09-25-16 The Proximity and Presence of God

Scripture  Psalm 148:1-14

Stand outside sanctuary and speak without being seen:

“How would it be if a preached for the next 30 minutes like this?” Go several different places showing different views of proximity and Closeness. Finally, “What if I could get inside your brain and communicate directly to you where you are?

Let me check your brain power

Show slide for 1 second:    GODISNOWHERE

          What if I could pick random people to help me read the scripture? (Pick my family)

Ps 148:1-14

Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights above.

2 Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.

4 Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.

6 He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.

7Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,

9 you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,

10 wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,

11 kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth,

12 young men and maidens, old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted;

his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

14 He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints, of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord!

God is near / God is far

          When we see God as only near – we make God small: Jer 23:23-24 “Am I only a God nearby, and not a God far away?  Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him? Do not I fill heaven and earth?” God is not SOMEWHERE SOMETIMES – God is EVERYWHERE ALWAYS!

God is: OMNIPRESENT The prefix omni- comes from the Latin meaning “all.” So, to say that God is omnipresent is to say that God is present everywhere. God's presence is continuous throughout all of creation, though it may not be revealed in the same way at the same time to people everywhere. At times, He may be actively present in a situation, while He may not reveal that He is present in another circumstance in some other area. God is not only everywhere – but God is here Josh 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Why does God seem close one moment and distant the next?

In a dramatic display of God's power, the prophet Elijah witnessed God's nearness. He challenged the prophets of Baal to climb Mount Carmel for a contest: his God against theirs. After these false prophets spent most of the day pleading for their god to accept their sacrifice, Elijah prayed to the one true God. Immediately "the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil . . ." (1 Kings 18:38). Amazed by God's response, the people put the prophets of Baal to death.

When wicked Queen Jezebel heard what had happened to her prophets, she sent Elijah a message: "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them" (19:2).

As a result, "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life" (v. 3).

Did Elijah think God would not, or could not, help him?

          What about Peter?  Matt 16:17-18

Jesus said, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

          Vs 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

         

NEAR than FAR     Proximity VS Presence PIANO – play the piano

          Psalms 148:14. . . For the people of Israel who are near to him.

Distance and separation were marks of the old covenant. When God appeared to His Moses, He said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet";¹ and when He revealed Himself on Mount Sinai to His own chosen people, one of the first commands was, "You shall set limits for the people all around." In the sacred worship of the tabernacle and the temple, the thought of distance was always prominent.

SIX TEMPLE SLIDES: Court of the Gentiles – Court of the Women – Court of the Israelites/Men – Court of the priests – Holy Place – Holy of Holies.

When Jesus came, things changed. The word "Go" was replaced with "Come";

       Matt 11:28     Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

       Matt 19:14     Let the little children come to me

       John 7:37-38  If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

Ephesians 2:11-13

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:19-22

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

3 slides:

1        GODISNOWHERE

2        GOD IS NO WHERE

3        GOD IS NOW HERE

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.

Revelation 3:20

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

09-18-16 Here we go round the mulberry bush

Scripture  Luke 17:5-6

VIDEO: Mustard Seed Faith

INTRODUCITON

Our first home was at 101 N Westmore in Columbus. It had two trees in the front yard – one diseased and one huge. How I removed the large one – the roots were two much even for a backhoe.

5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"

6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.”

Here we go round the mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush.
Here we go round the mulberry bush
So early in the morning.

This was associated with a children’s game acting out the verses. What’s wrong with the song? Mulberry’s do not grow on bushes; they grow on trees (various theories why it was called a bush).

The root structure of a mulberry tree is vastly different than that of most trees. Most trees have a vertical root system and may mirror the foliage toward the top of the tree. That is: the roots go down deep. MULBERRY ROOTS The mulberry has a vertical root system as well, but has an even more extensive vertical root system that goes no deeper than two feet but spreads out even further than the edge of the canopy size of its branches and leaves. It does this to get nutrients far and wide. Watering a mulberry tree is done past the size of the tree, not at the trunk like most of us would do.

My faith won’t let me put out into the deep. Why? Can I change that?

Story of Noah building the ark – my faith wouldn’t let me do that.

Story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac – my faith wouldn’t let me do that.

Story of Peter walking on Water – my faith wouldn’t let me do that.

Story of Stephen – would my faith let me do that? I hope so.

          (First I would ask to speak to the assassin’s supervisor…)

Some churches seem to grow and grow – do I have faith Ashland can have that happen? I would say, “well I don’t have enough history to know what we are capable of.” What’s wrong with that? That assumes people are at the center of church growth and seeing people saved. I know what Jesus can do – that is where my faith needs to be. But I have already talked myself out of a spiritual giant type of faith. WAIT WAIT WAIT – Jesus didn’t say I needed to have a spiritual giant kind of faith. He said, and I quote: If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.

Jesus said several things there:

Mustard seeds are the small round seeds of various mustard plants. MUSTARD SEED The seeds are usually about (0.039 to 0.079 in) in diameter and may be colored from yellowish white to black. They are an important spice in many regional foods and may come from one of three different plants: black mustard, brown Indian mustard, or white mustard-mixed with water or vinegar it creates ‘mustard’.

1)    Not everyone has faith. “If you have faith…”

2)    Faith comes in different sizes “…as small as a mustard seed”

3)    You can speak and act in faith beyond your natural abilities.

4)    Speak/Act in faith (in Jesus is implied) and the thing spoken to will obey HIM.

Let’s recall – my faith/our faith is not giant – it seems pretty small when compared to Noah, Abraham, Peter and Stephen. But to do a great thing, as impressive as moving a tree with an astounding root system and tossing it aside, we only need a little faith…HOW LITTLE? As little as yours and we will see God move in the lives of people in Oregon, Ohio and the surrounding area like never before. So, do you have faith in Jesus? Is it an active faith? Will you be counted among Jesus’ apostles – ones who are sent in His name out into the deep where you will let down your nets, because you KNOW there will be a great catch.

09-11-16 Parable of the Fishless Fishers!

Scripture   Acts 26:15-18

Scripture Reading:               Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-13, 16

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men."  It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Jesus call to a specific person from which we see the principal of God:

Acts 26:15-18 (A man named Saul, who was persecuting Christians…and had a vision of Jesus)

 "Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?'

"'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied.

16 'Now get up and stand on your feet.

ORDERS: I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.

17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light,

and from the power of Satan to (the power of) God,

so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Jesus call to a specific person from which we see the principal of God:

Luke 19:7-10

All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'" But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham (FAITH). For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. (more faith in GPS)"

John 20:21-22

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."  And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

          When followers of Jesus fail to share the good news of Jesus with others what happens? Then all of us miss out on the joy Paul knew from seeing other people receive eternal life. AND the Zacchaeus’ of the world die without receiving eternal life from Jesus. It is like --- we become fishermen without catching any fish – OR we become fishless fishers:

A Parable of Fishless Fishers

Once upon a time there was a group of people who called themselves Fishers. They lived in a place where streams and lakes abounded and where there were fish in abundance. Week after week, month after month, year after year, the Fishers held meetings and talked about their call to fish, the abundance of fish and how to fish. Again and again they defined what it meant to be Fishers, defended fishing as an honorable vocation and declared that fishing was the primary task of Fishers.

The Fishers continually sought new and better methods of fishing and for new and better definitions of fishing “in a new day, in a new way.” They proclaimed “the fishing industry exists by fishing as fire exists by burning,” and were ever creating slogans such as “Fishing: The Task of Every Fisher” and “Every Fisher Is An Outpost of the Fishers’ Club.”

The Fishers sponsored special meetings – rallies – called “Fishing Campaigns,” held “Fishers’ Months” and held costly national and worldwide congresses to discuss and promote fishing, to hear about new fishing equipment and “fish calls,” and to learn what new, more effective fishing bait had been discovered.

The Fishers appointed committees and hired staff and held more meetings to define and defend fishing and to decide which new streams should be considered for possible fishing. But – the staff and committee members did not fish.

Large and elaborate training units were created for the primary purpose of teaching Fishers to fish. Courses were offered in the needs of fish, the nature of fish, the care and feeding of fish and how to approach fish. Many of the teachers had earned doctoral degrees in fishology. But the teachers still did not fish. They only taught fishing.

Year after year, many completed the tedious training and were graduated and given fishing licenses. Some were sent to distant waters that were full of fish. Their going inspired others to respond to the call to be Fishers. These, too, were commissioned and sent out to fish, but, like the Fishers back home, they never fished. They built power plants to pump water for fish, supplied tractors to plow waterways and traveled here and there to look at fish hatcheries.

Others who said they wanted to be a part of the fishing parties but couldn’t go contributed funds to enable real live Fishers to go and to furnish fishing equipment. Still others thought their job was to relate to the fish in a “good, kind way” so that fish would know the difference between “good” and “bad” Fishers.

Then, after one stirring meeting in which the necessity of fishing was preached, one young person felt a “call,” and soon after leaving the meeting actually went fishing. The next day the young Fisher reported catching not one but two outstanding fish. The other Fishers were overjoyed and began to honor the young Fisher for excellent work. They scheduled appointments for the successful Fisher to share the experience of success with others and tell other Fishers’ Clubs how to do it. Soon the new Fisher, much in demand as a speaker, quit fishing in order to have time to speak – and to serve on the General Board of Fishers International where his considerable experience could benefit everyone.

          Now; I am sure everyone is inspired to go up to complete strangers and share the good news of Jesus. But maybe you feel having a pastor or spiritual leader telling you what to say would be best. With modern technology – this is now possible. Picture yourself witnessing to a total stranger for the very first time, but with help: WITNESSOLA VIDEO

          In a fun way we see the absurdity of trying to do something we are completely uncomfortable with and unprepared for. What about this – what if we start with simply inviting people to a place where they can hear the good news of Jesus. What if we try a 12-month experiment and become the most inviting church in the Toledo area?  A ministry team has begun that is looking at ways to make Oregon and Greater Toledo know we are even here. Mailers are going to be sent out to people who have just moved into the area. We are recreating a more attractive and inviting website. We are going to give guests a few priority parking spots. But there is nothing better than an invitation from someone whom the guest will see when they come to church for the very first time. As you invite and more people come to faith in Jesus, new gifts and skill sets are added to the ministry of our church and the more we honor Jesus and reach out in His name. There are many things we can do besides just inviting people to church, but let’s begin there – the Bible says – the one who is faithful with little, will be given much. Let’s do this one little thing – be faithful in it – and watch for the blessings of God.

Acts 26:16-18

'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness. I am sending you to people to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins by faith in me.'

09-04-16 Equipped for a Labor Day of Love!

Scripture  Colossians 3:17-24

17 And Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

17 And Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Vs 17 could be about any aspect of life. Sounds like our entire life should reflect Jesus as the moon reflects the sun which is our way of giving thanks to God for life.

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.     Paul did not argue the

legal status of the day as people would in our day. Men were the legal authority in the home – period. It had to do with position – not importance or value. It was a directive of temperament that would be kind and pleasing and peaceful. It is a call of all Christians to submit to one another. For children and slaves the word obey is Active Imperative where submit is in the middle voice rendering it a choice which is ‘fitting in the Lord.’

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. The primary purpose of marriage was to produce offspring. Paul Veyne said, “love in marriage was a stroke of good fortune, it was not the basis of the institution.” But a Christian husband is commanded to ‘love his wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.  Ephesians 6:1-3  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"-which is the first commandment with a promise— "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Just like husbands are to love the wife who chooses to submit, so the Father loves the children who are obedient. It goes back to the first verse for today: Whatever you do*, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, husbands, children, Fathers

21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.  Who wants children that live a discouraged life? If the parent doesn’t encourage (put courage into…) the world sure won’t.  Some parents feel so inferior, that discouraging their children makes them feel better. NO! A parent’s job is to encourage your children to be the best they can be in the most positive way – what we did with driving…

LAST GROUP:

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

Some would say that Paul is affirming slavery by addressing them here. The opposite is true. He can’t change the institution of slavery but he can treat slaves like everyone else. Considered as property, one thing slaves lacked was self-respect. Paul treats them as morally responsible individuals like he would anyone else. By doing so, they are elevated to the status of “real people” and Christians regardless of their socio economic status. Illustration: selling pencils to store manager.

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord*, not for men, My Rainbow/janitor story – Living this principle this will change your life!

24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. If your hard work doesn’t pay in this life it will in the next, and it doesn’t matter because your excellence at work shows how much you love Jesus!

"KEEP THE WORKDAY HOLY"

Bumper-sticker philosophy, "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go." For a vast portion of the workforce, that's the best reason they can muster for going to the job each day. According to one poll, only 43 percent of American office workers are satisfied with their jobs.

In Christ our jobs should have more meaning than a paycheck: Martin Luther wrote, "The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk who prays - not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors. The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship."

Do good works for God by doing good work for your employer.

MR> ROGERS NEIGHBORHOOD

The late Fred Rogers, creator and host of the much-loved children's television program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, had a special understanding of his ministry and his work. His widow, Joanne Rogers, told a journalist: "I always remind people that he was an ordained Presbyterian minister and his educational children’s show was his ministry. His work was his ministry, and he loved his work; my, did he love his work. That's what makes me sad about losing him. Because I think he would have worked for a long time more if he could have.” When we honor God and help people, then our work and ministry blend together in pleasing service to the Lord. Mister Rogers showed us how we can do that in our own neighborhood/Work/or School.

Does your work seem like a waste of time? Imagine what life would be like if nobody bothered to do the job you do.

1. No matter what our task, it's our duty to work for God's glory. In this sense, no job is better than another. Each should result in honor to God.

2. The way we work can earn the respect of those who do not follow Christ. A boss shouldn't have to tell a Christian to use time well or to work hard.

3. Our work is one way to fulfill our dual purpose: to love God and others. Showing love to our co-workers is a good way to show that we love God.

4. We must work to provide for those who depend on us. Harsh words of criticism are reserved for those who don't take care of their family. 1 Tim 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Having a job can be hard work. Even for those who truly enjoy their jobs, it's nice to have a Labor Day breather. But until the day comes when our work is over, our task is to make our labor a testimony to God's glory. It's not the hours you put in that count, but what you put in the hours.

As you wake up each day – what will you invest in the hours you have at work? Not how will you get through the day, but how will you invest that time each day when you work as though working for the Lord? Hear our text a final time with the word today interjected throughout.

CONCLUSION

Add the word TODAY in the text below

Whatever you do TODAY, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, submit to your husbands TODAY, as is fitting in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives TODAY and do not be harsh with them.

Children, obey your parents in everything TODAY, for this pleases the Lord.

Fathers, do not embitter your children TODAY, or they will become discouraged.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything TODAY; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

Whatever you do TODAY, work at it with all your heart TODAY, as working for the Lord TODAY, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving TODAY.

          Do THIS and you will be Equipped for a Labor Day of Love!