March 8, 2015
Stetson Memorial United
Methodist Church
3rd Sunday of
Lent
Final
Words Sermon Series
“Behold your son. . . Behold your mother”
John
19:25-27 The Message Bible
Romans
8:15 (NIV)
Ephesians
1:3-14 NIV
Adapted
from Adam Hamilton’s book “Final Words From the Cross”
“You Are Chosen. . . ”
Let us pray. . . Pray
for God’s word to be heard through me or in spite of me. . .
I remember growing up when we were choosing
sides when we played games. We would all pick two captains and then we would
wait to see who was going to be chosen for each team. It was nail biting as I
waited to hear my name called. No one wanted to be the last called because that
would mean no one really wanted us but had to pick us.
We all want to belong to something and we
want to know that we are wanted. It is just human nature to want to be a part
of something. Whether it is being chosen to play on a team or that job we
interview for. We all want to know that someone wants us. It can be hard as we
wait to see what the outcome will be. . . Belonging is a part of life. Sometimes
belonging is what identifies who and what we are. We belong to a family. . . we
belong to a lodge. . . we belong to a certain group. The list goes on.
Why is it that we, as humanity, need to
belong to something. . . to feel that we belong? I think it is because we were
created to have to be in relationship. When God created humanity, He didn’t
just stop with Adam. God created someone to be with Him. He created Eve. God
also had a relationship with Adam and Eve. He
walked in the cool of the evening with them. . . But that relationship was severed because of
Adam and Eve’s disobedience. . . their sin. . . But God still wanted that relationship. . . which
is why He sent Jesus. . .
We have begun our Lenten journey to the Cross
of Calvary. As we journey, we have been looking at the Final words. . . the
seven last words or phrases. . . of Jesus from the cross. These were the last
words of His ministry here on earth. Even from the cross, Jesus was still doing
ministry. His anguish on the cross was leading up of the climax of His ministry
and the reason He was sent from above. It is to this place that we will stop
and ponder as we await the celebration of His victory.
We have talked about His words “Father
forgive them for they know not what they are doing. . . ” and realized that we
are part of the “them” that Jesus was praying for and about. We heard His words
“Truly I tell you, today you will be with
me in paradise.” which are words of hope for us knowing that we will one
day be with Him where He is. . .
Jesus’ next words are ones
that changed the definition of family. They are the words that I read this
morning from the Gospel of John “Woman here is your son. . . here is your
mother.” Jesus wanted to make sure His mother was taken care of. . . even from
the cross He was showing concern for those around Him. Even from the cross
Jesus was redefining what family was in order to include all who believe. . .
But here is even more good
news about that adoption that took place there. We have been chosen
by God to be part of His adoptive family. You
Are Chosen. . . How do we know we
are chosen? Listen to the words of Paul in the book of Ephesians. We are not
last in line but we are the first in line to be chosen. . .
Ephesians 1:3-14New
International Version (NIV)
Praise for Spiritual
Blessings in Christ
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing
in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy
and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship
through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise
of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In
him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance
with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and
understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his
good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the
times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on
earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined
according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the
purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in
Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in
Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When
you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14
who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who
are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
We are chosen. . . you and I. . . before the
beginning of time. We are dearly loved and adopted by the King of kings and
Lord of lord. We are not only adopted but are redeemed through the blood of the
One who has signed our adoption papers in His own blood. You and I are chosen. . . We
are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit. We belong. . . Now how is that for being first in line. . .
Not only that but Romans 8:15 tells
us that we can call God Abba Father.
. . daddy. . .
There was an adoption at the cross. A new family was being formed. . . A family
of Christ followers. We belong to a family that grows each passing day as more
come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We. . . the church of Jesus. . . grows
ever stronger with each child of God tat joins us in ministry to one another
and the world.
This morning, that is what is going to
happen. Our church family is adopting. . . choosing first. . . being joined in
ministry. . . by seven new children of God. I would like them to come forward
as we ask them to join our family of believers. . .
(New
Members come forward and are grafted in to our church family)
Amen. . .
March 9, 2015
John 19:25-27
Ephesians 1:3-14
Romans 8:15
sermon, “You
Are Chosen”
video:
text:
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
sermon blog
meditation
blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Children’s Message – “God's
Love Letter; God is writing your story”
-
Mystery
box – a pencil
video:
text:
praise
hymn, “Step By Step”
praise
hymn, “Lord, I Lift Your Name On High”
praise
hymn, “Jesus, Messiah”
praise
hymn, “I Stand Amazed”
offertory
hymn, “May Jesus Christ Be Praised” (“When Morning Gilds the Skies”)
Communion and
Communion hymn, “There Is A River”
closing hymn,
“Shout To the Lord”
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
2nd Sunday in
Lent
March 8, 2015
&
Luke 23:32, 39-43
sermon, “So
This Is Paradise”
video:
text:
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Children’s
Message – “Thirsting for God”
-
Mystery
box – bottle of grape juice
video:
text:
centering
hymn, “Surely the Presence”, Greeting and Announcements, Opening Prayer
praise
hymn, “Forever”
praise
hymn, “Everlasting”
praise
hymn, “To God Be the Glory”
praise
hymn, “I Worship You Almighty God”
offertory
hymn, “The Love Of God Goes On”
Communion
hymn, “10,000 Reasons”
closing hymn,
“Better Is One Day”
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=648698805236478&set=vb.174161846023512&type=2&theater
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=648698805236478&set=vb.174161846023512&type=2&theater
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
2nd Sunday in
Lent
March 1, 2015
&
Luke 23:23, 33-34
sermon, “You
Are Forgiven”
video:
text:
http://pstruthsermons.blogspot.com/2015/02/you-are-forgiven.html
https://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/2015/02/24/you-are-forgiven/
https://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/2015/02/24/you-are-forgiven/
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Children’s
Message – “Jesus is our superhero”
-
Mystery
box – Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Scooby Doo
-
and a
candy cane
video:
image:
text:
centering,
“Surely the Presence”
praise
hymn, “I Sing the Mighty Power of God”
offertory
hymn, “Make My Life A Prayer to You”
Communion
hymn, “Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, Adore Him”
closing hymn,
“Our God Reigns”
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
1st
Sunday in Lent
February 22,
2015
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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 36,410+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
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