FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
MARCH 25, 2007
>> GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME TO FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
IF YOU ARE VISITING WITH US TODAY, WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A SPECIAL WELCOME.
PLEASE FIND THE REDBOOK AT THE END OF EACH AISLE ON THE INSIDE AND SIGN IT, AND IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON ATTENDING THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER, PLEASE NOTE YOUR RESERVATION IN THE REDBOOK AND THEN PASS THEM TO THE OUTSIDE AISLE WHERE THEY WILL BE COLLECTED.
AND NOW LET US PREPARE OUR HEARTS AND MINDS AS WE ENTER A SEASON OF WORSHIP.
[ORGAN MUSIC]
>> GARY WILKES: GOOD MORNING.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TO FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
TODAY IS THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT, I GOT THAT RIGHT TODAY, AND THE SECOND SUNDAY OF SPRING BREAK.
I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO STAND AND SING OUR OPENING HYMN TODAY, SING PRAISE TO GOD WHO REIGNS ABOVE.
[HYMN]
>> PLEASE BE SEATED.
IF THE CHILDREN WILL COME FORWARD FOR WIGGLE TIME.
>> YES!
>> YES!
HOW ARE YOU GUYS TODAY?
SLEEPY?
I WON'T MAKE THIS TOO LONG.
YOU KNOW WHO I SAW THIS WEEK?
I WAS IN FLORIDA THIS WEEK.
I WENT TO SEA WORLD, YOU KNOW WHERE SEA WORLD IS?
I SAW SHAMU.
I SAW A BUNCH OF SHAMUES.
I WENT TO THE BEACH AND I WALKED ALONG THE BEACH AND THERE WERE ALL THESE SEASHELLS, AND CHRISTINE MADE ME PICK UP ALL THESE SEA SHELLS ‑‑ I GOT TO PICK UP ALL THESE SEASHELLS.
[LAUGHTER]
ANYWAY, I SAT ON THE BEACH FOR A LONG, LONG TIME, SAW THE WAVES AND I GOT TO SEE THIS INTERESTING WHAT I CALL EPISODE, BECAUSE FIRST I WILL GO BACK TO SHAMU, HE'S A GREAT BIG WHALE, WE SAT IN THE FLASH ZONE.
IT TALKS ABOUT HOW BEAUTIFUL CREATION IS, EVERYTHING IN THE OCEAN, EVERYTHING AROUND THE OCEAN, HOW IMPORTANT OUR ENVIRONMENT WAS, HOW BEAUTIFUL CREATION WAS, SO I WAS AT THE BEACH AND I WAS SITTING AND THERE WAS THIS YOUNG MAN WHO WAS ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING VERY MEAN TO A JELLYFISH.
YOU KNOW WHAT A JELLYFISH IS?
THEY CAN STING YOU.
BUT THERE WAS THIS ELDERLY FELLOW THAT WALKED BY, I AM WATCHING THIS, A YOUNG BOY, OLDER THAN YOU GUYS, HE WAS ABOUT TO BEAT THE JELLYFISH.
ALONG CAME AN OLDER FELLOW, I THINK HE LIVES THERE, HE IS AT THE BEACH ALL THE TIME.
AND HE TOLD THE YOUNG BOY HOW IMPORTANT THE JELLYFISH WAS.
AND HE SHOULDN'T BEAT UP THE JELLYFISH.
AND I GOT TO THINKING ALL OF OUR WORLD IS IMPORTANT AND GOD HAS GIVEN US THE EARTH TO ENJOY IT, TAKE CARE OF IT, EVERYONE IS IMPORTANT AND EVERYTHING IS IMPORTANT, EVERYONE HAS HIS OR HER PLACE AND EVERYTHING HAS HIS OR HER PLACE OR ITS PLACE.
SO I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER THAT WHEN YOU ARE OUTSIDE, BECAUSE I KNOW SPRING IS HERE, SUMMER IS COMING, HOW BEAUTIFUL CREATION IS AND GOD HAS GIVEN US THAT CREATION AND WE'RE SUPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF IT AND ENJOY IT AND TAKE CARE OF IT.
OKAY?
WILL YOU GUYS PRAY WITH ME?
DEAR GOD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CREATION.
HELP US TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CREATION.
AMEN.
ALL RIGHT.
THERE YOU GO.
OKAY, GET ONE FOR GIGI.
>> I WANT THIS ONE
>> OKAY.
THEY HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS.
I THINK THEY'RE TAKING ME.
[LAUGHTER]
>> SOME GUY NAMED MAX, I DON'T KNOW.
>> TODAY I'M GOING TO READ PSALM 126 IN YOUR PEW BIBLE, THAT'S PAGE 537.
LET'S LISTEN TO THE WORDS OF OUR LORD.
WHEN THE LORD RESTORED THE FORTUNES OF ZION, WE WERE LIKE THOSE WHO DREAMED, THEN OUR MOUTH WAS FILLED WITH LAUGHTER AND OUR TONGUE WITH SHOUTS OF JOY.
THEN IT WAS SAID AMONG THE NATIONS, THE LORD HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR THEM, THE LORD HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR US AND WE REJOICED.
RESTORE OUR FORTUNES, O, LORD, LIKE THE WATER COURSES IN THE NEGEB.
MAY THOSE WHO SOW IN TEARS REAP WITH SHOUTS OF JOY, THOSE THAT GO OUT WEEPING BEARING THE SEED FOR SOWING SHALL COME HOME WITH THE SHOUTS OF JOY BRINGING THEIR SHEAVES.
OUR SECOND READING, JOHN 12, 1 THROUGH 8, IN YOUR PEW BIBLE THAT IS PAGE 936.
SIX DAYS BEFORE THE PASSOVER JESUS CAME TO BETHANY, THE HOME OF LAZARUS WHOM HE HAD RAISED FROM THE DEAD.
THERE HE GAVE A DINNER FOR HIM.
MARTHA SERVED AND LAZARUS WAS ONE OF THOSE AT THE TABLE.
MARY TOOK A POUND OF COSTLY OINTMENT ANOINTING JESUS' FEET AND WIPED THEM WITH HER HAIR.
THE HOUSE WAS FILLED WITH THE FRAGRANCE OF THE PERFUME, BUT JUDAS ISCARIOT, ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES, WHO WAS ABOUT TO BETRAY HIM, SAID WHY WAS THIS PERFUME NOT SOLD AND THE MONEY GIVEN TO THE POOR?
HE SAID THIS NOT BECAUSE HE CARED ABOUT THE POOR BUT BECAUSE HE WAS A THIEF, HE HAD USED THE PURSE.
JESUS SAID LEAVE HER ALONE, LET HER KEEP IT FOR THE DAY OF MY BURIAL.
YOU SHALL ALWAYS HAVE THE POOR WITH YOU BUT YOU DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE ME.
THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS
>>People: THANKS BE TO GOD.
[HYMN 526.]
>> GOOD MORNING.
I'M JIM HENRY, I'M GOING TO BE IN CHARGE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS MORNING.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS THEY WANT TO MAKE?
>> I DO.
>> YOU SECOND.
>> JEAN AND I ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE BIRTH OF OUR FIRST GRANDCHILD, HANNAH, LAST NIGHT.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING THAT EXCITING, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME ANN CATES WHO IS PLAYING AS GUEST ORGANIST.
ALSO, ON MAUNDY‑THURSDAY SERVICE, WE WILL PRESENT THE REQUIEM, IT'S ONE OF THE GREAT, GREAT, FRENCH ROMANTIC MUSIC THAT CAME OUT OF THE LATE 1800'S.
I WOULD INVITE YOU TO COME AND BEAR WITNESS TO THAT EVENT
>> I WOULD ENCOURAGE US ALL TO BE AT THE FAURE.
DAVID?
>> WE HAD TWO BIRTHDAYS THIS MORNING, NANCY RICHARDSON, WHERE IS NANCY?
NANCY?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AND ALSO MARTHA SHEETS BOTH HAD BIRTHDAYS, MARTHA SHEETS AND BILL DOWELL ALSO.
>> I KNOW YOU REMEMBER ALL THE EASTER EGGS AND CANDY THAT YOU HAVE PUT IN THE BUCKET OUT IN THE NARTHEX.
THIS COMING WEDNESDAY EVENING AFTER DINNER IS STUFF THE EASTER EGGS, SO ALL OF YOU NEED TO COME, THIS IS ONE OF THE CHILDREN'S SERVICE PROJECTS.
WE ARE GOING TO USE THE EGGS FOR AN EASTER EGG HUNT HERE AT FIRST CHRISTIAN AND FOR THE CHILDREN AT BROWN ACADEMY, AND IF WE HAVE SOME LEFT OVER, WE WILL DELIVER THOSE TO ROOM IN THE INN, SO MAKE SURE YOU COME.
>> ANNOUNCEMENTS.
>> WANTED TO REMIND YOU OF THE CABINET MEETING RIGHT AFTER THE CHURCH SERVICE, IT WILL BE DOWN IN THE CHI RHO ROOM
>> I HOPE EVERYBODY WILL LOOK AT THAT ARRANGEMENT AND REALIZE HOW LUCKY WE ARE TO HAVE MARCIA DOING OUR FLOWERS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I'M GOING TO GET IN TROUBLE FOR THIS, I WON'T BE LONG‑WINDED, MY WIFE WILL KILL ME.
BUT I TOOK A JOB HERE IN CHATTANOOGA IN MAY, 2005, AND LONG BEFORE THAT MY WIFE WAS ON THE INTERNET LOOKING FOR HOUSES.
WELL, WE FINALLY SOLD OUR HOUSE IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR, SO THE TWO OF US BEGAN LIVING IN A ONE‑ROOM HOTEL FOR THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS.
WE CLOSED ON A HOUSE MONDAY AND THE MOVERS CAME WEDNESDAY AND UNPACKERS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.
TWO WEEKS AGO THE SHEPHERDING GROUP SAID THEY WERE GOING TO BRING US DINNER.
LAST NIGHT EMILY AND EDITH AND KYLE AND PEGGY AND SKIP AND, OF COURSE, MARCIA FLETCHER ALL CAME BY THE HOUSE AND THEY BROUGHT CANDIES AND BROWNIES AND COLD CUTS AND AN EXCELLENT BOTTLE OF WINE AND WE ALL HAD A GREAT TIME.
WE FIRST BECAME AWARE OF THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH BECAUSE MY WIFE ‑‑ HER SISTER LIVES UP IN ROCKWOOD, AND WE WENT TO THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH UP THERE, AND WE REALLY FELT COMFORTABLE AND AT HOME, AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE COMFORT LAST NIGHT THAT WAS FELT.
I ALSO WANT TO MENTION THE SMITHSONS, EVEN THOUGH THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO BE THERE, THEY PROVIDED NAPKINS AND PAPER PRODUCTS.
AND MY WIFE LET SLIP LAST NIGHT THAT I USED TO SING IN THE CHOIR IN SOUTH GEORGIA, AND MARCIA HAS PRETTY MUCH TWISTED MY ARM TO WHERE I THINK I WILL BE SHOWING UP IN THE CHOIR.
I'M NOT WILLING TO JUMP IN ON THAT REQUIEM QUITE YET, I THINK I WILL ENJOY LISTENING TO IT.
BUT YOU ALL HAVE MADE US FEEL AT HOME.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>> SOME OF US ‑‑ IS THIS ON? ‑‑ DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
TELL US WHO YOU ARE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
>> I'M SORRY.
MY NAME IS DAVID FORAY, MY WIFE IS TANYA GRAHAM FORAY, I'M ORIGINALLY FROM BALTIMORE, I'VE BEEN LIVING AND WORKING IN SOUTH GEORGIA FOR THE LAST 17 YEARS.
MY WIFE IS FROM DAYTON, TENNESSEE, WE WERE LIVING THERE, SHE WAS WORKING ‑‑ SHE TEACHES HIGH SCHOOL SPANISH AND I WORK IN THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY, NOW WE LIVE HERE AND LOVE CHATTANOOGA.
[APPLAUSE]
>> ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS?
LET ME MAKE A COUPLE THAT WERE GIVEN TO ME.
NEXT SUNDAY IS PALM SUNDAY, ALL THE CHILDREN WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN IT.
NEXT SUNDAY AFTER THE WORSHIP ALL CHILDREN WILL PARTICIPATE IN AN EASTER EGG HUNT HERE AT FIRST CHRISTIAN.
ANY OTHER JOYS BESIDES ALAN'S, THE FORAYS AND DAVID'S?
MARCIA.
ANY CONCERNS WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT?
>> RUTH WELLS' CARETAKER, FAY, IS IN ERLANGER HAVING BACK SURGERY AT 7:30.
WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR PRAYERS
>> IT WAS ANNOUNCED OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS THAT BILL HAS BELLS PALSY.
>> BILL HAS BELLS PALSY.
HOWARD BARNWELL THAT WAS MENTIONED BEFORE IS IN ERLANGER ‑‑ WHAT IS THE TERM? IN INTERMEDIARY CARE
>> WHO IS HAVING THE BACK SURGERY, I COULDN'T TELL.
>> RUTH WELLS' CARETAKER, FAY.
>> ANY OTHER CONCERNS?
LET US GO PREPARE OURSELVES WITH A PERIOD OF SILENT PRAYER.
COMPASSIONATE AND MERCIFUL GOD, HEAR OUR PRAYERS, HEAR OUR PRAYERS FOR OUR BLESSINGS AND JOYS.
COMPASSIONATE AND WORSHIPFUL GOD, HEAR US AS WE ASK FOR HELP IN OUR SORROWS, OUR CONCERNS AND OUR BEING WITH THOSE WHO ARE IN PAIN OR SUFFERING.
COMPASSIONATE AND MERCIFUL GOD, KEEP US FOCUSED ON THE CALLS TO ACTION THIS DAY.
COMPASSIONATE AND MERCIFUL GOD, HELP US TO LOVE, BE FORGIVING AND APPRECIATE THOSE WE LOVE.
COMPASSIONATE AND FORGIVING GOD, HELP US TO LOVE AND BE FORGIVING AND APPRECIATIVE FOR THOSE WHO IRRITATE US.
COMPASSIONATE AND FORGIVING GOD, HELP US TO LOVE AND FORGIVE AND BE APPRECIATIVE OF THOSE WE SEE AS IMPOSSIBLE TO LOVE, FORGIVE AND APPRECIATE.
COMPASSIONATE LOVING GOD WHO GIVES US SERENITY, GRANT US THE STRENGTH TO CHANGE OURSELVES.
COMPASSIONATE AND MERCIFUL GOD, GRANT US TO KNOW YOUR WILL FOR US.
COMPASSIONATE AND LOVING GOD, HEAR OUR PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE LEADING OUR CHURCH, OUR INSTITUTIONS BOTH HERE AND THROUGHOUT CHATTANOOGA AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
AND HEAR US NOW, GOD, AS WE PRAY THE PRAYER JESUS TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES SAYING: 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 OUR 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.
>> I'D LIKE TO READ TO YOU ANOTHER VERSION OF THE LORD'S PRAYER THAT I JUST HAPPENED TO SEE THIS MORNING AND THIS VERSION IS: OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, REVEAL TO US, SET THE WORLD RIGHT, DO WHAT'S BEST AS THE LOVE, SO BELOVED, KEEP US ALIVE WITH THREE SQUARE MEALS, KEEP US FORGIVING WITH YOU AND FORGIVING OTHERS, KEEP US SAFE FROM OURSELVES AND THE DEVIL, YOU'RE IN CHARGE, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU WANT TO, YOU'RE A BLAZE AND BEAUTY, YES, YES, YES.
AND AS WE SAY YES, LET'S SAY YES TO GIVING OUR OFFERING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS TO GOD.
[CHOIR SINGING FATHER, FORGIVE US]
FATHER, FORGIVE US EACH TIME WE CLOSE OUR EYES TO A BRUISED AND BROKEN WORLD, THE SHATTERED BROKEN LIVES, FORSAKING THEIR SHAME, EVERY TIME WE TURN AWAY, WE CRUCIFY AGAIN.
FATHER, FORGIVE US EACH TIME THAT WE FORGET MOTHERS THAT HAVE LOST THEIR SONS, THE CHILDREN WITH NO HOME.
VOICES CRYING OUT IN THIS, THE PRISONERS IN PAIN, EVERY TIME WE TURN AWAY WE CRUCIFY AGAIN.
FATHER, FORGIVE US, OUR HEARTS REMAIN UNMOVED BY SUFFERING AND POVERTY, WE KNOW NOT WHAT WE DO.
WHEN WE FAIL TO HEAR THE VOICE OF CHRIST IN EVERY CRY, WHEN WE DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE SAVIOR IN THEIR EYES.
WE CRUCIFY AGAIN,
WE CRUCIFY AGAIN, WE CRUCIFY AGAIN, WE CRUCIFY AGAIN, WE CRUCIFY AGAIN.
WE CRUCIFY AGAIN, WE CRUCIFY AGAIN, CRUCIFY AGAIN, CRUCIFY AGAIN, CRUCIFY AGAIN, CRUCIFY AGAIN.
WE CRUCIFY AGAIN, CRUCIFY AGAIN, CRUCIFY AGAIN.
FATHER, FORGIVE US.
>> LET US PRAY.
GRACIOUS GOD, FOR YOUR TENDERNESS, WE GIVE YOU THANKS.
BUT MOST OF ALL, FOR YOUR PRESENCE.
HELP US TO BE OPEN TO THIS PRESENCE, HELP US TO BE TRANSFORMED BY THIS PRESENCE.
IN YOUR LIKENESS.
IN HIS NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.
SCRIPTURE FROM THE GOSPEL JOHN SAYS 6 DAYS BEFORE PASSOVER ‑‑ PASSOVER BEING THE JEWISH FESTIVAL COMMEMORATING THE ESCAPE SAFELY INTO EGYPT.
IT'S A GREAT INTRODUCTION, BUT THE STORY IS MORE THAN ABOUT THE PASSOVER THAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN.
IF WE PAY ATTENTION TO THE STORY OF JESUS IN THE BIBLE, HE CAN TEACH US MANY LIFE LESSONS, BUT THIS MORNING JESUS TEACHES US ABOUT LIFE ITSELF.
AND NOT IN PROBABLY THE USUAL WAY WE ARE ACCUSTOMED, NOT FIVE FAST STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL LIVING NOR FOUR QUICK LESSONS TO GREATNESS.
JESUS AND THE CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY OFFER US THE DEFINITION OF LIFE ITSELF, AND IT'S NOT NECESSARILY EASY EITHER.
BUT IT IS WHAT MAKES LIFE WORTHWHILE.
THERE ARE THINGS IN THE STORY THAT WERE ASKED TO BE REMEMBERED, TO REMEMBER.
THE FIRST IS TO REMEMBER TO SHARE LIFE JOYFULLY, NOT RELUCTANTLY.
IT'S INTERESTING THAT THESE FRIENDS OF JESUS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO SHARE LIFE JOYFULLY.
MARY WANTS TO SPEND TIME WITH JESUS.
LAZARUS WHO HAS BEEN DEAD AND NOW IS ALIVE WANTS TO SHARE THIS NEW LEASE ON LIFE WITH HIS FRIEND JESUS.
AND JESUS, WHOSE TIME IS LIMITED, WANTS TO BE WITH HIS FRIENDS.
AND THEN THERE IS JUDAS, I DON'T WANT TO PICK ON JUDAS TOO MUCH THIS MORNING OR MARTHA IN THE STORY WHO IS CALLED TO SERVE, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.
BUT WE SEE IN THE STORY THAT JUDAS IS RELUCTANT TO SHARE IN THIS JOYFUL LIVING.
THIS JOYFUL GATHERING OF FRIENDS.
MARY WANTS TO SIT AT THE FEET OF JESUS.
LAZARUS OPENS HIS HOME AND WANTS TO SHARE THIS NEW LEASE ON LIFE WITH JESUS.
AND JESUS, TOWARD THE END OF HIS LIFE, WANTS TO BE WITH HIS FRIENDS.
REMEMBER, TO SHARE LIFE JOYFULLY, NOT RELUCTANTLY SAID THE CHARACTERS OF THIS STORY.
SECOND, REMEMBER TO USE THINGS AND LOVE PEOPLE, NOT VICE VERSA.
MARY USES THE OIL TO LOVE JESUS.
LOVINGLY USES THIS PERFUME AND SPREADS IT ON HIS FEET WITH HER HAIR.
SHE USES THE OIL TO LOVE JESUS.
LAZARUS USES HIS HOME TO LOVE JESUS.
THAT IS WHEN HIS HOUSE BECOMES A HOME, WHEN HE USES THIS THING TO LOVE JESUS.
AND WE SEE THROUGHOUT JESUS' MINISTRY ALL THE TIME THAT HE USES THINGS TO DEMONSTRATE HOW TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND TO LOVE GOD.
HE NEVER USES PEOPLE LOVING THINGS.
AND THEN THERE IS JUDAS, HE DOESN'T WANT TO WASTE ANYTHING ON THIS MOMENT, HE WANTS TO USE IT FOR ANOTHER MOMENT, WHETHER IT BE THE PERFUME OR THE MONEY OR THE TIME WITH JESUS.
HE'S NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE MOMENT.
HE'S THINKING AHEAD.
REMEMBER TO USE THINGS AND LOVE PEOPLE.
JUDAS ISN'T SPENDING ANY TIME LOVING PEOPLE IN THIS STORY.
THE THIRD THING, REMEMBER THAT LITTLE THINGS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.
MARY USES THIS LITTLE OIL, THIS LITTLE PERFUME AS AN ACT OF LOVE.
IT'S NOT A GRAND ‑‑ NOT A BIG THING, JUST A LITTLE OIL.
LITTLE PERFUME AS AN ACT OF LOVE.
LAZARUS, HIS HOUSE BECOMES A HOME WHEN IT IS SHARED, THIS LITTLE PLACE BECOMES THIS HAVEN FOR JESUS AND HIS FRIENDS.
AND JESUS, BUSY JESUS, GOING TOWARD THE END OF HIS MINISTRY, THE END OF HIS LIFE TAKES TIME TO RECLINE, SOME TRANSLATIONS SAY TAKE TIME TO RECLINE, RELAX WITH HIS FRIENDS.
HANGING OUT WITH HIS FRIENDS, IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE IN HIS LIFE AND IN THEIR LIFE.
REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN GAIN EVERYTHING BUT STILL LOSE BIG.
MARY, PUTTING PERFUME ON THE FEET OF A MAN COULD LOSE HER REPUTATION, COULD BE TALKED ABOUT.
TRY IT YOURSELF, SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
LAZARUS, HE SHARED LIFE'S IMPORTANT MOMENTS WITH JESUS.
JESUS, I MEAN ‑‑ LAZARUS WAS DEAD AND BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I MIGHT THINK ABOUT GETTING A MANAGER, P.R. GUY AND GOING ON TOUR.
START SPEAKING AROUND TO DIFFERENT CHURCHES AND DIFFERENT SYNAGOGUES, SAY I WAS DEAD AND NOW I'M ALIVE.
CAN I TELL YOU FIVE EASY WAYS TO GO FROM DEATH TO LIFE ‑‑ THE LAZARUS TOUR.
BUT HE DOESN'T WANT ANY OF THAT, HE JUST WANTS TO BE WITH HIS FRIENDS, PARTICULARLY HIS FRIEND JESUS.
AND JESUS, HE'S A POPULAR GUY TO SOME, HE COULD HAVE TOWED THE RELIGIOUS LINE, HE COULD HAVE BEEN HIGH IN THE RELIGIOUS HIERARCHY, BEEN OFF PREACHING ALL THE TIME, BUSY, BUSY, BUSY, BUT HE WANTED TO BE WITH HIS FRIENDS IN THOSE MOMENTS WHERE LIVES ARE REALLY TRANSFORMED.
AND THEN THERE IS JUDAS,
HE WANTED MONEY, MAYBE FAME, BUT IF YOU READ THE REST OF THE STORY YOU KNOW HE LOSES BIG IN THE END.
FIFTH, REMEMBER TO BE WILLING TO GIVE AND GIVE UP.
MARY, LAZARUS AND JESUS WILLING TO GIVE UP UNIMPORTANT THINGS TO BE TOGETHER.
WHAT ARE THE UNIMPORTANT THINGS IN YOUR LIFE THAT KEEP YOU FROM LIVING IN THE MOMENT?
FROM BEING REALLY PRESENT?
WITH THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE OR WANTED TO LOVE OR NEED TO LOVE.
WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS THAT GET IN YOUR WAY?
THAT DISTRACT YOU FROM BEING VERY PRESENT, FROM BEING IN THE MOMENT.
FOR SOME IT'S WORK, FOR SOME IT'S PLAY, FOR SOME IT'S FAMILY ‑‑ IT'S MANY THINGS, BUT WHAT IS IT THAT KEEPS YOU FROM BEING PRESENT IN THE MOMENT?
WHAT IS IT THAT YOU HAVE TO GIVE UP TO BE PRESENT?
TO BE WILLING TO GIVE FULLY OF YOURSELF TO WHATEVER OR WHOMEVER?
JUDAS WASN'T WILLING TO GIVE OR GIVE UP CONTROL AND TRULY BE PRESENT WITH JESUS.
FINALLY, REMEMBER THAT LIFE IS MADE OF MOMENTS, NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT FOR MARY THAN SHARING THAT PERFUME.
NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT FOR LAZARUS THAN SHARING HIS HOME, NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT FOR JESUS THAT SHARING THOSE MOMENTS WITH HIS FRIENDS.
AND IN THIS STORY JUDAS MISSES THE MOMENTS.
HE MISSES THE MOMENTS.
YOU KNOW, IF ANYONE HAD A RIGHT TO NEGATIVELY PROJECT ON THE WORLD, IT WAS JESUS.
BUT HE STAYED IN THE MOMENT.
EVEN WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE, MENTIONING THE FUTURE, SHARING THE FUTURE, HE STAYED VERY PRESENT, DIDN'T WORRY.
IT'S HARD TO STAY IN THE MOMENT, ISN'T IT?
TO LIVE LIFE IN EVERY MOMENT.
THERE SEEMS TO BE SO MANY DISTRACTIONS.
I WENT TO SEA WORLD LAST WEEK.
AND IT STRUCK ME HOW PEOPLE GO AWAY TO SHARE LIFE MOMENTS.
WE HAVE TO GO ON VACATION TO HAVE MOMENTS, BECAUSE WE'RE SO DISTRACTED HERE THAT WE NEED TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR MOMENTS.
WE DON'T DO THAT VERY WELL EITHER BECAUSE WE WORRY ABOUT THE LONG LINES AND IF SOMEBODY CUT IN FRONT OF US AND IF THE FOOD WAS COOKED THE WAY WE WANTED IT TO BE COOKED OR WE WORRY ABOUT DOING THE NEXT THING.
OR WE HAVE TO HURRY UP AND DO THIS SO WE CAN DO THE NEXT THING, SO WE CAN GET IN LINE TO DO THE NEXT THING AND THEN THE NEXT THING.
I WAS WITH MY MOTHER FOR 8 DAYS, WHOM I LOVE IMMENSELY, I TELL THIS BEFORE I TELL THE STORY.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE I'M BEING RECORDED.
MY MOTHER, A WONDERFUL PERSON, WENT FROM THING TO THING.
ALL RIGHT, ARE YOU EATING ENOUGH?
DO THE CHILDREN HAVE ENOUGH?
WE NEED TO GO OVER HERE.
WE NEED TO GET UP AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING SO WE CAN PACK AND BE HERE BY 7:00 IN THE MORNING, SO WE CAN BE HERE AND GO THERE SO WE CAN DO THE NEXT THING TO DO THE NEXT THING TO DO THE NEXT THING.
I JUST WANTED TO GRAB HER.
SAY: STAY FOCUSED IN THE MOMENT WITH YOUR GRANDCHILDREN WHO TRAVELED 600 MILES TO COME SEE YOU.
I WAS IN THAT CAR.
BUT TO BE IN THE MOMENT, SURE, THINGS HAVE TO BE DONE, THINGS HAVE TO BE COOKED, THINGS HAVE TO BE CLEANED, SURE THEY DO.
BUT CAN WE DO THEM AND BE IN THE MOMENT?
DO THEY HAVE TO DISTRACT US FROM BEING IN THE MOMENT THAT ALL WE EVER WORRY ABOUT IS WHAT IS NEXT?
WE WORRY SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT IS NEXT THAT WE FORGET WHAT IS RIGHT NOW.
KIDS CAN HELP US SOMETIMES.
I WAS AMAZED AS WE WERE WALKING AROUND SEA WORLD, WE WENT TO THE ARCADES, YOU KNOW THE GAMES WHERE YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ‑‑ YES, YOU KNOW YOU'VE BEEN THERE.
$50 FOR A $2 STUFFED ANIMAL.
BECAUSE YOUR KID HAS TO HAVE THAT STUFFED ANIMAL, SO YOU SHOOT THE BASKETBALL AT THE RIM THAT IT DOESN'T FIT IN.
BUT IT'S AMAZING HOW FOCUSED CHILDREN, NOT JUST MY CHILDREN BUT CHILDREN I SAW AT THAT TASK, THAT'S WHERE THEY WERE AT THAT MOMENT, THEY WEREN'T ANYWHERE ELSE, RIGHT THERE DOING WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO WITH WHO THEY WANTED TO BE WITH RIGHT THERE.
WOW, THAT'S WHAT I WANT.
I WANT TO BE THAT FOCUSED.
NOW.
AND NOT PROJECT AND WORRY SO MUCH ABOUT TOMORROW.
JESUS SAYS: THE NEXT THING WILL COME.
BUT BE AS PRESENT AS YOU CAN IN THIS VERY MOMENT OR YOU WILL MISS SOME LIFE AND YOU WILL BE POOR FOR HAVING MISSED THE VERY MOMENT GOD HAS OFFERED YOU.
A MOVIE WHICH I LIKE VERY MUCH, SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION TELLS A STORY OF TWO MEN IN PRISON, ONE MORGAN FREEMAN AND ONE TIM ROBBINS, HE SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN IN PRISON BUT AFTER 20 YEARS HE ESCAPES AND HIS FRIEND MORGAN FREEMAN FINALLY GETS PAROLED AFTER 20 OR 30 YEARS AND GETS TO A HALFWAY HOUSE WHERE ANOTHER INMATE HAD STAYED BUT COULDN'T TAKE BEING ON THE OUTSIDE AND HAD KILLED HIMSELF, AND WROTE HIS NAME ON A BEAM, AND MORGAN FREEMAN, STANDING THERE, WONDERING WHAT AM I TO DO?
AM I TO REGRET MY PAST?
AM I TO WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW OR AM I GOING TO LIVE RIGHT NOW?
AND HE LOOKS UP THERE AND HE SAYS, AND I QUOTE, "GET BUSY DYING OR GET BUSY LIVING ‑‑ DAMN STRAIGHT" AND HE LEAVES AND GOES AND FINDS HIS FRIEND SO HE CAN BE PRESENT AND LIVE LIFE IN THE MOMENT.
JUDAS WAS BUSY DYING.
MARY, LAZARUS AND JESUS WERE BUSY LIVING.
SOMETIMES WE'RE SO BUSY, SO CONSUMED PREPARING FOR THE NEXT MOMENT WE MISS NOW.
JESUS, WHO WAS AWARE OF WHAT WAS TO COME STILL LIVED IN THE MOMENT.
WE DON'T NEED TO GO ON VACATION TO LIVE IN THE MOMENT, WE DON'T NEED CHILDREN TO HELP US LIVE IN THE MOMENT.
GOD IS PRESENT IN OUR LIVES RIGHT NOW, GIVING US THIS MOMENT, AND IF GOD IS WILLING TO GIVE US THIS MOMENT, I'M SURE THAT GOD IS WILLING TO GIVE US THE NEXT.
SO, LIVE NOW.
NOW.
LIVE IN THE MOMENT THAT GOD HAS OFFERED.
THAT'S TRUE WEALTH.
TRUE RICHNESS.
TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN THIS MOMENT, TO LOVE WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US IN THIS MOMENT, TO BE WHO GOD HAS CREATED US TO BE IN THIS MOMENT.
TO NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT IS NEXT.
AND IF THAT'S NOT GOOD NEWS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS.
AND ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN SAID: AMEN.
OUR HYMN OF REFLECTION IS: I BIND MY HEART TO THIS TIDE.
IF YOU WISH TO CLAIM CHRIST IN THIS MOMENT OR THIS CHURCH FAMILY IN THIS MOMENT, I INVITE YOU TO DO SO NOW.
LET US STAND AND SING.
[HYMN]
>> WE'RE VERY BLESSED THIS MORNING TO HAVE MALCOLM AND SUSAN HAYNES COME TO JOIN FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
NEXT WEEK MALCOLM ON PALM SUNDAY WILL BE BAPTIZED.
DO YOU PROFESS JESUS AS THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD?
>> WE DO.
>> AND DO YOU WISH TO JOIN THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH FAMILY?
>> WE DO.
>> WELCOME.
[APPLAUSE]
>> MAKE SURE AFTER WORSHIP THAT YOU GREET MALCOLM AND SUSAN IN THE NARTHEX.
>> WHAT'S THEIR LITTLE GIRL'S NAME?
>> REBECCA.
>> HOW OLD IS REBECCA?
>> THREE IN MAY.
>> SHE'S IN THE NURSERY.
OKAY.
YOU MAY BE SEATED.
>> NOW WE COME TO OUR TIME OF CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION.
COMMUNION THIS SUNDAY WILL BE DONE WHERE YOU WILL BE ASKED AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO COME FORWARD, TEAR A PIECE OF BREAD, PUT IT IN THE CUP.
THIS IS THE LORD'S TABLE, THE LORD INVITES ALL WHO SEEK HIM.
WE ALL SEEK IN VARIOUS WAYS.
OUR GOD IS LARGE ENOUGH TO WELCOME ALL OF US.
LET US OFFER UP OUR PRAYERS TO CONFESSION WITH OUR SILENCE.
WHERE WE HAVE FAILED, GRACIOUS GOD, WE ASK FOR FORGIVENESS.
WE ASK FOR GRACE.
WE ASK THAT YOU LIFT US UP SO THAT WE MIGHT WALK AGAIN IN YOUR WAY.
IN CHRIST'S NAME WE PRAY.
AMEN.
IN THE NAME OF CHRIST WE ARE FORGIVEN.
LET US REMAIN SEATED AS WE SING OUR HYMN OF COMMUNION, THE VOICE OF JESUS CALLS HIS PEOPLE.
>> FOR I RECEIVED FROM THE LORD WHAT I ALSO GIVE TO YOU, THAT THE LORD JESUS ON THE NIGHT THAT HE WAS BETRAYED TOOK A LOAF OF BREAD, AND WHEN HE HAD GIVEN THANKS HE BROKE IT AND SAID: THIS IS MY BODY THAT IS FOR YOU, DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.
IN THE SAME WAY HE TOOK THE CUP ALSO 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: AS WE GATHER TODAY IN WORSHIP TO SHARE THIS BREAD OF LIFE WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOUR LOVE AND YOUR GRACIOUS FORGIVENESS WHEN WE FALL SHORT OF CHRIST'S EXAMPLES.
EMPOWER US TO LIVE IN LOVING ACTION AND CREATION.
>> ELDER: ETERNAL GOD, WE COME TO THIS COMMUNION TABLE IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS.
AS WE PARTAKE OF THIS WINE SYMBOLIC OF CHRIST'S BLOOD, YIELD OUR SPIRITS TO YOUR SPIRIT THAT WE MAY BE WILLING TO TURN FROM OUR SECURE WAYS TO LIVE MORE FULLY AS YOU WOULD HAVE US TO LIVE.
IN CHRIST'S NAME WE PRAY.
Pastor: WILL YOU COME?
>> WILL YOU JOIN ME IN THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING?
LET US PRAY.
WE MARVEL, O GOD, THAT YOU LOVE US BEFORE WE LOVE YOU.
BY YOUR SPIRIT, HELP US TO DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU HAVE DONE UNTO US.
FEEDING OTHERS AS YOU HAVE FIRST FED US, BLESSINGS OTHERS AS YOU HAVE FIRST BLESSED US, GIVING TO OTHERS AS YOU HAVE FIRST GIVEN TO US.
AMEN.
FINAL HYMN IS HYMN 621.
ARE YE ABLE SAID THE MASTER.
WILL YOU STAND FOR THE BENEDICTION?
LET US GO FORTH IN PEACE RECEIVING THE MOMENT THAT GOD HAS OFFERED AND DOING SO REMEMBERING THE GRACIOUS WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BE NOT AFRAID, BE NOT AFRAID, FOR I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN UNTO THE END.
AMEN.