.  We are told to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us.  That verse goes on to tell us to do so with “gentleness and respect”.  Many times we need to evaluate the situation before us and determine just how big of a fire is needed!  When I build a campfire at camp, I’m always assessing the surroundings, the weather conditions, the purpose of the fire, and other elements to determine where to build the fire and how much fuel to use so that the fire meets its purpose and is useful.

Respect is the element that keeps you from “torching” someone with your use of God’s Word!  I pray that as you and I live in the power of the Word through the Spirit of God that we would do so with a reverence for God and a respect for the people around us!

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Where’s The FIRE? (Part 2: Ignition)

This is part 2 of a 4 part series entitled, “Where’s The FIRE?”

Have you ever been so focused on doing something, or getting somewhere, so quickly that someone asks, “Where’s the fire?”  Perhaps you’ve done something so well that you hear the comment, “Wow!  You’re really on fire!”  Or maybe you’ve heard it said about you, or someone else, “They’re really on fire for God!” 

As I thought about each of these, and other similar phrases, I began to wonder what is at the heart of being on fire metaphorically.  What elements are needed to reach the point of “being on fire”, particularly in my relationship with God through Jesus Christ?  Perhaps looking at some elements of a campfire can help us start, or rekindle, a relationship with God that is truly on FIRE!

So, if you’ve read the first post in this series, what’s the next question?  If the fuel source is plentiful and readily available, why aren’t more of us on fire for God?  Sometimes it is because we don’t make use of the fuel available to us.  It’s like many of the fallen trees at camp.  They’re out in the woods — I know they are there yet I’ve not taken the time to take ownership of them by cutting and splitting them and adding them to the “storehouse” of available fuel.  How often do I inventory the “spiritual woodpile” and realize I need to do some serious work of bringing into my mind the fuel of God’s Word?  Am I disciplined enough to spend the time in prayer and fasting for the sole purpose of knowing God and His will?  While all of this needs done, I believe that for many Christians the problem isn’t as much in the collecting of the fuel as it is in the igniting of the fire!

I can collect, stack, and store as much fuel as I want but until something ignites it, it simply remains fuel and never becomes a fire.  There were many in the days of Jesus — religious leaders, in fact — who were amply supplied in fuel and even experts in its storage.  Yet their fuel never caught fire.  In their hands, God’s Word simply remained a bunch of sticks that they used to beat the people with.  They never allowed the breath of God to ignite the fuel so that God’s Word would bring warmth and healing to all people. 

A big part of ignition requires the presence of both fuel components.  With a campfire, the obvious fuel is the wood.  However, without the additional fuel of oxygen obtained from the air, there is no campfire!  The religious leaders had an overflowing supply of the solid fuel of God’s Word but they seemed to be completely lacking in obtaining the “oxygen” component of God’s will through prayer and fasting.  As I consider my fuel supply, am I balanced in both collecting the word of God in my mind and life and in pursuing God’s will through prayer and fasting?

So, if my fuel supply is adequate and balanced, why am I still not on fire for God like I ought to be?  What was it that ignited the fire of the early disciples so that they gained the reputation of “turning the world upside down”?  I believe that the ignition of our fuel supply is done by and through the Holy Spirit — the breath of God given to each believer as God’s indwelling presence.  Many times we are not on fire for God because we have quenched the ignition source of his Spirit in our life.  It is God’s Spirit that empowers the fuel — the Word that dwells so richly within us.  It is His Spirit that counsels and instructs us in His will — His good and perfect will.  At some level we become so afraid of God being in charge that we never allow the ignition source to be anywhere near the fuel we have been collecting.

To be on fire for God we must walk by the Spirit even as He is in the Spirit.  We must let the consuming fire of our God ignite His Word and will in our life so that His fire is seen in us.

I pray that you and I will not simply store up the fuel of God’s Word and His will but that we will allow His Spirit to ignite that fuel so that His fire will burn brightly in each of us.

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Where’s The FIRE? (Part 1: Fuel)

Have you ever been so focused on doing something, or getting somewhere, so quickly that someone asks, “Where’s the fire?”  Perhaps you’ve done something so well that you hear the comment, “Wow!  You’re really on fire!”  Or maybe you’ve heard it said about you, or someone else, “They’re really on fire for God!” 

As I thought about each of these, and other similar phrases, I began to wonder what is at the heart of being on fire metaphorically.  What elements are needed to reach the point of “being on fire”, particularly in my relationship with God through Jesus Christ?  Perhaps looking at some elements of a campfire can help us start, or rekindle, a relationship with God that is truly on FIRE!

When I think about building a campfire, one of the first questions that must be answered is, “Where’s the Fuel?”.  There is no fire without some type of fuel source.  A typical campfire uses wood as its fuel source.  When the fuel is gone, the fire no longer exists.  The same is true if we want to be on fire for Jesus.  We must ask the basic question, “Where, or what, is the fuel?”  What is the next question?  My next question would be, “where, or what, was the fuel that Jesus used for his ministry on earth and in his relationship with his father? 

When Satan tempted Jesus to turn the stones into bread, Jesus responded, “man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  When the disciples try to get Jesus to eat food that they’ve brought Jesus replies, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”  Another time when Jesus casts out a demon that the disciples couldn’t they want to know his secret and he replies, “This type only comes out by prayer and fasting.”

Was Jesus “on fire” for God?  I would say, “Absolutely yes!”  So, what was his fuel?  What kept his fire for God burning?  I would say that even a casual reading and study of the life of Jesus would reveal his fuel was the word and will of God revealed to him through times of prayer and fasting!   He was fluent in knowing and understanding scripture in ways that amazed those who listened to him.  He was constant in his pursuit of not only knowing, but in doing the will of God.  He was consistent in seeking and finding time alone with God.

So, the answer to where’s the fire in your life begins with the question, “Where’s the Fuel?”.  To be on fire for God requires the correct fuel.  The early disciples gained the reputation of “turning the world upside down” because their fire was fueled by the same fuel that empowered Jesus.  They devoted themselves to the fuel of “the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”  We live in a time that is in desperate need of a sweeping revival fire to turn the world upside down.  Could it be that the necessary revival has stalled out because the fire in you and I has gone out because of a lack of fuel?  May you and I examine our fuel supply, and source, as we seek to live for God

I pray that we would stock up on the fuel of God’s word and will through intentional times of prayer and fasting so that our fire for Jesus would burn brightly for all to see!

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Overcoming The TOMB

I had the privilege of preaching the Easter sermon at the North Wayne Mennonite Church this morning.  We looked at the gospel accounts of the resurrection of Jesus in light of Paul’s statement in Philippians 3.

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow,to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”  Philippians 3:10-11

When it comes to knowing Christ, what are some ways that we can experience “the power of his resurrection” in our everyday life?  I addressed four of those areas as we considered overcoming the TOMB areas of our life.

Turmoil   It is hard to read the resurrection accounts without noticing the turmoil that existed in the lives and minds of the followers of Jesus.  The death and burial of Jesus seems to have caught all of his followers by surprise even though he had been telling them this was about to happen.  Their approach to the tomb was filled with more questions than answers.  The power of the resurrection teaches us that there is hope and joy beyond the turmoil that exists in our life.  Jesus tells us that in this world we will have troubles, or turmoil, but to take courage as he has overcome the world. 

Obstacles  As the women approached the tomb to finish the burial process and anoint the body of Jesus, they were concerned about the obstacle they would face.  Who would roll away the stone?  There is a lesson here that we must learn for when we face the obstacles in our life.  The women went to the tomb to do what needed done even though they didn’t know how they would get beyond the obstacle of the stone.  How often do we quit, give up, or not even start something that God would have us do simply because the obstacle looks bigger than us?  The power of the resurrection shows us that we must walk by faith and not by sight.  Jesus has power that even defeats the obstacle of death as his blood brings us life and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

Mundane  Often more deadly and entrapping in our life than the turmoil and obstacles are the mundane things of daily life.  It was the mundane and ordinary things that kept the followers of Jesus from even considering that he could be alive.  They were expecting the usual and customary results — someone dies, you bury them, and the body will still be there whenever you return.  It was the mundane details of life, and having a guest, that kept Martha from enjoying the very presence of Jesus when he paid a visit to her home.  The power of the resurrection teaches us that the mundane everyday tasks should pale in comparison to living in fellowship with Jesus.  God calls us to live a life in passionate pursuit of him that will not be distracted by the busyness and mundane tasks of life.  Yes, the mundane details of life will still exist but the resurrection teaches us to keep them in a proper perspective in our life.

Baggage  Too often we carry things in life that keep us from enjoying the freedom and fullness of life that Jesus offers us through a relationship with him.  Jesus left the wrappings of the grave cloths, the baggage, behind as they were no longer important or necessary.  Some of our baggage is bad — harmful, sinful things that separate us from a healthy relationship with God through Jesus.  For many though, much of our baggage consists of good things that left unchecked crowd out our time and pursuit of knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection.  In Philippians, Paul writes of his credentials and accomplishments that would stack up favorably against anyone of his peers.  But when compared to the “surpassing greatness of knowing Christ”, it is all rubbish — baggage that would easily get in the way of a relationship with God that is more valuable than anything else.  The power of the resurrection teaches us that Christ-like life can not be lived while still wearing the grave-clothes, the baggage, of our dead life. 

So, how are you doing at allowing the power of the resurrection to overcome the TOMB that you experience each day?  I pray that the power of the living God, through His Spirit, will equip you to know Christ and the power of his resurrection not only on this Easter day, but every day of life that you live on this earth.

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HOPE In The Valley

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 
    He makes me lie down in green pastures,
     he leads me beside quiet waters, 
      he restores my soul.
     He guides me in paths of righteousness
     for his name’s sake. 
 Even though I walk
     through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
     for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
     they comfort me. 
 You prepare a table before me
     in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
     my cup overflows. 
 Surely goodness and love will follow me
     all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
     forever.

 Psalm 23 is familiar to many and often looked to for comfort and encouragement in times of grief and great loss.  In preparing to preach recently at Deer Run, God helped me to see a connection between this passage and the statements of Jesus in John 10 where He identifies Himself as the good Shepherd.  As I look at these passages, I see four things that Jesus brings to us so that we can have HOPE in the valley.

I know that often it feels like the time in the valley is so desolate, and you’re so alone, that there can’t possibly be anyone else that is in the valley or could even understand.  Unfortunately, or fortunately depending how you look at it, that is just not true.  We all walk through the valley at times — many times more often than we admit and for most, more often than we like.  Some of our valleys are much easier for others, and ourself, to identify.  In the 23 Psalm, David writes of the “valley of the shadow of death”.  It is one of the reasons this Psalm is used so often to comfort families and loved ones at funeral services as they walk through that valley.  It is a valley that we all walk through from time to time but not the only valley we are likely to experience.  There are the valleys of loneliness, rejection, hurt, anger, illness, poverty, hunger, need, exhaustion, despair, confusion, . . . I hope you get the point, the list goes on and on.  You’ve probably seen yourself in one or more of these valleys as well as others that you have experienced.  The good news is that God can, and wants, to bring HOPE to your valley.

The first quality that God desires to bring to our valley is Healing.  Jesus states that it is not the healthy that need a physician, but the sick.  He came to bring a wellness to the lives of those who realize they are sick — a healing to those who are hurting in the valley.  David describes that in this Psalm as restoring the soul.  As our Shepherd, God wants to bring healing to the innermost part of who we are.  Healing is needed when we walk through our valley.  God’s desire is for us to find and depend on Him as the one who heals.

Secondly, we find Opportunity in the valley.  This can be extremely hard to grasp while we are in the valley but God can use our hardships and heartaches to prepare and refine us for greater things.  It has often been said that an advantage of hitting rock bottom is that there is nowhere to go but up.  While I wouldn’t suggest reaching that point purposefully, as Christians our valleys ought to cause us to evaluate where we are at and to look up.  It is in the valley that we often have the opportunity to learn greater trust and dependence on God.  The life lessons learned in the valley, while often the hardest, are usually not learned anywhere else.  God’s gift of opportunity in the valley is a key component of the hope that we all long for.

Protection in the valley can often seem like a great mystery and contradiction to us — particularly while we are in the valley.  Our mind often thinks that if God were providing protection, I wouldn’t be here in the first place.  As one who had been in the valley numerous times, David realized that even when he walks through the valley of the shadow of death there was no need to fear evil because God was with him.  David spent so much time being tracked down and hunted with Saul trying to kill  him.  He, more than many, understood the protection God could give as he speaks of God preparing a table for him in the presence of his enemies.  I don’t know about you, but for me it takes a great amount of confidence in the One protecting me for me to be able to sit at a table while my enemies are watching.  God’s protecting us from the evil one went all the way to Calvary where the “Good Shepherd” laid down his life for His sheep — you and I.  Holding fast to God as our protector goes a long way in bring hope to our valley.

Additionally, we have Encouragement in the valley.  David realized that the rod and staff of his Shepherd were not meant to harm or frighten him but to bring comfort to his life.  Sometimes it is in our valley that we are quiet and still enough to feel the comfort of God’s rod and staff in our life.  David recognized that God’s presence in  his valley was an encouraging reminder that His goodness and mercy would be with him all the days of his life.  But it didn’t end there.  It was in the valley that he was reminded of the great encouragement that comes with the promise of dwelling in the house of the LORD forever.  Encouragement in the valley provides hope as we recognize the great love and faithfulness of the God we serve.

Do you need HOPE in your valley today?  I pray that you would lean mightily upon God for insight into His Healing, Opportunity, Protection, and Encouragement that He desires for you to have. 

But wait, there’s more!  Whether you are currently in a valley or not, you have a job to do!  Spread the HOPE that God has brought into your life.  Paul writes in 2 Corinthians and instructs us to comfort others with the same comfort we have received through Jesus.  Part of the opportunity of our valley is in the receiving of comfort and hope from our LORD so that we in turn can offer comfort and hope to others.  We learn through scripture that Jesus was tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin.  He walked through the same valleys we find ourselves in.  He knows our sorrows and our pain first hand.  It is through His greatest valley that we find the foundation for HOPE in our valley.

Praying that you and I both receive and share HOPE in the valleys of life.

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The Art Of Re-GIFTing — Part 4: Tell

This is the fourth and final installment in the series of posts on re-gifting: Jesus style!  Together we’ve looked at the Grace that is needed, the Inventory that is necessary, and the Faith that must grow.  All of these are important and vital components, but the GIFT of  Jesus to others isn’t complete until we Tell!

Much speculation has gone on regarding the friendships, or lack thereof, of the Samaritan woman from John 4.  The fact that she is out at an “odd” time of day and by herself would seem to indicate that no one was willing to be with her.  And yet here she is with amazing news: “This man I’ve been talking to claims to be the Messiah!”

Did you get that?  Jesus sets the example for us in the gifting of Himself to others by not only living out the Grace, Inventory, and Faith components we have looked at — He also lives out the Telling of who He is.  The rest of the story has great insight and meaning, but it is the statement of Jesus, “I who speak to you am He.”, that unlocks the GIFT of Jesus in the life of this woman.  Transformation begins to take place based on Jesus revealing Himself to her.

It doesn’t stop there!  This woman is a quick learner and rushes back to the village to tell everyone who will listen about the true GIFT of Jesus.  She has experienced Grace, Inventory, and Faith through her encounter with Jesus and now she feels compelled to pass it on.  The results are astounding!  The entire village turns out to see Jesus and hear for themselves the message the woman is sharing.  The story ends with people believing in the GIFT of Jesus — some believing because of the “telling” by the woman, and others believing because the “telling” made them curious enough to go see for themselves.

If you have grasped hold of the GIFT of Jesus, how are you doing at telling others about what you have found?  When you experience the Grace of Jesus, it is for you — but it is not for you alone!  You must be busy telling others about the Grace that exists in your life.  When you go through the inventory times of life when you discover just how empty you are and just how much Jesus has to offer, there is an obligation to tell others about the One who has everything you need.  When your Faith grows in your life and calls you to take a stand for your beliefs, you must be ready to tell others just Who it is that you believe in.

I pray that you are growing in your practice of telling others about Jesus.  If you have received and experienced the GIFT of Jesus, then I pray that you complete that GIFT by practicing the Tell part on a regular basis.  To modify the old saying, “Tell at all times, if necessary use words!”  If you don’t know the GIFT of Jesus, then I pray that you will listen openly when someone tells you about the best GIFT of their life.