209 people in worship on June 30th 2013, what an awesome day it was. We were there, we were together, we were worshiping. I don’t know about you but I gained great strength from being there. It is always healthy to sing praises to God. It allows us to take our focus off of us and off our problems and to just look at Him. Amazing how our cares fade when we are so focused on Him. We have to learn to do that more, not just on Sunday morning but each morning, each afternoon, and each evening.
I have preached some difficult messages and then I have preached some easy messages that were hard to deliver. Today was an easy message that was hard to deliver. It was hard because I was preaching with a broken heart. There was a time when preachers were taught that we should never let our congregations see us emotional or hurt or angry. I think that is part of the reason for a lot of damage in the Christian world. Preachers are human too, we hurt just like you hurt, just like Jesus hurt. That’s right, Jesus cried, Jesus hurt for people, Jesus had a broken heart more than once, and the recorded fact of the Bible lets us know that Jesus shared with the world when he was hurting.
My family and I are mourning the loss of our dad, husband, grandfather, and friend. He was the leader of our family, the one we looked to for any earthly need that we had. But not just for needs, dad was our friend. Oh God I miss my dad. Just knowing he lived next door was comforting. We are mourning right now and it may last a while but we will get better and we are OK right now, we are just hurting.
The great news is our church family. You are helping us to heal, you have reached out to your pastor and his family and we are grateful. You have visited, you have sent messages, you have sent food, you have sent money, you have been and are being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ and that makes me a proud pastor. Not a bad pride but a pride that you are growing and being disciples of Christ. I have never been more proud in my life. The true life of a church congregation is how mature the people are who go there. You are awesome, you are my rock, I love you guys so much it hurts sometimes.
The sub-title of the message yesterday was “I’m not Superman and Neither Are You.” The fact is, were not able to handle the stress, the trials, and the tragedies of this world alone. God will allow more to be placed on your plate than you can stand. That’s what Christianity is all about. You can’t make it without Jesus. Jesus is our way in life and our only way to Heaven.
God never promised a life without troubles, matter of fact, He promised we would have lots of trouble.
John 16:32-33 (NLT)
32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
But remember, God gives us Grace that is sometimes explainable in our times of trial.
2 Corinthians 1:3 (NLT)
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
I shared with you the things that I believe God allowed to happen to give me the assurance that I need to keep going. The conversation I had just before my sister died. The fact that I prayed with my brother and led him through the scriptures the way of salvation. The fact that my grandmother had a conversation with Jesus before her death, and the fact that daddy obviously knew that his time on earth was done. There is no doubt in my mind that daddy was preparing me for his physical death and that brings great comfort.
Please, please remember this one. God gives us each other to help get through the trials in our lives.
2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)
4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
We have to go to our community and help comfort the broken, they are everywhere, all around us. People are hurting and have lost all hope. We have the answers and we are physically going to have to be present with them because when we are physically there, Jesus is there.
I don’t know the circumstances you have had to face in this life but I know that you can certainly receive more than your fair share.
Bill Bright says,
“He did not promise feelings of exuberance while passing through the shadow of death; He promised His presence and the absolute absence of fear.”
Psalm 23:4 New Life Version
4 Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me. You have a walking stick with which to guide and one with which to help. These comfort me.
Not only has he promised to walk with us, He has promised us a future and a hope.
He has promised us that death will not separate us from Him or our loved ones.
He has promised those who trust Him, an eternal home in heaven.
We have work to do. There are hurting people in this world who don’t know how to cope with the tragedy they are facing. You and I are the hands, the feet, the listening ears of Jesus.
What will we do with the opportunity to change the world, starting in our community. My daddy would say, if you can’t do it, just get out of the way and I will do it.
I love you all more than I can express.
Pastor Ronnie
The shirt is nice but Superman isn’t real.