Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon 9 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of
God”
sermon “Our Redeemer Lives”
(in the bulletin as “Hello My Name is
…Go’el”)
by Raymond A. Foss
March 9, 2014
“Our Redeemer Lives”
Good
morning. This is the first time I have preached here at Stetson Memorial, but
it is not my first time. That was back in 1972 when I preached the Children’s
Sunday message on the Warm Fuzzies and
the Cold Pricklies. And I preached last Sunday at Grant Memorial United
Methodist Church. There I was preaching the eighth (8th) and final
sermon of a sermon series on Christianity’s
Family Tree. The sermon was called, “So
What Makes Us Methodist?”
Yes, I,
the spouse of a United Methodist pastor was preaching on Methodism. Hmm… I have often
wondered on how to explain exactly how to describe what makes us Methodists,
because we do believe a lot of the same things as other Christians.
Well, I
still had to do a lot of research to try to make it interesting. And, the topic
was a bit dry, talking about how we are a people of the Extreme Center. The readings had a lot of academic stuff in it,
explaining how our theology and the way we do church is different than other
denominations, including Pentecostals, who broke off from Methodists, in part
because we weren’t animated enough.
I’m not
sure how that could have ever happened, I mean I was sharing about the Wesleyan Quadrilateral and how John
Wesley was “strangely warmed”.
And now,
today I am preaching the nineth (9th) sermon of a year-long sermon
series on the Sacred Names of God.
We are going to be learning about the name “Go’el”, which means Redeemer.
In
between last Sunday and today though, we observed Ash Wednesday, the start of the Season of Lent, a time of
reflection and walking with Christ after he turned his face toward Jerusalem to
live out God’s plan for his life.
But my
Lent starts a little earlier before the Ash Wednesday service, because for the
last six (6) years I have burned the palms of the prior year’s Palm Sunday to
make the ashes for Ash Wednesday.
There is
a lot of meaning in that act for me, to think of palms that were waved in
triumphant as Christ rode into Jerusalem being burned, just as the hosannas of
that first Palm Sunday became the angry flames of Friday morning when the mob
called for Christ to be crucified and the ashes of Good Friday and Holy
Saturday when Christ was on the cross and in the tomb.
I wanted to share one poem I wrote on Friday
with you, it is called, “breathing in Sorrow”, and I capitalized the word
sorrow in the title as if sorrow became a proper noun, a named presence that
walks with us during Lent.
breathing
in Sorrow
sensing
Sorrow’s presence
in the
fire’s progress
breathing
in the smoke
deeply,
deeply
that
transformation
drawn into
the pit
the palms
of Sunday
covered
with our hosannas!
their
burning so quickly
in becoming
smoke, ashes
breathing
in Sorrow
a cloak, a
presence
the ashes
drawn within
into my
lungs, onto my heart
hidden, in
secret, within
within my
body, upon my life
my walk
different
after the
smoke, the ashes
sensing
Sorrow’s presence
in life, in
memory
But,
that isn’t the whole story. Just as Methodism isn’t defined by our liturgy and
our disciplines alone, neither is our journey in Lent marked only by our sorrow,
our guilt, our fears, our awareness of our sin.
John
Wesley, that bookish founder of Methodism, is said to have traveled over
250,000 miles all over the British Isles preaching the Good News. He was asked
why people came out to the fields where he preached. He said, “I set myself on fire and they come to
watch me burn.”
He was
filled by the same flames of Pentecost that burned in the first disciples.
So too,
Ash Wednesday is not the final answer, because we have our “Go’el”, our
Redeemer in God in Christ Jesus. We are not merely people of the dust, of the
ashes, bound by our sin under the weight of the Law or the burden of Adam’s
original sin as we learn in Romans 5:12-19. Listen to this Good News, that though
we have Death Through Adam, we have Life Through Christ:
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through
one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because
all sinned-- 13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is
not taken into account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned
from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by
breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. 15 But
the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the
one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of
the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Again, the gift of God is
not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and
brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought
justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through
that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of
grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus
Christ. 18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation
for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification
that brings life for all men. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the
one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one
man the many will be made righteous. (NIV)
We may
be people of dust, of clay but we also are people of the Holy Spirit, of Christ
indwelling within us. We are freed completely by Christ’s perfect sacrifice,
the fragrant offering of His body upon Golgotha’s cross.
We are
given life by the breath of God within us and we are given eternal life by
Christ stepping in to pay our cost… our ransom (to redeem), to free us from our bondage, our burden, forgiving us
eternally of the wages of sin and death.
And,
like all believers, we are assured of our salvation because Our Redeemer Lives as is shouted in the
scripture from Job today. No matter the trials that the Tempter put Job
through, he knew God was with him. Job knew and declared God would stand on the
earth and that he, Job, would look upon the Living God
We too have
that victory, we are redeemed, we too are lifted up, raised from the dead, from
the chains that bound us, by His triumphant resurrection on Easter Sunday
morning. He rose like a phoenix from the ashes and ascended to heaven and is
seated at the right hand of the Father.
We too
will see God, we too will see Christ face to face with our own eyes. We too are
washed clean by the blood of the Lamb.
So,
let’s get our blood moving a little bit. Let’s rise up from our Ashes as Easter
People as Pentecost People, who believe Our Redeemer Lives.
I am
going to need a couple of volunteers. We are going to divide the congregation
into two groups. The people on this side are going to shout out “GO” when Chrissie
holds up her sign and the people on this side are going to shout “EL” when Steve
holds up his sign.
Let’s
see how this works. GO, EL; GO, EL; GO, EL; one more time, so they can hear it
down at the Pentecost Church - GO, EL!
Thanks
for playing along, otherwise it would have been my other thought which was for
us to all sing along and act out “We can all trust in our G-O-E-L”, to the tune
of the song Y-M-C-A…
That’s
right, the Ashes of Ash Wednesday becomes the Shout of He Lives!, He is Risen
Indeed! of Easter, for we serve a God who loves us, who wants relationship with
us, and because we know Our Redeemer Lives.
Cue
video of My Redeemer Lives, by Nicole C. Mullin…
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKrBqD7uhBM)
(start at 1:38 minutes)
Amen and
Hallelujah! We rise from the ashes because Our Redeemer Lives!
March
9, 2014
Sermon 9 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred
Names of God”
Job
19:25-27 New International Version (NIV)
Romans
5:12-19 New International Version (NIV)
Isaiah
49:7
Leviticus
25:48-49
Numbers
35:9-30
Jeremiah
50:33-34
Mark
10:54
“Praying the Names of God: A Daily
Guide”
By, Ann Spangler
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon
today:
-
Go’el (go’EL)à Redeemer
Worship
Songs
-
Shine, Jesus, Shine
-
Celebrate Jesus
-
Awesome In This Place
-
My Jesus, I Love Thee
Opening
Prayer
Prayer of
Thanksgiving
Communion
-
You Have Been Given
-
Hallowed Be Thine Name
Closing
Song
-
Give Me Oil for My Lamp
(with
nod to John Wesley’s quote,
“I
set myself on fire and they come to watch me burn”)
children’s
sermon
-
Why are You Sad?
and sermon “Our Redeemer
Lives”
(in the bulletin as “Hello My Name
is …Go’el”)
by
Raymond A. Foss
filling
in for Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
March 9, 2014
&
Sermon 8 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred
Names of God”
Psalm
46
“Praying the Names of God: A Daily
Guide”
By, Ann Spangler
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon
today:
-
El Olam (EL o-LAM)à Everlasting/Eternal God
and sermon “Hello My Name
El Olam”
(in the bulletin as “Hello My Name
is …El Olam”)
by
Ellen Alward Dickinson
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
March 2, 2014
&
Sermon 7 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred
Names of God”
Daniel 4:19, 24-35 (The Names of God
Bible)
1 Kings 19 (The Names of God Bible)
Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV)
[Genesis 14:18-23- originally planned to
be used]
“Praying the Names of God: A Daily
Guide”
By, Ann Spangler
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon
today:
-
El Elyon (EL el-YOHN)à God Most High
Worship
Songs (Praise Hymn):
-
Crown Him With Many Crowns
-
To God Be the Glory
-
Standing on the Promises
-
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
-
Holy, Holy, Holy
-
The Old Rugged Cross
-
I Need Thee Every Hour
-
Rock of Ages
Offering
-
Be Thou My Vision
Prayer of
Thanksgiving
children’s
sermon, “God Rocks!”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
The
Lord’s Table
-
Agnus Dei
Closing
Songs
-
How Great Thou Art
and sermon ““Hello My Name
El Elyon”
(in the bulletin as “Hello My Name
is …El Elyon”)
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
February 23, 2014
&
Sermon 6 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred
Names of God”
Names
of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-
Ishà Bridegroom
Hosea
2:16, 19-20
Revelations
19:6-9
(All Scripture is from The Names of God Bible)
Worship
Songs:
-
Bless His Holy Name
children’s
sermon, Scouting Sunday,
by
Jean Howes
-
God’s promise
and sermon “Hello My Name
Is… Ish/ Bridegroom”
(in the bulletin as “Hello My Name
is …Ish”)
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
February 9, 2014
&
Sermon 5 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred
Names of God”
Names
of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-
Adonay
(Adonai)à Lord
Daniel
9:9-16
Daniel
9:17-19
Daniel
9:9-19
(All Scripture is from The Names of God Bible)
Worship
Songs:
-
Dancing Heart
-
Let Everything That Has Breath
-
I Could Sing of Your Love Forever
-
Amazing Grace
Offering
-
Light The Fire Again
Prayer of
Thanksgiving
Communion /
The Lord’s Table
-
With All My Hearts
-
10,000 Reasons
children’s
sermon
-
a servant is someone who serves the Lord,
using all of their talents to bring His kingdom
on earth,
serving our Master in everything they say and do.
by
Pastor Ruth
and sermon “Hello My Name Adonay”
(in the bulletin as “Hello My Name
is …Adonay”)
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
February 2, 2014
&
Sermon 4 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred
Names of God”
Names
of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-
El
Chayà Living God
Joshua
3:7-13
2
Kings 19:14-16
Jeremiah
10:3-5
2
Corinthians 6:15-16
(All
Scripture is from The Names of God Bible)
Worship
Songs:
-
Soon
and Very Soon (King)
-
Praise
to the Lord, the Almighty (Lord, King)
-
Spirit
of the Living God (Living God)
Prayer
of Thanksgiving
children’s
sermon
“We
have a living and breathing God who is always there for us.
He
answers us when we call. Our God is not dead…He surely alive…“
by
Pastor Ruth
and sermon “Hello My Name is …El Chay”
(in the bulletin as “Hello My Name
is …El Chay / Living God”)
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
January 26, 2014
&
Sermon 3 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred
Names of God”
Names
of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-
El
à God
-
Elohimà God
-
EloahàGod
Genesis
1:2-2:3
Deuteronomy
28:2-6
(All
Scripture is from The Names of God Bible)
Offering
– “I Will Bless the Lord”
Prayer
of Thanksgiving
children’s
sermon
-
“and God Created. . . “
by
Pastor Ruth
Closing
Song – “Friend of God”
and sermon “Hello My Name is …El, Elohim, and Eloah”
(in the bulletin as “Hello My Name Is. . .
God“)
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
January 19, 2014
&
Baptism
of the Lord Sunday
(and
a time to celebrate and remember our own baptism)
Sermon 2 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred
Names of God”
Names
of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-
Yeshua
--> Jesus
-
Mashiach --> Christ,
Messiah
Matthew
1:18-21
Psalm
2
Mark
1:14-20
Matthew
3:13-17
(All Scripture is from The Names of God Bible)
Reception
of new members
Offering
– “The New 23rd”
Prayer
of Thanksgiving
children’s
sermon
-
There is only One who can save us, Jesus, the one Savior
Closing
Song – “The River Is Here”
and sermon “Hello My Name is …Yeshua/Mashiach”
(in the bulletin as “Hello
My Name Is. . . Jesus, Christ, Messiah“)
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
January 12, 2014
&
Epiphany Sunday
Epiphany of the Lord Sunday
Sermon Series on “The Names of God”
Sermon 1 of “What’s In A Name…”
Names
of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
-
Ha-Shem ->
the Name
-
Ehyeh -> I Am
Exodus 3:13-14
Leviticus 24:10-16
(All Scripture is from The Names of God Bible)
offering
– worship your holy name
Prayer
of Thanksgiving
children’s
sermon
-
different names, different meaning – one person
-
many names for God, all one God
communion
–
-
“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”
-
“Lord, You Are More Precious Than Silver”
and sermon “Our Many Faceted God”
(saved as “Hello My Name
Is. . . “)
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
January 5, 2014
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poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights
reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 37,150+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
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