Isaiah 35:1-4
Much of what Isaiah has to say has to do with Judgment, of
how their worship is negated by their lack of social ethics. They fail from the
king down to the lowest subject, to honor God. Isaiah tells of times of exile
and defeat. He tells of times of hardship and trial for those who remain. Yet
Isaiah speaks of a time of the redeemed. A time when the remnant will return
and God will bless them again. This passage made me think of our church.
A. great challenges we have faced
1. Built a
building, when we would hardly make budget.
2. We have
lost many dear friends, most to cancer, some to moving away.
Annette, Shelly,
Fred, Gwen, Rittia, Jan, and others.
3. We have
gone through the difficult process of leaving the PC (USA)
4. We have
faced financial shortfalls
B. We face challenges ahead
1.Reaching
the Lost people in our area. Friends, family, people we meet every day.
2. Finances,
3. building
new friendships
4. some of
us are getting old.
C. But we are the Redeemed
1. the
desert will bloom vs 1&2
2. Our God
will take us there vs 3&4
3. We will
reach the lost vs 5&6
4. Our
Session is a forward looking group
5. Our
deacons are looking at new ideas
6. Our
missions, worship, and Christian Ed, committees are coming up with new things.
D. This sermon is for me.
1. I lost
the boldness that said we can build a building, have a thriving youth group and
grow our church. Perhaps you have to.
2. Believe
better days are ahead, Read 1-6 again
3. loose
our doom and gloom, and instead encourage each other
4. “forgetting
what is behind press on.” Phil 3:12 -13
5. Believe
in God’s power to do what we cannot on our own.
6. “It is
not by might not by power.”
7. God did
not bring us here to let us fail
8. this was
Gods message to my fearful, grumpy, old heart.
Read vs 1-6
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