Happy for the Gift

 

I’ve been thinking about my sermon from Pentecost Sunday ever since I presented it. I’m hoping that the message was clear…We need to be excited about the gift we received from God in the form of the Holy Spirit. I told the church that if we really believe in Jesus Christ and trust that he keeps his promises, then we are all Pentecostal Christians. After all, didn’t Jesus promise to send the Holy Sprit, the Advocate, the Counselor, to remind us of Jesus’ teaching and to guide us forward in our mission to the world? If this is true, then the Spirit’s presence in our lives makes us Pentecostal by definition.

If we accept this premise, then I believe we need to be very happy about this gift we’ve been given. This is a really great present and it’s worth sharing with everyone we meet. I think that was the general idea…God gives us the Spirit so we will know how to share Jesus with the world. We are not called to blend in and hide our gift; we are called to stand out and draw attention to God. I hope you enjoy this message. Below is a link to the audio version:

http://sermon.net/revdtabbs

 

“Mistaken for Being Sober”

"Speaking in Tongues: A 21^st Century Perspective"

The story presented in The Book of Acts, 2:1-12, has been studied for centuries by scholars and church-goers alike. It's the story of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit filled the disciples and they were empowered to speak the gospel message of salvation in as many languages as there were folks listening. Reading the story we can pick out at least sixteen different languages represented in the crowd.

This story has given rise to the charismatic belief in speaking in tongues. Of course, this story doesn't really relate to the modern-day charism of speaking in tongues at all, since the disciples in the story did not speak unintelligible languages of the heavens; rather, they were speaking normal human languages that they didn't know. This was miraculous, but not cosmic. It has caused quarrels about whether the disciples actually learned a new language or if the people simply understood what was being said. Was this really speaking in many languages or was it some sort of First Century United Nations? Either explanation would be miraculous; but the conflicts continue.

Another issue seems to be that we have lost our enthusiasm for Pentecost and the Holy Spirit. Post-modern Christians are adept at thinking about social justice issues, but seem to lack the stomach for talking about and learning about the Holy Spirit and the Spirit's gifts to the church. "Spirituality" is a great buzz-word, but there is a general disconnect when it comes to talking about being filled with the Holy Spirit and acting like the disciples did at the first Pentecost. I wonder why this topic has become so stale.

This passage is considered to be the focus of the Pentecost and provides the most-often preached text for this important Sunday. Maybe that is part of the problem; maybe we have heard this text preached so often that we think there's nothing new to say about it. Maybe we think we know the Pentecost story so well that it is no longer special. There is nothing more for us to learn here. Can't we just move on? This might a great day to dust off last year's Pentecost sermon. Read the story, make a few brief remarks about the birth of the church, and let's all go to lunch. That would probably be a pretty popular Sunday indeed!

The thing is: It is still a miracle when people actually hear about and understand the work of God in a way that speaks to them. There are people in our community who think differently, live differently, and understand differently than we do. There are still people out there waiting to hear the gospel presented to them in a way that they can understand and embrace. How are we speaking in languages for those people?

Think about those first disciples in the story. They were scared out of their minds, hiding behind locked doors, waiting for somebody to come and take them off to jail or to the same fate that met their Master. Then, on that special Pentecost Day, they changed their mood and their behavior because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. They went out into the streets proclaiming the saving work of God without any fear. They were able to speak in whatever language was necessary for the people around them to understand. For them, it was a great miracle of speaking in many different languages; for us, it might just be the miracle of being able to relate to many different kinds of people. The miracle of Pentecost in our lives might just be the ability to reach out to people in our own community and find ways to bring them to an understanding of God's love. Maybe we don't need to speak in tongues or any other language; maybe we just need to realize what people need and provide it.

In the story we just heard the apostles were accused of being drunk. How else could the people explain their wild appearance and behavior? The people knew that these followers of Jesus were different. However, their assessment as to why they were acting so strangely was wrong. The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit.

But it raises a question for us. When folks see and hear us, what do they assume? How do they explain our appearance and behavior? It may be that there is nothing to explain. If we seem to be like everybody else, then shame on us. We are not called to blend in — but to stand out in such a way that calls attention to our God. I wonder if too many Christians would never be mistaken for being drunk because their faith is so incredibly sober.

The apostles weren't drunk — just excited. They were filled with the Holy Spirit that they encountered through a violent wind and tongues of fire, and they took the message of Jesus to the entire earth. They were mistaken for being drunk. I think that many Christians today are mistaken for being sober. We are so afraid that somebody might think we're weird or different or strange that we act so sober that no one would ever mistake us for being excited about our faith. That's just wrong! I don't want to be mistaken for sober; I want people to wonder why I'm so happy and excited. I want people to ask me what's gotten into me so I can tell them – the Holy Spirit has gotten into me! That's what Pentecost is really all about…It's about showing everyone how excited you are to be a Christian. It's about going out into the streets and proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ with enthusiasm. It's about being able to communicate with many different types of people in ways that they can understand and appreciate. It's about helping lots of different people learn about Jesus and come into a relationship with him.

So, how about you…Do you want to be mistaken for being drunk on the love of God or mistaken for being sober?

Can you do it?

"I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love." (Ephesians 3:16-17, NRSV)

The Letter to the Ephesians includes encouragement for new believers who are just beginning to realize what it means to be transformed by the gospel message. The readers of this letter are reminded that because they now live in Christ they are no longer aliens or strangers from God. Because of their response to the gospel, these readers are experiencing a radical transformation of their personal and social identity. They are being re-socialized into God's purposes and family. I urge you to read the entire letter.

This is a beautiful section of the Bible where we see how wonderful it is to have the Holy Spirit present with us; we see how inspired and motivated we can be when we recognize this spirit of love inside us. It is empowering to think that we receive spiritual strength as we grow and develop in our relationship with God. The prayers we read here give thanks to God for the unbelievable power and love God shows us in Jesus Christ. We see that God gives and gives and then gives some more to those who follow Christ. God's Spirit strengthens us as this spiritual nurturing takes place and we are led to know God better and better.

It is important that you read the entire letter because Ephesians is not simply encouraging; it is intended to influence the thought and conduct of the reader. It was written to build up the church and to tell the readers how they should act. I don't think we should be surprised by this message. After all, the gospel message is supposed to transform us; it is intended to change our behavior. OMG…There's that frightening word – "change"!

We don't much care for change; we resist it with all our strength. We like change even less when it isn't our idea. Maybe that's why following Christ is such a challenge for us – Christ calls us to change the way we think and the way we behave and we're happy just the way we are. We must realize that the reason Jesus came was because the way things were was not acceptable to God and the people needed to change; Jesus came to reconcile the people back to God – to show them a new way to change their behavior. Jesus came to unite all peoples into God's family for God's purposes.

We are now beginning our 5^th year together as pastor and congregation. As I review the work we have done together I see many wonderful things done in the Name of Jesus for this church and our community. I thank God for your faithfulness. I also see the potential for so many other things that would lead us into better relationships with God, with each other, and with our neighbors. In our committee meetings and small groups there is a lot of discussion about what our next steps should be and how we might better serve the community. I hear many good ideas and I see plans to nurture those ideas into ministry. What seems to be in shorter supply is the commitment to actually begin the work of clearing, planting, fertilizing, and harvesting these ideas. The list of people who have signed up to help with these new ministries is a fraction of the number of people needed to actually bring in the sheaves. The spirit seems willing, but the flesh appears weak when it comes right down to saying, "Yes, I will help with this project or that ministry; yes, I will teach Sunday school; yes, I will go on a mission trip; yes, I will volunteer my time in the kitchen; yes, I will be an active
participant in my church."

I need your help; your church needs your help. Each one of us has something to contribute. Every contribution of time and energy helps us to realize new opportunities for ministry that bring more people into a relationship with Jesus. That is, above all else, why we are the church in Mangum: "To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." Please prayerfully consider how you fit into the ministry of your church and make a commitment to serve. Don't wait for someone to "recruit" you, fill out the form, turn it in, and get involved today. Remember what Helen Keller said: "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."

God bless,
Pastor Don

Why can’t we all just get along?

Why can't we all just get along?

Several people have asked this question lately and it does seem to be a cause of frustration for many. There are so many examples where countries cannot get along with other countries; denominations cannot get along with other denominations; citizens cannot get along with their governing officials; church members cannot get along with other church members or their pastors. What is most alarming is that, often, the reasons that these peoples and groups do not get along is based either in falsehood, misrepresentation, or simply faulty memories. But, it doesn't matter why they aren't getting along…What matters is only that each side is "absolutely right" and the other side is "absolutely wrong" and no one is interested in dialogue or compromise. It begs me to ask: "When did we get to be such mean people? When did we all become so convinced of our own importance and the insignificance of another point of view? When did it become acceptable to tell lies and half-truths to make your point? When did gossip become truth?"

I have recently encountered a situation where a particular individual faced some resistance in accomplishing a particular task. The source of the resistance seemed to be a misunderstanding between a few people and an honest mistake made by another individual. Even when the mistake was acknowledged and rectified, the first individual felt the need to continue to stir the pot, as it were. This person spent a lot of time contacting other persons in the organization to say that the one who had made the mistake had deliberately done so in an effort to undermine the whole organization. Of course this was not true, but it sounded true in the context of the gossip being spread. Before long many people were angry and anxious to remove the offending person from the group. Others defended the contrite offender and threatened to leave the organization if the others didn't stop the gossip. In short, a split developed along the lines of loyalties on both sides. The sad part is that the whole incident was based on half-truth, misunderstanding, and unfounded gossip; it could have been avoided if the parties had been willing to engage in civilized and productive dialogue. Instead, people on both sides are now not speaking to the other side and discomfort hangs in the air.

I am also aware of another situation where resistance to change and the struggle for undeserved power has caused an otherwise "Christian" organization to stand at the edge of a precipice leading to a split. Certainly most of us could cite a similar example.

My point here is that Jesus called his people to love God first and then to love everyone else. God's kingdom is filled with diversity of opinions just as it is filled with diversity of races, colors, creeds, and cultures. Diversity is God's good creative design; it is not an accident. Diversity is a gift from God that causes us to broaden our perspective and learn to get along with many different people. Diversity is the creative genius of a God who loves and cares for all of the peoples God created. Next time, before you get angry or argue with another person or dig your heels in the midst of conflict, ask yourself: "Why CAN'T we all just get along?"

Shalom!
Pastor Don

Stop Whining!

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you." (Ephesians 1:18, NIV)

In our Bible study group the other evening we were talking about how we understand the concept that God accepts everyone just the way they are. It seems that our post-modern world would have us understand that this idea means that we should be tolerant of everyone. This concept was the subject of much debate in the First Century church as the Jewish followers of Christ and the Gentile followers tried to find ways to become a community of faith. Many in our culture today would say that the stories we read in the Book of Acts are a sign that all religions lead to the same God or that all faiths are basically the same. We hear about "universal salvation;" the idea that all people, no matter what they've done or what they've believed, will be saved. This "doctrine" even goes so far as to proclaim that Satan and his demons will one day be in heaven with God for all eternity. In other words, God places no requirements on his children; we can simply live in sin with no repentance and no remorse because God loves us and will welcome us into heaven no matter what. As easy as this may sound, it is absolute hogwash! God does not require us to "earn" our salvation; he does require us to be transformed by it.

Bishop N.T. Wright says: "It is not the case, then, that God simply 'accepts us as we are'. He invites us as we are; but responding to that invitation always involves the complete transformation which is acted out in repentance, forgiveness, baptism, and receiving the spirit." It is true that God's will is for all people to be saved; yet, it is humanity's reality that not everyone follows God's will. We have a choice to accept or reject God's call upon our lives and the choice we make determines the path we follow and the destination we reach.

Oswald Chambers writes: "Remember what you are saved for – that the Son of God might be manifested in your mortal flesh. Bend the whole energy of your power to realize your election as a child of God; rise to the occasion every time." We cannot do anything to earn or deserve our salvation; but, we must do something to show evidence of it. We need to seriously examine our individual lives and the life of our church to be sure that we are living out the hope that we are called to. If we are simply looking and living inwardly, then it is a lie to say that we are truly saved and sanctified by God. Without transformation, our claim to be followers of Christ is hollow and false.

Chambers goes on to say: "May God not find the whine in us anymore, but may He find us full of spiritual pluck and athleticism, ready to face anything He brings." You see, the only purpose our life should have is to reflect the Son of God for all to see. When we do this, everything we need is taken care of and we stop trying to tell God what to do or how we want things to work out. We are not here to tell God what to do; we are here to submit ourselves to God's will so that the Spirit may work through us to bring the Light of hope to nourish others. My eldest son reflected the other day that God promised us our daily bread, not our daily filet mignon. It is important that we know the difference between our needs and our wants; this will allow us to recognize and accept Gods true will for our lives. It is this discernment that will enlighten the eyes of our hearts to know the hope that God has called us to.

Let us all promise to stop whining and rise to every opportunity that God presents to us. Salvation is for everyone, but only those willing to change will receive it.

God bless,
Pastor Don

The Centerpiece

"The Centerpiece"
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Holy Thursday, April 1, 2010

The meals Jesus shared during his earthly ministry proclaim the nearness of the Kingdom…

When Jesus feeds the multitudes, we see a sign of the great feast that awaits all believers

In his last meal with the disciples, the fellowship of the Kingdom is linked to the immanent suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ

After his resurrection, Jesus makes himself known to his disciples
in the breaking of the bread

Paul's words to the church at Corinth remind us that the Eucharist continues these meals
of Jesus' earthly life as a sign for us of God's Kingdom.

For Christians, Holy Communion brings the Passover memorial of Israel's deliverance from the bondage of slavery forward to become a sign of our deliverance from slavery to sin.

This is the meal of the new
covenant…

It is the feast of the Living sacrifice of the Perfect Lamb of God.

Christ commanded his disciples to remember him in this sacrament…

To encounter him in this meal…

To bring continuity to the people until he returns…

As Christ is the center of our faith, Holy
Communion is the Centerpiece of our worship…

There is nothing more important to us as followers of Christ than this memorial of his ultimate sacrifice to save us…

It is clear throughout the Gospels, Paul's writings, and every bit of early church history we can find that Holy Communion is to be the focus of our worship together.

Through the Eucharist we are joined with Christ, we receive his grace, and we encounter again and again his real presence in the world.

Holy Communion is thanksgiving to God the Father…

In this sacrament we give thanks to God for sending his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall never die, but have eternal life.

It is the proclamation and celebration of the great gift of love God gives us.

We give thanks here for what God has accomplished in the church and in the world,
in spite of our sinfulness.

The Eucharist reconciles us with God and unites us with Christ…
For this we are truly thankful!

Holy Communion is a memorial of Jesus Christ…

The sacrament of the Eucharist was given to us by Jesus himself…

It not only memorializes his passion and death, it also celebrates his resurrection.

Through the communion liturgy we celebrate God's work in Jesus Christ AND

we anticipate God's continued action in the world through us…

At the center of this sacrament stands the body and blood of Jesus given up for us.

In this sacrament we offer ourselves as a holy and living sacrifice in our daily lives.

We pray that God will use us to share the benefits of this sacrifice with the whole world as we go forth as the Body of Christ.

Ultimately, when we receive Holy Communion, we are united with Christ
and with all the saints and martyrs who have gone before us;
we truly become renewed in the eternal covenant of God's people.

Holy Communion invokes the presence of the Holy Spirit…

The power of the Holy Spirit is what makes the crucified and risen Christ present to us in the Eucharistic meal.

This fulfills the promise of the words spoken in the liturgy.

The Holy Spirit's presence here is fundamental to the sacrament.

The Living Word of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit transform the bread and wine into the sacramental signs of Christ's body and blood.

Truly, Holy Communion is the ultimate celebration of God's Holy Trinity…

Interior decorators often use a centerpiece to set the theme for a dining table,
to help focus the guests on the mood they are trying to establish…

The centerpiece on a table can be very important to the overall scheme of your home

For us, Holy Communion provides a Centerpiece that sets the theme for our worship…

It helps us to focus on what's really important here…

It calls us to the table to share in the salvation offered by Christ…

It sets a somber tone when we look on it as the symbol of passion and death…

At the same time, it is a cause for joyous celebration as a symbol of Christ's resurrection.

Holy Communion as a Centerpiece for worship is a powerful and holy sacrament that draws us into the grace of God and the saving action of Jesus Christ

I encourage you tonight to begin to re-think Holy Communion
as part of your worship life…

Recognize how truly special it is – whether you receive it daily, weekly, or monthly –
Holy Communion is no more or less special based on the frequency you receive it; it is special because of God's hand in it…

The early church celebrated the communion meal every
time they gathered…

Many churches celebrate communion at every worship service.

We offer Holy Communion every Sunday evening…

That should be sufficient reason to come to church on Sunday nights…
Just to be able to participate in communion.

Hear Paul's words again:

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

Isn't that what we are called to do as disciples of Christ – to proclaim the Lord's death?

Are we not called to tell everyone we meet about the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and what it means for each person?

Isn't the mission statement of this church:
"To proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ"?

Every time we celebrate Holy Communion we proclaim Christ…
we fulfill our mission…
we act on Paul's words…

Truly, this is The Centerpiece of our faith.

Amen!

“No Regrets”

SERMON 6: "NO-REGRETS" (Wrap up)
Part 6 of Series: One Month to Live

Scripture: Acts 20:24

Introduction:

The whole point of this series was not so much to prepare you to die
as it was to prepare you to live!

We've discovered four principles that enable us to live the life God created us to live:

• live passionately
  
• love completely
  
• learn humbly
  
• leave boldly
  

Someone once said, "Your life is a gift from God. What you do with it is your gift to God."

Now what?

If I were limited to one thing I want everyone to take from this series it would be
to ignite and restore passion to your life.

If you only had one month to live, you would want to enjoy every single moment
as the precious gift it is.

And you would want to make every second count toward
something meaningful and eternal,
something that fulfills your purpose on this earth.

God's got this wonderful plan for our lives to fill our lives with passion
so we can live life the way it was meant to be lived…

He wants us to come to the end of our life with no regrets hanging around about things we should have done or should have said…
NO shoulda, coulda, woulda!

It really is a simple concept: live passionately, love completely, learn humbly, and leave boldly…If you do these things, you will live a "No Regrets Life."

(From Rodney Wales)

THE STATION
by Robert J. Hastings

Tucked away in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision in which we see ourselves on a long journey that spans an entire continent. We're traveling by train and, from the windows, we drink in the passing scenes of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at crossings, of cattle grazing in distant pastures, of smoke pouring from power plants, of row upon row upon row of cotton and corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of city skylines and village halls.

But uppermost in our conscious minds is our final destination--for at a certain hour and on a given day, our train will finally pull into the Station with bells ringing, flags waving, and bands playing. And once that day comes, so many wonderful dreams will come true. So restlessly, we pace the aisles and count the miles, peering ahead, waiting, waiting, waiting for the Station.

"Yes, when we reach the Station – that will be it!" we promise ourselves. "When we're eighteen...win that promotion...put the last kid through college...buy that 450SL Mercedes-Benz...have a nest egg for retirement!"

From that day on, we will all live happily ever after.

Sooner or later, however, we must realize there is no Station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all. The journey is the joy. The Station is an illusion—it constantly outdistances us. Yesterday's a memory, tomorrow's a dream. Yesterday belongs to a history, tomorrow belongs to God. Yesterday's a fading sunset, tomorrow's a faint sunrise. Only today is there light enough to love and live.

So, gently close the door on yesterday and throw the key away. It isn't the burdens of today that drive men mad, but rather regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today.

"Relish the moment" is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 118:24, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, swim more rivers, climb more mountains, kiss more babies, count more stars. Laugh more and cry less. Go barefoot more often. Eat more ice cream. Ride more merry-go-rounds. Watch more sunsets. Life must be lived as we go along. The Station will come soon enough.

Amen!