Sermon, "A.S.A.P.", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, March 20, 2011

Pastor Ruth Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
March 20, 2011
Second Sunday of Lent
James 1:5-8 Common English Bible
James 5:13-18 The Message Bible
Ephesians 6:10-18 The Amplified Bible
Psalm 100

“A.S.A.P.”

Let us pray. . .

Loving, Compassionate God, we thank you for your Ancient Words that are as true and relevant today as they were long ago. We pray that you would open your word to us...that we would hear and understand the word you have for us this day. Lord, may your word be heard through me or in-spite of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you O Lord, our rock and redeemer. Amen.

Last week I went to Rolling Ridge for one of their “Day Apart-Passionate Spirituality” Workshops. Our bishop, Bishop Weaver, was there and did the opening and closing worship. He is such a motivational preacher and I can’t wait until we can all experience his preaching in October of this year. When he preached the opening worship he talked about Lent and Advent in a way that I never thought about before. And I’m going to share it with you this morning and pray that it will change the way you, as it did me, think about Lent and Advent.

Bishop Weaver talked about how Lent is the “flip side” of Advent. You see. . . Advent we celebrate Emmanuel. . . God with us, but Lent is a time when we celebrate us with God. Think about that for a moment. . . there is a shift of focus here. God with us to us with God. . . what an honor that is. . . God’s invitation is for all who believe. The shift happens at the cross. Jesus opened the door for us to be with God. We are able to be with God in discipleship. The Cross is an invitation from God to be with Him and to carry on the ministry of Jesus. We are welcomed and part of the feast. We are welcomed to leave ourselves behind and be partners with Him. We are welcomed to be in Spirit with God. How awesome and sobering is that?

Last week, we began our Lenten “fruitiness”. . . our journey with Mother Teresa and her quote from her book “A Simple Path”. . . when we talked about how silence. . . solitude. . . leads to prayer. (How are you doing on that practicing silence? I know it has been hard for me some days but I think I’m getting a hang of it. . . ?) This week we are going to talk about how “The Fruit of Prayer is Faith.” Faith is something we, as Christians cannot live without. Faith is something that makes us Christians. And it is through prayer that our faith muscles are exercised and grow.

As we begin to be with God in prayer, mighty things can happen. In the James 1 Scripture we heard this morning we hear that it is the nature of God to give to His children if we ask. But as we ask we must have the faith we will receive what we asked trusting that God will supply. Let’s hear what James also says in James 5 verses 13-18 about prayers of the faithful. (And I’m reading from the Message Bible this morning). . .

Not only are we with God as we pray in faith but we are with others as we come to the Throne of Grace, as we do each week when we come into the time of prayer for one another during our service. But how is our faith strengthened. . . how is the fruit of prayer faith? Well. . . have you ever prayed for something and it happened. Have you ever prayed so hard and God answered your prayer. . . and not just answer your prayer but in ways you never imagined? Look at all the prayer that went up about the lift for the church for instance. Was that an answered prayer for you? Did that strengthen your faith in God? Did that make you all the more awe struck about God? Beloved child of God. . . that’s the things that faith is made of. . . as we see God answer prayer and we go from glory to glory with Him. . . O, and it is so much more than that. . .

Paul gives us instructions about prayer and warfare in Ephesians 6:10-18. He tells us not only should we be praying but when we do we need the whole armor from God. . . we need to “suit up” to coin a phrase. Paul tells us. . . and I’m paraphrasing. . . (Paraphrase the (Armor of God”)
We are to pray with purpose and might. . . we are to pray for others. . . we are to pray without ceasing. . . and God gives us the tools we need to get the job done. And with all that is going on in the world with the Middle East. . . especially Libya. . . and the people and situations in Japan we all need to suit up and get on our knees.

Church. . . God. . . the world. . . is in need of prayer warriors. It needs people who will pray by faith not by sight. We as Christians need to pray in power and might putting on the whole armor of God as Paul says. We need to pray without ceasing. . . the prayers that are heard by our Almighty God who is ever ready, waiting to answer. Are you willing to take up the challenge? Are you ready to become part of the team? Are you ready to be with God? Without us. . . humanity doesn’t stand a chance. We’re not in this alone and the results may amaze you. What will you do?

AMEN?!
James 5:13-16
Ephesians 6:10-20
James 1:5-8
Psalm 100 (Call to Worship)
Prayer of Adoration
Prayer of Dedication
message of Bishop Peter Weaver
of March 17, 2011 at a Rolling Ridge workshop
comparing Lent and Advent
Mark 9:24 and John 20:27-29
(hymn, “We Walk by Faith”, The Faith We Sing #2196)
pastoral prayer by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Worship Theme: “The Fruit of Prayer is Faith”
(2nd in 5 part Lenten Worship Theme series on Mother Teresa’s quote:
“The fruit of Silence is Prayer,
The fruit of Prayer is Faith
The Fruit of Faith is Love
The fruit of Love is Service
The Fruit of Service is Peace”)
and sermon: “A.S.A.P.” (James 5:13-16)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
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http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
March 20, 2011
Second Sunday in Lent

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