Hello My Name Is Present

Jab 1 Prayer time with Sullivans

Jab 2

My car got into an accident of significance...

Thursday, Becca was home sick. She needed me home (and needed sick person food), so I cut my day short and drove to the store.

I was not really in the present however. My head was focused on what the early part of the day had given me to think on and the future of trying to remember what I was supposed to get from the store.

I went in and came out. And that’s when I saw it. Note, I did not say I got into an accident of significance...

Not significant because it caused damage (PTL), significant because it spoke to the topic we are ending this series on identity with.

Being present.

A great example of being present came up early in the week...

Jab 3

Damian Lillard

For those who follow sports, you will have seen the same frustrating shift I have. An athlete will have a contract to play for x number of years at x number of dollars but then make one of a couple decisions:

I deserve more money

I want to play somewhere better

They then make a public declaration that they will not play until they get what they want, or get traded the way they want to be traded.

As a non-Laker fan, it was fun to watch them attempt to capitalize on this with the star of the New Orleans Pelicans, Anthony Davis. He demanded a trade, LA offered 4 of it’s “stars of the future” along with a couple other draft picks etc, to try to see that trade happen.

NO said no. Davis is now riding the bench in Louisiana, hated by the fans. And trust has been broken with those 4 young men who thought they were surely a part of the future of Los Angeles.

For what it’s worth, LA lost to New Orleans (with their star on the bench) just last night.

Making it sweeter for a Trailblazer fan is the interview the Blazers star Damian Lillard gave just a few days ago.

He was asked by the interviewer why, given his age and his limited chances to win a championship, and the Blazer’s struggles of the last several years to get past even the first round of the playoffs, he didn’t look to take the same move that a guy like Davis had, Here was his response:

"When my career is over ... I'm gonna know the relationships that I'm gonna have. I am going to know the people who knew I was solid with them regardless of if I was at the top or if I control it. All of this stuff. That I did it the right way and I took people's situations, and their families, and what could be into consideration before I just made a decision based off, 'All right, this is what would be best for me. This is what (other) people want to see me do.'"

Jab 3

In other words, Lillard recognizes his team is not perfect, it may not be the best chance for him to get the accolades he probably deserves, but that there are more important things, like people, relationships, and integrity to consider before focusing on the thing which would get him what he wants. In other words…he’s living in the present.

Transition

It seems I am given new evidence daily to remind me I am not in control, life is fleeting, and the one opportunity I have to live a life of meaning and value is not behind me or in front of me…but with me right now.

Not to say there is no value in looking back to learn.

Not to say there is no value in looking forward with plans.

Both are absolutely essential. But they are the frame for the main show, which is the people, situations, and choices you make today.

With yesterday’s lessons and the hopes of tomorrow behind and before, but actually living and operating in the present.

Paul illustrates this point in his closing remarks. He brings us back to the reality of a letter not written to give readers in two thousand years a doctrinal lesson (though we are thankful it does), but a letter written to people whom Paul loved. Some have commented that Paul doesn’t have as many personal greetings in Ephesians as other letters, so maybe it’s not as personal. I see it reversed. In Rome, Paul knew a handful of people, so he called them out by name. He spent years in Ephesus and knew an entire church. Could you imagine if Pastor Mike on an excursion to Guatemala or Athens wrote a letter back to HCC and closed it by saying, Greetings to Jim and Vicki Quintana my fellow workers in the Lord, and to Harley and Ellen who tend the orchard, and to Diana Corey my dear sister in the Lord, and to Chris and to Dave and to Dave and to Dave…It would be three times as long as the letter.

So Paul goes farther and sends a person with the letter. To be present with his friends when he can’t be. Let’s look at the power of presence:

Text

Ephesians 6:21–24 ESV

So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

The Power of Shared Story

Josh and I…Marvel movies…I made Monica watch...

More powerful than common enjoyed stories are shared life stories.

English Standard Version Chapter 6

So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything.

One of the reasons I love Life groups is the opportunity to hear the stories of others, and have my story heard.

Sidebar: Join a life group. We are not a small church. A small church is 20-40 people. We are a large group getting larger. Which is why our intentional focus is on creating smaller groups where the church can still be what the church should be.

We can pray here. Some can. We can use our gifts here. Some can. But the intention of the church, and power of the Holy Spirit is when all the saints are engaged and connected, and using the gifts God has given for his glory.

Maybe it’s not a sidebar...The highest shared story may be the story of shared service. We have a missions team…but we are exploring how we can help every Life group and ministry team be missional. We have ways this church serves the community, but how can every life group and ministry team serve together?

In shared service we build the deepest relationships. Some who I count my closest friends are not the ones I have spent the most time with, but those who have served alongside me in important seasons of ministry.

Matt, a YFC leader in Minnesota. We worked on some projects for the training of other YFC leaders together. He also came and spoke at a youth camp I was directing. I haven’t seen him in a few years…but if I did, our bond would show.

Aaron, a senior pastor I served with for many years as a youth pastor. We walked through the highs and lows of church ministry. I haven’t seen him in several years, but he was the first to wish me a happy birthday.

Lori and Brooks, whom we haven’t seen in years, but once directed yearly camps with.

And I could go on and on. If you feel you are not as connected as you would like to be at HCC, find a place to serve. Find a Life Group to join.

Paul’s description of Tychicus resonates with this idea:

“Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord...”

A brother and a faithful minister. Shared life and service.

But both of these things require taking the time to be present. Present to build the relationship (Men’s retreat), present to see the need and choose to serve.

The Power of Shared Friends

A couple weeks ago I overheard…Pastor Bob and Pastor Bill who know my friend Will, who pastors in Felida...

Tychicus

English Standard Version Chapter 6

22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

Very few things build trust and relationship faster than knowing that someone you love and trust, loves and trusts someone else.

When I first began coming to Clark County to see Youth for Christ get a foothold, I spoke with prayer leaders in Eugene. They told me about man in Clark County called Dennis Fuqua. I got to know Dennis. Dennis became an introduction to many more and continues to be a doorway to relationships with other pastors and ministry leaders in the area.

Paul is introducing his friend to his friends.

Tychicus can do what Paul can not right now. He can be present with the people of Ephesus. He can relay Paul’s joys and struggles, and be the friend they need to be encouraged in this time of Paul’s imprisonment.

So here’s the challenge for us. You likely have friends here at HCC. That’s great. You may also be here and know very few people well. You may know names, but not know one another as “Friends”.

For you who have friends: have you considered how you might share those friends with those who have less? Those in Life Groups, have you invited others in the church to join you? Have you considered inviting someone outside the church to join you?

Over the years in church after church, and in conversations with other pastors the story is the same: People don’t invite others into their small groups, especially non-believers because the intimacy of the group is primary. New people would hurt the chemistry. If the group gets bigger we might have to divide into two groups and we’ll miss the others.

Those things are all true. I have felt every one of them. And…we are called to be a missional body. We are called to be unified one with another.

What if your group dividing creates the space for someone to get connected who otherwise would be alone? What if inviting in that person, however difficult they may be, gives them the best relationships they have ever had to see Jesus? What if it’s not about you at all?

We began this series with that declaration when it came to identity. We were about to learn all about how God has given us a new identity in Christ, which comes with so many wonderful things…but it’s not about you. It is about God’s glory, God’s mission, and God’s identity. And when our identity leads from that, we find our true selves, and fullest measure of humanity.

We’ll wrap up this point by pointing out this: It is easy to agree to this point, and do nothing with it. It requires being present to follow through. Present to look around the room and learn who you don’t know. Present to take the risk to invite. Present to intentionally involve other people in your circle of friends knowing full well it will change the dynamic.

I know to put my car in park when I stop. That knowledge didn’t stop my car from rolling because I failed to be present in the moment when that knowledge mattered.

The Power of Shared Savior

I have two more points which come from these last two verses..and the best is truly the last.

English Standard Version Chapter 6

Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Peace. Love. Faith.

From God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace.

Love incorruptible.

Do you know you have been saved? Yesterday about ten people started again from the beginning of scripture to read together (you can join still) and on day one we find ourselves faced with this story:

God made man. God gave man the duty to rule. God gave a choice:

rule by following trusting me

or define good and evil yourselves.

We have made a mess of it ever since. For every good and beautiful thing mankind creates, there is a misery to go along with it.

This big picture finds it’s way into our own lives in our personal mess, and our individual separation from God because of our sin.

And yet this we share with every person on the planet: God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son so that whoever believes might not perish but have eternal life.

For those who believe we have this shared salvation. A deeper bond than any other loyalty, and a greater reason for gratitude and obedience than any other debt could cause.

You were dead, but now are alive in Christ

If you look around the room you will see faces that you will see for a long time. The voices you sung with today, you will sing with in eternity.

What amazes me as I consider it this morning, is if I have 2 cookies and share 1, I have 1 cookie left. Yet when I share this great salvation which has been given to me, it only grows greater. In the sharing I become a part of the mission, the kingdom grows larger, and praise becomes louder. It’s like sharing a cookie and getting a full package in return!

As we look back into this letter, we hear Paul say this:

Ephesians 5:15–17 ESV

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Eph 5:15-

This is the definition of being present.

Look how you walk. Be wise. Make the most of the time you are given.

This morning if you are in the kingdom, recommit to a walk of presence.

Today, if you have never crossed the line of faith, I have good news. The door is open. Christ is calling you into the same saving relationship with him which I and so many others have.

All that is required is everything. Everything you are, all your brokenness, sin and mistakes, for all he has, grace, peace, love, and joy everlasting.

If you would join Christ today, simply pray with me this way:

Father,

I have sinned. I have lived a life of rebellion against you.

I believe that your son Jesus died to pay the penalty for that rebellion, and rose again to offer new life to all who believe.

I place my faith in that sacrifice, surrendering my brokenness for your great salvation. I commit my life to your kingdom, your will, and your purposes for my days.

Amen

The Power of Shared Prayer

One final element from this same passage reflecting what we share when we are present:

Ephesians 6:23–24 ESV

Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Ephesians 6:

Paul closes his letter with an element which we have seen throughout this letter. Prayer. This expression of desire for Peace, love, faith and grace for those who love Jesus is not an expression thrown out of the air. It isn’t “good luck” or “Go get em” or “May the force be with you”, it is a cry for these people to receive these things from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…it is a prayer.

I want us to close with this act of ultimate presence. Praying for our church, for one another, and for this community together. Praying to the one who is always present.

I will raise a topic, and then I will allow one or two people to pray around that topic before moving on.

Unity in the church.

Commitment to the mission of the gospel.

Transformation of the community in Jesus name.

Now I want to pray for the person next to you on all sides. If you are on an end, you get off a little easier.

I want you to take thirty seconds and make sure you know the names of the people to your left and right, and those in front of you and behind you.

Now I am going to lead us through the Lord’s prayer, Jesus’ instructions for how we ought to pray, but we are going to pray this prayer with a focus on these people around us.

Our Father who is in heaven, holy is your name.

I pray for these people around me. May they know your fatherly love. May your name be made holy in their lives. In their conduct, their families, in their work Lord, may your name be holy in them.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Father may your heart move in them to the degree that through them, your will would be done. That this world would look more like your kingdom because of their lives. That earth would become just a bit more heavenly because you placed them here.

Give us this day our daily bread

Father we ask you give these people everything they need to be present today. Sustenance, provision, encouragement, and strength. Lord teach them to rely on you day by day for all they need.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Lord God we are beyond grateful for your forgiveness in our lives and the lives of these people around us. May we recognize the great cost of that forgiveness and may that recognition lead us to be as quick to forgive, not because we have received an apology or restitution, or even resolution, but because you have forgiven us of far greater betrayal. We recognize that our own ability to forgive serves as the evidence we have received forgiveness ourselves.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Father lead them. Protect them from temptation. Help them see it, recognize it, and find the quickest route away from it. You and you alone can lead them where they ought to go. Deliver them from the evil around and within.

Amen

Closing song

Conclusion

Presence leads us to stewardship

Next week we begin a series on stewardship. Though we will talk about tithes and offerings, really it is much deeper. Stewardship is closely tied to this idea of presence. It is a moment by moment recognition that all we are and have is a gift from God to be used for his kingdom. To recognize that rather than owners, we are to be stewards of the time, talent, treasure, and testimony God has given us.

If you would like prayer this morning, some of our leaders will be up front ready to pray with you.

Now to him who is able to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine, Amen.