• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
archived service at ggwo.org/gml
Strengthen the Things Ready to Die
by Pastor Thomas SchallerApril 8, 2009Unedited
Pastor Schaller 
Jesus, at the last supper, with his group of 12, it seemed like he couldlose them. But, he would not, bec. he is the good shepherd. I think of this: when we are in the world, there are things that sometimes Godwants us to be a part of something that is a mere disaster. How manycan say, AMEN! You may say, been there done that. I think so! I thinkthis happens. There are mere disasters in our lives. Maybe a marriage,your health, friendship, or maybe even a church.In Rev. 3, we have this picture. vs 2 - to the church of Sardis, bewatchful, and strengthen the things that remain that are ready to die.We were in Maine last Friday late...and Saturday. There were 80 to100 of us who met. Pastor Rick LeClair came...Morrison,Moore...Pastor Geguere quoted 50,000 Bible verses...Pastor Bob Colbyspoke to us...Pastor Dave...Frank. We were in a Grange Hall. Ahundreds years ago...a Grange Hall...wood planks...reminded me of our beginnings with Dr. Stevens in Maine 30 to 40 years ago.Our country needs us. Our commuinity, city, family, our church needsus. Sometimes God puts you where there is something there thatneeds to be strengthened.vs 2 - strengthen the things that remain. We only want to be aroundliving things that are sure and secure. The Lord says, come up hereand be next to the respirator. Be part of something that is ready todie. I want you to be in the midst of unbelievers, in a dark age, rightwhere you are needed. This is like the last supper.When Jesus talked to his disciples, the world was coming down on himand on them. He told them words that the flesh doesn't understandand know. Words like: I've spoken to the father. I go. The father willsend you the comforter. Though you have sorrow, it will be only for aseason. Then, you will have joy. THe world doesn't see me, but youwill see me. I will be with you.In this last supper, two words I thought of that the world doesn't konwabout: Weakness and Foolishness. The world has two other words, theopposite.
 
archived service at ggwo.org/gml
Weakness. Have you felt it. I do all the time. Coming here tonight, thisafternoon praying for service tonight, feeling uable and sensingweakness. When we started, I heard about a preacher in Texas,pleading iwth God, Give me power and use me. That man was JackHyles. He was a young, skinny little preacher. In the weakness, at thelast supper, Jesus shares secrets with his disciples. This is one thingwe love about the ministry. God shares secrets with us. He tells ussomething the opposite the world wants to hear.The world is looking for power, influence, strength, fame, success.Jesus do you have power? I have power. I'm here at the last supperwith 12 men. One of them just went out. He's on a mission. He knowsnot the trouble he is in. I would wash him and take away his sins. Heis so lost, he'll never get out of it. I have 11 guys here. I'll tell themabout a secret. Its the power in the midst of weakness.When things are ready to die. When things need to be strengthened.WHen people find the secret of God, they find themselves part of God'skingdom, a different world.The second word: Foolishness. Come on Jesus! What are you talkingabout. Yes! Sure! Yea...Right...What are you talking about? No onebelieves you. You are talking about the father, the kingdom...we don'tsee any wisdom at the last supper. Intelligence, the world uses. Wedon't see any. That little group of men, eating lamb that night, becomethe primary element of our whole society for 2,000 years. We've seenthe transformation of people from this person who said, Its the fatherand me. If you know and believe that and trust me, You'll see boththings. My weakness is power, and my foolishness is wisdom. That'swhat he told them, in John 13-17.I think, the Christian life, when i live in my power: personality, somethink the ministry is based on someone's personality. Its not. Its basedon God's power. It isn't based on organization, administration, publicrelation, advertisement, etc, money, etc. We say, O No! We would bebored with that way of thinking. Those types of people, don't get closeto that which is ready to die. The marriage, the relat, the church, thepastor, the believers, you and I are part of something where we haveour own last supper and speak secrets to people that are ready to die.They receive power and wisdom. That's us.Its like a cold shower. We say, that's amazing. That's great. We arelittle weak people. We find a secret here. Its not based on the musclesof humanity, but the grace of God. Its not the cleverness of a leader,but the power of the living God. At the last supper, Jesus said, you'll
 
archived service at ggwo.org/gml
run away from me. You all will be gone. O No! Lord! Yea...I'm tellingyou. My kingdom is not based on you, but on me. This is theROCK...Me. The words I say, the love, grace, peace and way I giveyou...You will know. The joy I give you will be full of glory. The peace Igive you is not like the world gives you. Its different. That's what weexp'g by God's grace in our lives.When we were with the leaders up in Maine, we felt and sensed God'spresence with us. It was beautiful. We were together drinking it in. Wesaid, there's a new chapter in Maine for us. Strengthen that whichremains. Receive from God. That which is ready to die, that needs tobe heard all over the world. This needs to be everywhere. In everyhouse, Jesus says how it is, what will happen. I'm laying down my life,I'm the savior. You guys, take a chill pill. Bec. of me, your life will betransformed. You will have joy, power and I go to heaven to prepare aplace for you. There is a day coming, when they will kill you and thinkthey are doing God a favor.What great news to hear at the last supper. You mean, the world willhate us. How do you feel about that? We want to be with you, but wedon't want the world to hate us. But, the Lord says, you are diff. Youhave a diff. calling. You are with God, and God is with you. You will beweak people, but strong, foolish, but wise. That's like church life forus.Matt. 13. Turn there with me, vs 5 - some fell on stony places. TheWord is sowed. Some fell by the wayside. The fowls came anddevoured them...Some were devoured bec. they had no deepness of earth.Where are all the preachers in America? The messages are to go in thedeepness of earth. They had no deepness of earth. At the last supper,that's what was needed in the hearts and minds of these disciples.They needed deepness of earth. The church needs to be deeper. Weare about as deep as a coat of paint, of gold on a two by four. It lookslike gold, but its spray painted.Christianity that Christ called us to is Last Supper Christianity. He said,by by. I'm going. You have deepness of earth in you. The Word that Igave you, I planted in you. Get ready for the ride of life. You are on adune buggy going to heaven. When you finish you will say, What aride?That means: it costs something. WHen you go to that which is readyto die, you strengthen it, you pray, you say, Lord, I'm not giving
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...