FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
9‑28‑08
>> GOOD MORNING.
IT IS GOOD TO BE IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD AND IT IS GOOD TO BE IN THE FELLOWSHIP OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AS WE ARE UNITED AND BOUND TOGETHER BY THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST.
AS WE SHARE OUR ANNOUNCEMENTS, I WILL ASK WE START THE RED BOOK AT THE AISLE,
WE DO HAVE A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS.
RICK AND EMILY'S DAUGHTER HAD HER BABY FRIDAY MORNING, BOTH MOTHER AND DAUGHTER ARE DOING WELL.
THERE'S AN ANNOUNCEMENT I FORGOT TO SHARE IN THE ELDER'S MEETING AND THAT IS BILL CLOSE ‑‑ BILL HOBBS, EXCUSE ME, HAD A FALL FROM A LADDER, DIDN'T BREAK ANY BONES BUT IS PRETTY SORE.
AS YOU DO PASS THE RED BOOK OF FRIENDSHIP I ASK YOU NOTE YOUR ATTENDANCE FOR OUR WEDNESDAY NIGHT FELLOWSHIP.
WE HAD A GOOD GATHERING LAST WEDNESDAY NIGHT BUT I'M SORRY TO ANNOUNCE BOB SAUSER IS SICK AND WON'T BE ABLE TO HAVE HIS CONCERT WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND I'M SURE PAUL IS BUSY WORKING ON THE PROGRAM.
CHRISTINE HAS MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS GETTING VOLUNTEERS TO WORK WITH THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MAY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORK A MONTH, JUST ONE WEDNESDAY NIGHT, SO IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR THAT, PLEASE, SEE CHRISTINE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS WE NEED TO MAKE FOR THE CONGREGATION THIS MORNING?
IF NOT, LET US QUIET OUR MIND AND HEARTS AND COME TO THE PRESENCE OF OUR LORD.
>> PLEASE JOIN ME IN OUR RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP.
BE THANKFUL AND PRAISE THE LORD AS YOU ENTER HIS TEMPLE.
>> THE LORD IS GOOD.
GOD'S LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS WILL LAST FOREVER
>> LET US STAND AND WORSHIP IN SONG, NUMBER 4.
>> YOU MAY BE SEATED.
IF THE CHILDREN WILL COME FORWARD FOR WIGGLE TIME.
>> COME ON UP.
HAVE A SEAT.
I DO LIKE CHURCH.
DO YOU LIKE CHURCH?
GOOD MORNING.
I HAVEN'T MET SOME OF YOU, MY NAME IS BILLY ‑‑
>> I THINK I'VE MET YOU
>> I THINK I'VE MET YOU.
IT'S GOOD TO SEE EVERYBODY THIS MORNING, AND I BROUGHT SOMETHING WITH ME TODAY THAT I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU.
THIS IS A PICTURE OF MY FAMILY.
CAN YOU SEE IT?
>> WHERE IS YOU?
>> CAN YOU SEE IT?
>> THAT'S NOT ME, THAT'S MY SISTER.
>> IS THAT YOU IN THE CORNER?
>> THAT'S ME UP THERE ON THE RIGHT, ON YOUR LEFT, I THINK.
RIGHT THERE.
CAN YOU ALL SEE IT?
THIS IS A PICTURE OF MY FAMILY, THAT'S MY SISTER, THAT'S MY PARENTS, AND WE GET ALONG MOST OF THE TIME.
DO YOU ALL HAVE ANY FAMILY PICTURES AROUND YOUR HOUSE?
A LOT?
WHERE DO YOU HAVE THEM IN YOUR HOUSES?
JUST ALL OVER THE PLACE?
>> I HAVE LOTS OF BIRDS IN MY HOUSE, IT'S A REALLY BIG HOUSE
>> OKAY.
MY FAMILY, WE TRY TO TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER AND WE LOVE EACH OTHER AND WE'RE THERE FOR EACH OTHER WHEN SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS, SO WE KNOW THAT WE ARE SUPPORTED, THAT'S THE GOOD THING ABOUT A FAMILY.
DID YOU ALL KNOW THAT JESUS IS IN GOD'S FAMILY?
>> YEAH.
>> JESUS IS GOD'S SON.
>> WELL, JESUS IS GOD'S SON AND GOD LOVES JESUS A WHOLE LOT BECAUSE HE'S IN HIS FAMILY.
DID YOU ALL KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN GOD'S FAMILY?
AND THAT GOD LOVES EACH ONE OF YOU VERY, VERY MUCH?
THAT'S A GOOD POINT.
HE SAID GOD LOVES EVERYBODY
>> YEAH, GOD LOVES EVERYBODY.
>> WELL, TODAY WHEN YOU ALL GO HOME AND SEE YOUR FAMILY PICTURES, I WANT YOU ALL TO THINK ABOUT BEING IN GOD'S FAMILY, OKAY?
THAT'S YOUR ASSIGNMENT FOR TODAY.
LET US PRAY.
GRACIOUS GOD, THANK YOU FOR OUR CHILDREN, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS THAT THEY BRING INTO OUR LIFE.
BE WITH THEM THIS WEEK AS THEY GO TO SCHOOL, AS THEY PLAY AND AS THEY STUDY, KEEP THEM SAFE AND OUT OF HARM'S WAY, ALLOW THEM TO COME BACK TO US NEXT WEEK SO THAT WE MAY WORSHIP WITH THEM.
ALL THESE THINGS WE PRAY IN YOUR SON'S NAME, JESUS CHRIST, AMEN.
EVERYBODY GET ONE?
>> I DIDN'T GET ONE.
>> THIS WEEK I HEARD SEVERAL NEWSCASTS BOTH ON THE RADIO AND ON TV, AND READ SEVERAL ARTICLES IN THE PAPER, AND I THINK THE SKY IS FALLING.
WE ARE AT WAR, PEOPLE ARE DYING, RACISM AND BIGOTRY IS RAMPANT, THE PRICE OF GOODS AND GAS ARE GOING UP IF YOU CAN GET IT, WE HAVE ONLY TWO CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT THAT SAY LISTEN TO ME, I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, IF YOU VOTE FOR THE OTHER GUY YOU ARE IN TROUBLE.
SO IT'S SEEMS SOMETIMES THERE ARE CONCERNS EVERYWHERE.
BUT I GOT UP THIS MORNING, I NORMALLY GET UP EARLY, SAW A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE, REALIZED THAT TWICE A DAY GOD HAS THE SUN PUT ON A MAGNIFICENT SHOW FOR US EXCEPT WHEN HE HIDES IT WITH CLOUDS AND GIVES US RAIN.
I WENT INTO THE KITCHEN WHERE THERE IS PLENTY TO EAT, WENT UPSTAIRS TO GET READY FOR CHURCH WHERE YOU GO TO THE CLOSET AND HAVE TO CHOOSE WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO WEAR, DRIVE TO CHURCH IN YOUR OWN CAR ON WONDERFUL ROADS THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED WITH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SCENERY OR SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SCENERY ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, COME TO THE BEAUTIFUL CHURCH, INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN AND LOOK AROUND AND HAVE A WONDERFUL CONGREGATION TO SHARE OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS WITH.
SO, I THINK THAT LIFE IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A BALANCING ACT OF JOYS AND CONCERNS AND I THINK OUR CONCERNS ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE A LITTLE EASIER WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO SHARE THEM AND OUR JOYS ARE GOING TO BE A LITTLE HIGHER WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO SHARE THEM.
AT THIS POINT HAS ANYONE GOT ANY JOYS AND CONCERNS THEY WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
>> I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT I TOOK MY LAST CHEMO TREATMENT LAST THURSDAY AND IN SPITE OF ALL THE BAD NEWS, THAT WAS THE GOOD NEWS.
>> ALL RIGHT, GREAT.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I KNOW THAT FIELDING HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED THAT EMILY AND I ARE GRANDPARENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME AS OF FRIDAY MORNING ABOUT 5:15.
AND THE MOTHER IS DOING FINE, ELIZABETH.
THE BABY IS DOING BETTER, HAD A LITTLE TIME IN NICU, BUT THEY BOTH SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE DISCHARGED TODAY AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THAT.
[APPLAUSE]
>> ANYONE ELSE?
>> I'M PLEASED TO TELL YOU THAT KATHLEEN JEWEL BLACKBURN IS DOING GREAT.
I'VE SEEN HER ON TWO SATURDAYS AND SHE LOOKS PRETTIER EVERY TIME I SEE HER.
NEEDLESS TO SAY, GRANDFATHER AND I ARE DOING WELL, AS GREAT AS WE CAN DO, AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO BE GRANDPARENTS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> OKAY, ANYONE ELSE?
OKAY, AT THIS TIME WE WILL HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND REFLECTION AND I WILL LEAD US IN OUR MORNING PRAYER.
FATHER, WE COME TO YOU THIS MORNING ASKING THAT YOU HELP US FEEL YOUR PRESENCE WHEN WE FACE THE BURDENS OF OUR CHALLENGES.
BRING US STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE TO KNOW THAT THIS IS ALL HAPPENING IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR PLAN.
BRING US COMFORT AND HEALING AND NEVER LET US FORGET IN THE TIME OF JOYS THAT YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF ALL JOY.
AND WE THANK YOU AT THIS TIME FOR GIVING US OUR BIGGEST JOY, YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST, WHO TAUGHT US TO PRAY 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.
AMEN.
SOME OF YOU DON'T KNOW THIS, BUT I GET UP AND GO SWIM EVERY MORNING OF THE WEEK, WE HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT MEET TOGETHER AND WE HAVE DEVELOPED QUITE A CAMARADERIE AND EVERY DAY AFTER WE SWIM AS THE GUYS ARE IN THE LOCKER ROOM GETTING READY FOR WORK WE SOLVE MOST OF THE PROBLEMS IN THE WORLD.
I'M SURPRISED THERE ARE SO MANY LEFT BECAUSE WE KNOCK THEM OFF TWO OR THREE A DAY.
LAST WEEK ONE OF THE FELLOWS SAID: SKIP, YOU KNOW I FIND WHEN I GO OUT OF THE WAY TO GIVE TO THE CHURCH EITHER TIME OR MONEY, I TURN AROUND AND SOMETHING UNEXPECTED GOOD SEEMS TO HAPPEN TO ME, IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME.
I SAID: YOU KNOW WHAT?
I FEEL THE SAME WAY, WHEN I GO OUT OF THE WAY TO GIVE THERE ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE SOME TYPE OF REWARD THAT I DIDN'T EXPECT.
IT SEEMS THAT WHENEVER YOU GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO TRY TO HELP OTHERS, IN SOME WAY YOU WILL BE REWARDED, SO, WE ASK TODAY, ANYTHING THAT YOU GIVE TO THE CHURCH IS GOING TO HELP SOMEONE ELSE, SO GIVE WHAT YOU CAN AND PLEASE HELP US TODAY.
THANK YOU.
>> THE PSALTER THIS MORNING IS PSALM 23 ON PAGE 734, WE WILL DO RESPONSE NUMBER 1, THAT IS THE ONE MOST FAMILIAR TO YOU.
[SINGING] MY SHEPHERD, YOU SUPPLY MY NEED AND HOLY IS YOUR NAME.
>> THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT.
>> HE MAKES ME LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES.
>> HE LEADS ME BESIDE STILL WATERS, HE RESTORES MY SOUL.
>> HE LEADS ME IN THE RIGHT PATHS FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE.
>> EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE DARKEST VALLEY I FEAR NO EVIL.
>> FOR YOU ARE WITH ME,
YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME.
[SINGING] MY SHEPHERD, YOU SUPPLY MY NEED AND HOLY IS YOUR NAME.
>> YOU PREPARE A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES .
>> YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL, MY CUP OVERFLOWS.
>> SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE.
>> AND I SHALL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOR EVER.
[SINGING] MY SHEPHERD, YOU SUPPLY MY NEED AND HOLY IS YOUR NAME.
>> OUR SCRIPTURE READING THIS MORNING IS TAKEN FROM THE BOOK OF MATTHEW, THE 21ST CHAPTER BEGINNING WITH VERSE 23 THROUGH VERSE 32.
THE READING CAN BE FOUND IN THE PEW BIBLE ON PAGE 855.
AND WHEN HE ENTERED THE TEMPLE, THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE ELDERS OF THE PEOPLE CAME UP TO HIM AS HE WAS TEACHING AND SAID: BY WHAT AUTHORITY ARE YOU DOING THESE THINGS AND WHO GAVE YOU THIS AUTHORITY?
JESUS ANSWERED THEM: I WILL ALSO ASK YOU A QUESTION, AND IF YOU TELL ME THE ANSWER THEN I WILL TELL YOU BY WHAT AUTHORITY I DO THESE THINGS.
THE BAPTISMS OF JOHN, WHENCE WAS IT?
FROM HEAVEN OR FROM MEN?
AND THEY ARGUED WITH ONE ANOTHER.
IF WE SAY FROM HEAVEN HE WILL SAY TO US: WHY THEN DID YOU NOT BELIEVE HIM?
BUT IF WE SAY FROM MEN WE ARE AFRAID OF THE MULTITUDE FOR ALL KNOW THAT JOHN WAS A PROPHET,.
SO THEY ANSWERED JESUS: WE DON'T KNOW.
AND HE SAID TO THEM: NEITHER WILL I TELL YOU BY WHAT AUTHORITY I DO THESE THINGS.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
A MAN HAD TWO SONS AND HE WENT TO THE FIRST AND SAID:
SON, GO AND WORK IN THE VINEYARD TODAY.
AND HE ANSWERED: I WILL NOT.
BUT AFTERWARD HE REPENTED AND WENT.
AND HE WENT TO THE SECOND SON AND SAID THE SAME AND HE ANSWERED: I GO, SIR.
BUT HE DID NOT GO.
WHICH OF THE TWO DID THE WILL OF HIS FATHER?
THEY SAID THE FIRST.
JESUS SAID TO THEM: TRULY I SAY TO THEM THE TAX COLLECTORS AND HARLOTS GO INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD BEFORE YOU BECAUSE JOHN CAME TO YOU BY WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND YOU DID NOT BELIEVE HIM.
THE TAX COLLECTORS AND HARLOTS BELIEVED HIM.
AND AFTERWARDS YOU DID NOT REPENT AND BELIEVE HIM.
THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS
>> THANKS BE TO GOD.
>> LET US PRAY.
ALMIGHTY GOD, UNTO WHOM ALL HEARTS ARE OPEN, ALL DESIRES KNOWN, AND FROM WHOM NO SECRETS ARE HID, CLEANSE THE THOUGHTS OF OUR HEARTS BY THE INSPIRATION OF YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, BY THE HEARING OF YOUR WORD WE MAY PERFECTLY LOVE YOU AND MAGNIFY YOUR NAME.
IN CHRIST'S NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.
AS I POURED OVER THE SCRIPTURE THIS WEEK, PARTICULARLY THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS, MADE ME THINK OF THE TIMES THAT MY FATHER WOULD SAY BEFORE HE LEFT HOME FOR WORK: MAKE SURE YOU RAKE THE LEAVES TODAY.
SURE, SURE, I'LL DO IT, DAD, I'LL DO IT.
AND HE WOULD COME HOME FOR LUNCH AND I HADN'T EVEN BEEN OUTSIDE YET.
AND I REMEMBER THE DISAPPOINTMENT ON HIS FACE.
AND, SO, HE WOULD LEAVE AND AFTER FEELING BAD I WOULD GO OUT AND RAKE THE LEAVES TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE DONE BEFORE HE CAME HOME.
I STARTED THINKING ABOUT BROKEN PROMISES WITH THIS SCRIPTURE, AND STARTED TO THINK BACK.
WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME I COULD REMEMBER THAT A PROMISE WAS BROKEN TO ME?
AND IT CAME TO ME THAT I HAD A NEIGHBOR WHOSE NAME WAS MR. NORMAN AND MR. NORMAN HAD A GRANDSON NAMED JIMMY, AND JIMMY WOULD COME EVERY OTHER WEEKEND TO VISIT HIS FATHER WHO LIVED WITH JIMMY'S GRANDPARENT, HIS PARENTS WERE DIVORCED.
EVERY OTHER WEEKEND WE WOULD PLAY TOGETHER.
THE NEAT THING ABOUT JIMMY'S GRANDFATHER WAS HE WAS THE EQUIPMENT MANAGER FOR THE NEW YORK METS.
I'M A DIEHARD YANKEE FAN, DON'T KNOW WHY BUT I STILL AM, BUT THERE WAS ONE PLAYER ON THE NEW YORK METS I WAS CRAZY ABOUT, HIS NAME WAS DAVID KINGMAN AND HE HAD ROYAL CROWN COLA ‑‑ R.C COLA CAME OUT WITH CANS WITH PICTURES OF PLAYERS, AND I WAS FORTUNATE TO GET ONE WITH DAVID KINGMAN.
I CREATED STORIES WITH THE CANS AND DAVID KINGMAN WOULD ALWAYS HIT A HOME RUN BY THE TOP OF 9TH.
I REMEMBER TELLING JIMMY THAT AND HE SAID: MY GRANDFATHER IS THE EQUIPMENT MANAGER, MAYBE I CAN GET YOU AN AUTOGRAPHED PICTURE OF DAVID KINGMAN.
I SAID: REALLY?
HE SAID: YEAH, I WILL TELL MY GRANDFATHER, I'LL PUT IT IN YOUR MAILBOX.
BY THAT NIGHT I COULD HARDLY SLEEP, I WAS SO EXCITED TO GET THE AUTOGRAPHED PICTURE OF DAVID KINGMAN.
I LOOKED OUT THE NEXT MORNING TO SEE THEIR LIGHTS WERE ON, THEY HAD LEFT, I RAN TO THE MAILBOX, READY TO TAKE OUT THE PHOTOGRAPH, AND IT WASN'T THERE.
IT WASN'T THERE.
EITHER HE COULDN'T GET IT OR HE FORGOT.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE EXPERIENCE BROKEN PROMISES ALL THE TIME.
SO OFTEN THAT MAYBE WE ARE USED TO BROKEN PROMISES.
ADVERTISERS BOMBARD US WITH NEW AND IMPROVED PRODUCTS ALL THE TIME, ESPECIALLY THOSE AS SEEN ON TV.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WATCH THOSE COMMERCIALS, WHEN YOU WATCH IT ON THE COMMERCIAL IT'S THIS GREAT BIG WHATEVER IT IS, JUICER, IT'S HUGE AND THEN YOU GET IT AND IT'S THIS SIZE, AND THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE LIKE IN GERMAN AND JAPANESE OR SOMETHING AND YOU CAN'T EVEN FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE IT.
POLITICIANS SEEM TO BE EXPERTS AT BROKEN PROMISES.
I BET SOME OF US, I KNOW I AM, GUILTY OF BREAKING PROMISES.
I'LL CALL YOU BACK.
THE CHECK IS IN THE MAIL.
WE'LL GET TOGETHER SOON.
I'LL TAKE CARE OF IT, DON'T WORRY.
WE HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS TO KEEP OUR PROMISES BUT SOMETIMES IT'S SO MUCH EASIER TO SAY YES AND GET THE PERSON OFF THE PHONE EVEN WHEN WE REALLY WANT TO SAY NO OR I DON'T WANT TO.
WHAT IS HARDER, TELLING SOMEONE NO OR TELLING SOMEONE YES BUT THEN NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH?
THAT'S THE DILEMMA THAT JESUS CREATES IN HIS PARABLE THIS MORNING.
THE FATHER ASKS HIS CHILDREN TO GO WORK IN THE VINEYARD HARVESTING GRAPES.
THE FIRST SAYS NO DISHONORING HIS FATHER IN PUBLIC EVEN THOUGH HE CHANGES HIS MIND LATER.
THE SECOND SON POLITELY SAYS YES BUT THEN HE DOESN'T DO WHAT HE SAYS.
HE DOESN'T DO WHAT HE SAYS.
NOW, EVEN THOUGH THE PHARISEES SAY THE SON WHO EVENTUALLY GOES TO THE VINEYARD IS THE BETTER OF THE TWO, I DON'T THINK EITHER OF THEM DESERVE ANY REWARDS OR AWARDS, BOTH ARE GUILTY OF DISOBEDIENCE.
THE ONE SON DISHONORS HIS FATHER, THE OTHER SON IS DISOBEDIENT.
DOESN'T IT MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER KNOWING FIRST CENTURY PALESTINIANS HAD TO PUT UP WITH THE SAME THING WITH THEIR KIDS YOU DO?
LIKE MOST OF JESUS' PARABLES, THE STORY ISN'T ABOUT THE TWO BOYS, THE STORY IS ABOUT US.
IT'S ABOUT TWO KIND OF PEOPLE, THE ONE KIND PROFESSES FAITH IN GOD BUT DOESN'T LIVE A FAITHFUL LIFE, THE OTHER DOES THE WILL OF GOD.
I DON'T KNOW, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES IN MY LIFE WHEN I HAVE NICE, PIOUS WORDS OF GOD BUT SHOWED MY DISBELIEF WITH MY ACTIONS.
THAT'S A TIME OF MY LIFE I WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH GOD, I WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH GOD BUT I TRIED TO LIVE MY LIFE WITH AS MUCH INTEGRITY AND GOODNESS AS I POSSIBLY COULD MUSTER.
THERE IS THIS STUDY WHICH IDENTIFIED HOW NEW IDEAS GET OUT AND GET ACCEPTED, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE MICROWAVE FIRST WAS AVAILABLE YOU HAD THE PEOPLE THAT WENT RIGHT OUT AND GOT THEM, COULDN'T KEEP ENOUGH ON THE SHELVES.
THEN YOU HAD THE PEOPLE WHO WAITED A LITTLE WHILE AND THEY WENT OUT AND BOUGHT A MICROWAVE, AND THEN YOU HAD THE PEOPLE WHO WERE CAUTIOUS AND WAITED A COUPLE YEARS AND THEN WENT OUT AND GOT ONE.
AND THEN YOU HAVE THE LAST GROUP, THE GROUP THAT REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE NEW IDEA UNTIL THEY DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE.
THESE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO SAID INDOOR PLUMBING WOULD NEVER WORK OR THAT CARS WERE A FAD, THESE WERE THE PEOPLE THAT SAID YOU DON'T NEED AN ANSWERING MACHINE, IF IT IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH THEY WILL CALL BACK.
THIS GROUP DOESN'T WANT TO GO WITH THE FLOW, NO MATTER HOW USEFUL OR OBVIOUS THE NEW INNOVATION.
JESUS' PARABLE TODAY IS ABOUT THE LAST GROUP, IT'S FOR THIS LAST GROUP.
JESUS IS SAYING I KNOW THAT SOME OF YOU OUT THERE HAVE SAID YOU BELIEVE IN ME, BUT HAVE YET TO LIVE THAT WAY.
AND I KNOW THERE ARE OTHERS OUT THERE THAT LIVE A GOOD LIFE BUT HAVE YET TO FIND YOUR TRUE HOME WITH ME.
MAYBE IT HASN'T BEEN THE RIGHT TIME YET, MAYBE IT ISN'T THE RIGHT TIME NOW BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW I PROMISE TO BE HERE WAITING FOR YOU WHEN YOU DO COME TO FAITH.
THAT IS ONE PROMISE THAT WON'T BE BROKEN.
NOW, IN A WORLD WHERE BROKEN PROMISES PILE UP AND CLUTTER OUR LIVES, THERE ARE SOME PROMISES WE KNOW WE CAN STAKE OUR LIFE ON, PROMISES LIKE: I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE.
AND: THIS IS MY BLOOD SHED FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS.
PROMISES LIKE: I AM WITH YOU EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE AGE.
AND WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED I AM WITH THEM.
THROUGH CHRIST, GOD HAS PROMISED TO LOVE US AND BE WITH US, GOD PROMISES TO CRY WITH US AND ENDURE PAIN WITH US, TO REJOICE WITH US.
GOD PROMISES TO LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US AS IF THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON TO LOVE.
DID YOU CATCH THAT?
GOD PROMISES TO LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US AS IF THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON TO LOVE.
WHAT'S THE PROPER RESPONSE TO THAT?
TO MAKE OUR OWN PROMISES.
AND I THINK THE FIRST PROMISE WE HAVE TO MAKE IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE HONEST WITH GOD.
IT'S BETTER TO BE HONEST WITH GOD ABOUT OUR UNBELIEF AND STRIFE TOWARD BELIEF THAN TO CLAIM TO BE BELIEVERS AND NOT GO TOWARD IT.
IT'S OKAY TO SAY I'M WORKING ON IT, BUT I'M STILL STRUGGLING.
I THINK GOD WOULD RATHER HEAR THAT THAN SOME RELIGIOUSLY PROPER STATEMENT THAT IS FAKE.
WHEN WE ARE DOWN, WHEN WE ARE STRUGGLING, THE PRESENCE OF GOD ISN'T A PLACE TO AVOID, IT'S REALLY THE ONLY PLACE TO BE BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE GOD IS.
THERE IS ANOTHER PROMISE WE CAN MAKE TO GOD, IT IS THE PROMISE TO LET OUR FAITH DICTATE OUR ACTIONS, IT'S THE PROMISE TO PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS, TO TREAT PEOPLE IN SUCH A WAY GOD'S LOVE SHINES THROUGH US.
IF WE MAKE A PROMISE TO GOD, TO LOVE HIM AND LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AND THEN ACT SELFISHLY AND IGNORE THE NEEDS OF OTHERS, WE ARE DOING SOMETHING MUCH, MUCH WORSE THAN NOT DELIVERING AN AUTOGRAPH OF DAVID KINGMAN TO AN EXCITED 10‑YEAR‑OLD.
PERHAPS WE ARE ACTUALLY BREAKING GOD'S LIFE.
IN THE PARABLE JESUS IS SAYING IT'S NOT TOO LATE, NEVER TOO LATE TO MAKE A CHANGE, TO SAY YES, YES TO GOD AND GOD'S WORK.
THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE, SOME IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD OR EVEN IN OUR FAMILY WHO NEED TO HEAR THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS WHO ARE JUST WAITING TO BE LOVED.
THE PROSTITUTES AND TAX COLLECTORS GET IT QUICKER THAN THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS.
EVERY TIME YOU READ THESE STORIES IT'S ANNOYS ME.
HERE ARE THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS WHO KNOW THE INFORMATION, THEY HAVE STUDIED THIS THEIR WHOLE LIFE, TAUGHT PEOPLE THIS MOST OF THEIR ADULT LIFE.
YET IT IS THE TAX COLLECTORS AND PROSTITUTES THAT GET IT.
WHY?
WHY IS THAT?
THAT IS ANNOYING TO ME.
MAYBE, MAYBE WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF GOD'S LOVE FOR GRANTED, MAYBE YOU ARE THE ONE STRUGGLING ASKING WHERE GOD'S LOVE IS, YOU ASK FOR IT MORE DEEPLY.
IN THIS PARABLE JESUS DESCRIBES TWO KIND OF PEOPLE, THOSE WHO SAY THEY WILL GO TO THE VINEYARD AND GO AND DO GOD'S WORK AND THEN DON'T, AND THOSE WHO SAY THEY WON'T AND THEN DO.
BUT I THINK THERE IS A THIRD TYPE PERSON THAT GOD WANTS TO HELP US BECOME, THE PERSON WHO SAYS THEY WILL DO GOD'S WORK AND THEN DOES IT.
THE PERSON WHO SAYS THEY WILL DO GOD'S WORK AND THEN DOES IT.
MY HOPE IS WHETHER WE STARTED OUT AS THE FIRST KIND OF PERSON OR SECOND KIND OF PERSON, WE WILL STRIVE TO BE THE THIRD KIND OF PERSON, THE PERSON WHO SAYS THEY WILL DO GOD'S WORK AND THEN DOES IT.
AND ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN SAID:
>> AMEN.
OUR HYMN OF REFLECTION IS AN INSERT, "I'M SO GLAD."
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CLAIM THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST, TO CLAIM GOD AND WORK FOR GOD IN GOD'S KINGDOM, I INVITE YOU TO COME FORWARD.
IF YOU WISH TO JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP OF FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, THE CHURCH THAT PUTS FAITH AND ACTION TOGETHER, I INVITE YOU TO COME FORWARD.
LET US STAND AND WORSHIP IN SONG.
>> YOU MAY BE SEATED.
AND NOW WE COME TO OUR CENTRAL MOMENT OF WORSHIP, THE LORD'S SUPPER.
THERE ARE BROKEN PROMISES ALL AROUND US, PROMISES BROKEN AMONG OUR FAMILIES, OUR FRIENDS, AT OUR JOBS AND EVEN AT THE CHURCH, AND THESE BROKEN PROMISES CAN WEIGH US DOWN AND TAKE US TO DARK PLACES, BUT TODAY WE REJOICE BECAUSE THERE IS ONE PROMISE NEVER BROKEN, AND THAT IS GOD'S LOVE FOR EACH ONE OF US.
AN UNCONDITIONAL LOVE THAT WE CAN FIND AT THIS TABLE THIS MORNING IN THESE GIFTS OF BREAD AND WINE, SO, COME SEEKING THIS PROMISE THAT IS NOT BROKEN, THAT CAN FILL YOUR CUP AND OVERFLOW INTO THE WORLD.
>> CHRIST INVITES ALL THOSE WHO SEEK THIS LOVE WHO SEEK TO BE TRANSFORMED BY THIS LOVE, WHO SEEK TO SHARE THIS LOVE.
LET US NOW SHARE IN OUR PRAYER OF CONFESSION .
>> MOST MERCIFUL GOD, WE CONFESS THAT WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU IN THOUGHT, WORD AND DEED, BY WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND BY WHAT WE HAVE LEFT UNDONE.
WE HAVE NOT LOVED YOU WITH OUR WHOLE HEART, WE HAVE NOT LOVED OUR NEIGHBORS AS OURSELVES.
WE ARE TRULY SORRY AND WE HUMBLY REPENT.
FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR JESUS CHRIST, HAVE MERCY ON US AND FORGIVE US, THAT WE MAY DELIGHT IN YOUR WILL AND WALK IN YOUR WAYS, TO THE GLORY OF YOUR NAME.
AMEN.
LET US REMAIN SEATED AS WE SING OUR COMMUNION HYMN, "NOW THE SILENCE."
>> FOR I RECEIVED FROM THE LORD WHAT I ALSO HANDED ONTO 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 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: LORD, OUR HECTIC WEEKS CONSUME US, WE LOSE SIGHT AND OFTEN TAKE FOR GRANTED WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT, YOUR LOVE AND SACRIFICE FOR EACH ONE OF US, HELP US TO FOCUS HERE AND NOW AS WE SHARE THIS BREAD, AND AS WE LEAVE THE TABLE TODAY, GRANT US RENEWED FOCUS THAT WE MIGHT SEE AND SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE YOUR LOVE.
AMEN.
>> ELDER: COMPASSIONATE GOD WHO MEETS US AT THIS TABLE JUST AS WE ARE, LOOK WITH FAVOR UPON OUR EFFORT TO LEARN AND FOLLOW IN YOUR WAY.
AS WE RECEIVE THE CUP, MAY IT BE IN A MOMENT OF SELF‑EXAMINATION AND PRAYER.
HELP US, O GOD, TO UNDERSTAND JESUS BETTER AS WE REMEMBER HIS LIFE, HIS SELFLESS MINISTRY AND HIS DEATH UPON THE CROSS FOR THE SAKE OF EACH ONE OF US AND FOR ALL HUMANITY, USE US IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
>> LET US SHARE IN THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING.
WE ARE GRATEFUL, LOVING GOD, THAT THROUGH COMMUNION YOU KNIT US TOGETHER INTO ONE BODY, THE BODY OF CHRIST.
HAVING GIFTS THAT DIFFER ACCORDING TO THE GRACE GIVEN TO US, HELP US TO USE THEM TO BUILD UP ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE SERVING AS CHRIST'S HANDS AND FEET IN THE WORLD, AMEN.
>>OUR CHORAL BENEDICTION IS NUMBER 233.
LET US ALL STAND AND WORSHIP IN SONG.
>> LET US GO FORTH WITH A FAITH THAT LEADS TO ACTION ALWAYS REMEMBERING THE GRACIOUS PROMISE OF OUR LORD JESUS: BE NOT AFRAID, BE NOT AFRAID, FOR I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS EVEN UNTO THE END.
AMEN.