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An important conversation about our personal ties with God for now and for eternity

WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT ANYWAY?

First, it’s about God. So we are accepting that He exists and is Creator of the universe. People who do not believe He exists have to start somewhere else.

Then it is about how we connect with Him, assuming He is holy, powerful, and a person (which the Bible says a lot).

And we are not holy, which goes without saying.  The Letter to Romans says it clearly: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).   Very short!

WHY IS THIS CONNECTION NOT AUTOMATIC, AS SOME ASSUME?

God is revealed as holy and far above sin. He cannot just embrace us. By virtue of perfect holiness, He cannot just overlook sin.

So we are challenged to face that there is a real problem in life, to believe that our spiritual problems are real. If we agree with that – a constant theme in the Bible – we will look for the way to connect with God, and begin a spiritual journey.

“All we like sheep have gone astray,” is a famous Isaiah statement (53:6).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT THIS ATTACHMENT TO GOD AND HIS APPROVAL?

God is holy, far above sin.  And He really loves the people He created, and He said they ran away from Him.

Because of that love, He plans the way for connection with people that would actually meet His standards for holiness.

It was all His idea.

WHAT IS THAT WAY?

First, God does not change His standards. He remains holy, and cannot just say, “Boys will be boys,” when noticing our sin.His way is clearly defined in the Bible.

He comes to earth in the person of the eternal second person of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.    That is Christmas, the incarnation, the Son taking on human nature also. 

Mary had a baby.

HOW DOES HIS COMING RELATE TO THE REST OF THE BIBLE?

All through the Bible’s Old Testament, there are prophecies about someone to come as a victor and Messiah, “the anointed one.” As early as Genesis 3, when God stated that someday “the seed of a woman,” a baby, would somehow crush “the snake,” Satan. (A strange prophecy indeed.)

Then there are hundreds of prophecies of a deliverer in the Old Testament, including even that he would be “a child to be born,” and “a son is given” (Isaiah 9:6).

The eternal Son comes to earth and lives a perfectly sinless life as a human person.

AND…

He is crucified for other reasons.   Actually,  as prophesied in Isaiah 53, He dies as a substitute for every one of us.

His judgment-death actually counts as our death or judgment for sin. He dies for us, for our sins. Instead of us.

“For our sake, he (God) made him (Jesus) to be sin.”  He took ours on his back,  “who knew no sin,  so that in him we might become the righteousness of God in him” (II Corinthians 5:21).   

That is  an extravagant statement.  It is quite the opposite of religion by itself,  where we see what we can do to get in with God.

So our judgment for sin is already accomplished, should we receive this gift of the Savior by faith. By believing. That is the generous connection – faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.

IS THERE MORE?

Yes.  This is, in one sense, just half the gift.  This gives us the penalty-paid-to-our-holy-God stamp.  No question.  “The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

So that gets coverage or removal of our sin record in front of a holy God. Pure grace.

But how do we get a perfectly righteous standing in front of His holiness?

Enter the gift of righteousness.  You have to be perfect to go to heaven, to be with God —and perfect is a gift!

EXPLAIN, PLEASE.

The Bible is very clear that the perfect record of righteousness of Jesus Christ is credited to the person who places his faith in Christ alone — who he is, and what he did in his life and death and resurrection.  Christ’s righteousness or perfect record is counted as ours in God’s eyes!

That is the essence of the gospel, the good news.

SAY IT AGAIN.

When we admit we need help, seeking Jesus as Savior, and place our faith in Jesus —who he is, and what he did for us then in God’s eyes —  the death and judgment of Jesus actually count for us. His punishment for sins covers us when we trust Him by faith.

What is more, His perfect life record counts as ours. “Our faith is counted as righteousness.”

This is most amazing.

THIS SEEMS SO POSITIVE,  ALMOST UNBELIEVABLE. WHY DOESN’T EVERYONE JUMP AT THIS?

It has been buried under a pile of religion and misrepresentation and rules and regulations.  It has been forgotten.  For some, it has seemed too good to be true, or maybe even too much a gift rather than something we earned.

And of course the Bible is clear,  and history verifies,  that people or even civilizations lose interest in finer and eternal things when selfishness and sin capture their hearts!

DO PEOPLE REALLY NEED THIS?

If God is Creator and Owner of the universes, and He is perfectly holy, as He says, we are in trouble without His help and forgiveness. And He is clear that He cannot connect with sin. He cannot touch it, or just shrug His shoulders at it.

Jesus Christ, the perfect God-man, is the answer for that. He is the huge theme of the Bible – that God, the Creator, takes care of our need, and makes possible our faith.

Sadly, part of being fallen out of connection with God is that we do not even seek after God. Not many people follow up their emptiness in life with a chasing after God. Most of us have not met  many people on a  God-search.

That is just the way it is.  Other interests capture our hearts.

Augustine,  a famous church father centuries ago, wrote. “Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until we rest in Thee.”

That seems true.

SO WHAT SHALL WE DO ABOUT ALL THIS?

At least be sure you know the facts. So many people never think about God.

In a Gallup poll of people on the street, 75% said they would probably go to heaven by keeping the Ten Commandments.   Now think about that! Not one of us has been able to keep the Ten Commandments – they had to make up that answer on the spot!  And yet that was their quick go-to hope.

Point is, not many of us search for God, or study the life and claims of Christ, or even the specifics of the gospel gift of forgiveness and righteousness.  Or how to be compatible with God’s holiness.

So easily we just avoid the subject, or notice hypocrisy, or try to figure out the evils and unfair twists of life and history. 

The answer is the Savior,  the only one who really got it right.

https://vimeo.com/870061747

…..assuming you have prepared and prayed well and checked your heart:

** Is there a significant huge event that I should at least salute?   Most people hear or see the news, and we do not want to appear that we live in a separate world.

Of course if it is huge tragedy, we must reach into an already prepared emergency tragedy sermon file.  No one after 9/11 preached on the next few verses in the series.

** Is this near a holiday that I should acknowledge?

We do not have to look for a verse about July 4, but can refer to it or use an illustration that does not make everyone a US citizen. Otherwise, listeners may think we do not know where we are on the calendar.

** Is there a major physical or personal need or event that needs to be prayed for or announced in your size church?

A birth, a death, a tragedy, something the church should rally around.

** Is this a church anniversary that should be celebrated?

The English have an expression, “River crossed, bridge forgotten.”

** What does the start of the sermon follow that should be acknowledged or used as a bridge?

We would not follow the “Hallelujah Chorus” without a careful reference to it, of course. Neither should we take the stage as if nothing else has gone on. This is sometimes called “awareness of surroundings”!

** Is there something the church just did that should be celebrated, or coming up that should be supported?

Our staff used to say that announcements were pushes (and we tried to keep it to three a week),   but something at the start of the sermon time was a shove!

** Is there a personal need or event that should be shared with good friends, and not just kept secret?

If you just had a baby or grand baby, you will not need this reminder, but some other joys are also meant to be shared. And the church rejoices with you or cries with you.

and one that puts some responsibility on each person

“MY THREE”

The church simply makes available a small card to tuck in the Bible —

on one side are simply lines for three names;

With a simple heading:

_______________________________________________________________

My three

Daily prayer and frequent show of friendship

and love and at the right time a church invite

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

On the other side, for example:

God’s Word

John 3:16

Acts 2:47

Romans 3:23-25

Romans 10:14,15

No one shows the cards around, but keeps them at home where they pray

or in their Bible for daily reminders to pray…

…for God’s grace to be shown in their lives

…for their eyes and minds to see the human need

…for opportunities to become better friends with their three

…for an openness for the friends to try our church when invited.

No big campaign.

No trumpets.

No pressure.

This reminds the people of faith and of the church that evangelism

is for each of us, and it is often relational, and a response to a life example.

PRESUPPOSITIONS

• You are going to “preach the Word” — that is an actual order from God though His friend Paul.

• You are going to have a discipline to study to know what was in God’s heart (1)  when He had it written.
• You will have a will and a plan for it to grip your own heart (2).   This will show in your passion and delivery.
•  A strong goal as you preach is to help listeners take it into their own hearts (3) and want to believe it….feel it….do it++

(1), (2), and (3) ARE THE THREE HEARTS OF PREACHING: GOD’S, MINE THE SPEAKER, AND THEIRS THE LISTENERS.

++ for a long time those who study preaching have  explained that every sermon should help the listeners  to do one or more of those three:

Believe it : God really created the universe…. He loves me …..Jesus really took all my sins to the cross.

Feel it:  God is all-powerful and our Creator and, “Look at that new baby!”

Do it:  I will not lie any more.  I will “truth it in love.”

STRONG HELPS (AFTER THE CAREFUL STUDY) FOR DELIVERY:

— PAUSES at appropriate times.  Some say it is the best attention-getter.

— PASSION AND EMOTION at appropriate times.  Shows it has hit your heart.

— PERSONAL FEELINGS ABOUT THE TRUTH.  Knute the man, not just Knute the speaker.

— VARIETY:  in how your move and where you stand….in pace of delivery… In volume….in genre of speech (challenge, explanation, illustration, humor….)

— APPLICATION: They should know early on that this talk is for them, even to change their lives!

One thing I changed  that was  different was that I only met with the father when there was a couple involved. Sometimes it was three or four or five fathers. That way he had to convey the information about Sunday morning, but also take the responsibility for going through what is expected of parents. (So many fathers just hang onto their wives for such things.)

At that meeting I went through salvation again….and also the least parents must do…..

As well as explain the Sunday procedure.

Always asked them how they came up with the name.

Did not make a big deal if the name was in the Bible, as if those parents

win.  (Knute, you may know, is only in a few mss.)

After introducing one couple at a time:

Questions to all of them:

Do you publicly acknowledge your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your lives?

Will you bring this child up in the teaching and lifestyle of the Word of God as best you can,  showing them the ways of Christ by teaching and ways of living?

Will you keep him or her under the influence of the church and its teaching as you raise them in love and joy?

Church, will you, as you have influence, seek to keep this a church that loves its children and provides strong teaching and partnership with this home?  (If so, please answer, we will.)

Then prayer for each individual child and parents.  Realistic and brief……And we join them in dedicating (Name) to you for your glory, and we seek your grace and protection for (her,him) to help them walk in your ways of faith and obedience……

…is one of the most important times for someone who has paid attention and might think about changing some habit or belief in response.

But, alas, I have heard the following closings to sermons:

* “That’s it. See you next week!”
* A prayer that reviews the sermon…..Amen….Guitar player gives some thoughts about the sermon, sometimes showing she was not listening….then starts a song.
* “Shake hands with three people on the way out!”
* “Let’s sing something — what shall we sing, Freddie?”

Years ago, many churches had a response song — often “Just As
I Am” (as in a Billy Graham service)…..and some invited people to
come to the front of the church room to show they wanted to
“Accept Christ as Savior” or respond to “how God had spoken to
them.”

Maybe in response to that, some went to the “alas” ways noted.

______Clearly a sermon is given to urge obedience and application to life.
______Clearly a pastor should think carefully about a response avenue.
______Consider the following:

Sermon (with practical obedience and application calls throughout)
Prayer by sermon person. Not a review of the sermon to God, who does not need a review….

A brief prayer++ of worship and appreciation to God for the main truth given…then giving people a private quiet moment to thank God for that gift, or to ask His help to obey and apply it…..(Many will actually pray that way…)

Then a moment of quiet prayer introduced by, “If you are not sure of this connection with Christ as Lord and Savior, ask God for help to go that way, and to be sure….(Quiet moment)…. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Then, to show the chosen response song is tied to the sermon, not a separate issue or a production number but a response-from-the-heart song, the speaker intros the song in two or three sentences….and asks, “Please stand” as short intro to song immediately starts…. And the speaker sings it also. Maybe even stays up front to sing along with the people, for he is responding also, and helping others to respond with thanks to God and obedient faith.

This also positions the pastor-speaker to give a meaningful benediction or blessing from the Word of God to tie together the whole worship service, followed by a sentence of care or sendoff.

++(To remember: I have watched a lot of closing prayers on video and “playback” where the praying pastor is straightening his notes and closing his Bible or moving his lectern out of the way, causing me and other cynical viewers to wonder if he is really praying :-). Of course you can pray while you drive or do something, but this is about leading the church and viewers in worship and response.)

Seems like the closing
of the service should be carefully
thought through and purposeful

The best exercise our staffs ever did to know and appreciate each other, and see God’s grace in action

“The Ten Most Important Decisions or Events in My Life”

Each staff member prepares the list, to be given and described in just seven minutes in front of all staff, just one at a time, early in a staff meeting.

(Does not include physical birth, which is assumed ☺ )

Okay, everyone will say he or she cannot do it in seven minutes, but stick to that, and allow three minutes for brief questions after.

➢ Very healthy exercise for people to go back through their lives and narrow down the most significant decisions or events, positive or negative, that affected them. And still do.

➢ Very healthy for their teammates to hear where they, the presenters, have been and see why they are the way they are.

> God always ends up getting a lot of credit

Pastoral Director of Seniors and Care

To plan and manage the pastoral care and general church ministries to and by the over-65 people to New Covenant, always in step with the direction of the pastor and to fulfill the overall implications of the church values and vision

Report to: the senior pastor, through regular verbal and paper reports
Time: an average of 8-12 hours per week
Compensation: _______ per month, with no benefits or extras; and with 10 weeks off each year (though still responsible for assigning special and regular needs those weeks

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

…Provide or assign pastoral care as needed for seniors when ill or in need

…Give vision and strategy to the ministry of the church to these people in general, related to care ministries but also outreach ministries toward the unchurched

…Represent the needs of these people to the pastor, proposing options for ministry

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

… Provide or assign pastoral care for the individuals in this group when they are in need (as defined by the pastor if ambiguous) — when unbelieving, sick, shut- in, hospitalized, or hurting from tragedies or death of a loved one; advise the pastor of needs.

…Lead the scheduling of senior socials for fellowship and edification and ministry to others; help organize them in line with policies and pastoral vision.

…Oversee with the pastor the Sunday and home community groups and teaching groups for this age. Perhaps host or teach one yourself. Appoint a group leader, a teacher or facilitator, a care captain, and a missions manager.

… If possible, lead or ask someone to lead a true small (4-7) discipleship group of all men or all women for this age group, meeting at least twice a month for personal growth, accountability, and ministry.