April 6, 2014
Stetson Memorial United Methodist
Church
Sermon
Series on “The Names of God”
Sermon
13 of series-
“The
Sacred Names of God: Shopet”
Psalm
94:2-14 Living Bible (TLB)
Ezekiel
37:1-14 The Message Bible
Spangler,
Ann (2008-09-09). Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide
“Hello
My Name is…Shopet”
Let
us pray…
Loving
and Gracious God, full of compassion and love, You are the giver of all that is
good and perfect. We thank you for this day that we can slow ourselves down and
bask in Your word. As we sit at Your feet, we ask that You would help us
understand the message for us today through the Spirit that You have placed
within us. By that same Spirit, may we be moved beyond ourselves and into
service for Your glory. May we come away from our encounter with You this
morning changed people of God. Speak Lord, we are anxious to hear Your voice
within our hearts.
Have you ever been in a courtroom or
seen a TV show about a courtroom? I have. As You walk into the courtroom you
see both parties sitting before a judge who has been placed there so that there
is someone who can get to the truth of a matter. As the judge hears both sides
of the story, he tries to figure out who is telling the truth and who is not.
It is an important job because these people have come before him so that they
can have closure on an issue. I am sure it must be hard to try and decipher
what information is important for the case and what information just doesn’t
belong. I don’t think I would like to have a job like that. People’s lives
depend on the judge being fair and impartial.
I like watching the show “Law and Order”. I enjoy watching the
police and detectives try to get to the bottom of a crime. They try to find
truth amongst the lies that have been told. Most of the time they win but there
are times when evil triumphs over good. There is only just so much they can do
to find the truth. How can we know the truth of the matter? How can we get to
the bottom of a situation and find where the truth lays? When we see evil
winning over good in the world, how can we be sure that the good wins in the
end? Is there someone who will find all truth and expose all lies that are
integrated in throughout the truth of the matter?
We are continuing on our journey of
learning the Sacred Names of God and
praying in that same name. We have learned so many names for God… Elohim… El Elyon … El Olam. Remember
Go’el our redeemer? How about El Emet the God of Truth and that we
learn from our Rabbouni…our teacher?
Last week, we learned that as we follow our Rabbouni,
we discover that He is Ebed Yahweh, for
He is the Servant of the Lord. But our God is not all “fuzzy and warm.” There
are times when He needs to discipline His children like any other good parent.
It is these times when He is known as Shophet,
the one true Judge.
So, let’s talk about our Shophet…the Judge…the one true Judge of
the world. You know, the One who you “can’t pull the wool over their eyes.” Ann
Spangler tells us in the book “Praying
the Names of God: A Daily Guide “, “justice
is ultimately rooted not in a collection of laws or rules but in the very
character and nature of God. As Judge of the whole earth, he is the only One
competent to measure the motivations of our hearts. In the Hebrew Scriptures,
the word “judge” is often parallel to the word “king.” When we pray to God our
Shophet (sho-PHAIT), we are praying to the One whose righteousness demands
perfect justice but who has also provided a way for us to be acquitted of our
guilt through the life, death, and resurrection of his Son.” God is the
Judge of all and it is through Him that we finally get that real justice.
Through the prophets of old and also the
prophets that are among us today, God passes down His judgment on His people.
God uses people even today to speak to His people and tells them not only the
judgment but why they are being judged. Our God…our One true Judge…cannot be
fooled. From the Psalm I read this morning we hear how this is a true
statement. God is not deaf or blind. He sees what we do even “behind the scenes”
where no one else may see. He sees what is within our hearts and our thoughts
and minds. Even though it may look as if the evil is winning…even though we may
think we are getting away with what we do…God sees all and will bring all to
light. But God is not a god who punishes just because He can but punishes
because of the love He has for us.
Have
you ever felt unjustly accused of some offense, large or small, that you never
committed? At these times we need
to be very careful. We may become “self-righteous” and demand that God act on
our behalf NOW! “Who do they think they are? Do they really think that they are
going to get away with that with me?! They should suffer as much as they made
me suffer!” It is kind of like what I
talked about with the Kids Life children on Wednesday. We talked about
“throwing stones” and about how “yee without sin cast the first stone”, the
stones you were given this morning are a reminder of this truth… We may end
up bitter and desire vengeance verses punishment (and there is a difference).
I love the way Ann Spangler states the
obvious…that we may miss sometimes… “God’s
justice is tempered by his great mercy, which is most powerfully and eloquently
expressed in the person of Jesus Christ. No matter what your life may have
looked like before you came to Christ, there is no longer any condemnation for
you. Today the Judge of the whole earth rises to show you compassion.” With
compassion…not anger…not vengeance…but compassion.
Are
you feeling in your life that you are being punished by God and that He will
never relent? Are you feeling that your hope and faith has dried up in the
desert of judgment? Are you feeling crushed by the things of the past and that
you just can’t stand anymore? Are you in the valley of dry bones with a
scorching wind blowing across your soul? God is there with you and He hears
your cries for mercy and restoration. He will bring your “back to the land of
the living.”Listen to the words from the prophet Ezekiel. Hear the words of
hope and redemption. Hear the words our God tells us from the pit of judgment…
Ezekiel
37:1-14 The Message (MSG)
Breath
of Life
God
grabbed me. God’s Spirit took me up and set me down in the middle of an open
plain strewn with bones. He led me around and among them—a lot of bones! There
were bones all over the plain—dry bones, bleached by the sun. He said to me,
“Son of man, can these bones live?”I said, “Master God, only you know that.”He
said to me, “Prophesy over these bones: ‘Dry bones, listen to the Message of
God!’”God, the Master, told the dry bones, “Watch this: I’m bringing the breath
of life to you and you’ll come to life. I’ll attach sinews to you, put meat on
your bones, cover you with skin, and breathe life into you. You’ll come alive
and you’ll realize that I am God!” I prophesied just as I’d been commanded. As
I prophesied, there was a sound and, oh, rustling! The bones moved and came
together, bone to bone. I kept watching. Sinews formed, then muscles on the
bones, then skin stretched over them. But they had no breath in them. He said
to me, “Prophesy to the breath. Prophesy, son of man. Tell the breath, ‘God,
the Master, says, Come from the four winds. Come, breath. Breathe on these
slain bodies. Breathe life!’”So I prophesied, just as he commanded me. The breath
entered them and they came alive! They stood up on their feet, a huge army. Then
God said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Listen
to what they’re saying: ‘Our bones are dried up, our hope is gone, there’s
nothing left of us.’ “Therefore, prophesy. Tell them, ‘God, the Master, says:
I’ll dig up your graves and bring you out alive—O my people! Then I’ll take you
straight to the land of Israel. When I dig up graves and bring you out as my
people, you’ll realize that I am God. I’ll breathe my life into you and you’ll
live. Then I’ll lead you straight back to your land and you’ll realize that I
am God. I’ve said it and I’ll do it. God’s Decree.’”
Within the valley of dry bones…our God…Shophet…wants to bring those old bones
back to life. He will breathe the breath of life back into you. Our God may
punish us as His children but is anger is but a moment and His mercies are for
a lifetime. We will rise again. Like a Phoenix rising out of the ashes we too
will rise again from our doubt…from our disobedience…from our judging of
others…from our valley of dry bones. We too will rise as God’s chosen ready to
do battle in His name.
Beloved children of God… If you taken
nothing else home from this morning, there are truths that I would like you to
remember:
1. Even though the world around us may seem to be
winning…if evil seems to be winning over good. The Go we serve is Shophet..the righteous judge and He will
judge the world.
2. When we are unjustly judged we need to be careful
not to turn it into a self-righteous indignation.
3. Even though we may be going through our own valley
of dry bones where we are feeling the Judgment of God upon our lives…we WILL
RISE AGAIN!
4. God will breathe the breath of life back into our
parched land and restore us.
And
5. Yee without sin…cast the first stone…
Let
us pray… (Pray to Shopet)
Our
loving and compassionate Shophet, we thank you for Your righteousness and that
You judge with a righteous hand. We have hope because You will judge the world
in which we live and Your judgment is true and fair. Good will WIN! Help us in
those times when we are unfairly judged and trust in Your truths. Lord, we know
that we ourselves will be judged and we that you that even though we may be in
the valley of dry bones You will raise up us again. Breathe the breath of life
into us O God so that we may live again…
Amen!
April
6, 2014
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Sermon 13 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred
Names of God”
Psalm
94:2-15 (Living Bible)(TLB)
Ezekiel
37:1-14 (The Message Bible)
“Praying the Names of God: A Daily
Guide”
By, Ann Spangler
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon
today:
-
Shopet à Judge
Communion
and sermon “Hello My Name
is . . . Shopet”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
April 6, 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
&
Third Sunday in Lent
reading of poem, “Lent”
by Ann Weems
from her book, Kneeling in Jerusalem
Sermon 11 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred
Names of God”
Psalm
31:1-5 (Names of God bible)
John
13:12-17 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
(John 20:16 – in the garden)
“Praying the Names of God: A Daily
Guide”
By, Ann Spangler
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon
today:
-
Rabbouni/ El Emet à Teacher/God of Truth
Communion
children’s
sermon by Regina Goode
about
Johnny Appleseed
and sermon “Hello My Name
is . . . Rabbouni/El Emet”
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=502382803201413&id=174161846023512
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/sermon-hello-my-name-is-rabbouni-el.html
https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/447805342639202304
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/sermon-hello-my-name-is-rabbouni-el.html
https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/447805342639202304
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
March 23, 2014
&
Second Sunday in Lent
Sermon 10 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred
Names of God”
Psalm
121
John
3:1-17 (not read)
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon
today:
-
Yahweh/Yahweh Yireh (ya-WEH yir-EH)à The Lord will supply
Prayers
of the People by Ray Foss
children’s
sermon by Kelly Curtis
-
Mark 1:12-13 – story about Lent and waiting
and sermon “Hello My Name
is . . . Yahweh”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
March 16, 2014
&
First Sunday in Lent
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
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon
today:
-
Go’el (go’EL)à Redeemer
Opening
Prayer
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
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
March 9, 2014
&
Transfiguration Sunday
Sermon 8 of “What’s In A Name…”
Sermon Series on “The Sacred
Names of God”
Psalm
46
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)
Names of God and Definitions from Sermon
today:
-
El Elyon (EL el-YOHN)à God Most High
children’s
sermon, “God Rocks!”
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
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)
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)
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)
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)
children’s
sermon
-
There is only One who can save us, Jesus, the one Savior
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)
children’s
sermon
-
different names, different meaning – one person
-
many names for God, all one God
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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