FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 10/28/07.

 GOOD MORNING.

BEFORE BOB GIVES THE ANNOUNCEMENTS ‑‑  I WILL TALK LOUD I JUST BROKE MY REGULAR MICROPHONE.

I AM IN TROUBLE.

DURING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER THERE ARE A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS THAT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HELP OUT IN OUR BROWN SCHOOL AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AND SO FOR VARIOUS REASONS PEOPLE WILL BE OUT OF TOWN SO WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF 6 TO 8 VOLUNTEERS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER.

SO IF YOU HAVE ANY TIME AND YOU CAN GIVE A COUPLE OF HOURS AT TUESDAY AT 2:45.

WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT.

I THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE, I DO NOT DO THIS TO GUILT YOU BUT I WANT US TO HAVE 6 TO 8 VOLUNTEERS TO HELP TAKE CARE OF THE BROWN CHILDREN AND SO THAT THE VOLUNTEERS THAT ARE THERE WILL NOT BECOME EXHAUST AND HAD PASS OUT.

IF YOU HAVE ANY MERCY IN YOU PLEASE SEE ARDIAN.

GOOD MORNING.

I DIDN'T HEAR YOU.

WE HAVE A BUNCH OF ANNOUNCEMENTS TO GO THROUGH TODAY.

I WILL START WITH THE EASY ONES TODAY.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

A LOT OF YOU HAVE BEEN SITTING HERE IN THE SAME SEATS FOR YEARS AND YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW WHO SITS BEHIND YOU.

THAT WAS GOOD.

IN THE CENTER AISLE IS THE RED FRIENDSHIP BOOK.

CAN YOU PEOPLE HEAR ME ALL RIGHT?

PASS IT TO THE OUTER AISLE AND FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN, YOU SIGN FOR THEM.

WE WANT THE NAME OF YOU AND ESPECIALLY VISITORS.

CHRISTINE GAVE ME THIS.

IT IS ABOUT THE OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD WHERE YOU BRING YOUR SHOE BOX HERE.

I BELIEVE IT IS THE FELLOWSHIP DINNER NOVEMBER 14, FOR THOSE OF YOU AND LIKE MYSELF AND RUBY WE DON'T HAVE OLD TOYS AROUND THE HOUSE BUT WE HAVE SHOE BOXES.

CHRISTINE KYLE WILL ACCEPT A DO NATION AND THEN THEY WILL BUY GIFTS.

RUBY HANDLES OUT OF MONEY SO YOU WILL GIVE A DO NATION.

WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE.

TRAVIS SENT THIS AND ON NOVEMBER 10 THE COLLEGE MINISTRY TEAM AND THE PARTNERSHIP HOMELESS COALITION.

A CONCERT TO RAISE MONEY WILL BE PRESENT.

THE NIGHT WILL BE FULL OF MUSIC, GUEST SPEAKERS AND BUSINESS ISSUES FOR CHATTANOOGA.

WE ARE ASKING FOR DONATIONS OF CANNED SODA AND SNACKS.

THAT IS FROM TRAVIS.

THIS IS FROM BETTY JOLLY.

BETTY SAYS PLEASE DROP YOUR PLEDGE CARDS IN THE OFFERING PLATE WHEN IT IS PASSED.

HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS.

FREE DINNER TODAY.

WHEN WE LEAVE HERE GO DOWNSTAIRS, IT IS ALL FREE AND YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO LEAVE A TIP.

SO EVERYONE GO DOWN AS SOON AS CHURCH IS OVER WITH.

THE REASON I ASKED YOU TO MEET PEOPLE BESIDE YOUR OR BEHIND YOU IS SO YOU WOULDN'T FALL ASLEEP DURING PASTOR PAUL'S SERMON.

PRAYER CONCERNS.

WHEN YOU PRAY FOR YOURSELF, YOU PRAY FOR YOUR LOVED ONES AND YOU PRAY FOR OUR PRAYER CONCERNS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE LIST RIGHT HERE, PICK OUT 1, 2, OR 3 OF THESE PEOPLE.

SEND THEM A NOTE OR A CARD TELLS THEM HOW MUCH WE MISS YOU.

ONE MORE THING ‑‑ SOMEONE HAS THIS LIST OF PEOPLE'S BIRTHDAYS.

THIS IS HOW YOU CAN GET SOMETHING GOOD OUT OF BIRTHDAYS.

DO YOU  REMEMBER THE SONG I AM GOING TO SIT DOWN AND WRITE MYSELF A LETTER?

PS, AT THE BOTTOM, I WAS GOING TO SEND YOU 5‑DOLLAR FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY BUT I ALREADY SEALED THE ENVELOPE.

THAT IS A GOOD WAY TO GET THINGS BACK.

DID YOU PASS THE RED BOOK?

THERE WILL BE MY LAST SUNDAY DO GIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR A WHILE.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE THIS SUNDAY, SOMEONE WAS ASKING ME WHAT WAS ANNA MARIE ATCHLEY.

I WILL GO THROUGH IT ONE MORE TIME.

I WAS TEACHING SUNDAY SCHOOL AND BEING IN THE THEATER YOU SEND SOMEONE OUT FRONT BEFORE YOU RAISE THE CURTAIN.

I WENT OUT IN THE HALL AND THERE WAS NO ONE OUT IN THE HALL, SO WE COULD START SUNDAY SCHOOL.

AND HERE COMES ANNA MARIA AND SHE WAS SHAKING HER UMBRELLA AND I SAID IT IS A BAD DAY. 

AND SHE SAID IT IS NOT A BAD DAY ANY DAY I CAN LOOK UP AND SEE THE CEILING, IT IS A GOOD DAY.

IN HONOR OF HER, LOOK UP AT THE CEILING.

IT IS A GOOD DAY.

THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING AGAIN ‑‑ YOU ARE GOING TO BE GOOD MORNINGED TO DEATH BEFORE WE GET STARTED.

TODAY IS THE COMMITMENT SUNDAY ‑‑ THE DAY WE TURN IN OUR PLEDGES FOR OUR GIVING TO FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN ITHE YEAR 2008.

NOW I HAPPEND TO REMEMBER TO BRING MY PLEDGE CARD, BUT FOR THOSE WHO MAY HAVE FORGETTEN THEIRS YOU WILL SEE SOME PLEDGE CARDS.

SO PLEASE FILL THEM OUT.

I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE THOUGHTFULLY AND PRAYERFULLY CONSIDERED HOW MUCH OF THE BOUNTY GOD HAS ENTRUSTED TO YOU THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO SHARE BACK WITH HIM THROUGH THE WORK OF FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

SO FILL OUT YOUR PLEDGE CARDS AND PUT THEM IN THE COLLECTION PLATE BECAUSE TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

EVEN JESUS DIDN'T TRY TO DO THIS ALONE.

HE HAD HIS DISCIPLES,  AND WE HAVE EACH OTHER.

I AM SO HAPPY TO BE A PART OF THE CHURCH FAMILY.

I FEEL THE RENEWED ENERGY, I SEE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND OUR CHILDREN AND I AM THRILLED TO HAVE THEM HERE.

I LOOK OUT TO THOSE WHO WILL BEEN MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION.

AND FIELDING, WAS IT YOUR MOTHER THEY WERE TELLING THE STORY ABOUT?

IT WAS.

SO YOU HAVE BEEN GIVING OF YOUR TIMES AND TALENTS AS WELL.

I LOOK OUT AND SEE OUR WONDERFUL SENIORS.

THIS CHURCH WOULD NOT BE HERE WITHOUT YOUR CONSISTENT GIFTS.

YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT, YOUR TIME, YOUR TALENT, YOUR LOVE.

WE ARE HERE BECAUSE OF YOU AND YOU ARE GREATLY AND SINCERELY APPRECIATED.

ALSO I SEE NEW MEMBERS AND SOME OF YOU THIS MAY BE YOUR VERY FIRST STEWARDSHIP SEASON AND COMMITMENT SUNDAY AND IF SO YOU WILL HAVE MANY MORE. 

AND I HOPE ALL OF YOU TURN IN THIS PLEDGE CARD. 

IT WILL BE A START OF THE LIFELONG PERIOD OF GIVING, OF PRAYERFULLY AND THOUGHTFULLY GIVING TO FIST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

BUT I ALSO SEE A LOT OF EMPTY SPACES AND WITH THOSE EMPTY SPACES THAT SAYS TO ME THAT IF IT IS GOING TO BE, IT IS UP TO ME AND IT IS UP TO YOU.

THERE IS A LOT GOING ON HERE.

OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING AT OUR DOOR AND WE ARE RESPONDING TO THE OPPORTUNITIES AND TO THE KNOCKS.

BUT WITH THE RESPONSE AND THE OPPORTUNITY, THERE ARE CHALLENGES AND WITH OUR PLEDGE WE CAN MEET THESE CHALLENGES.

PUT YOUR CARD IN THE COLLECTION PLATE.

AND EVERYBODY COME TO THE LUNCH AFTER THE WORSHIP SERVICE.

WILL YOU JOIN ME THIS THE CALL OF WORSHIP?

LET US STAND AND SING OUR PRAISE.

NUMBER 7.

CHRISTINE HAS WIGGLE TIME THIS MORNING.

GOOD MORNING BOYS AND GIRLS.

I HAVE AN EASY ONE FOR YOU TO START WITH.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS?

IT IS A HYMNAL.

IT HAS SONGS IN IT.

HERE ARE ALL THE SONGS WE SING IN CHURCH.

I HAVE A HARDER ONE FOR YOU.

DO YOU KNOW WHO THIS IS?

IT LOOKS LIKE GEORGE WASHINGTON BUT IT IS NOT GEORGE WASHINGTON.

THEY HAVE THE SAME HAIRDO.

IT IS JOHANNA BACH.

DID YOU HEAR THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC THAT WAS JUST PLAYED?

THAT MUSIC WHEN THE CANDLES WERE BEING LIT.

IT WAS RING BY THIS MAN OVER 200 YEARS AGO.

AND WE ARE STILL PLAYING HIS MUSIC.

HE HAS BEEN SAID TO BE ONE O OF THE BEST COMPOSERS OF ALL TIME.

AND DID YOU KNOW SOME OF HIS SONGS ARE STILL IN HERE IN HE WROTE THE MUSIC AND OTHER PEOPLE PUT WORDS TO IT.

SO WE STILL SINCE HIS MUSIC.

WHEN HE WROTE IT HE DID SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL HE ALWAYS PUT THE LETTER, SDG AT THE BOTTOM OF HIS SONGS.

HE WROTE THE MUSIC JUST FOR GOD.

IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR WORSHIP

WE DO A LOT OF MUSIC.

WE SING, THE CHOIR SINGS.

MUSIC IS VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR WORSHIP.

THE BIBLE IN THE BOOK OF E TEASE YAKS SAYS TO SPEAK TO BE THE WITH SONGS AND HYPERS AND MAKE MUSIC TO THE LORD.

BUT DO YOU LIKE TO SING?

YES.

DO YOU LIKE TO SING?

I LIKE TO SING.

BUT YOU KNOW ONLY PEOPLE COME TO WORSHIP AND NEVER SING.

THEY WOULD NEVER DARE SING.

I WANT TO SHARE SOME EXCUSES WITH YOU.

THE FIRST EXCUSE IS I CANNOT CARRY A TUNE.

IF YOU CANNOT THINK YOU CAN SING, YOU CAN SING.

THE SECOND EXCUSE I DON'T LIKE THE SONGS WE SING.

AS ADULTS WE ARE BAD TO SAY THAT.

THAT WOULDN'T WORK EITHER.

GOD GAVE US BEAUTIFUL MUSIC AND I THINK HE PROBABLY LIKES ALL KIND OF MUSIC.

HERE IS ANOTHER ONE ‑‑ THIS ONE WE HEAR A LOT, I DON'T KNOW THAT SONG.

BUT YOU KNOW I DIDN'T KNOW THE FIRST SONG WE SANG TODAY?

I HAD TO LISTEN TO THE CHOIR SING IT FIRST AND THEN I CAUGHT ON SO WE SHOULD SING EVEN THE SONGS WE DON'T KNOW.

BACH DID A GREAT JOB OF WRITING HIS MUSIC.

YOU CAN HEAR SOME OF THIS MUSIC AND THE CHOIR IS GOING TO SING AN ANTHEM.

THIS MAN WROTE THIS MUSIC FOR THE CHOIR TODAY.

THIS WEEK WHEN YOU DO THINGS DO EVERYTHING FOR GOD.

MAYBE THAT MATH PROBLEM YOU DON'T NOW HOE TO DO.

DO ALL FOR GOD.

EVERYTHING YOU DO IN LIFE SHOULD BE FOR GOD.

WILL YOU PRAY WITH ME?

DEAR GOD WE THANK YOU FOR THE BEAUTIFUL GIFT OF MUSIC.

HELP US TO REMEMBER TO TRY TO SING SONGS TO YOU AND TO TRY TO EVERYTHING WE DO IN LIFE TO YOU.

AMEN.

IS THIS ON?

IT GIVES ME GREAT JOY TO SEE EACH OR YOU IN THE LORD'S HOUSE TODAY ON THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY AND ACTUALLY IN THE LORD'S HOUSE EVERY DAY IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY SO NOW LET US SHARE OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS, FIRST WE HAVE THE JOY.

WE HAVE OUR GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER.

SHE IS TWO MONTHS OLD TODAY AND THIS IS HER FIRST DAY IN CHURCH AND WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE HER.

AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, JIM'S  MOTHER AND DADDY LIVE AT SAINT BARNABAS AND THIS WEEK THEY CELEBRATED THEIR 73^rd WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

THE JOY IS THAT I HAVE MY INLAWS HERE THE REBELOS.

ANY OTHER JOYS?

NOW ARE THERE CONCERNS, PEOPLE WE SHOULD BE PRAYING FOR?

MY SISTER NEEDS MORE PRAYERS SHE GOES TO A DIFFERENT CANCER DOCTOR TOMORROW BUT IF THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO IS ALL THEY CAN DO IS MAKE HER COMFORTABLE.

I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH MS. GRIGS  AND SHE SAID THANK YOU FOR ALL THE PRAYERS FOR HER FAMILY.

ALL OF THEM ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS.

ERIC HAD SOME SETBACKS BUT HE IS HOME AND WILL BE BEGINNING HIS CANCER TREATMENT IN THE AFTERNOON AN HOUR OR SO AND THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO NORMALIZING THEIR LIVES.

WE ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THEM AND ERIC'S RECOVERY.

UP HERE ‑‑ THIS IS NEITHER A JOY OR CONCERN.

I BELIEVE THIS IS THE LAST DAY FOR [INAUDIBLE].

THANK YOU FOR SHARING AND NOW LET'S BOW OUR HEADS FOR A MOMENT OF SI LENT REFLECTION.

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU FOR JOY.

YOU HAVE BLESSED US SO MANY TIME IN SO MY WAYS.

THANK YOU.

WE ASK THAT YOU GIVE HELP AND COMFORT TO THOSE WHO HAVE PROBLEMS IN THEIR LIVES.

HELP US TO REMEMBER TO PLACE EVERY DAY OR OUR LIVES IN YOUR CARE.

HELP US TO REMEMBER THAT OUR LIVES NEED TO BE FILLED WITH YOUR PRESENCE THAT WHEN WE COME TO YOU, YOU WILL NEVER SEND US AWAY.

THAT YOU WILL FILL OUR LIVES WITH YOUR LOVE.

LET US, THROUGH YOU, REJOICE AND BE COMFORTERS THROUGH YOU TO THOSE WHO ARE HAVING PROBLEMS IN THEIR LIVES.

WE ASK FOR BLESSINGS ON OUR CITY AND ON OUR COUNTRY.

PLEASE BE WITH OUR LEADERS AND GIVE THEM WISDOM.

THE WISDOM TO ASK YOU TO SHOW THEM HOW TO DIRECT OUR GOVERNMENT.

LET US SURRENDER OUR LIVES TO YOU.

BECAUSE WE LOVE YOU AND TRUST YOU.

YOU WILL NOT LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US IF WE SIMPLY SAYER YOURS LORD AND THEN FOLLOW YOU.

HELP US TO GROW AS CHRISTIANS.

AND NOW AS WE PRAY THE LORD PRAYER, YOUR PRAYER, GIVEN TO US BY YOUR SON JESUS.

LET US SEEK YOUR DESIRES FOR US.

LET US TRULY GIVE OUR LIVES TO YOU.

LET US FOLLOW YOU WHEREVER YOU WOULD HAVE US GO, DO WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE US DO, HAVE US BE WHAT YOU WANT US TO BE.

LET US THINK OF THE WORDS WE ARE PRAYING AS TODAY WE PRAY.

NOW LET US CHEERFULLY AND GENEROUSLY REMEMBER OUR LORD WITH OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS ON THIS CONSECRATION SUNDAY.

THANK YOU TO THE CHOIR FOR THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC.

THE NEW TESTAMENT  READING  IS MATTHEW 5, 1 THROUGH 6. 

HIS DISCIPLES CAME UNTO HIM AND HE OPENED HIS MOUTH AND TAUGHT THEM SAYING BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN FOR THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED.

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH. 

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR THEY HAVE BEEN SATISFIED.

LET US PRAY.

AS WE HEAR THESE WORDS O LORD, THESE WORDS SERVANT OF YOURS WE ASK THAT IT OPEN OUR HEARTS THAT  WE MIGHT DEEPLY SEEK AFTER YOU.

THAT WE MIGHT LOVE YOU EVEN MORE.

LET THESE WORDS PENETRATE OUR HEARTS SO THAT WE MIGHT BE TRANSFORMED INTO YOUR LIKENESS.

IN CHRIST'S NAME WE PRAY.

AMEN.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LONG FOR SOMETHING?

TO REALLY DESIRE SOMETHING, TO WANT SOMETHING REALLY BAD.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE LONGED FOR?

I KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE THAT HAVE LONGED FOR  TENNESSEE TO FINALLY WIN A GAME AND FOR THE RED SOX TO WIN ANOTHER WORLD SERIES.

BUT WHAT ARE SOME  OF THE THINGS THAT  WE HAVE REALLY LONGED FOR IN LIFE?

SOME OF US HAVE LONGED FOR RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS, GOOD AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, AND WE HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THEM AND HAVE WONDERED AND THOUGHT HOW CAN WE GET THIS RIGHT,  WHETHER IT IS BOYFRIEND, GIRLFRIEND, HUSBAND, WIFE, PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, BROTHERS OR SISTERS.

WE LONG FOR A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP.

FOR SOME IT IS CAREER SUCCESS.

WE LONG TO BE SUCCESSFUL TO FIND THE RIGHT VOCATION AND DO IT BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE.

FOR SOME IT IS WE LONG TO LIVE IN A CERTAIN PLACE, TO LIVE THERE AND GROW THERE.

FOR SOME IT IS OUR EDUCATIONAL DESIRES.

WE LONG FOR CERTAIN DEGREES.

 FOR SOME IT IS LONGING TO BE FAMOUS, TO BE KNOWN BY MANY.

FOR OTHERS IT IS LONGING TO BE WEALTHY.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE LONGED FOR IN YOUR LIFE?

JESUS IS TALKING ABOUT LONGING THIS MORNING.

BUT BEFORE RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS AND CAREERS AND EDUCATION AND BEING FAMOUS AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS, JESUS WANTS TO TALK ABOUT BEING PASSIONATE ABOUT GOD AND THE THINGS THAT  ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD.

WHAT IS SO FULFILLING ABOUT KNOWING GOD?

I HAVE THIS ANALOGY, ITS ISN'T PERFECT.

THERE IS A YOUNG MAN OR WOMAN AND THEY FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS ONE PERSON AND HE DELIGHTS IN HER AND CANNOT IMAGINE LIFE WITHOUT HER AND PEOPLE SAY ARE THERE NOT OTHER FISH IN THE SEA BUT HE LOVES HER AND FINDS DEEP MEANING, SHE IS THE ONE.

OR AT THE OTHER END OF LIFE WHEN YOU ARE MARRIED FOR 50 YEARS OR MORE.

AND YOU LOSE YOUR PARTNER AND THE PERSON SPEAKS OF THE EXPERIENCE THAT THERE IS A VOID THAT HE OR SHE CANNOT FILL AND WE HEAR THINGS LIKE SHE WAS MADE FOR HIM.

KNOWING HER OR HIM MEANS PEACE AND CONTENTMENT, TRUE FULFILLMENT.

JESUS THIS MORNING IS SAYING THAT TRUE SATISFACTION IS FOUND  IN KNOWING GOD.

FOR EVERYTHING ELSE IS INCOMPLETE.

OUR CULTURE TELLS US, WE TELL OURSELVES, WE WILL BE HAPPY IF WE WEAR CERTAIN CLOTHES, OR BUY THIS CERTAIN CAR, OR DRINK THIS CERTAIN BEVERAGE.

THE WORLD SAYS IF YOU HAVE A DESIRE FULFILL IT, THEN YOU WILL BE SATISFIED, THEN YOU WILL BE HAPPY BUT THE REALITY IS, THEN TOMORROW COMES AND THE CAREER IS NOT ENOUGH AND THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS ARE NOT ENOUGH AND LIVING IN THAT GREAT PLACE IS NOT ENOUGH AND THE EDUCATIONAL DEGREES ARE NOT ENOUGH AND BEING FAMOUS IS NOT ENOUGH.

THAT IS WHEN JESUS SAYS, WHEN HE IS SPEAKING TO THE SAMARITAN WOMAN, OTHER PEOPLE COME TO THE WELL AND THEIR THIRST IS NEVER QUENCHED BUT WHAT I HAVE TO OFFER, THE DRINK THAT I HAVE, YOU WILL NEVER THIRST AGAIN.

HE IS TALKING ABOUT PURSUING RIGHTEOUSNESS.

THAT IS A FANCY WAY OF SAYING BEING CONFORMED TO THE MIND OF GOD, TO DO GOD'S WILL FROM OUR HEARTS.

BUT IT IS NOT JUST FOR US, RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NOT JUST FOR US.

IT IS ALSO TO SEE JUSTICE DONE EVERYWHERE.

BUT ONCE YOU HAVE THE WILL OF GOD IN HERE, YOU WANT IT DOWN EVERYWHERE FOR ALL PEOPLE, SO THAT ALL PEOPLE MIGHT BE CLOTHED AND ALL PEOPLE MIGHT BE FILLED.

AS WE PURSUE THAT RIGHTEOUSNESS YOU WANT MORE, YOU WANT MORE.

BUT HOW DO WE DO IT?

IT IS ONE THING TO SAY, YES, I WANT THIS.

I WANT TO PURSUE THIS, I WANT TO KNOW GOD BUT HOW DO I GO ABOUT KNOWING GOD?

BUT FIRST WE HAVE TO BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT KEEPS US FROM THE PURSUIT.

LATER ON IN THIS CHAPTER 5, JESUS IS REALLY DRASTIC AND SAYS LET US NOT PRETEND THIS IS EASIER THAN WHAT IT IS.

TO LIVE IN A MORAL LIFE YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE BLIND IN ONE EYE OR BE DUMPED IN A MORAL TRASH PILE.

YIKES.

BUT WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT KEEP US FROM THIS PURSUIT, FOR SOME OF US IT IS SELF‑RIGHTEOUSNESS.

FOR SOME OF US IT IS PRIDE, OR GOSSIP, OR HYPOCRISY, OR JUDGMENTALISM.

BUT THEY ARE ALL EXCUSES.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT SAY WELL, I AM NOT IN THIS GOD THING, GOD IS BORING, OR IT REALLY DOESN'T MEET MY NEEDS.

THEY ARE NOT BEING HONEST WITH THEMSELVES OR OURSELVES.

I HAVE TO FIND OUT ALL THESE WEAKNESSES.

BUT HOW, WHAT IS AFTER THAT?

WE USE THE THINGS THAT CHRIST HAS GIVEN US.

WE USE THE THINGS THAT JESUS HAS GIVEN US.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE NOVELS ‑‑ AND YES, I READ TOO AND NOT JUST WATCH MOVIES.

ONE IS CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY BY ALAN PATTON.

IT TALKS ABOUT HOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO BECOME MODERN THAT THE AFRICAN TRIBAL SYSTEM WHICH INSTILLS SUPERSTITIOUSNESS AND WITCHCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BUT ALSO  DESTROYED WITH IT WAS THE MORAL ORDER.

YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHEN THE TRIBE WORKED WELL DIDN'T GROW UP TO BE CRIMINALS OR PROSTITUTES.

AND HE SAYS THAT EVEN THOUGH THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TRIBE WAS INEVITABLE,  THERE WAS NO SYSTEM TO REPLACE IT.

SO WHAT HAPPENED?

CITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA WERE FLOODED WITH YOUNG AFRICANS WITH NOTHING TO DO.

DRUNKENNESS, VIOLENCE, CRIME, DESTRUCTION, THERE WAS NOTHING TO REPLACE THEM.

SO WE MIGHT WANT TO GET RID OF THESE THINGS THAT KEEP US FROM THE PURSUIT OF GOD.

BUT WHAT DO WE REPLACE THEM WITH?

IT IS FINE AND DANDY TO SAY I DO NOT WANT TO BE JUDGMENTMENTAL ANY MORE, I DON'T WANT TO GOSSIP OR BE PRIDEFUL OR BE HYPOCRITICAL ANY MORE.

BUT WE CAN REPLACE THAT WITH WORSHIP.

WE GATHER TOGETHER TO FOCUS ON GOD.

REMINDING OURSELVES THAT IT IS NOT ABOUT ME.

WE COME EACH WEEK TO GATHER POWER AND PRESENCE IN THIS WORSHIP SETTING.

AT LEASE I THINK THAT IS WHAT WITH WE DO.

THAT IS THE GIFT THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US, TO GIVE US STRENGTH SO THAT MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY WE HAVE SOMETHING TO REPLACE THE THINGS THAT BRING US DOWN.

SO WE WORSHIP, FOCUSING ON GOD, A WEEKLY REMINDER THAT THERE IS POWER TO HELP US.

THE SECOND THING WE DO IS WE GATHER TOGETHER, WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

IF WE TAKE THIS RECOVERY OF SIN SERIOUSLY, OF GETTING RID OF THESE THINGS THAT BLOCK OUR PURSUIT OF KNOWING GOD, WE SHOULD TAKE OUR CUE FROM RECOVERY GROUPS.

WHERE THEY ARE ALL HELPING EACH OTHER.

IT IS ALL ABOUT LOVING ONE ANOTHER, WHEREVER THEY ARE, IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW LOUG YOU HAVE BEEN IN.

IT IS LOOKING TO SEE HOW WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER ‑‑ ALL ON OUR JOURNEYS TOGETHER.

THIS MORNING, LISTENING TO THE RADIO, THERE WAS A COMMERCIAL, AND IT WAS ABOUT BEING BIPOLAR AND THIS GIRL TRIES TO TELL HER FRIEND.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH BEING BIPOLAR AND THE FRIEND SAYS YOU JUST NEED A NEW PAIR OF EARRINGS.

AND THEN THEY SAY IT AGAIN AND THE GIRL SAYS DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT, I WILL BE THERE FOR YOU.

THAT IS WHAT THE CHURCH IS ABOUT.

HOW LONG WE HAVE BEEN HERE, WHAT WE LOOK LIKE, WE WILL STILL CARE FOR EACH OTHER.

THE THIRD THING GOD HAS GIVEN US IS PRAYER.

THIS CONSTANT LISTENING AND TALKING, THIS CONVERSATION THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE WITH GOD, LISTENING TO WHAT GOD HAS TO SAY TO US, SHARING OUR DEEPEST DESIRES AND LONGINGS WITH GOD.

I THINK ABOUT MY CHILDREN, WHEN I THINK ABOUT THIS ASPECT OF PRAYER THAT AS WE GO ALONG, THE MORE I LISTEN TO THEM AND TALK TO THEM AND THE MORE I UNDERSTAND THEM AND THE MORE I AM  AT ONE WITH THEM BECAUSE I LISTEN THEY TALLK, I TALK, THEY LISTEN.

IT IS THIS RELATIONSHIP THAT CONTINUES TO GROW.

THAT IS WHAT PRAYER IS.

THIS CONSTANT LISTENING AND SPEAKING, AND SPEAKING AND LISTENING.

TO KNOW WHAT GOD WANTS FROM US.

JESUS SAYS AT THE END OF THIS PARTICULAR BEATITUDE THAT WE WILL BE SATISFIED.

JESUS PROMISES SATISFACTION FOR THOSE WHO TRULY THIRST AND HUNGER.

NOT FOR THOSE WHO PLAY AT RELIGION.

I HAVE A FRIEND, NOT A CHRISTIAN, WHO SAID TO ME, I HAVE BEEN IN RELIGION MY WHOLE LIFE.

AND I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THE PAYOFF.

I TELL HIM, THAT MAYBE YOU HAVE TRIED FINDING GOD ON A PART TIME BASIS AND MAYBE YOU SHOULD TRY IT ON A FULL TIME BASIS.

OR MAYBE YOU HAVE KEPT GOD AT A DISTANCE.

BECAUSE IF YOU KEEP HIM OUT THERE AND HE CAN'T DO ANYTHING IN HERE.

OR MAYBE YOU THINK GOD DOESN'T HAVE ANY POWER.

ALL THAT DOES IS KEEP US LOOKING FOR SATISFACTION IN OURSELVES AND MAYBE YOU HAVE ALREADY DISCOVERED IT THAT THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.

IN KNOWING GOD WE FIND THE ONE THAT FILLS THE EMPTINESS IN OUR HEART AND SPEAKS TO US IN OUR DEEPEST NEED.

JESUS SAYS WITH HIM COMES PEACE AND  JOY.

WE DON'T FIND IT OUT THERE SOMEWHERE.

I KNOW WE TRY SO HARD TO FIND IT OUT THERE.

ALL I KNOW THAT EVERY DAY, I AM DISCOVERING IT IS JUST NOT OUT THERE.

WE FIND IT IN HERE.

THE ONLY PLACE THAT GOD WORKS IS IN OUR HEARTS.

YOU KNOW IN THE PETERSON TRANSLATION  HE SAYS YOU ARE BLESSED WHEN YOU HAVE WORKED UP A GOOD APPETITE FOR GOD.

HE IS FOOD AND DRINK AND THE BEST MEAL YOU WILL EVER EAT.

A METAPHOR.

GOD AS FOOD.

AND ONE OF MY FAVORITE FOODS, ONE OF THE THINGS I CRAVE, MY PARENTS ARE HERE AND EVERY TIME MY PARENTS COME, MAYBE MY MOTHER WILL MAKE SQUID STEW.

IT IS MY FAVORITE THING.

BUT LET'S STICK WITH CHOCOLATE, IT IS PROBABLY SAFER FOR ALL OF US.

YOU CRAVE CHOCOLATE AND YOU GET A LITTLE CANDY BAR AND YOU TAKE THIS LITTLE PIECE AND YOU SAY THAT IS ALL I WILL EAT AND THAT NEVER REALLY HAPPENS.

WE KEEP EATING IT AND TRYING TO FOOL OURSELVES.

WHAT IS THE THING THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU EAT THE CHOCOLATE?

YOU CRAVE MORE.

I  THINK THAT IS WHAT THIS BEATITUDE IS ABOUT.

YOU ALL WANT MORE.

THE PURSUIT OF GOD.

THE MORE WE WANT OF GOD THE LESS WE WANT OF THE OTHER THING THAT DOES NOT LAST ANYWAY.

THERE IS MORE PEACE IN OUR LIVES AND MORE JOY IN OUR LIFE.

AND WE SAY I DON'T CARE HOW MUCH MONEY I MAKE OR WHAT CAR I DRIVE.

WHATEVER IT IS THAT IMPEDES YOU IN THIS PURSUIT ‑‑  IT IS MANY THINGS AND DIFFERENT THINGS FOR ALL OF US.

BUT WHEN WE TRULY PURSUE, PURSUE GOD, WE WILL CONTINUE TO WANT GOD, MORE THAN THOSE OTHER THINGS AND WILL BE  SATISFIED.

AND THE GREAT THING IS THAT GOD WANTS US TO CHASE AFTER HIM.

GOD WANTS THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH US.

IT IS NOT THAT GOD SAYS YOU CAN'T GET ANY CLOSER.

NOT ACCORDING TO JESUS OR TO THE BIBLE.

THE MORE WE WANT OF GOD, THE MORE HE IS THERE AND THE MORE HE WILL GIVE OF HIMSELF TO US.

IF THAT CAN FILL US, IF THAT CAN MAKE US WHOLE, IF THAT CAN KEEP US FROM THE THINGS THAT BRING US DOWN, THEN THAT IS GOOD NEWS.

THAT IS VERY GOOD NEWS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE IS?

AND ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN SAID, AMEN.

  I AM TELLING  YOU THAT SQUID STEW IS REALLY GOOD.

AS WE CONTEMPLATE OUR RELATIONSHIP OF GOD AND THE PURSUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, LET US STAND AND SING OUR HYMN OF REFLECTION, NUMBER 350.

WE COME TO OUR TYPE OF WORSHIP OUR CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION.

CHRIST INVITES ALL WHO SEEK IT WHO HUNGERS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

GOD IS WAITING HERE TO GIVE US POWER TO GO OUT IN THE WORLD AND SHARE HIS LOVE.

LET US SHARE IN OUR PRAYER OF CONFESSION.

IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST WE ARE FORGIVEN.

LET US REMAIN SEATED AS WE SING OUR COMMUNION HYMN, NUMBER 398.

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

WHEN OUR BODIES ARE HUNGRY OR THIRSTY O GOD, WE KNOW WHAT TO DO.

WE KNOW HOW TO SATISFY THAT CRAVING.

NO LESS WHEN OUR SOLES REQUIRE SUSTENANCE FOR THE FOOD THAT YOU SUPPLY THAT SUSTAINS US FILLS US AND MAKES US WHOLE, THROUGH JESUS WE PRAY.

AMEN.

FATHER IN HEAVEN, WE GATHER AROUND THIS TABLE THIS MORNING IN THANKSGIVING AND CELEBRATION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

WE FIND DEEP MEANS HERE BECAUSE WE FIND THE SPIRITUAL STRENGTH OF OUR CHRISTIAN FAMILY, PRAYING EACH ONE INDIVIDUALLY TO YOU.

WE ARE LIFTED AS WE CONTEMPLATE THE LIFE OF JESUS, THE AGONY HE SUFFERED BECAUSE HE TOOK MY SINS UPON HIM.

AS WE TAKE THIS CUP, LET US KNOW THAT WE ARE FORGIVEN AND WE FOLLOW YOU WILL, IN JESUS' NAME WE PRAY.

AMEN.

THIS MORNING WE CELEBRATE.

IF YOU CANNOT COME FORWARD OTHERS WILL COME AND SERVE YOU.

WILL YOU COME?

 WILL YOU SHARE IN THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING?

CORAL BENEDICTION IS NUMBER 606.

LET US STAND AND SING.

WILL YOU RECEIVE THE BENEDICTION?

LET US GO FOURTH IN PEACE AND LET US GO SEEKING THE THINGS OF GOD.

REMEMBERING THE GRACIOUS WORDS OF JESUS.

BE NOT AFRAID FOR I AM WITH YOU EVEN UNTO THE END.