Sermon -August 27, 2023-THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HATH MADE, LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.

Be ye transformed

Romans 12:1–8 (ASV)

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. 2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith. 4 For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office: 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and several members one of another. 6 And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; 7 or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching; 8 or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

As we begin let me point to a few thoughts on this message of Be Ye Transformed. The Apostle Paul in Romans is pointing to a very troubled group of people and their church in Rome. The church had been established prior to his ministry beginning-so he was only offering some spiritual advice by saying don’t follow the customs of this present age, but be transformed by the entire renewal of your minds so that you may learn by experience what God’s will is- that Will that is good and beautiful and perfect. For God’s will should move us to offer ourselves in ways that would leave a situation better for it.

Love is core to this renewal process. Revenge on the other-hand is forbidden.

Then if this is all true—if we want to experience God’s grace--change is imperative.

Change the way you think-it’s a spiritual journey that speak to a shift in consciousness.

This shift —demands our full attention…It actually involves not just changing clothes—but taking off the old man/woman and putting on a new one. Changing does occur when this is done…I had a great high school friend who after school started down the wrong path of drinking to excess- He held onto his job-only God kept that job at the post-office for him-perhaps it was his service in the Navy and the horrors of war that changed him, but when he turned his life over to God…folks would see him walking down the street and call out the name he answered to when drunk, this time he didn’t turn around or answer. That person rushed to sa something to him and when he came face to face with him, he was knocked off his feet—this wasn’t the same drunk Bob. This wasn’t the same -lackadaisical -I don’t care about anybody but myself Bob, no he greeted him pleasantly and the guy was at a loss for words....God can bring change about, God can restore that which is His and if you surrender that thing that has taken your over—God will show you just how good it is to be free that you might live and be finally able to rejoice.

Isa. 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways -my ways saith the Lord.

It would be a shame to change without becoming better.

Change means we are evolving and maturing. God wants us to commit to lasting change. Where we develop from baby Christians to more mature ones.

If change means maturing-then this should be a life-long process.

To remain stuck in any way would mean that we are not allowing God to make us more like Jesus.

-----------------------------------------------Throughout the Holy Bible are texts for teaching and for reproof. This word is the knowledge of God’s plan for his children.

Every text be it for chastisement or thanksgiving-is laced with God’s grace-

God’s unmerited favor, a favor from which comes many gifts!

This we call the ---the doctrine of the triune God. A grace which flows out of his inter-Trinitarian gift-giving life.

The greatest of these goods... is Jesus Christ.

The core of the whole bible is the doctrine of the grace of God, his promises, his word and his work of redemption…

Yet I want to tell you this morning...Man’s fallen state, is still open for restoration and for reconciliation…God has made us a promise—”If you be his son, Oh he will be your father...ask and see-See how good and gracious His word will be to you?

You may ask why—Why Dr. Tobias-

why Rev?

My best answer is that --God’s nature is all inclusive... why would he save the sick and the lame of body and not do the same for the sick and the body whose mind needs regulating…whose heart needs recharged and whose life is dwindling away from misguidance and lack of love...

Ask him and see if he won’t do it?

Ex. 34:6

For The Lord our God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

On April 15, we are going to celebrate change--our past, our present and our future-

Get ready —because this is going to be Great…for we are going to share in the gracious gift of God-fellowship. Did you know that fellowship —the coming together as believers recognizing that we have one thing for sure in common...

and that is that we love God and have confessed Jesus as our LORD and Saviour....

In short-we are going to renew our commitment to God. In your spare time or when you do your devotions read the book of Nehemiah-chapter 2:17-18, its highlights the three R’s Renewal Restoration and Rejoicing.

In a letter to Nehemiah from his brother-one who was left behind when the city was under seige by Babylon:

“Do you see the trouble we are in, Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been burned down with fire. Come let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and we will no longer be in disgrace. “ I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the King had said of me. They replied, let us start rebuilding…so they began this good work.”

Notice the tone of these words—a brother writing in despair ! There is an urgent appeal being made.

God say that need in Moses -his heart was aching that he had to run away from the very people he loved, but to go back might surely mean death. But notice —with God all things are possible...

God sent Moses back in Exodus, God sent a man who had lost hope in being able to save his people,

Oh my friends—Won’t God do it? Moses probably not in his wildest dreams would return to Egypt.

Not only return to the place where he once fled for his life…but go back as an ambassador for the King, the king of king and the Lord of Lords…no longer did he have to run or hide…for who God foreknew he blessed —Oh weeping may endure for a night—but joy comes in the morning.

Even at the ripe young age of ugh 80- God still used Moses…Oh I know I may be---

“stepping on some toes”—but just say “ouch”! God can still use you!

My friends-------this time of renewal to bring a friend to church is calling us to remember —Remember the Good of church—

Remember the value of church-and

remember how church set the standard for living out God’s word. And I hope I’m not the only one who remembers ---child’s behavior—was never the center of attention—the stewards or nurses came up to the young family and took the little angel off to the nursery--

Oh Lord teach us thy ways----that I may walk in your truth..Ps. 86:11.

Show us your ways Oh Lord and teach us your paths…Guide us in your truth and teach us-for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long.

Church set the standard-it is foundational —

We are those children —we grew up---and it was the church that kept us-sent boys off to war-wedded young couples for a union that would be held together by a circle of love -found in that great crowd of witnesses who reminded these young families where they could return for Christian counseling and grief.

The church ---the foundation of God, the safe haven—This Holy Temple -kept us —through dangers seen and unseen--praise God—the church ---carried us-----------a mighty long way...

Around narrow curves and up high mountains to return us safe and free from all hurt and danger.

Through it all--

Jesus said he’d would never see the Righteous begging for bread, or eating crumbs off the table..he knows his sheep and his sheep know His voice.

My friends---God has a vision and a plan for us—and in His plan —we are to make haste while the sun is still shining-

We are to make a lot of noise--tell them that THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE, AND WE ARE GOING TO REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT…MAKE HASTE WHILE THE SUN IS STILL SHINING...

Ps. 119;105, God’s word is life sustaining —its a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path-it shows us the way where we should go, both night and day--

Where would we be if it hadn’t been for the LORD on our side---or the Children’s choir and Sunday school?

Restoration -the dramatic story of the Israelites and their emancipator Moses—who complained to God with feelings of inadequacy and old age, to young king Hezekiah who didn’t allow his father’s evil ways to infect his reign…NO--- instead They trusted and followed the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

When the Persians conquered Jerusalem and Nehemiah became the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes -he proved his faithfulness and loyalty to the one and only God as he prayed that this king would show him favor to return back to Jerusalem to help his defenseless people rebuild their community.

This Persian King showed him favor.

What did our passage for this morning’s message say:

“Do not conform to the ways of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good -pleasing and perfect will.”

This is an invaluable word-priceless…word.

Note that in each great figure-we see men of God who didn’t put their trust in anything but God —And let’s not forget how all this is impossible without--the work of the Holy Spirit.

I remember the text in the New Testament when a man -disguising himself as an apostle approached Peter and Paul offering to pay them to be given the gift of the Holy Spirit.

We know that -the gift of the Holy Spirit —is a divine act—extended only by God--

Acts 8:18 when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles hands He offered them money-but Peter answered-may your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought!”

Notice that these great men of faith beginning with …Moses —prayed---they petitioned the Lord for his unmerited grace…

Moses was overwhelmed—he knew the people of Israel had lost sight of their destiny—they had forgot the divine work of the LORD is very near when you PRAY.

in 2 Chronicles 31: 20-26

THE great story of King Hezekiah’s faith. Hezekiah was the descendant of King Ahaz —King Ahaz was unfaithful to the Lord-during his reign -2 Chron 28:22- 23 Ahaz offered sacrifices to the gods of Damasus, who had defeated him-for he thought since the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them so they will help me. But they were his downfall and the downfall of all Israel.”

Ahaz rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of Jerusalem, but he was not placed in the tombs of the kings of Israel.

Then Hezekiah at 25 became king and he reigned in Jerusalem 29 years.

Hezekiah knew that without prayer he was nothing…during the first year of his reign —he did some house cleaning to restore the temple and their worship in a manner that was pleasing unto God. he made every citizen under his watch-sanctify themselves return to living out the plan that God laid before them with Moses and go back to the plan that God has for all He loves…a plan for righteousness and prosperity.

John 6 of the New Testament-is a tribute to those very instructions--God’s life giving grace.

The Gospel of John—is a great reminder —don’t depend on your flesh -for as these old tents will soon decay—but God and only God said, “I will give you life more abundantly”!

Check your calendars—October 15, Pray for a time of Renewal, Restoration and Rejoicing.

I’m excited -Will you join with me and Spread the word—

PASS THE WORD---WE WILL BE HONORING OUR SAINTS WHO PASSED AWAY DURING MY 8 YEARS…A LOVELY TRIBUTE IS BEING PREPARED FOR THEM BY EILEEN CONDI

I’m looking forward to the sweet smell of some delicious dishes—in our dining hall- the hum of laughter and the squeals of children playing -

Oh what a day of rejoicing it will be--

St. Johns --WE WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.

OH THE STORM IS PASSING OVER-HALLELUJAH.—I can see the rainbow peeking through the clouds, the storm is almost gone!

THE STORM-the heartache and the pain, all had a tight grip on the world, ---

It tried to discourage the faithful few to turn away —or to stay in your pajamas and watch church from your bed--

but God has another word:

When you faithfully serve the Lord--

your life and light will continue to shine -

and trust God---that is more than enough reason to rejoice.