Sermon Notes ...Christ WILL Come Again!!!

Before our Sunday School class began yesterday I had an opportunity to go into our little prayer chapel...a room set aside for prayer. It was a very moving experience as I studied the pictures on the walls and thought about what they really meant...and how Jesus is our Great Shepherd, and that He came to seek and save that which was lost...

Read what Jesus said in Matthew 18:11-14...

"For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

What do you think? 

If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, 

does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains 

to seek the one that is straying? 

And if he should find it, assuredly, 

I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.

Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven 

that one of these little ones should perish."

I was reminded of the 23rd Psalm:

"The Lord is my Shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil; 

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me int he presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

And then our choir sang this beautiful song yesterday in church, "Dwell in the Light Forevermore". 

If you click on this link and click on the arrow you can listen to it.
https://www.lorenz.com/choral/church/choral/church-choral/dwell-in-the-light-forevermore 

It wasn't an easy song to learn, but it had such a beautiful message. Here are the publisher's words about how this song was written:

"I was working on Susan Bentall Boersma’s new lyric, Dwell in the Light Forevermore, on Friday, December 14, 2012, when a lone gunman burst into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, inexplicably taking the lives of twenty young children and six adult staff members within a matter of minutes. As news of the tragedy spread, I, like so many, was devastated by the senseless loss of life. I found Susan’s words to be a source of solace and hope that day: 

"Into the valley of shadows

under a veil of gray,

God calls the good and faithful,

then guides us on the way...

Through the valley of shadows, 

lost in the dark of night, 

our God goes before us to lead us to the light. 

There will be no more night! 

No need for lamp or ray of sun, the Lamb will be the light. 

There will be no more night! 

No need to fast, to watch, to weep around the throne so bright. 

My dear friend and mentor, the late Dr. Robert H. Reardon, President of Anderson University (IN) from 1958-83, said to me several years ago following the unexpected death of his wife, Geraldine, “Grief is a common journey we all share in life. Though none of us wish to take the trip, eventually we must all travel it.” Pain and disappointment come in many forms. Life is never scripted quite the way we would have chosen. But by faith we know that God walks with us and goes before us shedding light in our valleys of shadows, longing to embrace us when we reach the end of the journey‒be it long or short– with joyous words ushering us into the eternal presence of Christ’s holy light: 

"Out of the valley of shadows,

We step into the day,

We see the Lamb upon the throne

and hear the Savior say:

“Well done, well done, my good and faithful one! 

Come, dwell in the Light of Life forevermore!” 

This is the eternal hope to which we cling!" – Lloyd Larson

I know I haven't been keeping up with the Pastor's sermon notes here lately, and I must apologize to our pastor as well as to you. It seems like each week things have come up that have distracted me from my purpose, and by the time I got around to it, it was time for the next message! So today I just want to say thank you to our Pastor A.C., for his faithful commitment to our church for the past 18 years. This past Saturday we had a luncheon to celebrate his upcoming retirement.  He will be with us a couple more weeks, and then on to enjoy whatever the Lord has for him and his wonderful wife Leslie.  Here are a few pictures from the celebration:

The church gave him this plaque, which is appropriate for him as he loves old cars...

His message this past Sunday was about the Ascension of Jesus Christ, from Acts 1:1-11.  Some of the key points were:

• Jesus HAS to come back again...we've made such a mess of things here on earth...we need Jesus to come and straighten it all out...
• We don't know when He is coming...but we've been given work to do in the meantime....both in "Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth...even in Interlachen..."
• We've been commissioned by Jesus to preach the Good News... (Matthew 28:18-20) and to be His witnesses
• We need the Holy Spirit to help us do that...(see Acts 1:8)
• We have that ministry to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick...be the hands, feet and eyes of Jesus to a lost and dying world
• Our world is in a mess. We need to get out of our comfort zone and reach out to those who need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ and His Salvation.
• We need to be more accepting of God's people...welcome them and pray with them and for them, and introduce them to Jesus, and let Jesus do the rest.
• We need to "reach out and touch someone" with the love of Christ today...
• Jesus IS coming back again...
• 
  
• "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." Acts 1:11

Therefore...let's get going...there's work still to be done until He comes again...

Sermon Notes: FUMC, Interlachen, FL, Pastor A.C. Myers, 6/2/2019

Please Note : I want to repeat this disclaimer here...the notes, outline, and content included here are based upon my own personal understanding of the message that was being given. I am not attempting to completely quote or reproduce this message or any other message I've shared previously. Just as each person reading these notes may glean insights and thoughts that seem to directly apply to one's own situation and interpretation, my own delivery of these messages is skewed by my hearing and translation of what is being said. Some may read my notes here and wonder if they were hearing the same message as I...and I say, God speaks to each of us as He wills...there are things He is trying to get across to each individual that may be entirely different than what the person sitting next to you in the pew is needing to hear... That is how the Holy Spirit works! He knows what we need to hear and how to apply it to our hearts. So it is with that understanding that I present these sermon notes to you.

An "EnDEERing Moment"

An EnDeering Moment

This morning I witnessed a most "enDEERing" moment.  I hope you can click on the above video to see the touching moment between the mama deer and her fawn.  The little fawn had strayed away from the rest of the herd and was wandering dangerously near to the strange woman with the camera.  Little Fawn was very curious and did not realize her danger...(even though the strange woman with the camera - me - would NEVER harm such a dear little deer.)

Soon Mama Deer came looking for her baby, and recognizing the peril she was in, Mama deer stared severely at the strange woman with the camera for quite a spell while waiting for Little Fawn to come running back to her.  When little fawn ran up to her mama, there was a tender moment of nuzzling and kissing, and then it appeared that Mama Deer admonished her Little Fawn with a few words of reprimand.  Suddenly Little Fawn leaped away to join her siblings and the rest of the herd, and Mama quickly took off after her.  They joined the rest of the group and headed off to graze in safer pastures away from the strange woman with the camera.

Well! It was definitely a touching moment and I feel so privileged to have witnessed this today. I couldn't help but think about one of the parables that Jesus taught His disciples about another herd or flock of animals...the sheep.  Let me share it with you and then see if you can see the similarities:

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep,

if he loses one of them,

does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, 

and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

And when he has found it, 

he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing!

And when he comes home, 

he calls together his friends and neighbors, 

saying to them,

'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven 

over one sinner who repents 

than over ninety-nine just persons

who need no repentance."

Luke 15:4-7

How often have we been like that little deer...or that lost sheep...wandering away from the fold, perhaps not evening realizing the danger that was lurking around us? Sometimes the danger may be more insidious than something physical...it could be a peril to our minds or spirit...a false teaching or a temptation to explore areas of thought that could lead us away from sound doctrine and the safe harbor of our faith in Christ.  

It could be the liberal philosophy of "political correctness" that is nothing more than a smokescreen for the unholy teachings of the enemy of our souls...much like that cunning old serpent in the garden when he tempted Eve with the apple, saying "Has God indeed said, "You shall not eat of every tree of the garden..."

Well, anyway...not wanting to venture into that arena right now...but the main point of this post is that when we do go astray, we can expect our "Mama Deer" (Heavenly Father)  to come searching for us immediately.  God will not allow His precious children to wander so far away that they cannot be retrieved.

 We may get ourselves into mischief, yes, even into deep, dark waters of sin and despair...but when you belong to Jesus...He will not stop searching until He has found you and gathered you up into His loving arms, placed you on His shoulders and carried you home...REJOICING!!!

Click on this LINK for a video of the Gaither Homecoming family singing "The Ninety and Nine". Be ready to be blessed.

An "EnDEERing Moment"

This morning I witnessed a most "enDEERing" moment.  I hope you can click on the above video to see the touching moment between the mama deer and her fawn.  The little fawn had strayed away from the rest of the herd and was wandering dangerously near to the strange woman with the camera.  Little Fawn was very curious and did not realize her danger...(even though the strange woman with the camera - me - would NEVER harm such a dear little deer.)

Soon Mama Deer came looking for her baby, and recognizing the peril she was in, Mama deer stared severely at the strange woman with the camera for quite a spell while waiting for Little Fawn to come running back to her.  When little fawn ran up to her mama, there was a tender moment of nuzzling and kissing, and then it appeared that Mama Deer admonished her Little Fawn with a few words of reprimand.  Suddenly Little Fawn leaped away to join her siblings and the rest of the herd, and Mama quickly took off after her.  They joined the rest of the group and headed off to graze in safer pastures away from the strange woman with the camera.

Well! It was definitely a touching moment and I feel so privileged to have witnessed this today. I couldn't help but think about one of the parables that Jesus taught His disciples about another herd or flock of animals...the sheep.  Let me share it with you and then see if you can see the similarities:

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep,

if he loses one of them,

does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, 

and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

And when he has found it, 

he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing!

And when he comes home, 

he calls together his friends and neighbors, 

saying to them,

'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven 

over one sinner who repents 

than over ninety-nine just persons

who need no repentance."

Luke 15:4-7

How often have we been like that little deer...or that lost sheep...wandering away from the fold, perhaps not evening realizing the danger that was lurking around us? Sometimes the danger may be more insidious than something physical...it could be a peril to our minds or spirit...a false teaching or a temptation to explore areas of thought that could lead us away from sound doctrine and the safe harbor of our faith in Christ.  

It could be the liberal philosophy of "political correctness" that is nothing more than a smokescreen for the unholy teachings of the enemy of our souls...much like that cunning old serpent in the garden when he tempted Eve with the apple, saying "Has God indeed said, "You shall not eat of every tree of the garden..."

Well, anyway...not wanting to venture into that arena right now...but the main point of this post is that when we do go astray, we can expect our "Mama Deer" (Heavenly Father)  to come searching for us immediately.  God will not allow His precious children to wander so far away that they cannot be retrieved.

 We may get ourselves into mischief, yes, even into deep, dark waters of sin and despair...but when you belong to Jesus...He will not stop searching until He has found you and gathered you up into His loving arms, placed you on His shoulders and carried you home...REJOICING!!!

Click on this LINK for a video of the Gaither Homecoming family singing "The Ninety and Nine". Be ready to be blessed.

The Presence of God...and the Ninety and Nine

This past January I selected a new "One Word" for 2013: PRESENCE.  (Click on the word Presence  to see that particular post).  Today in my morning devotions I was reminded again of that word, "Presence", particularly as we think of the Presence of God in our daily lives.  As I ponder God's presence in the ordinary places I find myself throughout the day, week, or even at any given moment, I realize that He is always so close that if I actually take the time to pay attention I could practically, literally reach out and touch Him.  I actually wrote about this as well back in January, HERE, in "Watching in the Ordinary Things".

Today's scripture reading leads me to give thanks to the Lord for all His mighty deeds and wondrous works...

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord!

Call upon His name;

Make known His deeds among the peoples!

Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;

Talk of all His wondrous works!

Glory in His holy name;

Let the hearts of those rejoice

who seek the Lord!

Seek the Lord and His strength;

Seek His face evermore!

Remember His marvelous works

which He has done,

His wonders, and the judgments 

of His mouth,

O seed of Abraham His servant,

You children of Jacob,

His chosen ones."

Psalm 105:1-6

I give thanks to the Lord for His Presence in my life each and every day. Even during the night seasons He is with me. I experienced this in particular during the night just before dawn today.  I was having a dream about a childhood/school friend, who passed away over thirty years ago.  In the years since this friend died I have struggled with his untimely death, primarily because I was not certain in my heart whether or not he was actually in heaven.  (I wrote about this on one of our "Random Journal Days" here...).  I'm not sure why he came to my mind again in my dreams at this time.  Perhaps because I was reminded of him last weekend when I visited the church youth camp where we both attended as teens, and then today I was going to go to a funeral at the church we attended for the wife of our former pastor that we both loved.  In my dream he seemed to be sad that no one had ever really loved him here on earth. I found myself cradling him like a little child, and rocking him back and forth and telling him that he is loved, and that he is loved with an everlasting love.  

This dream was very troubling to me, and I shared it with my husband when I woke up because I just couldn't shake it.  I told him that this dream seemed so very real, like I was actually talking to my friend, and then when I woke up I realized that I couldn't be talking to him because he is dead.  My husband, wise pastor/counselor that he is, said something that brought great comfort to me and settled this quandary for me once and for all.  He said, "Remember what Jesus said to the Sadducees concerning the Resurrection,

"But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord  'the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'  For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him."  Luke 20:37-38  "

This may not make any sense to you...but it made perfect sense to me...because I realized then that my friend really isn't "dead".  It was a comfort to me to finally put it to rest...it was as though God's presence was reaching through my dream...and then my husband, to assure me that my friend is alive and well...in heaven. My doubts about his salvation were because his life took a wrong turn as an adult, at least in my mind, but as I looked back over our childhood experiences together in church, youth camp, I realized that first of all, I am not the judge of whether or not a person is "fit" for heaven...that is God's business, and that sometimes things happen in people's lives that hurt them so deeply that they wander away from the fold of God, thinking that no one could possibly love them.  That doesn't necessarily mean that God no longer loves them, or that He stops reaching out to them.  Actually... God goes out and searches for that one lost sheep...and brings him back safely to the fold.   Listen to this wonderful old song.The Ninety and Nine...which tells the story of how much God loves His wandering children.  (You can read more about this story in  Luke 15:3-7)

I keep this picture in my Bible to remind
me that Jesus always watches over His sheep, and
He will seek and recover the one lamb who goes astray.

This whole story may be more than you really care to read about...and you may think I've gone off my rocker talking to people in my dreams, etc.  Sorry if you feel that way. I'm here to say that God works in mysterious ways to bring comfort and closure to His children. For me it was a dream. For you it may be something totally different.  You see, as I quoted earlier, "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living..."  Why? Because He lives!

"I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;

I know that He is living,whatever men may say;

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him,

He's always near.

He lives, He lives,

Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me

along life's narrow way.

He lives, He lives,

Salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives:

He lives within my heart!"

("He Lives", Alfred H. Ackley, 1887-1960)

I hope that you know this wonderful Savior, and that He is living in your heart today.  "Just the time I (you) need Him, He's always near!"   Experience His loving Presence in your life right now. That's where the peace comes from.