The Lighthouse Keeper

Greetings from Pastor Kerry, former pastor of Spring City UMC. This blog contains my sermon outlines and/or manuscripts from my pastorate among the people of Spring City PA, from 2006 to 2011. Pastor Dennis is now the lighthouse keeper. Come and worship on Sundays at 10:00 a.m.! www.springcityumc.org

Sunday, June 06, 2010

The Lighthouse on the Hill

June 6, 2010
Second Sunday after Pentecost


The Lighthouse on the Hill
Galatians 1

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age,
according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:3-4)

My sermon outline:

• Fortunate (maybe) to live in a time when not much controversy… (flip side is that only controversy when you’re doing something… if you’re in a parked car, you won’t get a speeding ticket. but you won’t get anywhere either)

• There are controversies that strike fear into the hearts of pastors and congregations alike. Should we offer an additional service? (Yes!) what kind of music? (oh no) Shall we paint the fellowship hall? (Yes it needs it) What color? (oh no) Shall we have communion the same way every time or try it different ways?

Some things are Let it be… how you answer doesn’t make you “more” or “less” Christian.

• Some things are not “Let it be”. Shall the church oppose Hitler or sit back and watch? Shall the church have anything to do with bringing down apartheid? Shall the church defend slavery as it did once upon a time?

• Paul’s letter to the Galatians is a letter to an established congregation (or region) about a controversy within the body, something Paul deems not to be a LetItBe.
We’ll get into that part later on, but Paul opens letter with a reminder of the Gospel through which we (he includes himself) are justified – made right with God – through faith of JC.
(note: it’s easy to hear faith IN JC, but it’s faith OF JC) but again, I’m getting ahead of myself.
Justification (rectification) is the gift of God through the faith of JC who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age.

• Paul says Here’s my credentials, you believed the gospel once, don’t let it be twisted around.

• What if no SCUMC? look first at history… why SC? (vision) Why UMC? (zeal)
current vision & mission. Trusting God, Demonstrating God’s Love.
Lighthouse on the Hill.

Vision… We are called to grow as a Church that is Christ-centered, open to the Holy Spirit and welcoming all people in its mission, outreach and witness.

Mission… to reach people in the community and developing surrounding areas and invite them to become part of a caring, believing church family that is growing in faith and commitment and in developing Christian education, fellowship and service opportunities to meet needs.

If no SCUMC, dark! Not because we provide the light – God does that – but like lighthouses we illuminate the safe passage, we illuminate that it is through grace that our present day conditions are dealt with.

• Paul reminds us of the power of God to transform amazingly.
We’ve seen transformation of Peter, who went from denying and locked up alone but was transformed into street preacher of boldness.
Paul’s transformation from defender of the Jewish faith to ancient day Billy Graham.
We look forward to our own transformation as we illuminate and celebrate the safe passage that is Jesus Christ.

• Hymn Insert: Living For Jesus


- Pastor Kerry

This Sunday: muggy. 70 in worship.
Communion Sunday

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