There’s Power in Showing Up
Dr. Anthony E. Neal
We Are the Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 9 viewsSHOWING UP MATTERS BECAUSE GOD USES OUR PRESENCE TO STRENGTHEN ONE ANOTHER, STIR ONE ANOTHER, AND KEEP US MOVING FORWARD IN FAITH.
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Transcript
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
There’s Power in Showing Up
INTRODUCTION
CHURCH, WE HAVE BEEN LEARNING THROUGHOUT THIS SERIES THAT WE ARE THE CHURCH.
IN WEEK 1, ACTS CHAPTER 2 TAUGHT US THAT THE CHURCH IS MORE THAN A BUILDING.
THE CHURCH IS A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS DEVOTED TO GOD, DEVOTED TO HIS WORD, AND DEVOTED TO ONE ANOTHER.
LAST WEEK, PAUL REMINDED US THAT WE NEED EACH OTHER.
WE ARE ONE BODY WITH MANY MEMBERS, AND EVERY MEMBER HAS A PLACE, A PURPOSE, AND SOMETHING TO CONTRIBUTE.
BUT TODAY I WANT TO TAKE THAT TRUTH ONE STEP FURTHER.
BECAUSE IF WE NEED EACH OTHER, THEN WE HAVE TO BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER.
AND SOMETIMES ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL THINGS YOU CAN DO IS SIMPLY...
SHOW UP.
WE LIVE IN A TIME WHEN SHOWING UP HAS BECOME OPTIONAL.
TECHNOLOGY HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ALMOST EVERYTHING WITHOUT ACTUALLY BEING THERE.
YOU CAN WORK FROM HOME.
SHOP FROM HOME.
ORDER DINNER FROM HOME.
ATTEND MEETINGS FROM HOME.
AND YES, YOU CAN EVEN WATCH WORSHIP FROM HOME.
AND THANK GOD FOR TECHNOLOGY.
TECHNOLOGY ALLOWED THE GOSPEL TO KEEP GOING WHEN THE DOORS HAD TO REMAIN CLOSED DURING THE PANDEMIC.
AND EVEN TODAY, ONLINE MINISTRY IS A BLESSING FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK, HOMEBOUND, TRAVELING, CAREGIVING, OR OTHERWISE UNABLE TO PHYSICALLY ATTEND.
BUT SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY...
SOMETHING THAT BEGAN AS A NECESSITY BECAME A PREFERENCE.
AND FOR SOME PEOPLE, CONVENIENCE BEGAN REPLACING COMMUNITY.
WE DISCOVERED:
I CAN WATCH CHURCH IN MY PAJAMAS.
I CAN MAKE BREAKFAST WHILE THE SERMON IS PLAYING.
I CAN FAST-FORWARD.
I CAN TURN IT OFF.
I CAN WATCH WHENEVER I WANT.
BUT HEBREWS CONFRONTS US WITH A TRUTH:
CHURCH WAS NEVER DESIGNED SIMPLY TO BE WATCHED.
CHURCH WAS DESIGNED TO BE EXPERIENCED TOGETHER.
THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU RECEIVE WHEN YOU SHOW UP THAT YOU CANNOT RECEIVE THE SAME WAY BY YOURSELF.
THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT HEARING THE SAINTS SING TOGETHER.
THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT PRAYING TOGETHER.
THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT SEEING SOMEBODY YOU KNOW HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH IT….. LIFT THEIR HANDS AND STILL GIVE GOD PRAISE.
THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT SOMEBODY LOOKING YOU IN THE EYE AND SAYING, “I'M PRAYING FOR YOU.”
THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT BEING SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO REMIND YOU:
YOU ARE NOT WALKING THIS JOURNEY ALONE.
THAT'S WHY THE WRITER OF HEBREWS SAYS:
“AND LET US CONSIDER HOW TO PROVOKE ONE ANOTHER UNTO LOVE AND TO GOOD WORKS: NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER...BUT EXHORTING ONE ANOTHER: AND SO MUCH THE MORE, AS YE SEE THE DAY APPROACHING.”
THE WRITER IS TELLING US SOMETHING SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL:
YOUR PRESENCE MATTERS.
THERE'S POWER IN SHOWING UP.
I. SHOWING UP REMINDS US THAT WE BELONG TO SOMETHING BIGGER THAN OURSELVES
VERSE 25 SAYS:
“NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER…”
THE WRITER IS SPEAKING TO CHRISTIANS WHO WERE UNDER PRESSURE.
FOLLOWING JESUS WAS NOT EASY FOR THEM.
SOME HAD EXPERIENCED PERSECUTION.
SOME HAD EXPERIENCED REJECTION.
SOME WERE TIRED.
SOME WERE DISCOURAGED.
AND APPARENTLY, SOME HAD STARTED PULLING AWAY FROM THE GATHERING.
AND ISN'T THAT OFTEN WHAT HAPPENS WHEN LIFE GETS DIFFICULT?
WHEN WE'RE HURTING, SOMETIMES OUR INSTINCT IS TO WITHDRAW.
WHEN WE'RE DISCOURAGED, WE ISOLATE.
WHEN WE'RE DISAPPOINTED, WE DISAPPEAR.
WHEN WE'RE OVERWHELMED, WE CONVINCE OURSELVES:
“I JUST NEED TO BE BY MYSELF.”
AND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN SOLITUDE IS HEALTHY.
EVEN JESUS WITHDREW TO PRAY.
BUT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOLITUDE AND ISOLATION.
SOLITUDE SAYS, “I NEED SOME TIME WITH GOD.”
ISOLATION SAYS, “I DON'T NEED ANYBODY.”
AND GOD NEVER DESIGNED US TO LIVE THAT WAY.
WHEN YOU GATHER WITH OTHER BELIEVERS, SOMETHING HAPPENS.
YOU ARE REMINDED:
I'M PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER THAN ME.
MY PROBLEMS ARE REAL...
BUT I'M NOT ALONE.
MY PAIN IS REAL...
BUT I'M NOT ALONE.
MY STRUGGLE IS REAL...
BUT I'M NOT ALONE.
I BELONG TO A FAMILY.
I BELONG TO A BODY.
I BELONG TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD.
THAT'S WHY DAVID SAID IN PSALM 122:
“I WAS GLAD WHEN THEY SAID UNTO ME, LET US GO INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD.”
DAVID DIDN'T SAY, “I WAS GLAD WHEN THEY TOLD ME TO STAY BY MYSELF.”
HE REJOICED AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER WITH GOD'S PEOPLE.
BECAUSE THERE IS SOMETHING SACRED ABOUT GOD'S PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER.
ILLUSTRATION
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN HAVING A DIFFICULT WEEK AND ALMOST STAYED HOME FROM CHURCH?
YOU WERE TIRED.
FRUSTRATED.
MAYBE EVEN DISCOURAGED.
YOU ALMOST TALKED YOURSELF OUT OF COMING.
BUT YOU CAME ANYWAY.
AND THEN SOMEBODY SANG THE SONG YOU NEEDED.
SOMEBODY PRAYED THE PRAYER YOU NEEDED.
THE WORD SPOKE DIRECTLY TO YOUR SITUATION.
SOMEBODY HUGGED YOU AND DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU WERE GOING THROUGH.
AND YOU LEFT SAYING:
“I'M GLAD I CAME.”
THAT'S THE POWER OF SHOWING UP.
YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHAT GOD HAD WAITING FOR YOU UNTIL YOU GOT THERE.
TRANSITION
BUT HEBREWS DOESN'T ONLY TELL US TO GATHER BECAUSE OF WHAT WE RECEIVE.
THIS IS WHERE THE TEXT CHALLENGES US.
BECAUSE CHURCH CANNOT ONLY BE ABOUT WHAT I GET WHEN I COME.
SOMETIMES GOD NEEDS ME TO SHOW UP BECAUSE SOMEBODY ELSE NEEDS SOMETHING FROM ME.
II. SHOWING UP GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN SOMEBODY ELSE
VERSE 24 SAYS:
“AND LET US CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER…”
DON'T MISS THOSE WORDS.
CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER.
IN OTHER WORDS:
THINK ABOUT SOMEBODY BESIDES YOURSELF.
PAY ATTENTION TO SOMEBODY BESIDES YOURSELF.
NOTICE SOMEBODY BESIDES YOURSELF.
THE CHURCH SHOULD BE ONE OF THE FEW PLACES IN SOCIETY WHERE WE INTENTIONALLY LOOK BEYOND OURSELVES AND ASK:
“HOW IS SOMEBODY ELSE DOING?”
THAT'S WHY YOUR PRESENCE MATTERS.
YOU MAY THINK YOU'RE JUST SITTING IN YOUR USUAL SEAT.
BUT SOMEBODY NOTICED YOU CAME.
YOU MAY THINK YOU'RE JUST SINGING A HYMN.
BUT SOMEBODY HEARD YOUR VOICE.
YOU MAY THINK YOU'RE JUST SHAKING SOMEBODY'S HAND.
BUT THEY NEEDED HUMAN CONNECTION.
YOU MAY THINK YOU'RE JUST GIVING SOMEBODY A HUG.
BUT THEY SPENT THE ENTIRE WEEK FEELING ALONE.
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE MINISTRY OF YOUR PRESENCE.
SOMETIMES WE THINK MINISTRY REQUIRES A MICROPHONE.
IT DOESN'T.
SOMETIMES MINISTRY LOOKS LIKE SHOWING UP.
(PAUSE)
WHEN SOMEBODY IS GRIEVING...
SHOW UP.
WHEN SOMEBODY IS IN THE HOSPITAL...
SHOW UP.
WHEN SOMEBODY IS CELEBRATING...
SHOW UP.
WHEN SOMEBODY IS STRUGGLING...
SHOW UP.
AND WHEN THE CHURCH GATHERS FOR WORSHIP...
SHOW UP.
BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHO DRAWS STRENGTH FROM SEEING YOU THERE.
ILLUSTRATION
THINK ABOUT A CHILD PERFORMING IN A PLAY OR PLAYING SPORTS…
THEY MAY BE SURROUNDED BY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE.
BUT WHAT ARE THEY DOING?
THEY'RE SCANNING THE ROOM LOOKING FOR ONE PARTICULAR FACE.
AND WHEN THEY FINALLY SEE MAMA...
DADDY...
GRANDMA...
GRANDDAD...
SOMEBODY WHO LOVES THEM...
SOMETHING CHANGES.
THEY STAND A LITTLE TALLER.
SMILE A LITTLE BIGGER.
TRY A LITTLE HARDER.
WHY?
BECAUSE SOMEBODY SHOWED UP.
SOMETIMES YOUR PRESENCE SAYS WHAT WORDS CANNOT SAY:
“YOU MATTER ENOUGH FOR ME TO BE HERE.”
TRANSITION
BUT THE WRITER GOES EVEN DEEPER.
BECAUSE WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO SIMPLY OCCUPY THE SAME ROOM.
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO SOMETHING WHILE WE'RE TOGETHER.
HE SAYS WE OUGHT TO STIR SOMETHING UP IN ONE ANOTHER.
III. SHOWING UP SHOULD PUSH US TOWARD LOVE AND GOOD WORKS
THE KJV VERSION OF VERSE 24 SAYS:
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
THE WORD “PROVOKE” USUALLY SOUNDS NEGATIVE.
SOME FOLKS KNOW HOW TO PROVOKE YOU!
THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT BUTTON TO PUSH.
THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO SAY TO GET A REACTION.
BUT HERE THE WRITER TAKES THAT IDEA AND TURNS IT IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION.
HE SAYS WHEN BELIEVERS GET TOGETHER, WE OUGHT TO STIR EACH OTHER UP TOWARD SOMETHING GOOD.
TOWARD LOVE.
TOWARD SERVICE.
TOWARD FAITHFULNESS.
TOWARD BECOMING MORE LIKE JESUS.
CHURCH OUGHT TO MAKE YOU WANT TO LIVE BETTER.
NOT BECAUSE EVERYBODY AROUND YOU IS PERFECT.
BUT BECAUSE YOU SEE EXAMPLES OF GOD'S FAITHFULNESS.
YOU SEE SOMEBODY SERVING AND THINK:
“MAYBE I CAN SERVE TOO.”
YOU SEE SOMEBODY GIVING AND THINK:
“MAYBE I CAN BECOME MORE GENEROUS.”
YOU SEE SOMEBODY FORGIVE AND THINK:
“MAYBE I CAN LET THAT HURT GO.”
YOU SEE SOMEBODY REMAIN FAITHFUL THROUGH DIFFICULTY AND THINK:
“IF GOD KEPT THEM, GOD CAN KEEP ME.”
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CHURCH GATHERS.
FAITH BECOMES CONTAGIOUS.
THIS IS WHY GATHERING IS ABOUT MORE THAN ATTENDANCE.
(PAUSE)
TRUTH BE TOLD…..
YOU CAN BE IN THE BUILDING AND STILL NOT REALLY SHOW UP.
YOU CAN SIT IN THE PEW...
CROSS YOUR ARMS...
LOOK LIKE YOU’VE BEEN SUCKING ON A LEMON
SPEAK TO NOBODY...
ENCOURAGE NOBODY...
SERVE NOBODY...
AND LEAVE EXACTLY AS YOU CAME.
BUT GOD CALLS US TO SOMETHING DEEPER.
DON'T JUST SHOW UP PHYSICALLY.
SHOW UP SPIRITUALLY.
SHOW UP READY TO WORSHIP.
SHOW UP READY TO ENCOURAGE.
SHOW UP READY TO SERVE.
SHOW UP READY TO LOVE.
SHOW UP ASKING:
“LORD, WHO CAN I BLESS TODAY?”
BECAUSE SOMEBODY NEEDS WHAT GOD PLACED INSIDE OF YOU.
TRANSITION
AND THEN THE WRITER GIVES US ONE FINAL REASON WHY SHOWING UP MATTERS.
HE REMINDS THESE BELIEVERS THAT THE JOURNEY ISN'T OVER YET.
THERE IS STILL MORE ROAD AHEAD.
AND IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT ALL THE WAY, WE'RE GOING TO NEED ENCOURAGEMENT ALONG THE WAY.
IV. SHOWING UP HELPS US KEEP GOING
VERSE 25 SAYS:
“…BUT EXHORTING ONE ANOTHER: AND SO MUCH THE MORE, AS YE SEE THE DAY APPROACHING.”
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
THAT WORD EXHORTING MEANS ENCOURAGING.
STRENGTHENING.
COMING ALONGSIDE.
THE WRITER SAYS AS THE DAY OF CHRIST APPROACHES, BELIEVERS OUGHT TO ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER MORE, NOT LESS.
BECAUSE THE JOURNEY GETS HARD.
FAITH GETS TESTED.
LIFE HAPPENS.
PEOPLE DISAPPOINT YOU.
BODIES GET SICK.
FAMILIES EXPERIENCE TROUBLE.
DOORS CLOSE.
PRAYERS SOMETIMES SEEM UNANSWERED.
AND SOMETIMES EVEN STRONG CHRISTIANS GET TIRED.
THAT'S WHY WE NEED A CHURCH FAMILY.
BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU NEED SOMEBODY TO REMIND YOU:
KEEP GOING.
WHEN YOU'RE TIRED...
KEEP GOING.
WHEN YOU'RE DISCOURAGED...
KEEP GOING.
WHEN YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND...
KEEP GOING.
WHEN YOUR PRAYER HASN'T BEEN ANSWERED...
KEEP GOING.
WHEN YOUR HEART HAS BEEN BROKEN...
KEEP GOING.
AND SOMETIMES GOD SENDS THAT ENCOURAGEMENT THROUGH THE PERSON SITTING BESIDE YOU.
ILLUSTRATION
THINK ABOUT RUNNERS IN A MARATHON.
NEAR THE FINISH LINE, PEOPLE LINE THE STREETS.
THEY'RE CLAPPING.
SHOUTING.
ENCOURAGING.
WHY?
BECAUSE THE RUNNERS ARE TIRED.
THEIR LEGS HURT.
THEIR BODIES ARE EXHAUSTED.
BUT THEN THEY HEAR SOMEBODY YELL:
“YOU'RE ALMOST THERE! KEEP GOING!”
THE CROWD CANNOT RUN THE RACE FOR THEM.
BUT THE CROWD CAN GIVE THEM ENCOURAGEMENT TO FINISH.
FRIENDSHIP, THAT'S WHAT WE OUGHT TO BE FOR ONE ANOTHER.
I CANNOT RUN YOUR RACE.
AND YOU CANNOT RUN MINE.
BUT I CAN STAND BESIDE YOU AND SAY:
“DON'T QUIT.”
“YOU'VE COME TOO FAR.”
“GOD HAS BEEN TOO GOOD.”
“KEEP TRUSTING.”
“KEEP BELIEVING.”
“KEEP PRAYING.”
“KEEP SHOWING UP.”
CONCLUSION
CHURCH, THERE IS POWER IN SHOWING UP.
WHEN YOU SHOW UP, YOU REMIND YOURSELF THAT YOU BELONG.
WHEN YOU SHOW UP, YOU STRENGTHEN SOMEBODY ELSE.
WHEN YOU SHOW UP, YOU STIR OTHERS TOWARD LOVE AND GOOD WORKS.
AND WHEN YOU SHOW UP, YOU HELP SOMEBODY KEEP GOING.
SO DON'T UNDERESTIMATE YOUR PRESENCE.
THERE WILL BE SUNDAYS WHEN YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE COMING.
SHOW UP ANYWAY.
THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN YOU'RE TIRED.
SHOW UP ANYWAY.
THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN YOU'VE HAD A DIFFICULT WEEK.
SHOW UP ANYWAY.
NOT BECAUSE ATTENDANCE EARNS GOD'S FAVOR.
NOT BECAUSE MISSING A SERVICE MEANS GOD STOPS LOVING YOU.
BUT BECAUSE WE NEED ONE ANOTHER.
AND SOMETIMES YOU DON'T REALIZE HOW MUCH YOUR PRESENCE MATTERS...
UNTIL YOU'RE NOT THERE.
CELEBRATION
AND WHEN I THINK ABOUT SHOWING UP...
I'M GLAD WE SERVE A GOD WHO HAS ALWAYS SHOWN UP FOR US!
WHEN ISRAEL STOOD AT THE RED SEA...
GOD SHOWED UP!
WHEN THE HEBREW BOYS WERE THROWN INTO THE FIERY FURNACE...
GOD SHOWED UP!
WHEN DANIEL WAS THROWN INTO THE LIONS' DEN...
GOD SHOWED UP!
WHEN PAUL AND SILAS WERE LOCKED IN JAIL...
GOD SHOWED UP!
AND WHEN HUMANITY WAS LOST IN SIN...
GOD DIDN'T STAY DISTANT.
GOD DIDN'T SEND A TEXT.
GOD DIDN'T SEND AN EMAIL.
GOD DIDN'T WATCH FROM HEAVEN.
GOD SHOWED UP!
HE WRAPPED HIMSELF IN HUMAN FLESH.
HE WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM.
RAISED IN NAZARETH.
WALKED THE DUSTY ROADS OF GALILEE.
OPENED BLINDED EYES.
MADE LAME LEGS WALK.
FED HUNGRY CROWDS.
TOUCHED UNTOUCHABLE PEOPLE.
AND LOVED THOSE EVERYBODY ELSE HAD THROWN AWAY.
BUT I'M GLAD HE DIDN'T STOP SHOWING UP THERE!
ONE FRIDAY...
HE SHOWED UP AT CALVARY!
THEY PUT NAILS IN HIS HANDS.
NAILS IN HIS FEET.
A CROWN OF THORNS ON HIS HEAD.
AND HE STAYED THERE...
UNTIL THE PRICE FOR OUR SALVATION HAD BEEN PAID!
HE DIED!
THEY PUT HIM IN A BORROWED TOMB.
FRIDAY NIGHT...
HE WAS THERE.
SATURDAY...
HE WAS THERE.
BUT EARLY...
SUNDAY MORNING...
HE SHOWED UP AGAIN!
HE GOT UP WITH ALL POWER IN HIS HANDS!
AND BECAUSE JESUS SHOWED UP FOR ME...
I OUGHT TO BE WILLING TO SHOW UP FOR HIM!
SHOW UP AND WORSHIP!
SHOW UP AND SERVE!
SHOW UP AND ENCOURAGE!
SHOW UP AND LOVE!
SHOW UP AND GIVE!
SHOW UP AND PRAISE!
BECAUSE THERE'S STILL POWER IN SHOWING UP!
IF GOD HAS EVER SHOWN UP FOR YOU WHEN YOU NEEDED HIM MOST...
GIVE HIM PRAISE LIKE YOU'RE GLAD HE WAS THERE!
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ALTAR CALL
THERE MAY BE SOMEBODY HERE TODAY WHO ALMOST DIDN'T SHOW UP.
BUT NOW YOU REALIZE GOD HAD A REASON FOR GETTING YOU HERE.
MAYBE YOU'VE BEEN CARRYING SOMETHING BY YOURSELF.
MAYBE YOU'VE BEEN DISCOURAGED.
MAYBE YOU'VE BEEN DISCONNECTED.
MAYBE YOU'VE BEEN TRYING TO CONVINCE YOURSELF THAT YOU DON'T NEED ANYBODY.
BUT GOD BROUGHT YOU HERE TO REMIND YOU:
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, JESUS IS HERE.
IF YOU'VE NEVER ACCEPTED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR, TODAY YOU CAN COME.
IF YOU'VE WALKED AWAY AND NEED TO RECONNECT WITH GOD, YOU CAN COME.
IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A CHURCH FAMILY WHERE YOU CAN GROW, SERVE, AND WALK WITH OTHER BELIEVERS, YOU CAN COME.
THE DOORS OF THE CHURCH ARE OPEN.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY...
THE ARMS OF JESUS ARE OPEN.
COME.
TRANSITION TO PASTORAL PRAYER
CHURCH FAMILY, WE HAVE EXTENDED THE INVITATION, AND NOW WE ARE PREPARING TO PRAY.
IF YOU'VE COME TO THE ALTAR, REMAIN WHERE YOU ARE.
IF YOU'RE AT YOUR SEAT, JOIN YOUR HEART WITH US.
AND AS WE PRAY, DON'T ONLY PRAY FOR YOURSELF.
THINK ABOUT SOMEBODY WHO NEEDS STRENGTH.
THINK ABOUT SOMEBODY WHO HASN'T BEEN HERE.
THINK ABOUT SOMEBODY WHO'S CARRYING A HEAVY BURDEN.
AND LET'S LIFT ONE ANOTHER BEFORE THE LORD.
LET US PRAY.
PASTORAL PRAYER
GRACIOUS AND ETERNAL GOD,
THANK YOU FOR BEING A GOD WHO CONTINUALLY SHOWS UP IN OUR LIVES.
THANK YOU FOR BEING PRESENT WHEN WE WERE HURTING
PRESENT WHEN WE WERE CONFUSED,
PRESENT WHEN WE WERE GRIEVING,
AND PRESENT WHEN WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW WE WERE GOING TO MAKE IT.
AND LORD, THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE CHURCH.
THANK YOU FOR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO WALK BESIDE US.
FORGIVE US FOR THE TIMES WE HAVE TAKEN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY FOR GRANTED.
FORGIVE US WHEN WE HAVE ISOLATED OURSELVES.
FORGIVE US WHEN WE HAVE COME INTO YOUR HOUSE CONCERNED ONLY ABOUT WHAT WE COULD RECEIVE WITHOUT CONSIDERING WHAT WE COULD GIVE TO SOMEBODY ELSE.
TEACH US TO CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER.
TEACH US TO ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER.
TEACH US TO STIR ONE ANOTHER TOWARD LOVE AND GOOD WORKS.
LORD, MAKE FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE KNOW THEY BELONG.
A PLACE WHERE THE LONELY FIND FAMILY.
WHERE THE DISCOURAGED FIND ENCOURAGEMENT.
WHERE THE GRIEVING FIND COMFORT.
WHERE THE WEAK FIND STRENGTH.
WHERE THE LOST FIND JESUS.
GIVE US A RENEWED DESIRE TO GATHER TOGETHER, NOT OUT OF OBLIGATION, BUT BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT OUR PRESENCE MATTERS.
AND FOR EVERY PERSON WHO CAME TODAY CARRYING A BURDEN, MEET THEM AT THE POINT OF THEIR NEED.
STRENGTHEN THE TIRED.
COMFORT THE GRIEVING.
HEAL THE HURTING.
RESTORE THE DISCOURAGED.
SAVE THE LOST.
AND REMIND ALL OF US THAT NO MATTER WHAT THIS WEEK BRINGS, WE NEVER WALK ALONE.
THANK YOU MOST OF ALL FOR JESUS, WHO SHOWED UP AT CALVARY, GAVE HIS LIFE FOR OUR SINS, AND ROSE AGAIN WITH ALL POWER IN HIS HANDS.
NOW SEND US FROM THIS PLACE DETERMINED TO SHOW UP FOR YOU AND TO SHOW UP FOR ONE ANOTHER.
IN THE MIGHTY, MARVELOUS, AND MATCHLESS NAME OF JESUS CHRIST WE PRAY.
AND ALL GOD'S PEOPLE SAID,
AMEN.
