>>> GREETER: GOOD MORNING

>>> GREETER: GOOD MORNING.

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE, LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.

I WANT TO WELCOME ALL THE MEMBERS AND GUESTS.

IF YOU WOULD, FILL OUT THE REDBOOK AND GUESTS, ESPECIALLY FOR THE FIRST TIME, PUT YOUR ADDRESS SO WE CAN HAVE A RECORD.

TODAY IS THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT, WE JOIN TOGETHER TO THANK GOD FOR NEW PROMISE AND POSSIBILITIES.

LET US WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY OF WORSHIP AS WE PREPARE OURSELVES TO BE GOD'S PEOPLE IN GOD'S WORLD.

>> GARY WILKES: GOOD MORNING.

ON BEHALF OF THE CHURCH, FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, I'D LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TO THIS SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT, ONLY FIVE MORE SUNDAYS AND EASTER WILL BE HERE.

I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW FAST EVERYTHING IS MOVING FORWARD.

IT IS SPECIALLY GREAT TO SEE STEVE AND HIS BEAUTIFUL BRIDE WITH US TODAY.

GREAT TO SEE YOU.

I'D LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO STAND AND SING HYMN 179, 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS.

[HYMN 179]

>> YOU MAY BE SEATED.

IF CHILDREN WILL COME FORWARD FOR WIGGLE TIME.

>> LAST WEEK WE TALKED ABOUT FOLLOW THE LEADER, AND I HAVE THIS STORY AND ‑‑

>> IT WAS CLOUDY AND THEN THE SUN CAME OUT

>> ALL RIGHT.

THE SUN IS OUT NOW.

DID YOU KNOW OUR SHOES HAVE A STORE TO TELL US AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TODAY, AND I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU SOME AND THEN I WANT TO LOOK AT YOURS TOO.

OKAY.

HERE IS ONE.

OKAY?

YOU MAY WANT TO PASS IT AROUND SO YOU CAN ALL SEE, BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT ONES.

HERE IS ONE THAT I USE LIKE FOR HIKING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

OKAY.

AND THEN HERE'S ONE THAT PROBABLY WOULDN'T FIT ANYBODY HERE, BECAUSE IT WAS ONE OF MY BOYS, SOME OF MY BOYS WHEN THEY WERE LITTLE.

HAVE YOU EVER WORN SHOES THAT LOOK LIKE THAT?

>> NO.

>> YOU HAVEN'T EVER WORN ANY THAT LOOK LIKE THAT?

>> I HAVE WORN SHOES.

>> YOU MAY HAVE WORN SOME LIKE THAT SOMETIMES.

ALL RIGHT.

PUT OUT YOUR FEET AND LET ME SEE YOUR SHOES.

LET'S SEE THEM.

OKAY.

LET'S SEE YOURS.

OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

LOOK AT WHAT WE'VE GOT.

WE'VE GOT BLACK SHOES, WE'VE GOT BROWN SHOES, WE'VE GOT WHITE SHOES, WE'VE EVEN GOT GREEN SHOES AND MAROON KIND OF COLOR, DARK COLOR WITH BOWS ON THEM, YET WE ALL WALK DOWN THE SAME PATHS AND ROADS AND GOD'S CHILDREN COME IN DIFFERENT COLORS TOO, SO WE ALL GET ALONG TOGETHER, WE ALL WALK DOWN THESE SAME ROADS TOGETHER.

SOME OF THESE HAVE A ROUGH PART, IF YOU LOOKED AT THEM, THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT SHINY, BUT SOME ARE REALLY ROUGH FEELING LIKE THAT BOOT LIKE THING THERE, AND THAT'S SOME PEOPLE, SOME MAY BE THAT KIND OF ROUGH AS COMPARED TO THAT KIND OF SMOOTH.

SOME OF YOU HAVE SHINY ‑‑ HERS ARE SHINY, AND THESE ARE SHINY.

LOOK AT THESE SHINY SHOES OVER HERE.

SHE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HER.

LOOK AT THOSE SHINY SHOES YOU'VE GOT ON.

LOOK, YOU HAVE THE SHINIEST ONES, I THINK.

>> I HAVE BLACK ONES.

>> YES, THEY'RE BLACK AND THEY ARE SHINY.

>> I HAVE BROWN ONES.

>> AND SHOES HAVE OR AT LEAST MOST OF YOU, SOME OF THESE FANCY KIND OF SHOES DON'T HAVE THIS, BUT THEY HAVE WHAT IS CALLED A TONGUE, SOME OF YOU HAVE A TONGUE IN YOUR SHOE, AND THAT SERVES A PURPOSE IN THE SHOE, NOT THE SAME AS OUR TONGUE DOES TO US, BUT IT HELPS KEEP THESE FROM HURTING IF THEY ARE LACED REAL TIGHT ACROSS THE TOP OF YOUR FOOT, THAT'S TO PROTECT THAT, THAT'S CALLED THE TONGUE OF THE SHOE.

YES, YES, YOU DO.

OKAY.

RIGHT.

AND IT SERVES A PURPOSE FOR THE SHOE AND OURS HAVE A PURPOSE TOO AND YOU ARE TO SPEAK GOOD OF PEOPLE, NOT BAD.

AND THE SHOE HAS ‑‑ DO YOU KNOW WHAT THESE ARE CALLED IN YOUR SHOE?

MONTGOMERY HAS SOME OF THESE.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY CALL THIS IN THE SHOE?

>> LACES.

>> NOT TO THE L ACES, THEY ARE EYES, NOT LIKE YOUR EYES, THEY ARE EYES OF THE SHOE WE WILL PUT THE LACES THROUGH.

BUT WE HAVE TWO EYES, SO THAT REMINDS US OF ALL THE THINGS WE CAN SEE AND WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE SUN OUT, ALL THE BEAUTIES OF GOD'S EARTH AS THE TREES AND GRASS BEGIN TO COME OUT, WE CAN SEE THAT AND THEN YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE LACES AND, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES THEY GET ALL KNOTTED UP, LAWRENCE PROBABLY HAS SEEN GUYS ON BASKETBALL COURTS, THEY HAVE TO STOP AND TIE THEM UP BECAUSE THEY HAVE LACES LIKE THIS HANGING DOWN, SO WE CAN THINK ABOUT LITTLE PROBLEMS WE HAVE OR LITTLE KNOTTY SORT OF THINGS, WE HAVE TO WORK AND FIGURE THEM OUT, AND THEN WE CAN GET THEM ALL TIED UP AND GO ON ABOUT OUR WAY.

OKAY.

THERE IS ONE, ONLY ONE SIZE FITS US.

SO, YOU WOULDN'T TRY TO WEAR THIS SHOE IF YOU WENT HIKING OR YOU WOULDN'T TRY TO WEAR THIS SHOE.

YOU WANT TO COME BACK UP AND SIT DOWN SO WE CAN SEE YOUR SHINY SHOES RIGHT HERE, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE SHOE IN A MINUTE.

SO, THESE SHOES WOULDN'T FIT YOU.

ONE SIZE FITS US AND, SO, YOU WEAR ONE THAT FITS YOU.

YOU DON'T TRY TO WEAR SOMEBODY ELSE'S SHOES UNLESS SOMETIMES YOU ARE JUST PLAYING AND MAYBE WEAR MOMMY OR DADDY'S SHOES AND CLOMP AROUND THE HOUSE IN THEM.

BUT USUALLY YOU WEAR YOUR OWN SHOES AND THAT IS TO BE YOURSELF, DON'T TRY TO BE SOMEBODY ELSE, BE YOURSELF, RIGHT.

AND FINALLY, MOST IMPORTANT, YOU DON'T WALK ALONE, GOD IS WITH US, WE REMEMBER TO REMEMBER THAT ALWAYS, HE'S GREATER AND POWERFUL AND ALWAYS WALKING WITH US.

I WANT TO READ ONE VERSE OF SCRIPTURE, IT COMES FROM THE 25TH PSALM BUT THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT COMES OUT OF A BIBLE CALLED THE LIVING BIBLE.

AND IT SAYS: HE IS CLOSE BESIDE ME GUARDING, GUIDING ALL THE WAY.

AND, SO, I HAVE A LITTLE SHOE ON THE LITTLE NECKLACE TO GIVE YOU TODAY TO REMIND YOU OF THIS STORY ABOUT SHOES.

WILL YOU BOW YOUR HEAD AND LET'S PRAY FIRST.

BOW YOUR HEAD AND PRAY WITH ME.

DEAR GOD, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US ALWAYS.

AMEN.

WAIT A MINUTE.

YOU WANT TO HELP GIVE SOME OUT?

YOU WANT TO TAKE SOME HERE?

PASS THEM OVER.

MONTGOMERY NEEDS ONE.

NOW YOU CAN REMEMBER THAT STORY ABOUT THE SHOES, OKAY?

DID EVERYBODY GET ONE?

>> READER: GOOD MORNING.

I'M GLAD MY SHOES BROUGHT ME HERE TODAY.

OUR FIRST READING IS PSALM 27, PSALM OF DAVID.

[ PSALM 27 ]

>> OUR SECOND READING COMES FROM LUKE 13 VERSUS 31 THROUGH 35.

[ LUKE 13:31‑35 ]

>> READER: THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS.

>> CONGREGATION: THANKS BE TO GOD.

>> GARY WILKES: IN YOUR SERVICE BULLETIN IS A SINGLE SHEET THAT HAS A HYMN CALLED WELCOME INTO THIS PLACE, THIS IS FROM THE CHALICE, IT IS VERY EASILY SUNG.

SHE WILL PLAY IT ONCE AND THEN WE WILL SING IT TWICE.

PLEASE STAND.

[ HYMN WELCOME INTO THIS PLACE ]

>> PASTOR: THANK YOU, HAVE A SEAT.

GOOD MORNING.

ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT ANYONE NEEDS TO MAKE THIS MORNING.

DAVID IS COMING WITH THE MICROPHONE.

>> JIM HENRY ‑‑ AM I ON?

JIM HENRY IS THE CHAIR OF OUR BOARD OF ELDERS CALLED ME AND ASKED IF I WOULD LET EVERYBODY KNOW THAT I HAVE ABSENTEE BALLOTS, PEOPLE HAD CONTACTED HIM THAT WERE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE AT CHURCH NEXT SUNDAY TO ATTEND THE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING, SO I HAVE COPIES OF THE MOTION THAT WILL ‑‑ AND RECOMMENDATION FROM THE BOARD THAT WILL BE VOTED ON NEXT SUNDAY AND I HAVE SO YOU CAN READ IF YOU REFRESH YOUR MEMORY, IT'S ALSO ON THE WEBSITE AND I HAVE THE ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

I WORE THIS SO EVERYBODY WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE ME.

AND AFTER CHURCH I AM GOING TO BE IN THE NARTHEX OVER BY THE DOOR UP TO THE BALCONY IF ANY OF YOU WANT TO VOTE TODAY.

I HAVE THE BALLOT HERE, THANK YOU.

>> ANY A OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS?

>> IT DIDN'T MAKE IT INTO THE BRIDGE, I DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO PUT IT IN THERE, BUT WE ARE COLLECTING PLASTIC EASTER EGGS, THE CHILDREN ARE GOING TO HOPE YOU HELP THEM WITH EASTER EGGS, WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THEM TO THE BROWN CHILDREN AFTER SCHOOL AND SAVE SOME FOR OUR OWN EASTER EGG HUNT.

IF YOU ARE AT THE STORE THIS WEEK, SPEND A DOLLAR AND BUY SOME PLASTIC EGGS, BRING THEM TO CHURCH, I APPRECIATE IT.

>> OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS?

>> I HAVE ONE.

NEXT SUNDAY, THE 11TH, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE OUR ANNUAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA SMALL CONCERT DOWNSTAIRS IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL, STARTS AT 2:30.

ADMISSION IS FREE TO FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, IT IS DESSERT, BETWEEN THE PLAYING WE WILL BE SERVING COFFEE AND DESSERTS, WE'D LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO BECOME PART OF IT.

IT'S A VERY SMALL GROUP, STRING QUARTETS, STRING TRIOS.

IT'S 2:30 NEXT SUNDAY.

ALSO, DON'T FORGET TO SET YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD ONE HOUR NEXT WEEK BECAUSE WE SPRING FORWARD DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME IS A LITTLE EARLY THIS YEAR.

YUCK, I'M SORRY.

>> THE BEARER OF GOOD NEWS.

ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS?

IN THE BULLETIN, ONE OF OUR DISCIPLES MISSIONARIES WILL BE WITH US.

WE SENT AN E‑MAIL OUT, IF YOU HAVE A POSSIBILITY OF HOUSING HIM FRIDAY NIGHT, SATURDAY NIGHT, HIS FLIGHT LEAVES ON SUNDAY, THAT WOULD BE GREAT, COME SEE MYSELF OR CHUCK IN THE OFFICE.

ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS?

JOYS ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THIS MORNING?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR THE CARDS, LETTERS, E‑MAILS, PHONE CALLS, IT MADE ME FEEL A LOT BETTER, I APPRECIATE IT.

PEOPLE CAME VISITED ME IN THE HOSPITAL AND MY HOME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER JOYS?

CONCERNS, PEOPLE WE NEED TO BE PRAYING FOR?

>> I HAVE COUSINS IN MURFREESBORO, JOHN AND HEATHER GOODWIN, THIS WEEK THEY HAD THEIR THIRD CHILD, JACK, HE WAS BORN AT 21 WEEKS, HE WAS ONLY A POUND, IT'S NOT LOOKING GOOD SO IF YOU WILL PRAY FOR THEM, PLEASE.

>> RUTH?

>> MY DAUGHTER LINDA, SHE FLIES WITH DELTA, SHE FELL DOWN AT HOME AND HAS A FRACTURED KNEE, SHE WILL BE OUT THREE WEEKS.

SO YOUR PRAYERS WILL BE APPRECIATED.

>> ANY OTHERS?

>> MY BROTHER JOHN WEBSTER WAS HOSPITALIZED LAST FRIDAY, HE HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH DIABETES AND I'D APPRECIATE YOUR PRAYERS.

>> ANY OTHERS?

MOGGIE?

>> I GOT A NOTE THAT HIS BROTHER HAD DIED OF KIDNEY FAILURE, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE TIME OF THE SERVICE.

COULD YOU TELL US WHAT THE SPECIFIC TIMES ARE, LET'S KEEP THEM IN OUR PRAYERS, PLEASE.

>> VISITATION IS TODAY AND AGAIN TOMORROW AT VALLEY VIEW.

>> ANY OTHERS?

LET'S BOW OUR HEADS FOR A MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION AS WE GO TO THE LORD IN PRAYER.

LET US PRAY.

WE COME TO YOU, O LORD, IN THESE MOMENTS OF WORSHIP, TO OPEN OURSELVES ONCE AGAIN TO YOUR LOVE, TO YOUR MERCY, TO YOUR COMPASSION AND TO YOUR FORGIVENESS.

WE ARE NOT ALWAYS WHAT WE SHOULD BE, WE DON'T ALWAYS DO WHAT WE SHOULD DO.

EACH WEEK IS DIFFERENT.

THOSE TWO FACTS SEEM TO REMAIN.

SO WE COME TO THIS PLACE AT THIS TIME TO ONCE AGAIN BE CLEANSED, TO BE REBORN, TO BE TRANSFORMED, TO BE FILLED WITH THAT LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR US, TO BE FILLED WITH COURAGE.

REMINDING US ALWAYS THAT YOU ARE WITH US EACH AND EVERY DAY.

AND THAT WE CAN RELY ON YOU MORE THAN WE DO.

THAT WE CAN SEEK GUIDANCE, DIRECTION, WISDOM.

SHRINK OUR EGOS SO WE MIGHT LOOK TO YOU FOR ALL WE NEED, WE MIGHT LOOK TO YOU TO REMIND US WHO WE ARE.

WE LIFT UP THE JOYS MENTIONED THIS MORNING, REMINDED ALWAYS YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF ALL JOY.

THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN EACH OF US GIFTS TO BE TREASURED, WE CHALLENGE ‑‑ YOU CHALLENGE US EACH DAY NOT TO TAKE EACH OTHER FOR GRANTED.

HELP US SHOW THAT LOVE YOU CONTINUOUSLY SHOW.

WE ALSO LIFT UP THOSE WHO ARE BURDENED, THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED LOSS, MAY YOU COMFORT THEM IN THEIR TIME OF NEED.

AND MAY WE BE VESSELS OF GRACE, MAY WE BE AIDS TO EACH OTHER.

WE LIVE IN A CHAOTIC WORLD, O, GOD, SO WE COME HERE TO WORSHIP, FOR PEACE IN OUR HEARTS AND OUR WORLD, WE COME HERE TO BE STRENGTHENED, WE COME HERE TO BE REMINDED OF THE GOOD NEWS.

THAT WE ARE LOVED BY A GRACIOUS GOD.

CONTINUE TO BE WITH US AS WE WORSHIP, THOUGH WE MIGHT RECEIVE WHAT YOU HAVE FOR US THIS DAY.

AND AS ALWAYS WE ARE REMINDED OF OUR CALLING BY THE PRAYER JESUS TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES AND TEACHES US, SO WE SAY BOLDLY TOGETHER, OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME, THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, AND FORGIVE US OR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL, FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER, AMEN.

>> NOW IS OUR TIME OF GIVING, WE SHOULD REFLECT ON THE GENEROCITY OF GOD, LET US GIVE GENEROUSLY.

[ CHOIR ]

>> LET US PRAY.

GRACIOUS GOD, YOUR WORDS AT TIMES ARE MYSTERIOUS TO US, WE ASK IN THESE MOMENTS YOU OPEN THE MYSTERY SO THAT OUR HEARTS MIGHT RECEIVE WHAT YOU HAVE FOR US THIS DAY.

IN CHRIST'S NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.

I'M THINKING ABOUT CAMP THIS WEEK, SUMMER CAMP.

I USED TO LEAD JUNIOR HIGH AND SENIOR HIGH CAMP FOR THE METHODIST CHURCH, AND I REMEMBER THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE COMING TO CAMP ALL EXCITED TO LEARN ABOUT GOD.

WELL, THEY WERE ALL EXCITED TO COME SEE THEIR FRIENDS AND MAYBE GET A GIRLFRIEND OR BOYFRIEND TOO, I SUPPOSE.

BUT THEY WERE EXCITED TO BE THERE.

I REMEMBER AT THE END OF EACH CAMP HOW WE WOULD GATHER AROUND THE FIRE, THE CAMPFIRE AND SING SONGS.

AND I REMEMBER ONE PARTICULAR SONG THIS WEEK: I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS.

I REMEMBER ONE EVENING GETTING TOGETHER WITH THE COUNSELORS, AND WE WERE AMAZED HOW EACH YEAR THAT WE DID CAMP, THE CHILDREN, USUALLY THE SAME CHILDREN WOULD COME BACK, AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THEY HAD ALL THESE PROBLEMS, AND THEN THAT LAST NIGHT AT CAMP WE WOULD SING THAT I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS AND EVERYBODY WOULD BE REALLY EXCITED AND FIRED UP AND READY TO GO FOLLOW JESUS, AND THEY FELL INTO THE SAME PATTERNS AFTER THEY LEFT CAMP.

WE WERE DISCUSSING THAT PHENOMENON ONE EVENING WITH A YOUNG LADY NAMED JESSICA, SHE SAID: YOU ONLY HAVE TO DIE.

AND A NEW COUNSELOR NAMED JAKE SAID, WHAT, DO YOU HAVE A DEATH WISH?

YOU ONLY HAVE TO DIE?

I COME TO THIS MORNING'S TEXT THINKING THE SAME THING AS JAKE.

DOES JESUS HAVE A DEATH WISH?

JESUS HAS SET OFF ON HIS FINAL TRIP, DESTINATION: JERUSALEM.

AND HE DOESN'T TAKE THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE, HE DOESN'T GET THERE QUICKLY, HE CIRCLES AROUND AND AROUND AND HE TEACHES AND HE PREACHES AT THESE DIFFERENT PLACES, MEANDERING HIS WAY KIND OF LIKE THE ISRAELITES IN THE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE.

IS HE TRYING TO GET IT ALL IN, TRYING TO GET HIS MESSAGE OUT TO EVERYBODY BEFORE HE GETS TO JERUSALEM?

IS HE HESITANT BECAUSE MAYBE HE'S AFRAID THAT HE KNOWS WHAT IS COMING HIS WAY?

DEATH?

AND AS HE'S MAKING HIS WAY THE PHARISEES COME UP ON HIM AND TELL HIM TO GET AWAY FROM YOU.

ARE THEY TRYING TO HELP JESUS?

OR IS IT A THREAT?

IN THE GOSPEL OF LUKE THE PHARISEES AREN'T ALWAYS BAD GUYS LIKE WE TRY TO MAKE THEM OUT TO BE.

YOU ARE LEFT WONDERING WHAT SIDE ARE THEY ON?

I ALSO GOT TO THINKING HOW POWERFUL IT MUST HAVE BEEN FOR THE FIRST HEARERS TO HEAR OF HIS FUTURE RESURRECTION AND HOW HIS FATE WAS PART OF GOD'S WILL, HOW POWERFUL AND HOW FRIGHTENING FOR HIS DISCIPLES WHO LOVED HIM AND WANTED TO BE WITH HIM AND DIDN'T WANT HIM TO GO, DIDN'T WANT HIM TO GO TO JERUSALEM IF HE KNEW THAT HIS LIFE WOULD BE THREATENED, IF HE KNEW THAT HE WOULD BE KILLED.

I MEAN, JUST IMAGINE THEM SAYING: JESUS, WE JUST THOUGHT THAT WAS A BUNCH OF TALK, YOU'RE NOT SERIOUS, ARE YOU?

WASN'T THAT JUST A METAPHOR?

YOU MEAN, YOU'RE REALLY GOING TO JERUSALEM?

YOU'RE REALLY GOING TO HAVE TO DIE?

YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW SCARED THEY WERE TO HEAR THOSE WORDS.

AND TO REALIZE FOR THE FIRST TIME MAYBE THAT, YES, JESUS WAS SERIOUS.

THAT HE WAS HEADED TO JERUSALEM AND DEATH WAS PRETTY CERTAIN.

IN JERUSALEM, WHICH JESUS REPEATS THREE TIMES, IS THE CENTER OF JEWISH IDENTITY.

IT'S MENTIONED 90 TIMES IN JUST THE GOSPEL OF LUKE AND ONLY 49 IN THE REST OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.

JESUS IDENTIFIES JERUSALEM AS THE PLACE WHERE PROFITS MUST GO TO DIE.

HE DEMONSTRATE HIS CONNECTION WITH THE PROPHETIC CONNECTION WITH ISRAEL AND HIS ALIGNMENT, BOLD ALIGNMENT WITH THE GOD OF ISRAEL.

JESUS SAYS THAT JERUSALEM IS THE KILLER OF PROPHETS.

SO, WHY GO THERE?

GO THE OTHER WAY.

BE LIKE THE MAGI, GO THE OTHER WAY.

AREN'T YOU AFRAID, JESUS?

DO YOU HAVE A DEATH WISH, JESUS?

WHY DON'T YOU JUST KEEP TEACHING AND KEEP PREACHING SO OTHER PEOPLE CAN HEAR ABOUT THIS GOOD NEWS?

DON'T TALK ABOUT THE DEATH STUFF SO MUCH.

WE ALL HAVE A SENSE OF PRESERVATION, DON'T WE?

WE ALL WANT TO PRESERVE THE THINGS WE THINK MAKE US WHO WE ARE.

BUT WHAT IF SOME OF THOSE THINGS REALLY DO NOT MAKE US WHO WE ARE?

ONE OF THE TV SHOWS THAT I WATCH IS A SHOW CALLED INTERVENTION.

IT'S A SHOW THAT IS ABOUT USUALLY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE ADDICTS OF SOME DRUG, AND HOW THEIR FAMILIES GET TOGETHER TO INTERVENE WITH A COUNSELOR.

STORY AFTER STORY OF ADDICTS WHO ON ONE LEVEL THINK THAT THE DRUGS HELP THEM DEFINE WHO THEY ARE.

AT ANOTHER LEVEL THEY KNOW THAT THE DRUGS ARE DESTROYING THEM.

THEIR ONE HOPE IS TO DIE FOR THE THINGS THAT ARE DESTROYING THEIR BODIES, THEIR MIND AND THEIR SOULS, BUT THEY ARE AFRAID, THAT GRIP OF ADDICTION THEY FEEL IS TOO STRONG.

THE OLD SELF ONLY HAS TO DIE FOR THEIR TRUE SELFS, FOR THEIR GOD IMAGE SELF TO LIVE.

THEY ARE AFRAID.

I'M SURE THERE ARE THINGS IN ALL OF US THAT HAVE TO DIE.

SO THAT WE CAN BE OUR TRUE GOD IMAGE SELFS.

WE ARE NOT NAIVE ENOUGH TO THINK LIKE ONE PERSON ONCE TOLD ME, OH, PAUL, I DON'T SIN.

THERE IS HATE AND THERE IS LUST AND THERE IS GREED AND PREJUDICE AND ENVY AND GLUTTONY AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON AND ON.

WE ALL KNOW OUR OWN LISTS.

WHAT IS IT THAT KEEPS US FROM BEING WHO GOD HAS CREATED?

WHY ARE WE AFRAID TO LET THOSE THINGS THAT NEED TO DIE DIE?

HOW CAN JESUS ‑‑ HOW CAN JESUS SET HIS FACE TOWARDS JERUSALEM TO FULFILL HIS MISSION AND NOT BE AFRAID?

THAT'S REALLY WHAT I WANT TO KNOW.

I MEAN, SOME PEOPLE SAID, WELL, HE'S JESUS.

I THINK THAT'S SAD IF THAT'S OUR ANSWER BECAUSE THAT GIVES US NO HOPE.

WHAT IS IT THAT JESUS KNOWS?

THAT WE CAN KNOW.

WHAT IS IT THAT JESUS HAS THAT WE CAN HAVE?

I THINK ONE THING IS THAT HE'S COMMITTED TO GOD AND GOD'S PEOPLE.

HE'S NOT CONCERNED ONLY WITH HIMSELF.

IN THAT SHOW INTERVENTION THEY GO FOR TREATMENT AFTER THEY ARE CONFRONTED BY THEIR LOVED ONES AND REALIZE THAT THEY AFFECT MANY LIVES.

THAT THEIR ADDICTION ISN'T ONLY HURTING THEMSELVES.

JESUS REALIZES HE HAS MADE A COMMITMENT TO GOD AND TO GOD'S PEOPLE.

IN A SENSE IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT HIM.

TOO, JESUS IS EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT, REMEMBER HIS BAPTISMS?

THE SPIRIT OF GOD WAS UPON HIM.

SO, WHEN HE DID HAVE DOUBTS, WHICH I'M SURE HE DID, WHEN HIS RESOLVE WAS WEAKENED, WHICH I'M SURE IT WAS AT TIMES, THE SPIRIT EMPOWERED HIM TO CONTINUE TOWARD JERUSALEM AND IT'S ONLY THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST THAT CAN HELP US TO DIE TO THOSE THINGS THAT MAR OUR GOD IMAGE SELVES.

WE CAN'T DO IT ON OUR OWN.

THAT'S WHY I ADMIRE THE 12 STEP PROGRAM SO MUCH, IT DOESN'T ONLY RELY ON THE POWER OF THE INDIVIDUAL ALONE, THERE IS A HIGHER POWER, SOMETHING GREATER THAN OURSELVES THAT CAN EMPOWER US.

THE THIRD THING IS HE UNDERSTANDS THAT HE IS UNITED BY THE LOVE OF GOD.

IT'S IN JESUS THAT WE SEE HOW THE LOVE OF GOD BRINGS SO MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE TOGETHER.

JESUS IS FILLED WITH THE LOVE OF GOD, HE LINKS DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN A COMMON EXPERIENCE OF GRACE.

IN THAT SHOW INTERVENTION, IT'S INTERESTING HOW THEY BRING TOGETHER THE FAMILY AND THE FRIENDS AND THE COUNSELORS, ALL DIFFERENT PEOPLE, ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF PEOPLE SOMEHOW RELATED TO THAT ONE PERSON WITH THE ADDICTION.

ALL DIFFERENT PEOPLE OFFERING GRACE.

DIFFERENT PEOPLE OFFERING GRACE.

AND THE LAST THING, I THINK JESUS UNDERSTOOD THAT HE WAS CALLED TO MAKE THE LOVE OF GOD REAL TO OTHERS.

AND JERUSALEM WAS THE LAST STOP TO FULLY DEMONSTRATE THIS LOVE.

IN THE INTERVENTION, THE MEETING ITSELF OF THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COUNSELORS, THE MEETING ITSELF SHOWS WHY THEY CARE SO MUCH.

IT SHOWS THAT THEY LOVE THAT PERSON, SHOWS THAT THEY WANT THAT PERSON'S LIFE TO BE TRANSFORMED, SHOWS THEM THAT THEY REALLY, REALLY CARE WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM.

IT'S MAKING LOVE REAL, MAKING LOVE REAL.

YOU KNOW HEROD FROM THE STORY THIS MORNING IS CURIOUS ABOUT JESUS, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BECAUSE JESUS IS A NUISANCE OR HE WANTS JESUS TO PROVIDE HIM SOME ENTERTAINMENT.

MANY OF THE PHARISEES DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH JESUS EITHER.

BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT?

NONE OF THAT MATTERS TO JESUS.

HE'S NOT AFRAID.

HE ONLY HAS TO DIE.

TRUSTING THAT THE ONE WHO CALLED HIM WILL NOT LEAVE HIM.

ISN'T THAT GREAT, TO HAVE THAT KIND OF CLARITY, THAT PURPOSE IN YOUR LIFE?

ONE OF MY FAVORITE SAINTS IS *SAINT POLYCARP, AN UNFORTUNATE NAME, BUT IN 106 A. D. THE ROMANS WANTED HIM TO DENY CHRIST, HE WAS 86 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME, AND HIS RESPONSE WAS: FOR 86 YEARS I HAVE BEEN HIS SERVANT, CHRIST.

AND HE HAS DONE ME NO WRONG.

HOW CAN I BLASPHEME MY KING WHO SAVED ME?

AND THEN THEY TIED HIM TO A POST AND THEY BURNT HIM UNTIL HE DIED.

YOU ONLY HAVE TO DIE.

WHAT IS IT IN US THAT MUST DIE SO WE MUST TRULY REFLECT THE IMAGE OF GOD?

I THINK BACK TO JESSICA, THE CAMP COUNSELOR WHO SAID YOU ONLY HAVE TO DIE.

SHE CAME TO BELIEVE IN CHRIST THROUGH ATTENDING YOUTH GROUP, SUMMER CAMP, BUT HER PARENTS WEREN'T BELIEVERS AND THEY WERE NOT SUPPORTERS.

IN FACT, THEY RIDICULED HER FOR HER BELIEF, FOR HER BEING A CAMP COUNSELOR, BUT SHE WASN'T DISSUADED, SHE FOLLOWED HER CALL.

SHE LET THOSE THINGS IN HER DIE THAT HER PARENTS WANTED HER TO HOLD UP AS BEING MOST IMPORTANT.

SHE UNDERSTOOD WHAT IT MEANT TO BE EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT, TO BE REUNITED WITH GOD'S LOVE, MAKE GOD'S LOVE UNDERSTOOD BY OTHERS, SHE UNDERSTOOD SO YOUNG.

DURING LENT WE HEAD TOWARD JERUSALEM AND I CAN'T HELP THINK OF THE SONG WE SANG AT CAMP, I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS, BY THE CAMPFIRE, ALL OF US TEARY EYED, KNOWING WE WOULD DIE FOR GOD.

IT SOUNDS A LITTLE CHEESY, BUT MOST OF US FOLLOW IN FITS AND STARTS, DON'T WE?

AND SOME OF US LOSE OUR WAY.

SOMETIMES WE MOVE TOWARD GOD AND SOMETIMES AWAY.

BUT THIS WEEK IN REFLECTING MOVING FORWARD AND LOSING MY WAY AND HOW OTHERS LOSE THEIR WAY, I REMEMBERED ONE STANZA FROM THE SONG, THE CROSS BEFORE ME, THE WORLD BEHIND ME.

THE CROSS BEFORE ME, THE WORLD BEHIND ME.

NO TURNING BACK, NO TURNING BACK.

LENT CHALLENGES US TO TRY, AND I KNOW EVEN IN LENT WE WON'T BE ABLE TO WALK STRAIGHT TOWARD THE CROSS, BUT AS JESUS HAS GATHERED SO MANY TOWARD JERUSALEM, THAT FIRST TIME.

THIS TIME FOR US JESUS WILL CATCH US ALONG THE WAY TO TEACH US, TO HEAL US AND TO JUST SIT FOR A WHILE, REMINDING US DON'T BE AFRAID, DON'T BE AFRAID, YOU ONLY HAVE TO DIE.

DON'T BE AFRAID.

LET US NOT BE AFRAID TO LET THOSE THINGS THAT NEED TO DIE IN US SO THAT WE MIGHT TRULY FOLLOW JESUS.

AND ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN SAID ‑‑

>> CONGREGATION: AMEN.

>> I INVITE YOU TO JOIN JESUS ON YOUR JOURNEY OR REJOIN HIM ON THE JOURNEY, HE MEETS US WHERE WE ARE, THAT IS OFFERING GRACE TO US.

I INVITE YOU TO COME FORWARD IF YOU WISH TO BEGIN THAT JOURNEY OR RECLAIM IT AND I'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU OR YOU CAN DO IT IN YOUR PEW, DOESN'T MATTER TO GOD, HE LOVES US WHERE WE ARE.

LET US SING HYMN 342.

>> WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THIS DAY TO HAVE SUSAN LEE AND VICKIE AND CARRIE HILL TO JOIN OUR FELLOWSHIP TODAY.

I'LL ASK YOU TODAY DO YOU CLAIM JESUS CHRIST SON OF THE LIVING GOD AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR?

>> YES.

>> AND DO YOU WISH TO JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP OF FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH?

>> YES.

>> WELCOME.

[APPLAUSE]

>> AFTER WORSHIP, MY THREE NO AMIGOS WILL BE WAITING IN THE NARTHEX AND I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE TIME TO GREET THEM ‑‑ AND I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE TIME TO GREET THEM.

NOW WE COME TO OUR TIME OF COMMUNION.

THIS IS THE LORD'S TABLE, AND THE LORD INVITES ALL TO RECEIVE HIM, TO PARTAKE OF HIS GIFTS OF GRACE, THE BREAD AND THE CUP.

LET US NOW REFLECT ON THOSE THINGS THAT MUST DIE IN US SO THAT WE MIGHT TRULY EMBRACE HIS GIFT OF GRACE.

LET US PRAY.

WE GIVE YOU THANKS, O GOD, THIS DAY, WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR YOUR MERCY AND YOUR COMPASSION.

IN CHRIST'S NAME WE PRAY.

AMEN.

IN THE NAME OF CHRIST WE ARE FORGIVEN.

LET US REMAIN SEATED AS WE SING OUR COMMUNION HYMN, NUMBER 415.

[ HYMN 415 ]

>> FOR I RECEIVED FROM THE LORD WHAT I ALSO GIVE TO YOU, THAT THE LORD JESUS ON THE NIGHT HE WAS BETRAYED TOOK A LOAF OF BREAD AND WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS HE BROKE IT AND SAID THIS IS MY BODY FOR YOU, DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

IN THE SAME WAY HE TOOK THE CUP AFTER SUPPER SAYING THIS CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD, DO THIS AS OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

>> ELDER: WITH THIS BREAD, LORD, WE ASK FOR YOUR PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES, WE ASK THAT YOU TAKE AWAY THOSE THINGS THAT ARE IN US THAT PREVENT US FROM BEING TOTALLY DEDICATED TO YOU.

WE PRAY THIS IN YOUR NAME.

>> ELDER: GRACIOUS GOD, LET THIS CUP REMIND US OF WHO WE ARE AND WHOM WE SERVE.

CHRIST HAS TOLD US THE TWO GREATEST COMMANDMENTS, TO LOVE YOU WITH ALL OUR HEARTS AND SOULS AND MINDS AND TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AS OURSELVES.

KEEP US FOCUSED, GOD, KEEP US HUMBLE.

LET YOUR SPIRIT FLOW THROUGH US, LET IT LOOSEN US FROM OUR PETTY SELVES AND DO OUR REAL WORK TO LOVE AND TO SERVE.

[COMMUNION WAS SERVED]

>> WILL YOU SHARE WITH ME THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING?

LET US PRAY.

ALMIGHTY AND LOVING GOD, WE MARVEL AT THE PRIVILEGE OF EATING AT CHRIST'S TABLE.

MADE ONE WITH CHRIST IN THE FELLOWSHIP OF THIS MEAL, WE KNOW OURSELVES TO BE AT ONE WITH ALL YOUR PEOPLE EVERYWHERE.

HELP US TO EXPRESS CHRIST'S HOSPITALITY TOWARD ALL WE MEET.

AMEN.

OUR FINAL HYMN IS HYMN 565.

IF YOU WILL TRUST GOD TO GUIDE YOU.

PLEASE STAND FOR THE BENEDICTION.

LET US GO FORTH IN PEACE, RECOGNIZING THE THINGS THAT NEED TO DIE IN US SO THAT WE MIGHT REFLECT THAT IMAGE, THE IMAGE OF GOD.

AND AS WE DO SO, LET US DO IT WITH COURAGE, REMEMBERING THE GRACIOUS WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS: BE NOT AFRAID, BE NOT AFRAID, FOR I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN UNTO THE END.

AMEN.

[HYMN 565]

[END OF SERVICE]