Transfiguration - Matthew 17:1-13 10-29-00

Transfiguration - Matthew 17:1-13 10-29-00

Moments of joy/moments of struggle
Ski jump man/wide world of sports
The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat

Transfiguration
Up on the mountain
The perception of the presence of God
Excitement, tears, joy
When have you felt this? Let's stay here.

The actual presence of God
I become obedient
Break me, knock me down presence of God

We don't recognize how good we have it
Building tours after the dinner last week
Yet there are great struggles
Russ Cline's class topic
Sat. Eve Service

We go down the mountain to
To do the work of the Lord
suffer and die if need be
what they did for the cause

the movie Patriot

there is joy in the work of the Lord
Philippians 4
Romans 14

Looking Within 1 Corinthians 11:17-28 6-4-00

Looking Within 1 Corinthians 11:17-28 6-4-00

Rearranging things: arrowhead stadium/furniture in L room

Paul and the Corinthian church
Eating, drinking, thinking of themselves

Take it in an unworthy manner
What some think...I am not worthy
That makes you worthy
We are unworthy when we think we are not needy

A letter to my sister

Looking inside
We don't like to do it
We see our weakness, brokenness, sin

Politicians

It makes the relationship good, makes it honest

Scriptures on humility/contrition Isaiah & Psalms

We are worthy to come when we see our sin
We are not worthy to come when we don't see our sin

Isaiah 66:2 To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalm 51:17 the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise

Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Where Do You Think You're Going? Matthew 2:1-12 12-17-00

Sermon 12-17-00 Mt 2:1-12 Where do you think you're going?

Christmas eve…..sleeping with Dad….where do you think you are going

Mom chrismtas shopping…..robbed
Mom forgave/Robber chose to go the wrong way
Who are you at christmas, who do you become

Wisemen & herrod
Wisemen sought to worship
Herrod sought to kill the baby, to kill the spirit/joy
Herrod right….only room for one king

Many herrods appear at christmas
Christmas is about me
Will you be a herrod or a wise man
Will you give the joy or take the joy

Book…who moved my cheese [spencer johnson]
Don’t kill the spirit/joy
We kill the spirit/joy when we

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court for 30 years. His mind, wit and work earned him the unofficial title of "the greatest justice since John Marshall." At one point in his life, Justice Holmes explained his choice of a career by saying: "I might have entered the ministry if certain clergymen I knew had not looked and acted so much like undertakers."

The angel called it good news

How do you feel the joy?
Children buy gifts for one another
Children concerned about adopting families
In the midst of cold weather, I see the joy
In the midst of shopping I see the joy

Shepherds Luke 2 12-3-00

Sermon 12-3-00 Luke 2

I never got to be a wiseman, always a shepherd
Even when mom was in charge
Not a bad thing
Wisemen journeys end
Shepherd journey begins at manger

Proud are humbled at manger
Humble are energized at manger

We like to think of our selves as common normal folks.
I’m not a leader; I’m just regular folks
I cant teach Sunday school, Im just regular folks

Story of shepherds…hear the story
Do regular folks still hear the message?
The story comes better from regular folks
In the story, who tells the story? The humble

Acts 9….Apostle Paul….
begun as proud, humbled by Christ,
becomes a common folk, tells story

Nancy Dahlberg tells a story of humility at christmas

We do not deserve the gift of Christmas…yet god gave
You know the joy
Common folks share the joy
This Christmas, buy the gifts, rush to shop, tell the story
Hug a child/forgive a transgressor, buy a gift, share the love
Humble yourself and give, share the joy, share the love.

Christmas Eve - Dec. 26, 2000

Christmas eve
2 babies in the manger
you think you are warming the baby
the baby is helping you
who wqntw the warmth of the babies love?

Sun dec 29
Waiting
We don’t do it very well
In Christ, our waiting is over
Hymns
The 1 noel
Theres a star in the sky
Go tell it on the mtn

Sun jan 5
The manger is a c hanger
It will make you mad
You cant be a shepherd anymore
You cant be a wiseman anymore
What are you going yo do?
All who encounter him are changed
Perfect gentleman, but a changer none the less
What will u do in 2003
Wesley covenant service “stuff”
Holy holy holy
communion

Marriage - Sept. 10, 2000

Sermon marriage 9-10-00

Disclaimer
1. this sermon may not be for everyone…find a part
2. Brinkman house is not perfect….
3. Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the

Marriage…the commitment to sleep in a room, too hot, next to someone who thinks it too cold

Genesis2:18-25
Helpmate….we are incomplete
2 become one
soulmates – [cathy pregnant with Scott]

Ephesisans 5:21-33
Love….the center of it all
Love vs submission
Mark Twain….no man can serve 2 masters
Choices we make
Communication
Caring/no put downs
Forgiveness
The fault box
Goals & Trust/ Compromise

Conclusion
2 healthy people make for a healthy relationship
one can work on it, that’s better than no one
the marriage is the primary relationship in the home

Change…everything changes

Goals….faith sharing….talk about your life, talk about your faith

Vows

Lisa, sing

Shine the Light - Mark4:21-25 - Nov 11, 2000

Sermon Shine the Light 11-12-00 Mark 4:21-25

Batteries not included
[god asks us to be a light, he gives us the power]
Lights off in sanctuary

Light was given to share
Not to hide it - movie, the music box
Not to show off, but to offer the light you have

The hidden good is to be shown
Parables in pvt were to help them be effective later

Laws of the kingdom/laws of joy
If you have it & use it, you will get more
If you have it and hide it, it will go away...atrophy

Burying a talent is a betrayal of trust
When we are lost in our own stuff
Story of upset woman who went house to house

When we don't know why
The glass jar and the pumpkin

Priest asks the confirmand what is a saint
A saint lets the light shine through

Examples....everytime you plant a shrub, teach a ss class
Deliver a mug, shake a hand

Red Holiday Brochure- give to a friend

The lamplighter, don't know where he is, but I will find him
I can see where he has been

Will God be able to find you?
Let your light shine

Transfiguration - Matthew17:1-13 Oct. 29, 2000

Sermon 10-29-00 Mt 17 1-13 Transfiguration

Moments of joy/moments of struggle
Ski jump man/wide world of sports
The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat

Transfiguration
Up on the mountain
The perception of the presence of God
Excitement, tears, joy
When have you felt this? Lets stay here.

The actual presence of God
I become obedient
Break me, knock me down presence of God

We don’t recognize how good we have it
Building tours after the dinner last week
Yet there are great struggles
Russ Cline’s class topic
Sat Eve Service
E mail rock story

We go down the mountain to
To do the work of the lord
suffer & die if need be
what they did for the cause

the movie patriot

There is joy in the work of the Lord
Phil 4
Romans 14

Relationships - Proverbs6 - Sept. 17, 2000

Sermon 9-17-00 Prov 6
Tough scripture, lets look at the positive concepts here

Part three of relationships: you & the Lord, marriage, Playing well with others

Easy to do a sermon on being nice….but it doesn’t work without the roots
Steven Covey's 7 habits book, focus on root values, behavior will follow
Must have tools to behave well
Softball: Matt Swanson, go yard. Jeff, go yard. Don’t have tools

Values that lead to success in dealing with others
1. wicked vs good heart
measure what goes on in your mind, heart

Heart is used in Scripture as the most comprehensive term for the
authentic person. It is the part of our being where we desire,
deliberate, and decide. It has been described as "the place of
conscious and decisive spiritual activity," "the comprehensive
term for a person as a whole; his feelings, desires, passions,
thought, understanding and will," and "the center of a person.
The place to which God turns."Fan The Flame, J. Stowell, Moody,

2. negative or positive attitude
Always something we do not like/ok to not like whatever
Choose whether to disparage, bring others down

A survey asked mothers to keep track of how many times they made negative, compared with positive, comments to their children. They admitted that they criticized ten times for every time they said something favorable. A three-year survey in one city's schools found that the teachers were 75% negative. The study indicated that it takes four positive statements from a teacher to offset the effects of one negative statement to a child.

As much as 77% of everything we think is negative and counterproductive and works against us. People who grow up in an average household hear "No" or are told what they can't do more than 148,000 times by the time they reach age 18. Result: Unintentional negative programming.

3. tell the truth
blant lies
sowing mistrust by not following through
softball…."Ive got it"
keep your word, follow thru

Famous American Fibs
- The check is in the mail.
- I'll start my diet tomorrow.
- We service what we sell.
- Give me your number and the doctor will call you right back.
- Money cheerfully refunded.
- One size fits all.
- This offer limited to the first 100 people who call in.
- Your luggage isn't lost, it's only misplaced.
- Leave your resume and we'll keep it on file.
- This hurts me more than it hurts you.
- I just need five minutes of your time.
- Your table will be ready in a few minutes.
- Let's have lunch sometime.
- Open wide, it won't hurt a bit.

4. don’t be proud
George Gordon Liddy, Watergate conspirator recently released from prison: "I have found within myself all I need and all I ever shall need. I am a man of great faith, but my faith is in George Gordon Liddy. I have never failed me."

The essence of the Christian faith is to be Chrsit centered. Self centeredness sneaks up on us at every turn..

There is only 1 seat in the throne room of your life.
Either you sit on it, or Jesus Christ sits on it

Dallas moore. 22 years later, he is a man of integrity. Good choices lead to

I invite you today to choose to submit the core of who you are to the Lord
Then you will be able to love the Lord with all your heart, love neighbor as self



Relationships=

Your Relationship with God - Sept. 3, 2000

Sermon 9-3-00 your relationship with God

Computer software & technical support
Humans like to make things complicated. It’s pretty simple really

The plan of salvation

Paul addresses the Ephesians
Sin/Separation
God’s love
Grace
Saved/Faith

Other religions
Know of broken ness
Answer is in efforts of man
Or rules

What do UM believe?
Wesley & the catholic spirit
Essentials

How were you raised?
Not about works
Not about guilt
Its not about you, its about God, what God does
Its about God’s loving, life changing power…..grace.

It doesn’t make sense to the average person
But its pretty simple really

Why does God love you? Alli
Tuttle on the walking track
Until you understand that, it wont work for you

Come to know that God loves you

Future of the Church, Pt 1 - July 23, 2000

Sermon 7-23-00
The future of the church part 1 “no train is coming”


Chicago…..Swimming, dinosaur bones, riding the train
Waiting at station for a train that isn’t coming

In life there are times that people are waiting on you.
Scripture today…..Be ready….give the answer

Audit….#1 recommendation…know mission, express it
If we don’t we are a country club
Jeremiah…..dry cisterns

Birthday many years ago, mom didn’t come thru

How do we do that
1. Some have the umph to do it
Point me to the bible study

2. Not too hard, as to scare anyone away
Revival balloon
Miracles & healings nightly

3. But be ready and able
Shake, cry, tremble, but do it

Sometimes they will ask you about your faith
Dad, why does God send tornadoes?
Sometimes you can open the door to the discussion
It’s a beautiful day that the Lord has made

Others are not ready for this yet…that’s ok

Talking about your faith
I love cars…I can talk cars
I love my family…I can talk my family
But I only have one savior
Let me tell you about him

Rearranging Things - June 4, 2000

Sermon 6-4-00

Rearranging things: arrowhead stadium/furniture in L room

Paul & the Corinthian church
Eating, drinking, thinking of themselves
Not thinking of meaning of Lord’s supper

Take it in an unworthy manner
What some think….I am not worthy
That makes you worthy
We are unworthy when we think we are not needy

A letter to my sister

Looking inside
We don’t like to do it
We see our weakness, brokenness, sin

Politicians

It makes the relationship good, makes it honest

Scriptures on humility/contrition Isaiah & Psalms

We are worthy to come when we see our sin.
We are not worthy to come when we don’t see our sin

Power of the Resurrection - April 30, 2000

Sermon 4-30-00

The Power of the resurrection affects our relationship with God
Salvation, but more

Mary & John…what was that like?

Resurrection makes us a family
Baptists, methodists, catholics
Cartoon about lines in heaven

Power of resurrection makes us a family
Not all relationships survive, but they have their best chance in Christ

Old style relationships….rigid, defined roles
New style relationships….freedom to love
Deal with people straight up
Leave the world of dysfunction & manipulation
We all have some of that don’t we?

Resurrection makes us a family at woods chapel
Palm Sunday I asked you to sacrifice for others
parking at school
offering help to those in distress

Gary glenn gets hit in head with softball

God makes beloved friends from those who didn’t know each other

The joy of knowing you

The bonds that we feel as the family of God

Circle of friends

Leadership - Philippians2 - 02-06-2000

Sermon Leadership Phil 2

Leaders lead the way
2 drivers in Germany have a head on collision
Jesus said, follow me
Not everyone did. The world was changed by those who heard the call and sacrificed themselves to fulfill the mission of Christ
The future church
Audit…..Calls for focus on the mission and leaders committed to it
I apologize…. I have been afraid on occasion to step up
If I make you mad & you leave, Christ still calls you

Entry level positions in the church…..its ok

Leadership no longer based on …..
But for those who want to lead….
1. prayer & devotional time
2. small group
3. hands on in mission
4. attend worship
5. stewardship of time talent & gifts
a. time
b. talent
c. gifts


It’s not about money; it’s about faithfulness
Servant leaders ask for nothing
It’s an explosion of joy
Leadership in the future church will be exercised by those who
dare to be great

Read scripture
Jesus said follow me, he still says follow me

Money to Russia - Matthew6:25-34

Sermon Matthew 6:25-34

Thank you for raising money to send me to russia/your prayers for us

Traumatized after a crash
Will I remember? Will I go back to the old Jeff?

Food
Food at retreat center
Food at Valentina’s home
Man at popeyes chicken

Clothing
Same clothes everyday
Giving away clothes
Buying gloves for sleepy

Seek the kingdom
New testament church in action
Passion for Christ….nothing else matters
Joy on the faces of these people

What is our focus, on things, comfort, or on Christ?

I invite you to check your focus

Lincoln's Proclamation - Nov. 19, 2000

Sermon 11-19-00

Lincoln’s proclaimation
Romans 13

What can a pastor say to
I was hoping for all of it to be over
The country is divided…..

Paul is speaking to those ruled over by the romans

Russia….
So glad to get home….wasn’t thinking who was president

Discussion with Dan hughes….
those who have been there would do it again
If we faced a crisis…..
Missles in cuba
Canadians massing on the border

God will still be with us
We must be the salt of the earth.
A city set on a hill
We must be examples of Gods healing love
We must shine the light of Christ

Questions That God Might Ask - Nov. 5, 2000

Questions that God might ask

Psalm 29 the lord rocks the world
God rocks the world
Questions my mom would ask/I ask my kids

Questions for Job
Job wasn’t in trouble with God when these were asked
God is like ef hutton, when he talks…people listen

What questions would you come up with/Here are some of mine

Ask Questions

At the end of the day, we sit down and say
Jobs response…I know that you are the lord
Lord, what do you want to do with me?
How can I serve you
What is my life about

He has earned our attention our allegiance
By creating us
By sustaining us
by the blood of the cross


From the Pastor
Sunday’s sermon was about questions that God might ask us. Several have asked that these be published to allow more time for us to ponder the questions. May the consideration of these questions help you to grow in your commitment to Jesus Christ.

Priorities
1. Where have you been? What have you been up to
2. Is your room clean? The room of your heart/life
3. Why do you spend so much of your time on yourself
4. Have you asked me how you should spend your time?
5. Are you giving as much to my work as you spend on entertaining yourself
6. So you want a new recliner. What really is wrong with the old one?
7. Is all that stuff you have really yours?/Where did you get it?
8. Should I reserve extra space in heaven for all of your stuff?

Relationships
1. Are you a positive influence on those around you?
2. Are you in relationships to serve others, or to be served?
3. I'd like to remind you of your wedding vows. How are you treating your spouse?
4. If I can see you with eyes of love, why can you see others the same way
5. If I can forgive you, why cant you forgive your brother?

Spiritual life
1. I miss you, why haven’t we talked for a while?
2. What have you given up to follow me?
3. Are you carrying a cross? How big is it?
4. Is it mine or is it one you have chosen for yourself?
5. When do you get to put your cross down?
6. What does it profit a man if he gains the world yet forfeits his soul?
7. I led you from a small building in the neighborhood to a large facility set on a hill. What is your responsibility now to share my light?

Questions from the congregation
1. Do you trust me?
2. Why are you sometimes afraid of me?
3. What are you doing with the resources I have given you?
4. I have done so much for you, why do you still sin?
5. I have done so much for you, why are you sad? Where is the joy?
6. What is it all about?
7. How are you living the rest of the week?
8. What have you done lately for others?
9. What are you doing to shine the light of Christ?
10. Why do you act like the chiefs are more important than me?
[except during the 4th quarter]
11. Why do we allow children to die?
12. Why do you only talk to me when you are in trouble?

The Bonds of Love - Oct. 15, 2000

Sermon 10-15-00 The bonds of love

Scripture
David kills Goliath/Saul wants him around
David & Jonathan become friends
Needed friendship…..hard times are ahead
There is joy in the bonds of love

Russia
Apparent joy on the faces, in the hearts of Russian UMC
Moscow….a melting pot…all different kinds
I want to get to the bottom of this
1. Valentina….do you have a family
2. Dump Lydia….she will learn
3. Vitale is annoying…..3 times the kgb tried to kill him/gulag
Maybe its this: What else do they have?
Maybe the bonds of love in Christ hold them together

Woods Chapel
“Say its good to be back home again”
Wife and children
My church family
I sat in Russia and thought of you
I hope you know how special it is to have those in your life that you are bonded to

Conclusion
We have killed some giants
We have had, & will have some hard times,
But we have hope. For the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the HS

Marriage & Relationship - Sept. 10, 2000

Sermon marriage & Relationships 9-10-00


In the animal kingdom, you don’t get to choose your mate.
Heck, you don’t even get to date.
Just a lot of running around trying to protect your territory.
The strongest animals get the best mates
And the losers, well they just end up with slim pickins
Not the actor
I mean fewer & poorer choices

We have choices

The Future Church Part 2 - July 30, 2000

Sermon Acts 2:42-47
The future church part 2…..the permission giving congregation

The parsonage was hit by vandals….toilet papered
The early church….focused and unencumbered

The modern church
Struggles with system designed to keep things the same

Mission drives the church
Invite form send

Structure disappears…book of discipline

Trustees many hands make light work
Sprc

Dream team .. church council
Dreams/Sets priorities

Steering team/exec hub

Accountability = the mission
Minutes of exec hub in newsletter
If the pastor is a problem….he goes
Solved several problems this week alone

Funding for ministries
Budgeting/Faith/patience

Spiritual gift inventories
Recruit & deploy people into ministry
Passion comes to the front

Biblical
People are freed to spend their time in ministry

Next few Sunday afternoons
Pray for the future of your church