Abound in Love 1 Thessalonians 3: 11-13

Introduction: The Sunday before going on Sabbatical I shared a sermon from Psalm 23 entitled the Lord is my Shepherd. Today, I want to read Psalm 23 again, and offer to you this title… the Lord is “still” our Shepherd.

Transition: I have a few bullet points , or gleanings from the sabbatical that I want to share. They fall under three basic categories. Things I’ve discovered or reminded of about God, about His church, and about myself.

About God

He knows how to lead His sheep. He has led you while I was away. This is a humbling, yet necessary reminder. I have a renewed trust in His sovereign hand. That whatever lies ahead, He has already been there and will direct our steps according to His will in Christ Jesus.

He specializes in offering surprising blessings to His sheep. I've had the opportunity to catch up with a few of you this week and have heard many reports of unexpected blessings from God to this church family. A. Seeing Chad Roberts in D.C. 2. Hearing Christian Lwanda from Nairobi Kenya preach a message right before we left. 3. Having benefit of being taught from Dr. Bill Rhoads on Ezra. He is good beyond our wildest comprehension.

God is not fragile. But we are. Read excerpt from journal.

Transition: If you are not enjoying a relationship with the great Shepherd, why not? Please let’s talk after the service.

About His Church

Jesus is the head of His church, no matter where she is. Share bulletin collection. Jesus is the head of this body. If that ceases to be the case then we cease to be a church.

Jesus knows exactly how to care for His body, and the Scriptures are the means the Holy Spirit uses to do just that. Share observations from after meeting with Tim Pasma and the list of 10 things we can expect when God’s word is being applied to His church. Growth doesn't always look like green pastures… we must be lead there. And often he will lead us right through the valley of shadow of death in order to produce in us the character of His Son. The challenge I've been personally reminded of is to grow more in the area of teaching God’s word.

Jesus is working through His church. That is not only true of us who are members of Hillcrest, but this is true across the globe. In the coming days we will need to become more actively aware and participating in His mission. The local church is God’s method for making His glory known and expanding His kingdom throughout the earth. He is doing all this to prepare His people for the glory of His eternal kingdom for which we will enjoy forever and ever some day. But for now, we have work to do. In the coming days I hope to steward the gift of God that He has granted by His grace and lead us toward more intentional faithfulness in being the body of Christ. I haven't any radical tricks up my sleeve. I haven't discovered some secret potion or program to accomplish this. Rather, I’ve been renewed in the firm conviction that God’s word is sufficient for God’s work. His word, empowered by His Spirit, will be the lamp to our feet and light for our path in the days He has prepared for us.

Transition: If you are not enjoying the blessing of actively participating in Christ’s church, why not? Please let’s talk.

About Myself

I needed rest- Didn’t realize how tightly wound I was… Did any of you have the pleasure of growing up with 90’s country music? I’m sorry if you did, because those songs are like magnets in the brain and even when you want them to dislodge they linger. Well, there is a song by Brooks and Dunn that came out in 1991 entitled Brand New Man. Play the intro??

As much as we might all hope that I’d see the light, or be baptized… that didn't happen during this sabbatical. I didn't meet God on a mountain. I haven't any golden tablets or new revelations to declare. However, the Lord granted me rest. Because of your kindness, and taking on many responsibilities while I was away, the Lord in His grace and mercy granted my mind, body, and soul rest. And I am very thankful for it! I plan to maintain rhythms of discipline in order to stay fresh and rest in the Lord.

I need accountability and help in the work of ministry. If pastoring were only about teaching, then I could possibly get by solo… but its not. I plan to continue to lead us in such a way to recognize and affirm leaders who will assist in the joy of glorifying God by making disciple.

The difference between reputation and character. Time in the saddle you don't realize the calluses produced. At the beginning of this journey I was praying that Jesus would make me more tender. This will continue to be a need as I get back into the saddle and callouses begin to form, but my prayer is that as a unified body of Christ coming together for His glory to point ourselves in the direction of true North, I and will shall keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith.

Transition: With this all in mind a final constant reminder has been the great need for us to keep praying together as a church family. So to close this morning I’d like to invite you all to gather closer for a time of prayer.

Closing: Unified prayer…