Starting Fresh

As a Pastor one of my responsibilities is to preach a sermon Sunday mornings.  (Some think that's all Pastors do - work one hour a week!  But that's another blog...)  You would think that isn't a problem; after all, I have really great material to work with in terms of developing a series of sermons: the Bible is God's inspired Word - and there's a lot in it!!  The problem is, where to start?  Some Pastors opt for simply following something like the Revised Common Lectionary, which provides you with the texts to preach through in a given year.  Others will simply select a book of the Bible and walk through it verse by verse.  Some will pick topics and preach thematically.  I guess I have done a little of all of the above.  Overall, however, it comes down to asking the Lord in prayer, "what should I preach Lord?"  And as I read through the Scriptures and study certain portions, the Lord often brings inspiration.

This year's inspiration came from a compelling desire to preach a challenge message at the end of 2009 from Matthew 5.  The challenge?  "How can we be salt and light in this world." Since then the sermons have taken on a theme that attempts to give answers to the question of how to be salt and light.  I felt compelled to get back to the basics of the New Testament that speaks poignantly (and pointedly) to the Christian in terms of how to live.

A contemporary Christian song back in the late 20th Century by 4Him proclaimed,


For me, getting back to the basics includes fulfilling the two greats - the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, becoming servants that are surrendered wholly to His will, faithful in prayer, and ready to meet the needs of those around us.  The Scriptures have volumes to say on each of those topics and so many more that we could examine on any given Sunday.  Let's face it: the journey of faith each of us is on will not be complete until He returns or calls us home.  We could spend our entire lives looking just at those Scriptures that encourage us to put into practice all that Jesus taught we should obey... and still run out of time, so this series will not be comprehensive.  But it will be challenging if we have ears to hear what the Spirit is trying to tell us.

So come along for the journey - be refreshed and renewed by the compelling truths of the basics of a life in Christ.  Catch up on the journey by checking out our Audio Sermons page and start listening to the sermons (starting with the sermon preached on December 27/09 titled, "The Challenge Ahead.")  And may God reveal to you what His will is for your life... and may each of us be found faithful in fulfilling the call to get the basics straight and living a life that pleases the Lord.

Until next time, get practicing!

Pastor Al

---