What In Our Life Is Worth Everything?

Philippians 3:8-9

⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

What in our life is worth everything? My favorite baseball team was winning a lot of games this year. My wife asked me – If they go to the World Series – will we get tickets? I had to think about that – because – the tickets would have been very expensive and my chair is very comfortable at home watching my big screen TV.

What in our life is worth everything? Recently – we decided to replace my 9 year-old car. I loved that 2014 Honda Crosstour. It was one of my favorite cars – and only had 130,000+ miles on it. But – it was time to move on. As we looked at vehicles – we were amazed at the prices. Since Honda didn’t still make the Crosstour – or have anything like it – we looked around. We found some of the cars we liked were VERY expensive. We had to debate whether they were worth it. I wanted something like the Crosstour (a four door hatchback). I wanted something I would enjoy driving for another 10 years or so. We looked and looked before we purchased.

What in our life is worth everything? We’ve been doing some work on the backyard. We put in a playground for the grands and of course we needed a walk way to the playground from the back patio. And – of course – we needed a place for the adults to gather while the grands are playing – so a pavilion has been built – complete with electric and beautiful appointments. It has been a never ending project – or so it seems – and expensive – but we decided it was well worth it for the grands. (Side note – the pavilion is near completion.)

How Far Is Too Far?

Psalm 11:3

…while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

This week – I’m shamed to say – a UMC clergy person gave the opening prayer for congress and besides offering prayers to all sorts of idols and fake gods – closed his prayer with amen and awoman. I couldn’t believe that someone would go that far to fit into the politically correct crowd. I couldn’t believe that someone would be so ignorant of what amen means (uttered at the end of a prayer or hymn – meaning so be it) that they would turn it into a PC statement. How far with the left – the progressives go? Are there no truths for them? Are there no absolutes?

One of my favorite all-time shows is The Andy Griffith show. I grew up watching Andy – Opie – Barney – Aunt Bea and the Mayberry crowd. Times were good and even the unchurched were fairly moral people and they had good values in Mayberry. The setting for this show was the late 50’s and early 60’s – just a few states south of us. I’m not suggesting we could ever return to these times – nor should we strive to for sure – but it was a time when absolutes were accepted – even among the unchurched. Oh – there were things wrong – and they were not perfect – but their preacher would never end a prayer with amen and awoman.

I wish that the troubles Opie had would be the troubles our youth would get into today. Unfortunately – our youth – and our society as a whole – are far beyond the sins of Mayberry (and Mayberry wasn’t perfect for sure). Our communities used to resemble Mayberry’s morals and values. I can remember growing up near here. As a matter of fact – I can remember watching Mayberry as a child – and thinking my world was like this show. How did we get to the place we are today? How have we become so corrupt and sinful as a society (and church at times – watch the news to see my point)? It seems that there are some in our society today that are trying to call sin – acceptable. They are trying to change established truths. I know – much about us needs to change – and over time – much has changed – but I ask – are there no absolutes?

Real Lasting Joy

Luke 1:47

…and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

Sunday we begin a new sermon series on the Holy Spirit. The sermon titles are: The Holy Spirit Comes – The Power of the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit Helps Us – and Street Cred. These sermons will come from the Book of Acts. We have been studying the Book of Acts on Tuesdays in our two studies – one at 10:30 am and one at 7:00 pm. Both are co-ed and all are welcome. The last two Tuesdays – we’ve had 47 and 44 people between the two studies. You can listen to these sermons here when they are posted.

We’re headed to the Advent season in one month. The coming of Christ is a season of great joy. The joy that Jesus brings to all people is clear. Luke 2:10–11 – ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Jesus’ arrival brings great joy to the people – and not only to His people but to all who would hear and follow Him. Jesus was the Messiah – the Anointed One – the Deliverer – the One who would break the bonds of oppression for His people. Never before or since has the birth of a baby been so anticipated or sought after. Jesus’ birth was to bring great and lasting joy.

Have You Ever Waited For Someone?

Philippians 3:20

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Have you ever waited for someone? I remember – when I was a child – going on home visits with my parents. Dad was – of course – a pastor – and he and mom would go visiting from time-to-time and take me along (my sister too I guess). They would talk way into the night – or so it seemed. I remember – some through memory and some through stories and pictures – waiting for them to be ready to leave. Often – I would curl up somewhere and go to sleep. They told me I fell asleep under a coffee table – in a chest with blankets – and in other places as well. I guess I would tire of waiting for them and took it upon myself to know it was time for me to go to sleep. Do you like waiting for people?

Have you ever waited for someone? I remember – when I was first married – going shopping with my bride. She would go into a section of the store and I would find a seat nearby and wait. She might come out and say – do you like this – or – how do I look in this? I learned fast the correct answer (you’ll need to come for counseling – young men – to learn that answer). Soon – I learned to wait in the car where I could take a nap. I loved taking naps! Do you like waiting for people?

Advent – A Time to Anticipate

Ephesians 1:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

As we enter Advent (yesterday) and head toward Christmas – I want to make sure we know how very important Christmas is for us. Today I want to celebrate what Christmas is all about – the coming of Christ – the One who sacrificed His life for us. Not so much that He came – so very important – but why He came. He didn’t come to be a baby in a manger – although the secular world would like us to focus on buying and selling at Christmas – or at the very least – the little helpless baby in a manger – Jesus came to be the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.  He came to die for our sins – to pay the debt of our sin – for our redemption. It was God’s plan from before creation.

We all need Jesus. We all need forgiveness from our sins. We have all sinned and all stand in need of redemption – Romans 3:23-24 – ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.