"All things" Means You (Romans 12:2-6)
Gary McManus, 01/22/2023Part of the God's New Year series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Maybe what's new. . .is on the inside.
January 22, 2023 Romans 12:2-6
DCC, God, and the future:
“Behold, I make all things new.” Revelation 21:5
That means you/me/DCC. Americans hate the word “change.” Americans love the word “new.”
See the February 2023 newsletter, “Pastor’s Piece.”
There is an outline of our/my first steps in finding
the next Lead Pastor of DCC.
Pastor friends say: ”It’s not your job, Pastor.”
Pastor knows. Pastor has reasons that he should HELP DCC find the next Lead Pastor.
Remember to call on the Daycare Board. They found
two Daycare Directors. Cyndy Hale has been a real
gem. The Daycare Board is good at finding new leaders. Get their input.
One idea: these sermons both video and audio will include an invitation to any Pastor’s listening to inquire about becoming DCC’s new Lead Pastor.
“Dear Sir or Madam, . . .”an opportunity”. . .”to lead a small but forward-looking congregation”. . .”a position part or full time during which you learn the life of DCC so that you may become the next Lead Pastor when Pastor McManus retires.”
This first invitation goes to schools.
Let’s talk about the word “crisis.” Americans use the word “crisis” differently than the Bible. The Greek word in the Bible is “krisis.”
The root word means “to pick out, choose, decide, judge.” Jesus used the word that way. The Bible used the word that way.
The day of judgment was a day of “krisis.”
Americans use the word crisis to mean a time of great disagreement, great confusion, or great suffering.
The word crisis, as the Bible states, REALLY means
“a time when a difficult or important decision must be made.”
Biblically speaking, DCC faces a crisis but that is not
Pastor’s point. The point is that the Bible KNOWS what DCC is facing. . .a time of decision
—a time when decisions have to be made.
American Christians tend to turn to the Bible when we face a crisis of the usual definition: suffering, confusion, difficult disagreements. But our Lord is prepared to help us when we are not in a time of trouble.
Even when Judgment Day comes, many things will be normal: going to work, daily activities. (Matthew 24:40-44)
But even if we are not facing destruction or war or plague or armed enemies, our Lord is still available. (Luke 18:1)
Paul wrote to the churches of the City of Rome.
The Apostle calls for everyone to exercise sober judgment. . . .thoughtful judgment, considered judgment, a judgement that has considered the options. . . (and certainly prayerful judgment).
DCC: be open to anyone WE BELIEVE was sent to us.
Jesus’ sending can take many forms.
Jesus choices might surprise you. Jesus’ choices for disciples surprised people: Saul (Paul) of Tarsus and Matthew. Jesus found Matthew at his job at the tax office (Matthew 9:9).
What would we modern American Christians have said to that?!
Jesus never denied that he hung out with tax collectors and sinners.
(Matthew 9:10, Mark 2:15, Luke 5:29-39)
This next story has been around a long time:
a church was seeking a new Pastor. . .
The Apostle Paul did not call us to prejudice, but rather. . .be transformed. . .sober judgment, . . .
Remember, Joseph had a plan. . .Joseph went with God’s plan. Amen.
Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
---|---|---|
« Every Day Can Be New | None | Honor All, Respect All » |