Sermon July 14 - Long Obedience, Same Direction!

No, the word is very near to you; it is in  mouth and in your heart for you to observe.

Have you ever wanted to get the winning formula for life? The winning cake recipe? The map to the treasure... that's hidden in a field?

I feel this morning like we've been running a race, like it says in Hebrews 12, and last Friday afternoon we hit the tape and the video went to a slow motion, frame-by-frame view. The tape is stretching but we're going to actually break it ...

We're going to actually BREAK THROUGH ...
this coming Friday when the second lot closes.

We stand, friends, at a threshold. The transition from one place to the next... a next room in the house... a peak on the trail... a mile marker on the journey of "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction."


No one here will ever claim the all this has happened in the least measure because of our own power... because of our own wisdom... or because of our own abilities nor ambitions.

This has been God's deal from beginning to end. No one will claim otherwise! It's not too our credit but to His glory that all this has happened. The three blue pages are completely inadequate to convey the story... it's awesomeness... it's sheer magnificence. When I think of all God has done here in the last two years I am almost literally, dumb-struck!

But I probably won't be speechless for long. As we cross this threshold we're entering a new place. And my concern is what now? What next? What is God calling us to be and do...
NOW?

The rest of this summer is going to be dedicated to this question ... from the Bible study on Ephesians, beginning this Wed evening, to the class beginning next Sunday; from the coffee hour to the pub over at Darcy's, our conversations are going to be about what we can see of the way forward into a new reality.

I already have some inklings... some... I call them "Kingdom Bread crumbs! "

Next week Mtr Barb is going to reprise for us the results of our Discerning Rez Sunday retreat (two years ago next Sunday! ). We're going to look again at all we said then and bring it forward - we're going to hit the "refresh" button beginning next Sunday.

Our Adult Koinonia study beginning next Sunday morning (0845) is also a repeat. So many were so impacted by the video series called "Godspeed," while we were in an earlier transition at "Prepare the Way." We want to come and hear again the message of God's call, the testimony of His ways and means, and recapture the vision of all we are called to be and to do.

I urge you to pray this week as we're crossing this 'finish' line ...
in SLOW MO...

Pray for God's continued favor and supply...

Pray for His hand in the final closing on Friday...

Pray for protection and God's gracious presence to go with us always...

Pray,,, pray,,, pray.

We still need it, perhaps now more than ever!

Bow with me...

Go before us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and fnally, through your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the efectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.