Show Up

Welcome

Share the sign of peace

Opening Prayer

2nd Timothy 2:15

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Worship song

Worship song

Children's moment

Joys and concerns

Worship song

Apostels creed

Amen

Show up

When is the last time you had an opportunity to show up for someone? Did you do it? Why or why not? How will you show up the next time you get a chance?

I’ve realized in my small amount of ministry experience so far that over time, just showing up, is one of the most important things we can do as followers of Christ.

I had an opportunity recently to visit someone who got hurt late one night at the hospital. They didn’t ask me to come and it was late and far away…I believe God was asking me to go to represent Him well and immediately I had these tempting thoughts:

They’ll understand it’s late, I can check in with them tomorrow.The situation probably isn’t really serious anyway, they don’t need me.I have a family that I shouldn’t leave late at night anyway.I’m tired and this is getting in the way of my plans.

Then almost immediately God reminded me that I’m a disciple. I’m an ambassador for Him. And that He was calling me to show up because the Church are the ones who show up.

This really hit me hard as I started thinking through whether it’s involving struggles someone is going through, a terrible tragedy that has hit them, sickness that has overcome them, or whenever there is anyone in need, we…as followers of Jesus…should be the first ones to show up. If we don’t show up, who else will?

Christians can’t be light in a dark world without showing up. How often do we show up when its something we enjoy? when we have a project we are working on whether its a wood working or a car we are restoring or maybe a pulling tractor. How about the sports we enjoy? we always find a way to be involved and present every time our favorite team is playing. Man we dawn that Ohio State Buckey apparel. What about our kids or grand kids being there when they play. I know a bunch of you guys sat out in the down pouring rain to watch the girls soccer game this past week. Now that what I call showing up for your kids. Don’t think it goes unnoticed. When we show up for someone it is huge, we think it has to be some amazing event to make a difference. What about a text to someone who is having a rough time, or a card when someone is missing. I want to brag on my wife for a minute she is a good example of showing up she sends cards and bulletins to those who are home bound and or missing from church for a while. The meaning of those small gestures to those people are amazing. I hear all the time how much it is appreciated. You see it was no huge commitment or life threatening situation but just letting people know they are important. That’s where God wants us to show up. We Don’t Have To Have All The Answers

Sometimes I think we’re scared to show up for people because we don’t know what to say or what to do. We put so much pressure on ourselves to say just the right thing or have all the answers when in fact, we were never called to do any of that. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, we are called to serve others, we are called to love.

Have you ever gone through something difficult in your life? Do you remember the people who supported you? Was it because they said just the right thing or was it because they just showed up?

God has called us to show up and be a light in a dark world. You won’t always have the right answers and most of the time you’ll have no idea on what to say or do, but show up. Just show up. God will give you the words as He sees fit when the time comes, but just be there for people…especially in the difficult moments…that is the kind of love that will flip the world upside down. in

Philippians 2:5-11

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

You see God did not make Jesus come as a king as the people new a king to be, he sent him as a servant as a human to show us how he wants us to serve others. I think we can all agree Jesus showed up when we needed him most in every situation. and he still does today.

Jesus first showed up for us.

Regardless, at the end of the day, we must remember that Jesus first showed up for us. If Jesus didn’t show up, we would be nowhere. We would be left to die in our sin. We would be headed towards a terrible destination. But the good news is, He did show up. In

1 John 4:19

19 We love because he first loved us.

Then we can love others. We can show up in their darkest hour and just be there for them. We can sacrifice our time and our preferences to help someone. Jesus sacrificed more than we ever will.

We, the Church, can be a bright light in a dark world by showing up…and the world will take notice and God will be glorified. You see life as a Christian is not all that complicated, we as humans have a tendency to get all hung up on the total story of the bible. But when we break it down all God ask us to do is

Sow Up

Amen

Doxology

Worship song

Walk to the back

Benediction