Guest sermon text "Connection" - 1/15/17

(Play Video) 

This is kind of like the Church. Severe treatment for some sins while other sins seem to get a pass. It gets interesting where we draw the line.

For Hedley Lamarr, murder, larceny, and theft are perfectly fine. But no gum.

Our judgments about what sins are too sinful keep us from understanding the heart of God for the lost. We hide in our comfort zones, churches, and circle of friends, neither touched nor touching.

This video says something else to me. We were also exactly like this line of criminals. We had no hope/messy/outcasts/dead/lost/no future. We are standing in a line looking for a place to belong. We come with what we think are our assets only to discover that there is death at the end of the line.

But Oh Happy Day, God sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins, He showed himself to each of us, and we believed and repented. Whatever you were, that has passed away. Now you are a new creation. You’re a friend of God. You’re part of His family. You have a destiny, a purpose, a calling, a job to do. All of this because of the great mercy of our God.

1Pe. 2:9-10 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Look what the Lord has done.

So now you changed sides. Or more accurately, God rescued you when your were powerless. And now you’re no longer in the line of criminals, you are Sheriff Bart and his gunslinging sidekick, The Waco Kid. You’re more than the Good Guys though. You are the church. You. And Good is building His Church. You. He is preparing you. You’re being set up. It’s a set up.

Responsive: I am being prepared… for this very time.

Look what the Lord has done.

Recently I was struck by the fact that every single Christian alive 100 years ago is dead and gone, and you and I are among a completely new group of 2.2 billion people on this planet who identify as Christian. And in another hundred years, we will be all gone and there will be a completely new group of Christians.

1 year ago, ten, or 30 years ago, someone said something, did something, or wrote something, and you got saved. If it weren’t for their obedience to the call of the Gospel, none of us would be here. We stand on their shoulders and have benefited in eternal realms because of their faith.

So I wonder, who will stand on my shoulders? I am part of an unbroken lineage of faith that began 2000 years ago with a handful of misfits and extremists. It falls to me now to faithfully administer the grace which I have been given.

I have had the privilege of associating with some great men and women of faith over the years. For some reason, they always have ended up shaking my world. I have been irrevocably changed by their ministry and friendship. But what am I going to do with all the good stuff I’ve learned?

Now my generation is burdened with raising up you 20 somethings and 30 somethings. My generation has seen AB and C, and are pressing on to XY and Z. We want you young-ins to push on up the mountain and see for yourselves where we’ve been.

However, I don’t mean to condescend, because some of you Gen Xers have already made the decision to dig into the deep things of God. And frankly, too many of us baby boomers have floated along on cheap grace. But the fact remains that the legacy of living faith must be passed on. And many of you are already rising to that challenge.

Back to my point. Thinking about the video, maybe it’s like church in another way. Can you imagine these kinds of people lining up at our door to be saved? I believe it’s gonna happen. I believe we will see a great harvest of souls.

God has big plans. I believe these plans will be unleashed right here. Right here at this church. Get ready for the hurting/outcasts/undesirables/deplorables/desperate. Get ready. Prepare the way of the Lord. Get ready.

It’s a lot easier when things are pretty/arranged/predictable… Some might think that this is the way church ought to be. However, when God starts moving in the hearts of all kinds of people and they start asking you, “What must I do to be saved?”, it’s probably going to feel crazy/uncomfortable/out of control at times.

I’m not suggesting some sort of physical danger, but there will be a spiritual danger, especially a danger to our assumptions, expectations, and paradigms.

So if there are some people or sins that make you uneasy, if your love only goes so far…

(Audio clip) "I would do anything for love…"

Don’t let your love be limited by whatever “I won’t do that” is. May your ears be open to the Spirit of God.

1) They will call us the Diversity Church of the Gallatin Valley.

Lk. 13:29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

Re. 7:9-10 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Let them come.

Let the nations come! Let the harvest come!

This is our God. This is the one who is doing wonders. This is the one who is mighty in our midst. This is God’s plan for us.

Let them come.

Zec. 8:23 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’”

Mk. 5:27-28 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”

Let them come.

East, west, north, south.

Smart, dumb, rich, poor.

Gay, straight, left, right.

Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Catholic.

Let them come.

Let the nations come! Let the harvest come!

I’ve noticed how many new churches there are in the valley. I used to think, “Really, another church?” But I just realized this week that we are going to need a lot of churches.

There is a fellow in Luke 12 who wanted to tear down his barns and build bigger ones. Well, we are going to need bigger barns to handle the increase in the saved. Remember the word increase in capacity that has been spoken? God certainly is that increase, but I also believe it is an increase in His kingdom.

Mt. 3:12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor, gathering his wheat into the barn…

Responsive: God, would you… expand our capacity.

And we will say, “Look what the Lord has done!”

Maybe you don’t quite believe this. Maybe it overwhelms you. Perhaps you don’t even like the idea.

But the harvest is here. Do you have harvest vision? Is the Holy Spirit stirring in you? Have you finally heard enough sermons and sang enough songs? Are you ready to work?

Responsive: God… is giving me vision.

He has put us here, together, for this time and this task. Us. He has moved in our midst and changed everything. Us. He has called forth his laborers. Us.

2) Overcome

God brought to my mind a word recently. “Overcome.” We think of overcome as some huge mountain to climb, some great evil to win against, but overcome can be as simple as resisting temptation, getting past an offense, or letting go of an idol.

In Revelation chapters 2 and 3 John is commissioned by Jesus to write letters to seven churches. To each church Jesus says, “Those who overcome.” And then makes promises. They will

Eat from the tree of life Re. 2:7

Not be hurt by the second death Re. 2:11

Receive hidden manna and a white stone Re. 2:17

Have authority over the nations Re. 2:26, 29

Never blotted out of the book of life Re. 3:5-6

Be a pillar in the temple of God Re. 3:12-13

Sit on with him on His throne Re. 3:21-22

And he ends each statement with, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Do you hear what the Spirit is saying to the church?

Responsive: Give me ears… to hear what the Spirit is saying.

He says, “Overcome.” Overcome your weaknesses. Mental problems. Persecution. Abuse. Absent father. Doubt. The pressures of the world. Sin.

Fear. Belief > fear. OVERCOME.

He. 12:1-2 …let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…

It isn’t only sin that hinders, it’s preconceptions, attitudes, the cares of this world. So let us throw off everything that hinders us from the things we are called to.

Responsive: It’s time… for me to run.

Overcome.

Complacency. Laziness. Busyness. Short on money. Sickness. I need to check out my new oxen. I just bought a field. I just got married. Let me bury my dad.

What are your excuses?

Overcome.

This is what he says about you:

Lk. 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 

Jn. 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

1Jn. 5:4-5 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Re. 12:11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Responsive: I’m much more in Christ… than I thought I was.

And we will say, “Look what the Lord has done.”

3) Connection

The Lord brought to my mind something else, “don’t break connection.” In these days, we needed to be connected beyond what we’re used to. In these days, every sin will become a big deal, every careless word can injure a brother or sister or a seeker. Our connections must become precious. We need to get better at recognizing each others’ strengths, gifts, and wisdom. We need to cover for each others’ weakness, lack of understanding, and failures.

The time is now to grow up in the faith. We need mature people who will not be offended at the slightest misstep. People who are more interested in what God’s heart is than a mispronounced word in a sermon, a bad note from the worship team, or the way the sanctuary is painted.

Connection.

Praying together. Eating together. Serving together. Living life together. Loving one another.

I’m talking about the Body:

1Co. 12:20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

How many of you think you are unpresentable? Well, you’re indispensable. You might need special treatment right now, but you’re crucial. You might lack respect, but God wants to elevate your honor. You might be low, but God wants to bring you up.

“Equal concern for each other.” Look around. There are some you people here that you don’t care to be around. There are some here who aren’t your cup of tea. But every person you see is needed. 

“DON’T BREAK CONNECTION.”

Responsive: We’re doing this… together.

When we rightly regard the body of Christ,  

Ep. 4:14-15 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

This is what God is building. He’s growing you up. Right here. You.

Look what the Lord has done.

Connect:

With God: Prayer, Worship

With the brethren: Fellowship

With the lost: Eat and drink with sinners

4. Prayer

Prayer is the language of faith. It’s more important than it ever has been. The church is called to prayer. Prevailing, overcoming, faith-filled prayer.

Nothing happens in the Kingdom without prayer. We could do without a worship band and still be fine as a church. We don’t necessarily need a children’s ministry. We could survive without a sermon. But a church that doesn’t pray doesn’t stand a chance.

For some that sounds intimidating/strange/unfamiliar. Your prayer experiences might seem futile or boring. Ever been in a prayer meeting when someone goes on and on? Have you ever thought that you could never pray more than about 30 seconds? Do you not want to risk sounding foolish by praying around other people? Can’t think of anything to pray? Think this kind of prayer is for experts?

You can do it. In fact, you must do it. It’s a command of Scripture.

Prayer is

Thanksgiving

Praise and worship

Petition

Intercession

Start your prayers with thanksgiving.

Ps. 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Thanksgiving is the speaking/singing/dancing/painting/sculpting (that is, the varieties of expressions) of gratitude regarding the great deeds of God as they have impacted our lives and the lives and situations we care about. The recounting of blessings. The rememberance of healing, deliverance, salvation, and restoration He has accomplished. Remembering His faithfulness in the present, and the certain expectation of Him fulfilling His promises in the future.

He has done so much for us. We have a lot of thanks that we need to pray!

Move on to praise, which is the varieties of expressions of the greatness of God. The recounting of the marvelous deeds He has done (Psalm 136). The magnification of His high position, kingship, and majesty. The exaltion of His Name, Word, attributes, and works. These are declarations of God’s greatness, power, attributes, and mighty works.

Ps. 95:1-3 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. 3 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.

Worship Him, expressions of adoration, love, marveling, and tenderness. The recognition of his glory in awe, fear, and wonder. The bowing low of self before Him. The recognition that despite our low estate, we are in the presence of the King. Prostration before the Throne.
 

Ph. 2:9-10 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth…

Responsive: God wants to hear… my worship.

If you make it a point to pray by thanking Him, praising Him, and worshipping him, you might not even get around to asking Him for things.

That’s what petition is, asking for stuff for me. Fix my problem. Help me with my bills. Solve my issue at work. Strangely, it seems like I don’t spend all that much time with this kind of prayer, because I know that once I’ve given thanks and praised Him, all my cares and problems seem to fade away.

Intercession means to come in between. It’s when we pray on behalf of others. Save my neighbors. Heal our land. Bless our President. Close down the porn shop. Fill our church with Your Holy Spirit. Give us vision. These are all intercessions.

When you begin to pray in the Spirit, praying the heart of God, you will find that you begin to know Him better. You become convinced that He hears you and will answer. I think part of the reason we lack prayer because we lack faith that He will hear and answer.

Responsive: Now that I think about it… maybe I should start to pray.

When our faith starts to rise and we start getting answers to prayers, we might want to tarry a little longer in prayer. But what would happen if every prayer got answered?

Responsive: I’m going to… tarry a little longer.

Why am I talking about prayer? Because prayer is connection. Connection with God and connection with those you are praying with. Prayer is a vehicle to usher in the purposes of God. If we want a move of God, if we want to reap a harvest of souls, if we want our church to be what God has called it to be, if we want our lives and our families to reflect the glory of God, we must pray.

We sang the song History Maker. 

Is it true today that when people pray, Cloudless skies will break,
Kings and queens will shake Yes it's true and I believe it, I'm living for youIs it true today that when people pray, We'll see dead men rise, And the blind set free Yes it's true and I believe it, I'm living for youI'm gonna be a history maker in this land, I'm gonna be a speaker of truth to all mankind I'm gonna stand, I'm gonna run, Into your armsWell it's true today that when people stand, With the fire of God, and the truth in hand We'll see miracles, we'll see angels sing, We'll see broken hearts making history Yes it's true and I believe it, We're living for you

Don’t mistake the message of this song. The desire to be used of God is not self promotion. It is a high purpose to be used of Him, to be an anonymous humble servant of the most high God who is pleased to use you as a vessel to advance His kingdom.

It starts with prayer. Connection. Faith.

1Co. 14:8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?

I am blowing the horn. I am praying that some, most, all of you will hear the call to look to the white fields and start the harvest. And they will come. Hundreds. Thousands. And all over the world, millions.

So what should we do?

1)  Prepare the house for the hungry, the outcasts, and the hurting. Prepare the way!

2)  Overcome our doubts, our circumstances, our obstacles, and our comfort. Overcome the enemy.

3)  Connect with God, our brothers and sisters, and the lost

4)  Pray. Pray in revival, pray in the presence, pray in the Kingdom. Pray with faith. Pray in the Spirit.

Lk. 11:13 …how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

Responsive: My prayers… are heard in heaven.

I’m making no guarantees about anything. I don’t know what our church will look like next week, in a month or a year. I just know that we need to continue on up the mountain into new realms of faith and revelation.

It’s God’s thing, not ours. It’s God’s church, not ours. It’s God’s glory, not ours. He simply calls us to obedience and belief. The rest is up to him.

And we will say, “Look what the Lord has done.”