NOV 10, 17 and 24 ALL THINGS NEW and what it means to be a teacher, a disciple or an ambassador

John 3: 1-9

 ⁵Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.

John 13: 33-36

³⁵By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’

Second Corinthians 5: 16-21

²⁰So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

What does it mean to be a teacher, the son of God and being born of the Spirit?  Three questions asked by Nicodemus of Jesus, and yet what Nicodemus really wants to know is where does Jesus fit on the team?  Rev. Jason added the context for this interchange- Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night, Nicodemus asks these rather roundabout questions, and what preceded this text in the Bible are the episodes of the water being made into wine and tables that are upended in the temple.  Nicodemus’s approach is that the physical explains what the spiritual.  It is defined, it is legalistic.  Jesus responds that the spirit is inborn- a Christian cannot just expect to be spiritual but needs to be moved or lead by God. 

And what does it mean to be a disciple? Rev. Jason described the lesson Jesus wanted his Disciples to know, and the setting for Jesus’s calling them “Little Children”.  This phrase is really a tender admonition to tell the Disciples, “wait, wait- don’t strive to be grown up or even ready to accept what is coming”.    Jesus and the Disciples have now been together for 3 years, and Rev. Jason explained that in this time, the Disciples have grown almost quite literally from “little children” who know nothing to Disciples who are a reflection of Jesus, His teachings and His love.    At the end of this passage, the challenge is you must love to show that you are a Christian.  Rev. Jason’s challenge to the congregation:  Are you willing to prove to the world who you are?

And what is an Ambassador for Christ?  The historical context, as defined by Rev. Jason, is that an Ambassador was critical to politics and power in the days of Jesus.  Distance was a huge factor in placing an individual who could represent his country and manage the relationship. 

In the spiritual realm, God relies on us to be His Ambassador- for what we have to share and what we each have to offer is unique.  Rev. Jason reminded us that Jesus did not heal the blind, the lame or the deaf in the same way twice, underscoring that each of us is unique. 

A member of our congregation gave a powerful testimony of his learning to be a Christian, and his development into an Ambassador.  He stopped asking “where should I go?  what should I do?” and became that spokesman for God- showing love, faith and leadership.

 

Believing in God and being His representative, this is what each of us has to share.  Be a teacher, be a disciple or be an ambassador- just bring the Word of God to your life.

I am, a Renewed Christian  

NOVEMBER 1 All Things New and vocabulary

Matthew 26:26-30

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

“… ‘Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. “

http://bible.oremus.org/   

Covenant:  1. (noun) a solemn agreement, a legally binding agreement, a lawsuit for breach of agreement, mutual promises of God and Israelites.

                   2. (transitive verb) meaning to promise legally to do something.  [Encarta Dictionary]

Rev. Jason started with a very interesting analogy of learning to read and at the same time, adding to acquired vocabulary, by way of marveling at how his daughter gained a vocabulary without knowing it just reading the “Fancy Nancy” series for girls and then comparing it to his own reluctant practice of SAT words. 

Wouldn’t we all rather learn with ease? 

Or in the case of comprehending the meaning of Covenant, learning not just the definition, but becoming the Christian believer you want to be or develop into? 

Rev. Jason then explained how the word COVENANT appears in The Bible 290 times.  Covenant evolves over time in The Bible, starting out with Noah, and God’s promise not to flood the Earth again if Noah will believe and create the Ark to save man and animal.

For Abraham, the word covenant now comes to mean a blessing of the generations to follow.  For Moses, covenant becomes official- documents are drawn up, rules fashioned, obedience defined.  The Ten Commandments become the standard of being Christian.

And then Rev. Jason related covenant to communion and brought forward the ideas of how Christians today need to look at the importance of communion as a way of reinforcing covenant and Jesus.  Rev. Jason named two principals:  that communion is the symbol of God’s sacrifice of His only son and the forgiveness of sins.

The challenge for many of us is to make the promise to be a better Christian and to re-affirm our beliefs.  Communion is a gentle reminder of our commitments to God and should add to the vocabulary of faith, and not just word by word. 

I am, a Renewed Christian

OCTOBER 19: Faith on the Go and the invitation is open to all

Luke 14:14-24

“…‘Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!’”

Covenant again practiced setting up at Timber Creek Elementary in anticipation of our move there on November 3, 2013 10 am. 

We had a sermon, Communion, kid's ministries and child care, fellowship over drinks and cookies and another wonderful concert of live music.

And the sermon brought home how important it is to invite people to Church.  Naturally, humans look forward to the invitations of celebrations like birthdays and weddings.  The discussions of how many to invite, whom to invite and when to celebrate are all topics we like to consider.  Sometimes the decisions are easy, and many times there are strict limitations.

I do observe that sad occasions are not eagerly anticipated. We do not eagerly await funerals, but even those do not require an invitation to commemorate a blessed life.

But why not invite others to join us at Covenant?

Not just in celebration of our move to Timber Creek. 

We should invite others to come because it is Church.  Because there is peace awaiting.  Because there is renewal, the repeated promise of life after life.

Come for the friendship, the learning, the live concert, and the community connected in Christ.

I am, a Renewed Christian

OCTOBER 13 Faith on the Go: the continuity between Sundays

Exodus 40:34-38

 38 “For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, before the eyes of all the house of Israel at each stage of their journey.”

Psalm 27:1-8

1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”

Busy “back to school” times for this writer, and for parents everywhere.  Progress reports are out, and the tension is already high for my 5^th grade tutoring students because this year- they have to pass the STAAR test in order to go to 6^th grade.  What does this say to our students?  On the one hand, we’re trying to catch up with foreign countries whose level of test taking far surpasses the United States.  And yes, the U.S. has been lax in rigorous academic achievement- especially in Science, Engineering, Technology and Medicine.  But seriously, trying to catch up in Texas in a short 5 years puts unbelievable stress on our children.  The politicians can fight so hard over Health Care; I wonder why the energy for education is so lacking.

So I have neglected my writing about Covenant and “Faith on the Go”.

Last week on Saturday, we volunteers did a “test run” on setting up our new location in Timber Creek Elementary.  What a beautiful school!  We are so lucky to be using these facilities.  More space for church, for our Children’s Ministry and for our future growth.  And the acoustics are wonderful!

I must confess something- I don’t sing in church.  I really can’t imagine listening to my own voice in my head for the next week when I can have our live music and singers in my brain.  It’s a fantastic concert every week, and a beautiful reminder of the special hour I spend at Covenant on Sunday.

And so much to think about.  I have said this often- I absorb the challenge and the action oriented sermon.  I don’t leave church wondering how to take those words and make them my own.  I am engrossed in the interpretation of the Bible, in how Rev. Jason turns these ideas into modern connections. 

Last week’s sermon was apropos to our moving; sanctuary can mean anywhere or any church.  We don’t have to have a building of our own to celebrate God.  Rev. Jason set out to remind us that worship is not worship unless there is offering.  Not always the monetary kind, or the volunteer time like setting up chairs.  It is the reading, the understanding and most importantly the response to the teachings of God and to the words in the Bible.  It is the coming together of our community to wherever Covenant worships, to share our collective experiences, and our work to be a community connected in Christ.  We live by these words as a congregation.  And when we take the time to give thanks, this gives greater meaning to our church, our sanctuary and God’s greatest gift of love.

This week’s sermon explored the concept of being on “Cloud 9”.  Why as humans do we seek the adrenaline rush?  Why do we long for the state of bliss, of excitement, of energy? 

Rev. Jason described his spiritual “high” when he himself discovered and committed to God.  He had doubt, and felt that in order to have faith, he needed to have all his questions answered. 

But then he realized that faith is a journey.  As Christians, we need to discover each stage, when the “cloud” that hangs over the tabernacle and when lifted, where we should move and go.  For the Israelites, this meant moving from slavery to freedom.  For Covenant, it means truly listening to God and being selective in the next best place for us to go.  We are an impatient lot- so ready to buy a piece of land and get going on building our sanctuary. 

Our next place is Timber Creek Elementary.  Who knows where the cloud will take us next.

I am, a Renewed Christian.

September 22 Can’t live without it

Exodus 40:16-21

16 Moses did everything just as the Lord had commanded him. ¹⁷In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was set up.

I am catching up on Rev. Jason’s new series: Faith on the Go.  This series is dedicated to Covenant UMC and our move to a bigger location- Timber Creek Elementary. (8455 Creekside Green Dr The Woodlands, TX  77389).  November 3, 2013 10 am Worship Service.

This takes Covenant one step closer to purchasing land and beginning a Capital Campaign to build a new church.  With God’s guidance and blessing, Covenant will become the 50^th church in The Woodlands- and quite possibly the last church to be built within The Woodlands. 

The Bible passage seems particularly appropriate as Covenant begins the discussion of building a church.  

Rev. Jason started out the sermon detailing famous pairs; important twosomes that couldn’t be separated.  He pointed out that “some things are just incomplete” if the other part is missing.

The critical example was the Ark, and there were important specifications for where the Ark would be located, and how the Ark could be carried, and the where the Ark would be placed within the tabernacle. 

But as crucial as these details were, the Ark would not be anything more than an adorned wooden box without the Covenant of God inside.

So the question becomes- can we live without…?

The human body needs water and oxygen to survive.

The Christian needs the Word of God to live- not just to exist and survive, but to have the kind of life that has meaning and purpose.  A life filled with spiritual resolve.

A church building?  A permanent place to worship? 

The answer is yes. 

We can have a tabernacle.  We can have a spirit filled place to worship.  We can survive as a congregation because we have the Word of God. And because we have a spiritual leader in Reverend Jason Burnham.

As we sang this week: “Here in the power of Christ we stand…”

I am, a renewed Christian

Music this week at Covenant:

“Freedom”  Black-Gifford/Sparks/Williams  ©2012 Bethel Music

“Closer” Cook ©2012 Bethel Music

“Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” Houston/Crocker/Ligthelm ©Hillsong Music Publishing

“I See Heaven” Torwalt/Torwalt  ©2011 Jesus Culture Music

“In Christ Alone” Towend/Getty  ©2001 Thankyou Music

SEPTEMBER 1 VICTORIOUS and absolute love

Romans 8:31-39

“31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ³²He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else?”

This was first day of September.

This was the first Sunday of Fall.

New families became members.

The Membership affirmed its commitment and dedication to Covenant UMC.

Three new Grow groups were announced: family group with adolescents, adult small group and a Ladies Bible Study group. 

And today was a reminder of how God’s love is absolute.  Rev. Jason called this text from the Bible probably the greatest of all God’s victories because it so clearly demonstrates how nothing can separate us from God and God’s love.  It is direct, and states every possible reason for why we could be split from God’s love.  Literally nothing could happen that would cause this irrevocable division.

I am , a renewed Christian

Music Play list:

“Happy Day” Hughes ©2006 Thankyou Music

“Whom Shall I Fear” Tomlin/Case/Case ©2012 Worship Together Music

“One Thing Remains” Johnson/Black-Gifford/Riddle  ©2010 Bethel Music

“Oh, Love That Will Not Let Me Go” Peace/Matheson/Seay/Taylor ©2010 Birdwing Music

“Your Love Never Fails” McClarney/Skinner  ©2008 Thankyou Music

August 25 VICTORIOUS and prayers of belief

Revelation 22: 16-21

“The one who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’   Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”

Ahhh…the beginning of school.  Time for blessing of the Back Packs and School Supplies. 

No, really.

Patricia Scott (Leader of Children’s Ministries) guided the congregation through a great children’s sermon.  She compared how when you (the student) write your name on your back pack and school supplies, you are naming them for yourself.  She went on to explain that God does the same thing. GOD names each of us, and in so doing, names each one of us a Child of God.  And in that way, we are all cared for, loved by and protected by GOD.  Each child then received a back pack Carabiner hook in the shape of the Cross.  Just a little reminder to feel God watching over you!

There were words of encouragement for parents too, as they attempt to get back into the routine of school and leave behind the summer fun. 

There was a prayer for the school children and a prayer for the teachers and administrators of our schools.

The sermon for the adults delved into various types of prayers, with “Come Lord Jesus!” the one of the final prayers of the Bible.  Rev. Jason talked about the belief of Christians that there will be a second coming of Jesus and pointed to the recent times of fear and worry over Y2K, the 12.12.12 date and various visions of extreme Christian believers to ones that actually make a little sense.  While none of these events has taken place, people paid attention. 

Rev. Jason pointed out that it is because as Christians, we already believe in Jesus and His coming.  How so?

Over Communion, we repeat “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again”. 

The Lord’s Prayer “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”

And the prayer “Come Lord Jesus” in Revelation, the last book of the Bible.

God has already won our hearts and our minds.

Rev. Jason challenged us at the end of the sermon: Are you living your life with expectancy?  Can you see how to live your life faithfully? 

Let this expectancy transform your life.

Music for Acoustical Sunday:

“Soon United” Brooke Ligertword ©2009 Hillsong Publishing

“All My Fountains” Tomlin/Nockels/Carson/Nockels   ©2011 Sixsteps Publishing

“Cornerstone” Mote/Liljero/Myrin/Morgan/Batchelder-Bradbury ©2011 Hillsong Publishing

“Come Lord Jesus” Michael Rafferty/Mike DiStefano ©2011.

I am a Renewed Christian