Sermon Thoughts, 11/29/09
By Pastor Dan. Filed in Sermons |
Hi Folks!
I had some great inspired thoughts to leave you with this week and here it is Wednesday afternoon and I am trying to remember if I spoke last Sunday or not. I have to admit as the days pass after each Sunday the message begins to fade quickly, I can’t begin to imagine how tough it is for you to hang onto any nuggets if it’s so hard for the guy who wrote the message.
Anyway just a quick provoker of thoughts from Sunday two things that stood out for me in the message.
1. Paul is a lot like you and I. He loved Jesus and he took his natural penchant towards zealousness and made a problem for the early church. Man I can relate to that one.
I think this principal that I didn’t share Sunday but should have, is right on the mark. I learned it from past teaching pastor Paul Null. He saw my zealousness for the things of God but he also saw how my attitude hurt the message. He told me something that was very important then and now. It goes like this.
“An unguarded strength becomes a double-weakness.”
My strength was to care enough to confront but far too often I left it unchecked, and as a result made more problems then good. I think Paul’s early years showed us a similar pattern.
What has been the key for me to guard that strength? Simply practicing humility. I say practicing because it doesn’t come natural, at least not for me. I am learning how to live under the authority of Jesus in and through my life. To do that I simply remind myself as often as necessary just how messed up I am, and how great my need is for God’s forgiveness. When I stay in this place I am a much better communicator of Jesus’ love.
2. God never gives up on his kids, ever. You come to Him broken, He won’t let you go. In Paul’s case he had him set aside for a season, to allow Paul the opportunity to practice his own form of humility. Of course the outcome in Paul’s life was nothing less then stunning. The Jew of Jews, became the Apostle to the entire gentile world, which includes me and most of you as well.
I like the fact that God our Father’s love doesn’t waver like human love can. He simply sets us straight, and winks and smiles back at us to do it right from now on. It certainly appears that Paul did, I think I’ll keep trying too, and you?
Love being your pastor,
dan