2-25-18 First the River, then the Wilderness

Scripture   Matthew 3:1-4:11

BEHOLD! I am making all things new!

Adam and Eve were in a garden paradise. Everything was perfect. They had nothing to hide from each other and nothing to hide from God because they were living in communion with the Holy God the way God had intended. Have you ever imagined what it would have been like to be Adam and Eve? Talk about making all things new. WOW They were new – everything they saw, smelled, touched experienced was new. Humanity having a relationship with the God who created us was something new. If you were there in this perfect, new setting, and God said eat from any tree you want except THAT ONE; I bet you would have stayed far away from that tree. I bet you would not have eaten from that tree. You would not have given into temptation and sinned like Adam and Eve did – right? Let’s see, how were they tempted?

Physically    The Fruit – (it looked delicious)

Mentally      You will not die (hadn’t died from any other fruit)

Spiritually    You will become like God knowing Good and Evil.

Just like Adam and Eve, we can be tempted Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually. Even when things are going great and in Christ we have been made new, we still seem to have difficulty resisting temptation in one or all three of those ways.

From the moment Adam and Eve committed the first sin, nothing new had happened to change man’s relationship with God – to make it so man could be eternally forgiven. Even Jesus being born didn’t change that, Jesus as a 12-year-old in the temple talking with authority to the teachers of the law didn’t change that. There was nothing new to get us back to that paradise relationship like it was before the fall. But along came someone who said THINGS ARE ABOUT TO CHANGE – something new is about to happen, the kingdom of heaven is near, wake up, turn around, something brand new is about to happen. The one saying all this was a man named John.

“PARAPHRASE”

Matt 3:1-17

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.  And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Even John announcing that something/someone new was coming didn’t yet change things eternally – we are all still kicked out of paradise. But the one who was baptized by John, was about to make all things new. But before he could do that, he had to fully understand why we all act like Adam and Eve AND he had to show us that there is a better way. So, after his baptism Jesus did not go to dinner with his family, in fact he would not eat for the next 40 days. Instead, he committed himself to go into the wilderness alone and spend time with God.

Just like the serpent/devil came and tempted Adam and Eve when everything seemed perfect for them, so too Jesus had just been on a 40 day retreat with God and all seemed good, but along comes the same lying crafty devil to temp Jesus. Let’s see if Jesus was tempted close to how we are tempted.

PARAPHRASE

Matthew4:1-11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (PHYSICALLY)

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:

"'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" (MENTALLY)

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."

Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" (SPIRTUALLY)

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Like Adam and Eve, Like you and me, Jesus was tempted Physically, Mentally , and Spiritually. He not only understands our temptations first hand, he has shown us there is a better way. That better way is repenting – turning to him – to the one who knows our weaknesses, our failings and by his own sacrifice on a tree, he has the power and authority to wash our sins away and makes us like Adam and Eve were in the garden before the fall; the way God designed us to be.

John the Baptist preached a "baptism with water", not of forgiveness but of repentance, and declared himself a forerunner to one who would baptize with the ‘Holy Spirit and with fire’. Finally, something/someone has come and acted in a way that now – for the first time since the fall, all things can be made new. Sins can truly be forgiven and you can be put in right relationship with God.

2-11-18 Getting to know You!

The following was not the intended message. Due to icy road conditions, we canceled service but worshipped with the 20 who arrived anyway. After sharing the scriptures below people shared testimonies of times when Jesus was very real to them.

Scripture  Luke 14:16-24

Jesus loves us by letting us get to know him.

Born like we were born – poor – not in a palace

Raised like we were raised – asserting his independence at age 12 – but obedient to parents.

Let himself be found: at his Baptism – at a wedding – at a well – in a home – at church/synagogue – at work – in prayer – at the transfiguration.

John 12:32-33

“But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.”  33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

Scriptures of Jesus wanting people to know him.

Ps 76:1

In Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel.

Ps 98:2

The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.

Ps 103:7

He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel.

Isa 19:21

So the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the Lord.

Ezek 38:23

“And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”

Ezek 39:7

I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel.

Mark 6:14

King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known.

John 1:17-18

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

John 1:29-34

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."

Rom 1:19-20

What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

1 Cor 2:16

"For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Cor 13:8-12

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

CONCLUSION – I want everyone at my feast

Luke 14:16-24

Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' "Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'

          "The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.' "'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'

          "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.”

We love others by letting them get to know Jesus.

02-04-18 Get in the Game!

Scripture  Ephesians 4:7-13

What If the Church Played the Super Bowl?

Ephesians 4:7-13

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." 9  (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?  10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 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.

          It’s Super Bowl Sunday; we might as well join in the spirit of the game.  How many of you are pulling for the Patriots?  Who would like to see the Eagles win?  How many of you just don’t care? How many of you watch just for the commercials?

          But what if the church played in the Super Bowl?  What if today’s the typical American church played in the Super Bowl?  What if Ashland were in the Superbowl? You’d certainly tune in and cheer for the church, wouldn’t you?

         

Let’s consider five scenes of what the Super Bowl might look like, if the church were to play the Super Bowl.  Along the way, what I hope you learn about the church is this:  "The average church does not need more members, it needs more ministers! More players. More participants. More ministry builders. You can decide which one of these five scenarios is the kind of superbowl champion church you’d like your church to be.

SCENE #1:  THE COACH PLAYS ALONE

Imagine the scene as the teams burst onto the field and are introduced this afternoon at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  You know the scene. The players run onto the field.  Bands are playing.  Rockets explode.  A squadron of Air Force Jets flies overhead.  The players go crazy. Tom Beady and Nick Foles, the team quarterbacks are shouting and pumping up their teams. 

But the Super Bowl I’m talking about this morning is very different.  The coin is tossed, the National Anthem is played and the opposing team runs onto the field.  (We’ll call them the Devil’s Demons.)  Then the cameras zoom in on the church still on the sideline, saying the Lord's Prayer (trespasses). But when the prayer is over, instead of the church taking the field of play, they stay on the sideline and the coach runs onto the field; all alone  If the church is large enough to have some assistant coaches (other paid staff) they run out on the field as well.  Anyway, the coach lines up to receive the kick-off.  Now we know what's going to happen. The ball is kicked and the coach makes the catch and takes a few steps forward and, "BOOM."  Eleven of the Devil’s most talented special teams’ players converge at once on the poor coach.  He dies and and says, “Hey Jesus, someone rung my bell”.

Now who's the church's coach?  Who?  The pastor is the church's coach.  In some churches, like ours, we're fortunate to have a staff of ministers.  But do you really think the coach alone or the staff alone stand a chance against the Devil's Demons?  (Nothing against our other paid staff, but…) About as much chance as the Browns had in making to the superbowl. 

I can see it now.  They kick off.  I set Becky and Teresa up front to throw a few blocks.  But all they hit is the ground.   I have the ball.  Take a few steps forward and realize I'm about to make my wife a widow, so what do I do?  I was going to throw the ball down field to Joey, but he decided to not play because we needed a one-man marching band instead. SO, I lateral the ball to Gary across the field and yell, “Run, Gary, run."  That's why we hired you.  Reach those youth.  Grow our Sunday School.  I'm praying for you!"

No.  That's not the way to play a football game, especially not the Super Bowl.  But sadly, that often illustrates the way too many churches try to do the work of ministry in the church. 

Remember our text, Ephesians 4:11-12, 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.

SCENE #2:  THE HOLY HUDDLE

          After the coach is carried off on three of four stretchers, the team or the church finally realizes they had better get in the game.  So, they run on the field and get in the huddle, and they huddle and they huddle and they huddle. 

The referee throws a flag.  The church is penalized for delay of game.  Five yards is marked off against the church.  So, they get back in the huddle, and they huddle and they huddle and they huddle.  The ref blows his whistle, and throws his flag, five more yards.

The crowd starts to boo.  What's going on?  Why's the church staying in the huddle?  Let's look inside the huddle to see what's going on.  We hear one of the church's players say, "Boy, don't we have a pretty huddle."  Another one says, "I love it here in the huddle."  Still another says, "I love the closeness and the fellowship we enjoy with one another in the huddle."  So, the church joins hands and begins to sing choruses in the huddle. “We shall not be moved.”

We like it in the huddle.  It's safe in the huddle.  You can't get hurt in the huddle.  And while we're safe and secure in our HOLY HUDDLES, the church continues to lose ground in the Super Bowl of life.

SCENE 3:  HUFFY HUDDLE

You can only stay in the huddle so long before you begin to find fault with something or someone in the huddle.  "I don't know why you always get to play quarterback.  I can throw the ball as well as you can!"   

"Why are you wearing that number?  That use to be my number."  "You know I'm really tired of these uniforms.  I think we ought to have different color uniforms!”  And while the church argues among them in a HUFFY HUDDLE, the mass of spectators are left in frustration wondering when the church is going to get in the game. 

Three Things Needed to Develop Teamwork and Bring the Church Out of the Huffy Huddle

1. A Leader on the Team

When I played the game, about one hundred years ago, there was a rule every player understood.  When you're in the huddle, the quarterback calls the plays. Few people are successful unless a lot of other people want them to be.  There's an old Chinese saying, "He who thinks he leads and no one follows, is just taking a walk."  Now we can just take a walk together, or we can follow the leader.  But to be a winning church, we all have to work together, with every player executing his/her responsibilities under the leadership God has given us.

2. A Cause Worth Fighting For

If we're going to get the church out of the huddle, we need a cause worth fighting for.  In Super Bowl LII, two teams will battle for the right to be called "the best in the NFL."  For the church, that which motivates us to come out of the huddle should be the souls of men and women.  But we don’t stop there.  We must be united in our effort to fully disciple every believer who attends our church.

3. We Need an Understanding that "Everyone is Needed."

There are no unimportant saints in God's church.  Another important principle in team sports is this:  No individual player is more important than the team as a whole.  The church needs to learn to play as a team.

On December 28, 1967, the Green Bay Packers lined up on the one-yard line of the Dallas

Cowboys with no time outs, and 13 seconds left in the game.  Dallas was ahead 17 - 14.  Twice the Packers had sent running back Donnie Anderson into the line only to slip on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field in Green Bay.  The temperature at game time was 13 degrees below zero with 15 mile-an-hour winds swirling around the stadium.  As the Packers came to the line of scrimmage for the last play of the game, the quarterback, Bart Starr, called his own number, and dove in behind right guard Jerry Cramer who had managed to place a crushing block on the bigger and stronger Jethro Pugh of the Cowboys.  The Packers won the game and went on to win their third straight NFL championship.  Bart Starr may have scored the touchdown, but it was Jerry Cramer who made the block. PICS & VIDEO  GO TO: https://youtu.be/YsLhU0KlasI

          Everyone is important in the work of the Kingdom!  We can't do it alone. 

SCENE #4:   THE TEAM NEVER RAN DRILLS

Suppose the Patriots (4.5 favorites) are so over-confident that they’ve spent the last two weeks celebrating their victory over the Jaguars to earn the right to return to the Super Bowl.    They haven't even thought about the Eagles.  They know they should win.  They haven't practiced.  They haven't watched a film.  They haven't put together a game plan.

Here's another sport's principle:  "You play like you practice." 

The same principle is true when applied to the church.  "You play like you practice."  When it comes to the lay leadership in the church, we too often find ourselves performing poorly because we have failed to effectively train our leaders. 

Too often this is how churches recruit our leaders.  A member of the church nominating committee walks up to Sister-Do-It-All two minutes before class and says, "Sister Do-It-All, the Lord has laid it on our hearts that you ought to teach our three-year-old class.  We know how much you love children since you have seven of your own.  Besides, if you don't do it then no one else will.  So, we give Sister Do-It-All a Sunday School quarterly and shove her in the class room door and lock the door behind her.

One of the most important things we have learned is that the reason our people refuse leadership in the church is because they have tried it before and had such a terrible experience that they promised themselves, "I'll never do that again."

The church is out of the huddle but they're still being defeated because they haven't been trained. 

SCENE #5:   THE TURN AROUND TEAM

Halftime finally comes.  The church drags itself into the locker room, bruised and embarrassed.  But to our surprise Jesus sent the coach back to the team.  He gives them this pep talk.

"I have a confession to make.  First of all, I've failed to equip you to do the job.  I've tried to do it by myself.  I know you don't feel adequate to do the job.  I know you don't know what to do or how to do it.  But from this moment on, it's your game.  I'll teach you and I'll show you how, but you've got to play the game.  I believe in you.  I know you can do it.  Now let's get out there and win one for the Lord!"

And the church charges out of the locker room back onto the field for the second half.  The Church takes the kick-off and return it for a touchdown.  The Church intercepts a pass and carries it all the way for another TD. 

The church’s front line, led by the Deacons, the board of education, the trustees, the executive council, the mission committee, the personnel committee, the nominating committee, the nursery committee, the marketing committee, the first impressions team, the ushers, the greeters, the church unique team, the choir, the bell choir, the kids choir, the orchestra, the instrumentalists, the media team, the website and social media developers, who make Sunday Power Point slides, the prayer warriors, nursery volunteers, those who send encouragement cards and gifts, those who visit hospitals and shut ins, serve communion, the prayer team, those who serve meals and hand out groceries, those who plan and organize events like fun day, Omas’s soup kitchen and auction, Sunday school and WOW teachers, Vacation bible school workers, those who make coffee on Sunday, those who lead bible studies, who collect mittens and school supplies, who receive a life time ministry award, who prepare the Turkey Dinner, who run the video camera, who update our church library, who keep track of finances and pay the bills, the ones who don’t have a specific job but serve whenever they can, the people who clean up after events, those who invite others to church, our nursery workers, our secretary, our accompanist, our minister of music, our youth leader, our senior pastor, those who seek to develop new ministries for an ever changing world around us, those who live out their faith at home and at work or school, those who follow Jesus when he said “I did not come to be served but to serve.”

Finally, on the last play of the Super Bowl, with no time outs left, and the clock running out, the quarterback dives over for the winning touchdown.  But the star of the game is not the quarterback, but the team.  It's been a total turn around, a total team effort! 

And as the Commissioner awards the church the Super Bowl trophy, we humbly bow and place our award, our victory and our recognition at the feet of the Team Owner, the Lord of Lords as we say, “Worthy is the Lamb to receive honor, and glory, and praise.”  We press on to receive that high calling which is in Christ Jesus alone.  To God be the Glory forever and ever.  Amen!

Now that’s a Super Bowl for the Ages!

-------------------------

Acts 6:1-7

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Jesus got in the game. 

1-28-18 All hail the POWER of Jesus name!

Scripture    Ephesians3:14-21 (The Message)

      A)  The introduction to the prayer

14 My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, 15 this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth.

      B)   The description of the prayer

16 I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit — not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength — 17 that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, 18 you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! 19 Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

      C)   The doxology

          20 God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. 21 Glory to God in the church!

Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

*****************************************************************************         

      A)  The introduction to the prayer

14 My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, 15 this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth.

As Paul begins - he is describing in print how he really prays for them – he begins by kneeling – a posture of submitting to the one you are praying too – And it sounds like as he prays God must be recalling in his mind: Isa 45:22-24     "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, 'In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength.'"

          The kneeling posture is a sign for Christians of what all will one day be forced to do by the power of God: Phil 2:9-11     Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

      B)   The description of the prayer

16 I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit — not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength — 17 that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, 18 you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! 19 Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

In our English translation, Paul prayed for three things:

      1)    Strengthen you by His Spirit

      2)    Christ live in you

      3)    Walk in Christ’s incomparable love.

In the Greek it is a long run on sentence so that Paul only prayed one thing and describes what that looks like: “Strengthen you by His Spirit as Christ lives in you and you walk in Christ’s incomparable love.”

The prayer and the doxology are connected by the words “power” and “glory” – the Power comes from God’s Glory. Power and Spirit are synonymous.

Paul often speaks of the individual being “in Christ” and only 5 times – including here – mentions Christ being “in us.”

      C)   The doxology

          20 God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. 21 Glory to God in the church!

Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

          This doxology of Paul is reminiscent of Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

No matter what we think God can do, He can and will do so much more. Our concept of God’s Love and Power are always too small.  I have used Eph 3:20-21 as my benediction for as long as I can remember because it is true 100% of the time. It is not only true, it is always correct – the right fit for every message from God’s word. These verses are not my favorite nor are they my life verse. However, they are every sermon’s exclamation point! No matter how we respond to the message – God always has more for us!

THE PRAYER AS A WHOLE

Notice that this prayer is about seeing things from God’s perspective. Most of our prayers are about telling God what our perspective is. Telling God our issues and wanting Him to intervene. What about praying in such a way that we are simply trying to see life – our life from God’s point of view. Prayer becomes a means of spending time with the Father and knowing better what His desire and plan is. How can that revolutionize our prayer lives? Prayer is no longer primarily about what I need (even the most noble things) rather it is about recognizing who God is and desiring to know Him more.  Then, for our struggles we will be “Strengthened by His Spirit as Christ lives in us and we walk in Christ’s incomparable love.”

Prayer as a means of communion with God is in line with scripture – At Jesus’ birth He is Immanuel = ‘God with us’ to His ascension where he promises to be ‘with us’ to the end of the age.

          Our prayer should be more focused on Jesus Christ -how can we do that? Focus on His name – all the names he is given – here are 50 names for Jesus to start with:…

50 Names and Titles of Jesus:

1.  Almighty One – “…who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Rev. 1:8

2.  Alpha and Omega – “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Rev. 22:13

3.  Advocate – “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” 1 John 2:1

4.  Author and Perfecter of Our Faith – “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb. 12:2

5.  Authority – “Jesus said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matt. 28:18

6.  Bread of Life – “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” John 6:35

7.  Beloved Son of God – “And behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 3:17

8.  Bridegroom – “And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Matt. 9:15

9.  Chief Cornerstone – “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.” Ps. 118:22

10. Deliverer – “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thess.1:10

11. Faithful and True – “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.” Rev.19:11

12. Good Shepherd - “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

13. Great High Priest – “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” Heb. 4:14

14. Head of the Church – “And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.” Eph. 1:22

15. Holy Servant – “…and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." Acts 4:29-30

16. I Am – “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58

17. Immanuel – “…She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel, which means 'God with us.’” Is. 7:14

18. Indescribable Gift – “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” 2 Cor. 9:15

19. Judge – “…he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.” Acts 10:42

20. King of Kings – “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” Rev. 17:14

21. Lamb of God – “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

22. Light of the World – "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

23. Lion of the Tribe of Judah – “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Rev. 5:5

24. Lord of All – “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil. 2:9-11

25. Mediator – “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Tim. 2:5

26. Messiah – “We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ).” John 1:41

27. Mighty One – “Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” Is. 60:16

28. One Who Sets Free – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”  John 8:36

29. Our Hope – “…Christ Jesus our hope.” 1 Tim. 1:1

30. Peace – “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,” Eph. 2:14

31. Prophet – “And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” Mark 6:4

32. Redeemer – “And as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.” Job 19:25

33. Risen Lord – “…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Cor. 15:3-4

34. Rock – “For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.” 1 Cor. 10:4

35. Sacrifice for Our Sins – “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10

36. Savior – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

37. Son of Man – “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10

38. Son of the Most High – “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.” Luke 1:32

39. Supreme Creator Over All – “By Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.…” 1 Cor. 1:16-17

40. Resurrection and the Life – “Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” John 11:25

41. The Door – “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9

42. The Way – “Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

43. The Word – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

44. True Vine - "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” John 15:1

45. Truth – “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

46. Victorious One – “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” Rev. 3:21

47. – 50. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace – “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Is. 9:6

          It is this Jesus who will “Strengthen you by His Spirit as Christ lives in you and you walk in Christ’s incomparable love.”

1-21-18 2nd Chance Avenew

Scripture   2 Timothy 4:6-11

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.

          That last sentence reveals one of the greatest “God making all things new” moments in the life of one person. The way God made all things new in that situation is often how God makes all things new – he used one person to give another person a 2^nd chance. We have all had times where God’s GPS “God’s Positioning System” has put us on 2^nd Chance Avenew.

Paul and Joseph had a sharp disagreement about a young man in ministry. The young Man’s name is John - Mark. Paul used to be Saul and Joseph is renamed Barnabas.

John = Mark  /  Saul = Paul  /  Joseph = Barnabas  +  Each of those new names represents being made new through a second chance. Let’s see what happens when Barnabas wants to bring John Mark (BTW they were cousins – Col 4:10) on the next missionary journey. On a previous journey Mark had failed Paul and left out of fear.

CUE: When I say, “This is what took place…”

VIDEO 2: “Peter & Paul” Paul and Barnabas haver a heated discussion about Mark joining them on a missionary journey and disagree and go their separate ways.

God used Barnabas to lead both of these men down “Second Chance Avenew” – to allow God to do a new work in and through them separately and together.  Barnabas’ birth name was Joseph but the apostles renamed him – The Son of Encouragement – Barnabas. In the Greek it is Parakaleo which means to implore someone to come to one's side; to aid or support. 

Barnabas Encourages Paul – after his conversion

Acts 9:26-27   When Paul came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took Paul and brought him to the apostles.

          The disciples sent Paul to Tarsus for a long period of time…

Acts 11:25-26   Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Mark is the author of the gospel of Mark. His mother’s name was Mary (Acts 12:12), whose house was being used as a place for believers to gather and pray. That gave him a unique view of Jesus (like a kid growing up in someone’s home who has famous people over all the time – they get a view like no one else) Mark 14:51–52 describes a young man/Mark fleeing the arrest naked.

Mark was a helper on Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey (Acts 13:5). However, he did not stay through the whole trip. Mark deserted Paul and Barnabas in Pamphylia and left the work (Acts 15:38).

Sometime later, after Paul and Barnabas had returned from their first journey, Paul expressed a desire to go back to the brothers in the cities they had previously visited to see how everyone was doing (Acts 15:36). Barnabas agreed, if they could take Mark with them. Paul refused, citing Mark’s previous desertion. Paul thought it best not to have a quitter with them. Paul and Barnabas had a “sharp disagreement” about Mark (verse 39) and wound up separating from each other and going on separate journeys. Barnabas took Mark with him to Cyprus, and Paul took Silas with him through Syria and Cilicia to encourage the believers in those churches (Acts 15:39–41).

Barnabas, the “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36), desired to forgive Mark’s failure and to give him a second chance. Paul took the more rational view: pioneering missionary work requires dedication, resolve, and endurance. Paul saw Mark as a risk to their mission.

          Mark sails off to Cyprus with his cousin Barnabas, but that is not the end of his story. Years later, he is with Paul, who calls him a “fellow worker” (Philemon 1:24). And near the end of Paul’s life, Paul sends a request to Timothy from a Roman prison: “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).

VIDEO 3

RUNNING THE WRONG DIRECITON

On New Year's Day, 1929, Georgia Tech played University of California in the Rose Bowl. In that game a man named Roy Riegels recovered a fumble for California. Somehow, he became confused and started running 65 yards in the wrong direction. One of his teammates, Benny Lom, outdistanced him and tackled him just before he scored for the opposing team. When California attempted to punt, Georgia Tech blocked the kick and scored a safety which could potentially be the ultimate margin of victory.

That strange play came in the first half, and everyone who was watching the game was asking the same question: "What will Coach Nibbs Price do with Roy Riegels in the second half?" The men filed off the field and went into the locker room. They sat down on the benches and on the floor, all but Riegels. He put his blanket around his shoulders, sat down in a corner, put his face in his hands, and cried like a baby.

If you have played football, you know that a coach usually has a great deal to say to his team during half time. That day Coach Price was quiet. No doubt he was trying to decide what to do with Riegels. Then the timekeeper came in and announced that there were three minutes before the 2^nd half. Coach Price looked at the team and said simply, "Men the same team that played the first half will start the second." The players got up and started out, all but Riegels. He did not budge. the coach looked back and called to him again; still he didn't move. Coach Price went over to where Riegels sat and said, "Roy, didn't you hear me? The same team that played the first half will start the second."

Then Roy Riegels looked up and his cheeks were wet with a strong man's tears. "Coach," he said, "I can't do it to save my life. I've ruined you, I've ruined the University of California, I've ruined myself. I couldn't face that crowd in the stadium to save my life."

Then Coach Price reached out and put his hand on Riegel's shoulder and said to him: "Roy, get up and go on back; the game is only half over." And Roy Riegels went back, and those Tech men will tell you that they have never seen a man play football as Roy Riegels played that second half.

TAG THE BASE

On September 23, 1908, in New York City, there were two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. The New York Giants and the Chicago Cubs were battling for the National League pennant, with the score tied at 1-1. The Giants had two men on base: 19-year-old Fred Merkle on first and Moose McCormick on third. Al Bridwell slapped a single up the middle, scoring McCormick.

The game seemed to be over. But instead of tagging second base, Fred Merkle trotted off the field to the Giants' locker room. The Cubs threw the ball to second, forcing out Merkel. The run didn't count, the Giants lost the pennant, and Fred Merkle picked up the name, "Bonehead Merkle."

If that happened today Bonehead would have gotten hate notices and death threats on Social Media and likely be fired from the team. But that did not happen for Fred Merkle, he got another chance and went on to play for 14 more seasons, including five trips to the World Series.

CAREFUL WITH THAT LIGHTBULB

Thomas A. Edison was working on a crazy contraption called a "light bulb" and it took a whole team of men 24 straight hours to put just one together. The story goes that when Edison was finished with one light bulb, he gave it to a young boy helper, who nervously carried it up the stairs. Step by step he cautiously watched his hands, obviously frightened of dropping such a priceless piece of work. You've probably guessed what happened by now; he dropped the bulb at the top of the stairs. It took the entire team of men twenty-four more hours to make another bulb. Finally, tired and ready for a break, Edison was ready to have his bulb carried up the stairs. He gave it to the same young boy who dropped the first one. That is a second chance.

A second chance usually indicates that we somehow failed or came up short the first time. A second chance is epitome of making all things new. Reigel, Merkle, a young boy, the Apostle Paul and John Mark had a chance for a new outcome.

After Benediction:  VIDEO POSTLUDE

1-14-18 Of these two, which was made new?

Scripture   Acts 21:40-22:12; Acts 9:3-21; Acts 21:13-16               

ANNINIAS (3 different ones)

Ch 5 – lied about $

Ch 22-23 – High Priest had Paul it in the mouth

Ch 9 (22) – told to take God’s message to Saul

Acts 21:40-22:12          PAUL’S STORY

Having received the commander's permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic:  "Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense." When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. (الإخوة والآباء، والاستماع الآن إلى دفاعي.)

          Then Paul said: "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

          "About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' "'Who are you, Lord?' I asked. "'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. "'What shall I do, Lord?' I asked. "'Get up,' the Lord said, 'and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.'  My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.

          12 "A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.

Acts 9:3-21                ANANIAS’S STORY

As Saul neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"  "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered. The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight." "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name." But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

          Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord-Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here — has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

Acts 21:13-16                 PAUL’S STORY CONTINUED WITH ANANIAS

He stood beside me and said, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that very moment I was able to see him. 14 "Then he said: 'The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'

SONG DRAMA - Sittin by the window prayin (written by Ken Medema, performed by Pastor Jeff Cooper, Accompanied by Teresa Blowers.

1-7-18 2018 THEME INTRODUCTION

BEHOLD, I am making all things new

Scripture  Revelation 21:5

Rev 21:1-8

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."

5 And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." 6 Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. 7 "He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. 8 "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."     NASU

This is the time of year many of us like to say: BEHOLD, I am making all things (or at least some things – or maybe a single thing) in my life – NEW! Do we have the power to make things new in our life? Of course, we do. I recently heard one of our US Navy retired admiral’s say the reason he advanced to such a high rank is that at a young age he determined he would make his bed first thing every day. (#1 Book Cover)  How do you go from making your bed to being an admiral in the US Navy? By that, he meant he would live a life of discipline, doing little things that can change your life…and maybe your world. He would do the things that needed to be done even when he didn’t feel like it, to not only achieve a certain outcome (like regularly working out makes you in better shape) but to live a life of high character regardless of the outcome.

Or take nineteen-year-old Jonathan Edwards (#2 J. Edwards) who knew his weaknesses and was aware of the destructive nature of his sin, so he resolved to make and keep certain resolutions in his effort to live for God’s glory. He helped pave the way for us all as he prefaced his seventy resolutions with these words: (#3 frame)

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.

Some would say the Christian need not make resolutions but simply live daily the life God wants us to live. I would disagree, otherwise I would not give a call to decision and prayer at the end of each sermon. Also, I find resolutions to make things new throughout the scriptures by various people.

Dan 1:8  But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

Matt 1:19  Because Joseph, Mary’s husband, was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

Acts 19:21  After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. "After I have been there," he said, "I must visit Rome also."

Colossians 3:15-22

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another.

17 Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

18 Wives, submit to your husbands.

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

20 Children, obey your parents in everything.

21 Fathers, do not embitter your children.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor.

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

2 Thess 1:11

 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.

I say we have a biblical principal to make resolutions founded on our faith in Christ and that we should determine to regularly make things new in our lives.

PUT OFF: Gal 5:19-22 (The obvious sinful nature) sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

PUT ON: Gal 5:22-23 (The fruit of the Spirit) love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Which is easier – get rid of the bad or start living the good? If we start living the good, there is no longer room for the bad.  Gal 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

THAT IS THE KEY: keep in step with the spirit because even though we have human potential to Make Thins New! It is only by the presence, strength, wepons and will of God that we stand a chance. Besides seeking God to make things new in our lives – we need to seek where God is doing a new thing around us. We can either watch others engaged in the work of God or we can dive in to the center of God’s activity and be a part of the movement of God in history.

          Like God we can make something new out of something old but only God can make something new out of NOTHING.

The door bell rings. You open the door. A man is standing there that you know to be the most trusted, most reliable man in your community. He wants to make you an offer. "I would like to take all of the furniture in your house," he says, "and trade it for brand new furniture. It is the very best. You can pick and choose anything you want. I'll make it an even trade."

How would you respond to that offer? Let's imagine (strictly hypothetical, of course) that your furniture is 100% early garage sale. The springs sag. The upholstery snags. It is covered in rags. You called Goodwill once, and they came and offered to give you $10 to keep the stuff. (#4 furniture) So here comes the most trusted person you know offering to haul off all that junk for nothing and pay whatever price is necessary to replace it with the very best. How long would it take you to decide?

Suppose you drove up to church in your 1963 junkmobile, the usual cloud of smoke ascending into the air behind your clattering tailpipe, your best friend pulls up next to you in his new Mercedes. (#5 cars) After you pried your door open with the screwdriver that you keep in the glove box just for that purpose, you try to act nonchalant in the process. You greet your friends in the new Mercedes without even an evident glint of envy in your carbon monoxide filled eyes. Now suppose that friend offers to trade you even. That's right. Even. Your lemon for his limo. No cost. No strings attached. How long would you have to ponder whether or not that was a viable offer?

Now, our God has made us an offer that makes the two situations I've just described pale in comparison. He has offered to take our old lives and make them new, brand new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 is the card tucked in with the offer. It says, Therefore, if any man is IN CHRIST, he is a new creation. Old things are passing away. Behold, all things are becoming new. So God has offered to take your clattering, smoking junkmobile of a life and trade it for a brand new model Christler. He has offered to take the tattered and torn furnishings of your life and clean house. He will replace every single item with brand new Eternity design, His favorite brand. You say, what an offer! God has offered you a new life on earth.

But He has gone one step farther. He has even said, "This new life is just temporary. One day soon, I'm going to take that life in trade for something SO MUCH BETTER that you'll need new eyes just to look at it." He will tuck in another card with a verse from Revelation 21:5 that says, Behold, I am making all things new. Then the process will have been replaced by the product. The prayer will give way to the promise. He who began a good work in you will have completed it. God will have made ALL THINGS NEW.