To be Good Again

Living Stones Church - South Bend

Sermon Point #1 – Apocalypse – to uncover, to reveal, to lay bare Sermon Point #2 – We have a longing for things to be good again Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12 - The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side. As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river. When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. 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 fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” Sermon Point #3 – God’s River of Life should flow from us Sermon Point #4 – We can’t give what we don’t have ourselves Sermon Point #5 – Weariness clouds our judgment 1 Kings 19:3-6 - Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. Proverbs 27:7 - One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet. 1 Corinthians 9:25-26 - Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. Sermon Point #6 – Recovery is one of the most important aspects of an athlete’s success. Sermon Point #7 – Lingering Communion with God and with others Psalm 23:1-4 - The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Sermon Point #8 - (this is a longer quote) – When folks gather around a system of shared beliefs, the price of acceptance in the group is usually agreement, which means the greatest value – stated or not – is being right. Unfortunately, this often creates an atmosphere of fear and performance, which in term invites conformity. But when people gather around a shared need for healing, the price of acceptance in the group is usually vulnerability, which means the greatest value – stated or not – is being real. This tends to foster an atmosphere of safety and participation, which in turn invites community. We all face the same challenge on how to foster authentic connection. As much as our souls crave it, our ego fears it. For most of us, it’s fairly easy to share intellectual head space with someone: We know this, we think that. Not much risk there. But inviting that person into our heart space where we may feel broken in places takes courage, sometimes even desperation.