Current Sermon

Sermon, September 3, 2023

Often when we consider an institution, whether it is a family, a business, a school, or a church, we seem to think the leadership is invested in one person...the dad, the boss, the principal, or the preacher.  We are programmed to think those who participate in those institutions are just that...participants, not leaders, not game changers, maybe even not really important. 

How very wrong is that!  A family is only strong if it is unified, loving, caring about and for each other. 

A school is strong only when the students begin to learn, to question to complete assignment and be ready participants both in and out of the classroom. 

A business is only as strong as its committed employees.  The manager may be fantastic, but if employees fail to do their part, the business fails.  No one person can be the complete success of a business. 

So too a church.  A church is only as strong as its congregation.  The Board of Directors, the preacher, the pianist, the cooks, the cleaners, all must be prepared and present...but the church is the people who sit in the pews, who pray and sing, who support one another, who take the lessons learned in worship and apply them to life in the family and community.  A true Christ-centered church grows when its people grow spiritually and act lovingly to one another...always and in all ways. 

Today marks the anniversary of being in this new sanctuary for 6 years.  It is God’s church and it is your church.  We exist because you in the congregation attend worship, some attend Bible Study, some share breakfast with others, some sing for and with us, but all of you have contributed something to make this sanctuary a reality.  A dime or a dollar bill in the dove each Sunday can be just as powerful as a check for $100 or more.  We are blessed here because each one of you contribute something to the project known as building God’s Kingdom on Earth. 

All of us here are God’s fellow-builders in building a Christ centered church whose mission is primarily love and service.  There is a verse in 1st Corinthians 3:9 that states, “You are God’s fellow worker.  You are God’s field, you are God’s building!”  Each one of us is a temple where God’s Spirit abides and guides.    Every day we have opportunities to work side by side with our Creator doing his works in our area where we live.  Our mission is to build up one another through love, compassion, and forgiveness.   We must use our spiritual gifts to help make God’s kingdom a reality here and now.  Never ever feel as if you are not important.  You are essential.  The result of knowing how important you are to God, enhances your life.    

So what makes this church work?  You do.  Your prayers for the church and its work are essential.  Your donations make a difference in many different ways.  Your thoughtfulness toward others in this congregation is needed.  We need to understand that Christ Spirit is in each and every one of us….it is that spirit that makes the church an important part of this community. 

I thank each one of you for being here.  For being part of The Nourishing Place and for nourishing others as often as possible.  You are needed here.  You are loved here.  You are important here...and I hope and pray you receive God’s blessings for being part of this church which is co-owned and operated by God and you.  You as a believer are essential.  It is within you to help create something that is eternal… the church of God.  Just remember, you are a temple where the power and grace of all that is good resides.  Yes, you, you are essential to the Living Lord who loves and cares and blesses.  Let’s look forward to another great 6 or more years of serving and loving. 

Amen