Timewell Baptist
December 29, 2002 Speaking here is getting easier..used to be, I didn’t know what to say or what to play. Now Ronnie tells me ahead of time. Told him I’d played enough…people getting tired of it. He informed me that I should play anyway because he liked it.
The Methodist missionary to India, E. Stanley Jones, became intrigued by Mahatma Ghandi’s frequently quoting the words of Jesus Christ. The preacher met with Ghandi on one occasion and asked him, “Mr. Ghandi, though you quote the words of Christ often, why is it that you appear to so adamantly reject becoming his follower?” Ghandi said, “Christianity is a beautiful idea. I wish someone would try it. “ I know some who have..at least a little bit. I’m only going to say one thing of importance today. If the current state of the world scares you, there is something you can do about it. Peace begins with your relationship to Christ. What can my peace in Timewell have to do with Iraq and North Korea and the World Trade Center? I know..it doesn’t make good sense, but Christ taught it. Seek Ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. And… I bring you peace, not as the world gives, but as I give.
Let me share a few stories with you about people whom I’ve known who’ve tried to bring that peace into the world. Black lady..J’ville… Joanna Caldwell THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE Pop Van Pelt At His Funeral: Precious Lord, In the Garden, What a Friend Craig Dunham… Navigators, Eagle Lake Middle of June: Joy to the World Helen Dickens Let There be Peace on Earth
You know people like this, too. Next year for your new year’s service, cancel the preacher and simply stand up and tell the stories you’ve seen in the past year.
Ronnie wanted me to play this song again…
One of my favorite hymns has been used for strange purposes recently. Pro-life rally, convention of gun owners Victory in Jesus.. give us victory over the evil world.. But listen to the words…It’s Jesus speaking to each one of us.
Victory in Jesus…not a cry to overcome the evil forces of the world, but a prayer to win the battle inside us.
I heard an old, old story..how savior came from glory… How He gave His life on Calvary, to save a wretch like me. I heard about his groaning, of His precious blood atoning, Then I repented of my sins and won the victory. I heard about His healing, of his cleansing power revealing How he made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see And then I cried, “Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit.” And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory.
Saddest verse in the Bible: very last verse of Matthew 13.. verse 58. After a week of working miracles, Christ returned to His hometown. “And he did not do any miracles there because of their lack of faith.”
Let’s sing Victory in Jesus…but not to each other…to ourselves…
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