Monday, April 27, 2020

For Online Sermon April 26, 2020


By Pat Russell

Text 1 Peter 1:3-9

There is more noise in the community now that people are getting going into the day. But earlier when Larry and I were listening/watching this Sunday's sermon, it was very still and quiet except for the birds making their spring songs. Following breakfast, I walked around the yard, simply enjoying the beauty, the silence, the wonder of being in this day. I thought what it must have been like for the Trinity to have enjoyed the first Sabbath Rest.

The service today and Pastor Bruce's sermon had "rest" all over it, from my view. If you want to widen your "spiritual boundaries," or "go deeper," consider meditating on the three phrases that Pastor Bruce pointed out from our Scripture passage. These are all gifts given to us!

...a living hope... (v. 3)

...you have great joy... (v. 6)

...a glorious joy that can't be put into word... (v. 8)

Read again the Scripture passage. Read it slowly, like sucking on a piece of your favorite candy. When you come to a phrase in bold type, take a "sabbath rest" and let the Holy Spirit speak to your soul. Maybe you will recall something Pastor Bruce said. Maybe one of the songs will rise up within. Maybe you will simply fall silent. Maybe you will hear a still small voice of encouragement from the Trinity. Whatever comes, know it is a gift from God to your soul's well being.

Give praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his great mercy he has given us a new birth and a living hope. This hope is living because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. He has given us a new birth so that we might share in what belongs to him. This is a gift that can never be destroyed. It can never spoil or fade away. It is kept in heaven for you. Through faith you are kept safe by God's power. Your salvation is going to be completed. It is ready to be shown to you in the last days. Because you know all this, you have great joy. You have joy even though you may have had to suffer for a little while. You may have had to suffer sadness in all kinds of trouble. Your troubles have come in order to prove that your faith is real. Your faith is worth more than gold. That's because gold can pass away even when fire has made it pure. Your faith is meant to bring praise, honor and glory to God. This will happen when Jesus Christ returns. Even though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not see him now, you believe in him. You are filled with a glorious joy that can't be put into words. You are receiving the salvation of your souls. This salvation is the final result of your faith.

When you have finished, offer a prayer of restoration and rest to our Lord with a peaceful sigh of thanksgiving and amen.

Blessings THIS day, P@

If you would like to connect with me about "Going Deeper" or about living in these days, feel free to email me at patannruss@gmail.com.

Monday, April 20, 2020

Gifts of the Spirit (Online Sermon April 19, 2020)


By Pat Russell

"Gifts of the Spirit" sermon by Mike Banta, April 19, 2020
Text: I Corinthians 12:1-11

Today Mike walked us through the Bible passage entitled “Spiritual Gifts.” He gave us a bit of history and context of the passage before delving into each of the gifts listed, pointing out what that gift is and how it can be and is being used to build up and comfort the Church. Love is the characteristic of anyone exercising any of the gifts and Jesus is our prime example of that love at work. That is why Paul writes first about the exercise of the gifts and then writes about the gift of love. “…if I do not have love, I am nothing.”

Mike did not state that any one gift was more preferred, was of a higher rank than any other gift. All are needed and all are important for our church.

I also remember Brooke Momblow’s devotional on the second half of this same chapter. She pointed out “We are Christ’s body, each of us a different member unique to God’s purpose for the whole. Sometimes we can lose sight of this and only see ourselves and the parts we play or don’t play…. C.S. Lewis said: ‘We like to think we’ve chosen our peers, but as Christians there are no chances. Christ has placed us and reveals to us the beauty of others.’”

So, in these days as we are physically separated from one another but desiring to be spiritually attuned to the Holy Spirit for the unity of our church body and for the glory of Jesus, let’s take on Mike’s suggestions for “going deeper” into understanding the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Here are some of his suggestions, and I have added a couple of my own:

1.      Be expectant. The Church celebrates the giving of the Holy Spirit in a broad sense on Pentecost. Pentecost Sunday is in the near future. Between now and then purpose to spend time in expectation of what YOU might receive from God between now and then.
2.      Reflect on what is going on in your life. What gift(s) do you see yourself operating in at home with your family and friends, over the internet, and within the church body?
3.      How have you seen someone else operating in her/his gift(s) that has been an encouragement to you? Maybe you would like to let that person know what you experienced.
4.      Ask someone who knows you well what spiritual gifts that person sees in you.
5.      How might you expand the work of the Spirit through your gift(s)? Mike said, “Where can we move into the margins of our gifting?” How might you bless our faith community more?

Finally, in these days of separation and sometimes the feeling of isolation, let’s take Phil’s advice and spend extra time with Jesus, finding a centeredness from his presence with you and guidance from his Spirit within you.

Blessings THIS day,
P@

If you would like to connect with me about “Going Deeper” or about living in these days of confinement and stress, feel free to email me at patannruss@gmail.com.



Monday, April 6, 2020

Palm Sunday (Online Sermon April 5, 2020)


By Pat Russell

Following up on Sermon by Pastor Bruce Spear
Scripture – Isaiah 53:1-6

This past Sunday was a very unusual but meaningful way for our community to partake in Holy Communion.  Take a minute and think about how you experienced that “gathering” around the Table of Jesus’ suffering.  What are your memories of that experience?  How did you feel as you shared communion with Pastor Bruce?  What were your thoughts about all of us taking communion at different times that day?  Did you remember that all over the world followers of Christ were probably partaking in communion the same way?  What did that fact say to your heart in these days?

I invite you to listen to the sermon again, only this time with pen and paper in hand.  As you listen, write down words, phrases or thoughts that stand out to you.  Then take some time to meditate on those words.  Hold those words up to your heavenly Father for more insight from him.

If you cannot take that time (but seriously, think about the time issue in your life right now), you can make use of the words and phrases that stood out to me.  I won’t tell you why or what my thoughts and prayers are, but this list may be of help to you.

“Communion of Empty Hands.”
No bread – hunger of all.
No wine – new covenant for all.
Jesus is present wherever we may be.
Friend and Savior of suffering.
Despised identity – blind, leper, unclean.
Takes on our pain.
Cross did away.
A mighty fortress – plague.
What can separate us?
God has set the table of Jesus before us.
Grateful.

My friends, He speaks to each one of us as needed. 
Blessings THIS day,
P@

If you would like to connect with me about “Going Deeper” or about living in these days of confinement and stress, feel free to email me.