Sunday, September 04, 2016

sermon, "A Glowing Response", by Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, August 28, 2016, Patten, ME



August 28, 2016
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series:
Risky Business
“A Glowing Response
Psalm 139:14-18 MSG
Mark 8:27-9:8 MSG
Matthew 5:13-16 MSG
Isaiah 9:2 MSG

“A Glowing Response”

(Prayer for illumination and for God’s word to be heard through me or in spite of me…)

(Quietly sing…)
Lord, the light of your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth you now bring us
Shine on me, shine on me

Please stand as you are able for the reading of the Gospel lesson this morning… I am reading from the Message Bible Translation this morning…

All this talk about being the light and risking it all has got me thinking…If I am just one light how can I make a real difference? The world is so dark how can my candle shine enough to make a difference in the lives of those sitting in darkness? Well I have decided this…If the light of a simple candle can be seen for 30 miles in the dark…the light that shines within me is much brighter than that…it is the light of Truth…the light of Justice, the Light of Love…the light of my Savior…
(A louder but still quiet)
Lord, I come to your awesome presence
From the shadows into your radiance
By the blood I may enter your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me

Can you imagine if Jesus was alive today…I don’t even think any state agency would insure Him? Jesus was constantly doing risky things, He rubbed religious rulers the wrong way, eating with “those” kind of people, touching the sick and the leapers…how unclean is that…some of those diseases you could catch by touching the sick person making you unclean just like them…just to name a few things. We have come to realize that to work for the Kingdom…the Kingdom of God and not our own…it requires some Risky Business. The question’s we need to ask ourselves are these…are we willing to take risks for love and justice? What price do we pay when we play it safe?  What would have happened to us if someone else didn’t risk it all for us…didn’t risk telling us about Jesus and His saving Grace? We have been looking at some of Jesus’ risky business encounters to see what He has modeled for those who would become His followers…by the way...that means you and me…

OK let’s recap here…

First, nothing is held back. Jesus held nothing back in His ministry. He did His ministry right out in the open where everyone could see…we are also called to live our Christian life…our call…not behind closed doors but out in the open…

Second, realize that it is not always nice and neat. The religious leaders…the scribes…the writers of the laws…were saying we have a nice and neat protocol and this man is turning it upside down…When do we live by our church laws and not wanting to get our self-changed…changed to taking a risk to help others? When do we rely more on our programs than the Holy Spirit? When are we unwilling to touch the leper and make him clean…?

Third…we can’t do this alone… we need God’s help…and we need each other’s help… It is through and in God that we are strengthen…it is in and through God we have a new vison of who and what others are…it is through and in God that we become community.

Fourth… Jesus reached out to those “untouchables’ of society. This was risky business, these people were real sick and hurting and rather than keeping Himself away from these people…risking being made “unclean” by their touch…He was right in the middle of them. There are many “unclean” souls out there that are needing the healing balm of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We need to be the “hem” of Jesus’ robe…to be the tassel that leads others to the One who gives Life…the tangible for the intangible… And in doing this…in being instead of just doing…well we are going to make some people uncomfortable…but we are called to risk it all anyway…


Ok...all this talking about “Risky Business” makes me think... “Ok…How am I to go about this Risky Business…is there a simple tangible way…to do this radical way of life? Well let’s look for some clues in the Mark Scripture I read this morning…
1.   27 Jesus and his disciples headed out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked, “Who do the people say I am?” “Some say ‘John the Baptizer,’” they said. “Others say ‘Elijah.’ Still others say ‘one of the prophets.’” 29 He then asked, “And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?” Peter gave the answer: “You are the Christ, the Messiah.
As we believe in Jesus and confess Him as our Savior…the Messiah who came too free those who were captive in the bondage of sin…we witness to His goodness and mercy that we have received in our lives…this is giving light and hope to a world that sits in darkness. This is a way to dispel the darkness around us and puts the enemy on notice that we ae children of the light and that through Jesus’ death and resurrection…sin and death are conquered…WE know the end of the story…
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows— light! sunbursts of light!
2.   “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how.
As we surrender our lives to the One who is the Truth, the Way and the Life we are shown the way. Jesus gives us examples on how to live a life of surrender as we look at His life and how He surrendered…risked it all…for you and for me. We too are called as we become His likeness in the world. Our witness to others is their tangible way of see Jesus...
Meriam Webster tells us that the definition of tangible is:
easily seen or recognized
able to be touched or felt
When we are radically loving others…Jesus us easily recognized in us…We become the hands, feet and voice of Jesus in the world. We are the tangible touch that heals…sort of like the woman last week who just touched Jesus’ robe…just the hem and was healed…we too can be that hem of Jesus robe…

This is important…Mark 8:38 tells us what will happen if we choose not to become like Jesus to sort of deny that light within us…
“If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I’m leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you’ll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels.”
 We will be an embarrassment to Jesus…to God…
Listen to the instructions found in Matthew 5:13-16…this is who we are called to be and it really is simple…
Read Matthew 5:13-16 (The Message Bible Paraphrase Translation)

Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story
Shine on me, shine on me

God is calling His people to a new thing. Jesus is requiring something radical of His disciples…His followers…His image in the world. We are called to be risk takers. We are called follow Jesus’ example. There was nothing held back in Jesus’ ministry…including His life…we too should live…should serve with nothing held back…with the help of community. We are called to be risk takers for God so that others will know the good news of the gospel… Unfortunately for those on the margins of society…Christ’s church is going to have to change...I say unfortunately because they are waiting for us to change in order for their change to come… We are going to have to get a little dirty. But with God’s help …and each other’s help. No matter the risk we need to bring the Light of the World within the Good News to those who are in need of some Good News…in need of a Savior…who sit in darkness whatever that may look like…

As I have said before, Jesus is showing us a more excellent way. Lives depend on it…Jesus is counting on us… What is the cost of one life to you? What about the cost that was paid for yours on the cross of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ who risked it all?

(Everyone sing)
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light

AMEN


September 4, 2016
I pray for a common purpose
September 3, 2016
offer them love
edited September 3, 2016
love the cheats – v2
edited/ new name September 3, 2016
love the cheats
September 3, 2016
those who game the system
September 3, 2016
we need to unite
September 3, 2016
how can we capture
September 3, 2016
Do we lack a vision
September 2, 2016
How can everyone win
thinking about the National Monument designation,
the moving forward on a comprehensive plan,
and the presidential election during
the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum
board meeting
September 1, 2016
&
September 2, 2016
remember the mission
September 2, 2016
simple - 2
September 1, 2016
share
September 1, 2016
shine - 2
September 1, 2016
who we are called to be
September 1, 2016
they are waiting for us to change
September 1, 2016
season the world
September 1, 2016
an embarrassment to Jesus
September 1, 2016
visible in us
edited August 31, 2016
surrender to Jesus – v2
August 31, 2016
easily recognized
August 30, 2016
a likeness of Jesus
August 30, 2016
surrender to Jesus
August 30, 2016
let Christ lead
August 30, 2016
burn away the darkness
August 30, 2016
bring His light
August 30, 2016
declare Christ’s name
August 30, 2016
uncomfortable
August 30, 2016
be the edge of the robe
August 29, 2016
needing the Savior
August 29, 2016
unclean souls
August 29, 2016
joining the outcasts
August 29, 2016
using our gifts together
August 29, 2016
Do this together
August 29, 2016
we need the Spirit
August 29, 2016
we need Jesus
August 29, 2016
touch the leper
merged August 29, 2016
living by our laws, by Christ
August 29, 2016
living by Christ
August 29, 2016
living by our laws
August 29, 2016
taking the news out there
August 29, 2016
what if Christ had played it safe
August 28, 2016
what do we lose
August 28, 2016
are we willing to risk
August 28, 2016
our light source
August 28, 2016
my little candle
August 28, 2016
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series:
Risky Business
Psalm 139:14-18
Mark 8
Mark 9
message: “A Glowing Response”
video:
text:

by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
and Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 28, 2016
&
August 25, 2016
what price do we pay
August 25, 2016
willing to take risks
edited August 24, 2016
If Jesus was here with us
August 24, 2016
not matching up
edited/ renamed August 23, 2016
If Jesus was here with us
August 23, 2016
If Jesus was alive today
August 23, 2016
speaking truth to their power
August 23, 2016
their words become lies
August 23, 2016
shattering what they believe
edited/merged August 22, 2016
in the shattering, something new emerges
something new emerges
edited/new August 22, 2016
in the shattering, in the breaking
August 22, 2016
in the shattering
edited August 22, 2016
Love above all else – v2
edited August 22, 2016
Truth to change us – v2
August 21, 2016
love to set them free
August 21, 2016
Love to set us free
August 21, 2016
Truth to change us
August 21, 2016
Love above all else
August 21, 2016
you bless us
August 21, 2016
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series:
Risky Business
“Risking It All”
Psalm 103:1-6
Mark 5:21-43
Mark 6:1-29
message: “Risking It All”
video:
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 21, 2016
&
edited August 21, 2016
in the face of adversity – 2 – v2
August 21, 2016
we judge, we divide
edited August 21, 2016
How can we love – v2
August 21, 2016
How can we love
August 21, 2016
How can the light shine
August 21, 2016
we must pull together
August 21, 2016
We judge our neighbor
edited August 21, 2016
We damage the fabric – v3
August 20, 2016
in the face of adversity - 2
August 20, 2016
in community we find hope
August 20, 2016
we repair the breach – 2
August 20, 2016
binding the cords
August 20, 2016
stitching the wounds
edited August 20, 2016
We damage  the fabric – v2
August 20, 2016
We damage the fabric
We damage the fabric #2
We damage the fabric #1
August 14, 2016
Worship in the Park (indoors)
Scripture:
Habakkuk 3:17-19
message: “Worship in the Park”
video:
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
praise music led by
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church Praise Team
Director, Chuck Loucka
opening prayer
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
prayer over the offering
by Pastor Franklin Randall, Jr.
Patten Pentecostal Church
&
August 7, 2016
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series:
Risky Business
Psalm 146
Mark 1:21-45
Mark 2:1-22
sermon “Nothing Held Back”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message from Mystery Box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 7, 2016
&
August 9, 2015
Worship in the Park
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
John 13:34-35
John 15:1-17
Lord’s Prayer
message: “Community”
by Raymond A. Foss
&
praise music led by
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church Praise Team
Director, Chuck Loucka
&
opening prayer
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
&
prayer before the offering
and songs of praise over the offering
by Pastor Franklin Randall, Jr.
Patten Pentecostal Church
&
Pastor Rodney Lord’s sermon, 2014
Worship in the Park
======
Psalm 133
Psalm 84:5
Revelations 4:11
Revelations 5
Deuteronomy 5:16
Leviticus 19
John 4
1 Peter 3:15
Jeremiah 29:11
Hebrews
Romans 15:13
&
message by Pastor Rodney Lord
August 10, 2014
Patten Academy Park
Patten, ME
&
Pastor Ruth Foss
Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV
sermon
“There is Hope in Community”
Worship in the Park
Patten Pioneer Days
August 11, 2013

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 41,600+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, Faith, love, grace, God, hope, UMC, pray, Spirit, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Mark 1, Mark 2, Habakkuk 3.  Mark 5, Mark 6, community, Mark 8, Mark 9,

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