Reach Out...Helping Other Churches Galatians6:1-10

Sermon- reach out- pt 3- helping other churches 7-26-09 Gal 6:1-10

Reach out series, part 3 – 1-helping others, 2-sharing your faith, 3-helping other churches

Seems like an odd topic……seldom discussed
Invitation to think spiritually
why wouldn’t churches help each other
Well funny you should ask, you never hear of scout troops dogging each other. Troop 255 is better than troop 1877
When you go to eat at Chili’s the server doesn’t tell you that the food at 54th street is terrible,
But churches and pastors can sometimes act like high schools….
we are the good ones, they are the bad ones.

Every town I have ever lived in, someone said
Our church is the biggest one in town….you stink
Vacation visit to grace umc……Robinson’s at grace umc

Friends, it should not be so- we are all on the same team- not competitors

In new testament times churches helped each other
they were independent, they were also interdependent as well.
none of the churches in the New Testament stood alone
they did not refuse to interact with one another.
But, they served and helped one another.
And they did this, not because they had some sort of control that they wanted, rather they did it because they loved other churches, and wanted to see the gospel flourish in another location.

Acts 1:8 describes the work of the Holy Spirit in the work of taking the gospel from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.
By the time acts is concluded, the church has spread all over the thn known world

In Acts 11 the Jerusalem church sent Barnabas off to Antioch. To help w a revival
Later in acts 11 Antioch sends money and support to help with a famine in Judea

In Acts 16 Paul meets -timothy was raised in Lystra and Derbe, but left those places, and ministered with Paul in many cities As these churches released this man, he became a help to many other churches.

In Phil 4 the Philippian church sends a gift for the traveling ministry to Paul thru their messenger Epaphroditus

Paul sent tychiucus to the ephesian and collossian church. He was also a helper to the ministry of Titus
Colossians 4:7, "As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information."

Titus traveling with Paul and on behalf of Paul.
Titus visited Corinth (2 Cor. 12:18). He also spent some time in Dalmatia
Paul writes to Titus in chapter 1, verse 5, "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you."

In Romans 15 the churches of Macedonia and Achaia helping the needy in Jerusalem

Our scripture today asks us to do good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of faith. Who is the household of faith today?

I want every church to grow, except those that are hurting others
Who is the family of faith-
Presbyterian, Lutherans, Greek and Russian orthodox, Amish, Mennonites, Methodist, Baptist, Disciples of Christ, Nondenominational, Catholic, reformed, Assemblies of God, Pentecostal, Holiness, Quaker,

How does your church currently care for others?
We are not bragging and can never do so.
. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Everything we learned we learned from others
Church of resurrection
Downtown Lees summit umc
Schweitzer in Springfield, lacroix in cape Girardeau, Kirkwood umc

How do we help other churches now?
We have done seminars
Independence, Peculiar, Wichita, Harrisonville, st. Joseph, st Louis, Jefferson city, Warrenton, Sedalia, Springfield

Some of the things that we cover in the presentations
Culture, organization, permission giving, values, missions statements, missions; outward focus, call based ministry, stewardship, dealing w conflict, discipleship

Classes coming up in a few months…..Going to go thru this ……

Helped financially
Mozambique
CVV
5% from fund- list them
Will have another fund like this in our next capital funds drive

Spent time with pastors and staff

Intern program for seminary students

District office coming here in June

Why is this important
We were a church plant –LS first umc
Do you remember where we came from? We need to give back
The conference gave us 405/260,000
Kingdom thinking
Not self thinking…I am not being fed, but how can I help???

What else can we do
Understand that you are in the mission field with all Christians in all churches
See other churches as our brothers and sister
Never speak ill of another congregation
Never try to steal another church’s people, unless they are being hurt

Go visit bob Jeppson’s church

Starting a new church
Go with the new church – new, smaller, like pastor dave
Go with new church for a year……
Go for a month…….be an usher or a greeter for a month

God calls each of us to ministry in our church, In our neighbor hood, and with all Christians in the world. We are in this together. John Wesley said, the world is my parish.

Let us pray.

Fathers Day Galatians4:1-7 06/15/08

Fathers Day Galatians4:1-7 06/15/08
1What i am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is not difference from a slaves, although he owned the whole estate. 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under basic principles of the world. 4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

What do I want for fathers day? No tie, no shirt, no shelf for my boxing trophies...what I want for fathers day, you cannot wrap
I want two things
I want my children to love their mother,
An I want them to love one another
When you love your mother, and love one another, you honor me.
If you don't love each other, no neck tie is going to sooth the pain.
You are brothers and sisters....live that out

I think God wants the same thing for his children too.

The scripture today tells us that we are no longer slave, we are sons, sons and daughters of God. That means we have a father.

On fathers day we usually think vertically
What does it mean to have a father
It means that someone loves me
Kneau Reaves in parenthood...you need a license to hunt, to fish, to drive a car, they will let anyone be a father...it takes someone special to be a dad

a "childless couple who wanted to adopt a little boy approximately 6 years old. They had visited several adoption agencies and finally found a child that was a match for their family. As they visited with the child, the wife said, "If you would come and live with us, you could have your own private room, a nice yard with play equipment and all the toys you could ever want. Would you like to come and live with us? "The little boy hesitated a moment and said, "No I don't think so." The couple was stunned, They felt that they had offered the child everything a child could want. The husband said to the boy, "We've offered you everything anyone could want. What more do you want?" In words far beyond his years, the child replied, "I have a nice yard and a playground here at the home. I don't need that. I just want someone to love me." Farrell, Cries From the Cross (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994) 36.

Don't you know that children all over the world of all ages are looking for a dad

Adoption ministry
Amazing things that they are doing...every child needs a loving home

Misty Dixon...if you are looking to care...

On fathers day, we should also think horizontally
We should look to our earthly siblings and thank God for them.
I have two sisters. We weren't always close
But we are a part of the same family
I love them and they are mine
I honor them today and give thanks for them

On fathers day we must remember that we are adopted into God's family
we have a heavenly father
ok, now I an ok. I am loved by God. It means more than that
if all of us have the same father, then we are brother and sisters in Christ.

that is why hospitality in our church is so important...every person who is waking in the door is looking to feel that the belong
do you greet them? Do you hug them? Do you take time to make a connection with them?

Sit in different places....

the most powerful thing a church can do is to show God's love
To visitors, to new Christians, to those who have a different theological background than you do, to those who hurt you in the past.

Rules for my childre
You never leave you wingman
this person will always be your brother, will alays be your sister.
stand up for them, stand with them
we are a team, we are a unit, one day you will stand at the funeral of your parents. You will need each other in such moments.
your brother and sister are God's gift to you
love one another, forgive one another

The Cundiff brothers picture
this picture embodies what I am speaking about
do they never fight, no, I'm sure they have their moments
but they have trained, worked
we are only successful in the race of life when we are successful together and so I have done what I can and now I am straining to launch you and while you run, everything inside of me is going to be rooting for you
brothers we are brothers

we are brothers and sisters
look around your church...who are these people?
this may not look like any other church you have been a part of
the worship may be a little different
that is not the point.
this may be a different house, but we are all adopted into God's family
you bave no enemies here. If you are thinking that, you are thinking wrong/
Our souls are connected in ways that you cannot even see.

Jesus' Mothers and Brothers
Matthew12:46While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stool outside, whanting to speak to him, 47someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.

48He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my borthers?" 49Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. 50For whoever does the will of my father is heaven is my brother and sister and mother."


Dances with wolves
I am wind in his hair
Do you see that I am your friend?
Can you see that you will always be my friend?

Maybe you are here and you don't sense what I am talking about
That doesn't mean that it is not true
We haven't known each other for very long...
That is not the point...
You are a child of God, hw loves you deeply
You are my brother, you are my sister

Happy faters day, heavenly father. From your loving children. Amen

Pray, o Lord, let me see that we are connected. Let me see that these people are my brothers and sisters. I thank you for them.

Do Not Be Weary in Well Doing Galatians 6:2-10 10-14-07

Work day-tulip plant
Dream team
Trunk or treat this sat
Nov 3 t tekylSermon `10-14-07 Gal 6:2-10

2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load.
6Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

70s party………protected environment…….
Funny clothes for them, time of peace and security for me

80’s real world breaks in

we get discouraged
want to quit

things I wanted to quit………….sophomore track
dad would not let me quit

the right thing to do is the right thing to do even if you are the only one doing it
the wrong thing to do is the wrong thing to do even if everyone is ding it

the Christian faith calls us to do good
the character of god calls us to live beyond our pleasure,
jesus set the example

today I am talking to you about something that has been on my mind. It is not a sermon series. It is today only. Its about doing the good. Not good works, not self righteousness, I am talking about the good that should be a part of each Christian life.
· The golden rule…..do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
· One of the fruit of the spirit is goodness Gal 6
· I am talking about this behavior, this character trait that is the mark of all christains

"The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks."-Luke 6:45

do not be weary in well doing…………
what are the good things that you are doing?
Things that wear us out
Holding a job
Raising kids
Struggling with your self in battle of spirit vs flesh
Mow a neighbors grass
Feed the hungry
Clothe the poor
Being in relationships
Taking care of people

This is true religion and undefiled
James 1 26-27
26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world
Being polluted by the world is not playing cards, wearing certain clothes or drinking the wine at the wedding in cana. Being polluted by the world is buying into selfishness. Selfishness is the way of the world, and it is sneaky.
Don’t be weary in well doing
Don’t be wary of well doing

Turn the other cheek
Go the second mile
How do you feel when you are slapped?
How do you feel when you turn the other cheek?
How does it feel if you don’t turn the other cheek?

Do not render evil for evil, overcome evil with good

What do you do when you get knocked down?
You get back up.

Why 1- we find true spirituality when we stick with difficult things
A teacher was asked about a man who purported himself to be a follower of the teacher. The teacher remembered him. Yes, he attended some seminars, but he was never a student.

We are never really spiritually engaged until we see the warts
We never overcome until we struggle through
You are never really married until you make it thru the tough times
There is a joy that comes from perseverance

Why 2- you have chosen the good path, not the easy path, but the good path
Mercy rejoices over judgement
Grace triumps over guilt
They that sow in tears will reap in joy

Why 3 – it is what we are called to do and be
the right thing to do is the right thing to do even if you are the only one doing it
the wrong thing to do is the wrong thing to do even if everyone is ding it
doing good, the work of god, it is what we are called to

Why 4- you will reap
Watched major leage, the replacements, another movie like this is little giants. We love movies where the underdog doesn’t quit, but comes from behind, against all odds to win.
Yet in our Christian lives, we come up against a challenge and we often just quit, go off whining in the corner.
Why should you stay with it? You will reap.
You will reap. You are making a difference

Martina mcbride song

"Anyway"You can spend your whole life buildin', Somethin' from nothin'One storm can come and blow it all away, Build it anywayYou can chase a dream, That seems so out of reachAnd you know it might not ever come your way, Dream it anyway[chorus:]God is great, but sometimes life ain't goodWhen I pray it doesn't always turn out like I think it shouldBut I do it anyway, I do it anywayThis world's gone crazy and it's hard to believeThat tomorrow will be better than today, Believe it anywayYou can love someone with all your heart, For all the right reasonsAnd in a moment they can choose to walk away., love 'em anyway[chorus]You can pour your soul out singing, A song you believe inThat tomorrow they’ll forget you ever sang, Sing it anywayYeah, sing it anyway, I sing, I dream, I love, Anyway
Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My 6-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads, he said, "God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And liberty and justice for all! Amen!"Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!"Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.""Really?" my son asked."Cross my heart." Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae, and without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile, he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is good already."Of all my children, he is by far my most ... trying. The quickest to anger, the first one to break something, and the last one to do as he's told. None of it matters though, 'cause like he said, his soul is good already.-- Larry Phillips, lsphillips@aol.com
Once, in his very early days in Lambarene, Dr. Albert Schweitzer was talking with a European about the cannibal tribe, the Pahouins. "Aren't you afraid that you might end up in a cannibal's pot?" he was asked. "If I do," he laughingly replied, "I hope they will say, 'Dr. Schweitzer was good to the end.'" -- George N.
Little Chad was a shy, quiet boy. Day after day, his mother agonized when she watched the children coming home from school. While they laughed and talked to each other and hung onto each other, Chad always lagged behind - alone. One day, Chad came home and told his mother that he'd like to make Valentines for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. She thought, "I wish he wouldn't do that! They never include him in anything." Nevertheless, she decided she would go along with her son. So she purchased the paper and glue and crayons, and for three weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made 35 valentines. Valentine's Day dawned, and Chad was beside himself with excitement as he started out for school. That afternoon, Chad's mother placed cookies and milk on the table. Then she looked out the window and saw the children coming home from school. There they came, laughing and having the best time. And, as always, there was Chad in the rear, alone. But walking a little faster than usual. His arms were empty. Obviously, he had not received any valentines, and she fully expected him to break into tears when he got inside. She choked back her own tears, saying as he came in, "Mommy has some cookies and milk for you." But he hardly heard her words. He just marched right on by, his face aglow. And all he could say was: "Not a one. Not a one." Her heart sank. And then, he added: "I didn't forget a one, Mommy. Not a single one."--Dale Galloway, Dream a New Dream: How to Rebuild a Broken Life (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 1975), 77-8. How many of us can say the same?
A recent "Dennis the Menace" cartoon caught my attention. As you know, Dennis is indeed a menace to his next-door neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, and yet Mrs. Wilson continues to be kind and gracious. This particular cartoon shows Dennis and his little friend Joey leaving Mrs. Wilson's house, their hands full of cookies.Joey says, "I wonder what we did to deserve this."Dennis answers, and his answer is on target: "Look, Joey, Mrs. Wilson gives us cookies not because we're nice, but because she's nice."

We Care About Others Part 2 Galatians 8-4-02

Sermon We care about others part two Gal 6:2 aug 4 2002

Bear ye one anothers burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ

After the sermon last week, you woke up….went home
I went home, said goodbye and went to the airport
Waiting at the airport
Delayed in chicago
Checking on hotel room
No room in the inn in philadelphia

No friends…..alone.
Get out your little violin

Session on clergy distress
Who do you talk to when you hurt
Names came to my mind

Importance of developing a climate at your church where we care
You have done it
But we need to continue

Back to Philly
I was lonely
Table 24, table 25, table L9---They took me in
Carol, Terry Linn, Linda, Liz, Eric, Verna, Susan, and John
They put up with me

If this is important, stand up and tell them
I want to hear evidence of you tangibilifying your support of caring ministry in the church

Tears as we left….no tears here, we don’t have to leave one another

Caring Christianity
Jesus always had time for people, sat with people
It is the best use of your time

I am not talking about caring Christianity….
What I am saying is that without caring, it is not Christianity

John 11
When Lazarus died, Jesus wept……
Jesus bore our burdens, he cared

When you were lonely the spirit told you that Christ died for you
As we come to the lords table today, we remember, the care given for us, and the call to care for others

Bear ye one anothers burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ

Communion