April 27, 2014
Stetson Memorial United Methodist
Church
Sermon
Series on “The Names of God”
Sermon
16 of series-
“The
Sacred Names of God: El Roi”
Genesis
21:1-21 The Message Bible
Acts
4:32-35 The Message Bible
Spangler,
Ann: Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide
“Hello
My Name is. . . El Roi”
Let
us pray. . .
God of Jesus Christ, give us a spirit of wisdom and
of revelation in the knowledge of Christ,
so that the eyes of our hearts might be enlightened.
Help us to know the hope to which you have called us, the riches of the
glorious inheritance in the saints, and the immeasurable greatness of your
power at work in us. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
(—based on Ephesians 1:17-19, NRSV “Reprinted by
permission from The Worship Sourcebook, © 2004, Faith Alive Christian
Resources.”)
In the world in which we live there are
so many ways we can locate stuff. We have GPS to locate where we are going.
There are microchips that we put in or animals so that if they ever get lost
they can be found. There are baby monitors so that we can know that our child
is safe and sound. We need to know where things and family members are and that
they are safe and sound. Sometimes I want to put a GPS in each of the
girls’ backpacks when they leave for school. Just to see where they really go
each day. . . But is that all there
is to life? Is that all we need to care about? Well. . . what about those who
feel lost and alone? What about those who think that no one cares what happens
to them? How can they have hope for tomorrow? Where can they find that feeling
of being cared for and safe? Is there something we can do to help them feel
that love? Does God really care about them?
Today I would like to talk to you about
another name of God. . . a name that brings hope to those who feel hopeless. .
. This is a name I am fond of and
grateful for each day. The Name is El Roi.
. . the God who sees me (or watches
over me). The title El Roi
reminds us of the God who numbers every hair on our heads and who knows the
circumstances of our lives, past, present, and future. Nothing is hidden from
him. God has been looking after His creation called human beings for a long
time. There are many stories in the bible about God watching over His people.
One that I really like is the one about Abram, Sari and Hagar that I read this
morning.
Paraphrase
the story of Abram, Sarai, and Hagar. . . before Sarah became pregnant and she banished
Hagar. God watched over both women. Hagar in the desert twice and remembered
Sarai.
Ann Spangler states in her book “Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide”: “Even
the most watchful parent has to sleep. But Scripture makes it clear God never
slumbers, never looks one way while we head off in another, never misses a
millisecond of what is happening on earth. It also assures us God is on the
lookout for men and women who are totally committed to him. Why? Because he
wants to strengthen their hearts as they serve him. If you are feeling weak in
the face of life’s challenges, the best way to grow strong is to strengthen
your commitment to Christ. Decide to obey fully, to follow completely, to keep
your eyes fastened on him. Let El Roi take pleasure as he watches over you, and
you will soon find your heart stronger and your confidence deeper without quite
knowing how it happened.” As we trust our ever watchful God we are changed
without even realizing we have. It is that natural. . . it really is that
simple. . . and yes easier said than
done.
In Psalm 139 David talks about God
knowing everything about him No matter where he went God. . . El Roi. . . was there. David’s God is also
Hagar’s God and our God too—the all-knowing, all-seeing God keeps his eye on us
and watches over us by day and by night. If you have ever been tempted to
believe that no one understands you or that no one cares about you, you will
have to revise those thoughts in light of the God who revealed himself so
faithfully to this desperate slave girl and her son. He is El Roi. . . our constant companion on our journey of life.
So you may say. . . Ok Pastor Ruth, this has been a great story for us about God’s provision
but is that the end of the story? No it is not the end of the story. As a
matter of fact God also provides for us through others. . . through the church.
In the Book of Acts, we hear the story of the first church. Listen to how God
used others to provide for His people. . .
Acts 4:32-35 The Message (MSG)
32-33
The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They
didn’t even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, “That’s
mine; you can’t have it.” They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful
witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.
34-35
And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned
fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles
and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each
person’s need.
God uses others in our lives to look
after us and provide for us. El Roi knows
who can help us. . . who can be His messenger. . . who He can trust to be the
voice of God in the wilderness. But. . . but.
. . God’s ambassadors. . . you and I. . . must be willing to be used for
and by God. We need to be God’s church. . . the church on fire for God and His
plan. So what does a church like this look like? Well I think I answered that
question in the reading from Acts.
a. Unanimity of heart and soul→ verse 32 tells us that
they shared everything. There were no ego trips. . . no “what’s mine is mine
and what’s yours is mine”. They were all of one mind. Yikes. . . we have to share and be like minded with people. . . even
those who drive us within our church family? Yes. . .
b. Hearing of great preaching→ OK. . . I had to say that. . . The
apostles gave great witness. . . passionate witness. . . of Jesus Christ. They
told the truth and the facts of what they witnessed. Is that something we can do? I don’t know. . . I think I can do that.
Just tell others about my witness of Christ in my life and the lives of others.
c. Reception of grace→ God’s grace was upon them all. DO you think God is still in the habit of
pouring out His grace on the faithful? Well. . . I think so. I have seen the
grace of God fall upon this room many times. I have heard stories of God’s
grace in life of people of this church.
d. Love of fellow Christians→ They loved their brothers
and sisters in Christ so much that they “sold the farm” so that the proceeds
could be given to everyone. It was all shared. None had more or less but all
was equal. I can’t believe that there are
some churches that have been graced by large amounts of money and they don’t
share with those in need and keep it for their rainy day. Well. . . it may not
be their rainy day but it’s someone’s rainy day and we should do what we can,
with what we can, to help all we can. . .
El Roi loves
us no matter what. He sees all that we may go through in life and goes with us.
He sees us worrying about our future and yet our future us un His hands if we
would trust. He has numbered and knows
ever hair your head. We never go alone. El
Roi goes right along with us even though we may not feel Him, He is there. He
wants us to be His image in the world. He wants to us not only to supply for
the needs of others but to be His face of love. He wants us not only to be His ambassadors
but to be the very voice calling out in the darkness of a world full of anguish
and fear, worry and depression, loneliness and grief. How will you answer His
call? Will you believe in the ever present source of all goodness or will you
choose to believe the siren song of the world? We have choices to make. Maybe.
. . just maybe we can be the church that once was. Maybe, just maybe we can be
the voice of compassion and love. Perhaps this really isn’t the end of the
story but the beginning of the journey with our Risen Lord Jesus Christ.
Perhaps maybe. . . you fill in the blank.
. .
Let
us pray. . . (Pray to El Roi)
Lord,
I praise you for you know the whole story. From beginning to end, you see it
all. Give me the humility to admit my limitations. For I don’t always see the past accurately, my
vision of the present is often blurred, and I am blind when it comes to the
future. Help me fasten my eyes on you, trusting in your vision for my life and
in your watchful care. Help us to be your presence in the world in which we
live. Embolden us with the Gospel of Christ so that we may share with the
passion of the first Pentecost believers. May we trust you more as we step out
in faith and give you more of who we are. AMEN!
April 27, 2014
Sermon 16 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The
Sacred Names of God”
Genesis 21:1-21 (The Message Bible)
Acts 4:32-35 (The Message Bible)
Psalm 139
“Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide”
By, Ann Spangler
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
- El Roi à God watches over us
children’s message
and
sermon “Hello My Name is . . . El
Roi”
by Pastor
Ruth Foss
sermon
blog
meditation
blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten,
ME
April 27,
2014
&
Easter Sunday
Sermon 15 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Jeremiah 23:5-6 (GODs Word Translation)
Jeremiah 31:33 (GODs Word Translation)
Matthew 28:1-10 (English Standard Version)
“Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide”
By, Ann Spangler
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
- Yahweh Tsidqenu à The Lord Our Righteousness
Communion
and
sermon “Hello My Name is . . .
Yahweh Tsidqenu”
by Pastor
Ruth Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten,
ME
April 20,
2014
&
Holy
Saturday
waiting,
preparing the sanctuary for Easter
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten,
ME
April 18,
2014
&
Good
Friday service
Prayer of
confession
Assurance
of Forgiveness
Prayer of
Thanksgiving
and
Service of Tenebrae –
The Service of Shadows
(with 7 candles)
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50, 55, 56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There… (United Methodist Hymnal #288)
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
John 1:1-4
led by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten,
ME
April 18,
2014
&
Good
Friday prayer vigil,
including
reading of article about crucifixion -
“A
Physician’s View of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ”
by Dr. C.
Truman Davis
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten,
ME
April 18,
2014
&
Maundy Thursday
Exodus 12:1-4, 11-14 (NRSV)
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NRSV)
John 6:47-51 (NRSV)
Psalm 116:1-6, 12-19 (NRSV)
prayer of confession
foot
washing
Communion
and
Maundy Thursday Reflections,
“A
Teachable Moment. . . ”
including
paraphrase of John 13:1-17
and John
1:29
by Pastor
Ruth Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten,
ME
April 17,
2014
&
watching
film: “The Passion of the Christ”
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten,
ME
April 16,
2014
&
Palm Sunday
Sermon 14 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Isaiah 53:7-12 (The Message)
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Matthew 20:26-27
(Matthew 21:1-11)
“Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide”
By, Ann Spangler
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
- Ish Makaboth à Man of Sorrows
song and
sacred dance by Erica Berberena
to “Hosanna”
by Kirk Franklin
distribution
of the palms
Communion
and
sermon “Hello My Name is . . . Ish
Makaboth”
by Pastor
Ruth Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten,
ME
April 13,
2014
. . .
&
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Sermon 12 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred Names of God”
Isaiah 53:1-9 (The Message)
“The Suffering Servant”
1 Samuel 16:1-13
“God Looks into the Heart”
“Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide”
By, Ann Spangler
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon today:
- Ebed Yahweh à Servant of God
Communion
and
sermon “Hello My Name is . . . Ebed
Yahweh”
by Pastor
Ruth Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten,
ME
March 30,
2014
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