Resiliency

"I want to talk about joy again this morning," pastor Brad stated after welcoming us on a sunny, summer morning. "There sometimes exists a gap between the joy we feel we’re expected to have, and what we’re experiencing. The hardships of life often leave people cynical. I come to bring you good news."

Announcements
1. Brooke shared details about this year’s VBS program that will start in 24 hours… “74 kids pre-registered this year. 25 youth volunteering and 30 adults. Thank you!!”
 2. There's a council meeting Tuesday.

Darlene played "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" to lead us into worship this a.m. Offering taken, we entered into a time of prayer after which Brad began his message.

Resiliency

The 16th chapter of the Gospel of John takes place in the hours before Jesus is taken captive by the Romans, leading ultimately to His crucifiction.

Jesus tells his disciples, "In a little while you will see Me no more, and then after a while you will see Me" The disciples ask themselves “What does He mean by ‘in a little while?’”

Jesus zeroes in on what they are talking about and responds, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."

Brad's message focused on the implications of this passage beginning with this metaphor of childbirth. The joy of giving life outweighs the pain of giving birth. Pain is temporary but worth the result, a great joy. Though life has its hardships and pain, in the end there is going to be great joy.

Shortly after this Jesus was crucified, but it was not the end yet. When Jesus was risen, the joy was astounding and nothing could take their joy. Paul later wrote to the early church how though they suffered they were generous. 2000 years later, we’re resurrection people, we have pretty good lives, but the level of joy may be lost on us. Jesus says we’re supposed to have joy, yet why do we so often not see it?

Jesus’ ministry began at His baptism. fully aware of His being loved and accepted. When John the Baptist baptized Him He hears a voice. “You are My son whom I love, in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus’ ministry begins here.

Brad stressed, "Identity and acceptance comes before achievement and work."

Jesus hears this voice… "You’re My son and I love you."   Jesus depended on God’s acceptance.

Out of His fullness we have all received grace. And He wants that joy to be complete, a sense of constant well-being based on the reliability of God. Ultimately I know all is well with me because I am loved. Paul doesn’t just say “Rejoice,” He writes “Rejoice in the Lord.” As Nehemiah writes, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

Matthew 11:19 asks what are the ways God replenishes your spirit? How do you like to get re-filled? Jesus never said life would be easy, but no matter what it is like in our outside circumstances, our hearts can be full.

Brad underscored that my life isn’t just about me. It’s about God’s life flowing through me out into the world.

Do you know who you are apart from money, power or reputation? Significance is about who we are before anything we do. We have a part to play that is way beyond ourselves.

On one occasion the Lord's disciples asked, “Aren’t you hungry?”

He replied, “My food is to do the work of Him who sent Me.”

Life's hardships -- cancer, war, huger, hatred -- all raise why questions. Jesus said in effect, "In a little while I will be back and set all things right." Sin and suffering and death will be defeated. Then there will be no more questions.

If you're tempted to get impatient, if you wonder when this will ever happen, I will tell you. In a little while. In just a little while. In only a very little while.

Getting In The Game

"Good morning. I'm delighted you're here today." Thus began Pastor Brad's opening remarks on this, Transfiguration Sunday. He told us how Peter, James and John went to the mountaintop with Jesus whereupon the Lord was transfigured before them. They had a glimpse of who Jesus is. The net result was a desire to stay on the mountain, even build a monument. But the reality is, Jesus doesn't stay in one place and to be with Jesus meant having to move down from the mountain to be where He is moving.

Announcements

1. There will be an inquirers class soon for those interested in membership. New members will be inducted Easter Sunday.

2. Wednesday evening there will be an Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 p.m preceded by a supper at 5:30. Lent is a time of new beginnings.

3. It is time to think about VBS and we are seeking two co-leaders. Contact JoAnn Winship.

4. JoAnn also shared that the women's Bible study is meeting at the church here 6:30 p.m.

5. Ruth Anne Schelinder noted that the annual meeting is approaching. The search committee is seeking to fill a several positions on the board including deacons and a treasurer.

The quartet of Chuck, Darlene, Dale and Ken opened the worship time with a rousing "Heaven On My Mind." Chuck read from Psalm 51 and we entered into a time of congregational singing.

Pam Johnson read today's Scriptures, II Kings 2:1-12 and Mark 9:2-9.

Getting In The Game

Pastor Brad began his message by having us read from Exodus 18. He said today's message was urgent, that he was calling us to come out of the stands and to get out onto the field.

He then told about a playoff game between the Yankees and possibly the Orioles in which Derek Jeter hit a long fly ball. Just before it fell into the Oriole outfielder's glove a kid in the the stands reached out with his glove and caught the ball, which was then ruled a home run.

A debate ensued as to whether the 12 year old kid had the right to interfere with the game. But the real point of the story is that there are two kinds of people in the world, the players and the spectators. Brad used the story to say we're really all called to be players, to be down on the field, not sitting up in the bleachers.

"Imagine that it's opening day at the new Twins Stadium, whenever that is," Brad said. And then imagine that before the game begins a bleacher bum climbs out of the stands and goes out onto the field. And then more follow, and these others do the same till there are 30,000 people out on the field.

Brad said there is a fundamental and tragic misperception about the nature of the people of God. In point of fact in the kingdom of God it was never intended that we should just be spectators. Yet this is how a lot of Christians think. The clergy, pastors, priests are the players. Lay people are just spectators in the stands.

In Exodus 18 we see the beginning of this new notion of sharing in the work of God, and not just being watchers.

13 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?"
15 Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and laws."
17 Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied."

In the passage Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, after observing Moses' leadership style, suggests that the power be spread out so as to involve the people. Moses listens and it becomes the beginning of God releasing His work of ministry to and through the people.

The rest of the sermon we were asked to consider five questions. These questions will reveal something about how we see ourselves and our role in the church.

Question 1: Do I perceive myself to be a minister of Christ?
Prior to the exodus from Egypt, the pattern of leadership with exemplified by Pharaoh. The power resided in the this one man. Brad jovially shared the slogan from the PGA Tour, "You Da Man," which indeed was what Pharaoh was.

Moses led the people out of Egypt and now he was "Da Man"... but God had an alternate structure in mind. As a result of Jethro's wise counsel, we see the beginning of the release of ministry to the people. And in the New Testament this comes to flower with all of us being priests and ministers, no more distinctions between the top dog and the rest.

The point Brad wanted each of us to get: "I am a vital channel through which God directs His life to others and to the world."

Question 2: Have I gotten in the game?

Are you actively serving the body of Christ and the world?

A guy named Greg Ogden wrote a book called The New Reformation in which he said there are two kinds of churches, the pastor centered churches and the people centered churches. God's will is for the people to get in the game and do the work of ministry.

Brad shared how Chuck V. has been ministering at the Salvation Army, and how meaningful it has been. Spectators tend to simply sit in the stands and just cheer or boo. Now is the time to use our spiritual gifts.

Question 3: Am I growing in ministry?

Too often, in pastor centered churches there's a player and a bunch of spectators who get stagnant. Here in Exodus 18 we see that the people were standing around from morning till night. But when people get into the game, they begin to solve problems. The corollary question here is, "Am I more, or less, motivated to serve the body of Christ today than a year ago?

Question 4: Am I helping others grow in their ministries?

Or to put it another way, are you helping people to discover and release their gifts?

Brad poked a little fun at Eric Borndal whose Christmas tree is still up as we approach March. Imagine, however, if not only the tree were up but there were still unopened presents beneath that tree. What if Eric's mom had given a very special present which was specifically for him?

Well, in point of fact God has given us gifts. It would be as foolish not to "unwrap" and use those gifts as it would be to leave Christmas gifts unopened beneath our trees. Within the context of the body of Christ we can help each other open and use our spiritual gifts.

Question 5: Have you eliminated every ounce of pride in your life?

What appears to to be a question somewhat sideways from the rest turns out to be particularly pointed as Brad reminds us of the spirit of Christian ministry. We were invited to look at Number 12:3 in which Moses is acknowledged as the meekest, most humble man in the world.

Moses could have been a "top dog" or carried himself like a big guy. But instead he knew he was called to be a servant, and he looked to one who was greater than he.

Brad pointed out that the Greek word for minister is diakonos or "one who serves." The word actually refers not to individuals but to all of us as a group. We do not come here to be spectators, but to be players.... and in the Christian life to be a player is to be a minister, or rather a servant to the body of Christ.

God Doesn't Give Us Answers, He Is The Answer

Pastor welcomed us by noting that today was the first Sunday after Epiphany, which speaks of Jesus revealing Himself. Sunshine filled the sanctuary as Brad introduced his theme for today, sharing how during a crisis of faith when his father died the Book of Ecclesiastes brought light into the dark places in his heart. The author of Ecclesiastes does not give all the answers to life's troubling questions, but shows us who God is.

Opening announcements included the following:
~ Sunday school begins next week. 9:00 a.m.

~ Adventure Club, confirmation and youth group activities begin this Wednesday

~ Women's Bible study begins Friday, Jan. 23

~ Women's Circle will meet this Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

~ Building Committee will meet here at the church Thursday eve at 7:00

After Darlene's introit we were treated to some special music, bluegrass style, by de Elliot Brothers, which included percussion, washtub bass, wash board, harmonicas, slide guitar and some sweet harmonies. Despite the chill outside, hearts were warmed within.

Today's Scripture readings were from Genesis 1:1-5 and Acts 19:1-7... followed by a time of prayer, which included intercession for several people battling cancer or recovering from surgeries.

God Doesn't Give Us Answers, He Is The Answer

Brad opened by talking about his time of soul searching after the loss of his father. We question everything in times like that, including our faith in God's goodness. He said that it's something akin to living life on the back slope of a question mark.

The book's author is someone who refers to himself as The Preacher. The original Hebrew word is Qohelet, which has been translated "a man who addresses an assembly."

According to Brad, rabbis had difficulty with this book. They weren't sure of its aim. By the end of the book much of it appears to be a Naturalistic religion, not necessarily God-inspired. Yet the book is included in the canon of Scripture, and it is included for good reasons, as summarized in these verses from chapter 12:9-11

9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one Shepherd.

That is to say, the wisdom here is like tent pegs which give stability in a shaky world.

Good books begin with a prelude that tell us where they're going, and usually summarize the main points in a conclusion. The Book of Ecclesiastes is no different. At the outset, the writer states "Everything is meaningless." Or another way of putting it, "Vanity, vanity, all is vanity." Life is futile.

The conclusion, however, exhibits a less pessimistic sense.

13 Now all has been heard;

here is the conclusion of the matter:

Fear God and keep his commandments,

for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,

including every hidden thing,

whether it is good or evil.

As Paul writes in II Corinthians 5, we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. Hence, wisdom dictates that we "fear God and keep His commandments."

One of the recurring themes in the Book of Ecclesiastes is captured in verse 2:24... "A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God..." Verses 3:12, 3:22, 5:18, 8:15 and 9:7 all reiterate this theme which almost sounds Epicurean rather than Christian. "Eat drink and be merry."

Brad noted that there is a distinction between the statement, "Life is vain" and "Life is not worth living." The author of Ecclesiastes can only be understood in the of the admonition at the end to fear God and keep His commandments.

The point Pastor Brad sought to bring home today was this. There are many questions that life throws at you, especially during the hard times, and especially those challenging "Why?" questions. But there is no promise in Scripture that all these questions will get answered for us, either now or later. We all want to have pat answers, to see everything complete and have it all figured out. The truth is, you will never figure it out.

He compared it to trying to solve complicated crossword puzzles with a limited vocabulary.

Here are more verses that are challenging to wrestle with.

Eccles. 6:1-2

"I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil."

Also, vs. 9:11

"I have seen something else under the sun:

The race is not to the swift

or the battle to the strong,

nor does food come to the wise

or wealth to the brilliant

or favor to the learned;

but time and chance happen to them all."

Sometime life isn't fair. And, verses like Eccles. 2:14 make it almost seem that whether you are good or not hardly matters. "The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both." Isn't this how it feels sometimes, especially when struggling with death and loss? It's like children who build castles in the sand only to see all their creative fun washed away when the tide rolls in.

Why is this so? All our efforts seems so temporary and transitory. It all seems so empty.

In the realm of science we keep rediscovering that there is nothing new under the sun. And in the realm of history, Brad said, it is almost surprising how quickly the men of old are forgotten, and we ourselves will likewise one day be forgotten a few generations from now. This weighs heavily upon us when we begin to think deeply about these things. And as the Preacher, Qohelet, notes in chapter one verse 18, the more you know, the more you realize how much you don't know.

In point of fact, mystery is intentional, Brad stated. God intends for there to be mystery. How we respond to this makes all the difference in the world. Do we live it up? Give up? No, we're to look up.

When we study Ecclesiastes we see that it affirms three things about God. First, God is sovereign. And as Paul writes in his letter to the Romans, God works all thing for good for those who love the Lord."

Second, God is good. And in His goodness, we find many blessings to help us through the difficulties of life. Don't let the questions in your heart so cloud your life that you fail to enjoy the good gifts He gives. Enjoy your food. Savor the coffee. Brad points out that it actually used to be considered a sin not to enjoy life.

Third, God is holy and just. He will bring our deeds to judgment, including not only what we do but what we didn't do, including the failure to enjoy the good things He has given.

God doesn't promise us answers, but He gives us Himself. He is God, and owes us no explanations. But He has also made other promises, including this one, "I will never leave you, I will never forsake you."

Today's sermon seemed especially heartfelt, and as "deep calls unto deep" this message spoke to many hearts today.