Yes, they are growing, not only in size but also in number. We were blessed to have eleven today to enjoy Reverend Ed’s young disciple’s sermon, starting from age 2 on up! They are in the front row every week, soaking in the wisdom of the Word to take with them every day. Reverend Ed is wonderful with them, engaging even the youngest little one in praise with “we did it!” and clapping at the end.
Young Disciples’ Sermon September 11, 2016
Today we learned that Jesus searches for even one little lost sheep, one coin, and one sinner no matter how the establishment mocks Him.
1Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying:
4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”
15 The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite![a]Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.
For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. – 2 Corinthians 4:5-7
Sunday morning I had a really great experience that did a lot to give me hope, and keep this crazy messed-up world in perspective. In other words, I attended worship at a Christian church.
Once in a while people actually read my books and then I get invited to speak; this time it was at a little country church in Willow Spring, about 40 miles south of Wake Forest, near Fuquay Varina on the other side of Raleigh.
When I was planning my message, I couldn’t get the “We have this treasure in clay jars” idea out of my head, so I used the entire 2 Corinthians 4 chapter as my text, and talked about the opportunity – and the responsibility – we all have to put our treasure to good use.
After I read the scripture, and before I started to share what was on my heart, I said, “You all need to know that one of the things I do is to write a daily blog. I try to reflect on what God is teaching me on an ongoing basis, and there’s a strong likelihood that you are going to be featured in the next couple of days. So…” (and here I pointed my iPhone at the congregation), “smile and wave at the camera!”
Then I shared what was – I trust – twenty minutes or so of encouragement. Here are the first couple of paragraphs:
Good morning! It’s great to be here with you today. I’m always torn when I receive invitations to speak – because on the one hand I absolutely love to worship with my faith community in Wake Forest… and on the other I feel a compelling calling to share good news and encouragement with anyone who is willing to listen.
Fact is, there seems to be such an epidemic of bad news in the world – both foreign and domestic – that it’s all too easy to get sucked into a negative frame of mind. So I always make it a point to remind people – both readers and listeners – that:
1. Light always defeats darkness, that…
2. Good will always overcome evil, that…
3. The work of the church is – always – that of “The Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the World”… and that…
4. We (that’s you, and me) are called to be God’s consistent and compelling message of hope, and redemption, and promise, and peace, and reconciliation… That’s our job, as Christian men, women, and children.
This morning I still have a smile on my face, because my experience at White Memorial Church in Willow Spring reminded me that the Body of Christ is alive, well, and active in small communities of faith scattered all over this land.
Here are good people who gather for worship every week, and who invite Jesus to be their guide and friend day by day.
Yes, I actually wore a tie!
Obviously we all need to grow as faithful disciples, and there is a lot that needs to be done in terms of translating life in Christ into a more functionally missional orientation to the community around us. But this little church, like so many countless others, stands as a testimony to the faithful heart of the people of God.
And that is good news to hear on this Monday morning!
We were blessed with beautiful music on Sunday by Pastor Derek Maul and our own choir.
Derek Maul playing guitar and leading us in our special music Sunday. He wrote the lyrics to the verses. How many lines from other hymns can you count?
