Many today are seeking a rich spiritual life. Unfortunately many of these will never consider looking to church to find it. There is an intentional aversion to all things “churchy”. So it seems logical to ask this question: “Can church really help us?”

Part #1
June 27
Taking Communion: Living Thankfully

Part #2
July 4
Going to Church: Committing to Community

Part #3
July 11
Singing the Doxology: Radiating Glory

Part #4
July 18
Listening to the Sermon: Learning Obedience

Part #5
July 25
Receiving the Benediction: Being Blessed so as to be a Blessing



Note: I have been inspired to develop this series based on my reading of Todd Hunter's book Giving Church Another Chance, Inter Varsity Press 2010



Some Helpful Quotes:

“It is a theological impossibility to not be part of the church if you are a follower of Jesus”. – Dan Kimball, author of They Like Jesus But Not The Church

“Church is not a place to go, simply another meeting, but the way God has chosen to make himself known in our world.” – Ed Stetzer, President of Life Way Research

“All aspects of a church worship service act as team exercises that get Christians ready for the real game of living in the world.” – The Most Rev’d Robert Duncan, Anglican Archbishop in North America

Part #1: Taking Communion: Living Thankfully

1. “Three dimensional thanksgiving”: The “remembrance” recalls the past, renews the present, and reaches for the future.

2. Thankful for grace that pardons, purifies, and prepares us for sacrificial, redemptive, service.

3. Thankful for The Table that Unites the Faithful.


more thoughts on Communion:

#1 Three Dimensional Thanksgiving

Forgiveness in/from the past ..... Abundant life here & now – present - (John 10:10) ..... Heaven’s wholeness in/from the future

Provided by Jesus on the cross at Calvary ..... Jesus is present at The Table (in the bread, in the cup) ..... Jesus made promises (John 14; Rev. 7)

THIS IS NOT ACHIEVED BY SELF BUT BY GRACE!

#2. Grace Readies us for Service
(This special meal is extraordinary as it reminds us & readies us
• A surprising undeserved gift
• The image of a washbasin & towel lead us to follow in the same manner with humility and love

#3. Table that Unites

The church of Jesus is diverse:
Jew – Gentile
Slave – free
Male – female

Every tribe, nation, tongue, people Revelation 5:9


Conclusion:
Communion is Thanksgiving & Thanksgiving is Life-giving
That’s why church can really help us! Church is where communion is offered. This kind of meal can be found no where else.





Part #2 Going to Church: Committing to Community

Todd Hunter =

“Most every human activity has meetings associated with it. Corporate marketing teams meet, sport teams meet, surgical teams meet, teachers meet“– so why not Christians?

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another” – Hebrews 10:24,25

But many in our society have now come to view the church as some sort of catastrophe, a hazard to one’s health, and certainly as unnecessary. However, consider viewing the church in this manner:

• as an ‘embassy’ where all can experience God through his ambassadors … a place of grace, healing, welcoming

• as a ‘launching pad’ to life … power, perspective, purpose, adventure, danger, disciple-making

• as a ‘boot camp’ for faith & holiness & mission (character development, training in worship, devotion and allegiance)

Todd Hunter =

"it is possible to embrace the church, warts and all, by engaging its spiritual practices to train ourselves to be the worshipping friends of God, to join God in his healing and rescue of all the earth”.

**********
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20


**********
“Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men” – Matthew 4:19
“Jesus sent the twelve apostles out with instructions …” - Matthew 10:5,16
“Go into all the world and make disciples” – Matthew 28:19


**********
“Your faith in god has become known everywhere” – 1 Thessalonians 1:8
“Your faith is being reported all over the world” – Romans 1:8
“You are a people of God so that you may declare his praises” – 1 Peter 2:9
“so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life” – Philippians 2:15,16





More complete manuscript:


CAN THE CHURCH REALLY HELP US?

Part #2 Sunday July 4, 2010 Rev. D. Johns

“Going to Church: Committing to Community”

Introduction:

Two books from my library = two titles with different suggestions as to ‘why church?’

The Company of the Committed, Elton Trueblood, Harper & Row, 1961

We Belong Together: The Meaning of Fellowship, Bruce Milne, IVP 1978

I think the first title lines up with the emphasis of 1 Peter 2:1-12

I think the second title lines up with the emphasis of Hebrews 10:24,25

• When it comes to going to church, some say ‘yes’, some say ‘no’

• Some examples of why some say ’yes’ – from my Facebook poll:

1. “Because it welcomes everyone the same way. On the back of the bulletin it says “‘whether you are here for the first time or have been here often, know that you are among friends and welcomed in the name of Jesus who always met people in love.” - like James 2:1-4 = no favoritism allowed!

2. “Because it is the support and encouragement I need and receive to make it through the rough times’ ’



• Some examples of why some say ‘no’:

1. Tony Campolo =

"It’s not because teens don’t believe in God – it’s because to them. CHURCH IS BORING!”

2. Eugene Peterson =

“The church is made up of sinners. The fleas come with the dog.” See more of this quote in Miriam Adeney’s book Kingdom Without Borders: the Untold Story of Global Christianity, IVP 2009 citing Peterson’s book of 1988, Harper & Row, Revised Thunder

3. Philip Yancey =

Chicago prostitute ‘renting out’ her daughter as well…sordid, sad story, … sought counsel …. Was eventually asked this question: “Have you ever thought of going to a church for help?” …. Her reply: “Church! Why would I ever go there? I am already feeling terrible about myself. They’d just make me feel worse.” (find this account in The Jesus I Never New and What’s so Amazing About Grace?, Zondervan 1977, p. 11)

4. Tony Campolo =

The Kingdom of God is a Party, “I go to a church that throws parties for whores in the middle of the night!” …. “No you don’t, no you don’t: I’d go to a church like that!”

So, when it comes to coming to church, we need some new PR it seems.

We must throw out any idea of arrogance, ‘holier than thou’ condescension etc.


But many in our society have now come to view the church as some sort of catastrophe, a hazard to one’s health, and certainly as unnecessary. However, consider viewing the church in this manner:


The Church as Embassy
The Cold War that ensued after World War II partitioned Europe into East and West, with an Iron Curtain cutting right through Germany. The division of East and West Germany culminated in the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961. Many East German refugees died during attempts to cross directly into West Germany, and as a result people began to look to third countries to reach the West. In the late 1980s, hundreds of desperate East Germans sought refuge at the West German embassy in Prague, the capital of then-communist Czechoslovakia, triggering a major diplomatic incident that paved the way for the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, and German reunification less than a year later.

DW: Mr. Genscher, you yourself fled the communist German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1952. How did you feel when you announced to the embassy refugees that they could leave for West Germany?

Hans-Dietrich Genscher: Of course, for me it had a very special significance. I could well understand the motives of these people, because I myself had walked the same path, although under totally different circumstances; I also had the desire to live in freedom. I also sensed how fundamentally desperate these people were, and how they saw themselves in the face of an ever-colder October, not knowing how it would turn out. And then to be able to deliver such a message - that was a wonderful thing, which I thankfully had a role in fulfilling.

I knew this message was more than an announcement that it was possible to leave. I also had to say the train would be going through the GDR.

You had to say that?

I had to say that, because I wanted to openly say how it would happen. After that I said that families with babies would be in the first train, and the trains would go via Dresden to [the West German city of] Hof. There was quite an outcry then - "No, they're not to be trusted." And then I told them, "I give my personal guarantee that nothing will happen to you. You know, I have been down the exact same road as you."



The Church as a Place of Refuge/sanctuary
Judith Couchman, The Mystery of the Cross: Bringing Ancient Christian Images to Life, IVP 2009, chapter 36 p.184 “Desperately Seeking Sanctuary”
The example of Durham Cathedral …. Crosses used as boundary markers … a place of redemption, escape, protection etc.

The Church as ‘Boot Camp’
For faith development
For holiness development
For mission training
For character training
For worship, devotion, allegiance

The Church as ‘Launching Pad’
Power, perspective, purpose, adventure, danger, disciple-making ….
Image of space shuttle, specific mission etc. … our family once witnessed a nighttime launch at Kennedy = impressive noise, light, power, excitement!!!!

Moving from ‘boot camp’ to ‘launching pad’
• Church is not a destination resort but a pilgrimage/journey
• Disciples are more than just converts
• Knowing the King is more than just ‘cheerleading’
• How could you possibly bottle lightening?

Conclusion: Can the Church really help us? … Of Course!

Think about what new names of churches suggest: healing, relief, refreshing, acceptance, rest, survival (names like: OASIS, THE WELL, THE RIVER, LIVING SPRINGS = speak to our generation much more than churches named after ancient saints or Biblical people no one knows!) …. BUT we also need names that move us from Embassy/Refuge into ‘Boot Camp’ & ‘Launch Pad’ …. Any ideas?






Can The Church Really Help Us?
Part #3 “Singing the Doxology: Radiating Glory”


• 4 lines of lyric teach us so much
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures below;
Praise him above you heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

• Radiating: deciding to reflect 360 degree divine light

• Radiating is not just for ‘super saints’

Conclusion:
How can we move from “singing the doxology” on Sunday to “doing the doxology” the other six days? Doxology is a manner of life, something to be repracticed. – ‘doxology in the dirt’

Perhaps Paul is the answer: his doxology of Romans 11:33-36 is birthed from his observation of, his amazement at, the unfolding of God’s plan right before his eyes! Not a heavenly vision, not a hopeful dream, but contemplating this reality: the Gentiles are in!

Doxology is about being alert and bringing the heart in tune with God’s symphony. Remember, God has already done most of the work! Our smallest bits of reflected/radiated light/doxology have the power to reorient the lives of others.

The Doxology, written in 1674, was once contemporary Christian music. Doxology is ours to live out now! We cannot borrow from someone else’s experience.

Important Scriptures:
Romans 11:33-36
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?"
35 "Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?"
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.

“Your faith in god has become known everywhere” – 1 Thessalonians 1:8
“Your faith is being reported all over the world” – Romans 1:8
“You are a people of God so that you may declare his praises” – 1 Peter 2:9
“so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life” – Philippians 2:15,16
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. – Matthew 5:15




MORE COMPLETE MANUSCRIPT


Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures below;
Praise him above you heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Introduction: the doxology itself

“GLORY” in Hebrew means “weight”
“it’s good to be heavy!” = “I’ve got lots of glory!”
… people out of touch with the glory of God are not grounded, they have no anchor = eventually drift back to self focus, self elevation, self worship
Which is why the first two words of the Doxology are crucial!

Praise God
This is a bold reaffirmation of monotheism.

Church can help us because when we sing the doxology we remind ourselves that there is one true God. Life is grounded, it has perspective.
Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”


from whom all blessings flow;
Hymn: Count Your Blessings
Illustration: Chris Fabry, Inter Varsity Press, 1997, The 77 Habits of Highly Ineffective Christians, (see habit #13 p. 24 Be Thankless)

Church can help us because we get another opportunity to offer praises of thanksgiving



Praise him all creatures below;
This is a theme from the Psalms – note Ps. 148 & Ps. 150


Praise him above you heavenly hosts;
They’ve praised god longer than you or I can count time – basically it is our “Amen” to the prayers & praise already filling the courts of heaven


Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Trinity reference is a clear acknowledgement of how God has revealed Himself and a reaffirmation of God’s work: creation, redemption, power


As we look to God and praise Him, we also recognize that God is holy – it is the core of His being. Absolutely pure and perfect, He is like no one else! (Holiness in Hebrew has at its core the concept of divide = totally separate and unique) … the prime attribute of God that is shouted in heaven? Take a look at Rev. 4:8 & Isaiah 6:2

A glimpse of God is a flash of holiness
Rev. 4:8 six winged, four living creatures surround the throne – day and night they never stop saying: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty; who was, and is, and is to come.”
Isaiah 6:2 six winged seraphs hover around the throne calling: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory”



• Radiating: deciding to reflect 360 degree divine light
It is a choice that leads to a habit that leads to a lifestyle, and it will develop much easier than you think. Matthew 5:13-15 = it’s quite difficult to hide light; cannot hide that city on a hill; it comes naturally; no special effect needed


• Radiating is not just for ‘super saints’

It may sound big & professional & a daunting task but the overpowering sense of inadequacy can itself be easily overpowered if you take a close look at the Bible! (note: not talking about denying our sin – see comments later) … yes, we are a people of ruin, presently but not permanently damaged … our destiny is to give praise!

The Bible has a great list of imperfect people who still get this reflecting/radiating praise thing:
Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was co-dependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric, Peter was impulsive, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zacchaeus was unpopular , Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health and Timothy was timid.
That is quite a variety of misfits but God used each of them in His service. He will use you too if you stop making excuses. God’s service is not optional. Have you ever asked yourself as to what is holding you back from offering the praise God is looking for?




• Roadblocks to Radiating the Glory of God

1. We fashion God in our image = ‘theological dyslexia’ = creature & creator get reversed

2. We refuse to look at God = yes, sunglasses are needed, but our default position is ‘run & hide’ (like Adam & Eve)


3. We can’t get beyond the ‘trauma of holiness’ = see the same reaction among various OT characters
Isaiah 6:5 woe to me, I am ruined, for I am a man of unclean lips.
Job 40:4 I am unworthy; how can I even talk to you God?
Habakkuk 3:16 my heart pounded, my lips quivered, my bones decayed, my legs trembled
It all = shame, a sense of inadequacy, shallowness, doom
Yet, in Isaiah’s situation, God didn’t bring the subject up; it was Isaiah who felt exposed in the presence of God!

The tension & trauma is resolved by grace … it comes from God’s side of the expansive chasm of sin … Is. 6:6,7 = one of the seraphs flew to Isaiah carrying the burning coal (from the altar of sacrifice?) and touched Isaiah’s mouth/lips and said: your guilt is taken away and your sinned atoned for.

AWE OF HOLINESS ….. SHAME OF SIN ….. GRATITUDE FOR GRACE

That’s how we get beyond the ‘radiating glory roadblock’

Church helps us to recall the 3 steps so we don’t get stuck in shame!




Conclusion:
1. Worship is our eternal vocation
2. Worship clearly precludes self autonomy (self rule crumbles)
3. How can we move from “singing the doxology” on Sunday to “doing the doxology” the other six days? Doxology is a manner of life, something to be repracticed. – ‘doxology in the dirt’

Perhaps Paul is the answer: his doxology of Romans 11:33-36 is birthed from his observation of, his amazement at, the unfolding of God’s plan right before his eyes! Not a heavenly vision, not a hopeful dream, but contemplating this reality: the Gentiles are in!

Romans 11:33-36
33Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34"Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?"
35"Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?"
36For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Doxology is about being alert and bringing the heart in tune with God’s symphony. Remember, God has already done most of the work! Our smallest bits of reflected/radiated light/doxology have the power to reorient the lives of others.

The Doxology, written in 1674, was once contemporary Christian music. Doxology is ours to live out now! We cannot borrow from someone else’s experience.





“Can Church Really Help Us?” part #4 Listening to the Sermon: Learning Obedience

Some sermons may put you to sleep & some sermons may wake you up! (Acts 20:7-12 = Paul's sermon 'til midnight and Eutychus' fall + Ephesians 5:14 = “Wake up from your sleep. Climb out of your coffins, Christ will show you the light.” - The Message)

Why a sermon? “We proclaim Christ, admonishing and teaching with all wisdom, so that all may be presented mature in Him.” (Colossians 1:28)

Assumption: Jesus wants us to learn from him. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29) Everyone learns to do life from others. What teacher will you choose?

Approach the sermon with ...

1. a submissive ATTITUDE, ready to surrender everything to God: our plans, connections, opinions, possessions ...
2. an enthusiastic APPETITE to delve deeper into all that God wants to teach us
3. a committment to APPLICATION: hear the Word and do it! (James 1:22)

Lessons from Acts 17 – 19


Phrases to describe sermon delivery:

17:2-4 reasoned in the synagogue on the Sabbath, Scriptural, explaining, proving, proclaiming, persuading, 19:8 spoke boldly in the synagogue, arguing persuasively

Content of the sermons:

17:3 doctrine about Christ
17:3,32 resurrection
19:8 Kingdom of God

Reactions to the sermons:

17:4-13 acceptance, jealousy, mob riots, received the message with great eagerness, examined the Scriptures for truthfulness, agitation, 17:32 sneering, curiosity, 19:9-20 obstinant refusal to believe, publicly maligning The Way, the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor, confession of sin, burning of sorcery scrolls,

full manuscript below

“Can Church Really Help Us?” part #4 Listening to the Sermon: Learning Obedience


Introduction:
We all know the unofficial motto/reputation of the Post Office: we deliver your mail through rain, sleet, snow and ice; we deliver through hurricanes, earthquakes, and vicious dogs growling.

Similarly, for Ministers, we deliver our sermons through all kinds of distractions. We will not be slowed down by bats, cats, heat, cold, crying, coughing, snoring, eating. We will not be distracted by knitting, fighting, sneezing, laughing, and yes, even gas leaks!

I’ve seen it all through over 30 years of preaching, survived it all, and conquered it all! But never have I had an Acts 20:7-12 incident!

Some sermons may put you to sleep & some sermons may wake you up! (Acts 20:7-12 = Paul's sermon 'til midnight and Eutychus' fall + Ephesians 5:14 = “Wake up from your sleep. Climb out of your coffins, Christ will show you the light.” - The Message)

Troas: ordeal or miracle?
• “on the first day of the week” = first clear reference in Scripture that Christians met for worship on a different day from the Jewish Sabbath (note: Jewish system reckoned days start at sunset; Roman system had days start at midnight) ...therefore this could be Saturday night or Sunday (pre dawn or after sunset if using lamps?) (see also John 20:19,26, 1 Cor. 16:2)
• Location: again an upper room (3rd story), no cathedral
• Hot, oily oxygen-depleted atmosphere and hypnotic flickering of burning lamps caused a fatal fall for a young man named Eutychus (young = included, interested, energized the early church)
• Paul threw himself on the boy and he came back to life!
• This is the last of 8 occurrences of raising the dead in the Bible
• Eagerness of the congregation to learn


Illustration: joke about winter day and only a farmer and his wife show up for church; minister decides to proceed with entire service including the sermon he had prepared. When leaving the church an hour later the farmer says to the Pastor: “If I take the hay wagon out to the back pasture and only two of my cattle show up, of course I feed them. But sure as heck don’t give them the whole wagon load!”




Why a sermon? “We proclaim Christ, admonishing and teaching with all wisdom, so that all may be presented mature in Him.” (Colossians 1:28)

Paul had content (Christ), style (admonishing/warning/counselling + teaching, done wisely) and a purpose (everyone’s maturity)

Present = bring/escort into God’s presence at the return of Jesus (1 Thes. 2:19-20, 5:23)

NIV = “perfect”.... other translations = mature, full grown, complete
Note: Greek concept of perfect = without flaw, the ideal, unattainable (identity in Jesus, imputed righteousness)
but Hebrew concept of perfect = fulfilled purpose (belonging to Jesus is your intended destiny)



Assumption: Jesus wants us to learn from him.

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)

Everyone learns to do life from others. What teacher will you choose?

Yoked so as to LEARN – Jesus will pull most of the load so that we will not feel exhausted but restored

The Pharisees’ yoke was heavy, burdensome (and they didn’t lift a finger to help with the task of staying holy!) Todd Hunter = “forced like a mean gym teacher who makes you run endless laps for a minor infraction of the rules”

The contrast is not between having and not having a yoke! You can learn life from parents, colleagues, drug addicts, TV’s, Oprah, Dr. Phil.

Note: who will you apprentice under? Whose yoke?




Approach the sermon with...

1. a submissive ATTITUDE, ready to surrender everything to God: our plans, connections, opinions, possessions ...
2. an enthusiastic APPETITE to delve deeper into all that God wants to teach us
3. a commitment to APPLICATION: hear the Word and do it! (James 1:22)



ATTITUDE:

• hymn: I surrender All
• William Booth, founder of The salvation Army = “the greatness of a man’s power is the measure of his surrender.”

APPETITE:

• Todd Hunter = “imagine someone trying to learn about baseball but only knowing where the 3 bases go, ignoring all other info & rules. Or imagine learning a piece of great music with 30 bars missing.... Once we hunger for the bible and its teaching with the enthusiasm of athletes and musicians who have discovered the depth of their sport & art ...”

APPLICATION:

• Eugene Peterson = “God’s purposes for us are all worked out in the messes in our kitchen and backyards, in storms and sins, blue skies, the daily work and dreams of our common lives”
• James 1:22 = “do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves; do what it says!” ... vs. 25 = “if you don’t forget the word but do it, you will be blessed!” ... vs. 22-24 = Message = Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
• Note today’s Scripture Lesson: Matthew 4:18-25 = disciples hear and obey; immediately follow Jesus
• Note the emphasis of the famous rock/sand builders = hear + do



Lessons from Acts 17 – 19

Phrases to describe sermon delivery:17:2-4 reasoned in the synagogue on the Sabbath, Scriptural, explaining, proving, proclaiming, persuading, 19:8 spoke boldly in the synagogue, arguing persuasively

Content of the sermons:
17:3 doctrine about Christ
17:3,32 resurrection
19:8 Kingdom of God

Reactions to the sermons:
17:4-13 acceptance, jealousy, mob riots, received the message with great eagerness, examined the Scriptures for truthfulness, agitation, 17:32 sneering, curiosity, 19:9-20 obstinate refusal to believe, publicly maligning The Way, the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honour, confession of sin, burning of sorcery scrolls,

Things happen when preaching happens! An ‘arena’, a climate for a ‘God-response’ has been created. But it is not abusive manipulation, underhanded emotional overkill; it is not coercion. It is two factors at work simultaneously that compel people to respond: God’s Word + God’s Spirit (see Acts 2)

So can church really help us? Yes, because there you will find teaching/preaching to grow your soul! Yes, because there you will find the sermon, and it is there you will hear from God, learn of Christ, and be directed by the Spirit.

Illustration: our window from my family cottage bedroom saved and turned into a mirror ... see the sermon as a window + a mirror ... a window into God’s power, love, activity, mercy, grace, forgiveness, hope, care etc. ... a mirror to reflect our spiritual need, the state of our soul, our sin, our hurts, our idols, our allegiances, our fears

CAN THE CHURCH REALLY HELP US? YES BECAUSE THERE WE WILL HEAR A SERMON THAT ACTS AS BOTH WINDOW AND MIRROR. Therefore,

• People who are weak will be strengthened.
• People who have fallen will be lifted.
• People that are sad will be cheered.
• People who are stressed will be calmed.
• People who are searching will find.
• People who doubt will be reassured.



“CAN THE CHURCH REALLY HELP US?”
Part #5 Sunday July 25, 2010 Rev. D. Johns

Receiving the Benediction: Being blessed so as to be a Blessing

INTRODUCTION

The Benediction is so much more than the bell to signify the end of school. In a world of injustice, bullying, arrogance, oppression and struggle, it becomes a source of health & renewal. These are good words.

NUMBERS 6

22 Then the LORD said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:
24 ‘May the LORD bless you
and protect you.
25 May the LORD smile on you
and be gracious to you.
26 May the LORD show you his favor
and give you his peace.’
27 Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.”
- New Living Translation

GET OUT AND PLAY THE GAME

Todd Hunter = “Most every human activity has meetings associated with it. Corporate marketing teams meet, sport teams meet, surgical teams meet, teachers meet – but none of them confuse the meetings with the real task. Meetings exist to facilitate the actual work.”

A benediction starts a river of life that will flow from God’s House. (Ezekiel 47:1-12; Revelation 22:1-6)
Divine blessings flow from God through the priest Aaron to the people of God. Remember the doctrine of “The Priesthood of All Believers”.

SHARING THE BLESSING
Small things done with great love can change the world. It is in these times we meet Jesus. (Matthew 25:34-40).




more complete manuscript for Benediction

“CAN THE CHURCH REALLY HELP US?”
Part #5 Sunday July 25, 2010 Rev. D. Johns
Receiving the Benediction: Being blessed so as to be a Blessing
INTRODUCTION

It is one of those real 'churchy' things: repetitious, priestly,

The Benediction is so much more than ‘the bell to signify the end of school’.

… as though it was some kind of signal for the congregation to gather up all their stuff … like the final announcement on the plane: welcome to Ottawa, please remain in your seats until the plane comes to a complete stop;

In a world of injustice, bullying, arrogance, oppression and struggle, it becomes a source of health & renewal.

These are good words. - From the Latin, “to speak well”. - The proclamation of God’s favour on his people as they disperse. It isn't a WISH, but a declaration. The Numbers 6 Benediction is Hebrew poetry – and it functions to increase the emotion of the language and deepen the response.

It has a deliberate form: three lines use the divine name YAWEH and therefore intensifies the impact of the final statement in vs. 27 = literally, 'putting God's name on the people' …. each line conveys two elements, and each line gets progressively longer. Hebrew text = 1st line has 3 words; 2nd line has 5 words; 3rd line has 7 words. If you do not count the 3 mentions of YAHWEH, then the entire prayer has 12 words, representing the 12 tribes of Israel = inclusive of the whole community.

Hebrew grammar = singular pronouns but directed to the whole community. This is covenantal language: blessings for each individual integrated with blessings for the group.
Eclov = this is Israel's 'national treasure', 'holy heirloom'


NUMBERS 6

22 Then the LORD said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:

24 ‘May the LORD bless you
and protect you.
= keep, protect, safe passage, through wilderness wandering and enemy ambush

25 May the LORD smile on you
and be gracious to you.

Literally this is “make his face to shine upon you” = reminiscent of Exodus 34:29-35 where Moses meets God. God's glory caused the face of Moses to shine. This seems to be a pretty awesome blessing!

26 May the LORD show you his favour
and give you his peace.’
May the Lord show you His face = favour, pleasure, affection

SHALOM = not just the absence of war but “the fullness of well being” (like “abundant life” promised by Jesus in John 10:10?) … your birthright as His child, when bankruptcy or disease or family conflict hit you in the gut and takes your breath and breaks your heart

27 Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.”

verse 27: in Hebrew this is emphatic – God will bless them. *** Blessing is God’s idea! It is not something we must beg for or earn.
So can church help us? You bet! You don't hear words like this “out there”. … and speaking of “out there”, ….
GET OUT AND PLAY THE GAME
Todd Hunter = “Most every human activity has meetings associated with it. Corporate marketing teams meet, sport teams meet, surgical teams meet, teachers meet – but none of them confuse the meetings with the real task. Meetings exist to facilitate the actual work.”

The Benediction goes out the door with us. The huddle is not the game. Gathered to be scattered – that’s the real deal here.
Example: TV camera does not stay on the clubhouse pre-game focus an hour later?

Example of a batting cage

When we allow church to be compartmentalized from daily life – when Christianity is only for Sunday morning – we have totally missed the kind of faith Jesus and the Bible calls us to!

How pathetic it is when we selfishly cling to the benediction instead of pouring it out!

A benediction starts a river of life that will flow out of God’s house and bless the surrounding area – cities and countryside.

See Revelation 22:1-6
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of god and of the Lamb, down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing 12 crops of fruit and yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse… there will be no more night

See Ezekiel 47:1-12
I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple…fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.
Divine blessings flow from God through the priest Aaron to the people of God.

Remember the doctrine of “The Priesthood of All Believers”.
This means you can give this blessing.

SHARING THE BLESSING
Small things done with great love can change the world. This is especially true when we cross thresholds and enter into worlds different from that which we normally call our own: the sick, the poor, the really annoying, the scary. It is a joy to make the helping and healing connection.

It is in these times we meet Jesus. (see Matthew 25:34-40). May God promote in us this habit of attentiveness to people’s need for ‘the blessing of God’ in their lives. We become ambassadors of his kingdom.

Conclusion: Are you ready to receive, palms up, ears and hearts open? Are you ready to give?


Come in bruised – go out blessed
Come in anxious – go out assured

Church is a spa for the soul

Lee Eclov, “Let us Stand for the Benediction”, Leadership Journal, Winter 2000, p.37-39



Summary or Introduction:

Illustrations: from 1001 More Humorous Illustrations

#308 p. 121.... Going to church never helped Dad

#771 p. 271 ... Saints into circulation


Can church really help? YES IT CAN!


Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.


2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.


Hebrew 13:20,21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.


Hebrews 13:25 Grace be with you all.


Jude 24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only god our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forever more! Amen.


1 Peter 5:14 Peace to all of you who are in Christ.


2 Peter 3:18 Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.