Have you sinned lately?

   We usually define sin has something we do.  However, sin can also be something we don't do.   As I was reading in 1 Samuel this morning I read this comment from Samuel, "As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you."  (1 Samuel 12:23)

    Do you know someone who is struggling - spiritual or otherwise?  Have you prayed for them?  Do  you know someone who is sick?  Have you prayed for them?  Do you know someone who hasn't made a decision about Jesus being the Lord of their lives?  Have you prayed for them?

    Have you prayed for your elders?  Have you prayed for your preacher?  For your neighbor?  For your spouse?  For your children?

    Have you prayed for our leaders?  For our nation?  For your city?

   Have you sinned today by not praying for others?

  Well, - go pray and stop sinning!

Most Unusual Easter Sermon

Today I preached my 20th Easter sermon for the Southside Church.   What more can I say about the Easter that I haven't already said? I began a few weeks ago thinking about today's sermon.   I was almost dreading today when I started thinking . . . .

 In our "Journey Thru The Bible in 2013" series I had a decision to make - do I continue the series and preach on the book of Ruth or do I have an "Easter" sermon?  The answer was yes!

In the story of Ruth the kinsman redeemer is the hero!  Boaz loves Ruth with an "hesed" kind of love. (Hesed is the kind of love given when it is undeserved).   He is the kinsman redeemer and buys back the land and takes Ruth as his wife.  He rescues Ruth and Naomi from their plight.    They have a son Obed, who is the father of Jesse, who is the father of David.  The line of Jesus continues!

The story is a great reminder that Jesus is the ultimate kinsman redeemer!  He loves us with a love that isn't deserved.  He buys us back and restores us to Gods original intent!

It may be my most unusual Easter sermon I've ever preached.  As it turns out, I did have something new to say!  God never ceases to amaze me!

Happy Easter!    

You Don't Want God On Your Side!

You Don’t Want God On Your Side!

I’ve always wanted God on my side – until I read this conversation in Joshua 5: 13-15:

Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”

“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”

The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Joshua’s question is understandable.  He wants to know if God is on his side.  For the commander of the Lord’s army that is not the issue.  In fact, the commander says that God is not on either side!

The important thing is for Joshua to be on God’s side! 

During the Civil War when the outcome was still in the balance, someone commented to Abraham Lincoln, “do you think God is on your side?”   Lincoln replied, “That is not my main concern.  My concern is that I’m on God’s side!” 

My prayer today is that I am on God’s side.   I don’t pray that he’ll bless what I’m doing; I pray that I’ll be doing what he blesses!

It goes back to the question the kid’s song asks, “Whose side on your living on?  I’m living on the Lord’s side!”

Be on God's side!  

Randy

No Joshing!

“No Joshing”

At the covenant renewal at Shechem Joshua gives his final farewell to all the tribes of Israel.   He gives us the famous line, “  . . . but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”  (Joshua 24:15)

Joshua is giving his last words to the nation of Israel.  He implores them to throw away the gods their forefathers worshiped beyond the River in Egypt.   He exhorts them to “fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness.”  (Joshua 24:14)

We all make that choice everyday.   What will I worship today?  What will capture my heart?  What will have my attention?   I will I lead my family today?  What impact will my decisions have on others?  

On that day the people the people said that they would “serve the Lord”.    Joshua again implores them to ‘throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” (24:23)

What gods do you need to throw away?  What things have captured your heart ?

How could you serve the Lord your God today??  Seriously – sit down for a few minutes and think about that.   Just write down two or three things that you could do this week to serve the Lord.    Then, do them! 

Do that and you will have a great week!

No Joshing!

Wandering/Wondering

“Wandering/Wondering

In Our Wilderness”

In our “Journey” sermon series we’ve spent the last few weeks wandering with the Israelites as they journey to their promised land.

As I have observed their wandering – it caused me to wonder (and, yes, my mind did wander a few times!) about us.

In their wandering they often grumbled against Moses (and against God).   Moses was taking too long on the mountain.  They didn’t understand decisions Moses made, and so they complained.  They wanted to go back to Egypt.  You gotta wonder about them saying that!

The manna they were eating was getting old.  Amazing!  They were grumbling with their mouth full.  Which makes you wonder – wow –  how does God feels about that???

And so, as we wander through our lives, I wonder – do we grumble against God with our mouths full?  Do we complain against the leaders God has appointed over us – while our spiritual cup overflows?? Do want to go back to our "Egypts"?

 And, yes, I wonder – how does God feel about that?

And so, as I wander, I wonder.  Do you?

Begin with a vision of God Exodus 3:1-14

In reading the story of calling Moses to lead His people,  notice how God motivates the reluctant leader. Talking from a burning bush didin't hurt!      Moses has two questions, "Who am I?' followed closely with, "Who are you?"   What are your first questions when God calls you to ministry?

Look at Exodus 3: 1-14.  God begins with a vision of who He is.  He sees.  He notices.  He hears.  He rescues!

 Is that significant?  I think it is.  God doesn't work Moses into a self image frenzy finished with a chorus of "Yes I can!"  "I am wonderful!"  "I am awesome!"  Instead, he begins with a vision of who He is.

Your vision of God.  If you think God loves the lost, you will share your faith.  If you think God is judgmental, you will be  harsh in your judgements.   So, God gives Moses a clear vision of  who He is.

What is your vision of God?

Don't hide it under a bush!

Spiritual Checkup #2

How obvious is my faith in Jesus to those who know me best?

What percentage of my life does Jesus have complete control over?

What evidence can I provide that would show that I'm a disciple of Jesus?

Does my faith have children?

Are you secure in your salvation?

Mull these over in your heart in the next few days, then get back with God.