So I blame Jordan for today!!!! We were visiting about a month ago and asked if I was going to do a last sermon. It gave me pause to think about that. I mean…how many last sermons does a pastor get to do? And I had never done one before!!
I initially was reluctant to do one because… well… in my mind, it sounded like a “last sermon” would somehow be focused on me… and this last 11 years as pastor has never really been about me! However Jordan mentioned that it might be important to you the SRC family, So here I am.
So if today becomes about me, I blame it totally on Jordan, but if the Lord speaks to you through the sermon then we will give Him the glory and praise…Amen!!
As I considered a sermon verse for today a few came to mind, but the words of Paul as he wrote to his student Timothy, kept coming to me.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. —2 Timothy 4:7
I have kept the faith, I wonder, don’t we all hope to be able to say that at the end of our journeys in life? And it’s my sermon title for today… Keep the Faith!
As I considered this sermon, I was led to share some of the things that have helped me in my pastor’s journey and that I hope they will also help in your faith journey.
1 Run your race
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. —1 Corinthians 9:24
I hope you see here that you have a race to run… a race in fact, that only you can run. This passage is wonderful imagery in describing your faith journey. See, God has a unique and wonderful journey for you, both individually and corporately. (Pastor Search)
Our journey will require trusting the Lord and ultimately submitting to the Lord to experience the fullness of what he has for you in the journey. Again hear the words of Paul
Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. —Colossians 2:6-7
Lastly, in running your race, run in the gifts and strengths God has given you. In coming to SRC as pastor, I did not bring in a seminary education or even full time pastoral experience. When I came, I came to give you Jesus, that’s what I knew. Paul expresses a truth I can so relate to
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. —1 Corinthians 2:1-2
2 Be Obedient
In simple terms Obedience means hearing the word of God and acting on it. It implies aligning our will to God’s will; doing what God has asked us to do. Obedience is when we surrender to His authority and base our decisions and our actions on His Word…so how well do you know His word?
And remember…JESUS CALLS US TO BE OBEDIENT – NOT PERFECT… There is only ONE who is perfect. Moses said
The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. —Deuteronomy 32:4
Rock here is rendered Creator. A commentary, King Comments, says about this verse “God is the rock, we are dust. All our actions do not change the stability of God and His throne. That is the peace of God.”
And both 2 Samual 22 and Psalm 18 have the same exact words about God’s perfection
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. —2 Samuel 22:31+Psalm 18:30
Scriptures confirm that only God is perfect. Perfect means without flaw
So God is flawless! Our journey is one of consistently following His words and teachings.
So how can we be consistent? Through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit moves into our being at salvation and begins to transform our imperfections, to make us more like Jesus. How does He accomplish this? Through a process called sanctification.
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. —2 Thessalonians 2:13
So Run your Race and in running that race Be Obedient. Last point today.
3 Press on
In Philippians chapter 3, Paul spoke about really knowing Christ and developing that in a deeper way. In verse 12 he continues that thought
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:12-14
Paul means here, I do not pretend to have attained to what I wish or hope to be. But he is pressing onto that very goal, that vision, that completeness. How about you?
You have a call from God … Press On To That call…keep on pressing to Home.
As I think of these last 11 years in my pastorat. I think so many times the best thing I had to offer you was this very thing….press on!
In the midst of suffering, disappointment, anger, in the feeling that God failed you… press on. I guess in the end, there are really only two options in life…quit or press on. And when you are faithful to run your race and when you’re consistent in your obedience and when you press on… Remember this promise
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. —Philippians 1:6
And for today as we move to a prayer time, if you have quit….God is ready when you are to continue the journey.
Speaking of Journeys, let me invite one of our elder sup, Rick Gonzales, to speak to our journey as a church!