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Sunday 22 April 2018

"You may be The Only Bible Others Will Ever See"




April 22, 2018 Readings: Psalm 23,  John 10:11-18
Let us listen to this modern day parable.
 The story is told of a new minister who had been called to preach in small a suburban Church in Halifax.   Some weeks after he had arrived, he made the decision to ride the commuter bus from his home to the downtown area.  After getting on the bus and sitting down, he discovered that the bus driver had accidently given him a quarter to much in change.  As he considered what to do  he thought to himself, " I probably should give the quarter back.   It wouldn’t be right to keep it."   Then he thought, on the other hand, IT'S ONLY A QUARTER.  Should I be worried about a quarter?   Besides the bus company doesn’t need it.    I’ll consider it a gift from God!  But when it was time to get off the bus he stopped at the door, turned and handed the quarter back to the driver.  "Here he said, you gave me to much change sir"    The driver with a smile replied, “OH I recognize you, you’re the new preacher in town at Trinity aren’t you?  You know, I don’t belong to any CHURCH”, said the driver,   “ but I have been thinking about somewhere to worship I mean.”    You sir have just made my decision, Pastor I’ll see you on Sunday. 
As the Minister  stepped off the bus,  his heart sank low  for a moment as he realized how his thoughts could have tarnishing or lift HIS character, hurt or build his reputation, it could of gone either way,  a chill ran down his spine.  “I almost sold my soul for the sake of a quarter."  
You and I might not realize it, but by what we say and do might be the only bible some people ever read.   That’s right by observing what we say and do, others read our character.  As people who follow and represent Jesus our circumstances can put us to the test at any given moment.     Whether we are aware of it or not we who “CLAIM” to follow in the ways of Jesus, CARRY HIS NAME ON YOUR SHOULDERS.   Therefore we must try to remember that OUR THOUGHTS;   should BECOME his WORDS, His WORDS should BECOME OUR ACTIONS,  OUR ACTIONS then will develop good HABITS.   Then OUR HABITS will show HIS LOVE in all situation.
Everyone has love, some have a little at first, others more, and some have great love.  But when we add UNCONDITIONAL love to our love, it changes us, and WE ALL BECOME LIKE HIM.   We can never be perfect, but we should be striving to live the life Jesus envisions for us, a life that is filled with hope, joy peace and love.  Not only for ourselves but also for our neighbor.    
Psalm 23 is a cherished scripture because it expresses a lot about life in the real world.  It is often used as a comfort, or special scripture for the family members of the dearly departed.
It does not paint a picture of a perfect life in which days are always sunny and simple, where our relationships with others are always friendly and uncomplicated. This psalm tells us about and understands a life with shadows and valleys, especially in the face of death.  Although there are shadows in the great valley of death, we do not forget that a shadow cannot exist without there being a great light.  It gives us permission to acknowledge our enemies, neither denying their existence nor being consumed by their threats.  Whether those enemies are human beings or other imposing forces, the psalmist knows we must face them.   And that’s why it is odd that its opening words seem so unfamiliar to us: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” The psalmist may not have wants, but we sure feel like we do.   In fact, we allow our wants to drive us.   We tend to assess our lives not based on what we have but on what we haven’t yet acquired.   We compare our lives with those around us and listen to the messages of material desire from our culture.   We want to be more admired for our knowledge, we want more respected from our families, our colleagues or our piers, and we all want to be more appreciated.   Often our want is for the best house and the best car.  We want to wear clothes that won’t embarrass us and sport bodies that others will envy.   We are bombarded by ads and society to want to fill our needs.  We want to have the brightest children, the most accomplished career, and the most adorned trophy case.   But this psalm offers a contrary message:  God has already given us everything we need.   And the future tense of the verb suggests that we “shall not want,” no matter what happens next.   So while this psalm brings comfort to many usually in their last days or during our send off, it also challenges us, in a significant way: to find contentment peace, love and joy in the present day, to acknowledge God’s blessings in our lives, and to give alms of gratitude for them.  Did you know the greatest miracle drug in the world is gratitude and it free just express it. And the congregation sang Amen.



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