September 3, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
A Future With
Hope”)
“The Sustaining”
Psalm 105:1-6
Matthew 11:28-30
Revelation 22:17a
AMP
Hopes Sustaining
Power…
The Lord be with you…let us pray… (prayer
for the Spirit’s indwelling as bring God’s words of hope this morning…)
Please stand for the reading of the Gospel
according to St. Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28-30. Listen to words of caution
from God to the people of God as we seek His will…
Matthew 11:28-30New International Version
(NIV)
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you
and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest
for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
As hope prayed, “Dear Jesus, I have not been all that nice in my life. I
have had a hard life and have done some pretty hard things. But I can’t do this
life thing alone anymore. I know I am a sinner and I am sorry for all that I
have done. I need You. Please come and live in my life. Please come and help me
because I can’t help myself. Please make me new and give me hope and peace in
my life…Amen,” she began to have this feeling of peace. She hadn’t felt this in
years and she wanted to do all she could to hold on to it. As a matter of fact,
she actually began to feel hope spring forth in her life. “I never realized
that this is what was missing. I am so glad that Jesus has come into my life
but how do I hold onto this feeling?”, she thought.
Almost as if he could hear her thoughts, Pastor Roy began to say, “Hope, I
am so glad you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Now comes the fun
part…you get to spend time getting to know Him. The more you know about Him and
God the more your hope will grow in you. You see getting to know Him is what
sustains us…helps us to be able to hold on to our hope.” “Oh boy…that sounds
like a lot of work,” Hope exclaimed. “It really isn’t that much like work.
Actually, it’s rather fun. Once you begin doing it with all your heart, mind,
and soul… But fair warning. The world around you hasn’t changed, you have.
There is still that chaos and despair but now with this living hope in you, you
can now become part of the change that needs to happen in the world.” Pastor
Roy warned.
“How do I begin?” Hope asked. “Well let me get you in
touch with our young adult leader and they can help you get started on this
road of recovery as you recover your life in and through Jesus Christ. I am so
glad you made this life altering decision. I will be praying for you.” “Thank
you so much Pastor Roy. And I am glad I made this decision too.” Hope said, “I
don’t know why I didn’t do this years ago” she laughed as she left Pastor Roy’s
office. Little did she know how her new-found hope would be challenged…
In
what do you find hope? Face, it, we live in a chaotic world full of
hopelessness and despair. Even so, we
can have hope. It can be hard to cultivate hope in our lives...and have enough
to share with a broken world. We all now that hope doesn’t happen overnight and
it is a process. But as we begin to have a living hope in us it is as if a
light is turned on in our lives, a bright light. But the question is…how do we
hold on to this hope we have? “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He,
I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will
sustain you and I will rescue you” (Isaiah 46:4).
Over
the past few weeks, we have plowed the fields and germinated seeds. It has
sprouted and we have planted it in the soil…the good and cultivated soil, that
is sustained by God and His word…the seedlings hopefully have taken root and has
gone deep down into the ground and watered by the Living Water. Beloved, if the seedling…if hope is not
planted, there is no grounding…no growth. It is shallow and when trials of life
some scorching in it is dried up and withers… The only
way to withstand the pressures of life our hope has root itself in good soil
where it receives water…Living Water.
It is in the tilling of the soil that the
seeds of love and hope begin to grow and sprout new hope within us and within
those who Go calls us to plant within. And remember…we have to tend and nourish hope…it is our part in the
growth in us and others…
Now
there may be times that we feel we want to move on. We may even want to move on
because of a painful…fill in the blank.
We may be going through a fire and feel we are done… But…but…God says, not just yet…you need to stay put where you are. As
we bloom where we are…the fruits are shared within our community of the church
and out into the larger community of the world… The fruit of hope becomes
evident in our lives and the lives of others… If it isn’t evident…is there really ant hope to be found? Not only
are we called to bear fruit…we are called to help others…bear their burdens… There is more than one way of bearing and we
are called to both…
So
now, we are bearing fruit and bearing with each other. But I want you to
remember that growth happens in spirts and is continuous our whole lives…when we stop growing both physically and
spiritually we are dead… Now can we do this non- stop? Give time to answer. Why not? Give
time to answer. We become tired and weary… The King James dictionary
defines weary as:
WEARINESS, n. from weary.
1. The state of being
weary or tired; that lassitude or exhaustion of strength which is induced by
labor; fatigue. With weariness and wine oppressed.
2. Lassitude; uneasiness
proceeding from continued waiting, disappointed expectation or exhausted
patience, or from other cause.
WEARY, a.
1. Having the strength
much exhausted by toil or violent exertion; tired; fatigued.
2. Having the patience
exhausted, or the mind yielding to discouragement. He was weary of asking for
redress.
3. Causing weariness;
tiresome; as a weary way; a weary life.
We
become tired, discouraged, exhausted, and disappointed. How many of you have
felt this way before? What did you do in order to feel better, how are you
sustaining yourself? Give time to answer.
“Surely God is my help; the Lord is
the One who sustains me” (Psalm 54:4).
In the Matthew scripture from this morning, we have
a clear direction of what to do when we are weary and tired. We have a clear
direction on what will sustain us. It is coming to the Lord and allowing Him to
give us rest. We have the choice of whether or not we are going to allow His
healing and resting presence in our lives…which would you want to choose. Which
gives hope and which way causes despair? “Cast your burden upon the Lord and
He will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22).
Not only are we to come to the Lord who is the
Sustainer of Life, we are to help others sustain their lives. God has created
within us a need to be part of something…to be part of each other’s lives. You
know the feeling of wanting to be a part of something bigger than yourself.
Think about it, if someone didn’t invite
you to be part of this thing we call the body of Christ…this one big family,
would you still be searching for that one thing that is missing…the longing to
belong to something far greater than yourself?
If you don’t receive the sustaining of the Lord how
can you help in the sustaining of others? “The Sovereign LORD has given me
an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me
morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught’ (Isaiah
50:4).
Are
you feeling tired and fatigued? Is there just a feeling of despair that you
just can’t shake? Do you feeling like you are just running on that hamster
wheel, not able to find that rest you are so in need of? Come to the well that
gives Living Water so that you can be a fountain for others. Come and rest by
it’s cool waters and drink your fill. Come to the green pasture and renew the
hope within you. Come to the font of Joy, of Peace, Of Love, and of Hope. There is hope, to be found by you and me.
Where there is hope…there is possibilities…
“The [Holy] Spirit and the
bride (the church, believers) say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say,
“Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come;”
Amen!
=====================
September 4,
2017
September 4,
2017
it is hope
that ignites us
September 4,
2017
hope fuels us
September 3, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from
Marcia McPhee’s
A Future With Hope”)
Week 7
“The Sustaining”
Psalm 105:1-6
Isaiah 46:4
Psalm 54:4
Psalm 55:22
Isaiah 50:4
Matthew 11:28-30
Revelations 22:17a
and
sermon, “Hope’s Sustaining Power”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
sermon blog
meditation
blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Children’s
Message
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
August 27,
2017
&
August 30,
2017
there is power
in our words
August 30,
2017
there is power
in God’s grace
August 30,
2017
there is power
in our prayers
August 30,
2017
there is power
in our hope
August 30,
2017
our words have
impact
edited August
29, 2017
our hope
cannot stay hidden – v2
August 29,
2017
our hope
cannot stay hidden
August 29,
2017
we are called
to witness – 2
August 29,
2017
we each are
the witness
edited August
29, 2017
only Christ
can redeem us – v2
August 29,
2017
only Christ
can redeem us
August 28,
2017
none of us are
worthy - 2
August 28,
2017
he told her
about Jesus
August 27, 2017
he shared his
faith
August 27,
2017
offering her
hope
August 27, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from
Marcia McPhee’s
A Future With Hope”)
Week 6
“Bearing Hope”
Psalm 138
John 15:1-8 GNT
Philippians 1:9-11 GNT
and
sermon, “Hope Bearer…”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Children’s
Message
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
August 27,
2017
&
August 20,
2017
Help me go
grow
August 20,
2017
before I gave
my life to Christ
edited August
20, 2017
I have been
you – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/08/i-have-been-you-v2.html
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/08/i-have-been-you-v2.html
August 20,
2017
I have been
you
August 20,
2017
whatever your
station
August 20,
2017
slave or free
August 20,
2017
grow there
August 20,
2017
give to them
willingly
August 20,
2017
show them
compassion
August 20,
2017
offer mercy,
grace
August 20,
2017
do not resist
them
August 20,
2017
strip them of
power
August 20,
2017
may hope find
a home
edited August
20, 2017
may hope abide
– v2
August 20,
2017
may hope abide
August 20, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from
Marcia McPhee’s
A Future With Hope”)
Week 5
“Residing with Hope”
Psalm 133
Luke 3:10-14
1 Corinthians 7:20-24
Jeremiah 29:4-7
and
sermon, “Where Hope Resides”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Children’s
Message
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
August 20,
2017
&
August 19,
2017
nurturing hope
edited/ new
name August 19, 2017
if the
seedling isn’t planted
August 19,
2017
if the seed
isn’t planted
August 19,
2017
It is hard to
believe
August 19,
2017
Hope begins to
sprout and root
edited August
19, 2017
Hope
germinates and grows – v2
August 19,
2017
Hope
germinates and grows – v1
August 19,
2017
hope is like a
seed
August 19,
2017
a flickering
of something
edited August
19, 2017
a kernel of
hope – v3
edited August
19, 2017
a kernel of
hope – v2 (2)
August 19,
2017
a kernel of
hope (2)
August 19,
2017
seeds of hope
within us
August 13, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
A Future With Hope”)
week 4 - “This Living Hope”
Psalm
105:1-6
Mark
4:1-8 NIV
Ephesians
3:16-19 NIV
John
4:13-14
Zephaniah
3:17
Romans
12:12
Romans
15:4
and
sermon, “Nurturing Planted Hope”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Children’s
Message
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
August 13,
2017
&
August 10,
2017
our roots are
anchored in Christ
August 10,
2017
we are
grounded in Christ
August 10,
2017
our hope is
grounded
edited August
6, 2017
we must accept
the seed – v3
edited August
6, 2017
we must accept
the seed – v2
August 6, 2017
we must accept
the seed
edited August
6, 2017
for hope to
grow – v2
August 6, 2017
for hope to
grow
edited August
6, 2017
Hope is
planted – v2
August 6, 2017
Hope is
planted
August 6, 2017
the roots
going deep
new name/
edited August 6, 2017
the seedlings
planted
(editing “the
young plants planted”)
August 6, 2017
let your roots
grow down
August 6, 2017
cultivate the
hope inside
August 6, 2017
plant the
seeds of grace
August 6, 2017
plant the
seeds of love
August 6, 2017
get them in
the ground
edited August
6, 2017
germinated
seeds – v2
August 6, 2017
germinated
seeds
August 6, 2017
the seed
growing
August 6, 2017
living in hope
August 6, 2017
may our hearts
be open
edited August
6, 2017
that we might
understand – v4
August 6, 2017
the young
plants planted
August 6, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
A Future With Hope”)
week 3 - “Planting Seeds of Hope”
Mark
4:1-8
Parable
of the Sower
Psalm 145:7-8; 14-21
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT
Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV
Colossians 2:6-8 NLT
Sermon, “Planting Seeds of Hope”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Children’s
Message
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
August 6, 2017
&
August 2, 2017
hidden in our
flesh
August 2, 2017
growing in our
soil
edited/ new
name August 2, 2017
growing in the
good soil
August 2, 2017
growing in the
ground
August 2, 2017
hidden in the
ground
edited August 2,
2017
After the
planting – v2
August 1, 2017
We must water
and feed
August 1, 2017
Like seeds,
like yeast
August 1, 2017
that we might
understand – v3
August 1, 2017
we must
understand
August 1, 2017
not in riddles
but parables
edited July
31, 2017
that we might
understand – v2
July 31, 2017
that we might
understand
July 31, 2017
we must hear
God’s word
edited July
31, 2017
we are
seeking, searching – v2
July 31, 2017
We are
seeking, searching
July 31, 2017
We have the
seed planted
merged July
31, 2017
Before the
planting – v2
July 31, 2017
After the
planting
July 31, 2017
Before the
planting
July 30, 2017
We want to be
the good soil
July 30, 2017
we need that
hope to work within us
edited July
30, 2017
we must
embrace the seeds – v2
July 30, 2017
we must trust
in God
edited July
30, 2017
a little more
hope – v3
(editing
original again)
edited July
30, 2017
we must
embrace the seeds
edited July
30, 2017
embrace the
seeds
July 30, 2017
embrace the
seed
July 30, 2017
hope is alive
within us
July 30, 2017
hope planted
within us
&
July 29, 2017
we are the
soil – v2
July 29, 2017
do we nurture
the seed – v2
July
16, 2017
do
we nurture the seed
edited July
16, 2017
do we care for
the message – v2
July 16, 2017
do we care for
the message
July 16, 2017
do we welcome
the seed
July
16, 2017
are
we the soil
July
16, 2017
we
hold the seed
July
16, 2017
we
are the sower
July
15, 2017
we
are the soil
edited
July 15, 2017
held
by the thorns – v2
July
15, 2017
held
by the thorns
July
15, 2017
choked
by the briars
Matthew
13:18-23
Matthew
13:1-9, 18-23
The
Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“The
Promise and Work of God’s Word”
July
10, 2017 to July 16, 2017
by
John Adcox
devotion
for July 15, 2017
read
July 15, 2017
&
edited
July 29, 2017
a
miracle in the seed – v2
July
29, 2017
searching,
seeking - 2
July
29, 2017
a
miracle in the seed
edited
July 29, 2017
seeking
treasure – v2
edited
July 29, 2017
Finding
Treasure – v2
merged/edited
July 29, 2017
Seeking
treasure, Finding treasure
July
29, 2017
seeking
treasure
July
29, 2017
Finding
Treasure
Matthew
13:44-52
The
Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Treasures
from God”
July
24, 2017 to July 30, 2017
by
Chris Folmsbee
devotion
for July 29, 2017
read
July 29, 2017
&
July
28, 2017
tiny
acts of love
edited
July 28, 2017
out
of God’s great love – v2
July
28, 2017
the
kingdom of God growing
Matthew
13:31-33
The
Parables of the Mustard Seed
the
Parable of the Yeast
Matthew
13:31-33, 44-52
The
Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Treasures
from God”
July
24, 2017 to July 30, 2017
by
Chris Folmsbee
devotion
for July 27, 2017
read
July 28, 2017
&
edited July
27, 2017
Germinating
Seeds of Hope – v2
July 27, 2017
Germinating
Seeds of Hope
July 30, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
“A Future With Hope”)
week 2 - “This Living Hope”
opening prayer
video
Psalm 128
Matthew 13:1-9
Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:18-24
Christ explaining the Parable of the Sower
Psalm 139:13-16
Matthew
13:31-33
Parable
of the Mustard Seed
Parable
of the Yeast
prayer
before sermon
and Sermon, “Germinating Seeds of Hope”
text:
video:
by Raymond A.
Foss
Children’s
Message
by Raymond A.
Foss
closing prayer
video
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
July 30, 2017
&
edited July 26, 2017
a little more hope – v2
July 26, 2017
a little more hope
July 26, 2017
we are imprisoned by our fears
edited/ new name July 24, 2017
we are strangled by anxiety
July 24, 2017
immobilized by fear
July 24, 2017
freed by hope
July 23, 2017
Hope is Trust
July 23, 2017
why are we so anxious
July 23, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
“A Future With Hope”)
week 1 - “This Living Hope”
Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
Jeremiah 29:11-14 Amplified Bible
Romans 5:1-5 Amplified Bible
John 3:16-17 Amplified Bible
and Sermon, “This Living Hope”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Children’s
Message
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
July 23, 2017
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, and 2017. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See
all 44,840 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Christ,
Spirit, God, Faith, love, grace, hope, prayer, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church, poem, seed, home, Psalm 105, Matthew 11,
#Christ #God
#Spirit #Faith #prayer #love #grace #hope #poem #seed #Matthew11
#Psalm105
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