"We Bow" - A Christmas Reading

Joseph
“These months…these weeks…these days…this night!  Ever since Mary saw the angel for the first time, our lives have never been the same.  Such an emotional time: surprise, anger, sadness, fear, uncertainty, anxiety, excitement!  It has been extraordinary!  I never imagined being part of something like this in my lifetime. 
“Imagine it!  I have been chosen to care for the mother of the Messiah and shape the beginning years of his life! And somehow, though I cannot understand it, he is the Son of the Most High.  It is hard to grasp! 
“Finally he is here.  After a difficult journey to Bethlehem and the hours of Mary’s pain in this stable, He is here.  I look at him swaddled tightly in strips of cloth lying there in the manger.  It is hard to believe this tiny helpless baby is from Heaven itself!  Yet never in all my life has Heaven felt closer.
“Though we are physically and emotionally exhausted Mary and I are moved with awe…the birth of every baby is a miracle: the birth of THIS baby...!  And so, though it is a strange thing to do, Mary and I are the first to worship him.  His name is Jesus.  Indeed he is the Son of God.  Before Him, We bow.”

Shepherds
“Shhhhh!  Shhhh! You will wake the village!  Shhhh!  Even now the dogs are barking!”
“I don’t care if I wake every dog in the village!  I don’t care if every household is awake after what we have seen!  Besides, how can you run in the dark without making noise?!”
“Ow!!”
“See what I mean?! Who cares about noise?!  Run! Run! Run!  Faster!”
“I’m going as fast as I can!”
“Me too!  That was the wildest thing I have ever seen!  I mean I have seen foxes and lions and once even a bear while watching the sheep but I have never seen anything like what we just saw!”
“What were those things anyway?!”
“Angels you simpleton! Angels from Heaven!”
“The Messiah has come!  They declared it!  It must be so!  Now we will finally have a savior from the Romans and the throne of David will be restored! And it all begins in David’s own hometown!  Huzzah!”
    So shouting and panting as they ran, the shepherds barreled down the main street of the town toward the inn.  They almost piled up in a heap when they stopped short before the stable trying to pause just a moment to take stock of themselves and the situation.  Joseph heard the unusual commotion outside and had already stepped protectively forward to meet this new unexpected challenge – ready to defend his wife and new child, his toughened carpenter’s fist ready to swing.  Then peering in through the dimly lit gloom he saw the scraggly bearded face of shepherd.
    “Yes?”
    “Has a baby been born here tonight?”
    “Yes.”
The face of the shepherd lit up in a smile.
    “Then we are in the right place! Angels told us you would be here.”
The shepherds entered as quietly as curious excited shepherds could.  Crowding round the manger they stared at the tiny swaddled form of their Messiah.
    “He is so small…” murmured the shepherd as he fell to his knees.  The other shepherds kneeled too.  “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ, the Lord.”  “Before you we bow.”

Temple Saints
“For years Simeon and I waited the promise of Messiah’s coming!  For decades we have prayed and worshiped and waited!  Today was the day.  When I saw that young mother standing with her husband, with the baby cradled in Simeon’s old wrinkled hands, I knew that HE was finally here!  I magnified the Lord and rejoiced.  Between Simeon and me, we raised quite a noise!  And I spoke to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel…for He is here!  What a wonderful privilege that these old eyes might see the Messiah and that these old bodies might worship Him!  The King is born!  The King has come!   We bow!”

Magi
“The stars told us that this time is the most momentous time in all of history.  For many days we have journeyed across many miles to come to this place.  After a strange time in Jerusalem and the odd behavior of Herod, it has left us feeling strangely.  But there it is!  The star we have followed our entire journey!  It has stopped over that house there!” 
With the creaking of saddles, the clinking of metal, and the general hubbub of a caravan called to a halt, the magi dismounted before the little house in Bethlehem.  Before you knew it the strangely dressed men, freshly bathed and perfumed, were there in the room with mother and child. 
“Our eyes filled strangely with tears.  I have never felt this way before! He is so little that it is hard to imagine he is the King foretold by the stars…yet I know in my heart that it is so.  He is the King! I think he is the greatest king of all time! We have brought expensive gifts for him, but now I do not feel that even they are enough! The only thing we can do that even seems appropriate is worship him now!  We bow!”

Us
Today is Christmas day – the day hallowed and celebrated across the centuries as a day of remembrance.  It is the day we celebrate the coming of the Messiah over two thousand years ago.  In a most unexpected manner he came as a baby that he might identify with us through every moment of our existence from birth to death.  He was born into the most humble circumstances imaginable in a squalid town under the heel of Rome.  It was a birth largely unnoticed and quickly forgotten by the people of the time.  But that birth day – which we celebrate even now – changed all of history.  And in the voices of these characters that I have just read to you, across history we glimpse the emotions, the uncertainties, the astonishment, and the wonder!  And with them, we bow.
As we bow, we look ahead to the promise of His coming.  We look forward to the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior once again.  He promised to return in the same manner as He left.  Today is Christmas day.  We celebrate the birth of our Savior and look ahead to His magnificent return.  He promised to come the first time and He came.  He promised to come again and He will.  And when He does, we will go to be with Him forever! There, around the throne of God, we will worship Him Who loved us and gave Himself for us and we will bow!

We bow before the baby in the manger.
We bow before the boy he would become under the tutelage of earthly parents.
We bow before the man baptized in Jordan with whom the Heavenly Father was well-pleased.
We bow before the man who overcame Satan in the wilderness.
We bow before the man who healed the sick and raised the dead.
We bow before the man who died upon the cross and shed his blood for the remission of our sins.
We bow before the man raised from the grave triumphant over death and hell.
We bow before the man who promised and sent the gift of the Holy Spirit.
We bow before the man who ascended into Heaven to prepare a place for us.
We bow before the Son of Man who will come again.
He is the Messiah.  He is the Son of God.  He is the Lord of Glory!  He is the King of Kings!  This is His birthday! Before Him We bow!

Sunday of Praise - August 07, 2016

This service was not recorded because it involved the entire congregation - which is difficult to mic! :-) However, you can glimpse a little of what it was about if you read below.  Perhaps it will bless you!  When was the last time your group of believers united in focused praise?

Sometimes in the midst of our busy lives it is hard to remember to praise.  Sometimes in the midst of our trials it is easy to forget to praise.  Sometimes in the midst of our pain we cannot seem to praise at all.  In these moments it is important to be surrounded by the people of God and hear their praise and testimony: to be lifted together on the wave of worship; together to turn our hearts unto the God Who made us and Who knows all about us and our present circumstance.  Today, let us turn our hearts unto Him in worship and gratitude whatever may be around us.  Let us open our hearts to strengthening of His Spirit as we honor His word and work in our lives.

In a mingling of praise and prayer the Psalmist cried out to God:
Psalm 40:1-17
1 ¶ <> I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
 4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
 5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
 6 ¶ Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
 9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
 10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
 11 ¶ Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
 12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
 13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
 14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
 15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
 16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
 17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
(KJV)

Worship Sequence 1 – Paul Stence
    Ancient Words (Soundtrack)
    10,000 Reasons (Soundtrack)

A Time of Testimony & Praise – Congregation

Worship Sequence 2 – Paul Stence
Hymn 505 – Glorious Freedom
Hymn 507 – Love Divine All Loves Excelling

Psalm 107:1 ¶ O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
 3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
 4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
 5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
 6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
 7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
 8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
 9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Testimony & Transition to Prayer

Prayer – In everything give thanks
Kidzone
Offering – This too is worship! 

Special Song – Pastor & Mrs. Alexander – He Giveth More Grace

Last Chance Testimony

Words of Praise – Pastor Rick
How can I say thanks?  How can I offer praise enough for what God through Jesus Christ His Son has done for me?  How can I bow low enough or lift my hands high enough?  How can I sing or shout loud enough to honor Him Who is worthy of far more than I can ever give?!  He has forgiven me of so much!  He has blessed me so much!  I have more than I deserve!  Even if I were to suffer every day of the rest of my life I can only have gratitude because of how much He has given me already!  Can I express to you what it means to be forgiven?  Can I exalt Him to you so that you know what it means to be redeemed?  Can I praise enough before you so that you understand what it means to be clean?!  Can I speak words that will express my thankfulness for His mercy and grace to me? 

I was a sinner of the worst sort – guilty of the greatest crimes against Heaven – yet He forgave me.  My soul was dark with sin – yet that did not stop Him from shining His light into me and giving me grace.  Day by day now He walks with me and whispers to my heart words of correction, words of grace, words of hope. 

He blesses materially, mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually.
A trip to the Outer Banks
A relief to the Mind
A strength to the emotions
Physical stamina day by day.
Spiritually He does not leave me when I seek His face.

This is just a little bit of His kindness to us.  There is oh so much more, but time fails me to tell all of His abundant grace!  Let me conclude my words of praise with these words of a familiar song:

How can I say thanks for the things
You have done for me?
Things so undeserved yet you gave
To prove your love for me
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am, and ever hope to be
I owe it all to thee

To God be the glory, to God be the glory
To God be the glory for the things he has done
With his blood he has saved me
With his power he has raised me
To God be the glory for the things he has done
Just let me live my life and
Let it be pleasing Lord to thee
And if I gain any praise, let it go to Calvary
With his blood he has saved me
With his power he has raised me
To God be the glory for the things he has done

Let us conclude today with words of praise to the Living Son of God Who sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf and who has purchased our pardon from sin with His blood and provided our hope of eternal life with God our Maker!

Final Worship Sequence – Paul Stence
    Hymn 120 – Jesus, Name Above All Names
    Hymn 122 – Majesty
    Hymn 123 – All Hail King Jesus
    Hymn 120 – Jesus Name Above All Names
Benediction
Romans 15:13 ¶ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

GLORY!

In this sermon, Pastor Rick reminds us what it is to glorify God teaching, "Ultimately, we are to view the glory of God on display all around us and be called to repent and return unto Him that His glory might be restored in us and that Christ may dwell in us and that His present glory dwelling in us might reside as the hope of glory to come!"

Pastor Rick concluded with a personal Exclamation of praise:

"I want to conclude by worshiping for a moment.  I cannot conjure some magical feeling of soulfulness that will convince you arbitrarily that God’s glory is present for you or that some emotional experience is His presence as is done so often in modern worship.  But I want simply to conclude with my words of worship to God....

Let me tell you about God.  God has been faithful to me all my life.  He was faithful to me as a child raising me up in an environment where God was preeminent.  He was faithful to me as a teenager when I nearly drowned, calling me from the precipice of sin back to Himself.  He was faithful to me as a young adult patient every moment with my questions and doubts.  He has been faithful to me as an adult amid my struggles and fears.  All my life He has been longsuffering and faithful in spite of my greatest sins; In spite of my unfaithfulness; in spite of my weaknesses; in spite of my failures; in spite of my pride; in spite of my unbelief; in spite of every darkness of my heart, he has been faithful to me.  The Apostle John wrote that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believed on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  I want you to know this morning that God gave His only Son for me: for me, a sinner who like Israel had forsaken and forgotten and abandoned the glory of God! He did not forsake me.  He did not forget me.  He did not abandon me.  He did not leave me alone in the darkness.  Instead He loved me and shone the light of His love around me and gave himself for me and prayed that I would let Him back into my heart to rediscover His glory!

And so this morning, I give Him praise! I glorify Him and magnify Him!  I worship Him! I lift Him up!  I am unworthy, but He is worthy! I cannot magnify Him or glorify Him enough but I worship Him and praise Him anyway!  I welcome Him and His presence and His glory to fill my heart and life!  I pray the same for you and ultimately that He will fill our church with His genuine presence always."

A Donkey and Jesus the Messiah

Listen as Pastor Rick begins a sermon series called "A Donkey, A Garden, A Cross, & A Tomb."  In honor of Easter month, Pastor Rick will explore the themes of Jesus as Messiah, Man, Mediator, and Master.

In this first message of the series, Pastor Rick shares why it is important to recognize Jesus as the prophesied Messiah.  He also reminds us that if He fulfilled His promises to come the first time, we can trust his promise to come again.   

"Finally it tells us that we can trust the promise that Jesus the Christ – The Anointed One –  will come again.  He came once and fulfilled hundreds of prophecies so thoroughly that it is a mathematical improbability for them all to be fulfilled by anyone else.  This same precise, intentional, thorough God-man – the Word Himself – has promised just as earnestly to return again in triumph.  And this time, he will not only rule in the hearts of believers, but His permanent eternal kingdom will be established in an entire universe birthed anew!  His first triumphal entry points directly to another triumphant entry yet to come – to promises we await to be fulfilled.  Are you looking for His return?"

Hearts of Praise!

Listen as Pastor Rick leads us in a meditation of Psalm 107 on this Sunday before Thanksgiving.

"This week of Thanksgiving, I encourage us all to be wise, to observe what God has done in our lives, and understand His lovingkindness unto us.  Then, let us praise Him and worship Him not only this week, but every day as we walk in His ways.  “21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.”

Physics & Faith Series - Friction

Listen as Pastor Rick continues the series, "Physics & Faith" with this message about friction.  Is friction managed correctly both positively and negatively in your life?

Bless the Lord (2)

Pastor Rick goes back to Psalm 103 to consider the exclamations of David's worship, and calls us to summon praise in our hearts as we consider the magnificence of God's mercy. God redeems us from destruction! Listen and worship!

INTERCESSORS

Listen as Pastor Rick breaks down intercession simple enough for even our children can understand it.  Will you be an intercessor?

Trusting the Invisible

Listen as Pastor Rick shares how we can trust the Almighty Who is also personal and caring toward us.

I AM Jehovah Elohim!

Listen as Pastor Rick elaborates on the magnificent yet personal God we serve!  Wow!

Praise for "Busy!"

Wow!  March and April have been busy months!  Two new families, two new babies in our church, and the possibility of a semi-permanent meeting facility on top of all the usual "Pastor things" have made for a busy schedule.  However, all of the things I mentioned above involve direct answers to prayer!  So I am not complaining!  Rather, I am rejoicing! 

You see, we have prayed for new people.  New people have come.

We prayed for the safe arrival of two little babies, one of which faced a rough start.  But both babies are growing healthy and strong.

We have prayed for months and months for a new church facility and things appear promising at this point.  

I do not take such answers lightly.  Looking back across the last 8 weeks, I am  once again "stunned by grace." If you don't know what that means, I encourage you to listen to the message I preached by that same title which will be uploaded here in the near future.  

Suffice it to say, however, I rejoice when I am reminded how greatly God loves us and cares for us.  It is good to look back along the trail from time to time and review where we have been.  Very often, we will be surprised by the perspective we gain as we see God's fingerprints upon our lives.  

I hope you will join me in rejoicing in answered prayer and in the anticipation of great things to come.  Thanks be to our God!

The Context of Nine & The Subtext of His Glory

What a wonderful day God gave us yesterday: all nine of us. Yes indeed. I said "nine." In the morning service there were only nine people including the Pastor. Nearly all of our families, including most of mine, were absent due to sickness or life events. Let me tell you, the morning you preach to eight people is a good morning to feel discouraged. However, I was encouraged! You see, when the context is disheartening, our subtext is still true. A subtext is an underlying theme of a play, drama, or performance that may not be explicitly stated but is still true. Our subtext proclaims that victory comes through faith in the unseen. Our subtext directs us to look beyond the visible to the invisible. Our subtext describes our God is Mighty above all else. Our subtext emphasizes His glory above all else. When the context of circumstances looks bleak, our subtext declares victory!

So even with nine people, we set up the church expecting a crowd. Even with nine people, we set up the sound system. Even with nine people we set up the powerpoint projector. Even without a pianist we set up the piano. With only nine people we invited God's presence and He came. We gave Him praise. We prayed and He blessed. You see, it makes you boil it down to what really matters. Do we really sing to give God praise or do we sing for the benefit of others? Do we pray to be heard by God or men? Do we do all we do in church for His glory? Well, I found out that with only nine people HE really becomes your focus, much more than the professional presentation of a scripted service. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate a well choreographed service as much as the next guy. However, this Sunday's experience reminded me we need to focus less on the art form of having church and more on HIS glory. That's what it's supposed to be all about.

I am happy to say in the evening service our attendance doubled! But I am thankful for the "Context of Nine" that reminded me of the "Subtext of His Glory."