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
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/08/in-shattering-something-new-emerges.html
edited/new August 22, 2016
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
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2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at
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for usage. See all 41,600+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Christ,
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