SERMONS

Sermons by the Senior Pastor are available on this page.

                              "God Will Float Your Boat"

In 2002 the State of Missouri awarded a $273,000 grant to the police department's Youth Outreach Unit for the purpose of battling Goth culture. Goth and Gothic are terms with historical significance, but in the late 1970s the word Goth began to refer to devotees of a certain type of music. The music has punk-rock origins and fans developed a gothic look that includes dressing in black, wearing white face makeup, painting fingernails and lips black, and a fascination with death and the supernatural. Funded by the state grant, the Youth Outreach Unit wanted to "save" young people from that subculture. The initial cost of setting up the program was $141,000. However, the unit made a discovery that necessitated returning the remainder of the grant to the state. A total of $132,000 was given back after the Youth Outreach Unit because it was unable to find any Missouri youth who were influenced by Goth culture.

So much for government involvement in salvation.

Now let’s rewind to a time long ago when God stared at His creation and declared it was good. Soon thereafter God saw that earth was no longer a perfect paradise because mankind had disobeyed Him and ceased to worship Him. Like the Youth Outreach Unit, God looked and looked for people to save, but unlike the Unit, He found one – Noah. God found that Noah was the only one who still worshipped Him.

God decided to do something about it. He would destroy part of his perfect creation and use the one righteous man for the hope of mankind. From God’s hand came destruction that was later followed by salvation.

In retrospect we see that Noah was surrounded by two floods: evil and water. The evil is recounted in Genesis 6:11-13. Although God redeemed man through Noah, the world been surrounded by evil ever since

As in the days of Noah, so it is with us. Evil surrounds us, tempts us, and often takes us down. Evil comes to us many forms but usually in a beautiful, promising, and exciting form. The economic challenge for companies is to seek profits, but in the process many ignore their social responsibilities. Although Wal-Mart is an integral business employing thousands of people, we were appalled to learn that the courts handed Wal-Mart 78 million dollar judgment because it forced employees to work off the clock and did not compensate them for their time. The temptation of profits over people was too tempting for the company.

Power and control are alluring. In the movie "Click", Michael Newman (played by Adam Sandler) is given a true "universal" remote control that has the power to influence real life. He can mute peoples' voices, fast-forward through annoying conversations, and even rewind through past experiences. In one scene, Michael is talking to Morty (played by Christopher Walken)—an employee of Bed, Bath, and Beyond who originally gave him the remote. Michael is unsatisfied at work, too busy at home, and unable to regain control over his overstuffed world. He wants Morty's advice on a plan to skip the next two months of his life in order to avoid waiting for a promotion. Morty asks, "Have you considered the consequences of what you're about to do?" "Yeah," Michael answers. "Why, you think I shouldn't do it?" "It's your life. What you do with the remote is your life…." "Exactly," Michael breaks in. "So, what am I going to miss—thirty arguments and a haircut?" Morty thinks for a moment. In an ominous voice, he says, "Remember the leprechaun…the one from the cereal ads. He's always chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But when he gets there, at the end of the day—it's just cornflakes."

Have you ever longed for a remote control and click instant solution to problems of diet, family issues, politics or education? But if you’re clickin’ and wishin’ and hopin’ for a solution, remember that you may find cornflakes at the end of the rainbow.

Maybe you’re not faithful to God if things aren’t going right in your life, bad stuff happens no matter how hard you try, life throws its worst at you wherever you turn, or you keep getting pushed down, stepped on and run over.

God wants and needs righteous and faithful people like Noah. You may ask how you can remain faithful. We all have heard of "secrets" to life, but there is no secret to faithfulness. All you are required to do is read God’s Word, pray, follow the teachings of Jesus, and seek and do His will.

Let’s get back to Noah. God responded to evil in world with 100 year long lasting chance. God had Noah build a graphic illustration of his life in the form of a boat, meaning that faith does God’s bidding when others make fun of you. I mean, there’s nothing like a huge boat on dry land to test your faith!

Can you imagine the neighbors’ attitudes toward Noah? "A boat? In the Sahara?" "Wilma, Noah has lost mind…keep the kids away from his place." "Noah’s really done it this time, from worshipping an unseen God at the top of the mountain to building a boat where there’s no water." "What kind of God does he worship anyway?"

Noah just hammered and sawed on.

I find it significant that God used an old man as the hope of mankind. Noah was 500 years old, the father of 3 boys, and 600 years old when the floods came. It took him 100 years build ark, the flood lasted 150 days, and after flood, Noah lived 350 years. That totals 950 years.

Ah, age. We live in a world where the emphasis is on youthfulness. Open most any magazine and you will see advertisements for makeup and makeovers. Television is into the scene with Dr. 90210 and makeover programs. Young people are models for clothing, cell phones and computers. Company by-outs are common for people at age 55.

Did you hear the story of the woman in the waiting room for her first appointment with a new dentist? She noticed his DDS diploma, which bore his full name, and suddenly, she remembered that a tall, handsome, dark-haired boy with the same name had been in her high school class years ago. "Could this be the same guy I had a crush on way back then?" she wondered. She quickly discarded such thoughts when she met the balding, gray-haired man with the deeply lined face. "He's way too old to have been my classmate," she thought to herself. But after he examined her teeth, she asked, "Did you happen to attend Morgan Park High School?" "Yes! I'm a Mustang," he gleamed with pride. "When did you graduate?" she asked. "1972," he replied. "Why do you ask?" "You were in my class!" she exclaimed. "Really?" he said, looking at her closely. "What did you teach?"

Age can be a barrier in our society but not to God because He regards faithfulness as being more important than age. Noah’s bones creaked, his eyesight was about gone and his body was falling apart (well not too much – at age 500 he fathered 3 kids). God used this old man as the hope of the world.  Faithfulness, not age, is the mark of the Christian.

So here is 500 year old Noah making a long term commitment to a project.  Many of us have trouble sticking to a short term project such as painting a room in our home, changing the oil in our car, or even building a church.

We’re in long-term building project that will impact next year, ten years from now, and ever 100 years from now. We must be faithful to the vision.

The Men’s Group is beginning a six week Bible study written by Tony Dungy, coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Let me tell you something about this Christian man.

On January 14, 2002, Dungy was fired as head coach from Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who suffered a crushing 31-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL playoffs. ‘ "At that time in my life, it was hard to remember God's promise from Romans 8:28," Dungy says, "that all things work together for good to those who love Him. But I also tried to remember the promise in 2 Corinthians 4:8–9—that despite all of our troubles, God will never abandon us. What we often see as defeat is frequently the stage being set for a comeback."

Dungy was reared in a Christian home…grandfather a minister…mother taught Sunday school…made sure family grounded in biblical faith. He had a reputation as a calm and polite guy. The criticism against him then was that he was too nice of a guy for the top spot, that he needed to scream and holler andbe tougher on his players. But Dungy rose above the criticism, maintaining his low-key style. "I'm sure that my approach caused me to not get certain jobs," he says. "But I had to be true to myself, too. As a Christian in a high profile job like mine, I had to remember that I was always representing God, and that by carrying on the way a lot of coaches do, I would not be glorifying God."

When he became head coach of Bucs, they found he kind of success they had never experienced—four playoff appearances in six seasons and a 54-42 record. At Tampa, Dungy also gave his friend Lovie Smith his first NFL coaching job. Smith, who is also a Christian, says he models his approach of "being a teacher instead of screaming and yelling" after what Dungy taught him in Tampa. "I will admit that when I was let go at Tampa Bay I thought it was over," he says. "I thought God was going to start leading me into something like a prison ministry or maybe inner-city programs." But he soon discovered football was still in God's plans for him. In 2002, Dungy took over as coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

Then, in late 2005, Dungy’s oldest son, James, 18, took his own life in a Tampa apartment. He left no suicide note. Dungy says that experience only reinforced his belief that life has its peaks and valleys. But God is there—always. "I have received so many calls, letters, and e-mails after James's death that let me know that God really does have plans, even in the midst of great pain," he says.

On February 4, 2007, Dungy team defeated the Chicago Bears (led by his friend Lovie Smith) in Super Bowl XLI. Dungy became the first African American coach to win the legendary NFL championship. "There are those who said we wouldn't win the big one because I wasn't tough enough on the players," Dungy says. "But I see my job as a coach like a shepherd. You know where you need your flock to go, and your job is to get them there. You don't see shepherds yelling and shouting at their sheep. They know that they respond best to a gentle touch. That's my approach, and I believe that I have proven it works."

Winning a Super Bowl and losing a child are on opposite extremes of the emotional scale. "Both of these events have given me the opportunity to grow in my faith," he says. "I can say in no uncertain terms that despite these ups and downs, God is with us. God is for us. He won't ever abandon us."

God did not abandon Tony Dungy or Noah. They were faithful to God even in the worst of circumstances.

Remain faithful to him. He won’t abandon you.

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               "How Old Are You Emotionally?" - Philippians 4:8

Whether or not you are a Trekie, I am certain you remember Mr. Spock of the "Star Trek" television series. Audiences were fascinated to learn that Mr. Spock wasn’t human, showed no emotions, and functioned completely on logic. His decisions not influenced by his feelings because he had none! He was portrayed as superior to human beings because not controlled by emotions.

Although we have made giant strides ion the field of psychology, many continue to harbor uneducated attitudes toward human emotions. Many consider emotions a weakness of human makeup or even feel guilty when they experience emotions of anger or sorrow. To lose one’s cool or raise one’s voice in anger is considered a sin, and to feel discouraged or depressed is an emotional weakness.

God created us with emotions so we can express how we feel. Jesus expressed emotion many tiems during His ministry as He wept over Jerusalem, showed compassion with the guard when Peter cut off his ear, and when he prayed in the Garden of Gethesemane.

God also created us with minds to understand His word so we would become more than our emotions. Despite this many allow emotions to overcome and control their lives, fail to strive for things that bring joy, peace, happiness, and allow emotions to stand in way of "to think".

Tommy Newberry has written a fascinating book entitled The 4:8 Principle in which he explores the relationship of human emotions to Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things." I want to use his book as a springboard for thought this morning.

Paul reminds us to use our God given minds to think about the blessings of God and to allow these things to rule our lives.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob among most significant people Old Testament. Here we have grandfather, father and son who were significant not based on their own character, but on the character of God. They earned respect of peers, were wealthy and powerful, yet each was capable of lying, deceit, selfishness. Abraham under pressure, distorted the truth. Isaac lied to avoided confrontation and played favorites with his sons.

And Jacob? The name he was given at birth means "he grasps the heel", or more to the point, "he deceives". This "deceiver" appropriated his brother Esau out birthright and blessing. Jacob relied on own resources, not God, because "he could handle it by himself!" He had a victim mentality because of the name given him at birth!

Unfortunately Jacob lacked emotional strength to rely on God and could not strive for the things of God.

How many of you have financial goals? Maybe even have used the services of a financial planner? How about a fitness program complete with trainer and daily exercise? What about your spiritual planning? Do you read the Bible and pray regularly? Do your family make plans for upcoming events, family outings and gatherings, or college?

Do you have emotional goals? I am sure many have no answer to this question.

Jacob had no emotional goals because he had no "To Think" list. His emotions controlled him and he was a product of what he felt.

What are some of the emotions that controlled him? There was greed – he wanted it all and took it all from Esau. He feared Esau because the word was that Esau was out for his blood. He experienced loneliness and left Beersheba in search of a wife. He experienced insecurity because was not the firstborn. What about guilt? He deceived both his brother and father. Then he underwent fourteen years of depression as he worked for his father-in-law Laban who deceived him! He experienced confusion: why would Laban deceive him when he was his faithful servant? Then exhaustion set in – only a promise for his back breaking work of fourteen years?

Jacob’s emotions were real but a negative part of his life. They prohibited him from experiencing joy, happiness, peace, and all the good things of Philippians 4:8.

Do you harbor any negative emotions? Perhaps like Jacob you don’t trust God or think you can do a better job than God. Perhaps the struggle with faith is getting you down. Ronald Rolheiser in The Holy Longing has written: "We want to be a saint, but we also want to feel every sensation experienced by sinners; we want to be innocent and pure, but we also want to be experienced and taste all of life; we want to serve the poor and have a simple lifestyle, but we also want all the comforts of the rich; we want to have the depth afforded by solitude, but we also do not want to miss anything; we want to pray, but we also want to watch television, read, talk to friends, and go out. It's a small wonder that life is often a trying enterprise, and that we are often tired and pathologically overextended."

Have you ever felt like that?

Back to Jacob. The good news is that Jacob developed emotional strength. We learn that after drowning in his emotions he finally had the courage to wrestle with the "man" who wouldn’t let him go. As a result his name was changed from "deceiver" to "struggle with God".

Then something mighty powerful occurred. God got a hold on Jacob, grabbed him, and grew His nation through him.

How is your emotional well-being?

If you honestly want blessings of Philippians 4:8, you will find emotional maturity. You will find joy, excitement, contentment, confidence, peace, passion, satisfaction, enthusiasm, awe, energy and gratitude.

Jacob finally received these blessings after years of struggle and learned that whatever he centered his thoughts on became foremost in his mind.

It’s a fact: the more you emphasize good health with thoughts and speech, the healthier you feel. If you dwell on the positive qualities of your spouse, the stronger your relationship becomes. If you give attention to your kids, you will exert more influence in their lives. If you think about God’s promises, the greater your spiritual convictions will become.

On the other hand, if you replay past hurts over and over, the more bitter and frustrated you become. If you continually recall your past sins, the weaker you become in faith.

If your emotional life is not what should be, then make your top priority the shifting of attention to blessings and strengths. Stop talking about your negative feelings. Refuse to think about your mistakes, setbacks, and disappointments. Declare an end to what is wrong with your marriage, kids, strange neighbors, your aching body, and the world in general.

Instead broadcast your blessings to whoever will listen! I try not to listen to the local news channels because its all about who shot who, who robbed, who ran over who or hit who or smashed who. I want good news!

Finally for Jacob, it became about God. If you’re discontented with employer, replace discontent with thoughts of appreciation for the overall job, benefits, likeable people in the company, and your paycheck. Replace thoughts of failure with thoughts that success does not come without failure. If you’re critical about your church, remember that God is using you in His kingdom and wants you to do something to further His kingdom!

When you preoccupy your mind with negative thoughts you further Satan’s cause; but to stand for God’s Word and shut out temptation, remember the following verses of scripture.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Ps 46:1Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Jn 8:32Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ, is calling us. Phil; 3:13-14I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Phil; 4:13God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. II Tim 1:7With God’s help, we can become the mature Christians God wants us to be.

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           "Five Against One, Three Against Two"       Luke 12:49-56

"In any free society, the conflict between social conformity and individual liberty is permanent, unresolvable, and necessary" wrote Kathleen Norris.

How true that is in our society! We don’t have to look very far to see division and conflict: Time magazine’s list of 100 most influential people in the world and expects us to take seriously the fact that President George Bush the most powerful man in the world, isn't on it. Angelina Jolie, America Ferrara. "Ugly Betty" and Rosie O'Donnell are on the list. Time's decision to omit the President is an act of bad p-u-b-l-i-c-i-t-y. Does Time really think that model Kate Moss has more influence on the world than George Bush?

Marion Barry, the corrupt mayor who bankrupted Washington by handing out city funds to cronies and political allies, secretly smoked crack cocaine while lecturing school children on the dangers of drug use. D.C. voters know only one thing: loyalty. Loyalty to corrupt politicians who gave a relative a job. Loyalty to neighborhood thugs who commit robberies and murder. Barry has been elected and re-elected to the City Counsel, hasn't paid his income taxes, has been arrested for reckless driving and possession of drugs.

"Political correctness" - the practice of labeling certain unpopular or controversial views, ideas, expressions and political opinions as wrong - is an offense to personal freedom. However, some want to go one step further by actually banning words by law or policy, or in the case of an Atlanta politician, adopting a strict dress code for its citizens.

We would expect such divisions in society, but we are dismayed at division and conflict in church. Paul talks about the four divisions in I Corinthians. We are reminded of the split between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church in 1054 CE, the Protestant movement begun by Martin Luther with the 95 thesis in 1520 CE, the divisions within our own movement with the split of the Church of Christ and the 60’s Restructuring that resulted in two "Christian Churches."

Carol Gilligan humorously reminds us of the eternal conflict between men and women: "It all goes back, of course, to Adam and Eve - a story which shows among other things, that if you make a woman out of a man, you are bound to get into trouble."

Conflict and divisiveness are inevitable. Who among us hasn’t experienced conflict regarding a choice of surgical procedure or medication, balancing job and family responsibilities such as kids soccer games with job overtime, demands of time at home and church, and trifling matters such as which movie to see, at which restaurant to dine, or that eternal budget conflict between husband and wife regarding who spends how much on what.

Van Morris tells the story about Melissa who, three weeks after her wedding day, called her pastor in hysterics. "Pastor," she cried, "John and I had our first fight together over a new dress I bought! What am I going to do?" "Calm down, Melissa," her pastor answered, leaning back in his chair and shaking his head. "This isn't nearly as bad as you think. Every marriage has to have its first fight. It's natural." "I know, I know," Melissa said impatiently. "But what am I going to do with the body?"

Then we hear Jesus telling us in the Gospel of Luke 12:49-56 that His coming results in conflict. We will be torn from our intimate group to follow him because there is no middle ground. Loyalties must be declared, commitments made, and relationships must be severed.

Jesus is bringing fire one earth, division and not peace, families divided five against one, three against two, and two against three, father against son, daughter against mother and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law.

"Jesus, what kind of faith is this that creates divisions and conflict? What about when you taught "blessed are peacemakers" in Matthew? Or when you taught the greatest commandment is "Love God first, then your neighbor as yourself?"

"What’s up, Jesus? At Christmas we sing about the Prince of Peace and pray that the peace of Christ will rule in our hearts" We’re confused. Are you asking us to change our theology?

We have been asking some questions of our faith lately. Last week we wanted to know how are we to make second coming appealing to people. The week before we wondered how to make hating family and cross carrying appealing. Today we ask how are we to make message of division and conflict appealing to people.

What are we to say about a Jesus who preaches love and peace but in the same breath spews words of division and conflict?

Didn’t the prophet Isaiah write: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"?

Jesus refers to Micah 7:5-6, "Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with her who lies in your embrace be careful of your words; for a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the members of his own household."

Micah was referring to conflict and divisiveness because sin had affected the government leaders and society, deceit and dishonesty had ruined the family (the core of society), and the only possible resolution was for people to put God first in lives.

Jesus tells His listeners that God must come first and that His message will cause conflict in family relationships, as did the message of the prophet in the Old Testament. Jesus commands His followers to forego obligations to their parents and to become disciples.

Jesus understood societal relationships in which parents reared their children so when children became adults they would take care of the parents in declining years. Children were seen, among other things, as a source of care for parents.

Jesus turns this relationship upside down: "Leave the old folk," He says, "and let the nursing homes take care of them. You don’t owe them anything. They have their 401(k) and social security. You have bigger fish to fry!"

How are we to make this message appealing to non-Christians? Psychologists tell us that making choices can be one of the most difficult things we will ever do in life. The concept of division and conflict prepares one for life and is part of life. How many decisions do you make in a day – ten, 20, five hundred? How many times do you question if you are making the "right" decision?

Jesus would have us learn the "why" behind our decisions and prepare for accountability and responsibility in that decision making.

The truth of the matter is that we are faced with division and conflict in decision making? What about the daily struggle between good and evil and ethical decision making based on love? We are reminded of the relationships of equality acceptance based on Lord’s Prayer: "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."

Tod Lindberg in The Politics of Jesus writes: "As we all desire to have our own shortcomings forgiven, we must remind ourselves to forgive others theirs. Temptation will always be before all of us, and we must remind ourselves not to yield to it. When others slip, we may find ourselves faced with the need to forgive them. We have a collective stake in deliverance from evildoers, both in keeping them away from us and in evading their clutches. And so we should work together and help one another to those ends…we will want to be forgiven, and so we had better remember that we need to forgive. The prayer by which we remind ourselves of what we owe one another will remain necessary for us."

I admit I experience inner conflict as I struggle to forgive those who have wronged me. Don’t we all? Jesus understands it is easier to forgive than to live with "digging up bones". At the same time many are non-confrontational and simply choose to live with the stress of strained relationships. Some will shut down a relationship or just nurse a grudge for years .

Jesus shows us that in division and conflict that forgiveness is characteristic of "Kingdom-livers". It takes priority over everything that drags us back into the human family. Human families bicker, fight, go their separate ways and perpetuate bad blood.

While Christians should hunger for justice, we've been called to respond to evil through forgiveness. Yet there's no way around the fact that forgiveness relinquishes the power we want to keep for ourselves. It cancels moral debt. Forgiveness takes the responsibility of judgment from me and places it in the hands of God. Forgiveness restores equality between two people. Forgiveness doesn't make for entertaining movies

To be a "Kingdom-liver" is to accept the responsibility to treat others in the same way God treats us. When we place the pearls of Kingdom first in our lives, all else falls into place. Until that is done, "a son dishonors his father, the daughter stands against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and the enemies of a person are members of their own household."

Jesus teaches that conflict and divisions are for a purpose. Jesus faced that in His hometown synagogue when He stood up to read about the One foretold in scripture who would save the world. He told them the scripture was fulfilled that day, but they threw Him out of the synagogue. From the very beginning, the message of Jesus caused division.

Jesus spoke truth and that truth causes conflict. Have you ever known truth that does not cause conflict?

As followers of Jesus Christ let us speak the truth of faith and let chips fall where chips fall, stand for the Kingdom of God and against those who would tear it down, show our Christian character in our actions, and unite for the right cause – the Kingdom of God.

It is out of division and conflict that God’s Kingdom brings peace, love, and hope to all who dare walk through its doors.

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                 "Ain’t Nothing But the Real Thing" - Luke 14:25-33

I'm a gonna raise a fuss, I'm a-gonna raise a holler

About a-workin' all summer just a-trying to earn a dollar

Every time I call my baby, try to get a date

The boss says, "No dice son, you gotta work a-late"

Sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do

But there ain't no cure for the summertime blues.

Well my mom and pappa told me "son you gotta earn some money

If you wanna use the car to go-a riding next Sunday"

Well I didn't go to work, told the boss I was sick

"Now you can't use the car cause you didn't work a lick"

Sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do

But there ain't no cure for the summertime blues.

It's gonna take two weeks for I have my vacation,

I'm gonna take my problem to the United Nations.

Well I told my congressman, and he said, quote:

"I'd like to help you son but you're too young to vote"

Sometimes I wonder what I'm a gonna do,

But there ain't no cure for the summertime blues.

"Summertime Blues" - what a song!

Vacations are over and so are summertime blues. Its back to school, good Georgia tax free shopping weekends as students and parents look for real deals. If you journey to Jefferson, GA, you will find a great store named "Real Deals".

Summertime is the time to vacate, enjoy, relax, discover fun recreational events, let things around house go a bit, and spend weekends visiting new places. Unfortunately the church usually suffers and has summertime blues of its own as church attendance is "vacated" and excitement level is low.

Even though we can’t tell it by the weather, the calendar has declared an end to summertime blues. Its now time for "back to church" and a rediscovery of the nature of discipleship.

In Luke 14:25-33 we are reminded about Jesus’ wanderings and the crowds following him. Jesus had made quite a name for himself as he earned the reputation as a direct and honest man who stood up for little guy. He gained in popularity as he structured a message that would appeal to people.

Ah, an appealing message. If you want to reach people, your message has to be appealing. An appealing message is what it’s all about. Daniel H. Pink, A Whole New Mind, says we live in an age where marketers must design an appealing message like never before - that is, if they want to be successful.

Designing a message that people will listen to is crucial because the ultimate purpose is to change people’s attitudes. We are drawn to attractive designs in magazines, television, websites, billboards, mailouts, and other forms of media.

Jesus knew it’s all about design appeal. For the church today it’s a no-brainer – the church’s message must be appealing if people are to accept Jesus as their Savior.

Have you ever asked why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is gaining in numbers? Consider this: there are 60 designers on the staff of that church. Its purpose is to reach people with a message that is appealing.

That’s how it works today. Marketing experts design appealing products that center around "name appeal". The iPod is just a repository of songs, but what a name! The "Razorphone" commands respect and besides, its cool to have one.

What about redefinition of one’s business? Bob Lutz, a VP of Marketing at GM, said, "GM is in the art business." BMW’s Chris Bangle says, "We don’t make automobiles. We make moving works of art that express the driver’s love of quality."

They don’t have anything on Jesus. Jesus was a master marketer who presented God’s Word as "…the transforming vehicle that transports you lovingly through your journey on earth; and when your life is complete, it delivers you to a life that knows no end."

I am reminded of the John Deere salesman who was putting the hard sale on an old farmer to get him to buy a brand new tractor for his farm. He showed the farmer a brochure and said, "Yes sir, this Ground Force 7030 comes with a cab roof, decals and an integrated lighting package. It’s equipped with the 6.8L PowerTech Plus™ engine and has a rated speed of 2100 rpm, with peak torque occurring at 1600 rpm. The base engine has a 40% torque rise, 10% power bulge and uses the latest technology to deliver increased power, responsive torque and fuel efficiency. It includes a Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT), four valves per cylinder head and cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) for cleaner exhaust emission requirements. The electric fuel pump will improve serviceability because it self-bleeds air after the fuel filters are changed." When he had finished, he hooked his thumbs in his belt and smiled at the farmer. The old farmer looked at him and said, "See that combine over there? Will it pull that?" "Yes." "What about that 16 blade plow?" "Yes" "And that 32 blade disc?" "Yes". "And those tandem wagons?" "Yes. It’ll pull all those." "What’d you say it was?" "It’s the John Deere Ground Force 7030." The old farmer thought for a minute and said, "So you’re telling me it’ll do the same work as a tractor?"

"Marketing," "evangelizing," "spreading the gospel" - it doesn’t matter what you call it just as long as you tell others about the transforming power of God’s Word.

A tractor by any other name is still a tractor.

Jesus presented God’s message in a way people understood. Some did not respond, but many did, and the responders were there in the crowd

Let’s go back to Luke’s story. Jesus was at height of popularity and had the biggest crowd ever at this time. "Come on, wow ‘em Jesus! Perform a miracle that’ll knock their socks off! Ascend to clouds again and bring back Solomon, David, and other guys. Make mountains appear out of molehills!"

But Jesus does not give them what they wanted. Instead, He looks over the crowd and smiles, extends His arms and in a booming voice says, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters…yes, even his own life-he cannot be my disciple."

Wait a minute! Jesus, are you out of your mind? Why don’t you give ‘em what they want? They want the Romans to disappear, freedom of speech and press, the right to assembly, a chicken in every pot, a 35 hour work week and socialized medicine. They want anything but what you’re giving them.

As they stood there with their mouths wide open Jesus delivered the 1-2 punch: "And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me, cannot be my disciple."

Jesus, listen just a minute. You’ve got over 10,000 people adoring you and cheering you on. Why do you want to run them off with that kind of talk? They were ready to join the organization, but now you’ve done it. You’re lucky if as many as 12 sign up. I guess you really don’t want many followers after all.

Didn’t this subvert his popularity? Didn’t he, like many politicians, blow it by putting put his foot in his mouth?

No wonder they rioted in Jerusalem. No wonder they wanted to kill him.

Let’s look at this word "hate". In the context Jesus used it, it means a detachment from family. Jesus was saying that family ties were insignificant in relation to God’s kingdom and that the Kingdom has a fundamental claim on our loyalty.

What about "cross carrying"? Jesus was telling them that commitment to discipleship is above everything else. Jesus himself made a total commitment during the 40 days He spent in the wilderness.

So here we are, left to take this message to people. We are to tell them they must hate their family and place God first as they make a total and 100% commitment to discipleship.

How in the world do you make hatred of family and cross carrying appealing to people?

What was as the heart of Jesus message? It is so clear that Jesus spoke about things that mattered most - God cares for every person, God’s love is to be expressed in relationships, and blessedness comes from peacemaking, mourning for the Kingdom, and having a desire for righteousness.

We learn from the prophet Jeremiah that God is a potter and has power over clay (Judah) to form it and work every second to form the kind of people He wants. Judah must turn from its own ways toward God or they will harden the wrong way and become useless pottery. If that happens, God will destroy them.

Jesus wanted people to know that God’s love is expressed by living it in relationship to each other. He wanted them to be that perfect specimen from the potter’s wheel! He knew it would not be an easy task and that it might well cost him his life, but He was on a mission.

He also knew that not everyone would follow him, so he told them about hating family and cross carrying. That would thin out the crowd and separate the men from the boys. That would appeal only to the most die hard followers.

And die hard followers he wanted.

If you’re looking for a faith that makes you feel good, then Jesus is not for you. If you seek a faith that separates action from belief, then Jesus is not for you. If you desire a faith that asks you to give only a few minutes a week to God, then Jesus is not for you. If you pursue a faith that cringes at the thought of putting God first in your life, then Jesus is not for you.

But if you want a faith asks for your total and undivided attention and commitment, then Jesus is for you.

There is a story about a businessman who moved over as a young man crowded into the airplane seat next to him. As they fastened their seat belts the businessman inquired as to whether the young man was traveling on business or pleasure. "Pleasure," the young man replied. "I'm on my honeymoon." "Your honeymoon?" the businessman asked, mystified. "Where's your wife?" "Oh, she's a few rows back. The plane was full, so we couldn't get seats together." The plane hadn't started rolling yet, so the businessman said, "I'd be happy to change seats with her so that the two of you can be together." "That's okay," the young man replied. "I've been talking to her all week."

Family hating and cross carrying isn’t just for a week or so. Its forever.

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           "Living Today for Eternity"        II Corinthians 5:1-10

Barbara Streisand recorded a song entitled The Circle:

Some say the walls between us stand so tall they don't see there's just one sun shining on us all.

I say we each choose roads to call our own but none of us is travelling through this universe alone, and this circle just goes on and on.

It began before us, it will be here when we've gone and this circle just goes on and on and on, connecting our humanity joining me to you and you to me.

Seasons keep spinning on the wheel of time, we stand, we fall, we struggle up the mountains we must climb.

Different dreams may colour what we see ahead but our lives are strong together on a common thread, and this circle (circle) just goes on and on (on and on).

It began before us, it will be here when we've gone, and this circle just goes on and on and on,

connecting our humanity, joining me to you and you to me, around and round and round and round we go,

around and round and round we go, love and learn and change and grow. round and round and round we go, and this circle touches everyone as it crosses every boundary underneath the sun.

And this circle just goes on and on it began before us it will be here when we're gone, yes, this circle just goes on and on and on, someday we will come to see I'm joined to you and you to me.

Streisand makes clear the point that we are connected to and dependent on each other. The apostle Paul talks about the connections of life in the scripture for this morning and writes that life is not lived in isolation from that afterlife. He would have us understand that today is understood in context of the eternal and that our lives are shaped in the context of what follows.

Paul had sense of urgency in his message for he believed the second coming was at hand. In the light of that urgency, what could be more important than to live meaningful lives?

For the last two thousand years there has been a lot of interest in the second coming of Jesus. Recently the Left Behind books and television series have captured our attention. Second coming forecasting is nothing new. On New Year's eve 1000 AD a crowd in Rome stood awaiting end of world. Midnight came and nothing happened, so Pope Sylvester II sent them home.

The Lord's Witnesses have concluded start of Armageddon on March 21, 2008. Three quarters of the world's population will die during the subsequent war that will be preceded by the United Nations taking over complete control of the world.

For 2009 Jack Smith predicts that the Fifth Seal mentioned in Revelation refers to the interval 1798 to 2009 when Christians were free to spread the Gospel worldwide and be "witness against all nations." The Sixth Seal refers to interval from 2009 to 2012 when God's judgment begins. This will involve the destruction of the "Scarlet Woman" (Rome and the Vatican), the Angel ascending from the East, and the destruction of the new "Roman Empire."

The dates come and the dates go, and nothing happens. Is it any wonder people don’t take the Christian faith seriously? Would you take a faith seriously that consistently gave wrong predictions for 2000 years?

That still leaves us with the challenge of conveying a sense of urgency to a culture that believes talk about the end time is meaningless, it has all time in world to get it right, and maybe, just maybe, Christianity is not the way to get it right?

"What," we ask, "does it mean to live now for eternity?" In that quest we must avoid the temptation of getting caught up in the appearances of life. Dave Davila, age 24, took a job in Chicago and had to leave his close-knit family in East Moline, Illinois. Family gatherings just weren't the same without Dave. So his mother took a digital photo of him and had it blown up to his actual height—5 foot 8 inches—and mounted it on heavy cardboard from a neighbor's new stove box. So there's Dave, standing casually, hands in pockets, a blue button-down shirt hanging over his khaki shorts. They call him Flat Dave.

At first, Flat Dave just showed up and stood quietly by at family gatherings. Then word spread throughout the community and he became something of a celebrity in East Moline. "Complete strangers want to pose with him," said his brother Dan. He also said, "I think Flat Dave's actually better looking."

Sometimes things get somewhat awkward for the real Dave, the one the family now calls Thick Dave. "I'm in Chicago talking to my mom on the phone, and she says, 'Hold on, I've got to load you into the van.' It's a little weird."

We must not allow sight to be a substitute for faith. If that happens we live by sight, not faith, and our faith is not grounded in God’s Word.

Have ever noticed what great athletes, musicians, authors, and surgeons have in common? They spend years of preparation, study and training. The disciples of Jesus undertook a three year apprenticeship at the feet of the Master who sent them out two by two for their first hands on evangelism experience.

What about our training? So often we take forgiveness for granted but don’t work on forgiving others. We take promise of eternal life as a guarantee even though we don’t really have the faith of a mustard seed. We believe that to "love neighbor as ourselves" means "only if they love us back". What kind of picture does that give non-believers? What are we telling them about the church?

Would you have confidence in a surgeon who cut most of his classes? I have always wondered if my doctors made "A" or "C" on exams and missed the correct answer to question dealing with my ailment.

Would you trust your bookeeping to a CPA who was just released from prison for cooking the books of a company? Would you unite with a church that presented a "feel good" Jesus but never taught anything about salvation?

Paul encourages us to put our Christian training into practice and live each moment, moment by moment, in His care; to live today for today not knowing if tomorrow will ever come; and to live life now and trust God for tomorrow.

We are culture of abundance and people have more than they need. How does the church speak to a culture that buys now and pays later, demands answers now instead of waiting, and creates money by designing something?

In the midst of it all we still hear voices turning to the church and asking, "Tell us Spirit of Joy, what about the second coming. How am I supposed to prepare for it and live it?"

Last week we asked the question: "How is the church to make family hating and cross carrying appealing to people?" Today we ask, "How do we make the second coming appealing to people?"

The answer is in this question: "How prepared are you for the transient nature of life, for this moment is all we have? Do we live with a sense of gratitude and importance of this moment or do we place more importance on what will take place Friday night, the weekend, or the coming week?"

I rented the DVD "United 93" the other day and was spellbound by the finality of life. As I experienced the stories of those on the doomed flight and phone calls in face of finality, I was gripped by the people’s courage, faith, expressions of love, and gratitude.

The inevitable question popped into my mind: "How prepared are we for the unexpected?" I’m not talking about a financial nest egg or adequate health insurance for the catastrophic health calamity. I’m talking about faith preparation at this very moment.

Paul tells us that living now with faith in Jesus is to prepare for eternity. Living now with faith is the assurance that today is linked with tomorrow through the resurrection of Jesus. There is no death! There is only life, and it begins now!

One of my favorite country and western songs is by Tim McGraw titled "Live Like You Were Dying"

He said "I was in my early 40's, with a lot of life before me Then a moment came that stopped me on a dime,

I spent most of the next days looking at the x-rays, Talkin bout the options and talkin bout sweet time,"

I asked him when it sank in, that this might really be the real end, How's it hit ya when you get that kind of news man..whatcha do...and he said,

I went sky divin, I went rocky mountain climbin, I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Blumanchoo,

And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter, And I gave forgiveness I've been denin'

And he said someday I hope you get the chance To live like you were dyin

He said "I was finally the husband that most the time I wasn't, And I became a friend a friend would like to have

And all the sudden going fishin wasn't such an imposition, And I went 3 times that year I lost my dad

Well I...I finally read the good book and I took a good long hard look, At what I'd do if I could do it all again, and then"

I went sky divin, I went rocky mountain climbin, I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Blumanchoo,

And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter, And I gave forgiveness I've been denin'

And he said someday I hope you get the chance To live like you were dyin

Like tomorrow was a gift, and you got eternity To think about what you'd do with it, and what did you do with it What did I do with it, What would I do with it.

I went sky divin, I went rocky mountain climbin, I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Blumanchoo, And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,

And I gave forgiveness I've been denin' And he said someday I hope you get the chance To live like you were dyin."

Great words. the question this mornings is: Are you living like you are dying? Are you living today for tomorrow?