Sunday, November 12, 2017

sermon, "Food For Thought", by Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten,ME, November 12, 2017



November 12, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series “P.A.T.T.E.N.”
(N is for… “Nourish the Gospel Through Evangelism”))
Psalm 78:1-8 (The Voice)
Matthew 28:18-20 The Message (MSG)
2 Timothy 1:6-11The Voice (VOICE)
Isaiah 6:8 The Message (MSG)

“Food For Thought… "

Testimony…
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 Matthew, chapter 28, verses 18-20. Listen to the Word of God …His Love Letter…to His people…

Hope thought that leaving a legacy of hope was hopeless in this world of chaos…or was she being too near sighted for her own good…  Hope decided to walk through the park to clear her head.  She noticed an empty bench and decided to sit for a while.

As she sat she thought about all that has happened recently, and she became more confused as ever. Tears began to stream from her eyes as she looked up to heaven and began to pray. “God…I am not sure if you are listening or not, but I need help. I just don’t understand all these rules and regulations. I don’t understand how to find you in all of this. I begin to think I understand and then someone proves me different.  Help me please…I don’t know what is right and what is wrong. Please help me to understand and know You…the real You. Amen” As she prayed she didn’t notice that someone had sat down on the other end of the bench. They could hear her as she prayed. When she was finished she was startled by the voice next to her.

“Are you okay honey…can I help?” the person who had sat next to her asked. “Oh, you startled me. I don’t know if anyone can help me” Hope exclaimed. Hope looked at the woman next to her. She was an older woman who seemed to have a gentleness in her eyes. She felt an ease come over her just at the tone of her voice. “You never know. Try me…” The woman answered. “Well…I don’t know if you are a Christian or not and if you are I am sorry but most Christians I know is so un-Christian in their actions. They are judgmental and do not have a heart of love and compassion. I thought that is what Christianity is…being like Jesus and well to tell you the truth…I really think I don’t want to be one of them…” Hope said with sadness in her eyes and in her voice. 

“Oh, honey I am so sorry that you have been so disillusioned by those who claim the Christian faith. It seems that it has become a four-letter word, and no one wants any part of it.  Oh, how we have gotten it wrong. Look this is what I believe. First Christian is a label…a name now a day. Those who believe in Jesus do believe in Jesus but somewhere, some have forgotten that we ae called to act like Him as well. We are to be His mirror image and that includes loving all and not judging…hanging out with those that society deems unworthy…helping others and not so much ourselves…anything Jesus did we need to do too” the stranger explained. “Trust in your heart…do what it says…It is one of the ways God speaks His instruction and love into our Spirit. Read His word. In It you will find all the truth that you need. Hold His word in your heart and share with the world what you have been given.”

“That all sounds really good and it is how I believe, but where can I find a place to grow, a place that God can use me?” Hope asked, hopping that this person would be able to give her precise instruction. “Close your eyes and listen to your heart. God will lead you to where He wants you to be.” At this Hope closed her eyes and quieted herself. There was a peace and hope that welled within her. She opened her eyes to thank the stranger but there was no one there beside her. She was alone in the park, with nothing but the wind rustling the leaves. Did she imagine what just happened or was there another explanation…?

Nourish:
(transitive verb)
2:to promote the growth of
3 :to furnish or sustain with nutriment :feed :maintainsupport

Good morning. What do you think would happen if we didn’t nourish ourselves? Give time to answer.

We have been talking 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 must act upon the statements we make…those statements on our wall. 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”. How are you and I doing with that? I believe that there needs to be a renewed indwelling of the Spirit in our lives and the life of our church so that we can move forward for the kingdom of God. Prayer is the engine of the church. Without it…it runs out of steam. A is for “Acknowledge the life changing Words of the Bible.” As I have said, if we don’t believe that the word of God can change people there is no sense of going into the world…into our community…with the love and peace of Christ. There is no real sense to our faith because we base our faith on God’s Word. Also, if we believe it for our lives…it is true for others.

As we Go out we need to, first T, “trust God for the victory” … we may never see it but believe…have faith…it will happen. The second “T” has to do with the legacy we leave as we Teach our children…all children, even each other…for we are all children of God. Within the enlargement of the “E”, we are given a new set of eyes…God’s eyes…as we look past our walls into the world in need of visionaries…

The last letter…the letter “N” … can get us a little nervous about what we are called to do… “Nourish the Gospel Through Evangelism”. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “evangelism”? Give time to answer. The word evangelism means:
1:the winning or revival of personal commitments to Christ
2:militant or crusading zeal
( think it is the militant/ crusading zeal that get in the way at time. That’s what may turn us off…what may turn others off the Gospel of peace.)

Evangelism is the announcement, proclamation, and/or preaching of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), the good news of and about Jesus Christ. Therefore, the gospel is a communicated message—communicated in verbal (Luke 7:22Romans 10:14-17) and/or written (Luke 1:1-4) form. (Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry) So, basically, it is all about sharing the Gospel with those who don’t know but need Jesus in their life.  We have been commissioned, by Jesus, in the Matthew I read to go out and preach the Gospel, teaching others what we have been taught. How hard is that? Give time to answer. Why would it be hard to share the Gospel? Give time to answer.

So, Evangelism is teaching (heralding, proclaiming, preaching) the gospel (the message from God that leads us to salvation) with the aim (hope, desire, goal) to persuade (convince, convert).” ( https://www.9marks.org/article) .  We teach to help others realize and accept the Gospel and Salvation in and through Jesus Christ.

Now, the way we go about that is what may differ, but the result is Jesus. There are some who may have sort of given the word “evangelism” a bad report. As we heard in our Q an A in the beginning of my sermon. Some think of those pushy people who scare people away instead of drawing them in. We claim the we “Nourish the Gospel Through Evangelism” …we promote the growth of the Gospel. How are we doing with that? What are we doing to live that out…? Give time to answer.

Ok…so what are some ways we evangelize? Give time to answer.
1.      Lifestyle Evangelism
Lifestyle evangelism is often understood one of two ways:
a.     Live right and people will see the gospel in one’s life
b.    Live right and people will ask about God
2.    Servant Evangelism (aka Service Evangelism)
This approach uses simple acts of kindness, or service, for evangelism.
3.     Event Evangelism
An outreach event is held, the public is invited, and ideally the gospel is shared with those who attend.
4.    Neighborhood Evangelism (aka Door-to-Door Evangelism)
(Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons—that’s what many think of when they hear about door-to-door evangelism.) This method involves going to homes and sharing the gospel with those who answer.
5.     Street Preaching Evangelism
It involves someone standing at a location with pedestrian traffic and proclaiming the gospel to passersby. (Kind of like John the Baptist)
6.    Tract Evangelism
Tract evangelism uses gospel tracts to present the gospel.
7.     (My Favorite) Conversational Evangelism (aka Relational Evangelism)
Some may distinguish between “conversational” and “relational.” Conversational evangelism is starting a conversation for the purpose of sharing the gospel; relational evangelism is seeking to relate to the person, looking for permission—i.e., an open door—to discuss spiritual matters. This is how Jesus evangelized…speaking to others on their level, where they were in life…and sharing the Good News of salvation for all who believe…
With there being so many ways to evangelize. I am sure that there are times that you are evangelizing and not even know it… We need to get the gospel out there into the streets and not just within our walls…

2 Timothy 1:6-11 tells states:
2 Timothy 1:6-11The Voice (VOICE)
This is why I write to remind you to stir up the gift of God that was conveyed to you when I laid my hands upon you. You see, God did not give us a cowardly spirit but a powerful, loving, and disciplined spirit.
God’s gift of faith is like a flame, and when the embers of the fire have cooled you must fan them again and keep them ablaze.
So don’t be embarrassed to testify about our Lord or for me, His prisoner. Join us in suffering for the good news by the strength and power of God. God has already saved us and called us to this holy calling—not because of any good works we may have done, but because of His own intention and because eons and eons ago (before time itself existed), He gave us this grace in Jesus the Anointed, the Liberating King10 And now, the time has come! That grace was revealed when our Savior, Jesus the Anointed, appeared; and through His resurrection He has wiped out death and brought to light life and immortality by way of this good news. 11 I was appointed a preacher, emissary, and teacher of this message.

We are appointed preacher…we are appointed emissary…and we are to teach… As we nourish the Gospel…as we nurture and promote growth of the gospel, therefore following the Great Commission Jesus Christ have given us. The Commission to: “Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

With all the evidence in our faith walks…yours and mine…do you and I believe in the power of the Word of God? Do we trust in His good and perfect plan?  Are we willing to follow His plan for us and lay down our own? God has the final say in everything…no matter how big or how small. Are we teaching the next generation the precepts of God and leading them to a relationship with Jesus?  We need and expanded vision to evangelize to those who need the Gospel…the hope…salvation found there in. If we don’t include the Hope’s of the world…our vision is short-sided and restrictive. There is victory in Jesus. Are you and I willing to lay down our agenda for the victorious life found in Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord …?

As we feast and nourish our Spirit with God’s Word, we will be prepared to promote the Kingdom of God…not by force but in the way the Way, the Truth and the Life shared the kingdom, with compassion and love. God wants all souls to be saved. His word says every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. How can they confess if they have not heard? How can they hear if no one is sent…if we sit in our comfortable Ivory Towers? I pray that we too will utter the words found in Isaiah 6:8…no I challenge you to believe and utter the words of Isaiah 6:8… Hope needs a few good men and women who will echo the words:
And then I heard the voice of the Master:
  “Whom shall I send?
    Who will go for us?”
I spoke up,
 “I’ll go.
    Send me!”

Amen


==========================
 
edited November 12, 2017
Are We Sharing – v2
November 12, 2017
Are We Sharing
November 12, 2017
shine the light of Jesus - 2
November 12, 2017
witness to the gospel
November 12, 2017
teach this message
November 12, 2017
share the Way
&
November 12, 2017
to the next generation
November 12, 2017
teach them to our children
Psalm 78:1-7
God’s Goodness and Israel’s Ingratitude
The Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Listen to the Teachings”
November 6, 2017 to November 12, 2017
by George Hovaness Donigian
&
edited November 11, 2017
why are you here – v2
November 11, 2017
why are you here
get out there
get out there
November 12, 2017
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series “P.A.T.T.E.N.”
(week 6 of 6)
(N is for… “Nourish the Gospel Through Evangelism”))
Psalm 78:1-8 (The Voice)
Matthew 28:18-20 The Message (MSG)
2 Timothy 1:6-11The Voice (VOICE)
Isaiah 6:8 The Message (MSG)
  And then I heard the voice of the Master:
  “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”
  I spoke up, “I’ll go. Send me!”
and sermon, “Food for Thought…”
text
video:
part 1

ending


by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message

by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 12, 2017
&
edited November 10, 2017
Bought with Christ’s blood – v2
edited November 10, 2017
bought with Christ’s blood
edited to fit in 280 characters for Twitter
edited November 10, 2017
bought with His blood – 2 – v3
edited November 10, 2017
bought with His blood – 2 – v2
with third stanza as originally planned
edited November 10, 2017
laying down our agendas – v2
edited November 9, 2017
conforming our steps to Christ – v4
edited November 9, 2017
conforming our steps to Christ – v3
edited November 9, 2017
conforming our steps to Christ – v2
November 9, 2017
conforming our steps to Christ
November 9, 2017
laying down our agendas
November 9, 2017
new vision, new eyes
November 9, 2017
the victorious life found in Jesus
November 6, 2017
intricate beauty
November 6, 2017
the eyes of Samuel
November 6, 2017
our vision increased
November 6, 2017
our focus magnified
November 5, 2017
the enormity of the present
November 5, 2017
to have their vision
November 5, 2017
bought with His blood - 2
pastoral prayer
November 5, 2017
Seeking God now
worship video
November 5, 2017
the plans of the Creator
November 5, 2017
a new set of eyes
November 5, 2017
Can we see the path
November 5, 2017
All Saints Day
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series “P.A.T.T.E.N.”
(week 5 of 6)
(E is for… “Enlarge Our Vision”)
Psalm 34:1-10 (MSG)
Praise for Deliverance from Trouble
Luke 12:22-24 (The Voice)
Do Not Worry
John 17:20-23 The Message (MSG)
1 Samuel 16:5-13 The Voice (VOICE)
The anointing of David (not his older brothers)
Great Thanksgiving and prayer before communion
worship video – “God doesn’t want you to go to church”
and sermon, “The Bigger Picture”
text
original draft
video:
part 1
part 2
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 5, 2017
All Saints Day
&
October 29, 2017
just as flawed as she was
October 29, 2017
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series “P.A.T.T.E.N.”
(Part 4 of 6)
(T is for “Teach Our Children”)
Psalm 1 (The Voice)
Matthew 19:3-15 (The Voice)
Proverbs 22:6 (The Voice)
Psalm 78:2-4 (The Voice)
Deuteronomy 4:9-10 (The Voice)
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (The Voice)
and sermon, “T is for … Teach”
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 29, 2017
&
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 45,420 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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