Sunday, April 14, 2019

Palm Sunday sermon, It's Not Over Yet, by Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, Maine, April 14, 2019

April 14, 2019
6th Week of Lent
Palm Sunday
Sermon Series: Christ In Me
Inspired by:
Casting Crowns: “Only Jesus” CD
“Only Jesus Devotional”
 by Pastor Mark Hall
With Tim Luke
Psalm 31:19-26
Mathew 28:18-22

 “It’s Not Over Yet…”
Prayer of Illumination…

Please stand for the reading of the Gospel of Matthew. We will be reading Chapter 28…verses 18-20… The Great Commission that still applies to all who profess Christ as their Lord and Savior..

Matthew 28:18-20 Amplified Bible (AMP)
18 Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations[help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”

In this world in which we live it seems like everything that can go wrong does at times. It seems as if there is no hope anywhere. People think that God has just forgotten about those who try to follow Him. All seems dark at times. There is no song of Hope. There is no song of peace. There is no song of joy. There only seems to be songs of chaos and destruction. Where are the songs of Zion…where is the Alleluia chorus…have we forgotten how to sing?

We are continuing our journey to the cross this week. And as we journey to the place of redemption…where God’s greatest work was done…to the place where we surrender ourselves to the One who surrendered Himself for all of humanity, I have asked us to ponder this, what does it look like when we begin to become the glove that the hand of our Savior can wear for His glory? What does it look like when we surrender ourselves, as Jesus modeled for us, and not live for Jesus but let Jesus live through us?

One thing we talked about as we begin to let Christ live through us the fact that it is the legacy of Christ working through us that is seen not what we do. Also, the legacy that we leave is the legacy of, well, being nobody as we point to Jesus and not ourselves that is a sign of Christ living through us not us living for Christ. But we also talked about the fact that in order to be this kind of Glove for Jesus…for Christ to be seen in and through us…we need to come out of the darkness into His glorious light. Our whole life is to be one that sits on the Potters Wheel as we trust the Master to create us into that vessel He needs. We are the bridge for others s Christ as Christ bridged the gap for us…so we too go and do likewise… we need to take that one awkward moment and turn it into a bridge from sin to Jesus.

Today we are celebrating the triumphal entry of Jesus in Jerusalem. There was a song of Hosanna…songs of joy…songs of hope that day as the ushered in the Messiah. But by the end of this week… there was another song that was sung…one of betrayal…one of hate…one of death… The songs we sing at time… But what are we singing today, in our day and age? Are we even singing at all? Sometimes we focus on the chaos so much that we forget about the song of deliverance we once knew.

Jesus’ whole life was a love song. It was a song that sang of mercy grace and healing. Now here he was, getting ready to sing His greatest, most powerful song to humanity. I have really been thinking about this week. I mean think about it. Jesus had been preaching, teaching. I am sure He was tired from all the curing. But He triumphed into Jerusalem, strengthened by God for that one more song, one more lesson, one more example. Even from the cross He was still singing for you and me…Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing. Still singing the love of God to and for those around Him at His darkest moment. Jesus had one more sing but it wasn’t His last…remember Sunday morning?

So, pastor Ruth…what does that have to do with us? What does this have to do with being the glove for Jesus’ hand…? I am so glad you asked… Her is my theory… Matthew 28:18-20 that I read this morning…sums it all up. We are called to the Great Commission, to make disciples. Discipleship is one of God’s gifts to us. We actually grow when we spiritually matter to someone else. (8 AM) We are that one more song for someone else. The song of hope…the song of love…the song of mercy…the song of joy.

We live in a word that has lost its heart song because of sin…it’s heart of God song. WE ARE THE SONG. Even though there is chaos and depravity all around us singing at the top of its lungs, it is never too late…it’s never to soon. We need to endure and sing Christ’s song as we become His instrument…the glove of His hand.

My question to you is this…are you still singing? Are you just too darn tired…weary because of life? We always have one more song…one more step out of the boat, one more share of the gospel…one more life to touch…if we choose. Are you willing to sing just one more time?

Play “One More Song” by Casting Crowns

We need to help others become bridge builders. We need to take that one awkward moment to be a bridge for someone. Like with Paul…there is a Timothy wait for you and for me. When we are tired…God will fill us up as we go forward with a new song. Don’t give up. Just try one more time. It’s truly not over until the trumpet sounds. There is always room at the table for one more. People have asked me as of late, are you all done in ministry and serving God. My answer is this. Not on your life. I am not done singing yet. I will sing until my last breath. It’s just I am now singing a new chorus of the song I began 22 years ago that’s all. How about you?


AMEN   

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April 14, 2019
Palm Sunday
6th Week of Lent
Sermon Series: Christ In Me
Inspired by:
Casting Crowns: “Only Jesus” CD
“Only Jesus Devotional”
by Pastor Mark Hall
With Tim Luke
Psalm 31:9-16 (NIV)
Matthew 28:18-20 (Great Commission)
Philippians 1:19-26
and sermon, “It’s Not Over Yet…”, by Pastor Ruth Foss
video – part 1 (before video), most of sermon
video – part 2 (after video for One More Song)
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
April 14, 2019
&
April 7, 2019
5th Week of Lent
Sermon Series: Christ In Me
Inspired by:
Casting Crowns: “Only Jesus” CD
“Only Jesus Devotional”
 by Pastor Mark Hall
With Tim Luke
Psalm 126
John 13:35
Philippians 1:27-30
and sermon, “Bridge Construction…”, by Pastor Ruth Foss
video – part 1 (before video)
video – part 2 (after video for The Bridge), most of sermon
video – part 3 (after video for One Awkward Moment)
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Patten, ME
April 7, 2019
&
edited April 4, 2019
to the Potter’s hand – v2
edited new name April 3, 2019
to the Potter’s hand
edited April 3, 2019
into the Potter’s hands – v3
edited April 3, 2019
into the Potter’s hands – v2
April 3, 2019
into the Potter’s hands
April 3, 2019
yet still a lump of clay
April 3, 2019
rising up from the clay
April 2, 2019
back on the Potter’s wheel
April 2, 2019
our clay made new
April 2, 2019
a lump of living clay
April 2, 2019
our clay still soft
April 1, 2019
remolded by the Potter
April 1, 2019
feeling the Potter’s touch
April 1, 2019
never  far from the Potter
March 31, 2019
A Life on the Wheel
March 31, 2019
4th Week of Lent
Sermon Series: Christ In Me
Inspired by:
Casting Crowns: “Only Jesus” CD
“Only Jesus Devotional”
 by Pastor Mark Hall
With Tim Luke
Psalm 32
Jeremiah 18:1-6
 “Hands of the Potter”,  by Casting Crowns
and sermon, “Life On the Wheel”, by Pastor Ruth Foss
video – part 1 (before video)
video – part 2 (after video)
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
March 31, 2019
&
March 24, 2019
keep on praying - 2
March 24, 2019
give this world back to God
March 24, 2019
3rd Week of Lent
Sermon Series: Christ In Me
Inspired by:
Casting Crowns: “Only Jesus” CD
“Only Jesus Devotional”
 by Pastor Mark Hall
With Tim Luke
Psalm 63:1-8
Ephesians 5:13-14
Psalm 139:23-24; John3:19-21
“Awaken Me” by Casting Crowns
sermon, “Wake Up Sleepy Head”
video – part 1 (before video)
video – part 2 (after video)
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
March 24, 2019
&
March 17, 2019
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Second Sunday in Lent
March 17, 2019
St. Patrick’s Day
Sermon Series: Christ in Me
Inspired by:
“Only Jesus” CD by Casting Crowns
“Only Jesus Devotional”
by Pastor Mark Hall
With Tim Luke
Psalm27
John 1:19-27
1 Corinthians 3:5-8
Philippians 3:4-8
“Nobody” Casting Crowns
and sermon, “It’s Not About Me”
video
video, close of the sermon
text
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Departing Blessing, closing prayer, farewell
March 17, 2019
&
March 10, 2019
we are a legacy
March 10, 2019
how can Christ use me
March 10, 2019
all about Christ
March 10, 2019
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
First Sunday in Lent
March 10, 2019
Sermon Series: Christ in Me
Inspired by:
“Only Jesus” CD by Casting Crowns
“Only Jesus Devotional”
 by Pastor Mark Hall
With Tim Luke
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Acts 20:24
“Only Jesus” Casting Crowns
and sermon, “What Is Your Legacy?”
video
text
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
March 10, 2019

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 49,520 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, Spirit, God, grace, prayer, love, Lent, journey, cross, Pastor Ruth Foss, Patten, Maine, Casting Crowns, Potter, clay, Bridge, song, Palm Sunday, poetry, poem

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Christ, Spirit, God, grace, poem, prayer, love, Lent, journey, cross, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, Maine, Casting Crowns, Potter, clay, sermon, Bridge, Construction, sermon, song, Palm Sunday,

#sermon #Bridge #Construction #Jesus #Christ #God #Spirit #Faith #love #grace #poem #prayer #hope #PastorRuthFoss #Patten #Maine #CastingCrowns #Lent #legacy #poetry #nobody #sleeper #awaken #ChristInMe #Potter #clay #sermon #Song #PalmSunday 

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