"More Than Just A Feel Good Faith "

Here is a question to get us going today.  What comes to mind when you hear the word reputation?  2.  All churches develop a reputation in their community,  Have you ever thought of what ours might be?  Dangerous question?  Well whatever our reputation we can build a better one can’t we.  That’s what we need to focus our energy on not who we were or are, but who we can become.  

Oct 19 2014 readings:  1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10  Matthew 22: 15-22

"Ain't Got Time To Die."  is one of the great celebrative anthems that comes to us from the African – American culture.  It is a powerful hymn, written by Hall Johnson and contains these joyfully dramatic words:
"Been so busy praising my Jesus,  When I’m feeding the poor I feeding my Jesus,   Ain’t got time to die.
Been so busy working for the Kingdom,  When I’m healing the sick, I’m helping Jesus,  Ain’t got time to die.
Been so busy serving my Master  When I’m given my all I’m serving the Master,  Ain’t got time to die.  No I ain't got time to die.

If I don't praise him, If I don't serve him, The rocks gonna cry out Glory and honor, glory and honor   Ain't got time to die." 
Take a listen: 

In this inspiring and wonderful spiritual, the composer is underscoring and celebrating the joy and excitement of being a Christian, the joy and excitement of serving our Lord in gratitude, for what he has done for us.   The point that this spiritual is trying to drive home to us with great enthusiasm is that when we make the commitment to become Followers of Christ, when we really commit our lives to Jesus and to his way, we just won’t be able to sit still Folks!!   Christianity and God’s love does not begin and end in just a feel good Sunday morning worship service.  The things of Christ are found in acts of doing, doing what we have learned from the Master  and that compels us to do what is good and right for the people of God meaning you and I and for the community as a whole.   Now I got to tell you that doesn’t always work well for Kingdom builders, doing what’s best for the other I mean,  because often times people just don’t want what is best for others, they just want what they want, thinking their want is the way forward.  But Jesus never said it would be easy folks.     We were not meant to go it alone or to become only just consumers of His words, we were meant for each other to serve and to be doers of the Word.  We were meant to put his works into action.   And you know when we do, we become so excited, so thrilled, so grateful for our new life of service that we can't help but love our Master, praise Him, serve Him, and share Him with everyone we meet.  That’s why we sing:   “This little light of Mine” or “I’m Gonna Work So God Can Use Me”  This is precisely what happened to Paul in the beginning of Acts when he meets the resurrected Jesus on the road after being struck blind. Paul not only listens to Jesus and follows his instruction but is given back his sight and receives new eyes, a new heart and a new mind, the mind of Christ.  From the text it appears that salvation for Paul is actually Jesus saving Paul from himself.  This encounter with the Master makes him a new creation.  May I suggest that from my perspective, that’s what being saved is Folks, Jesus saves us from our arrogant, egotistical, self-centered greedy and angry selves.   Many still feel salvation or being saved is a guaranteed ticket to heaven and an eternal life.   Well that might be a possibility but what about the here and now, don’t we need to be saved for here and now?  Don't we need salvation from our squirrely selves? Don’t we need new eyes, a new mind and a new heart of compassion now to do the work of Christ?

Paul with his salvation in hand and great gratitude Paul begins to do his great work, to build what we today know as the Christian Church with dedication and letters of encouragement. 

I have a question for us to consider:  Do you give encouragement, or criticism to your friends or family and what about your church family?  How do you communicate your encouragement? 

Paul wrote letters to the early Christian churches encouraging them to continue in their faith and to encourage one another.    The church of the Thessalonians had developed a reputation for their steadfast faith while under great percussion.  Paul writes "We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers.  In spite of persecution, you received the Word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit... so that you became an example to all the believers everywhere.  In every place your faith in God has become known."  Isn’t that a great reputation for a church community to have?   They were so excited that they had found and encountered the spirit of Jesus –  so excited they couldn't sit still.   Gratefully they continued to build the church by introducing more and more people to Jesus.  According to Paul their reputation had spread far and wide.  

So I would like us to reflect upon the word reputation, both in our personal life and that of our church today.  What are you known for in your community, and who’s voice are you listening to.   For Jesus said  “I Am The Good Shepherd” 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWEDBaFy0SI

 It is nice to be known for our suppers our deserts and goodies.  It is pleasant to be known for our hospitality and warmth but it is far better to be known for our steadfast faith in God, our love for Jesus and our compassion for one another.  

A minister friend of mine tells about a woman in his church who got extremely excited about becoming a Christian.   She came from a shady past and had pretty much hit bottom when a friend reached out to her and brought her to church one Sunday.  Not all but some of the church member welcomed her warmly and loved her into the circle of their love and God's love.   She began attending worship regularly.   She joined their faith formation classes and began studying the Bible.  She learned about prayer and began praying regularly and in the process came to know Jesus personally, accepting him as her mentor and the master over her life.  As she began to realize for the very first time in her life that God truly loved her, Yes even her!   She came to understand that even though she had done all those sordid things in her earlier life, that God still loved her, forgave her, accepted her, valued and treasured her.   Today that woman is an Ordained minister within the Christian Church.   

Folks your past is only a prison if you stay there.   

                                             “Spirit Song”  

   

 I have a challenge for you this week. I have given out three statements on a slip of paper.   I challenge you to finish each of the three statements at home this week.  

I Can't Help But Be Grateful for _____________________________________

I Can't Help But Be Confident in ____________________________________

I Can Help and want to serve ______________________________________ 

Take time before you write, discern each question and write as much as you can.  Reflecting on why you are grateful, where you are confident and what help will you offer and where will you serve.   

My Personal letter to you.  

Dear Friend Of Jesus: 

I encourage you to love one another.

To help out when asked

To be a friend to those who are different from you.

To give some of your excess to help the poor.

Do Good to everyone and cause not harm to come to them. 

Do these things because God love you so very much and promised never to forsake you or leave you alone. 

Blessings your Friend in Christ   Sim