Sunday, April 5
Sunday School (via Zoom)
Opening: Leland Litzenberger
Even though we are not together in our church building, we have a sense of community because of our friendship and the amount of time we have invested in each other’s lives.
Something to think about: Are we serving God with our whole heart – or are we trying to serve God and something else?
Sunday School Lesson Subject: A Just Servant – Isaiah 42:1-9
Teacher: Eric Shorey from Wales Brethren Church in Maine
In this passage of scripture God is presenting His Servant – the One who will come with gentleness, firmness and truth. Someone God delights in.
This servant’s credentials: He is the creator of sky and space – not a graven image.
He will be commissioned by God. He will not fail. God will not let him down.
Israel had forgotten to worship God and had turned to idols. God says He will not share His glory with other gods or idols. Idols cannot see or understand. They cannot provide salvation.
Spiritual liberty will have begun when this new Servant of God’s arrives. Israel and the gentiles will sing a new song.
Conclusion: In this passage we are given a view of the perfect, faithful servant. He promises new things.
Opening Devotions for the Sermon: Ron Copenhaver
We listened to music a bit longer than planned because Ron could not get a good connection to the internet. He ended up going to the attic.
He said, “I almost feel like a persecuted Christian having to hide out in the attic.” 🙂
In preparation for the morning message, he used an illustration of his family making use of these days of isolation and separation by reclaiming some of their land – by removing briars and branches. They have time to take the cleanup seriously this year because so many of them are at home.
Likewise each of us is involved in a spiritual battle – that of keeping Satan from taking spiritual ground in our lives. It may involve hard work – even the work of repentance. This is one of the reasons why our church holds revival services – to remind us that we have an enemy who is continually attempting to take over our spiritual lives.
Children’s Story by Mark Bucher – Evangelist from Wales Brethren Church in Maine
Each day we have opportunities to share the extra-ordinary God we serve – in ordinary ways of integrity and honesty.
Does our walk match our talk? Do we look good on the outside, but our inside fruit is something different?
What would you think if you opened an orange and it looked like this. (That looks like an apple to me.)
Or what if you opened a banana and found grapes inside. This is how we as Christians confuse those around us – when our walk doesn’t match our talk.
Sermon – Hebrews 12:1-29 – Wounded, Now What?
We have all experienced being wounded. What do we do with that?
By the grace of God – being wounded can bring the peaceable fruits of righteousness.
However, when we turn to bitterness we become like a “loaded gun.”
Is our church (your church) a safe haven where you and others can relax and heal?
Am I a safe person? Do I care for others without trying to fix them?
There should be no better place to fail than within a church fellowship. On our journey of life, we experience progress and failure. We are all in the same boat.
Hebrews 12 is an invitation to live in the presence of God.
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness.
How easy is that?
We all have “baggage”, but pursuing peace is still our challenge. It cannot be taken lightly.
Sometimes we are wounded like a bullet and the temptation to allow bitterness to take root is strong.
The end of the chapter reminds us that following Christ and reacting to life in God’s way is worth it all because we serve in a kingdom that cannot be shaken or moved.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
Life is always uncertain and never the same. Uncertainty gives us opportunity to work out – flesh out – God’s love.
If I pointed this at you – even though you know it is not real, you would be uncomfortable.
Yet we are often like a loaded gun – with turmoil and frustration in our hearts.
We are good at hiding anger – smiling and acting like we are just fine.
Unresolved irritation and anger is like a loaded gun. However our bullets are words – angry, unkind words.
We must each evaluate and come to terms with our real issues. Is it jealousy, competition, or pride?
Wrong actions need to be confessed if we expect to be part of “a kingdom that cannot be moved or removed.”
If necessary find a mentor who can help you make peace with those who anger and irritate you.
Conclusion to this series of meetings:
When I think of the timing of these messages, I am grateful that several weeks ago my boss insisted that I have a smart phone because we don’t have internet at our house.
As I close this last sermon I think of the words of the song “Great is thy Faithfulness.
He introduced his wife, Deb, (next to him) and their two girls who live at home: Martha (left) and Mary. They have two married sons, two married daughters, a daughter in mission work in Europe and several grandchildren.
His closing words: May God find us faithful.
Closing – Carl Groff
I enjoyed the challenges of this week and think of the song “Give of your best to the Master.”
Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor
Into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example,
Dauntless was He, young and brave;
Give Him your loyal devotion;
Give Him the best that you have.
Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.
Give of your best to the Master;
Naught else is worthy His love;
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above.
Laid down His life without murmur,
You from sin’s ruin to save;
Give Him your heart’s adoration;
Give Him the best that you have.
Chorus:
Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Clad in salvation’s full armor,
Join in the battle for truth.
Closing prayer by Ron Copenhaver – still from the attic. (Someone challenged him to think of it as the upper room.) 🙂
