Sermon "Big Picture Followers!", by Kathy Akerman, Suncook United Methodist Church, July 8, 2012

Big Picture Followers!

Jesus went to the synagogue to teach, but the people of his hometown saw him as only a carpenter. “He is no better than us – He is just a common laborer”, they said! They were offended that others could be impressed by him and follow him. They rejected his authority because he was one of their peers. They thought they knew him, but their preconceived notions made it impossible for them to accept his message.

Jesus said that a prophet is never honored in his hometown. But that doesn’t make his work any less important. A person doesn’t need to be respected or honored to be useful to God! If friends, neighbors, or family don’t respect your Christian work, don’t let their rejection keep you from serving God.

Mark 6:5 And because of their unbelief he couldn’t do any mighty miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them.

Jesus could have done greater miracles in Nazareth, but he chose not to because of the people’s pride and unbelief. The miracles he did had little effect on the people because they did not want to accept his message or believe he was from God! Therefore, Jesus looked elsewhere, seeking those who would respond to his miracles and message!

The disciples were sent out in pairs. Individually they could have reached more areas of the country, but this was not God’s plan. One advantage in going out by twos was that they could strengthen and encourage each other, especially when they faced rejection. Our strength comes from God but he meets many of our needs through our teamwork with others.

Mark 6:11 “And whenever a village won’t accept you or listen to you, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave; it is a sign that you have abandoned it to its fate.”

When the disciples shook the dust from their feet after leaving a Jewish town, it was a vivid sign that the people had rejected Jesus and his message. Jesus made it clear that the people were responsible for how they responded to the Gospel.

The disciples were not to blame if the message was rejected as long as they had faithfully and carefully presented it. We are not responsible when others reject Christ’s message of salvation, but we do have the responsibility to share it faithfully with others.

Here is a marvelous message! Jesus sends us out with the full assurance of being His powerful and effective witnesses. He teaches us in His own experience and in His own instructions to us. While we occasionally fail, God does not intend for us to become failures.

Those daring disciples were able to look at the larger picture of Jesus’ ministry rather than only focus on a particular moment. They left in faithful obedience accepting the moments of rejection but pressing on to experience a vibrant ministry of proclaiming the word, casting out demons, and healing the sick.

May God help you and me to become “big picture” followers…..people who are willing to face the difficulties of following Jesus….people who know that I must not allow my faithlessness to seal others in theirs.

July 9, 2012
Third of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Theme - Can we see the big picture?
Mark 6:1-13 (The Living Bible)
Psalm 48 (NRSV)
2 Corinthians 12:2-10 (The Living Bible)
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2009)
Unison Prayer
Prayer of Dedication (Mark 6:1-13)
Message for children, only the walking stick (Mark 6:1-13)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon - “Big Picture Followers”
by Kathy Akerman
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
July 8, 2012
Sixth Sunday of Kingdomtide
&
second of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Theme - Where do we put Jesus in our lives?
Mark 5:21-43 (GOD’s WORD Translation)
Psalm 130 (Common English Bible)
2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (NIV)
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2012)(Psalm 130, Mark 5)
Unison Prayer
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/unison-prayer-suncook-united-methodist.html
Prayer of the People
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/prayers-of-people-suncook-united.html
Prayer of Dedication (Mark 5:21-43) (2 Corinthians 8, Mark 5)
(adapted from GBOD 2012 and Abington Worship 2012)
Communion, UMH, page 9
Message for children, “There is Power in a Touch”
http://www.sermons4kids.com/power_in_a_touch.htm
(Mark 5:27-29)
Sermon - What Jesus Means to Me!
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/sermon-what-jesus-means-to-me-suncook.html
by Raymond A. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/raymond.a.foss
Poetry Where You Live
http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
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
July 1, 2012
Fifth Sunday of Kingdomtide
&
first of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Mark 4:35-41 (Common English Bible)
Jesus stops a storm
Psalm 9:9-11 (NRSV Bible)
Psalm 9:9-20 (NRSV Bible)
2 Corinthians 6:1-10 (NRSV Bible)
2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (NRSV Bible)
Worship Theme: “What’s in a name?”
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2012)
Unison Prayer (Abington Worship 2012)
Hymn: “It Is Well With My Soul”, UMH #377
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD 2012 (2 Corinthians 6: 1-13))
Message for Children, “A story about some rocks”
David and Goliath
and sermon, ““Who Is Jesus?”
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/who-is-jesus
by Pastor Ruth Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
June 24, 2012
Fourth Sunday of Kingdomtide

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,110+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.