Where do we began on such an amazing day in the house of the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord was in this place and we worshiped for over two hours through music, dance, skits and an amazing sermon presented by Pastor Randy.
First of all Sylvia led the service by singing "Because He Lives". Marcella read from the book of Psalm 100 and team leader Lynn read it in English. There were more specials in singing led by another church member, "Halluiegh" and "Santos Santos Santos". Sonya, a young person in this church led the offertory prayer. After the offertory prayer the North American ladies got up to sing "Victory in Jesus" in English and sang the chorus in Spanish. After the North American ladies sat down the Honduran ladies along with Ellie got up to sing in English "God's Love is So Wonderful". Then they sang one of their very own hymns in Spanish. What an amazing start to a very special day in the house of the Lord.
Pastor Randy got up to preach his sermon on "Zaachaeus" out of Luke 19. Prior to him going up to the pulpit, Maida, our translator, came to me and ask if she could run to the bathroom. So off she went. After Ellie and her choir got finished singing I ask Ellie could she fill in for a few minutes while Maida ran quickly to the restroom. So Pastor Randy instead of started his sermon he unannounced had the entire team come up to sing the song about Zaachaeus not once but twice. Maida then entered the church prepared to translate for Pastor Randy. Thank you Pastor Randy for how you handled this in such a sensitive and godly way.
Pastor Randy started his sermon by thanking them for having his team here this week to provide a home for a fellow sister in Christ. He shared today God has a word for us from Luke. He asked the mostly children congregation "Do you want to see Jesus through your eyes?" All of the children shouted "SI". Then he asked another question, "Do you want to be in the presence of Jesus?" The children once again yelled, "SI". So Pastor Randy proceeded with his message God had called him to share today. Zaaccaheus wanted to see Jesus too. But he was way too short. The crowd would not let him come through them to get to Jesus. The people of Zaacchaeus community did not like Zaachaeus because he was not nice to the people. He was a tax collector who charged too much and kept a lot of the money for himself. The people turned their backs on Zaachaeus and would not let him through. But Zaachaeus wanted to see Jesus that day and he was so determined to see him that he climbed up into a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus with his own eyes. Zaachaeus teaches us that we should overcome any obstacles or barriers in our lives which keeps us from seeing Jesus. Some of those barriers could be sins in our lives, friends we associate with, selfishness and doubt and fears. We need to overcome these barriers so we can be in the Jesus' presence. We need to know where Jesus is going in our lives. This week Jesus was at work in this community. Where two or more are gathered in His name Jesus is present. We all have overcome great obstacles to be here today. Some of us walked many miles just to come to church and some of our friends tried to keep you from coming today. But because you came you and I were in the presence of the Lord, Jesus. When you spend time in his Word, time in prayer, time to listen to his still sweet voice we can be in the presence of the Lord.
Secondly today when we are looking for Jesus or being in his presence He is also looking for us. Jesus was looking for Zaaachaeus on that day. He was on his way to be persecuted he took time to stop and be with Zaachaeus. Jesus was on a mission, his death. But he also was still on God's mission of bringing the lost to Christ. By Jesus stopping that day Zaachaeus got to see Jesus and be in his presence. Jesus was not too busy to look up into the tree. Jesus wants to be with us. In Matthew where Jesus shares about the Sheep and the Goats, Jesus shares I asked you for something to eat and drink and you did not give it to me. Jesus has been in our midst this week. You shared your food with us when we were hungry. We built a home for one of our own who needed a home. When we serve one another we are serving Jesus. We are in His most holy presence. The really good news in this today is Zaachaeus was not like actually he was despised by his peers. Yet Jesus came to Zaachaeus when no one else would come near him. There is not any one who is too far from Jesus. We all need to share Jesus with whoever God puts in our paths. It does not matter where they are in life they need the love of Jesus. You need to go out and let people see Jesus in you. Not just in this building but in your community where there are lost souls who need to be in the presence of Jesus just like we are.
Word got out that Jesus enjoyed a meal with a sinner. He was dining with Zaachaeus. So Zaachaeus stood up at the meal and apologized to everyone who he had cheated and said he was going to pay back all he had taken from each one of them. So by Jesus looking up in the tree and was not too busy this opportunity caused a sinner named Zaachaeus to receive the greatest gift of all. He was transformed, his life was changed and he received salvation. This day Zaachaeus became a follower of Christ. When we are looking for Jesus, Jesus will draw near to us through his Holy Spirit. If you do not know Jesus today this story is about you. It is for everyone who has not heard the good news. We have the same mission of Jesus. We are to make disciples and followers of Jesus. We all have our own mission in life but we are all about God's mission. Look in unexpected places to find the lost. Teach them about Jesus' love. Pastor Randy then ask, "So do you want to see Jesus today? Everyone shouted,"SI". "Do you want to see people like Jesus sees people?" "SI". So let's all have eyes like Jesus.
Then the church members presented a skit of a dying child and her mother by her side. Sylvia song "Following Jesus" as a young person entered the church from the outside and brought the child back to life. There was not too many dry eyes in the church building today.
The church has a dance program where the young people performed a routine about a turtle who was slow and did not want to do anything. Like us sometimes we do not want to get up and go to church or help a friend in need. The skit actually tied in real well with Pastor Randy's sermon. At the close of the service Sylvia and her husband Elmor sang a couple of hymns. This was a day full of blessings in God's house. We were definitely in the presence of the Lord today.
No comments:
Post a Comment