Sermon, "Out on a Limb", by Pastor Ruth Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, October 23, 2011

Pastor Ruth Foss
October 23, 2011
Twentieth Sunday of Pentecost
Psalm 99:1-3, 9 Common English Bible
Luke 6:32-36 Common English Bible
Matthew 25:31-46 the Message Bible

“Out On a Limb”

Have you ever been so passionate about something that you went out on a limb in order to see it come to pass? Or went out on a limb to “befriend” someone and was only blessed by the relationship? Or how about going out on a limb and found it rather easy to go out on a limb because of the trust you had in someone or something greater than yourself? What happened because you trusted and went out on that limb?

When I think of going out on a limb I am reminded of Peter when he stepped out of the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. The disciples were afraid when the saw Jesus coming out to them walking on the water. They thought it was a ghost or something. . . they didn’t know it was Jesus. When Peter said “If it is you Lord command me to walk on the water”, he was really taking a risk. He was not completely sure that it was Jesus but I think because he heard the voice of Jesus. . . because he knew the voice of the Master. . . someone he trusted in. . . he had the courage to walk on the water. Peter went out on the limb for someone he trusted. It wasn’t until he forgot about his mission. . . when he took his eyes off the thing he was focused on. . . when he took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at the world around him. . . that he became afraid and began to sink.

We have embarked on a journey these past few weeks. . . A journey of faith and trust. . . a journey of soul searching and a journey of change. . . that will guide us as we journey to become a “Fruitful Congregation.” With “the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations” by Robert Schnase as our guide, we have made some interesting stops. . . As I have stated. . . The book has been our Google Search, the Spirit our GPS and God’s Word our Map-Quest for this leg of our faith journey. On our first stop on the tour, we talked about Radical Hospitality and how it begins at home. . . within the church and spreads out from there. On the second stop, we talked about Passionate Worship and how we, as a church, need to fall back in love with our first love in order to worship with a passion. Last week. . . we talked about Intentional faith development. . . about how we need to be intentional about developing our faith or we get off track.. . . This week. . . we are going to the next stop. . . one that will maybe make us squirm a little...one that will have us call upon that faith we talked about last week. This stop is called “The Practice of Risk-Taking Mission and Service”. (dba. . . going out on a limb.)

You see. . . Robert Schnase puts it this way. . . “The practice of risk-taking mission and service involves offering ourselves in purposeful service and making a positive difference, even at a significant personal cost and inconvenience to our own lives. . . ” Wow. . . even at a significant personal cost and inconvenience to our own lives. . . now that is hard. Society would have us believe that if we can’t get any type of gain out of something it is not worth doing. But God. . . God would have us do a radical thing. . . something that turns society upside down.

In the Luke passage this morning, Jesus has a different way of thinking. What gain is there really when you do things that you know will profit you. . . what real gain is there in “playing it safe”? In Matthew 25 verses 31-46, Jesus tells us of something we gain when we are concerned for others. I would really rather have these types of gain that the type of gain that the world offers. Listen to the “parting gift” we receive when we follow God’s way instead of the world’s way. . . I am reading from the Message Bible this morning. . .

The parting gifts we receive are the “keys to the kingdom”. . . we are true sheep of the flock. Wow. . . and not only do we receive the keys but we also receive unexpected blessings as we strive to bless others. How many of you have stepped out on a limb and received a blessing in doing so” See what I mean. . .

I have seen these practices right here in this church. Let me explain. . .
1. I was hungry and you fed me, I have seen this within the ministry of Our Family’s Table (OFT). Reaching out to the community with a meal and to also feed them with fellowship as well. . .
2. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. . . So many people walk around thirsty of love, compassion and acceptance. Each time we just give them a little of our time we bring water to their thirst to be heard.
3. I was homeless and you gave me a room. . . Within the OFT there is a real family that was built. We may all be different but there is still a family feeling. This may be the only “family” others have.
4. I was shivering and you gave me clothes. . . When we step out in faith and partner with others through clothing drives. . . through giving blankets to someone in need. . . through the prayer shawl ministry. . . we help clothe and warm those who otherwise may die from over exposure to many of life’s difficulties
5. I was sick and you stopped to visit. . . visiting and praying for others seems to be a big ministry within the Suncook United Methodist church. It is one way that we are able to wrap those around us in the healing balm of our compassionate, loving, our healing Maker.
6. I was in prison and you came to me. . . So many people walk around with a prison within them. Each time we reach out in love. . . lend a listening ear. . . we are there with them.

Yes. . . Suncook United Methodist Church really does know how to reach out but my question is this. . . how much more are we. . . you and me. . . will to stretch our imaginations? Is there a need not being met in our church or community that requires us to act in faith and service? How can we as a church continue to find new ways to serve the least. . . the lost . . . and the forgotten? How will you answer the call of the Good Shepherd. . . will you be a sheep or a goat?

Amen

October 23, 2011
Worship Theme: “Risk-Taking Mission and Service”
Matthew 25:31-46 (The Message Bible)
Luke 6:32-36 (Common English Bible)
Psalm 99:1-3, 9 (Common English Bible) (Call to Worship)
Unison Prayer
Prayer of dedication (GBOD 2011)
and sermon, “Out on a Limb”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
October 23, 2011
Nineteenth Sunday of Pentecost
&
Fourth of Six part sermon series on
“Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations”
http://fivepractices.org/books/five-practices-of-fruitful-congregations/
and the book by the same name, by Robert Schnase,
http://methodistthinker.com/2009/01/14/bishop-robert-schnase-on-the-five-practices/, bishop of the Missouri Area of the United Methodist Church
http://www.moumethodist.org/page.asp?PKValue=777
&
Worship Theme: “Intentional Faith Development”
Acts 2:42-47 (The Message Bible)
2 Timothy 3:14-17 (Common English Bible)
Psalm 103:1-5 (Common English Bible) (Call to Worship)
Unison Prayer:
“Loving God, we thank you for this day. Thank you for
your Word that guides and sustains us. As we hear
your Word may we rejoice in your loving-kindness and goodness;
may we draw ever closer to you.
We pray for eyes to see you in the world,
ears to hear your whisper on the wind, and a heart that is
moldable in your hands. All this we pray in the
name above all names, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Prayer of dedication (GBOD 2011, prepared for 10/9/2011 service)
and sermon,
“Equipped for the Journey”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
October 16, 2011
Nineteenth Sunday of Pentecost
&
Worship Theme: “The Practice of Passionate Worship”
Psalm 84:5-12
Psalm 84:1-4
Psalm 25:1-2a, 4-5 (Call to Worship)
Unison Prayer (GBOD 2011)
http://www.gbod.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=nhLRJ2PMKsG&b=5511965&ct=7918849
A Prayer for World Communion Sunday
by Safiyah Fosua
Prayers of Dedication (GBOD 2005)
and sermon, “I Give You My Heart”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
October 2, 2011
Seventeenth Sunday of Pentecost
World Communion Sunday
&
Worship Theme: “The Practice of Radical Hospitality”
Romans 15:1-7 (NRSV Bible)
Romans 15:1-13 (NRSV Bible)
James 1:22-25 (Common English Bible)
Psalm 118:28-29 (Common English Bible)(Call to Worship)
Sermon: “That’s Radical Man!”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
September 25, 2011
Sixteenth Sunday of Pentecost

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
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