A firm Foundation for the Future

A Firm Foundation for the Future

I have been in church my whole life.   Even before I was born I was in church.

I was the first baby born into the new church building in 1966. 

The church I grew up in has a similar background to this church.  It started as an Italian work to reach the Italian immigrants in Youngstown OH who came to work in the Steel Mills of the day. 

Where I differ from most in my generation is that I grew to love the church despite its flaws.  My church was not a perfect church.  Business meetings were scary.  Splits occurred, staff left at an alarming pace.  I can’t even remember how many different youth leaders I had while in the youth group.  At one point at 16 years of age I was doing the teaching in youth group.  They must have thought I was older because I was probably grey back then too. 

I remember the first time I was asked to take the offering in church.  I was so nervous think: don’t drop it, don’t trip, don’t forget anyone and please God don’t let the pastor ask me to pray.  I remember walking down the center aisle, grasping the plate with both hands, bowing my head when I heard the words I never wanted to hear, “Randy would you pray for the offering.”  I don’t even remember what I said but I do remember my heart pounding out of my chest. 

Since that time I have heard 1000’s of prayers.  But there was one prayer that made a difference in my life and it was a prayer for the offering.  It was prayed at the Flemington Assembly of God where I was youth pastor right out of Bible School.   It must have been 15 -18 years ago.    The man whose first name I don’t even remember said something like this,   “Dear Lord, I thank you for all who have come before us that gave so that we can have what we have today.”  It is the only prayer I ever remember.  It stuck with me because at that point in my life I began to reflect on the sacrifices others have made in order for me to be where I was at in life. 

I think of my grandfather who came over “on the boat” at 19 years of age.  He came to Ellis Island as Peter Anthony Isabella and came out Anthony Peter Sabella.  He gleaned fruit and vegetables from the train yard to sell from his cart to provide for his family.  He worked in the Steel mills in Sharon PA.  He studied God’s Word and became a pastor – starting a church in Meadville PA.  I didn’t even consider until writing this that my heart for church planting has deep roots in my family. 

I share that with you tonight because what we are doing here is reflecting on those who have come before us that enables us to be where we are at today.  For Brother Dell’Aringa and the pastors who have come after him.  Men like Brother Maruso whose son Danny is here tonight.  Men like Brother Pagano whose daughter is here tonight.  The five original families who have family members represented here tonight.  They sacrificed so we can be where we are.

LaBron James is the greatest basketball player in the world.  He is only 21 years old.  His whole life he has been catered too because of his special abilities and yet he has stayed out of trouble on and off the court.  I was watching some sports talk show and they asked a reporter who knew him well what makes him different than other athletes who are out of control.   The Reporter answered with one word.  “Respect” He respects the game, the other players, his teammates and his coach. 

Not only are we reflecting on those who have gone before us.  We are also respecting the church of Jesus, respecting the people who have gone before us, respecting those who are a part of the church now.   To our current ministry leaders and teachers and workers we say thank you.  You are the heroes of today.  You are the ones building on the firm foundation for the future.       

But the other side of respect is responsibility.  Reflection and respect take us only so far.   If we do not accept the responsibility to move forward then we have gained only memories but no momentum to carry us into the future. 

You see, the question is not just where we have been but where do we go from here? 

We must go past reflection and respect and accept the responsibility to carry on into the future of this great church .  As I am speaking we are partnering to plant a church in an area where there is no Pentecostal church.   Pastor Jim and some of our church people are holding the very first service of Solid Rock Worship Center in Landisville, NJ.  Through the sacrifices of people today we are able to partner to see this church born.  Through those who give faithfully to the work of the Lord and to missions we are able to do this.   “If we are not advancing God’s Kingdom then what are we doing?”  The church of Jesus Christ is not a Social Club for the Christian it is a spring board for service to the King.  

This year we are renovating and expanding our existing church.   We are going to widen the sanctuary, change the platform, build a new lobby with updated facilities, update the nursery and the basic infrastructure of the existing building.  It will take the same sacrifice and determination our forefathers had when they built the original church building, when they built the building we are in now.  Each took a step of faith because they believed in their times that their best days were not behind but ahead.  How much more with the firm foundation we stand on do we need to take steps of faith to ensure the health and growth of the church into the next generation. 

This year new people will come who need to know Christ. New people will come who need to grow in there walk with the Lord.  New people will come who need to serve instead of being served.  New people will come who will go into all the world and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Where would we be?

If our forefathers had not risked – where would we be?

If they had not sacrificed – where would we be?

If they had not trusted – where would we be?

If they had not served – where would we be?

If they had not responded – where would we be?

If they had not stayed – where would we be?

If they had not given – where would we be?

If they had not stood strong when others were weak– where would we be?

If they had not persevered – where would we be?

But, I believe the greater question for us tonight is not just where would we be but…

If we do not risk – where will our children be?

If we do not trust – where will our children be?

If we do not serve – where will our children be?

If we do not respond – where will our children be?

If we do not stay – where will our children be?

If we do not give – where will our children be?

If we do not stand strong – where will our children be?

If we do not persevere - where will our children be?

The question for us today is not just “Where would we be?” but “Where will they be?”

As we live in this 85th year of this great churches’ existence.  We reflect on its great past,  we respect those who have gone before us but we also accept the responsibility of moving into the future.  If our heritage does not propel us to face the challenges of today then we have missed the point.  We have missed the Spirit of our forefathers and mothers.  The Firm Foundation will begin to crumble if we don’t move on from this point to help people to know, grow, serve and go. 

What have you been given?

What will you give?

What have you been forgiven?

What will you forgive?

Holding on to the mistakes and missteps of the past will keep you in the past. 

Will you come with me and take a step of faith for the future. 

That’s what our forefathers would want from us and that is what we are going to d21o because we have a Firm Foundation for the Future.