John 4:16–23 NLT

16 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. 17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— 18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?” 21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.

Pastoral transition is a nerve-wracking time. The pastor wonders if his or her ministry style will be accepted at the new appointment. The church wonders what's gonna change … what's gonna be different? Invariably, things will change, and one of the changes that is immediately apparent is simply the personality of the person leading the congregation.

So, the question we really want to ask is one we can't exactly put into words … What's the personality of "the new guy?"

You may have read my bio, and if you did, you know I am originally from Louisville. You may know I graduated from UofL and Asbury Seminary. You may know that I've been married for almost 29 years years, and have 2 kids. You may have met Annette, Hannah and Isaiah, and if you have met them and not me … you’re better off for that. :)

In case you’re wondering: I don’t love or hate IU, Purdue, ISU, or even Ball State … I’m a Louisville graduate, so I’m a different kind of Cardinals fan. I'm also a Dodgers and a Dolphins fan. Some of you may already know I play guitar and sing. You may have gathered that I'm an extrovert. I am like the apostle Peter, in that, I stick my foot in my mouth fairly regularly. A lot of the personality stuff will come with time.

I hope that today’s message gives you what you need for today.

College – Free meal and talk by someone

Last Lecture series

This could be considered my “Last Lecture” even though it’s technically my first one here.

In fact, at every appointment I’ve served, this has been my first and last sermon. So, I trust you will hear this sermon again, but I hope not anytime soon. :)

Sometimes we get distracted by all the workings of the church and lose sight of our mission!

I’d like you to imagine a scene from a tv show:

"The West Wing" – "Let Bartlet Be Barlet"

[original air date, April 26, 1999]

President Bartlet has been taking the easy road to try and ensure reelection instead of doing what he believes is right. The staff's morale is plummeting. His poll figures are dropping drastically. He is losing political battles all over Washington because he refuses to take a stand on any issue for fear that he’ll lose the next election.

After a downer of an episode, in the final scene … dejected staffers awaiting the Chief of Staff who is meeting with the President about being more overt in his positions.

The President decides to return to his moral center … his mission! As the Chief of Staff returns to the staff waiting room… he tells them the president’s decision.

Leo: And we’re gonna lose some of these battles, and we might even lose the White House, but we’re not gonna be threatened by issues. We’re gonna put them front and center. We’re gonna raise the level of public debate in this country, and let that be our legacy.

[turns to Josh] That sound all right to you, Josh?

Josh: I serve at the pleasure of the President.

As the camera pans to each staff member, one-by-one each member of the President's inner circle echoes their commitment, "I serve at the pleasure of the President."

Leo: Then let’s get in the game!

Why Am I Here?

There is something to be said for serving at someone else's pleasure. There is something honorable about standing up for what's right even in the face of opposition and possible defeat! Similarly, the Church needs to return to her purpose. We’ve made decisions based on our own desires and preferences long enough.

In today's passage of Scripture, Paul gives us a few simple instructions:

Don't be selfish

Why are you here?

Any number of reasons, but it's gut-check time.

We “Church folk” spend an awful lot of time trying to tell the truth safely. Why? The truth itself is dangerous, why would any of us think telling the truth would be safe in this sinful world?

Our Life Together: "I'd give anything..." "No you wouldn't!" [awkward pause] “What do you mean?” “If you really would give ANYthing to be up there, you would’ve already given it, and you WOULD be up there playing like that.”

We want the result without the work that makes it happen. We want the reward without the sacrifice.

Don't think only about your own affairs

How many times have any of us made a decision by asking, "What do I want?"

If the Church is to survive, we have to recapture our mission and stop making decisions based on our preferences.

We must ask, "What does God want?" FIRST!

"regard one another as more important than yourselves;" (2:3)

"Don't think only about your own affairs"

Consider what’s best for the mission instead of what’s best for you or what you want!

Everything we do here today is worship of the Father. If any of us receive a blessing, that’s the gravy, not the meat! The meat of today is honoring Yahweh our God with our worship!

He is the center of attention at all times in worship.

The Father is the audience of our worship, not you … not me … not ever.

In a little while, we’ll eat lunch. That time can be my time of honor. Worship is not my time of honor!

We are here today to respond to God's unconditional love for us and all of humanity.

If you are here serving at your own pleasure, you are in the wrong building today.

"Don't think only about your own affairs"

Your attitude should be the same Christ Jesus had

humility … even humiliation for our benefit

Are you willing to be humbled for the benefit of others?

How about being humiliated?

Now is the time to do an attitude check ... Is your attitude the same Christ Jesus had?

What does that look like?

In human form, Paul says, he obediently humbled himself

obediently humbled himself

John 8:28 "I do nothing on my own initiative..."

John 12:49 "For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.

Paul tells us to submit to the authority placed over us in two different places.

As pastor … who is my boss? Two answers ...

In the United Methodist Church, the pastor's boss is the District Superintendent.

In a very real sense, though. I answer to God the Father.

We didn’t read that far, but Paul concludes this section of his letter with these words: “...at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

… to the glory of God the Father

This is a joyous day ...

This is a celebration of our time together and God's faithfulness as he’s brought our journeys together.

There is only one reason I would teach a hard teaching on my first Sunday … for the glory of God the Father.

We show up to:

pray together in fellowship

respond to God's grace and the Truth of His Word

honor God by bowing our hearts to Him in submission to His Holy Spirit's influence

The Holy Spirit can and does work regardless of our submission ...

but why would any of us want to resist Him and make His job harder in calling us all to a deeper relationship through Jesus Christ?

After all you’ve experienced in life, don't you want to work WITH the Holy Spirit to create the atmosphere where God's presence is felt?

You can produce that atmosphere regardless of who occupies this pulpit, and regardless of where you are.

Time, place, circumstance, style, time of day … none of these things are relevant.

Only the condition of our hearts is relevant

“The Father is looking for those who will worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Don't be selfish

Don't think only about your own affairs

Have the same attitude as Christ Jesus

Be obedient and humble

And do all for the glory of God the Father

God has great plans for Temple!

THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE WANTS TO WORK IN AND THROUGH THIS CONGREGATION!!!

You (collectively and individually) are worthy of His love, not because of what you have; or who you are; or what you've done. You are worthy of His love and relationship with Him simply BECAUSE HE SAYS SO, and nothing will ever change that!

You deserve the love of Christ because the Father says so! Let’s let THAT be our driving force.

As we get to know each other, and as we work together, “we’re gonna lose [sometimes], but we’re not gonna be threatened by issues. We’re gonna put them front and center. We’re gonna raise [the name of Jesus Christ in this church and in this community], and let that be our legacy.”

So why are YOU here?

In my best moments, my driving force is simple ...

I serve at the pleasure of the King of Kings!

How 'bout you? [Annette; Phil; Brad; Ron; Joan;]

Let's get in the game!

Let’s pray — [include Lord’s Prayer]