Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost
Preaching
THE WESLEYAN PREACHING ANNUAL 2001--2002
WORSHIP HELPS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Hear us, God; answer us.
People: Keep us safe and secure.
Choir: We depend upon You.
Men: You are the God of mercy,
Women: The Lord of happiness.
All: In our trouble we call on You, confident in Your answer.
OFFERING THOUGHT
Dear God, Your pleasure is in giving joy to Your people. Help us to spread Your joy around to everyone and especially those who are in Christ. Amen.
BENEDICTION
God's salvation is near to all who reverence His name. Give glory in all the land!
SERMON BRIEFS
The Word Of Faith
Genesis 37:1--4, 12--28; Romans 10:5--15
Introduction
The "word of faith" is a word spoken by mouth, from the heart. "Susie has something to tell you," Mom told Peggy, the Church Educational Director. "She's back in the Women's Bible Classroom."
Peggy went immediately to Room 107. She saw the container of crayons and pencils, but no Susie. Momentarily, Susie trudged in, head bowed, tears streaking her face, thrusting three nickels at Peggy.
"This is to pay for the pencil I broke," Susie sobbed.
"You don't have to pay for that pencil," Peggy replied. "They often get broken and I'm sure you didn't mean to do it."
"Yes, I did," she sobbed. "I did it on purpose. My mother said I had to pay you for it."
I. Real repentance results in reconciliation.
Peggy's inclination was to brush it off. Pencils get broken, but was there a lesson to learn?
"Why did you break the pencil?" she asked.
"Just because I wanted to. The kids at school break pencils all the time. It's fun," she added.
Susie had fun showing her sister how they broke pencils at school. However, Mom said it belonged to the church and to God. It was a repentant little girl, shaking with emotion, who told Peggy, "I'm sorry ... I won't ever do it again."
Peggy took the three nickels, put Susie on her lap, and they talked it over with God. She finished by hugging Susie. Enroute home, she drove by Susie's house, slowed and called, "Hi, Susie. You doing okay?"
"Peggy stopped and said, 'Hi,' to me," Susie told Mom. "I guess she isn't mad at me anymore."
II. Repentance produces confession.
Susie's repentance began when she realized her action was measured by God's standard, not the actions of others. It became personal when she acknowledged it to her teacher. It became public when Susie admitted wronging another and displeasing God. Her action affected others.
Susie's repentance was verified when she paid for the pencil. Fun at another's expense is sometimes costly. Repentance was completed when Peggy heard and accepted Susie's confession, acknowledged her contrition, and accepted her apology.
III. Do we need to repent?
Paul anguished over lost Israel. Salvation was as near as a heart of faith, but they justified themselves. The Law was possible in theory, but impossible in practice. Law only reacts. Grace acts. Moreover, Paul discovered there are no hopeless situations, only people grown hopeless with life.
Those "who call on the name of the Lord," declared Paul, "will be saved" (10:13 NIV, italics mine). Those justifying themselves will be lost.
Paul found God patient, loving, and unwilling for Jew or Gentile to be put to shame (10:10--13). A permissive society has invaded the church with its no--fault theology, no longer admitting sin. Truth becomes relative to the eyes of the beholder, expecting us to excuse blatant disobedience, self--justification, gossip, lust, lying, an unloving spirit, and bad attitudes, as well as unrighteous affections.
Conclusion
Paul's word lifts up a transforming empowerment for practicing a lifestyle of second--mile living in this one--mile world.
A. It challenges our thinking, helping us agree with God. Our behavior unmasks the real issues of the heart and we confess with our mouth what is in our heart.
B. It transforms our will. Seeing things God's way results in leaving our past wrongs, and frees us to decisionally do what is right.
C. It changes our behavior, bringing a repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets (2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV). Judas repented for betraying Jesus, but a wrong reaction led him in suicide. On the other hand, Peter's denial brought the grief of failure, but accepted Christ's evaluation without self--justification.
Accepting Christ's call to responsible action transformed Peter from a pusillanimous pebble into a solid rock. He was no longer irresolute, faint--hearted, and cowardly. We face the same choice: repent or perish.
One early morning, a man crashed his car into a house, killing a mom and dad while they slept in their bed, leaving an eleven--year--old orphan. After dropping off his two--year--old son at his mother's house, the driver lost control of his vehicle. Upon investigation, he was found incoherent and "under the influence."
Influence is the power of people or things to affect others, which we see only in its effects. When we live under the influence of Jesus as Lord, we are assured the affects and the influence will all be right.
Wayne M. Warner
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Matthew 14:22--33
Jesus had gone up into a mountain to pray. Night had come. The disciples were back out across the lake. One of the sudden storms for which the Lake of Galilee was notorious had come up. The disciples were struggling against the winds and the waves.
Since it was springtime, the moon was full. In this "fourth watch," between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., Jesus was walking on the high ground to the north of the lake. There He clearly saw the boat fighting with the waves and came down to the shore to help.
From this scripture we note:
I. The storm on the water
Suddenly, without any warning, the lightning flashed, the thunder roared, the boat was tossed. Matthew 14:24 tells us that the disciples were afraid. These were men accustomed to boats, lakes, and storms. Yet they were afraid.
In life the wind is often contrary. With one phone call, one doctor's visit, one calamity, life becomes a desperate struggle.
Storms come involving our health, job, finances, or family.
II. The Savior on the water
"During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It's a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid' " (Matthew 14:25--27).
In the hour of the disciples' need, Jesus came to them. When the wind was contrary, and when life was a struggle, Jesus was there with his hand stretched out to save, and with his calm, clear voice telling them not to be afraid.
Jesus is in our storms. He is our bridge over troubled water.
Man can walk in space, but not on water. Jesus always comes to rescue us.
And He comes in time. "But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid' " (v. 27). Immediately the Lord was there.
III. The self--sufficient on the water
" 'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?' " (vv. 28--31).
Peter was given to acting on impulse. He was guilty of being self--sufficient.
Then Peter "saw the wind." "He was afraid." When Peter saw Jesus, he walked; when he saw the wind, he sank. When we, even for a moment, take our eyes off our Lord and fix them on the surrounding circumstances, we go down. It is absolutely essential for us to stay focused on Jesus.
The disciple cried out, "Lord, save me!" Only through prayer and faith could Peter weather the storm out of his comfort zone. We must look at the circumstances through faith, not fear.
Peter learned that when we do what we can, God will do what we can't. If we could walk on the water by ourselves, we wouldn't need the Savior. When Peter couldn't come to Jesus, Jesus came to Peter.
It struck Peter that we don't live out of our own self--sufficiency. Our dependence is not upon the boat we build with our hands; our dependence must be on the bridge we trust with our hearts. In the storm we learn God--reliance. It is everything or nothing in our relationship with God.
"And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down" (v. 32). Wherever Jesus is, the wildest storm becomes a calm.
Conclusion
These verses finish with another great truth. "Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God' " (v. 33).
They worshipped Jesus.
It was not a kingdom of perfect men, but it was a kingdom of souls who had put their trust in Jesus. He was ever reigning to make them perfect and to lead them patiently. The disciples desired to worship Him.
Are the waters rising in your life? Melanoma? Operable or not? Lost your job? A move to a new job? A move to a new place? No family or friends?
In your storm, take His hand, hear His voice. He gets into the boat with us. In the boat, let's worship Him, our bridge over troubled water.
Nina G. Gunter
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Hear us, God; answer us.
People: Keep us safe and secure.
Choir: We depend upon You.
Men: You are the God of mercy,
Women: The Lord of happiness.
All: In our trouble we call on You, confident in Your answer.
OFFERING THOUGHT
Dear God, Your pleasure is in giving joy to Your people. Help us to spread Your joy around to everyone and especially those who are in Christ. Amen.
BENEDICTION
God's salvation is near to all who reverence His name. Give glory in all the land!
SERMON BRIEFS
The Word Of Faith
Genesis 37:1--4, 12--28; Romans 10:5--15
Introduction
The "word of faith" is a word spoken by mouth, from the heart. "Susie has something to tell you," Mom told Peggy, the Church Educational Director. "She's back in the Women's Bible Classroom."
Peggy went immediately to Room 107. She saw the container of crayons and pencils, but no Susie. Momentarily, Susie trudged in, head bowed, tears streaking her face, thrusting three nickels at Peggy.
"This is to pay for the pencil I broke," Susie sobbed.
"You don't have to pay for that pencil," Peggy replied. "They often get broken and I'm sure you didn't mean to do it."
"Yes, I did," she sobbed. "I did it on purpose. My mother said I had to pay you for it."
I. Real repentance results in reconciliation.
Peggy's inclination was to brush it off. Pencils get broken, but was there a lesson to learn?
"Why did you break the pencil?" she asked.
"Just because I wanted to. The kids at school break pencils all the time. It's fun," she added.
Susie had fun showing her sister how they broke pencils at school. However, Mom said it belonged to the church and to God. It was a repentant little girl, shaking with emotion, who told Peggy, "I'm sorry ... I won't ever do it again."
Peggy took the three nickels, put Susie on her lap, and they talked it over with God. She finished by hugging Susie. Enroute home, she drove by Susie's house, slowed and called, "Hi, Susie. You doing okay?"
"Peggy stopped and said, 'Hi,' to me," Susie told Mom. "I guess she isn't mad at me anymore."
II. Repentance produces confession.
Susie's repentance began when she realized her action was measured by God's standard, not the actions of others. It became personal when she acknowledged it to her teacher. It became public when Susie admitted wronging another and displeasing God. Her action affected others.
Susie's repentance was verified when she paid for the pencil. Fun at another's expense is sometimes costly. Repentance was completed when Peggy heard and accepted Susie's confession, acknowledged her contrition, and accepted her apology.
III. Do we need to repent?
Paul anguished over lost Israel. Salvation was as near as a heart of faith, but they justified themselves. The Law was possible in theory, but impossible in practice. Law only reacts. Grace acts. Moreover, Paul discovered there are no hopeless situations, only people grown hopeless with life.
Those "who call on the name of the Lord," declared Paul, "will be saved" (10:13 NIV, italics mine). Those justifying themselves will be lost.
Paul found God patient, loving, and unwilling for Jew or Gentile to be put to shame (10:10--13). A permissive society has invaded the church with its no--fault theology, no longer admitting sin. Truth becomes relative to the eyes of the beholder, expecting us to excuse blatant disobedience, self--justification, gossip, lust, lying, an unloving spirit, and bad attitudes, as well as unrighteous affections.
Conclusion
Paul's word lifts up a transforming empowerment for practicing a lifestyle of second--mile living in this one--mile world.
A. It challenges our thinking, helping us agree with God. Our behavior unmasks the real issues of the heart and we confess with our mouth what is in our heart.
B. It transforms our will. Seeing things God's way results in leaving our past wrongs, and frees us to decisionally do what is right.
C. It changes our behavior, bringing a repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets (2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV). Judas repented for betraying Jesus, but a wrong reaction led him in suicide. On the other hand, Peter's denial brought the grief of failure, but accepted Christ's evaluation without self--justification.
Accepting Christ's call to responsible action transformed Peter from a pusillanimous pebble into a solid rock. He was no longer irresolute, faint--hearted, and cowardly. We face the same choice: repent or perish.
One early morning, a man crashed his car into a house, killing a mom and dad while they slept in their bed, leaving an eleven--year--old orphan. After dropping off his two--year--old son at his mother's house, the driver lost control of his vehicle. Upon investigation, he was found incoherent and "under the influence."
Influence is the power of people or things to affect others, which we see only in its effects. When we live under the influence of Jesus as Lord, we are assured the affects and the influence will all be right.
Wayne M. Warner
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Matthew 14:22--33
Jesus had gone up into a mountain to pray. Night had come. The disciples were back out across the lake. One of the sudden storms for which the Lake of Galilee was notorious had come up. The disciples were struggling against the winds and the waves.
Since it was springtime, the moon was full. In this "fourth watch," between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., Jesus was walking on the high ground to the north of the lake. There He clearly saw the boat fighting with the waves and came down to the shore to help.
From this scripture we note:
I. The storm on the water
Suddenly, without any warning, the lightning flashed, the thunder roared, the boat was tossed. Matthew 14:24 tells us that the disciples were afraid. These were men accustomed to boats, lakes, and storms. Yet they were afraid.
In life the wind is often contrary. With one phone call, one doctor's visit, one calamity, life becomes a desperate struggle.
Storms come involving our health, job, finances, or family.
II. The Savior on the water
"During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It's a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid' " (Matthew 14:25--27).
In the hour of the disciples' need, Jesus came to them. When the wind was contrary, and when life was a struggle, Jesus was there with his hand stretched out to save, and with his calm, clear voice telling them not to be afraid.
Jesus is in our storms. He is our bridge over troubled water.
Man can walk in space, but not on water. Jesus always comes to rescue us.
And He comes in time. "But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid' " (v. 27). Immediately the Lord was there.
III. The self--sufficient on the water
" 'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?' " (vv. 28--31).
Peter was given to acting on impulse. He was guilty of being self--sufficient.
Then Peter "saw the wind." "He was afraid." When Peter saw Jesus, he walked; when he saw the wind, he sank. When we, even for a moment, take our eyes off our Lord and fix them on the surrounding circumstances, we go down. It is absolutely essential for us to stay focused on Jesus.
The disciple cried out, "Lord, save me!" Only through prayer and faith could Peter weather the storm out of his comfort zone. We must look at the circumstances through faith, not fear.
Peter learned that when we do what we can, God will do what we can't. If we could walk on the water by ourselves, we wouldn't need the Savior. When Peter couldn't come to Jesus, Jesus came to Peter.
It struck Peter that we don't live out of our own self--sufficiency. Our dependence is not upon the boat we build with our hands; our dependence must be on the bridge we trust with our hearts. In the storm we learn God--reliance. It is everything or nothing in our relationship with God.
"And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down" (v. 32). Wherever Jesus is, the wildest storm becomes a calm.
Conclusion
These verses finish with another great truth. "Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God' " (v. 33).
They worshipped Jesus.
It was not a kingdom of perfect men, but it was a kingdom of souls who had put their trust in Jesus. He was ever reigning to make them perfect and to lead them patiently. The disciples desired to worship Him.
Are the waters rising in your life? Melanoma? Operable or not? Lost your job? A move to a new job? A move to a new place? No family or friends?
In your storm, take His hand, hear His voice. He gets into the boat with us. In the boat, let's worship Him, our bridge over troubled water.
Nina G. Gunter
