January 6, 2019 - Jerry Mantooth

Who's the colorful Place Gulf of us? I did not have my iPad on the thing. I wanted you to notice about this when I saw this train, it was just beautiful. It was different than anything that we had experienced in this. A lot of rock, I think about another two more here and what one of the things that I thought about was. Inspiring it was that people left the comfort of their homes in the east. And traveled through this kind of territory as Pioneers in order to make a new name or a new home or whatever. It might be looking for a new way of life. We're looking for adventure. Some of them were trying to get rich quick because they heard they were golden. There was gold in this area some just had had dreams. and off they went I've been thinking about that lately for a starting the beginning of the year. Making that kind of trick it really is an adventure. And so I wondered about us. Do you need an adventure in your life? Do you need a new adventure? Sometimes things just get really stagnant for us we get in this kind of things are always the same routine morning noon and night and we're looking for something that's that's different. Sometimes that maybe with things that are happening in our lives, but that Adventure also could be a spiritual adventure for us. Start as I began to think about what that spiritual Adventure look like. I also realized that he was tied to a dream that each one of us has that God has planted inside of us. About who he wants us to become what he wants us to accomplish what he wants to do through us and what that looks like or I for our life. Do you have that kind of dream you have that kind of grain of who God is shaping and molding you to be. One of the things I have learned in this walk of Christianity has been that nothing of significant ever happens. Unless someone is willing to take a risk. We're just sitting where we are bored of doing the same things over and over and over again. We will see very little happen and I think about these Pioneers, who as they moved Westward. One of the things that I took was a tremendous risk and no doubt there were times when some of them second-guessed. What in the world are we doing? Why are we here? Why did we do this? There were times some of them were afraid time some of them dad at some of them wanted to quit and in fact, some of them did quit and turned around and went back, but then there were others those ones that we celebrate who continued on that journey and who made it to wherever it is that they were trying to get to Across the frontier.

President Kennedy and number of years ago talk about the final frontier for us. Remember what that was space that just seems so foreign now doesn't that would be the final frontier? I want to talk this morning about a different Frontier and I want to do this for a couple of weeks. I want to talk about a face Frontier. cuz I believe that as followers of Jesus Christ, we are on a Amazing Adventure in German and we have on this journey experience all kinds of new sights and experiences and new people, but I also know that That doesn't happen apart from us taking the risk. To be people who say we're going to step out there and do something in the temp something courageous. And that's really a part of who we are as part of our DNA. If you don't know anything about us at Monta Vista back in the fifties the mid-fifties there were a group of pioneers who cut a trail from Intercity Merrillville to out here and the county and it was country at that time because they believe that they had heard this call from God and they believed they were the ones who were to establish a congregation here and no doubt in that process and they were leaving the comfort of what they had known in the place where they had worshipped him and they were asking the same question to know why would would know whatever that might be York. What if when we get there or do I really have to Enough questions for this journey has been one that I would say. He has been very unpredictable. very unchartered and also very unfamiliar and over the course of this journey. This congregation has been in the Forefront of many many things affirming women and Leadership and in Ministry positions affirming people who are on the edge of society in the margins of society finding a place for them to be included and not just to be included to be a part of who we are. We've made some very bold denominational choices. We have embraced many many opportunities for Ministry that others would not have did not do or chose not to do and as a result of that there have been times when we have walked alone. There have also been times more times when we have known The Wonder of seeing God at work. and just amazing amazing voice And so the struggles that we have had whatever those struggles may have been whatever shape that they took God had a way of turning those struggling working through those struggles in those at making that into to Victory and so it as this church has sacrificed and given and done. So generously we have been able to bless people and we've been able to experience the blessings of God people that people that are we have touched it wouldn't sometimes you don't even know another night. They get back to that one thing and that is I believe that nothing significant happen apart from someone who's willing to take a risk.

for all of us We have to make that decision if we're going to do that. Will I Say Yes to God, even when I can't see the outcome of it, but I live by faith not by sight. What if I stand or fall winners and I willing just to still say it still say yes, it is a Tremendous Johnny. I want to talk to you a little bit about some Risk Takers. Edward Camp Kimball was one of those. Edward Campbell taught Sunday school of a small group young adults teenagers young adults there probably 7 to 10 of them and they gathered every week for Sunday school and every time they gathered and he started to talk they fell asleep. Betty camp and through the week he would pray for these units one by one into individually and then one day he had a sense that God was laying upon his heart a new adventure. Where God said I want you to go to each one of these students. I want you to find where it is that they're working in their living and I want you to tell them that I love them and that I want them to be connected in a very real and personal way. So he said yeah and he got up from his chair and he walked downtown and he entered a shoe store where one of his students one of the young guys was working and he found him he was stalking shoes and he went over his hand on his shoulder and he said I just want you to know that God loves you. And the God wants to be connected to you in a way that is much more real and personal than you have experienced so far. Mikasa absolutely. Nothing. so he turned and but what Edward Campbell didn't know was that by the end of the day this young man pulled a few minutes away that he could get away by himself and he gave his life. He committed his life.

This young man in the shoe store. His name was Dwight L, Moody. Who went on to be a great preacher and teacher Moody colleges named after him Moody Radio Moody publishing lots of Moody things.

How does Edward Kemble heard this word and said yes.

a group of college students in India Who also got together in that as they prayed they heard God's sake and then we want you to move it. I'm going to move out into these Villages and I want you to just tell people that there is a God in heaven who loves him and he wants to be connected to them. So as they went from Village to Village began to attract too crowded there was one young man in in that crowd his name this the stuff. He's Kumar Satish was interested. He was curious about what was being said. You're growing up in a Hindu family. 3% of people in India are are not Hindu and so it's pretty strong belief system. Anyway, he heard the gospel being preached by this group of college students and it began to search and began to read it again to talk to them and in the process he gave his life to Jesus Christ. Satish is now the pastor of the third largest church in the world in India hundred thirty thousand people assembling V Services every weekend and District. Someone ask you. How do you get everybody in what are you do about people who show up? Like you said we close the door when it's time to start and if they don't get in they have to wait till the next service.

What if we tried that? I think of people like Abraham who heard this message. Call the guy said I want you to leave everything that's comfortable. I want you to go to a land and when you get there, I'll tell you the truth. Are you can stop. What risk? Think about people like Moses on the backside of the Wilderness who hear a voice coming out of a flaming Bush and he says I want you to go back to the place where you are wanted for murder, and I want you to bring back people out.

I think about people like Rahab the prostitute in the city of Jericho who just happen to have her business place to stab him in the business on the wall, Dissidia who took a couple of Kiara few Hebrews Jewish Israeli spies, who were there sneak them out the window and save their lives at Great risk to herself. I think of people like rude Who pull back the covers and lay down at the feet of Boaz May cell phone or will that night a great risk? In order to connect to provide for her family in the story that it's good for me. I think of people like Isaiah who would stand before a king and a time from God and the King didn't want to hear it and it kept pushing any great and he did so at Great risk to his own his own life.

if nothing significant happens apart from someone taking their face a nation was formed by Abraham and nation was rescued through Moses Nation moved into the promised land for people like Rahab a family was provided for three people like Ruth a nation came back to God and understood God again, and we have continued to hear these great words of Isaiah is

In your Bibles I want about you to turn with me to Acts chapter 9. You're using the Pew Bible. It's page 1012.

Many of you will remember for six seven years ago. Whatever the time. Time passes quickly for when Mendel Borg a was here as interim minister of music and window was giving me his philosophy on being a grand father and what it meant to be a grandparent I end up as before I had grandchildren. So he was preparing me. He said this is what you he said your response is always yes, absolutely. So when his grandchildren come over at his house and they're jumping on the bed and keep jumping on the bed you say. Yes, absolutely. Or when they are over at your house, and I want more dessert and they've already had a couple of servings and you say yes, absolutely or when I want to stay up beyond their normal perfume and ask you if you can do that your responses. Yeah, absolutely. So that's what grandparents do. That's how they respond. I remember that chapter 9 verse 10 In Damascus, there was a disciple named ananias. Idisciple one who wants to become like the one that they are following and the Lord call to him in a vision and said ananias.

You already said yes.

Cuz that word yes is the very beginning of this journey on the face Frontier. You can't move out on this journey until you first say yes, and that's what he does. Yes. And the Lord told him go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and asked for a man from Tarsus name saw for he is been praying. Innovision he has seen a man named ananias come and placed his hands on him and restore his side. Let's go back to pick up the background of this. So it will become Paul The Saul has is deceased Christians as a threat. He was there at the stoning of Stephen. He he was in favor of it gave permission for it. Now. He has gotten Authority from those rulers and in between the Jewish Community to go to Damascus 150 miles north of Jerusalem and along the way he is pulling people out of synagogues. He's having them beaten. He's had they are arrested. He's throwing them into in jail. He is out to persecute and movement of Jesus Christ. Earlier in this chapter on this road to Damascus. He has an encounter. Let's go back and pick that pick that up verse in chapter 9

nursery near Damascus on his journey suddenly a lot from Heaven flash around him and he fell to the ground and heard the voice. Say to him Saul Saul. Why do you persecute? Who are you Lord? Saw that I am Jesus whom you are persecuting now get up and go to the city and you will be told what you must do the man who were traveling with him stood there speechless, they heard the sound but did not see anyone. So saal got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes, he could see nothing and so they let him by the hand to Damascus and for three days. He was blind and did not eat or drink anything.

And so here is this this man saw who has had this. He's lost his side. But I imagine that it was during those 3 days while even he had lost his his vision physical Vision. He saw some things in his heart. He saw himself standing there collecting the robes while people stoned see what he saw himself pulling people out of synagogues and worshiping and beating them. It's all what it meant to have to pull people out a tend to be in prison all of that.

Univision he said there is a man named that this ain't just a man named ananias. She's going to come he's going to place his hands on you and he is going to restore your side. Lord ananas answered I've heard many reports about this man and all the harm. He has done to your people in Jerusalem. And now he has come here with the authority of the chief priests to arrest all of those who call upon upon your name. Lord I do not watch CNN do you not know who this guy is? You not know what know what he is is about and so and a knife through head said yes to God. Now we begin to see some fear creep and creep in. Because she don't see the big picture. Lord said to him go this man is My Chosen instrument to Proclaim my name to the Gentiles into their kings into the people of his into the people of Israel. And then ananias went to the house and he entered it placing his hands on Saul he said brother saw the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road. As you were coming here. He sent me that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit and immediately something like scales fell from skulls eyes, and he could see

And he got up and it was baptized and after taking some food. He regained his strength. you imagine what this thing is like Here's ananias who has to have some fear in his heart. But who has said yes to God, and and I love the way verse 12 starts off. Then ananias went he has said yes. God is told him what to do. There may be fear. There may be second-guesses, whatever there might be that ananias went and laid his hands on his shoulder and he said brother Saul I'm here because Jesus sent me. His eyes were open and he began to see in the first thing. He did was he said let's go find some water and entered into that water as a violent terrorist and he came out of that water as someone who was redeemed.

And as a result of that we have 13 books in our new testament that tell us about Theology and and works and Grace and Redemption and salvation and all of the other disciples were saying let's stay here in Jerusalem and saw was the one who sang know we've got to go we've got to go somewhere else and we are as Gentiles are here in this place today because of a man named Saul who also said. Yes, absolutely.

The church will get a lot more pause in their congregation. when it begins to live a lot more like an and I And say yes, absolutely.

D l Moody made his way to London. And while he was there, he came into contact with a man by the name of Myers. And Myers became a Christian. Meijer turned in lead friend of his mr. Chapman to God who became a Christian of the follower of Jesus Christ. Batman made his way to America and we came to America. He met a man by the name of Billy Sunday Billy Sunday. Love to play baseball. And so he worked it out some way for Billy Sunday to go to Charlotte North Carolina and to hold some rallies in the downtown area and invited people who were businessmen and women to come to those rallies in downtown Charlotte. He was there for a week. That was a great response people came that heard the gospel many of them became followers of Jesus. Cry Billy Sunday left just to continue to go on until they send an invitation to Billy Sunday said would you come back in three weeks and he wrote back and said I I can't come at all. My schedule is booked for the next several months. But I do have a friend a great man who preaches and who teaches and who just loves God and and I'd like to send him to use name is mordecai ham. The Mordecai ham came in they started these rallies again in downtown Charlotte and there was a boy there tall lanky Farm Boy Who heard that message as Mordecai. I have gave the invitation and he said it was something like scales fell from my eyes. and it came to the front and he gave us will have to

Farm Boy Billy Graham

from a man who taught Sunday School the D L Moody to London Charlotte around the world

people who said absolutely got it. Will you go? Yes, absolutely. Will you tell yes absolutely. Will you go on a journey where you have never been before an adventure that you've never experienced before people that you don't know never even met. Yes. Absolutely. Yes.

There are three types of people I believe who were here On Any Given Sunday. There are those who say over and over and over. Yes. Absolutely. You keep saying that and you keep doing that and you keep going and don't grow weary.

There are people here who I believe is love for God. I really want to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. And I hear the call. And I want to go with the girls, right?

What if how will what would happen if?

We begin to make all kinds of excuses and began to try to negotiate with God Wichita think is really funny.

and most the time we end up saying that

and then there are Among Us those who say I'm the one who controls my story. And wherever I go is where I want to go and whatever I do is what I want to do and I'm going to climb a ladder. I'm going to move here. I'm going to do this. No one tells me what to do.

Wonderful thing about our God is but just as he can free people from addiction. He's also the one who frees us from ourselves.

And our desire to be the one who's in control.

next Sunday we're going to get to do when the things that was one of my favorite things and then we're going to celebrate baptism.

And it's that opportunity to see Ally or someone has said yes, absolutely.

And all of the potential of what that means is laying out there in front of this life, we get to celebrate that next week.

But for us today.

We call this an invitation, but I finished preaching. So here's the invitation.

What are you dreaming about these days or do you even have a drink? What time does venture are you on?

We have a face Frontier. Individually each one of us. collectively as a as a congregation

and nothing on this journey is a very significant is going to happen. If you're not willing to take a risk. And the lights and things down to change some things. About your schedule about your life about your attitude about your perspective.

all of us And say to God, yes. Absolutely.

I would you practice saying that with me. Yes, absolutely. So this week when God says something to you. Your response is going to be yes, absolutely.

And maybe you don't have to wait till this week. I did can be right now that you say that. Cuz he's calling you on this space Frontier. I don't know what that looks like. Maybe it's to start this journey. We're going to celebrate. Maybe it's whatever that next step might be for you and your life and your family, whatever.

It's going to be great year. And it can be a great journey. And every one of us in here want you to be a part of it if we want to see what God's going to do when you cross mountains like that.

spectacular Veuve spectacular but the journey Is any better?

invite us God call us out. challenge us

whisper Shout place your hand upon our shoulder Shake us. Knock our feet out from underneath us to do whatever it takes to get our attention.

Creating us this morning that desire that we will say. Yes, absolutely.

What you want for us from us and up through it. Cuz I cannot imagine a better response. Got me beginning a new year a New Journey a new adventure a new drain. Take us.

And your name we pray?

A good one to sing and if you're ready to say, yes, absolutely. Would you come share that with us and let's pray together and go together.

Change my heart. Oh God.