The Lord's Prayer Matthew 6:9-15

Sermon Nuggets Mon June 20 THE LORD'S PRAYER

Verses- Matt 6:9-15

9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us today our daily bread.

12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'

14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)

The Lord’s Prayer – A Pattern

After discussing the preparation for prayer in the first 8 verses, Jesus gave his listeners a pattern for prayer. We commonly refer to this prayer as the Lord's Prayer.

Some people like to point out that this really isn't the Lord's Prayer it would be the disciples prayer, the Lord couldn't pray, "Forgive me my debts, trespasses, sins." The Lord's Prayer is really John 17 as Jesus speaks intimately with his Father regarding various concerns. The prayer listed here and Luke and Mark is a sample formula for disciples or followers of Jesus.

Jesus is teaching about prayer. He is not giving us something that we need to recite each Sunday. As a matter of fact, he is condemning public pretense and vain repetition, both of which can be abused by taking the sample prayer and repeating it all the time without thought or meaning. Of course people from various traditions pray this regularly and that has great meaning. I do not think there is anything wrong with that so long as its repetition causes us to mouth the words, and not think of the thoughts.

As a formula for prayer it may help you when you pray. That was the intent. You've heard sermons on this before. There are practical patterns for your personal and private prayer life too.

I was talking with a good friend of mine at the conference, Pastor

John Hoeldtke. We were having lunch together and he was sharing when he read this passage how God seemed to lay on his heart the thought this is not a prayer that you pray when everyone comes together on Sunday morning this is a prayer to pray in your private closet room, or in personal devotions. John Hoeldtke went on to say that at times he began praying this prayer in his personal time with God and it has been a tremendous boast in his devotions. This week I hope to show how you might use this sample in your prayer time to center your thoughts on God.

Today, take time to pray this prayer to the Lord and ask that God reveal some things in it that you might branch out in your personal words.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues June 21,

Verse: Matt 6: 9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

PRAYER CENTERS ON GOD’S PRAISE

AS we mentioned Jesus is showing his disciples a pattern for prayer. They are not just praying privately, but addressing “our” Father, along with the other believers. We are reminded we are part of a body and a family too.

But personally as I think of praise, I praise the Lord for being my Father, saving me. I praise him that Jesus died for me and rose again that I too may have new and eternal life. Christ has ripped the veil of separation; and I have been adopted into the King's family.

Yet even though He is our Father, he is in heaven. He is the almighty, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God. He is all holy and all powerful, all great and majestic. We really have no reason to come before his throne except by his grace.

Hallowed be His name. You cannot make God's name holy it is already holy. The fact that he revealed himself to a sinful world all the more makes his name is to be hallowed and revered not to be degraded with slang, or buddy, buddy type terms or frivolous manner.

As the prayer begins we notice the attention of our thoughts are on God. As we pray think about God and tell him of his grandeur and why you are thinking he is deserving of praise.

One of our tasks on Sundays is to worship. We seek to praise God in different ways. We want to focus on his character, and person, and works. We delight in his truth and read and study his revealed Word. Our purpose is to help us praise God in word and voice by reminding us of his many attributes.

Perhaps you want to recite as a prayer, a hymn or chorus of praise.

I sometimes take each phrase of the Lord’s Prayer and stop and think about how I want to add my thoughts to the Lord. What about God do you want to praise Him for today? I was walking to the Post Office and in this outdoor walk thanked and praised him for the flowers, for the color, for the green in the trees and grass and bushes, and all the shades of the beauty of color. I heard at least the songs of 7 different kinds of birds. I notice the power of weeds moving some of the brick and sidewalk and marvels at the power of a little weed seed that could break up concrete and mortar. I watch a humming bird take it's juice from a flower and recognized that physiologically he isn't suppose to fly with the body size compared to the wings. But He does darting up and down and around so very quickly.

Considering His creation is a ways of praising him with your eyes

open while your praying.

The word holy literally means to be separated or set apart. It can also mean whole, or being all in all. A holy temple is separated and different from other buildings in the Bible days. But it is also right and full with the presence of the Lord God. We set apart a day, the Lord's day to keep it holy, means to keep it different from the other days, to think of God and make the day special unto Him. A Holy person is one who is separated and different than other people and the world. He is made whole by the Holy Spirit as we walk in unity with Him completed.

In your praise think and meditate on God's holiness and tell him how much you do love him. Begin your prayers with praise and see what a difference it makes centered in on God. For if there is anything significant we can say about prayer it is that first and foremost it is worship. It is centering out thoughts on the divine nature of God and lifting our souls to Him who loved and created us and calls us to represent him to the world around us.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds June 22,

Verses – Matt 6: 10…your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

PRAYER CENTERS ON GOD’S PLAN

The purpose of God is to expand his Kingdom and His Lordship over all the earth and it begins with us. We want God's will in our lives. We seek his direction and his power within our world that people might see He is King and Lord over all. God is to receive glory not only in our praise to him, but especially in carrying out his will in our lives.

Do you pray for God's kingdom to come? It begins with the kingdom people who live with inner righteousness and witness. His kingdom can only be seen in others around us if we are walking in the will of our Father.

You cannot be a disciple of Jesus without desiring to carry out his purpose in our lives. We cannot have a simple believism that teaches you to pray for forgiveness of sin without any desire of repentance. If you have little desire to obey and follow Jesus you are not a disciple of Christ. You are not saved. No, we are not going to be perfect, but we seek to do the will of God and pray for insight and power to that end. A saved person, has a heart that want to live for Christ. A saved person is one who wants Jesus to be in the driver seat of their life. An unsaved person wants to live for himself.

In your private daily prayer you would do will to plead with God to show you wisdom how you are to live and He will. Praying to discern God's wisdom is also part of our attitude.

Do you really want God's rule in your life, or only when you are in trouble? Realize God's sovereignty throughout the universe and ask today for his perfect will within your life as well.

"May your kingdom be evidenced in my life"..what does that mean? The kingdom of God is a society upon earth where God's will is perfectly done as it is in heaven. God is King. There is no doubt this has future implications when looking for Jesus return and that great day when God's kingdom is consummated and God's name glorified on earth to the same degree that it is glorified in heaven. Then, and only then, will all that occurs be in perfect conformity to God’s will.

The quality of these verbs looks for an event in which all will be fulfilled. His name will be Hallowed, His Kingdom will come; His will shall be done. There is a longing for the believer for Jesus return. But that still does not bring to our life the reality and the need for his present Lordship.

Prayer must never be an attempt to bend the will of God to our desires, but prayer is always an attempt to submit our wills to the will of God. As one person put it, "Prayer isn't getting man’s will done in heaven, but getting Gods will done on earth".

The first part of this prayer looks at God and after we fill ourselves with Him and seek His will then we look at the needs of man. For whatever you do without God you will either fail miserably, or succeed more miserably. He has the best plan. Seek to walk in it in obedience to his Word.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs June 23 Provision

Verse- Matt 6: 11 Give us today our daily bread.

PRAYER CENTERS ON GOD’S PROVISIONS

We praise God in part because of his gracious gifts to us for the needs of our lives. We are not to request all and everything we want. Notice Jesus is giving an example of daily bread, not even weekly bread. How many of us need to pray to our Father asking that we have food enough for today, or necessities to get us through the next 24 hours? Those going through disasters do that.

Last month I read June Pearson’s book, about the hard life of her grandmother who came over from Sweden. It took several years before her future husband could work to purchase land, to clear land and then by hand build a house until they got married in Maple Ridge. He was strong and years later when they could afford it, purchased and carried an iron stove on his back from Anoka walking the whole way. Those who settled this area struggled with very little.

It made me once again be aware of how simply and humbly people lived then compared to the expected style of living today. Yes it was hard. Everything was done by hand. No refrigeration, no air conditioning no electricity, no machine driven tractors, or cars, or automatic milkers, or plows or disks, or plumbing. They had hand tool and lots of work!

We are not worried about where our next meal is coming from. We have provision upon provision by God and still bellyache that we want more.

It is one thing to pray for the daily bread and something entirely different to pray for Jacuzzi’s and latest big screen TV and cabins by the lake. If God has given them to us, realize they are God's on loan to you to use for His glory and his kingdom. It is not what we have that is as important as what we do with what we have. And when we have daily needs obtain a grateful heart to our provider.

We need to be reminded that physical life-health, protection, clothing, housing- does not come too us naturally. It comes to us supernaturally. It is as much a working of God that we eat our lunch this afternoon, as it is that the Red Sea was parted for the Israelites. Although one defies natural law, both are provided by our gracious God.

In prayer we are to make requests and supplication. That is what the

Bible teaches here and elsewhere, but according to James we have not because we do not ask or we have not because we ask on our own lusts, or our own pleasures. God know your heart, He knows if the request comes after the part of really want his will. The Father knows how to sort out his children's requests granting them what is right and good, and denying them what is harmful. He may choose to delay his gifts for our patience, persistence, or involvement in ways that would not come about with immediate answers to prayer.

Yet he delights in the coming to him and sharing with him your thoughts and recognize he is the giver of all good gifts. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:32 "He that spares not his own son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with Him also freely give us all things?"

One little boy was asked by his pastor if he prayed every day, He replied, "No not every day. Some days I don't want anything."

There are some people preaching a name it and claim it gospel which thinks we direct God to do our wills. Seeking his will is a priority before wanting his will and however he choose to display his glory by giving us provisions. Some understand prayer as only “gimmes”. We learn the maturity in Christ when we stop saying “give me”, and pray “Lord, Mold me”. Making Biblical request of need and provision delights our Lord. “Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you.”

He does not get weary in showing himself powerful and gracious.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri June 24

Verses Matt 6:12-15 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'

14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)

PRAYER CENTERS ON GOD’S PARDON

We are asking God to display his wonderful gifts on his children by forgiving our sins. There are 5 Greek words for sin. This word means that which is owed against you and others. “Lord, I owe you so much forgive me for all those things and let me forgive others as well.”

When we are forgiven we owe a great debt to God for we have offended him and instead of holding us accountable to pay for our sins, he forgave us. Now as his followers he wants us to understand that same comassion and forgiveness that we can show to others. Confession is an ongoing quality of prayer. John was talking to Christians when he said, "If you confess your sin, he is faithful and just to forgive you your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness."

When two children were fighting, Ethel and Tom, it grieved their father. Ethel ran to her Father and put arms around him and said she was sorry she made him unhappy because she didn't want to hurt him. Yet while she was doing that she stuck her tongue out at her brother. Her father tried to teach her that he couldn't forgive her until she was ready to forgive her brother, because he loved them both. That was the teaching of Jesus. For the one who never forgives I hope never sins. If we want forgiveness we must be willing to forgive others of what wrongs they have done to us. Since we have freely been forgiven, so we need to freely forgive.

I know a man who refused to come to church for years because of a lady who inadvertently said something or did something that offended him. He chose to carry a grudge. If in private you pray, "Lord forgive me my sins as I forgive others their sins against me." The Lord will reveal to you people you do not get along with and in that context pray for them. Pray for your enemies, for those who despitefully use you and abuse you. Pray that you will have an open heart to others, all others.

Matt 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

22 Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.(NIV)

Ask yourself, "Am I holding grudge and hard feelings about others. Then am I really able to ask God to forgive my wrongs an failings?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Sat June 25

Verse Matt 6: 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'

PRAYER CENTERS ON GOD’S PROTECTION

We are completely depending upon God for all things, even the protection of our lives. Theologian Helmut Thielicke’s translation goes like this, "Let nothing become a temptation to me"- everything certainly can.” We need Gods' protection from the evil one and temptations that which would cause us harm and fall into sin.

Satan is doing what he can to cause you to fall and fail in your spiritual life. If he will not get at you, he will try to get at your family. Satan will cause your lusts to lead you from the Lord. We need to be alert to what is going around. Jesus warns his disciples elsewhere to be as wise as serpents, but gentle as doves. He talks about Satan going around like roaring lion seeking whom he can devour. We tend to forget how Jesus prayed for his disciples. He prayed to his Father for their protection. When they were to go into the Garden of Gethsemane it was again demonstrated. “Pray that you enter not into the temptation, the spirit is willing but he flesh is weak.”

Friends we will all fail and fall without continually and consistently putting ourselves under the protection and strength of the Holy One.

Pray not only to forgive sin, but that we may avoid it and overcome it instead of falling into it. “Lord, do not allow us to be led into temptation that it overwhelms us, but rescue us from that evil one who is seeking always to defeat and discourage us.” I sometimes wonder how we would feel if we had extra special eyes and see how much protection really is going on around us where Satan is willing to cause us harm?

All things can be tempting. Being poor can tempt us to steal, being rich tempts us to be selfish; Being healthy tempt us to be proud, and sickly of being self-pitied; Being in pain would tempt us to curse God, and in pleasure to be self-indulgent, Sin is all around us; pray that through the circumstances of our lives we not be led into the temptations that would hinder our walk and relationship with God.

Some versions have the benediction "For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Amen"

It was not in the earliest of manuscripts which is why some versions include it as a footnote. But it is true regardless. For this praise and acknowledgment, the awareness of the one who gives all things and to whom all glory should be given is the center of prayer: personal and private.

Our prayers also call for response. It is important how we relate to God but also one another. It is not right to pray for one’s nakedness without giving them clothes if we have it. Nor to pray for ones loneliness neither without seeking to pay a visit, or to pray that God might help them, without thinking we might be the ones whom God wants to use to provide that help. We need to put feet to our prayer and do what we can to forgive and stay away from temptation, and read God's word to discern his wisdom.

The Lord prayer teaches us how to pray acknowledging God but enabling us to be part of the answer. When we pray for bread, forgiveness and protection they are prayers for the present the past and the future.

Note also how we understand the connection of prayer with the work of God-Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Asking bread from the Father, forgiveness is possible through the blood of the cross through Jesus Christ and protection and guidance in our daily lives as believer come from the Holy Spirit. We need awareness of daily dependence upon God for all immediate needs.

This week we looked at a sample prayer centering on God's praise, on God's Plan, on God's Provisions, On God's Pardon, and God's protection. It is centered on God. It can revitalize your private prayer life as these categories become springboards to put your own words and thoughts before our Lord.

Pastor Dale

Preparing for Prayer Matthew 6:5-8

Sermon Nuggets Mon June 12 Preparing for Prayer

Verses- Matt 6:5-8

5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.(NIV)

Preparing for Prayer

A few years ago our conference commissioned a new committee. It was the prayer commission. Its purpose was to call our conference of churches to prayer. Each annual meeting had a day set aside for prayer. We were led through the day in various ways to praise, and pray for various concern of the conference, world and at home.

I have been at meetings were there has been people signing up for prayer teams to intercede while services were going on. During Promise Keepers, I was in a prayer tent during one of the gatherings which allowed people to drop in for personal prayer. I enjoyed talking to God on behalf of some of the men having burdens, problems and needs.

In Acts 6 we have recorded that apostles were so busy doing ministry they didn't have time to pray as they wanted, so they formed a task force and called them deacons. The apostles then could devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. This was an unbending commitment by the apostles to preserve time for prayer. It means to persist at and remain with. The apostles were saying in essence:"No matter how urgent the pressures are to spend our time doing good deeds, we will not forsake our chief work. We will seek to persist in prayer. If the work we are doing requires great spiritual depth and power, then how much more crucial and demanding must be the work of prayer?”

There is a movement in our country were 1,000s of people gather in the cities for concerts of prayer. People from various denominations burdened for our country and for the world. They seek revival. They cry for confession. They are praying that God cause a movement of his spirit in an unusual way again. Close together we have a National Day of Prayer and a few weeks later we have Global Day of Prayer. In the fall there is the world day of prayer.

Spiritual awakenings, both historical and present day, point to prayer in humility and faith. The last Sunday night of this month we will have an evening of prayer as our long range planning committee is seeking to give direction to our call during this time in our church life. We will also address community needs in prayer as well as personal needs for those who wish to ask for prayer. WE also have prayer chains, email prayer chains, gathering for prayer before Sunday service, and small groups that pray at various times.

We cannot be effective as a church in prayer unless we are praying at home. How is your own personal prayer life? Jesus gives us some instructions about our Prayer Life. This week we will consider some of his teachings to prepare for prayer.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues June 14 Public Prayer

Verses Matt 5: 5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

Considering Public Prayer. v 5

Jesus accused others of killing prayer because they prayed for the purpose of being seen by others. A few weeks ago we discussed why some people gave money to the needy. Many didn't care so much for the needy as they did for the prestige they would get from others who thought them to be kind and generous.

Jesus tells us do not pray like the hypocrites who love to be seen by men. Prayer is conversation with God. It was common for people to go to the temple to pray and some attended at 9 , 12, and 3 o'clock. It was easy for man to be at a busy street corner, or in a crowded city square so that all might see with what devotion, dedication and commitment he prayed. It was easy for a man to halt on the top steps of the entrance to the synagogue and pray lengthily and demonstratively so that all might admire his piety. He would stay with hands stretched out, palms upward, head bowed. Such prayer that seemed to impress people is not prayer at all. It is play acting. If he gets praised by men for all his piety that his all the reward he will get.

At my home church when I was a teen our pastor that made it a practice as he came out of his study to the platform he would get on his knees at the pastors bench and pray. I always thought he was very devout.

Such action caused me to think he was much godlier than my other pastors with his commitment to prayer before the people.

He also ran off with our church secretary.

Now do not misunderstand the passage. Jesus is not teaching that public prayer is wrong. Indeed there are many examples of public prayer in the Bible, including Jesus. Corporate prayer is prayer offered to God in the hearing of believers who can agree and affirm it. It can bring us to unity as one represents the people in their prayer. It enlarges the vision of what we are praying toward. Others learn to pray by listening to others. Passion is contagious.

But the problem with public prayer is that people often are not really praying to God on behalf of the people, but rather for others. Many fear praying publicly because they might say the wrong words. People are afraid they might not do it right. Hence there is the problem that you are praying for men instead of talking to God on behalf of others. Public prayers, like the hypocrites pray, makes it easy to drift into flowery, abstract language that prayer has almost no substance. Some pray for the infirmities of an anguishing and distraught humanity, rather than Mrs. Brown and her pain from a broken rib.

In public prayer remember to whom you are praying and the causes that would be appropriate for those who want to join you in your prayers for one another. Praise, requests and sometimes even confessions are good for the body of believers.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds June 15 Personal Prayer

Verses- Matt 5: 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Considering Personal Prayer

Notice the center of concentration is on God himself. He is the object of our prayers. Jesus uses the word Father. That term for God is a personal one as we have a relationship with Him. This is not a prayer for non-Christians. If a person has not been born again he cannot approach the throne of God as Father.

Just as a young child is dependent on his Father, so effective praying is focused on our Father, We are completely dependent upon Him. An unsaved woman once told a minister that she had no need to go to church or read the Bible She did acknowledge, however that before she went to bed at night she would pray this simple prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." Noting the preacher's surprise, she explained, "I can take care of myself when I'm awake, but I want protection when I'm asleep."

Many Christians would never say that but by their practice that is what they do. Whenever things are going well, they feel self-sufficient and seldom pray for than token prayers. Then, when circumstances make them realize that things are out of their control, they cry out to the Lord for help. The Lord finds pleasure in listening to His children who come to Him in a spirit of humble dependence.

Ned Holmgren, former pastor here at Stanchfield, wrote on prayer in the Standard magazine. Listen to the personalness as expressed.

"Oh to feel the urgency of prayer!

Like watchmen placed high atop the city wall,

High enough to sound the call,

While Godward to plead persistently to plead in Prayer.

Oh, to know intimacy in prayer!

With Jesus kneel,sharing deeply in his love,

Crying out to Him above,

With longing feel The Masters closer touch thought prayer.

Oh to find Creativity in prayer,

Growing, shaping in the mind. With every thought.

In the Holy Spirit find God's answer brought,

Effective and complete by prayer.

Oh, to learn Authority in prayer

Through the unleashed power of the risen Lord.

Power none can e'er afford,

Save in deceased Authority of self by prayer.”

Oh, to shape A constancy in prayer

By sheer resolve, coupled with a growing love

For the living Lord above,

Thus to involve consistently each day More prayer. "

How's your prayer life? Is it an intimate discussion with a friend intimacy of communion with Christ need to be recaptured in personal quiet times. Call it what you want quiet time, personal devotions, morning watch, individual worship. These holy minutes explain the inner secret of Christianity. Without it there is no vitality in the relationships.

From Moses to David Livingston, Amos to Billy Graham every person who ever sought to serve God mightily needs to spend times alone with God. Psalm 57:7 "My heart is fixed O God, my heart is fixed."

Now if you do not have a personal time with God I implore you for your own sake and spiritual growth take the Word read it. Pray about it. Meditate upon it. Maybe it will help to have a prayer journal with thoughts and requests and impressions, asking God to direct your day to honor Him.

Spend personal time with God.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets June 16 Private Prayer

Verse- Matt 5: 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Considering Private Prayer

The best preparation for praying in public is, of course, praying in private. It is there that a person really gets on speaking terms with his Lord. Prayer can flow naturally when God is not a stranger.

I am not as concerned over the one who has private prayer and never prays in public as I am for the one who has public prayer but never prays in private.

The idea of the closet or the room is a time of intensely private time each of us needs to spend with God. There is value when husband and wives praying together; there is need for family prayers; there are times when the church body comes together and prayers; there are times when two or three gather in the name of Jesus and agree together in prayers. But there is also a time when God wants just you talking with Him. This is a time to confess sin, to express praise, to pour out our hearts, confusion, fears, requests, doubts, and love to the one who loves us and is concerned about you.

The point of Jesus remarks is contrasting sincere prayer from the heart with public display before men. Secret prayer is special because of the relationship that is personal. It is special because we know of the work of God also in your own life. There are things that only God knows and some things that ought to be prayed that only God hears.

Francios Fenelon- wrote this in 17th Century. "Tell God all that is in your heart, as one unloads ones heart, its pleasures and its pains, to a dear friend. Tell Him your troubles that He may comfort you; tell Him your joys that He may sober them; tell Him your longings, that He may purify them; tell Him your dislikes that He may help you to conquer them; talk to Him of your temptations, that He may shield you from them; show Him that wounds of your heart, that He may heal them; lay bear your indifference to good, your depraved tastes for evil, your instability. Tell Him how self love makes you unjust to other, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, how pride disguises you to yourself and to others.

If you thus pour out all your weaknesses, needs, troubles, there will be no lack of what to say. You will never exhaust the subject. It is continually being renewed. People who have no secrets from each other never want for subjects of conversation. They do not weigh their words, for there is nothing to be held back; neither do they seek for something to say. They talk out of the abundance of the heart, without consideration they say just what they think. Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved intercourse with God."

It is in such meditations of the private heart that we grow in faith and love.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets June 17 Pretentious Prayer

Verses; Matt 5: 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.(NIV)

Considering Pretentious Prayer.

It is easy to think if God wants us to pray then the longer the prayer time the better He will think of us. The length, the place and the position of our praying is not as important as the manner and the intention. God likes short prayers if they are real, and likes long prayers if they are sincere. It does not gain us any more rewards in heaven by how many minutes we spend in prayer. Prayer comes from sincerity of the heart, not from the outward expression. It bothers me to see people going through motions to be acceptable to God.

We are not forgiven by how many times we repeat a certain prayer. Penance is not going over a formula repeatedly. If there is ever a problem with misunderstanding of prayer it is in vain and continuous repetitions that many practice. That is not prayer according to Christ. Buddhists have a prayer wheel. Some uses rosaries beads, carry crosses, some repeat table graces, or repetitious memorized prayers before they go to bed.

It was a humorous incident when I was by myself carrying out duties around the house and I was conversing with the Lord. You know you can also pray that way. While you drive or work or do dishes, just open your heart and mind to God and talk things over with him while your work. It certainly makes the time fly quicker too.

I was fixing breakfast and talking with the Lord in my mind. It was an informal “prayer” just speaking what I was thinking in the presence of the Lord. When I got things prepared I sat down. I caught myself silently saying, "Excuse me Lord, I need to pray before I eat, then I'll be right back." I bowed my head and started to say a table grace. I started to laugh. Here I am talking to God while preparing breakfast enjoying personal communion with God while working, but I had to stop talking to Him to say a prayer. My table grace became mere babbling words that lost their meaning. If my heart was truly thankful and I want to invoke His blessing, that is prayer. But if it is going through a habit and motions then it is meaningless. I wondered how many times I said grace and never talked to God because the words were babbling repetitions.

Even group liturgy many churches use in prayers can be meaningful; it can also be meaningless.

God listens to the heart, not to the words. If we are afraid of not saying the right things, or saying something wrong, God isn't the least bit concerned. Say it. Don't worry about your words. God is not concerned if we use wrong grammar, make mistakes. Don't worry about putting your personal, private prayer in special terms. But be sincere. Don't you use your mouth instead of your minds, or think quantity is better than quality.

Wise professors will recognize that verbiage doesn't necessarily mean a thing when making a speech or writing a term paper. God is neither ignorant so that we need to instruct Him nor hesitant that we need to persuade Him. He is our Father who loves and knows our needs even before we ask. What changes is us. He wants us to speak with Him and know from His presence, love, and power. He wants to talk with us and us with Him.

When you consider prayer don't worry about other people. Don't worry about using the right words; don't worry about the place and time but have a heart for God and speak honestly and be open to listen.

Pastor Dale

The Spirit of Giving -Matt 6:1-4

Sermon Nuggets Mon June 6 THE SPIRIT OF GIVING

Matt 6:1-4
1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
(NIV)

The Spirit of Giving

In one church the pastor knowing that many members of the congregation were out of work and broke, put a $1000 in $1 and #5 bills into a wicker basket, explaining that the money was from the church's benevolent fund. "I'm going to do something I have never done before in my ministry" With that, he passed the basket of money to the congregation, urging those in need to take form it, without shame or embarrassment. Many did, but when the basket was returned it contained $67 more than it had when it started out.

This week we will look at some teaching on giving based on the Sermon on the Mount. Giving according to Jesus is not so important as the reason behind the giving.

Why do you give? Many give because it is expected of them at chuch. Many give because they know that in giving they will receive in return. Others give because they want to and don't give two hoots if they get anything in return. Some give because it makes them feel good about themselves. There can be lots of reasons for giving.
Giving is part of most cultures and societies. Some Missionaries try to make contact with a new culture or tribe of people sometimes by leaving gifts to indicate they come as friends. They are coming in peace. However some warring tribe have used gifts as a means to capture the enemy. The Trojan horse was a gift of the Greeks from Troy to Athens and when the horse was taken inside the gates then the Trojan army came our of hiding from within the horse to attack. Not all gifts are good gifts.

Gifts in God's eyes are important by the attitude in which they are given. This is true with the money you place in the offering plate, or with gifts given to family or friend or acquaintances, or as the passage in Matthew is referring even to the poor and the needy.

One problem is that people like to be seen as kind and selfless when really there is a battle within of selfishness.
Salesmen give all kinds of gifts in hopes of eventually or continually getting customers to purchase their product or services. I remember one sales man giving out wristwatches, the recipient told him right from the beginning that he signed a contract with another company. The salesman took the watch back.

Many give to religious or benevolent causes because of the praise of others. They like to be well thought of. That attitude Jesus condemns. Do you ever watch TV telethons raising money for various charity causes? Often it is interesting to see how large companies compete for prime time to show others who benevolent they really are as a means of advertising. How many would give in secret? How many would give if nobody knew how kind and generous they were? Some will argue that the end justifies the means. So many charity organizations are geared not for serving the Lord by helping the poor and needy, but seeking to give to get- Lottery, charitable gambling, afghans, cars, prizes, or advertising so people will buy your products.

Of course most giving should be out of love. It maybe the cause of the need for those suffering devastation in others parts of the world or at home. It may be love for the Lord as part of worship. It may be love for a family member or friend that is special to you.

Think about the gifts and offerings you have given in the last couple of weeks? What was the spirit of your giving?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues June 7 The Principle of Giving



Principle of Giving

Maybe we don't do it right. We don't advertise givers unless it is a memorial gift in honor of the person who died. We keep giving secret, even from the pastor, so I am not tempted to cater to the best givers. We have very few people knowing what anyone gives. It is limited to the Financial Secretary, and once a month a different Trustee who helps count the money to make sure money isn't stolen and people aren't running off with the offering.

However, if we made it public the amount people gave would we get larger offerings? I used to look at how Stanchfield’s giving was compared to other churches of our size when the Minnesota conference listed how much each church gave. Then I would encourage our board to consider that in looking at our mission’s budget. Would that be an appropriate principle of giving?

There was a clear principle in the Old Testament that was 10%. We call it the tithe. It was practiced in the New Testament. It was a legalistic way of giving that some people would judge their faithfulness to God if they tithed and there were other offerings above that. There are churches that set up a annual fund drive where people make promises as to what they are going to give in the next year and calls or visits are given to help remind people what they pledge was if it wasn’t received. Some churches even send out suggestions of what each family should give as a minimum as a member of the church. The ways of man vary even when it comes to financing a church.

But none of that makes a different to Jesus. Jesus looks at the motives of the heart. That is why the widow’s two mites were more important than the large sums that the wealthy were giving in the temple. She gave all she had, while the rich man gave an great gift, but it was a very little percentage of his money.

In addition to the attitude there is also the understand that if you love God and others you will give.

We have a benevolent fund as part of our budget, but we have special funds as well be they food shelf, World Relief, or special offerings. But

verse 2 doesn't say “if” you give to the needy do not brag about it, but rather “when” you give. That implies two things: 1) give. 2) give as unto the Lord. Which is nobody's business but yours and the Lords -but it is His business. That follows his statement on love.

Giving shows care, concern and commitment. We give because we love. Love is intangible. Giving becomes a tangible expression of love. Giving helps us demonstrate what we say, when we say it isn't the gift it's the thought that counts. The gift is the visible expression of the thought. Without the gift the thought is just that--a thought.

We give because Jesus gave to us. God's gift at in Jesus didn't stop at the manger. His love toward us is expressed by his most generous giving nature. Romans 5:32 "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him graciously give us all things?" He continues to give us what is necessary. What he asks of us is that we give ourselves to Him.


Pastor Dale



Sermon Nuggets Weds June 8 Receiving



PRINCIPLE OF RECEIVING.


Notice that although the emphasis of Jesus instructions are on giving there is also comment on receiving. Those who give to be seen by men get their reward. Those who give in secret, those who give when your left hand doesn't know what your right hand is doing are those your Father sees what is done and will reward you.

Acts of kindness, even anonymous acts, and acts that do not draw attention to yourself are blessed and will be rewarded if you have already accepted God's gift of Jesus Christ.

What is the reward? Are rewards something received for various accomplishments? Many people are great givers, but lousy receiver. Do you know that when the Bible says it is more blessed to give than receive, it isn't saying it is wrong to receive?

First, if we are not receivers we are not Christians. Foremost God is the giver of life eternal and forgiveness of sin and we must receive that gift. The trouble with many people is that they believe in God, and out of fear or works want to give acts of good works and money so that they will be accepted. They try to appease God in this manner. Many pagan religions teach if the faithful give so much then the gods will look favorably upon them so they will be forgiven.

But that is true with man today. When asked, "Do you think you are going to heaven?" will answer by saying, "I hope so?" Friends, we can be sure. For there is only one way and that is to receive Jesus. John 2:23 For as many as received him, (Jesus) to them he gave the right to become the sons (or children) of God, even to them who believe in his name.” John also says in his letter, "He who has the son has life, and he who does not have the son of God does not have life."

God doesn't make us acceptable by our giving him anything, but we are made acceptable by receiving someone. Receiving Jesus means praying and committing our life to Him, asking him to take control over your will.

Secondly, we are receivers in other ways than just salvation. Mary and Joseph received gold, frankincense and myrrh and behalf of Jesus. For the wise men to be givers the holy family needed to be receivers. What would happen if they had refused the gift and said they just couldn't accept gifts from strangers? It would have not been in God's plan. Do you ever think that part of God's plan is to be a receiver and by doing so you may be helping someone else's faith? Do you realize that one of the ways God meets our needs is through the resources of others at the right time and for the right purpose?

One problem with receivers of course, is the problem of ethics. People who are desirous with a pure heart to serve God and give to Him are many times taken in by people who misuse and abuse the money they have received as a gift for need by spending it in ways that are improper or not with the intent provided.


Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Thurs June 9 Need


Verses- Matt 6: 2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,


The Principle of Need

One of the problems we have in our society is the conflict between independence and dependency. Americans used to value independence where they were responsible for facing all situations in life. That circle expands in families which takes the view that our family will take care of ourselves we don’t need help from anyone else. But as our culture moved from agriculture to technological and industry the corporate mentality also moved to being employees with larger organizations to work either our own particular job in conjunction with many others to accomplish someone else’s ultimate goal with which we may or may not agree.

Governments do exist with one of their purposes to function for the welfare of the citizens. That welfare maybe be to provide protection through armed forces, fire and safety management. It may be for the welfare of the people by providing roads and lights and protection from unsafe products. Welfare of the citizens is to develop and execute justice when crimes have been committed. Health and social services expand from that.

When the church was established those early members became the larger family to help one another in love. Where does that lead to today? Is it government, church, family, individuals who are responsible for needs, wants, and services?

The purpose of wealth, according to early rabbis, was to provide the opportunity to alleviate the suffering of those in need. Most readily the poor did not have the capabilities of providing enough food, or clothing and if that was the case it was compassion that helped them for basic needs. But besides direct financial help by individuals, a variety of other aids to the needy developed. In the Old Testament it was the practice to let those without glean grain left in the fields and those who let them and indeed even left some for them were commended by the Lord. Often the Bible instructs Jews and Christians to receive the traveler, foreigner, widow, fatherless- the needy became those who did not have the resources to immediately provide for their care. That also included sickness, and protection from the elements, or injustice when they were falsely accused or being taken advantage of because they did not understand the situation.

Jesus commended those who also visited the sick and the prisoner. Women and children get a priority of attention as the more vulnerable in society.

Unfortunately, some people who are used to receiving can have a spirit of greediness which is sinful. Many are thoughtless and ungrateful for what they do receive! Some will refuse to work or help others to help themselves and there were instructions to discern if the need was real.

The ones that live to be rewarded by men's recognition will only receive human recognition and that is all they will get, but the ones giving for the sake of love and honor and worship to God will get their reward by the Father and that we may wait for..that takes patience. Jesus wasn't talking in terms of material reward, but the highest reward never comes to him who is seeking reward.

Receiving is more than money. Part of our receiving reminds us of our humility and the importance of others. We need to develop a thankful heart. Friend, don't forget all we are and ever will be is because of others who have given to us in some way. We need to be grateful receivers as well as givers. We've received from parents, teachers, Sunday school teachers. We have received most from God. And to grow in our Christian faith we need to continue to receive from the Lord and sometimes from others for that is a way we continue to recognize that we are needy people.

We need love and we need rebuke, and we need the support of fellow Christians and need friendship, we need prayers of one another, and need helpers. It is the one that gives and receives that can be a blessing to others. We need not independence, nor dependence, but rather interdependence with another in the Lord.


Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Fri June 10 Sharing


PRINCIPLES OF SHARING


Teofilo said to Christobel the new convert in the little mission chapel in Cuba: Christobel, if you had a hundred sheep, would you give 50 of them for the Lord's work? Yes I would."

"Would you do the same if you had 100 cows" Yes, Teofilo, I would"

"Would you do the same if you had a 100 horses" Yes, of course,"

If you had 2 pigs, would you give one of them to the Lord?"

No I wouldn't and you have no right to ask me, Teofilo, for you know I have two pigs."

Sharing is the give and take, giving and receiving. Christian community sees a need and seeks to meet it. Christian community is made aware of your need and seeks to meet it with the resources of the body. Our first obligation is to our Lord, our family, then God's family and then to all, for you never know when you help an angel without knowing it according to Heb 13:2 “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”

It is not healthy to always be receivers. Since we are all receivers seek to share with those in need without expecting anything in return. But realize that when you give you do receive something in return You have already received and are promised more in the future, if not now, later.

Our Savior made this clear when He told what would happen to the person who leaves all ("houses or brothers or sister or father or mother or children or fields") for Jesus' sake: he "will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life." (Mt. 19:29)

God taught the principle of sharing. He reminds us of what we have received. Then He tells us to give to others just as freely as we have received from Him. He promised to reward us for investing our lives, our talents, and our money in His service. He shared with us and we give ourselves to Him. He gives to use and we share to others, who take whatever gifts they may have, not always material, and share with others.

This type of giving is so far different than the attitude that says, "Well if this couple had us over then we must have them over to pay them back. If I received a gift from this person, I better get them a gift in return."

One woman, after hearing of the need of a fellow believer, made out a check for the amount of the need. Having thanked the lady for her gift she said, “It is not a gift from me for it isn’t mine. God has lend to me material resources that I may in His name use it and give to those in His name what is His.”

A sharer understands that we are stewards of the things God gives us. If another needs it, it isn't really ours we own, it is God's and so with a light heart and joy of being a servant of Jesus we can help those who come to our attention.

Whether people know or don't know isn't what is important it is that God knows and His knowing is enough.

That is a sharer.


Pastor Dale

New Kind of Love - Matt 5:43-48

Sermon Nuggets Mon May 30 A New Kind of Love

Verses
Matt 5:43-48
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. 45 He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (NIV)

A New Kind of Love

Otto von Bismarck says, "When a man says he approves of something in principle, it means he hasn't the slightest intention of putting it into practice."

Jesus is confusing more and more people when makes practical the results of heart changed by God. Last week we looked at the impossible challenge to exchange good for evil. Jesus told them to do what is contrary to our human nature. He told them to turn the other cheek, to walk the extra mile, to give to someone who wants to borrow.

If our rights are given over to the Lord and He chooses to use us, so now when our hearts are given over to the Lord, he wants us to be witnesses of super human love. Such love is contrary to human nature to love, bless, and pray for our enemies, and for those that persecute us and are against us. It's fine in principle but Lord, do you seriously think we should practice that?

One historian of the early church wrote, "These Nazarenes propose to beat the world with two important weapons- love and a blameless life." We know that the best way to handle an enemy is to beat him or run from him. I have made the statement, if every time you pet a dog and it bites you, you soon stop petting the dog. Jesus didn't handle his enemies that way. He loved them to win them over to Himself.


Pastor Dale



Sermon Nuggets Tues May 31 A Godly Love

Verses- Matt 5:43-44 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

Godly Love

The OT law say, Love your neighbor and it was ok to hate your enemy. The world says, Love those who are your friend and have nothing do with the one that is your enemy. That isn't godly love; it is a human natural love.

Jesus said to love your enemies and some versions have the added words, “Bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you.” The NIV adds “pray for those who persecute you.”

There was a story in the Sunshine Magazine about a professor of psychology who had no children, whenever he saw a neighbor scolding a child for some wrong doing he would say, "You should love your boy not punish him".

One hot summer afternoon the professor was doing some repair work on the concrete driveway leading to his garage. Tired out after several hours of work, he laid down the trowel, wiped the perspiration from his forehead and started toward the house, Just then out of the corner of his eye was a mischievous little boy putting his foot into the fresh cement. He rushed over grabbed him and was about to spank him when a neighbor leaned out the window and said, "Watch it professor. Don't you remember? You must love the child. " At this he yelled back furiously, "I do love him in the abstract, but not in the concrete."

Jesus is commanding us not only to love our enemy in the abstract, but in the concrete. You bless, do good and pray for others that is asking almost more than what our emotions can take. Returning good for good toward others is commendable, returning good or evil is Christ like. Love is an action of good toward others, not necessarily a feeling. Doing good to those who do evil does bring change if not in others then at least in yourself. It changes people from being a enemies into being friends.

One person wrote a poem, "He drew a circle that shut me out -Heretic, rebel a thing to flout. But love and I had the wit to win. We drew a circle that took him in."

When I was at MSU I was told that normal a person has a personality conflict with 10-20% of other people. There are certain personalities that clash, and it is easier to understand that there are certain kinds of mixes that just do not fit very well. Some are blessed in they can get along with most people and other are of the type they get along with very few. Some people are very people oriented and others very task oriented. Some very conscious of time others time doesn't mean a thing. Some people have to be doing something all the time, others can be very content watching waiting and relaxing. Some of those traits are taught some of them are part of someone’s personality.

At the sorority house where I worked while in college there was one particular gal that just rubbed me the wrong way. Normally, I just avoid her kind, grin and bear it and seek to have little to do with just such a person. But this particular gal was getting under my skin so that I noticed I would start worrying about running into her before I even came to work. When I read this passage I thought of her. I prayed, "Lord, I cannot love this person she drive me up a wall. I can't stand her. But I will try to obey you because I know that my attitude toward her is not pleasing to Christ. I will promise to pray for her." So I started to do that as often as I thought of her I prayed for her. Not because I wanted to, mind you, but because it was in the Bible and I felt it was an act of obedience to the Lord.

I remember praying for her and going to the house and seeing her and nothing changed. "Lord, you're not changing her. What's wrong? It doesn't work." But I continued to pray for her and then for my attitude.

Now after a few months, I wish I could tell you what happened but I cannot. I was sitting down having coffee with some of the other busboys and some of the girls in the sorority house and we talking and laughing about something, and like a lightening bolt from the sky the sudden awareness came to me, the girl is at the table I don't feel that animosity any anymore. I wasn't even aware of the change. In fact she was even tolerable. When I finally left the job after graduation out of 60 sorority sisters, she was among 5 that I would have called a good friend. I thanked God for answering a prayer and also changing my heart even when I didn't know what was happening. It does make a different. Now there are a couple more I might need to be praying about.


Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Weds June 1 Gracious Love

Matt 5:45 He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.


A Gracious Love

A godly loves is first a gracious love. Kindness is shown to all regardless of who they are or what they do. In this passage God demonstrates what some theologians call a common grace. It is a graciousness given to all people. All people experience the benefits of sun and rain. We experience air to breath and food to eat. We see God’s thumb print on our lives. People who have rejected God or are His enemies experience is kindness anyway in the things we enjoy in this world.

A gracious love is given not because it is deserved but because of the quality of love by the giver. We begin to treat others the way God treats the evil an the unrighteous, with grace.

Is our enemy a non-Christian? Then that person stands under the condemnation of God and needs to be pitied. It is horrible for them not to know God. If we are the ones who have sinned and caused harm to another, then we need to pray that God would change our hearts, repent, seek forgiveness, and ask that we might be the instruments of his peace and love. Christ's love is given it even it isn't deserved. That is the way Jesus did, "While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. He was the just for the unjust, the godly for the ungodly.

Why should we give gracious love? Because that type of love is also a godly love. The previous verse reads, "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”

Now that does not mean that is how to be saved. You are not converted by showing love to enemies. You are saved by God showing his love to you. You came to realize your sin and short comings and confessed them to God and by faith trusted Jesus to save you.

So what does it mean to be children of the Father, or sons of the Father in heaven in this passage?

It means you will be identified as his sons by demonstrating the same kind of love he has. Children of peace, or sons of peace, is an adjective meaning peaceful people. In that sense we might say here sons of God, means Godly people. We who have God as our Heavenly Father should so be identified as Godly, having the similar kind of love that only he can give.

All people good or bad received air, sun, rain, stars, food, and the benefits of what he made in this world. We might also argue that the fall also affects all people Christians and non Christians alike but also includes Hindus Buddhists, atheists, and Satanists. In our case everyone regardless of color or creed is getting too much rain at one time. When a tornado hits, which is part of the curse of the fall, storms and chaos in weather, it hits everyone in the town, and doesn't just skip over the Christian's home. The sun shines on the thorn, on the rose, it shines on the pig and the glamorous movie model it shines on the beggar and the rich man.

Just like we all are affected by the general grace of God, so are we all affected by the fall of man. Therefore there is a sacrificial love needed to change our hearts forever.


Pastor Dale



Sermon Nuggets Thurs June 2 A Greater Love

Verses Matt 5:46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?


A Greater Love

People understood what is meant to love, but restricted their love to family and friends. This concept of loving ones enemy seemed so foolish. All throughout the Old Testament the prophets told of the enemy and how they were to be hated and separated and killed.

Jesus is going around and telling of a different type of love. It is a greater love than what the tax collector demonstrates. It is a greater love than the pagans show to each other. It goes beyond to see God I a different light who so loves the world, not just his family, the Jews, or those godly who go to temple and synagogue, but even the unlovely, even the sinner. So many people do not believe God really loves them.

D.L. Moody tells in his biography of returning from his preaching engagement when his wife encouraged him to come to a special meeting that An English preacher, Henry Moorhouse was having. She told him Moorehouse preached 2 sermons from John 3:16 one God's love, “although he preaches a little different from what you do. He tells sinners that God loves them.”

"Well,” Moody said, “He is wrong." His wife continued, “I think you will agree with him when you hear him, because he backs up everything he says with the Word of God. You think if a man doesn't preach as you do, he is wrong."

Moody went and noticed people brought their Bibles. He turned to John 3:16 and preached an extraordinary sermon and turned from Genesis to Revelation to prove that in all ages God loved the world that he sent prophets and patriarch and holy men to warn them, and last of all sent His Son. After they murdered Him, He sent the Holy Spirit to live within mankind, to all who believe in Christ.

Moody, wrote, "I never knew up to that time that God loved us so much. This heart of mine began to thaw out, and I could not keep back the tears. It was like news from a far country. I just drank it in."

The next night Moorhouse turned again to John 3 16. Moody saw how he used the Bible to explain the Bible and God’s great love. "I used to preach that God as behind the sinner with a double edged sword, ready to hew him down. I have got done with that I preach now that God is behind the sinner with love, and he is running away from God of love. "

Each night came and they thought surely Moorehouse had exhausted the text, but he preached all 7th night "My friend, for a whole week I have been trying to tell you how much God love you, but I cannot do it with this poor stammering tongue. If I could borrow Jacobs ladder and climb up into Heaven, and ask Gabriel who stands in the presence of the Almighty, if he could tell me how much love the Father has for the world, all he could say would be God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

In the face of blasphemy hatred, revenge, slander and abuse, Jesus stood at the crucifixion and said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing." He prayed for them.

Stephen was so filled with the Holy Spirit in his life that even those persecuting him looked upon his face which shone with God's glory like an angel. Then he saw Jesus and his prayer demonstrated the love likes Jesus love. Listen also to his words. "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord do not hold this sin against them." and when he had said this, he fell asleep.

It was the greater love the world had seen not only in Jesus, but his followers.

Augustus said, "Many have learned how to offer the other cheek but do not know how to love him by whom they were struck". Jesus calls us to go beyond forbearance to service. It is one thing to take it. It is a greater love to return good for evil. True love is not sentimental, it is service and it is sacrifice. There is no reason in the world for God to have his only begotten Son suffer abuse and heartache, to take on the form of mankind and walk around like one of us. But he did. That is greater love. It is God's love. It was the love demonstrated to each of us while we were still sinners.


Pastor Dale



Sermon Nuggets Fri June 3 Perfect Love

48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (NIV)

Perfect Love

As is the case with all of the instructions of the Sermon on the Mount we fall short, but Jesus fulfills perfect love. To love enemies is also a perfect love. We certainly can’t do that on our own. Christ's answer is be the first to look for an opportunity to do good to the offender.

I think the Amplified translation picks up better the Greek word meaning. 48You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

This perfect love, that is growing maturity of godliness and character goes beyond our humanness and draws upon God's power to witness by loving in return for evil.

Someone said the only nice thing about being imperfect is the joy it bring to others.' Well, let me bring some joy into your life for as I read this verse confess I do not have that maturity based on my works. I am not perfect, nor will be until I get to glory. But by grace we are made perfect by the blood of Jesus and now are told to walk in that new nature.

But the Greek word for perfect “teleios” doesn’t mean sinless perfection. Since it means complete, sound, and full grown, I believe Jesus is telling us to love like God loves, and that is a growing assignment. That is why I need Jesus.

Our efforts to interest others in a Christian life are sometimes unconvincing. All too often we ask them to accept Christ but there is no difference in our life than anyone else’s. Are you letting God work within? Show mercy to your enemy. Do good when it's not expected. Be kind when it is undeserved. Give the world a taste of one higher-price brand that far perfect love. It will not come naturally it comes with prayer and yielding to the Spirit of God.

Bob Lupton mentioned volunteering with disadvantaged youth. He brought many home and two watches soon disappeared. One was expensive the other sentimental. Into his church walked a young mother with 3 dirty scantily clad preschooler at her feet, who told a heart rendering account of their abandonment, hunger and cold rejection at welfare office. Compassion and righteous anger compelled the man to act immediately with a supply of groceries and clothes, only to discover a little later that this same women has used the same false story on churches and individuals all over that city. He had been taken advantage of.

Why help people and show them love when he continues to get hurt? What do you do? What would Jesus do? When they wanted bread and fish but no discipleship; when they came for healing of leprosy but only one returned to thank Jesus; when he cared for Judas who in turn turned him over to the soldiers for arrest?

We realize how conditional most of our acts of kindness really are. How much we expect to be paid back for our love, at least in changed behavior or polite thank you or appreciative smiles. Then we are presented with a unmistakable opportunity to learn to love without strings attached. It may also be the beginning of understanding how dependent we are on good feelings to motivate us to serve. The goal of Bob Lupton's work is same of Jesus Christ to change lives, both in the servant and in the ones being served.


Pastor Dale

Good for Evil Matt 5:38-42

Sermon Nuggets Mon May 23 Good for Evil

Verses: Matt 5:38-42
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'
39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.


Good for Evil

There was an Irish Prize fighter that became a preacher. As he would go from town to town telling the gospel story, he would often be ridiculed and shouted down by ruffians. In one particular town he as preaching in the open air, some men came form the pub, and began to make fun of him and push him around. Finally one man said he didn't want to hear anymore preaching and the preacher better be on his way.

The Irishman continued and the drunk turned and socked him one. Some in the crowd knew he was a former fighter. They watched with wonder and anticipation. He dusted himself off and said, "The Bible says we should turn the other check. Here lad, try this side." He offered him his other cheek. The Intoxicated fellow did just what came naturally and plunked the preacher down on the ground again. The minister got up dusted off his pants, and took off his coat and rolled up his sleeves, then making fights he said, "The Bible said if one strikes you on the right cheek turn unto him the other also, after that the Lord gave me no further instructions."

If someone smites you on the right cheek turn unto him also the other. Sometimes you wonder where in the world Jesus came up with such unrealistic principles, don't you.

I read the Sunday paper a few years ago and somebody asked Ann Landers to repeat a column she wrote earlier on maturity. "Maturity is the ability to do a job without supervision, finish a job once it is started, carry money without spending it, and the ability to bear injustice without wanting to get even." Don't return evil for evil. If that latter comment relates to maturity, then Jesus said it many years earlier. He went one step further, not only do not return evil for evil, but return good for evil.

Let’s look more closely at this statement this week and see if we can't make some sense of it in our day and age.

Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Tues May 24 Revenge

Verse Matt 5: 38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'


Revenge

It was the law of the Barbarians that taught ‘If someone gouges out your eye, you can in return gouge out both of his. If someone knocked out your tooth, then you can knock out a number of his. If someone bodily harmed you, you can go ahead and kill the other guy.’ Revenge is something that doesn't have to be taught.

Check out elementary playgrounds. Find out what happens after awhile when kids are playing with one another. Soon you have words exchanged, then fights. It is the philosophy of someone's T shirt that I read "I don't get mad, I get even".

Many tribes in New Zealand and certain parts of Africa, as well in the early days of the Ozark mountain people would have blood feuds. One tribal feuded against another. The legendary feud of the Hatfields and McCoys was something like that. If you offended someone from my clan then I have the right and obligation of getting back at someone from your family. If you do it to one, you do it to all, and all for one and one for all. There was a great emphasis on getting revenge on anyone who did you wrong. This would carry a perpetual battle that caused more people to get involved and hurt in the process.

Moses law was supposed to bring about some sanity in revengeful people. The law tried to limit the retaliation only to the guilty party and only to the degree that you were harmed. Hence we read an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. If he knocked out one of your eyes you could only avenge one eye, not both and so forth. If according to Exodus 21:23-25 we read that this was instruction only for the judge of disputes. In other words, such justice was given to society not to the individual. Many of these guidelines are the guidelines of Islamic countries. They need to be tried and found guilty in order for proper revenge for provision is applied. In our country it is financial compensation for injury or compensation for some action that is against us.

Now Jesus is speaking to the individuals saying, "Don't get even, don't seek revenge at all. Instead the one who has a new heart from God must show love and forgiveness.

As Christians we are member of the Kingdom of God. Yet, as humans we still belong to a sinful and deprived world that is under Satan's domain. The Scriptures call him the prince of this world. So we are conflicted. If you were to take Jesus instruction to its natural conclusion without qualification, “do not resist an evil person”, then we should eliminate all the police force, and armed forces and court system. If facing a robber is Jesus saying don't resist him? If so, we should open all jails. But in fact you would have complete chaos for man's heart is sinful. God has given civil authority to government for the expressed purpose of keeping law.

Jesus isn't talking about the need for social protection, but the spirit of personal revenge to get back at the other person, to drag him down and annihilate him. How can we love the sinner and hate the sin? How can we realize that sin needs to be paid for, but also realize that in many cases God calls us to go beyond our emotions and seek forgiveness? For the concept of revenge is there whether or not the law is kept or broken. We want the evil person punished. We want to get back at someone who has crossed the line of our personal appropriateness. If someone takes away our customer, we want to steal one of theirs, if another church gains one of our members we want to start stealing one of their members, if someone starts dating our boyfriend we want to get at that girl with vengeance. If neighbor wakes me up early in the morning, then by golly, I've have a right to make some noise late at night. The concept of revenge is part of each one.

But it personal revenge does not lead to real peace.


Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Weds May 25 Rights

Verses Matt 5: 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.


Rights.


The question of rights is really the question that Jesus addresses. We belong to Jesus Christ. We no longer belong to the world. Now lets think about this a minute. What type of rights do we turn over to God? I think there are three rights illustrated by the examples Jesus gives.

The first is the Right of Pride. We want to be respected, we want to be well thought of, we do not want to be laughed at or taken advantaged of. We lose self esteem if we are bullied or made to look like fools. We don't' want anyone walking all over us.

Jesus implies the strong man is one who can control himself in the face of ridicule and not give in to the emotion and evil desire to harm the others. The ultimate action is for the good of the other, not to destroy him even if he deserves it. Can we give our Right of Personal pride over to Jesus?

Within the Asian culture to be struck on the right cheek often meant to be hit with the back of one's hand. That is a double insult upon insult.

Within the Kingdom we will suffer insult. But if it is for Christ's sake then God desires to take matters into his own hands. Romans 12:19 says, "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge: I will repay,: says the Lord." In fact by taking matters into our hand instead of leaving it up to God, we are not allowing that person to come under conviction of the Spirit. Now he has just cause to feel animosity toward us, instead we must realize that it is toward God.

Wilberforce, the Christian political leader that sought to stop slave trading in Britain was slandered, insulted and the object of all kinds of evil and false rumors. Yet he continued doing what God told him to do. He would not give up. He was willing to give up his reputation and friendships, his dignity and his political office for something God placed on his heart to fight for. Humility in Christ is realizing we do not care what people think of us only what God thinks. Be willing to suffer indignity if it is for Christ's sake. At God's timing He will lift us up. Let us first find our pride in Gods thoughts of us not other people.


Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Thurs May 26 Rights to possessions

Verses:
40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Rights to Possessions

When we looked at the rights of an individual Jesus gives the example of being struck on the cheek and allowing the enemy to do it again. It not only seems extreme but unrealistic to our right for personal safety. Believe it or not, some will justify spousal abuse with this verse. A manipulative and abusive husband or boyfriend will justify his ongoing criminal behavior misquoting and misunderstanding what Jesus is saying. It would be better to be judged by our own courts than by God who sees the lies of the heart and the abuses of sin which will not go unpunished.

Another right is the right to our personal possessions? The coat and cloak refers to possession required in a court of law. The tunic is that inward covering that many Jews had two or more of, but the coat served as the outward covering during the day and a blanket at night. It is very important if someone loaned his coat as security, he could walk around all day without it, but the lender must return it every evening as a protection against the cold.

Jesus allowed this security to be given over to him as well, and if someone seeks to sue you your attitude is that all you have belongs to God, and here take this right too.

Even in lending we should not deny those needs, but be generous with that which Christ has been generous toward us. It is even better to help a score of fraudulent beggars than risk turning away the one man in real need.

Our possessions are the Lords, if someone takes something of ours, and if what we have is really God's isn't he actually stealing from God? If God desires to help others one of the ways he does so is through the resources that he allows us to manage. Part of having peace about possession is giving that right to God.

But time is another thing we think we possess and have a right to use as we will. If I see my time as my time then I get frustrated. If however, I commit my time unto the Lord then I can easily make allowances saying the Lord has other things in his mind that are more important at this time. Now that is not to say we ought not to plan, or to make too use of our plans and time but it does say that my plans are offered to God.

The illustration of walking 2 miles comes from the military understanding of that time. A Roman soldier could come up to any citizen and demand of him his service to carry the soldier’s goods, or transfer baggage for up to a mile. They were completed by law So at anytime a soldier could demand someone to do that, regardless of inconvenience. Joseph of Arimathea was in such a category. Jesus is saying we should go what is compulsory and even more to show that we are Kingdom people and not just citizens of that earthly government. Give our plan to the Lord and our attitudes of interruptions will be different too.

In a biography about DL Moody written by his son-in-law, A.P. Fitt discussed three supreme testings awaiting strong men in this life; the testing of poverty and obscurity, the testing of prosperity and applause; and the testing of suffering. He wrote that many men turn sour and bitter under neglect and not feeling like they are appropriately being acknowledged for their efforts and accomplishments. Yet some will fail with too much limelight and prosperity corrupted in their character.

The testing of suffering cause many to fall in the faith. He was writing to show how the evangelist experienced all three tests and kept his eyes on Christ.

Part of what Jesus is calling his disciples to do is not to think about who we have been wronged, or even what our personal rights are, but rather can we keep our eyes on Jesus and let our self-esteem, our strength, and even our vengeance be given to him with faith that really does believe he will take care of it?


Pastor Dale


Sermon Nuggets Fri. May 27 Referral

Verse Matt 5:38-42

Referral

As we have been looking at personal offenses it seems this passage is pointing not to our rights, but referring the wrongdoers to God. Jesus is asking for our rights that we think are so important for our protection of pride, plans, and property, but they aren't really ours to begin with. When we yield our rights to God we can expect that He will allow situations to develop in which these rights will be withheld from us. If we find ourselves becoming angry when this happens, we can be sure that our yielding of these rights was not complete in our own hearts.

The actions so described are actions of witness first, love toward the others secondly, and thirdly putting the individual who has wronged you in the hands of God for ultimate renewal. It those who wronged you do not repent they will experience the vengeance of God, which is far worse than anything we could think of doing anyway.

Both in Isaiah and 1 Peter there is a prophecy and explanation of Jesus suffering wrongly. He could have called 10,000 angels to take him from the cross to annihilate the entire human race. But through love and patience he goes beyond my understanding. We know through his suffering of the cross it was for your sin and mine. Who of us can at that moment of our suffering unjustly, and slanderous lies, can ask for the forgiveness of the very ones who were persecuting the Son of God? When there are times that we undergo unjust treatment, how do we feel? What is the response?

What advice can we give to those believers mistreated? Christ is our example. He prayed, “Lord not my will but Thine be done." He prayed, “Father forgive them they know not what they do."

He understood there was a larger issue at stake than the human one. It was the task of salvation and calling a people to eternal life by faith in trusting Jesus. Most of the prophets were persecuted for the sake of righteousness. They proclaimed God's message and in so doing were rejected. In that situation we should rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is our reward in heaven.

An oyster gets a piece of sand, or dirt in the shell and develops a secretion that surrounds it and produces a pearl. They can take that which hurts into something of value. What do we do with our irritations? Many aggravating people need the love of Christ more than what we might realize And maybe you are the only one who can give it to them. Will you Let God's love flow through you?

After one harsh and hardened soldier commanded yet another crucifixion he watched one who was struck and turned the other cheek. When his prisoner was slandered, he kept silent, when abused and beaten he blessed and loved in return. And after this treatment the prisoner cried for their forgiveness. This soldier, a centurion, looked upon the lifeless body of the Christ and exclaimed, "Truly this was the Son of God."


Pastor Dale