The Plan

Saturday nights before I preach on a Sunday AM, I look over my sermon, do some last minute edits and will preach it out loud to see how it sounds.
(Words sound very differently when they are spoke versus lying dormant on the page).

Then I pray.
I pray for me and the congregation.
In any congregation there will be specific men and women for whom the sermon will penetrate deep.
I pray for those people especially.

Tomorrow I preach on Esther - the beautiful woman chosen by a king to be a wife, and then chosen by another King to save the Jewish nation.

The sermon reminds me of the providential care of God for His creation and his absolute sovereign rule over all.

It is a sermon of comfort - because no matter what a train wreck our lives look like, there is Someone in control, guiding and directing towards His ultimate purpose.
Nothing is wasted in His economy.

Esther's story doesn't start out so great.
For some reason, she thinks its ok to enter a competition to win the affections of a pagan king.
She spends the night with a man with whom she is not married.
She marries a man who cares nothing for Yahweh.
Her life does not start out well.
Yet, despite her bad choices, God turns it all around and saves the Jewish nation through her courage.

No matter what your circumstances:

God is in control.
God is in control.
God is in control.

Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Go to church

Image
We are several months out of even the most limited pandemic restrictions. I cannot remember the last time I wore a mask. When I see someone wearing a mask, it feels nostalgic - a reminder of a strange time when that person was the norm and I - the unmasked one would look strange. Despite the fact that we can break the 6-foot barrier and admire the lower halves of other's faces - I have been surprised at the number of Christians I meet who are just NOW starting to return to live worship services. I understand the lure of the live stream worship experience while sitting at home on the couch - worshipping in sweats and hot coffee in my mug - much more appealing than a hard couch and no coffee. I've also met believers boldly walking away from regular church attendance and proclaiming they can worship God anywhere - including the pickleball court. Nature is my sanctuary. "God’s Spirit and gift of salvation are not defined by church walls. But without an embodied community of be
Read more

Coaster goes up (a little)

Image
Unused photo from the Globe and Mail shoot. So, last night and all day today I was on the top floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Vancouver. Quite auspicious surroundings for church council/pastors meetings! there were stunning views of the North Shore mountains, Stanley Park and the downtown buildings. The meetings were lengthy, exhausting and a lot of work. Basically, FBC has been on a year long journey of crafting its vision statement and core values - we did it with the assistance of a coach from Outreach Canada. We are coming down the home stretch and needed to hammer out everything for presentation to the congregation. Today was the first day that I have begun to feel lighter and ready to resume the work. Although still feeling wounded from this whole mess, I'm ready to limp on. It's true: Sunday,Monday - elation at finally reaching a goal of holding a first@night service in a trendy nightclub - excitement at getting press coverage - even thoug
Read more

Where the Light Falls

Image
I've read two books by Augustine - City of God and Confessions. I think I've read his confessions 3 times. I like him because he is a good writer, has lots of self-insight, and loves God passionately. He was very honest about his pre-Christian life. At one point he makes this observation: "I had my back toward the light, and my face toward the things on which the light falls." Most people have their back to the light - and they focus where his light falls. Where the light falls refers to God's common grace. God does not keep good things only for those who follow him. Because he is good he distributes his blessings and grace widely. Where the light falls are places of grace: art, music, beauty, sunshine, loving relationships, a baby's smile. But - these things are not the light - to enjoy and encounter the light, we must turn around and follow the rays of light back to the source. What is the source of beauty, love, and truth? Jesus said he is the light of the
Read more