From: Greg Brayton
To: Rob Patterson and friends at pastorob.com and to the Ends of the Earth
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 4:57 PM
Subject: Greg's Sermon
 
Our gospel lesson today is from the book of John, chapter 20: 19 - 23.
 
 
Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house.  Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you."

Then he showed them his hands and side.
 
The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant.  Jesus repeated his greeting: "Peace to you.  Just as the Father sent me, I send you." Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them.  "Receive the Holy Spirit," he said. 

"If you forgive someone's sins, they're gone for good.  If you don't forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?"
 
Let's pray.
 
Lord, I thank You for the chance to share the words You've given me, and I pray that You'd help me to share them in a way that shows the hope, joy, and peace You've given me, and that the same loving grace might be enjoyed by the good people who hear or read this message.

The first few hundred times I read this passage in John, it was like magical! Ooh, how cool! The Holy Spirit! What an occasion.  What a celebration! Jesus, back from the dead!
 
Well it does say the disciples were exuberant.  But what about the first part of this reading? The disciples locking the door, in fear for their lives! I used to sort of skip right past that part.  Never gave it much thought.  After all, the most important point here is, Christ's resurrection, and the receiving of the Holy Spirit right? Of course it is!
 
But today I have a better understanding of the fear thing.  No, I never believed people were looking for me ready to take my life.  But I have been very afraid of what might be just around the corner.  I've been very concerned about, what you might think, what they might say, even, what God might have in mind for me!
I've really been working on doing
what I think God wants me to for quite a few years now, so a while ago, when I  wound up in the hospital, I just couldn't believe it!


I was so miserable, upset, and afraid, I let God know, right out loud, just how sure I was,  that He had the wrong guy!
I was a worship leader, a servant,  an all round disciple for goodness sake. Here I was with a tube down my throat, and hiccups at the same time, causing the tube to rub my throat raw each time I convulsed. It was a bad joke, and God was pulling it on me!


   Well I was a poor patient, I kept pleading with God, and yelling for the nurse, pleading with God, and yelling for the nurse.  Then, the other fellow sharing the room with me, who just happened to be waiting for a liver transplant, and hadn't really been a model patient himself, asked if it was really so bad, and I was ashamed, and embarrassed, so I told him I was sorry, and I laid still.  I shut up, and locked the door.

 
I don't know how long I pouted before I felt it, the awesome presence, the Spirit, the comforting, be still and know, That I Am God! For me, it wasn't so much a celebration, as it was an assurance.  That both good and hard times were coming.  God was in charge, it would be, as it needed to be.  I repented, I counted my blessings, I forgave, and I experienced the peace of God's Spirit, all in a moment!.
 
Nice story isn't it? What's it got to do with you?
 
Have you ever been concerned, or even yes, afraid, of what might be just around the corner? What I might think, what they might say, what God might have in mind for you? It's human nature to lock the door and hide away.  I believe God knows we'll do that.  He expects us to cry out to Him, but after we've done our explaining, and commiserating, after we've told our story, I think God would have us listen.  I believe Jesus would have us forgive, and be forgiven.  He wants us, to know the peace that comes through trusting Him.  The bible tells us that we were created for God's good pleasure. When we really give it up, and trust, we finally get the benefits of God's good mood. Yes, God wants our trust, our service, and our attention. Sow when God reaches out and gets hold of you, rejoice.  Celebrate.  Enjoy the ride! You're not just in good hands, you're in God's hands!

I'm not just trying to be cute or funny here, God's hands! That's as good as you can ever feel. In God's hands.


Ok, the questions you are asked to answer,

1. What is the point of this sermon?

2. What did you like best about this sermon?

3. What might I do to improve this sermon?

Thanks for taking the time to respond if you have the time.
 

Sincerely,
 

Greg

TO RESPOND:
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