I Do What I Do For Others

Sunday Worship Pentecost 11am, May 23, 2021 In the Sanctuary, Online at Zoom & https://www.facebook.com/centrechurchpa/ Welcome Announcements Pastor Don Hackett Worship Hosts – Yahke-Schrum Family Elder Paul McPherson Prelude Kathleen Wilson Call to Worship (Philippians 2:1-4) Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. We come to you to worship you, our God! 1 Hymn #8 Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GH0aLQwhRY Prayer of Confession & the Lord’s Prayer Spirit of life, Fill our emptiness with your fullness Spirit of power, Stir our hearts afresh Spirit of love, Touch us, and through us, our neighbor Spirit of Creativity, Enable and empower the gifts you have given Spirit of Eternity: Draw us ever deeper into your Kingdom Hear us as we pray the prayer your risen Son taught us: Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Sharing of Prayer Requests Prayers of the People The Offering (online donations at https://centrechurchpa.org/) Offertory Prayers of Dedication and Illumination The Spirit came and your Church was born, in wind and fire and words of power. The Spirit came blowing fear aside, and in its place weak hearts were stronger. The Spirit came as your word foretold, with dreams and signs, visions and wonders. The Spirit came and is here today, to feed the hearts of a world that hungers. We us now we pray, in Christ, Amen 2 Scripture Text – Philippians 2:5-11 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The Word of Our Lord. Thanks be to God! 3 Sermon “I Do What I Do For Others” Rev. Dr. Don Hackett 1. Paul’s one thing Thank you, Rev. Charlie Gross for launching us into the book of Philippians last week. The timing worked out well for me since I had a dermatologist appointment that left my head battered and I needed time to heal. Thank you. If you have been battered and beat up in any way you can relate to Paul as he writes this letter from prison. As Charlie said, Paul did not have an easy life following Jesus. He was chased out to town, stoned with rocks, beaten with whips, suffered hardships and more. Here is how Paul summed up his experiences for the church in Corinth: Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? 2 Corinthians 2:23-29 Whenever we think we are having a hard day, if might be helpful to go back and read this again. Yes, our days can be difficult, but they could be much worse! Why does Paul tell us this? Does he want to brag? No, Paul wants us to realize how much he loves us and Jesus. When Paul put Jesus Christ as the one thing in his life, nothing else mattered as much. I do what I do for others. Paul did what he did for others. He would go anywhere and doing anything to let people know that the Lord Jesus Christ loved them and had died for them, so they could be free! Paul allowed himself to be a vehicle or vessel for God’s purposes. Vehicles and vessels 4 Have you ever kept a car or truck over 5 years? 10 years? 15 years? 20 years? What kind of condition are they in after all that time? It all depends upon where you drove it and how you maintained it. In the normal wear and tear of family life or farm work, these vehicles can become pretty beat up. These vehicles, not matter what they looked like, were vessels to carry us. We were the precious cargo and they delivered us to the places we needed to go. Whether it was to work, a sports event, out for a meal, or delivering supplies, they did their jobs. I want you as you go out to your car or truck today to say “thank you” for all the ways your vehicle, your vessel has served you. 2. Jesus as a vessel In our passage today, Jesus is the vessel who comes to serve us. Jesus did what he did for others. I do what I do for others. Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8 Jesus Christ, the Living God, the Word that existed before all time, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and Last, became vessel to serve you and me. Let us follow the progression this passage, this ancient hymn, lays out: 1. The Universal, Eternal Christ took on severe limitations of human flesh as baby. 2. The King of Kings grew up in a peasant family. 3. The Wisdom of God was imparted through him by a humble life and penetrating teachings. 4. The Heart of God would be displayed by his healing touch and words. 5. And finally, the Lord God Almighty would engage his cosmic power by allowing himself to become an innocent victim of corrupt religious and legal courts. When I reflect on this, I remember in Isaiah 55:8 read: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 5 Did it cost Jesus to come and love us? Oh, yes. Did his body, his vessel, get beat up as he served us. Yes! Yes! Yes! To be a vessel of God’s love will always come at a cost. Jesus showed us the full extent of his love. Paul demonstrated the full cost of his love. Jesus and Paul did what they did for others. Now it is our turn. What happened at Pentecost shows us that we are the ones who now become vessels of God’s Spirit and love. I do what I do for others. 3. Pentecost Remember what occurred at that first Pentecost in Jerusalem? Confusion, mass confusion! This is how Acts 2:1-11 describes that day: When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them. There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were blown away. They couldn’t for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, “Aren’t these all Galileans? How come we’re hearing them talk in our various mother tongues? What looked like mass confusion was, in reality, God’s master plan. Jesus told his disciples that he would send his Spirit to live in them, to guide and help them. On that first Pentecost the church of Jesus Christ was born. The Spirit of God entered every willing heart to make it God’s home. The same is true today. The Holy Spirit marks us as his children and we have a home with God, now and forever. This Spirit makes us vessels of God’s Spirit, love, and power in Christ. I Do What I Do For Others. 4. Paul’s advice Back to Paul. He has advice for the church of the First Century and the Twenty First Century. 6 • Paul knows if we are going to be truly vessels of God’s love, we need to work to together. • Paul wants us to get along together and move together as one. • Paul does not want confusion, but for us to be in sync with God and each other. Here is how he puts it in Philippians 2:1-4: If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. 5. Our response Recently the Center for Disease Control updated their guidance on how to best protect oneself and each other from the spread of the COVID virus. This guidance last week has prompted what some are calling, “Mask Confusion.” Actually, it is pretty straight forward. • If you have been completely vaccinated, wearing a mask is optional. • If you have not been vaccinated, you need to wear a mask for your safety as well as for the safety of others. • In Pennsylvania, this is the mandate until at least 70% of the state’s population has been fully vaccinated. Business, retail stores, schools, and churches are now left to figure this out. In many stores wearing masks are optional. Schools are deciding what to do. Our Session met last Tuesday and after much conversation, came to this conclusion (and I quote from our minutes): After a lengthy discussion of the current CDC guidelines and the Presbytery’s recommendations, it was the consensus of the Session that, for the month of June, all members who are able will be encouraged to get the Covid-19 vaccine and all attendees will be treated equally by asking everyone to wear masks when in the sanctuary to show their concern for themselves and others. This policy will be reviewed on a monthly basis but will likely be in place until Pennsylvania lifts the masking order (when the adult vaccination rate in the state reaches 70%). Singing with masks on will be allowed. It was agreed that special services can be held in our sanctuary following our face masking order. Receptions will not be permitted in June. Regarding Vacation Bible School, a 7 motion that masks will be optional for children, optional for vaccinated adults, and required for non-vaccinated adults, and that it is recommended that volunteers be vaccinated, was seconded and carried. This decision of Session will be in our Newsletter and noted on events we do through June. Our practice in worship for the last year has been for us all to wear mask in worship to protect each other. • Now if you are vaccinated wearing a mask is an option. • We encourage you to wear one in the sanctuary as a sign of your care for others and yourself. • Vaccines greatly reduce the risk of Covid-19, they do not eliminate them. • If you have not been vaccinated, for whatever reason, we want you to be protected as well. • We recommend you wear a mask as well. See how comes from our passage today? The way the church deepens and grows is when she it serves. When we put our own preferences aside for the sake of others, we all grow together. No one is left out. No one is more important than another. Friends, most of the world is the deadly grip of this pandemic. • We will continue to pray for them and send them tangible help. • It looks like we are slowly coming out of it. • Let’s continue to pace ourselves in ways that are good for all. Let us continue to walk in the way of love. • I Do What I Do For Others Let us pray: Thank you, Jesus, and thank you, Paul, for showing us how to love others. We walk now in your footsteps. We need your Spirit giving us wisdom, power, love, and courage to serve others. Go with us today as we step out in faith in Christ, Amen. 8 Confession of Faith [from Apostles’ Creed, 390 AD] I believe in God, the Father Almighty, The Creator of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into Hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from whence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. *that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places Hymn #191 Holy Spirit, Light Divine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpAA2f1KKrE Benediction Let the majesty of the Father be the light by which we walk, the compassion of the Son be the love by which we live, the presence of the Spirit be the power by which we serve. Amen. 9