William Hill, who was the founder of Hopewell Presbyterian Church, used to tell the story of an old preacher who was approached by some of the members in his congregation. The members told him that he was boring them to tears and that their patience was wearing thin. They suggested to him that he draw more from modern-day science and current events so that he might liven up his Sunday morning sermons. The pastor patiently and quietly listened to the people and then told them that next Sunday he would do as they asked.
Archive for February, 2004
The Passion: The Rest of the Story
Sunday, February 29th, 2004
The Way of The World/The Way of The Cross
Galatians 6:11-18
Sunday, February 22nd, 2004
I am so glad you are with us today as we finish this study of Paul’s powerful letter to the Galatians. Won’t you open your Bible to Galatians 6:11-18 and let’s read together.
11See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! 12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God. 17Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen. (Galatians 6:11-18 NIV)
Never Give Up Doing Good!
Galatians 6:9-10
Sunday, February 15th, 2004
It had been thirty years since the young man had set out on his journey to Damascus to arrest Christians. He was focused. As he packed his bags and locked the door behind him, he turned to Damascus and set his course. He left Jerusalem with legal documents in hand and he rehearsed in his mind what he would do once he arrived. It was a long trip, about 150 miles, and he was preoccupied and distant from those who were traveling with him. He was a man on a mission and nothing would interrupt his plan.
Lesson In Reaping and Sowing
Galatians 6:7-10
Sunday, February 8th, 2004
We live in a fantastic universe. Our planet, a tiny speck in this vast universe, is filled with illustration after illustration of the mind boggling order and design that God has written into every fiber of His creation. For example, have you ever thought about the changing of the seasons that we experience here in Oklahoma? August can be extremely hot and December through February can usher in a mandate for coats and gloves. We may complain about the extremes that we experience, but we really don’t know how extreme the heat and cold could get if the earth were not perfectly positioned 93,000,000 miles away from the sun and tilted at just the right angle. If we were positioned a little closer to the sun then we would burn up like forgotten toast in the oven. If we were positioned a little further way from the sun then we would freeze like a Popsicle. God has placed us in just the right place for life to thrive.
Mending Broken Lives
Galatians 6:1-5
Sunday, February 1st, 2004
Brokenness is a best seller in our society. The moral failures and sins of those around us are consumed by us like Gatorade on a hot August afternoon on the practice field. The demise of the lives of people like homemaking mogul Martha Stewart, Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop,” James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul,” or Tyco CEO, Dennis Kozlowski, are everyday items in the headlines of newspapers and the stories of anchors on the evening news. The sins of people, all kinds of people, both high profile celebrities and unfamiliar names and faces, are hot items in our voyeuristic society. We love to watch the mighty fall and we don’t mind witnessing the downfall of the boy-next-door if we don’t have a celebrity to watch self-destruct.