Sermon "Reunion Time"

“Reunion Time” – Pastor Nancy Cantrell

Deut 11: 18-24a

Reunions, this is the time of year when most families have them. My Dad’s family, the Floyd’s, have them the first Sunday in June. We have them at a beautiful park on the banks of the White River. I’ve learned allot about my family, myself and why I am who I am by simply listening to past stories, advice, directions and life shared.

I’ve heard the men of my grandfather’s generation laugh when he reminisces about being out on the week-end then on Sunday evening attempting to come home he would throw his hat in the door before he went in, that way he knew whether it was safe to come in or not. This story would be followed by my Grandmother’s version of the many destroyed hats. I’ve heard of struggles through the depression, my Grandfather and Grandmother were actually a part of the migration west during the 30’s that has become famous in the book “The Grapes of Wrath.” They really did live under a big tree with a tarp stretched to make a tent for two years as they picked lettuce in the fields of California. My Dad was seven weeks old when they made that dusty uncertain trip west in a Model A. As these stories would get told even the youngest would sit spellbound, laughing at the funny parts and hurting with family members because at times they got separated looking for work, barely having enough food, and crippled by poverty. 

Over a red checkered table cloth, soda pop on ice, paper plates and food spread from one end to the other I would hear stories of my Dad’s generation. Tales of deer hunting exploits, the deer get bigger every year, Babe the Blue Ox has nothing on deer that my Dad and his family have killed and drug 14 miles out of the woods, up hill all the way. At times the stories would take a darker turn and ex-spouses names would get mentioned eyes would simply rest on an empty lawn chair. As these stories would get told even the youngest would sit spellbound, laughing at the funny parts and hurting with family members who got separated due to bad choices, barely keeping the family together and crippled by the ravages of divorce.

This was followed by stories from my generation, memories of how we encouraged my younger brother, Thomas. You see Thomas was the youngest and we felt the need to educate him in farm life such as how to call hogs. To call the hogs on our farm we would grab Thomas by the arms throw him over the tin sheet fence of the pig pen, shake his body up and down and yell at the hogs. They never failed to charge the dangling boy, just as they reached his legs we’d jerk him over the fence as the hogs slammed into the sheet of tin. Thomas has never been the same. As the evening would draw near our conversations always seem to remember sad times, one cousin crippled by disease, one by drugs and alcohol.  As these stories would get told even the youngest would sit spell bound, laughing at the funny parts and hurting with family members who got separated by sickness or addiction, barely able to get through the day and crippled in more ways than one.

When I read Deuteronomy chapter eleven it almost feels like reunion time. The book of Deuteronomy is Moses giving final instructions to the new generation of people about to cross into the Promised Land. Everyone one with the exception of Moses, Caleb and Joshua who had seen the plagues of Pharaoh; the dry ground under the Red Sea; and the law given at Sinai were dead. Now as he spends time with these eager young family members he gives direction as he remembers things about the his people – good and bad. It was like story time at the family get-together with the kids listening and learning about the history of those who went before them, history that had shaped and formed them.

Deut. 11: 18 - Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Fixing the words in their hearts and minds; tie them to their hands and foreheads as Moses uttered these words could he have been remembering the time when…They came to Sinai, the Lord called to Moses and said, ”Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob. You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now, therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession.” When Moses told this to the people, they all answered as one: “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.”

It wasn’t but just a little while later they were dancing and bowing before a golden calf. Moses knew they needed to do more than just say the words, they needed fix them in their hearts and minds.

How are we fixing God’s Word in our minds? How many of you know the words to “Acky Breaky Heart?” How do you know those words? You know those words because you heard them repeated, over and over and over and over and admit it, you have sang them. So how do we fix God’s Word in our minds? Repetition, reading it, saying it over and over. How about fixing God’s Word in our heart? You know the heart is different than the mind. We fix God’s Word in our heart by asking Him to help us, to reveal the truth of the Word to us by letting the Holy Spirit through the Word form us, change us, and make us more like Christ.

Yes, I believe when Moses was giving these directions to the new generation of Hebrews he remembered part of the family that had made a vow to God to obey, to listen, then chose not to…and they were consumed by fire, families separated, lawn chairs left empty, and crippled in life.

Duet. 11: 19-21 - Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heaven are above the earth. As Moses uttered those commands between mouthfuls of cold fried chicken and potato salad, could he have been remembering the time when…He stood before the burning bush and tried to get out of the call, how he had asked for help and received Aaron. Through the years Aaron fell hard but each time made the choice to repent and return to God. Later on the journey in the wilderness God actually gave a sign to all the people that Aaron really was the priest of His choice, when out of the twelve staffs of Israel only Aaron’s budded. With all the mistakes Aaron made one of them was not with his children. He taught them about life by instructing them to fix the Word upon their hearts and minds.

And when it was time for Aaron to die, it was God who took Aaron, Moses and his son Eleazar to the mountain top then gave instructions to make Eleazar the priest. Moses smiled as he thought… because that wasn’t the end of the story. Eleazar taught his son the Word of the Lord and when the nation openly sinned against God at Shittim God began to punish them with a horrible plague. As this sickness was spreading, and when I say spreading I mean to the number of 24,000 dead. It was Phinehas, Eleazar’s son who with his zeal for the Lord put a stop to the sin and the nation was saved. Aaron had taught Eleazar, Eleazar had taught Phinehas to fix the Word in their heart and mind. And because of that they were blessed.

How and what are you teaching your children? Do you read the Bible with them? Do the kids see you watch more “Family Guy” or “Wheel of Fortune” than time spent in activities that would make you more like Christ? Are sporting events more pressing than worship services? Do they see you spend money eating out or buying things then wrestle with whether to pay your tithe? We all teach our children something.

Yes, I believe when Moses was recounting this command in Deuteronomy to the new generation of Hebrews he remembered part of the family that chose to teach their children…and they received a covenant of peace from the Lord himself.

As Moses speaks to his family he knows the only way to blessing is to fix the Word in the mind and teach it to the children. We call it Learning.

He understands for the family to continue they will need to fix this Word not only in their minds but also in their hearts. They will need to not just know what the Word says but to know God, to have a deep desire for Him, adore Him, worship Him in the corporate setting and individually. We call it Loving.

And God will be with them, supply for them, watch over them, care for them, fulfill his promise to and for them.

Deut 11: 22 – 24a –“ If you will diligently observe this entire commandment that I am commanding you, loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him 23 then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and mightier than yourselves. 24 Every place on which you set foot shall be yours…” As Moses tells stories, gives direction, and remembers … his words begin to give hope. Hope that when the word is fixed in them they will carry the great news of God every where they put our foot. When we get the Word fixed in our hearts & minds then teach it to our children we give this hope filled message of a God who gives, cares, provides and blesses to a lost and lonely world. We take God’s love in Jesus to those across the river and take this incredible good news everywhere we put our foot. We call it Leading, leading others to Christ.

It’s June, time for reunions. Maybe it’s time for a reunion with God. It might be the first time you’ve ever heard about this God who loved us so much that he made a way to have a family relationship with Him, through His Son Jesus. If that’s you today, He is here, choose him. He is ready for a new generation to follow Him… for you to follow.

Or maybe you need to have your memory stirred up, stories of the past shared - good and bad – sitting spellbound laughing at the funny parts and hurting at the sad. But choosing blessing by fixing the Word in your heart and mind, teaching it to the children and taking it everywhere we put our foot. 

Benediction

“…I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore…” Deut 30: 19b – 20a

 

 

Sermon "One Word" 1 Peter 5: 1-10

Text: 1 Peter 5:1-10    Title: One Word

Collaboration: Jimmy Skeen & Nancy Cantrell          Date: May 4, 2008

 

If you could use one word to summarize your parent’s life what would it be? How about your best friend’s life? How about your children? Your teacher? Your pastor? (Be careful now!) If you could use one word to summarize your life what would it be?

You could summarize his life in one simple word … Independence. From the earliest of days he did life his way. When the family wanted to go to McDonald’s he voted for Wendy’s. At school the other students fought over the monkey bars but not him. He liked to find the closest teacher on duty and engage them in some contest, a friendly game of one on one or a lively debate. He was always doing life his own way often finding himself sitting all alone.

As a teenager things were no different. Despite the best efforts of his parents he simply chose to be independent. He loved his parents, he even thought they were good people, but his life was his life. One day he was off to rendezvous with his buddies when his father encouraged him to stay home. There was a good reason. They were all headed over to his grandparents’ house. Dad warned him “if you leave now you won’t be back in time and we will have to leave without you.” He loved being at his grandparents house. The laughter, the fun, the cooking…it was worth any price he had to pay; except the price of his independence. Truly meaning no harm to his father he set out to do life his way. Off he went.

Lost in the joy of the moment he forgot all about grandma and the trip the family was taking. When he remembered … his heart began to pound, his palms began to sweat, and his mind began to race, “Oh no!” he cried and with that he tore off like he was being chased by a tiger. His legs grew tight as he pushed them to their extreme limit hoping to get home before his family’s departure. Panting, aching, and sweating he arrived at his destination … and they were gone. He stood up for his independence and now he sat down on the porch alone.

Independent that was him. His independence appeared to make him a natural born leader. As an adult he commanded the respect of his peers just on the sheer force of his personality. He continued to do life his way and people would follow. Anyone could work with him, learn from him, add to his career as long as they did things his way. He was great at leading but never followed. Those who tried to convince him, control him, or correct him found themselves cut off, cut loose, or cut down. And when there was a confrontation, an argument, or a difference of opinion he made sure to do life his own way. Every time he stood up for his independence and every time he sat down finding himself alone.

Business was slow that day. The fish just weren’t biting like he had hoped. He decided to head into shore and make use of the time repairing his nets. He had no more tied up to the bank when a large crowd backed him right up to the water. They were there following Jesus. Jesus told him to get back in the boat so they could push out, using that boat as a pulpit Jesus preached.

When Jesus was finished, he turned to Peter and said, “Push out into the deep water and let your nets out for a catch.” Now Peter was tired, he stood up and stretched his back, looking toward the shore. This tough old knowledgeable fisherman knew these waters. Jesus was a carpenter for heaven’s sake, what does he know about fishing. Peter turned and said, “Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow.”

You could have heard a pin drop, the two men standing looking at each other, Jesus and Peter. What would Peter choose? He really did know allot about fishing. It was his opinion that this was the wrong time of day to even try. He was certain everyone on the boat was hungry and tired. No one had slept a wink and they had stayed awake while Jesus had preached, from his boat wasn’t that enough?

But there was something in this man Jesus, something that Peter could sense. There was authority in his Words. So, Peter stooped down and picked up the net, obediently casting it over the water. It was no sooner said than done – a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to some other fishermen nearby to come out and help. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.

Independent, standing tall, that was Peter, that’s how he defined himself, that’s how others defined him. Normally his mind would have been tabulating the money this catch would bring. Normally he would have loved hearing everybody hollering what a great fisherman he was, the hero. But when Peter saw the catch, he turned away from it and fell to his knees before Jesus. For the first time in Peter’s life, for the first time in front of his co-workers and friends, for the first time he bowed down to someone else. He knelt before Jesus, the catch didn’t matter, the money didn’t matter, being the boss didn’t matter, success didn’t matter. All he could think of was the times he had forced his independence. The many times he had to do life his own way and how he was left all by himself. With his head bowed he said, “Lord, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.” He fully expected to be left by himself. He fully expected to end up sitting alone and empty.

But not this time, not this time. Jesus reached out to Peter and stood him back on his feet and said. “There is nothing to fear, from now on you’ll be with me, I will never forsake you, I will direct your path, I will be your guide, you will never be alone or empty again. As a matter of fact from now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.” With that they pulled the boat up on the beach and Peter followed Jesus. He gave himself to the kingdom, he submitted completely and he was not alone. This burly, rough and tumble, calloused handed fisherman, the man who always had to have his way, the man who didn’t take anything off of anybody, the fella that always had to be right, be first, be the leader… later in life penned these words, humbly words, words of one who knew how to submit, our text for today.

1 Peter 5: 1-10 NIV    ¹To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: ²Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; ³not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. ⁵Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud  but gives grace to the humble." ⁶Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  ⁸Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. ¹⁰And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.       

By kneeling down Peter was lifted up. By bowing to the will of God Peter is currently sharing in the glory to be revealed. By submitting to the Word of the Lord he has received the crown of glory that will never fade away. By following Christ he became a gentle shepherd of the church, serving and an example for us to follow even today. By humbling himself to the will of the Father he could cast all of his anxiety away and trusted God to carry it for him, so can we. By surrendering his career, his family, his dreams to the Lord he was safe from the enemy who would seek to destroy. Peter was able to stand firm in the faith even to the point of death, crucifixion upside down and beyond death. And today the word we associate with the name Peter is Christian. Christian, Christ-follower, preacher, teacher, godly, Christian.   

If you could use one word to summarize your life what would it be?If others could use one word to summarize your life what would it be? Christian or something else?  Today we can either stand up, exert our independence and stay in charge of our own life or we can kneel submitting to the Lordship of Christ. That is what will define us, which ever we choose that will be the word what summarizes our lives.

 

Sermon Acts 2: 14-42

Text: Acts 2:14-42                  Title: Where R U Standing?

Date: April 6, 2008                 Collaboration:  Jimmy Skeen & Nancy Cantrell

 

          Hear the word of the Lord from Acts 2:14. “Then Peter stood up …” That’s a familiar statement. Peter always stood up. He stood up for something or someone and sometimes stood up against something or someone. Peter was a man’s man. He was independent and intense. He was fierce and fiery. He would be your best ally at a hockey game. He was a good guy, a hard worker, and full of passion. Peter could be your best friend and worst enemy all at the same time. He was never afraid, rarely backed down, and always stood up for what he believed in.

          Then Peter stood up …” Peter always stood up. With their bellies full of multiplied bread and fish the disciples headed across the lake. Jesus stayed behind to pray. Out on the water the darkness of night swept in upon them and a storm raged around them. They paddeled for all they were worth but fast failing. They gave everything they had, but the waves left them with aching arms, hurting backs, and discouraged hearts.

          That’s always the result when we fight life’s storms without Jesus. In our own strength we are quickly overcome and so were they. But Jesus did what Jesus always does, he saw his people headed toward destruction and he ran to them, down the mountain, onto the shore, and out on the water. No boat and no jet ski just skipping across the lake!

          When the disciples caught a glimpse of someone approaching on the waves they did what all brave, brazen blue collar workers do … They screamed like little girls! “It’s a ghost.” They were scared spit less (That’s the literal translation by the way J). Jesus spoke up and said, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage I am here.” Then Peter stood up. Leaving the eleven in their holy huddle he stepped to the front of the storm battered craft and said, “Lord if its you, tell me to come to you on the water” and Jesus says, “Well come on.” In a sheer act of faith Peter takes Jesus at his word and all alone stood up on the water! His success was short lived. A couple of steps on the sea and he sinks. A lecture from the Lord and you would think Peter would learn.

          “Then Peter stood up …” Peter always stood up. Jesus was in Gethsemane, filled with anguish, crying out to the Father. The disciples were piled up around the camp fire, filled with supper, comfortable and sawing logs. The darkness of night swept in upon them. Judas sauntered into the garden flanked by an evil entourage and with a simple kiss the storm began. Judas stepped back and the soldiers pounced. The disciples scattered and Peter all alone grabbed a sword. He whirled the weapon into the air and sent it downward bent on destruction. Peter’s blow missed its intended target but he managed to cut off Malchus’ right ear. In the middle of the garden Peter risked his life all alone and stood up for Jesus. But his success was short lived. Jesus picked up the ear and healed the man. A sharp rebuke and you think Peter would learn.

          “Then Peter stood up …” Peter always stood up. After the storm in the garden it picked up in the city. People were screaming, cussing, jeering, and laughing as the Son of God passed in chains. The city was no place for friends, family, or followers of Jesus. The blood thirsty crowd grew with each passing moment. They were not there for a trial they were for an execution. Sympathizers stood silent & defenders departed.

          When Jesus was drug into the high priest’s home Peter got as close as he could. He warmed himself by a fire out in the courtyard. This was the front porch of the enemy. He was surrounded by a hateful mob and supported by no one. Yep, even here, all alone Peter stood up.  But his success was short lived. And he crumpled into a whimpering heap under the question of one little girl. Three times he denied knowing Jesus and as the rooster crowed for the second time tears streamed down his cheeks. A load of guilt and embarrassment … you think Peter would learn.

          “Then Peter stood up …” It’s almost a summary of Peter’s life. He stood up on a lake, in a garden and in the courtyard. Peter always stood up. When others slunk back and sank down, Peter pushed forward and stood up. He was a manly man. He was well meaning, good hearted and had sheer grit and determination. Yet the glory of the moment faded quickly. His life was full of ups and downs, standing and falling, standing and failing, standing and alone. He found himself the same place we have all been, sitting smack dab on the roller coaster of life. Try real hard, fall real fast.

“Then Peter stood up with the other eleven…” Wait a second. Here is something different. Peter stood up with the other eleven? That’s not like Peter. He was independent, self reliant, capable of handling this world alone. He could fit right in with good ole’ Americans that cry, “Be your own man!” “Have it your own way!” “Keep your business to your self!” When he stood up on the lake he did it alone. When he stood in the garden he did it alone. When he stood in the courtyard he did it alone…and each time he bottomed out.

But here he stood up with the other eleven. Hand in hand, arm in arm, and side by side they stood. This time when Peter stood up, there was no failure or falling. The same man who cowered in front of a little girl we see here in Acts chapter two boldly proclaiming the gospel.

          As I look in the mirror and around this sanctuary I see Peter. Good hearted well meaning people who are willing to stand up. Just the fact that you are here testifies to your tenacity. You could have stayed in bed, watched the Royals, mowed your lawn but you didn’t. You stood up! Many of us have been standing up for years. But in our independence we see our intentions are good but often the results are not. We find ourselves riding the rollercoaster up and down, up and down. Peter’s life screams one simple message … “You can’t stand up on your own!”

          Oh, we are so like Peter. We come here often very alone even among the crowd and we go back home in the same condition. We want to be in the Word. We fully intend to have a real prayer life. This week we are going to kick that habit. I’m going to be nicer to my family. I’m going to do better with my money. I’m going to take better care of my body. Off we go with some new book or program and promise to “Be all we can be”. A few months, weeks, days, or sometimes hours finds us right back where we started, falling, sinking, failing. We always stand up but the resolve is short lived.

Maybe you see the fallout of living the Christian life alone. You try with everything in you to overcome, to stand firm but your energy is quickly sapped, your resistance runs out and sin comes flooding back in. Your intentions are good but the results are not.

We are a lot like Peter. We have heard the lectures, the rebukes, felt the guilt, the embarrassment and we try, and try, and try. This standing up for Jesus is just too hard.

It is if you try to do it alone…

But something happened to Peter at Pentecost. He obeyed Jesus, prayed fervently, was filled with the Holy Spirit and became community. Not just part of a community but with the others who had been filled became one. For the first time Peter didn’t rely on Peter. Oh, they had lived together, eaten together, laughed together but now every move they made for God was done in, by and for community. No longer would they try to stand up on their own, no more Lone Ranger. And the roller coaster days were over. 

Now Peter stood up… stood up with the other eleven! He never backed down, they had his back. He never let up, they surrounded him with courage. On that day the Word went forth and went to work. It convicted those living in sin and drew them to the Savior and Redeemer. Over 3000 people were baptized and added to the community that day! What a day, the birthday of the church!

Are we there, do we find ourselves up and down, up and down? “I try to do devotions, I try to be nice, I try to quit,” what ever … only to fail. Could it be that we aren’t obeying Jesus, praying, filled with the Holy Sprit or living in community? Sure we know each other, we help each other, we even love each other but do we really stand up together? Do we even know when one of us is struggling. How many of us get sick and just tough it out on our own? How may of us have something that we need to break but won’t tell anyone? How many of our children won’t share their problems because they’ve learned from Mom and Dad to keep it quiet?

We do not have to live there, we do not have to go there and we certainly don’t have to stay there. The Holy Spirit has been poured out, it’s been given, He is here. We simply ask him to fill us and then we stand up together. We live out this Holy Spirit filled life in community, real and authentic with one another. Hand in hand, arm in arm and side by side!

What will happen if we embrace this? I don’t know, you never know what might happen when the Holy Spirit is poured out. But when it happened for Peter and the others – the gospel was proclaimed and three thousand were added in one day.

This morning I want us to respond different than normal. If you’ve been up and down, up and down in any area of life. If you’ve been trying to do devotions and just can’t keep it up. You’ve been trying to pray but just can’t be consistent. If you’ve been trying to kick some habit or add a discipline to your life and just can’t seem to make it happen. If you have some sin that has you bound. If you are so busy you can’t even find time for your family much less the Lord. If you are carrying a burden: illness, lost loved one, anything. And are trying to do it alone then I’m asking you to stand. I am asking you to be real and authentic this morning to stand up right where you are.  And folks I’ve just got to come down there and stand with you because I try to carry burdens myself just like you do. But no more, we either are one body or we aren’t.

Then I want any everyone who is standing to come together and support one another. The eleven and Peter stood up together under the power of the Holy Spirit and the world has never been the same! This is the day here in this church we stand up under that same power and are the community.

Benediction

Church go forth to live out this Holy Spirit filled life in community, real and authentic with one another. Hand in hand, arm in arm and side by side!

 

Sermon Matthew 28: 1-11 "All Shook Up"

Sermon Matthew 28: 1-11 “All Shook Up”

Text

It was 1974, my parents had just built a new home and our family had moved. Like many of the homes built in the early to mid-seventies it had the gold chandeliers with five arms and glass globes. Anyone remember those? It was in the afternoon. My mother was in the kitchen, I was in the living room when those globes began to shake and the light fixtures swing. In the dining room the glass door of my grandmother’s antique china cabinet sounded like it was braking. Small knick knacks found on the coffee table began to dance. I jumped up about the time Mom rounded the corner, she looked at me and I looked at her with that “this is the big one” look. About that time everything stopped and a 30 second silence surrounded us. Then we both burst into speech, it was truly an earthquake. My home town is found on the southern part of the New Madrid fault line in north Arkansas. Not a big quake but big enough to shake us up and gave us a memory that will last a life time.

It was still dark outside, the darkness that comes right before the sun begins to cast its rays over the horizon. Two women made their way through the deserted streets, outside the gates of the city, then wound their way to the place where the graveyard was located. It was a heart wrenching task. They both had a bag slung over their shoulder full of everything they would need to really clean and prepared a dead body. But dealing with the body was the easy part. Each harbored their own rising panic at having to remove the head covering and see the face. That beautiful, young face of the one they loved so much, had followed, who had shaken their whole world.

Mary Magdelene, had been emotionally dry, a WALKING DEAD PERSON more years than she could remember. She had been possessed by seven demons and her life had been out of control. Then she met him, with a word, the demons had left her and she was alive & free. From that point on she determined she would serve him. And what a ride it had been, he said GET UP AND GET OUT and it was worth the obedience. She had seen were more miracles than she could count. But the greatest thing he did in her situation was give her significance. Because you see, women in her day were only property, they had virtually no opportunity or even human rights. But not in the new kingdom he had proclaimed, everyone was important, anyone could be a disciple. This whole teaching had shaken up the teachers of the law, people in general and even the culture itself. And now as they walked in the darkness, the living water he talked about seemed just an EMPTY BUCKET of memories. Always being one to bottle up her emotions she just gritted her teeth and walked on. You know IMAGE IS EVERYTHING.

The other Mary had know him his whole life, she wept openly as she thought of the little  curly headed boy who followed Joseph around in the shop, hammering pegs, and pretending to saw things apart. The teen-ager who had lots of friends but spent more time contemplating the things of God than anything else. The man who knew more about the torah then anyone she had ever met, yet, continued the simple life of a carpenter. After the calling of her son James she had joined their band of travelers cooking, washing and giving of her funds so that they could proclaim the good news of the kingdom. What a bold new message. His words made the hearts of everyone in hearing distance quake …”Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” No one had ever heard teaching like this, it didn’t separate the haves and have nots, it didn’t base things on who you were or who your family was, it was for everyone, it included absolutely anyone, there was no EMPTY CHAIRS at his table! Now, he was gone, her weeping became sobs, she stumbled and her friend supported her as they walked on.

Just as they came near his tomb, they expected to have to pay off the guards to roll away the stone. They came around a large sycamore tree and heard it first … the rustle of leaves and branches turning into a roar. In another second they felt the tremor under their feet but this was no ordinary quake, they saw the ground begin to make waves like the sea, trees, rocks, and tomb markers split. They held on to each other as they fell to the ground. At that instant what they thought was lightning struck right at the front of the tomb but instead of a blinding flash, the light remained. The soldiers who had been groveling in the dirt because of the quake now didn’t move. The women weren’t sure if they were dead or just terrified.

In the middle of the light sat a beautiful man, later the women could never find words to really describe his features. The now motionless ground enabled them go from a face down position to a kneeling one. They still clung to each other and their bodies trembled with fear. The man spoke, “Do not be afraid.” Is he kidding, we just experienced a major quake, a bolt of lightning and a glowing man, not be afraid. We’re shaking in our sandals! “Do not be afraid. I know that you are looking for the crucified one. He is not here.” Not here, what do you mean not here. We saw his dead body wrapped and put here three days ago. We saw the soldiers seal the tomb before they so rudely ran us off. “He is not here for he has been raised, as he said. Come see the place where he lay.” With that they edged right up to the tomb, even with the shimmering being sitting on the rolled back stone. His light filled the tomb they could see the bloody wrapping and the head piece folded but no teacher. “Now go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He is raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” The older Mary grabbed the younger by the hand and took off like a rocket. They were no less shaken up but overcome by joy. They had to get back to the others to tell them.

As they ran right in the middle of the path … in the middle of the fear, in the middle of earthquake debris, in the middle of not understanding, in the middle of their joy & fear … stood Jesus. Now, they had experienced seeing an angel, you would think that would be enough. But God does not operate that way, he actually came to them … he came to them … right in their time of need - good, bad, happy, sad. While they were on their way, Jesus showed up and spoke peace to them.

There are a lot of people here who have a testimony like that…earthquakes, unbelievable world rocking experiences, frightening or joyful things happening in this life and they discover Jesus standing right in the middle of their road.

We chose to celebrate that today on Easter. We can know what it is to be truly alive because the resurrected Jesus has resurrected us. This room is full of people who have entered into the abundant life that comes from the Savior who left the tomb empty and met them on the path. But don’t just take their word for it. See for yourself the tomb is empty, Jesus is standing right where the earthquake has happened, right where others may be laying like dead men, or on the way to spread some news. He’s there waiting … He’s here waiting.

On this Easter morning the death-defeating, life-giver comes to us. He comes to bring forgiveness and deliverance. He comes to shake things up, to fill empty people BECAUSE NOTHING GOD HAS CREATED IS MEANT TO BE EMPTY. At the end of second service several people who have met the resurrected Jesus are going to be baptized into the Christian faith. They went running up the path of life and ran right into him. And on this Easter morning if you have yet to share life with the life-giver then it’s time to let Jesus shake you up. If you once knew him and walked away he’s standing with arms extended saying return to me. If there is any business you need to do with Jesus he’s right in the middle of the road waiting for you. We invite everyone to stand and as we sing feel free to walk down the aisle, to this altar of prayer and meet Jesus who is waiting in the middle of the path.

 

Sermon Matthew 21: 1-11 "Empty Praise"

Reading of the Text Matthew 21: 1-11 “Empty Praise”
What a great Sunday, sun shining, perfect… none of those present had ever experienced anything like it. It had started a couple of weeks earlier. It was at Lazarus’ tomb that the gathering crowd began to be noticeable. People had heard Jesus call and watched the wrapped, stinking body of Lazarus come forth. Jesus had hollered GET UP AND GET OUT; they had seen life in the face of death. This was naturally followed by people fainting, weeping, running, screaming, laughing, then the funeral band had began to play a lively tune and everyone started to dance. There weren’t any Nazarenes around so that was allowed. Twirling, side stepping and singing, even Jesus did a doe-see-doe. God had worked in their midst. That’s what praise is all about … or is it?

Coming through Jericho there was the healing of Bartimaeus, poor old man, blind and begging his whole life. Jesus had simply told him “go, your faith has made you well.” And he could see perfectly! There was shouting, jumping up and down, hands in the air. That’s what praise is all about… or is it? They had stopped off in Bethphage. Jesus sent two disciples to go get a colt that had never been ridden, untie it and bring it to him. The disciples were just a tad uneasy about walking into somebody’s yard and taking their furry Ferrari. But Jesus tells them no problem just tell the owner, "it’s for the Lord." Sure enough, they went and got the donkey and the owner had no problem with the deal. All the way back to Bethphage they sang praise choruses and passed the peace. That’s what praise is all about …or is it?

The now growing group of believers put their most used and needed possession on that colt, the coat right off their back. Nobody gave up their cloak, they were expensive, it was your blanket at night, it was your rain gear, it was your winter apparel, it was your shade! What a generous offering to give. That’s what praise is all about… or is it?

Then they lifted Jesus high into the air someone started to pour a water cooler full of ice on him but instead they placed him on the back of that donkey. They were carrying on like people at the Democratic Convention when they finally decide on one candidate. Balloons were going up in the air, loud music was blasting and somebody was playing a saxophone. That’s what praise is all about… or is it?

Coming into Jerusalem the crowd had swelled to an uncountable number. At the lead was Jesus on the colt surrounded by the twelve, the women, Lazarus, tax collectors, prostitutes, poor people, lepers, rich people, working people and children. Everybody was singing, throwing their coats on the ground for a donkey to walk on!

They lined the street with palm branches, flowers, confetti and streamers. What a parade, right into town better than any St. Patty’s day parade anywhere. Echoing off each building you could hear, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

This stir had thousands asking who is this, what’s happening here, I want to be in on it. So the mob got bigger with folks who just love a party, they had no idea what was going on or why. But where there’s dancing and the possibility of fun they just gravitate. You know IMAGE IS EVERYTHING I mean the excitement and anticipation was at a fevered pitch. That’s what praise is all about… or is it?

Jesus next stop was the temple, hoorah! It was time; he would announce his kingdom and the reign of the world by the Israeli people would begin.

Then, then unexpectedly Jesus went… crazy. Now wait just a minute David never did anything like this. This was the temple for heaven’s sake and Jesus was overturning tables and calling the everyday merchants robbers. He was chasing the sacrifices right out the door. This was no way to the top, didn’t Jesus know he was going to need the priest and the merchants to over throw the Romans. You can’t get to the throne by making enemies of people who are powerful. Suddenly, there was no longer a parade and the crowd began to scatter.

The chief priests and the scribes became angry and began to confront Jesus. Confrontation, I hate confrontation, I mean to be a real ruler why not just smooth things over, it never hurts to have friends in high places. Compromise, mediation it’s what savvy people do. These are the church leaders, Jesus can’t possible take them on; they know everything there is to know about scripture and God. They might throw Him or us out of the club. The singing became a whisper, the party ended and all that was left of the throngs were those who Jesus had helped, disciples and some children.

Everyday that week Jesus went to the temple. Everyday the people crowded in. Everyday they expected him to declare war on Rome or any other nationality. Everyday they expected him to accept kingship and get rid of nasty old Herod.

But instead Jesus keeps talking about this weird kingdom where tax collectors go in ahead of theologians; throwing people into the darkness where there is gnashing of teeth, get real and loving your neighbor like yourself. What kind of words are these, my neighbor happens to be a different denomination, surely that can’t mean me! And all this talk about having to die, what happened to happily-ever-after? What happened to the world bringing gifts and meeting our needs?

I thought this guy was the guy. I laid my coat on the ground for his donkey to walk on. I got splinters in my hands climbing up that palm tree. I let my kids join the parade. I clapped while we were singing!  This must just be another scammer, he’s supposed to put the Romans in their place, punish the Samaritans, annihilate the Greeks, and you know do things the way I think they ought to be done. The way we have been taught, the way we understand. I thought this was about people getting what they are entitled too and no one having a problem with that.

What is this hog wash about pulling the temple down and rebuilding it in three days? And the whole concept of carrying the burdens of others, I’ve got enough problems of my own. Why can’t the miracles be mine, wellness and a bed of roses?

And the crowds disappeared, no more quoting scripture. Coats were taken home and washed. Palm branches were burned to make supper. The donkey was returned. And finally no one was left but the twelve… the twelve in an upper room. Even that was weak… one disciple left dinner to sell Jesus out and the others swore a very short lived allegiance.

On Friday another crowd had gathered. But instead of throwing confetti, they were throwing accusations. Instead of walking behind Jesus on a donkey, they lead a chained prisoner. Instead of waving palms they slapped his face. Instead of friendship there was betrayal. No more singing only cursing. Instead of ousting the Romans they were appealing to their authority to kill the very one they had hailed as king. Praised by singing, dancing, quoting scripture, waving palm branches, obeying, giving offerings to, enjoying fellowship around … That’s what praise is all about… or is it?

Or is it?

Empty praise, empty praise… at some point we’ve all done it. We’ve praised out of feelings; we’ve praise because life is going like we think it should; we’ve praised because those around us are praising; and we’ve praised because it is Sunday and it’s the right thing to do.

But full, authentic praise extends beyond what we feel. It definitely extends beyond how my week or my day has been. It extends beyond having little or much. Praise is when we look into the face of Jesus and realize He is the King, whatever that may look like. Praise happens when I live, move and have my being in Christ… not just on Sunday but everyday.

It is when I praise at home, at work, washing clothes, cleaning the toilet or preparing a meal. It is understanding that God inhabits praise. It is knowing that in every moment He is present. Praise is an expression of love and thanks to God. Praise is above anything we face: disappointment, brokenness, sin, happiness, contentment, any emotion or event. Praise is prayer, intimate and powerful BEING CLOSE ENOUGH TO GOD TO HEAR HIS VOICE. Praise recognizes forgiveness, ever given, and deliverance by the blood of Jesus.

Jesus rode into Jerusalem to become the innocent lamb who took away the sin of the world. Sacrificing his own body, he opened a doorway from death to life, from rebellion to friendship, from separation to closeness, and that’s why we praise.

Any action: singing, dancing, fellowshipping, helping, church going, giving, anything that is done for me, because of my preferences, my expectations, what happens to me, or about me will always be empty praise AND NOTHING GOD HAS CREATED IS MEANT TO BE EMPTY. Yet, these same actions when done solely because of Jesus are what makes praise real.

Authentic praise is understanding that Jesus body was broken for us to be restored to God (tear bread). Jesus and only Jesus alone is Redeemer. Authentic praise is realizing our sins are only forgiven because His blood was shed (hold up cup). Jesus and only Jesus is Savior. Come to the Table.

Praise is knowing personally (let me repeat that) Praise is knowing PERSONALLY, CLOSELY AND INTIMATELY the Ancient of Days, Burden-Bearer, Creator, Deliverer, Emmanuel, Faithful One, Good Shepherd, Healer, Immortal, Justifier, Keeper, Lamb of God, Messiah, Nurturer, Over-comer, Prince of Peace, Redeemer, Savior, Transformer, Unfailing, Victorious One, Worthy, Yahweh, Zealous God.

 

Sermon Ezekiel 37: 1-14 "I See Dead People"

Sermon Ezekiel 37: 1-14  “I See Dead People”

 

Wal-Mart is an interesting place. Not only do I spend half of my earnings in there, it is one of the best people watching venues in all of America. Everybody goes to Wally World. Admit it! You know it’s true! While I was there the other day I rounded a corner and ran into a good friend of mine, Pastor Don Palmgren from Church on the Rock. We were enjoying a few shallow pleasantries when… Movie Clip – I See Dead People

… a dirty, young man began to walk up the aisle. I could tell by the pale color of his skin, the weaving gait and the glassy look in his blue eyes that he was an addict. As he approached us he recognized Don and said hello. Immediately, Don asked him how he was and very honestly that young man relpied, “Not so good, I’m in over my head, I can’t get out” hopeless, desperate, empty. There before us in flesh and blood stood a walking dead person.

 

It was a dark room in the high school. A girl of sixteen, mother left her with friends a few months back, never knew her dad, now homeless, with no where to go except to juvi. Here sat someone overcome by the consequences  of others sin, circumstances she couldn’t control. She looked me in the eyes, a very healthy, pretty face and cute little outfit on… Movie Clip – I See Dead People …and said, “What have I got to live for, nobody wants me?” hopeless, desperate, empty. There on a small couch with her knees pulled up to her chest in a little ball rocked a flesh and blood dead person.

 

I sat in the bleachers of a 5^th grade girls traveling basketball game. And one of the fathers sat next to me and as we cheered on this little team he began to talk about his day. Drive to the city at 6 AM, work in an office until 4PM, drive home, pick up kids, grab a bite of fast food , hit one of the many sporting events, where he sometimes meeting his wife unless she’s carting another one of the children to another event. Then a mad dash home, everyone shower and to bed. His head hits the pillow and he barely mumbles good-night to the love of his life much less giving thanks to or even thinking about God… Movie Clip – I See Dead People …without looking up he said under his breath, “some life huh?” Then barely audible he added, “No life really” hopeless, desperate, empty. There was zero indication that this man had called out to the GOD WHO COMES THROUGH. There beside me in flesh and blood sat a dead person.

 

Sunday after Sunday they went to church. They smiled and they shook hands. They attended Bible study and potlucks, IMAGE IS EVERYTHING. And each time they left the building he opened the door for her, she would nod her head in thanks and they headed for the car …

Movie Clip – I See Dead People ... loathing each other. The marriage started out wonderful, fun, fulfilling but as time went by they began to hate everything about the other. It was an empty relationship AND NOTHING GOD CREATED IS MEANT TO BE EMPTY. They stayed together for the kids, the kids grew up. Then they stayed together for the grandkids and the family. Now, they just stayed together and they had no idea why … hopeless, desperate, empty. And when they would sit across the table from each other there in flesh and blood were dead people. 

 

Text Ezekiel 37: 1-14

 

Ezekiel was kidnapped along with about 10,000 of his Judean brethren and taken to exile in Babylon. His wife died sometime after this gruesome event. And there he was homesick for a community that had been burned to the ground; longing for a wife whom he had buried; and called to be a spokesperson to his own people about impending doom. How much worse can it get? What a hopeless, desperate, empty existence. The Lord takes Ezekiel and drops him right in the middle of a valley where there was nothing but old dried skeletons. This would be a CSI nightmare. Thousands upon thousands of bones scattered, unburied, and long dead. As he began to walk through the valley Ezekiel could hear the crunch, crunch, crunch under his feet and felt nauseated. And God asked Ezekiel “Can these bones live?” What a crazy question, “Can these bones live?” Of course these bones CANNOT live, Ezekiel just mashed three dozen into the ground as he walked 20 feet. The worms have even left the area! There’s nothing left but dry, white fish food. IMPOSSIBLE!!! But Ezekiel happened to be CLOSE ENOUGH TO GOD TO KNOW HIS VOICE, so he answers, “O Lord only You know.”

 

And God says, “I hope your voice is well oiled today because I want you to preach to these parched, dehydrated, dried out bones. Say to them, “I will cause breath to enter you and you shall live. I will lay flesh on you and cover it with skin. You shall live and know that I am God.” Now, old Ezekiel may have stood there blinking unbelievingly…  But He GOT UP AND GOT OUT, choosing obedience, doing what God told him to do. He began to proclaim, to holler, to shout and to stomp around like any good preacher. But then I think he got quiet as a mouse, stood still and trembled with excitement because all of a sudden those bones began to make a rattling sound, move, then dance and came together. Bone to bone, then flesh and skin covered them over. What a sight, it was incredible, unbelievable, there laid people.

 

Ezekiel looked around in confusion. Where did God go? We got bone, we’ve got tendons, muscles, veins, hair, teeth and eyeballs but there’s no life. Just flesh and blood dead people… Movie Clip – I See Dead People. Then the voice… that Ezekiel knew and trusted said, “Hey, Ezekiel call the breath, my breath, my ru’ah and tell it to breathe on these stiff, dear departed, dead carcasses. Ezekiel didn’t have to be told twice he begins to prophecy to those corpses and the breath of God Almighty went into them and a vast multitude lived! Nothing is impossible for God!!!

 

That same day at Wal-Mart I saw Tomas with his son, who he has brought with him faithfully to church. As a matter of fact for many years now Tomas has brought friend, after friend, after friend and along with the entire Hispanic class, lead by Laura they have introduced those new folks to the life giver. The walking dead are dead no longer. As a matter of fact they’ve gone to different states, even different countries with the sweet taste of Jesus in their mouths and his breath in their bodies.

 

Just a little while after I had sat with that pitiful teen-age girl, I attended a band concert at the High School. At that event Jesse Strickland and Sadie Welhoff, proclaimed life to the friends who sat around them. And Ben, a brand new Christian, introduced me to friends he’s introducing to the life giver. We have young people, teachers and administrators walking those halls with the ru’ah of God respirating through them and from them.

 

At the same time as the father of that 5^th grader was lamenting about the dead busy-ness of his life. There were families sitting nearby who had learned to depend on the One who breaths the Spirit in them and on them …then follow his leading with the stewardship of time… enjoying abundant life as a family. A breathing example that God can show us how to be alive in the midst of the circumstances of everyday living.

 

And the couple who stayed together as dead people…swallowed their pride, got on their knees and asked for forgiveness from God and each other. They begged for the Spirit to fill them and God in his mercy did it, overflowing their love for each other. And now at seventy they are an inspiration to struggling couples, breathing out what God breathed into them.

 

Do you realize those dry bones didn’t know God, but God sent someone to them that did know Him … to proclaim Him to those cadavers. And there are young people, old people, church people, busy people and street people who are hopeless, desperate and empty, the walking dead are all around us. “I see dead people.”

 

I would venture to guess that there are dead people in this very service today. People who are dead in addiction and it can be any kind of addiction: drugs, alcohol, porn, … or even work or family.

I believe there are dead people here today who because of the circumstances beyond their control feel like there’s nothing to live for.

Maybe there are dead people here because life has gotten so busy, so overwhelming you don’t even have time for relaxing with the people you love the most much less with the Lord.

Could it be that there are dead relationships all over this building, oh, you’re committed but it’s empty? If so, the Life Giver is ready to fill you with His Holy Spirit and give you breath, please…please open your heart and receive it.

 

And for those who are in this place who have received this life already, we are the Ezekiels of today. We proclaim God’s Spirit to the dead and He will give life. The miracle of the valley dry bones can happen in our work places, our shopping places, our schools, our homes, our church, anywhere … that Holy breath can come to the flesh and blood dead.  When God breaths into a person, they are filled with life. When God breaths into me and into you we have life! It doesn’t matter how dead, impossible, improbable, unachievable, hopeless, despairing or empty a life is … God can resurrect it. The flesh and blood dead made alive.

Sermon 1 Samuel 16: 1-13 "Close Enough"

SERMON – 1 Samuel 16: 1-13 “Close Enough” – Nancy Cantrell

 

When a couple who has desired a child finds out they are expecting, they begin to do some pretty strange stuff. They go into high gear getting things that are a “necessity” for the nursery. Long before they could possibly use them these frantic people begin to shop for maternity clothing, look at baby magazines, think about names for the little one, and buy furniture. There are absolute must “need” items such as: a rocking horse, learn to read books, a walker, baseball glove or how about one of those little table and chair sets. You know, they are just so cute, red with little trains or flowers on them. And there in that nursery sets a pint-sized empty chair … waiting.

 

Samuel was a leader in the Old Testament in a book that is titled with his name. He was the last of the judges for Israel and a prophet.  He was a miracle birth. His mother, Hannah, was barren and prayed for a baby, promising to give the child back to God. Sure enough she conceived, Samuel was born and when he was weaned she took him to the temple and placed him under the care of the priest Eli. I bet when she went home that day after leaving him at the temple, she walked in her door, saw his little empty chair and wept. Hannah is an incredible example of GETTING UP AND GETTING OUT, of true obedience even when it didn’t benefit her in anyway, even when it was painful, even when she couldn’t see the future.

 

As a boy Samuel in the middle of the night heard God’s voice and from that point on was sold out. He followed the Lord. He grew up and filled the seat of judge, priest and prophet of Israel. As he got old he knew it was time for a new leader and the chair once again set empty… waiting.

 

He considered his sons and hung his head. He experienced what many parents experience. The children he had raised, prayed for, taught and guided had become adults. Then they made decisions that took them on a road away from God. So if you are a parent in that boat you are in good company. Continue to lift those children to God but be released from any false guilt Satan would place upon you. Stay close enough to God to hear his voice that’s what Samuel did, that’s what we do

 

The people of Israel also know the chair is to be vacant, so they come to Samuel and say “we want that chair to hold a king, give us a king like everyone else.” There is zero indication that the people called out to the God WHO KNEW HOW TO COME THROUGH. God would have given them direction but instead they went to Samuel. So, faithful Samuel prays and is close enough to hear God’s voice.

 

The Lord tells Samuel go and anoint Saul as king. Saul was exactly what the people expected, tall and handsome. He was what they envisioned any warrior king would look and act like. And through by-passing God the people got exactly what they wanted.

 

Saul started out a great fit for the chair. He was anointed, obedient, cried out to God, filled with the Spirit, and was victorious. The seat felt good, it fit, he filled it well. Then something happened, he began to see the chair not so much as a way to hear God’s voice but as a throne to proclaim his own. If you sit on a throne you are the boss, you make the decisions, no need to cry out, no need for God or what God desires.

 

As a throne the empty chair becomes a place for my own needs, when people don’t do what I expect, I’ll simply make decisions concerning them. When they disappoint me I’ll just decide what needs to happen and make it work. If God doesn’t do things quick enough or like I think they ought to happen, I’ll just use this throne to my advantage.

 

Saul began to listen to his own voice and understanding. And the chair that Samuel had faithfully filled and God had given Saul the privilege to sit on…once again stood empty…waiting AND NOTHING GOD CREATED IS MEANT TO BE EMPTY. We pick up with today’s scripture.

 

Text 1 Samuel 16: 1-13

 

Samuel came out of retirement he fills his horn with oil and is CLOSE ENOUGH TO GOD TO HEAR HIS VOICE. There’s no room for Samuel to continue to look in the past and grieve that things didn’t turn out like he thought or wanted. He could no longer mourn that his adult children made bad decisions; that Saul is deaf to everything but his own voice or that the people couldn’t see past their own noses and needs. He simply had to be obedient to the voice of God no matter what.

He gets to Bethlehem and everyone freaks out, they know who Samuel is. They know that he gave the chair to Saul. They know that Saul has made it into a throne. Here Samuel shows up to worship with his horn of oil for anointing a king, that’s treason. Jesse’s family is invited, consecrated, expected and Jesse with his sons… at least the sons that matter … arrive ready for whatever God desires. Samuel sees the first son, handsome, tall, kingly. Ah Ha! This one can fill the chair, this must be him, Samuel opens the horn of oil. And as the scent of the oil reaches his nostrils God voice says, “Woooooooo there buddy, be patient, this isn’t him.”

 

Samuel was God’s judge, prophet and priest. Yet, he is still human and still can’t always see clearly. He has to listen to God for direction. So, do we regardless of where we are at on this journey. Samuel plugs the horn. The next son, the next son, the next and each time God says, “Nope, this isn’t him.” Samuel looks at Jesse, “Is this all your sons?” Jesse stammers a minute and then says, “Well, there’s the runt. He doesn’t count. He’s out watching the sheep. We didn’t even bother to invite him to the worship service. We certainly didn’t invest time into him all he does is play with sling shots. He’s got seven brothers ahead of him, manly men, why bother?”  Samuel hollers, “Go get him, we’re not moving from this spot, until he’s here.”

 

Shortly, in runs David, red faced, bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Nothing like what Samuel would have chosen, certainly not what Jesse expected, and David’s brothers are rubbing their eyes in unbelief. He’s the youngest! He’s unimportant, inferior, unprepared, ill-equipped, unqualified, not to mention showing up for church in his jeans and sweater! And GOD says, “Samuel, upon on your feet! Anoint him! This is the one.”  Samuel uncorks that horn and pours out the oil in ceremony for the new king.  “Not one that the people chose but one God chose!”

 

And here we are three thousand years later, an empty chair waiting near me, near you. I wonder who it is that God intends to fill it with? And not just enjoy worship with us but maybe be something greater...

 

The lady at the check-out counter is she another Hannah? The boy who lives with his single mom, maybe he’s the next Samuel. How about the drunk who stumbles out of Katie’s at closing time every Friday night, is he a David? People all around us that may appear nothing like what we envision a God-person to look like. They just need to be brought in from the pasture, counted as significant, called for, believed in and anointed with the oil of God.

 

Samuel didn’t see like God did, he thought Eliab was the man. But Samuel was CLOSE ENOUGH TO GOD TO HEAR HIS VOICE say which one was God’s choice. And we must be close enough to God to hear Him say, “Look at him, look at her, they are the ones, bring them in. I have chosen them to fill the empty chair, to be mine, to serve me, I see their heart.”

God’s direction was very clear to Samuel in this passage go to Bethlehem. His voice is very clear to us as well, “Go into all the world and make disciples” non-negotiable. Like Samuel we take chances, even frightening ones, going outside our comfort zones bringing others into worship. Where God chooses prophets, priests, preachers, children’s workers, drummers, worship leaders, and who knows what.

 

As a matter of fact, maybe you are the next Hannah, Samuel, or David. Or, or could it be that because you are close enough to God to hear his voice then obediently fill the empty chair in this place, the most unexpected person you can think of becomes the one who God will make the next leader in His Kingdom.

 

Servers please come. Today, as we come to the table to receive the broken body of Christ and his shed blood for the forgiveness of sin. Hear the voice of this God who chooses the most unlikely people and makes them into someone great. May this tangible, touchable means of grace enable us to hear God’s voice when he says, “bring in the red faced, the beautiful, those in the fields, the insignificant, the disregarded, the runts into worship… the empty chair is waiting.” Come to the table.

Sermon "Empty Living: Get Up and Get Out"

Text: Genesis 12:1-4      Title: “Empty Living: Get Up and Get Out”           Sermon Collaboration by Pastor Nancy Cantrell and Jimmy Skeen   

 

Reading of Scripture

NIV     ¹ The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. ² "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. ³ I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." ⁴ So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran

“Faithful” … that’s the word we usually here when describing Abraham. But there was a time when that was not always true, a time before “Faithful Abe.” I am not sure exactly how Abram’s story went but if he were here to share with us today, I think he might say something like this …

 

Abram’s Story:       

“…You will never believe the phone call I received. I mean it was really hard for me to accept it so I bet you would have trouble believing it too. You see, I received a call, from the most important being in history … it was God! I know, you might think this old man has lost his mind; in fact it took me a while to accept it myself. You see I have known a lot of pranksters in my day. I could imagine Ben Friend/Phil Rogers hiding behind a rock and calling out my name, “Abram! Abram! This is God speaking!” You know he would love to pull a trick like that!

 

Not only do I know a few jokesters but there was no reason in the world the God of the universe should call me. I mean I am a nobody? I know you all think I am a man of great faith. You might think I am cut from a different cloth than you, but that simply isn’t true! In fact, I really was in no way qualified to hear from God. If you don’t believe me just look at my resume; I was a sheep herder, that’s what my family was and that’s what I planned on being. I was going into the family business. I spent all day everyday in the middle of dust dirt and … well, even stinkier things! Beyond my vocation, I had a heritage that was far from perfect. My family was not exactly Ned and Nancy Nazarene.

 

Flip over to Joshua 24:2 with me (Read the verse).     ² Joshua said to all the people, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Long ago your forefathers, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the River and worshiped other gods. That is the legacy my family left for me. My own father “Worshiped other Gods.” And you know what isn’t mentioned in that verse? He taught me to do the same!

 

I learned from my parents just like you all learned or are learning from yours. I was involved in other religions, serving other gods, living for my own selfish desires. As you can see this is not the type of history that would lead anyone to think God, the one true God, would make a personal contact with me. But it still gets worse. Not only was my history checkered my future was dark.

 

My wife was barren. We could not have children. My family, my whole world was going to end with me. My entire life was empty. The only living I did was empty living. I had an empty life and an empty future. My life was empty. But you know what I discovered? Nothing God created is meant to be empty.

 

Then God called to me. It really was God, the God of the whole universe, calling to me! I couldn’t believe it! He called to me right where I was, right in the middle of my stinking circumstances. In the middle of the sheep pooh, smack dab into the muck and mire of my life God called to me. I didn’t clean up, straighten up, or put on make-up, I didn’t have to because God came to me right where I was just exactly the way I was.

 

I can honestly tell you I was never as excited as I was at that moment. I mean you can’t help but be pumped when God shows up in your daily life, especially when life is empty. But it immediately got even more exciting. You see God told me there was a plan for my life, a purpose for my existence. Like I told you my family was farmers, ranchers, sheepherders, that was the best I could hope for, the only option I had ever considered. But God had another plan for me, a higher purpose.

 

God said, “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous …” YAHOOO! YIPPEEE! There are no other words to describe my emotions. This little old farmer was speaking with God and I found out I was going to be famous. I got to be honest I really liked this part. God came to me and then told me I was going to be well known, very influential, and who wouldn’t love that message. But the next part of the conversation was a little less exciting.

 

God said, “You excited? You ready?”

“You bet I am Lord. Lay it on me. Make me a general superintendent.”

God said, “Ok here’s the plan … GET UP AND GET OUT!”

“Uh… excuse me?”

“You heard me, get up and get out, pack your suitcases, hit the road Jack! Leave this empty life. ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family.”

 

My shouting and celebrating ceased, and the only noise I made came from my jaw slamming against the rock hard earth. I really liked the idea of being famous, but I wasn’t so sure about leaving my home, my family, and my country.

 

You might not understand this because you live in an individualistic society where you are encouraged to, “Be your own person,” “Make your own way,” where you are rewarded and celebrated for “Pulling yourself up by your bootstraps.” Please for just a moment you must stand in my shoes, in my culture, in my society. My entire identity was wrapped up in the community I lived in. My country, my relatives, and my family were not just important relationships they were my very identity. My family defined who I was. My wife was selected from this group, the jobs I could pursue came from this small circle, my friends, my lively hood were all tied up in these communities. God told me I would be famous. But that huge promise came with a mighty push, get up and get out!

 

Now if you could have been there at this moment in my life you might not think of me as “Faithful Abe” because I was scared, frightened, confused, and timid. Leave my family? Leave my country? Reject my culture? This just can’t be.

 

Finally, I asked God a question I found I would ask many times, ‘Why?’ I mean I wanted to do God’s will but why did I have to make such a huge change? If God really was all powerful and all knowing why couldn’t God just change me and use me right in the middle of the place where God found me? God’s answer didn’t come directly but I have since learned the answer, it was for my good and His glory. And that is always the answer to “why?”

 

When God calls He always meets us right where we are, no matter our past, no matter our circumstances. But … He always intends to take us somewhere else. He wants our empty living to be left in the dust and the journey of promise to begin. God knew if I stayed with my family, a family serving other gods, the temptation to stray would be great. For me only by moving to “The land God would show me” would I be free to serve Him completely. Also, if great things were accomplished in me in my current circumstances then others might attribute the glory to me, but leaving my family would cause all the glory to go to its only true source … God alone.

 

Through the years I have come to learn that God’s call always includes one command, “Get up and get out.” See he meets us right where we are but never intends to leave us there. God’s call and invitation to holiness always involves a change in life.

From self centered to God centered, from self promoting, to God promoting, from self seeking, to God pursuing, from empty living to a hope filled journey of promise.

 

God’s promise comes with a push but it also comes with a plan. God told me He would make me the father of a great nation and He would make me famous. Not only that but He promised the whole earth would be blessed through me. And you know God always makes good on His promises!

 

If you read the first chapter of Matthew you will find that the savior of this earth, God’s only Son came from my family. The whole earth was and continues to be blessed through me! What a blessing! But all of this, every ounce of it, is for the glory of the one I serve!

 

I am not positive but if Abraham were here I think he might have told his story kind of like that. But what I do know for sure is this; Through the years God has called some pretty ordinary people to some pretty extraordinary things. He called a scaredy cat named Moses to be the leader of Israel, a prostitute named Rahab to protect the spies when they entered the Promised Land, a ruddy young boy named David to slay a giant, and a timid teenage girl to give birth to our Savior. 

 

God has also called a lot of ordinary people in this church to some extraordinary things. He called a lawyer to the mission field, He called a nurse into pastoral ministry, He called addicts to freedom, He called a 4^th grade young lady to walk across the street and lead her neighbors to Jesus.

 

The best news of all is not what God has done, but what He wants to do. You see God is still in the business of calling people. He is calling to us to get up and get out, to leave our life of emptiness behind. He is calling us out of empty living to a life filled with hope. He is calling us to join Him on a journey filled with promise. God is still in the business of calling people today …

(Phone Rings twice)

There He is again … and this time He’s calling for you!

 

 

Response at  the table:

This morning If you have heard God call to you to “get up and get out.” We are going to invite you to come to the table. If you know what it is to be empty and this morning you have heard God calling would you consider Jesus? Between now and Easter consider if Jesus is the one you have been searching for. If that is you this morning we invite you to come.

 

We will receive by intinction this morning. That means you will tear off a piece of the bread and hear the words, “The body of Christ broken for you.” You will then dip it into the cup and hear the words, “The blood of Christ for the forgiveness of sin.” Then eat it. You don’t need to be a member here or ever to have attended here before. All we ask is that you are somewhere on this journey with God, maybe you are just stepping out in faith maybe you are near the end. God is calling us. Out of emptiness and into fullness. To a journey filled with hope. Come to the table.