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Monday, October 16, 2017

sermon, “A Is For…Acknowledging the Truth", by Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, ME



October 8, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series “P.A.T.T.E.N.”
(A is for “Acknowledge the Life Changing Words of the Bible”)
Psalm 23 (The Voice)
John 3:16-17(NLT)
2 Timothy 3:16-17New Living Translation (NLT)
Mark 12:30-31New Living Translation (NLT)
Romans 8:28-30The Voice (VOICE)
Galatians 2:20Common English Bible (CEB)
Philippians 4:13Common English Bible (CEB)
James 1:2-4The Voice (VOICE)


“A Is For…Acknowledging the Truth"

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 John, chapter 3, verses 16 through 17. Listen to the Word of God …His Love Letter…to His people…

As Hope sat I the new/renewed Christian class she began to feel very despondent, hopeless, to the fact that she had left God so long ago. “You have to admit you are wrong. You will always be wrong. Repent, I say repent. You are all sinners and the only way to get forgiveness is to admit you are unworthy…so unworthy are you!” the speaker commenced. Hope thought, “this is too hard. I will never be good enough. Yah, I have done things in the past and I know I am unworthy. But this guy is over the top with all this “REPENT!” stuff.” As if he could hear her thoughts the speaker declared, “If you do not admit you are wrong and unworthy, repent of your sinful life, God will not accept you and you are damned to hell. You must live a life of repentance every day.”

“But how about grace and forgiveness. Doesn’t God give us that and wipes away our sins?” Hope couldn’t believe what was coming out of her mouth, “God’s Word says those exact words. It is those words that change our lives’, doesn’t it? Not the whole “life of repentance thing”, now she had done it she thought. “Well of course it says that but we have to do so much more than that. It really isn’t that simple,” the instructor retorted. “Um…I think I will go on what I know, not what you think you know. This has been interesting but I think I am going to stand on the Word of God and not that of man.” Hope exclaimed as she left the classroom. “What an idiot,” she thought as she shut the door behind her.

Acknowledge:
verb (used with object), acknowledged, acknowledging.

b)   to show or express recognition or realization of:
(these are but just 3 definitions. There are more but for today, let’s just use these)

How do you acknowledge things in your life? Give time to answer.  Why do you think it is important…or maybe unimportant…to acknowledge things and people in our lives? Give time to answer.  We acknowledge the things we believe and the people we know because that is a way of believing the truth within.

Last week I talked about how I had been sitting in the sanctuary thinking about the banners we have on the walls on either side of the chancel. Each letter in Patten it tells about how we live out that letter in community and in the world. But do you and I truly live what we say. It is easy to put statements on a banner but a whole different thing to live it out.

I have sent us out into the word with the gospel of grace, peace, and love.  To be who we say we are. But we actually have to act upon the statements we make. They look good and all but actions speak volumes about who and whose we are.

So…the first letter in the P.A.T.T.E.N. Banner is “P”. P is for “Pray Every Day”. And I asked, last week, how are you and I doing with that? Do you think that there needs to be a renewed indwelling of the Spirit in our lives and the life of our church? Questions we need to pray about each day as we become that engine of the church.

The next is just as important…if not more important than the first. Without it there is really no reason to go into the world and make disciples.  A is for “Acknowledge the life changing Words of the Bible.” If we don’t believe that the word of God can change people why would we go into the world…into our community…with the love and peace of Christ? Why would we even bother reaching out into the community and the world I it wasn’t going to do something to change the tide of the chaos around us?

My question I pose to you is this…do you believe the scripture I read from the Gospel of John this morning…John 3:16-17? Do you and I “acknowledge”, admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of in our lives? OK…how about the lives of others. Do we truly believe…acknowledge… that these are facts for all of humanity? Are we treating others as if they are partners with us in this truth? If we believe it for our lives…why wouldn’t they be true for others.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us:

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Do you and I acknowledge this to be true? Do we believe that God’s word changes lives? Do we believe that God will change and prepare our lives to align with His and His purpose in our lives? Is it just for those who are saved or can it also change the lives of the “unsaved” into new lives in Christ Jesus? Do we acknowledge this truth and share this truth or do we think it won’t matter anyway…they are too lost for God? (On a side bar…there are many 3:16-16 scriptures that actually work together…3= perfect
6+1=7 = perfect Number…But that’s another sermon all together…)

I want to share a few verses that are all about the life changing of God’s Word. You and I need to think about these as we decide whether or not we are going to acknowledge… to show or express recognition or realization of : to recognize the authority, validity,  or claims of…God’s Word to be that fulcrum…that pivot point…that changes lives…

Mark 12:30-31New Living Translation (NLT)
30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.
‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
As we love God more than anything and anyone, our lives are…other’s lives will be changed. We will display a love that knows no boundaries as we love others as ourselves…maybe even more than ourselves…

Romans 8:28-30The Voice (VOICE)
28 We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan. 29-30 From the distant past, His eternal love reached into the future. You see, He knew those who would be His one day, and He chose them beforehand to be conformed to the image of His Son so that Jesus would be the firstborn of a new family of believers, all brothers and sisters. As for those He chose beforehand, He called them to a different destiny so that they would experience what it means to be made right with God and share in His glory.
God knew you and I…all of those who need us to share…and so…we are change by this love to be conformed…to have a life conformed to that of Jesus… Lives are changed…

Galatians 2:20Common English Bible (CEB)
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the life that I now live in my body, I live by faith, indeed, by the faithfulness of God’s Son, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Lives are changed as we accept Christ as our Savior. Do you believe that it can change the lives of others as well?


13 I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.
The Word of God gives us strength as we believe in the one who will strengthen us in all things… Do you believe the Word of God changes lives?


2-4 Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing.
God’s Word tells us that as we endure we will blossom and grow in faith and trust in the One who sees us through. Do you believe the Word of God can change lives?

With all this evidence, with all the evidence in our faith walks…yours and mine…do you and I believe in the power of the Word of God? And if we acknowledge that the Word of God as life changing, are we believing it for others? Do we believe it enough to acknowledge it to those who need it most so that they too can have a changed life…hope? Or do we keep it to ourselves and only show it on Sunday’s as we gather in God’s “House of Prayer” and praise? What will it take for you and I to acknowledge the wonderous Words of life for you, for me, for and to a world in need of a word…the Word of Life… the change of epic proportions…?

Amen




October 23, 2017
Trust in His Victory
October 22, 2017
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series “P.A.T.T.E.N.”
(Part 3 of 6)
(T is for “Trust in His Victory”)
Psalm 99 (MSG)
John 3:16-17(NLT)
Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)
Revelation 21:1-7 (CEB)
Romans 15:13; Psalm 9:10; Psalm 13:5 (NIV)
Psalm 20:7; Psalm 31:14; Psalm 56:3; Psalm 84:12 (NIV)
and sermon, “T is for … Trust”
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
October 22, 2017
&
October 16, 2017
we proclaim the truth
edited October 16, 2017
we stand on the word – v2
October 16, 2017
we stand on the word
October 16, 2017
we rely on holy scripture
October 16, 2017
speaking out loud the power
October 15, 2017
if we don’t believe
October 15, 2017
the word can change lives
October 15, 2017
at the core of our faith
edited October 15, 2017
we count on the word – v3
edited October 15, 2017
we count on the word – v2
October 15, 2017
we count on the word
edited October 15, 2017
nothing of us – v2
October 15, 2017
nothing of us
October 15, 2017
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series “P.A.T.T.E.N.”
(Part 2 of 6)
 (A is for “Acknowledge the Life Changing Words of the Bible”)
Psalm 23 (The Voice)
John 3:16-17 (NLT)
2 Timothy 3:16-17 New Living Translation (NLT)
Mark 12:30-31 New Living Translation (NLT)
Romans 8:28-30 The Voice (VOICE)
Galatians 2:20 Common English Bible (CEB)
Philippians 4:13 Common English Bible (CEB)
James 1:2-4 The Voice (VOICE)
and sermon, “A Is for Acknowledge the life changing Word of God”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and closing song, testimony of Becky Phillips,
and departing blessing

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
October 15, 2017
&
October 15, 2017
we must pray daily
October 15, 2017
our prayers must be real
October 14, 2017
we must be honest, authentic – v2
October 14, 2017
we need to be deliberate
edited October 14, 2017
are we honest, authentic – v3
(changing the order of the stanzas)
merged October 14, 2017
are we honest, authentic – v2
edited/ new title October 14, 2017
we must be honest, authentic
October 14, 2017
are we honest, authentic
edited October 14, 2017
do we pray without ceasing – v3
(editing original)
edited October 13, 2017
pray for each other – v2
October 13, 2017
pray for each other
edited October 13, 2017
advocating, petitioning God – v2
October 13, 2017
advocating, petitioning God
October 13, 2017
praying for them - 3
October 13, 2017
by faith and grace
Psalm 106:19-23
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
Exodus 32:1-6
Exodus 32:1-14
The Golden Calf
The Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Supplicate, Sing, See”
October 9, 2017 to October 15, 2017
by Wen-Ling Lai
devotion for October 13, 2017
read October 13, 2017
&
edited October 12, 2017
yet I still receive grace – v2
October 12, 2017
yet I still receive grace
October 12, 2017
confessing our sins
Psalm 106:1-6
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
Philippians 4:7-9
Philippians 4:1-9
The Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Supplicate, Sing, See”
October 9, 2017 to October 15, 2017
by Wen-Ling Lai
devotion for October 12, 2017
read October 12, 2017
&
edited October 11, 2017
God remembered His promise – v2
edited October 11, 2017
Moses saved the Israeli people
edited October 11, 2017
he saved his people – v2
October 11, 2017
he saved his people
October 11, 2017
His prayer was effective – v2
edited/merged October 11, 2017
He prayed for his people – v2
October 11, 2017
His prayer was effective
October 11,2017
He prayed for his people
October 11, 2017
God remembered His promise
Exodus 32:11-14
Exodus 32:1-14
The Golden Calf
Philippians 4:6
Philippians 4:1-9
The Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Supplicate, Sing, See”
October 9, 2017 to October 15, 2017
by Wen-Ling Lai
devotion for October 11, 2017
read October 11, 2017
&
October 13, 2017
as we pray together
October 13, 2017
come together in prayer
October 13, 2017
we manifest prayer
October 13, 2017
as we gather together
October 13, 2017
Christ withdrew
October 12, 2017
All about prayer
October 12, 2017
Do we gather in prayer
edited October 12, 2017
make of me a house of prayer – v2
edited/ new name October 12, 2017
make of me a house of prayer
October 12, 2017
make me a house of prayer
edited October 12, 2017
we promise to pray – v2
October 12, 2017
I lift up my prayers
edited October 12, 2017
do we pray without ceasing – v2
October 11, 2017
do we pray without ceasing
October 10, 2017
we promise to pray
October 10, 2017
called to be a house
October 10, 2017
I’ll be there
October 9, 2017
praying every day
October 9, 2017
praying without ceasing
edited October 9, 2017
Christ sat down beside me
(my testimony 10/8/17)
October 9, 2017
He sat down beside me
(my testimony 10/8/17)
October 9, 2017
you answered my prayer
(my testimony 10/8/17)
October 9, 2017
you forgave me
(my testimony 10/8/17)
October 9, 2017
I was active in church
(my testimony 10/8/17)
edited October 8, 2017
our temple a house – v2
October 8, 2017
our temple a house
October 8, 2017
Giving God Our Hopes
October 8, 2017
standing on prayer
October 8, 2017
walking in prayer
October 8, 2017
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series: “P.A.T.T.E.N.”
(“P is for “Pray Every Day”)
(P.A.T.T.E.N. banner in the church)
Psalm 25:1-9
Matthew 18:18-20
Isaiah 56:6-8
Hebrews 10:19-25
Revelations 5:8-10
Acts 1:12-14
Acts 2
and sermon, “P Is for Prayer”
text:
video:
(including testimony of Raymond A. Foss)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
October 8, 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 45,260 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, PATTEN, ME, scripture, promise, trust, victory,

#Christ #God #Spirit #Faith #love #grace #poem #Patten #prayer #scripture #promise #trust #victory

Christ, Spirit, God, Faith, love, grace, hope, prayer, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, poem, PATTEN, ME, Psalm 23, John 3, word, scripture, promise, sermon,

#sermon #Christ #God #Spirit #Faith #love #grace #poem #Patten #prayer #Psalm23 #John3 #word #scripture #promise

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