Monthly Archives: March 2023

03/26/2023 = Romans 5:12-21 = “Behold, There Is a New Creation: Be-Healed)

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(Click HERE to see the FBLive video of this service – starts at 13:00, sermon at 45:30)

(Click HERE to donate to Lidgerwood Church’s mission and ministries – THANK YOU!)

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Mark Wheeler

Romans 5:12-21                                                                                                      

Fifth Sunday in Lent, 03/26/2023

“Behold, There Is a New Creation: Be-Healed”                                                       

Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church

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Welcome to worship, friends – on this fifth Sunday in the season of Lent – a Season designed to prepare us for the wonder and grace of Jesus’ death and resurrection, Maundy Thursday, Jesus’ Last Supper, His Good Friday arrest and crucifixion and death, and Resurrection Sunday – let’s join in as Linda Soderstrom leads us in our Call to Worship –

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And let’s immediately follow that with our Prelude of Praise and wonder –– Grace Greater than All Our Sin  #472

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Good morning Friends!  Welcome worship at Lidgerwood!! Shalom Aleichem!

A woman took her husband to the doctor’s office.  After his checkup, the doctor said, “Your husband is suffering from a very serious infection.“
The husband, who was hard of hearing said, “What did he say?“
His wife said, “He says your sick.”
The doctor went on, “But there is hope.  You just need to reduce his stress. Each morning, give him a healthy breakfast.
Be pleasant, nice, and kind.  For lunch and dinner make him his favorite meal.  Don’t discuss your problems with him, it will only make his stress worse.  Don’t yell at him or argue with him.  And most importantly … just cater to your husband’s every whim.
If you can do this for your husband for the next 6 months to a year, I think your husband will have a complete recovery.“
The husband said, “What did he say?“
His wife said, “He says, You’re going to die.”

Well, I guess some infections are worse than others!!

Healing! That’s the theme of today’s worship service. Physical healing – that’s why we pray. Emotional healing – that’s why we love. Spiritual healing – that’s why we worship. Where is your hurt and pain today? What healing do you need?

This is why the Season of Lent exists. So that we might see in ourselves that we are so deeply loved by God that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life – God is Yahweh Rapha – the Lord is Healer – the Great Physician …..

This Season of Lent is meant to bring us to this Great Physician, the Creator of our very selves, and every element and chemical and relationship that offers healing ….

Welcome, friends, from around the world, to this worshipping community!

Let’s take a second to welcome each other into a moment of Sabbath in God’s presence and peace, and with others whom we love and with whom we grow together. Friends, may “The PEACE of Christ be with you – and also in you!!”

Welcome to this “gathering” in God’s name. We are assembled in NorthEast Spokane, WA, along with people from all over the world. We are very glad you are “here” with us.

Be filled with God’s Holy Spirit presence and power, in your homes, through your phones and computers, in this building here, and in your lives. Pray with us … and hear and be transformed by God’s Word.

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Choir –! Thank you for how you lead us in worship with this Sunday’s Choral Anthem – remind us that God heals  “Because He Loves Us So”

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While the choir transitions to the pews, let’s fill this time highlighting some announcements :

The Easter Cantata – The Rose of Calvary – will take place on Resurrection Sunday, April 9, during

worship – invite your friends to hear this beautiful rendition of the original Easter story!

          There will be a New Member Class on April 15, 9-noon

Listen in as Linda opens our Prayer time in Confession and Thanksgiving

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10    Gloria Patri

11-13  

  • what are some praises, thanksgivings, adorations we want to offer?
  • Is there a person or a situation you want to lift to our Lord for His answers and grace?

14   We pray this in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray:   [The Lord’s Prayer]

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Let’s prepare to receive a Word from our Majestic God by singing a song of Devotion and Praise and Glory  –  One Race, One Gospel, One Task – #735!!

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Spirit of Healing and Comfort, of Integrity and Truth, we believe in You and trust in You.  As You did on the day of Pentecost, fill us, renew us, challenge us with Your Spirit and with Your Word … and we commit ourselves to work with You in Your world, in the authority of Jesus’ name.  Amen.

I remember learning about Adam and Eve from my earliest days in Sunday School.  One thing that always bothered me was that they blew it for the rest of us.  I remember thinking that if only they hadn’t sinned … we wouldn’t have to worry about mosquitoes or wasps or other insects that make such a nuisance of themselves.
Of course, as a young child, I was unable to appreciate the biggest result … ever since our first parents … Adam & Eve … sinned, when they chose to do what THEY wanted … instead of what GOD wanted … when they disobeyed God; it has resulted in Sin being passed down to all their future children.
We have received an inheritance from our first parents … and it’s not a bunch of money.
It is Sin.  I was born in sin.  And so were you.  And Now, because of Adam & Eve, instead of really wanting to serve God … we are born and grow … really wanting to do what WE want (just like Adam & Eve); and left unchecked … this is a  really bad infection!  In fact, it’s an infection that has eternal fatality!

This is why, when we confess our sin – while we might include time to confess individual sins, personal sins – it is really our sin-nature we confess, and need forgiveness for and healing from.

When we go to the Doctor and he tells us our diagnosis, we usually have many questions … 
Is it serious?  What is the treatment?  If the diagnosis is very serious, we might ask, “How much longer do I have?“
And now that I have told you that you have a fatal infection … you might have some questions for The Doctor.
We will look to the Great Physician to answer our questions this morning.

Let’s turn to today’s Bible reading, and discover God’s perfect cure – He wants us to Be-Healed: Read: Romans 5:12-21… —- 

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12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, & death through sin, & so death spread to all men because 

all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

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15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 

16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 

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17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned thru that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace & the free gift of righteousness reign in life thru the one man Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification & life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 

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20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Who is infected?
We are all infected with the disease called Sin.  We get this infection simply by being born.  I don’t know if Scientists will ever find a gene in our genetic make up that is the “Sin” gene; but just like our hair color and eye color are inherited … we also inherit Sin.

And this Sin (singular, capitol “S”) is what causes us to commit sins (plural, small “s”).  In our New Member class we will learn again that Sin (capitol S) is that Sin we are born with … because of what Adam & Eve did; sins (plural, small s) are the sins we commit … because of what WE do.

And the bad news is that we can do absolutely nothing to help ourselves.  We can’t take penicillin to get rid of this infection.  We can’t try to live a holy life on our own.  Amy Grant sings a song in which she says, “Being ‘good’ is just a fable; I just can’t cuz I’m not able”.  She is absolutely right!  We can’t go to a surgeon and have him cut out this infection.  It’s there!

Romans 5:18 says, “Consequently, … the result of one trespass was condemnation for all.”

Here’s a question that comes up in almost every group that reads the Adam & Eve passage together:  If God is omniscient, and He knows all things. He would know that Adam & Eve would sin; and as a result … all humanity would be born with this infection.  If God really knows all this … why would He create Adam and Eve to begin with?

Let me answer this question with another question: Those of you who have children … 
When you had children … did you really think that they would be perfect? 
Or did you realize that there would be times that they would disappoint you? 

Did you realize that your children (from time to time) would make you cry? 

Did you realize that they would cause you pain?  Did you realize that they would hurt you?  That they would disobey you?
If we realize all these things … why in the world would we have children?
My guess is … we hope that the good times will outweigh the bad.  We hope that the joy will be greater than the pain; that obedience would be greater than the disobedience.
When Caitlin was born … and I held her in my arms for the 1st time … I remember that overwhelming sense of love;
that sense that I would be willing to do ANYTHING for her.  The same was true for Brianna and Andrew … even though by now I knew, 1st hand, perfection was out of the question!
I knew that no matter what … I would always love my children.  I knew I would try to spend time with them; I would try to be the absolute best father ever.
As I recall how I felt at the birth of my children … I wonder how God felt when He created Adam & Eve.
We’ve already talked about some of His hopes and dreams for them; His plans for them; His promises made.
God was committed, even then, to spending time with His children; to be the best Father ever.  He was thinking, even then … that He would be willing to do anything … no matter how great the sacrifice.  And He knew what that sacrifice would entail!

God knew … just like you know.  Our love for our children makes it all worthwhile.

Another important question that we have to ask:
Is there a cure for this fatal infection?  Are we doomed to die?  How can we Be-Healed?
I’m here to tell you this morning … we don’t have to die … there is a cure!

Romans 5:17 says, “For if, by the trespass of the one man , death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.”

Yes, there is a disease called Sin.  Yes, it is fatal.  Yes, if this infection is left unchecked, untreated it is a terminal illness.
But there is hope!  And that hope is found in Jesus Christ!
God can cleanse us from Sin.  He can change us from within!  He can heal us from the infection!  He restores us into a great relationship with Him.  We are forgiven!

The last question I’d like for us to talk about is, if God’s plan for us is to live a holy life, free from the power of Sin … does that make us some kind of “super Christian“?

Sometimes, when we start to talk about holiness or sanctification or being cleansed from our sin, People start to get nervous.
They start to look for the exits.

Holiness isn’t something to be afraid of.  Holiness is simply a way of living made possible through an intimate and personal relationship with God.  Why do people like to go to live stand-up comedy shows? How is that different from watching the same show on TV?  We might actually meet our favorite, famous, star! People like to be seen, we take selfies with, famous stars!  Think what it would be like to hang out with … God Almighty!!!

So when we start talking about holiness … we’re not talking about something that makes us holier than others – it isn’t something that makes us a “super Christian“.  It doesn’t change us into some little “Christian robot” incapable of doing anything wrong.  No one possesses holiness under their own power.

Frank Moore, in his book Breaking Free from Sin’s Grip says, “Ours is a reflected holiness, much like moonlight.   The moon has no light source at its core.  It shines with light only as it remains connected to the sun.  No sunlight … no moonlight.”

It is only as long as we are connected to the Father that His Light is reflected onto us.
That’s why we constantly talk about a RELATIONSHIP with God.  If we have any hope of living a holy life, if we have any hope of breaking free from the power of Sin … it is in living in close proximity to the Father.  Hanging out with God Almighty!  John 15:5 records Jesus saying, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

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When Adam & Eve sinned … it was like a virus that spread.  A pandemic. And it caused a fatal infection.  The 1st “pandemic”!
We are all infected.  We’re all doomed!
But there is hope!  There is a cure.  And that cure is found in Jesus Christ.

If there is a person in the hospital who is deathly sick from an infection, but then the Doctor comes in to her hospital room and tells her that a simple treatment would cure her; but then she says, “I’m not interested in treatments,” or “I’ve never turned to a Doctor for help before, I’m not going to start now,” or “No thank you, I don’t like needles,” or “No, I think I am going to wait for a better time,” or “No, I think I am going to try to cure myself first … then I’ll come to see you“.

We would be pretty amazed at that, maybe angry with her.  We would probably do our best to talk some sense into her, to encourage her to take the life-saving injection.
But the same thing happens in church nearly every week.  We pray for people to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  We invite people to “come to their senses”.  We share the Good News of God’s perfect love and power. 

And people know they are lost.  They know they have the fatal infection.  And they know that Jesus is the answer.
But they say things like: “I’m just not ready“; “I’ll wait for a better time”; “I don’t like to pray”; “I might be embarrassed”; “I’m going to try to clean my life up first … then I’ll come and be baptized and pray.”

This morning, the offer is open.  There is a cure for your disease.  You don’t have to carry that burden any more.
You can receive that abundant provision of God’s grace.

As the Church of LPC, journeying toward Jerusalem with Jesus as He offers Himself as a sacrifice for our sins on the cross, getting ready for our next Hundred Years of ministry in NE Spokane, Now is the time of God’s favor!  Behold, we are a new creation! We are Be-Comers of God’s reality.  Be-Dreamers of what that might look like!  B-roken from our God, let’s make the move to Be-Healed together!!  Amen!

Maybe you already have, but you have neglected your prayers or your Bible; or maybe you’ve just stopped “hanging out” with God Almighty.  Today is the Day of Salvation!  Do you want it for yourself … and your Church?  Amen….

If, this morning, you would like to accept this “cure” for this “disease” I, and a couple others, will hang out up front this morning…. This might be your 1st time, or maybe you’ve received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior a long time ago, but you need to re-fill the prescription.  We invite you to seek God’s gracious offer….

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Receive our tithes and offerings as symbols of our very lives and livelihood, given as response to Your life given for us! Bless it, and by it bless the world around us. In Christ’s name, Amen.

– Offering (4449 N Nevada St, Spokane, 99207 ; or text 833-976-1333, code “Lidgerwood”)

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28-31  Expedition Song #611 –  There is a Balm in Gilead !    

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May we Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Be filled with God’s Holy Spirit.
And give glory to God, today, and forever! Amen.

And as we do that:   “May the Lord bless you and protect you;
may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;  may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.”

34   Announcements      

  • Thursday Bible Study –very Thursday at 10am, here and on Zoom
  • Easter Cantata – Rose of Calvary – Easter Sunday, April 9, during worship
  • New Member Class – April 15, 9-noon

Resources: 

Brincefield, Larry; Fatal Infection; sermon preached 10/2002.

Dietterich, Inagrace T.; Journey of Discovery Bible Study: Behold, There Is a New Creation; Center for Parish Development; Chicago, IL; 1999; Pp. 21-26.

Grant, Amy; I Have Decided; Universal Music publishing Group; 1982.

Moore, Frank; Breaking Free from Sin’s Grip: Holiness Defined for a New Generation; Beacon Hill; 2001.

Wheeler, Mark; “Be Healed”; Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church; 03/26/2006.

03/19/2023 = Genesis 11:1-9 = “Behold, here s a New creation: B-roken”

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GIANT THANKS TO THE ABRAMS FOR THEIR FINANCIAL GIFT, TO THE CREW WHO HELPED ATTAIN AND SET OUR SCREENS UP (especially the Nolanders), AND TO THE CREW WHO HAS HELPED CORRECT OUR ON-LINE AUDIO (especially the Davises)!

(Click HERE to view the FBLive video of this service – starts at 8:00, sermon begins at 36:45)

(Click HERE to donate to Lidgerwood Church’s mission and ministries)

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Mark Wheeler

Genesis 11:1-9                                                                                                        

Fourth Sunday in Lent, 03/19/2023

“Behold, There Is a New Creation: B-roken”                                                           

Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church

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Welcome to worship, friends – on this fourth Sunday in the season of Lent – a Season designed to prepare us for the wonder and grace of Jesus’ death and resurrection, Maundy Thursday, Jesus’ Last Supper, His Good Friday arrest and crucifixion and death, and Resurrection Sunday – let’s join in as Julie McCarter leads us in our Call to Worship –

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And let’s immediately follow that with our Prelude of Praise and wonder –– O God, Our Help in Ages Past  #78

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Good morning Friends!  Welcome worship at Lidgerwood!! Shalom Aleichem!

One middle-of-March-day, a little boy was overheard talking to himself as he strutted through his backyard, wearing his baseball cap and carrying a ball and bat. “I’m the greatest hitter in the world,” he announced.

Then, he tossed the ball into the air, swung at it, and missed.
“Strike One!” he yelled.  Undaunted, he picked up the ball and said again, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world!“
He tossed the ball into the air.  When it came down he swung again and missed.  “Strike Two!” he cried.
The boy then paused a moment to examine his bat and ball carefully.  He spit on his hands and rubbed them together.  He straightened his cap and said once more, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world!“
Again he tossed the ball up in the air and swung at it.  He missed.  “Strike Three!“

“Wow!” he exclaimed.  “I’m also the greatest pitcher in the world!“

Pride is a deadly virus that eats away at us emotionally and spiritually.  It is a great deceiver.  Pride has destroyed more marriages and churches and individual successes than any other thing.

This is why the Season of Lent exists. So that we might see in ourselves that while we are so deeply loved by God that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life – He loves us in spite of ourselves, not because we are so deserving …..

This Season of Lent is meant to open us to reflect on our own ways we have betrayed God, and on the human condition that makes us so capable of betraying God….

We spent the month of January reading Genesis 12:1-4 (blessed to be a blessing), today we look at the opening verses of the chapter leading to that promise God made to Abraham, that He makes to us!  And while we remember the verse from Paul’s letter to the Corinthian Church, “Behold He makes a New Creation”, today we contritely confess and repent of the reasons why making us New is so important!

Welcome, friends, from around the world, to this worshipping community!

Let’s take a second to welcome each other, those in the room and across the globe, to a moment of Sabbath in God’s presence and peace, and with others whom we love and with whom we grow together. Friends, may “The PEACE of Christ be with you – and also in you!!”

Welcome to this “gathering” in God’s name. We are assembled in NorthEast Spokane, WA, along with people from all over the world. We are very glad you are “here” with us.

Be filled with God’s Holy Spirit presence and power, in your homes, through your phones and computers, in this building here, and in your lives. Pray with us … and hear and be transformed by God’s Word.

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Choir –! Thank you leading us in worship with this Sunday’s Choral Anthem – lead us in worship:  “A Wind Blew Over Calvary”

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While the choir transitions to the pews, let’s fill this time highlighting some announcements :

          Easter Cantata Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings at 6pm – it is not too late to join them

          The Easter Cantata – The Rose of Calvary – will take place on Resurrection Sunday, April 9, during worship – invite your friends to hear this beautiful rendition of the original Easter story!

Listen in as Julie opens our Prayer time in Confession and Thanksgiving

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9    Gloria Patri

10-12  

  • what are some praises, thanksgivings, adorations we want to offer?
  • Is there a person or a situation you want to lift to our Lord for His answers and grace?

13   We pray this in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray:   [The Lord’s Prayer]

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Let’s prepare to receive a Word from our Majestic God by singing a song of Devotion and Praise and Glory  –  Nothing But the Blood of Jesus – #471!!

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Creator, Comforter, Giver of Life, You are the Master of all creation – the Great Inventor, the Noble Physician, the Wonderful Counselor – we are thankful for Your Word to us.   Come among us, Holy Spirit, and fill us with Your presence that we might be made whole today, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Pride is a deadly virus that eats away at us emotionally and spiritually.  It is a great deceiver.  Pride has destroyed more marriages and churches and individual successes than any other thing.

Nimrod founded the city called Babel.  He was attempting to build a world empire without the blessing or direction of God.  He was the great-grandson of Noah, so he had a family lineage he was proud of.  But his pride did something to his successful accomplishments.  BTW, he also was the founder of Nineveh, the wicked place where Jonah was sent to preach.

The Tower of Babel story is about our determination to live sufficiently, firmly, and arrogantly without God.  We think we are smart in ourselves, strong even without God, and safe with each other.  With the advance of industry, active collaboration, and concerted effort, nothing can stop us from reaching to the top.

However, God reminds us His counsel will stand.  Relying on Him assures our well-being, and excluding Him from our lives only brings failure.

Today’s Bible passage comes from Genesis 11:1-9, the last story in Genesis before God called Abram to come and start a whole new family of people through whom God had chosen to bless the world.  Let’s read Genesis 11:1-9…. — 

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1  Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. 2 And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar.

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4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” 5 And  the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.

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7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.

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This morning what we discover is that while God is perfect and did a perfect thing when He created the universe and all that is in it – the whole universe declares His glory! – part of that perfect creation includes creating human beings in His own image … with a free will!  (I hope to have that fully explained to me in a way that I can understand when I get to meet Him face to face!)  With our free will we humans have broken the original intent of God’s perfect creation.

So far during this Season of Lent we have discovered that “Behold! We are a new creation, the old is gone and the new has come.”  We are called to Be-Come God’s reality; and we are to understand that calling by Be-Dreaming God’s dream for us.  Today we discover how we have B-roken God’s dream … and what God has done to fix what we broke!

I am convinced that the thing at the head of that brokenness – the main reason why our relationship with God is not as pure or complete or clear or easy … as it might be/should be … is pride!  I think that’s what the Adam and Eve story really teaches us.  We are not God … and we should always remember who God really is! 

So this morning, let’s look at the problem of pride.  This Babel story teaches us 3 things about pride: Pride affects our worship; Pride affects our view of life; and Pride results in the very thing we want to avoid!

I. PRIDE AFFECTS OUR WORSHIP.  “Come, let us build a tower whose top will reach up to heaven.”

A) This tower was probably a ziggurat with a runway or stairway that went around the edge up to the top.  At the top of these towers (which are commonly found in ruins of that area) there was an altar used for pagan sacrifice – an ancient place to worship someone other than God. 

Do we have any “towers” in our lives, places where God is not even thought of, let alone glorified as the Creator of all that there is!

B) Pride affects our worship when we try to impress God or others with our goodness.
1) God is no respecter of persons……  We must be careful not to take on the attitude of the Pharisee in the temple who prayed “Thank you Lord that I am not like these….”
2) Being active in the service of God is a privilege.  God loves us and wants to use us in His service but He doesn’t need us.  If I were to walk away from His service today, God would be sad, but He would raise up another to take my place.

C) We cannot worship God with a spirit of pride.  Ps 101:5 says, “God will not endure conceit and pride!”
I realize that this “warning” is specific only to those who love God anyway.  That was a message to believers – brothers and sisters in Christ.  We should take that to heart.  But now let’s hear God’s Word to believers and non-believers alike:

II. PRIDE AFFECTS OUR VIEW OF LIFE. “… and let us make a name for ourselves.”

A) Every person who has attempted to be a world ruler has been defeated.  From Nimrod to Nebuchadnezzar to Hitler to Stalin to current day world-leaders and even the Antichrist in the end-times. 

Destruction and judgment from God is promised to the one with this attitude.

But somehow, Pride makes us think we’re better than the rest … and it won’t – it can’t – happen to me!

Not just world-rulers, but Kingdom builders – Enron, Elon Musk,  Televangelsists – potentially, you and me.  And when we say, “Yeah, well, not me.”  Guess what?  We may have just become a target of Satan for just such a fall.   

B) Pride encourages us ignore the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our life. 

1) When He convicts us of sin—we break through the warning barriers and continue in sin … because, we think, I don’t need God’s help here, either.

2) When He gives us guidance—we go our own way. 

C) We take credit for things that we shouldn’t.  It’s like the beaver told the rabbit as they stared up at the immense wall of Grand Coulee Dam, “No, I didn’t actually build it myself.  But it was based on an idea of mine.” —Charles H. Townes

D) Pride will cause a great deal of envy and division in our life, business, home, and church.
1) Every extra-marital affair starts because someone thinks they deserve a better spouse than they have.  And usually because the one in the affair didn’t think it could ever happen to him/her.
2) When we are Proud, we refuse to follow the scriptural admonition to put others first.

III. PRIDE RESULTS IN THE VERY THING WE WANT TO AVOID. “… lest we be scattered over the face of the whole earth”

  1. What is God’s response to their Pride?  In vv. 5-8 God scatters them over the face of the whole earth!  God’s power is greater than our pride … every time!

B) What is the answer then?
1) A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit. Prov 29:23

2) What does the Lord require of man?  Nothing, but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. Mic 6:8
3) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. James 4:10

Humility is necessary for salvation.  No one has ever been saved by demanding that God let them into heaven because they deserve it!

Humble ourselves to accept God’s will for a church home.  We ALL need to be humble enough to not insist on our own way, but to listen together for God’s perfect way!

Humble ourselves to serve God where He leads – through this church, in our community, with our neighbors, co-workers, families, etc.

Humble ourselves in our marriages and watch them improve.  Humble ourselves with our children, our parents, our in-laws … and watch those relationships improve, too.

We have, indeed Paul says we continually have, B-roken our connection to our Creator!  “All have sinned and [continue to] fall short of the glory of God.”

But, in Jesus Christ we are brought back to our heavenly Father!  We are not left broken.  There’s a Gospel song called “Run Away”.  The Gospel in that song was that our brokenness is fixed so well that once we’ve been re-attached … we cannot get lost again!  We still need to continue to repent, to help our connection be as strong as it can be … but God’s Super Glue in Jesus Christ – Holy Ghost Super Glue – is stronger than ANY brokenness we can experience.

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As the Church of LPC, journeying toward Jerusalem with Jesus as He offers Himself as a sacrifice for our sins on the cross, getting ready for our next Hundred Years of ministry in NE Spokane, Now is the time of God’s favor!  Behold, we are a new creation! We are Be-Comers of God’s reality.  Be-Dreamers of what that might look like!  B-roken from our God, and ready to be re-connected!  Amen!

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Receive our tithes and offerings as symbols of our very lives and livelihood, given as response to Your life given for us! Bless it, and by it bless the world around us. In Christ’s name, Amen.

– Offering (4449 N Nevada St, Spokane, 99207 ; or click HERE, or text 833-976-1333, code “Lidgerwood”)

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26-28  Expedition Song #470 –  Jesus Loves Me, This I Know!    

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May we Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Be filled with God’s Holy Spirit.
And give glory to God, today, and forever! Amen.

And as we do that:   “May the Lord bless you and protect you;may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;  may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.”

31   Announcements      

  • Thursday Bible Study –very Thursday at 10am, here and on Zoom
  • Cantata Choir Rehearsal –very Thursday at 6pm
  • Easter Cantata – Rose of Calvary – Easter Sunday, April 9, during worship

Resources: 

Dietterich, Inagrace T.; Journey of Discovery Bible Study: Behold, There Is a New Creation; Center for Parish Development; Chicago, IL; 1999; Pp. 15-20.

Richards, Jeffery; The Pride of Babel; sermon preached; 08/2002.

Wheeler, Mark; “B-roken”; Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church; 03/19/2006.

Yap, Victor; Man Proposes, God Disposes; sermon preached; 01/2000.

03/12/2023 = Psalm 8:1-9 = “Behold, He Makes All Things New: Be-Dreamers”

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(Click HERE to see the FB Live video of this service, starts at 12:00, sermon at 36:00)

(Click HERE to donate to Lidgerwood church’s mission and ministries)

1                                                                                                                                       

Mark Wheeler

Psalm 8:1-9                                                                                                               

Third Sunday in Lent, 03/12/2023

“Behold, There Is a New Creation: Be-Dreamers”                                                 

Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church

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Welcome to worship, friends – on this third Sunday in the season of Lent – a Season designed to prepare us for the wonder and grace of Jesus’ death and resurrection, Maundy Thursday, Jesus’ Last Supper, His Good Friday arrest and crucifixion and death, and Resurrection Sunday – let’s join in as Pastor Kathy leads us in our Call to Worship –

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And let’s immediately follow that with our Prelude of Praise and wonder –– Lord, I Lift Your Name on High

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Good morning Friends!  Welcome worship at Lidgerwood!! Shalom Aleichem!

We began this season of contrition and confession, repentance and renewal, by reading II Corinthians 5:17, and seeing how God makes us into a “new creation” for the old has gone and the new has come.  We talked about how we make lots of opportunities for “starting over” in life, new beginnings.  And we talked about how sometimes, after we’ve started over again and again and again and again … we lose hope, we feel hopeless.  We talked about the “woman at the well” in John 4 who had started over again with marriage 5X, and now she’s given up on marriage and she just “lives with” another man. 

And then we discovered that Christ came for just such a person who struggles, lost and lonely, sick and tired of being sick and tired – for you and me – hopeless; when we are “in Christ, we are – not we will some day become, we ARE already – a new creation.”

This is why the Season of Lent exists. So that we might be-come what God calls us to be. Behold, there is a new creation! So let’s dream together what that might look like.

Welcome, friends, from around the world, to this worshipping community!

Let’s take a second to welcome each other, those in the room and across the globe, to a moment of Sabbath in God’s presence and peace, and with others whom we love and with whom we grow together. Friends, may “The PEACE of Christ be with you – and also in you!!”

Welcome to this “gathering” in God’s name. We are assembled in NorthEast Spokane, WA, along with people from all over the world. We are very glad you are “here” with us.

Be filled with God’s Holy Spirit presence and power, in your homes, through your phones and computers, in this building here, and in your lives. Pray with us … and hear and be transformed by God’s Word.

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Choir –! Thank you leading us in worship with this Sunday’s Choral Anthem – lead us in worship and help us to DREAM of:  “A Green Hill Far Away”

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Listen in as Pastor Kathy opens our Prayer time in Confession and Thanksgiving

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10    Gloria Patri

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  • what are some praises, thanksgivings, adorations we want to offer?
  • Is there a person or a situation you want to lift to our Lord for His answers and grace?

14   We pray this in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray:   [The Lord’s Prayer]

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Let’s prepare to receive a Word from our Majestic God by singing a song of Devotion and Praise and Glory  –  How Majestic Is Your Name  – #61!!

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Creator God, You spoke all of creation into existence by the Your sheer power!  You are an awesome God.  We look at the complete vastness of the universe, and we stand in sheer wonder and awe.  You are … God!  And You became just like one of us to show us how much You love us-created-in-Your-own-image-humans.  We are awestruck by the utter magnificence of that thought.  Open us to know You, love You and serve You now, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Psalm 8, on page 403 in your pew Bibles, is our Scripture reading today.  I’m reading from the New Living Translation. Hear the Word of God —- ….

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O Lord, our Lord, the majesty of Your name fills the earth!  Your glory is higher than the heavens.

You have taught children and nursing infants to give You praise. They silence Your enemies who were seeking revenge.

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When I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers – the moon and the stars You have set in place – what are mortals that You should think of us, mere humans that You should care for us?

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For You made us only a little lower than God, and You crowned us with glory and honor.  You put us in charge of everything You made, giving us authority over all things –

the sheep and the cattle and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.

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O Lord, our Lord, the majesty of Your name fills the earth!

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We use string for almost everything.  Our clothes are held together with string.  We play music with string, wrap with string, tie our shoes with string, weave string into cloth, twist string into rope.  And that’s just cotton string!  We also have nylon string for stronger rope; and fiber-optic string for telecommunications; and metal strings for carrying electricity and holding up huge bridges.  Last week, Ira and Lary and Robert and I strung 120 feet of “string” through concrete walls and along ancient air ducts inorder to get these beautiful gifts from Billie Abrams up and running! And now there’s also something called “string theory”, a mathematical and scientific theory that describes how interconnected all of creation is … in all of its 13 dimensions! 

String is one of those things we seldom think about but would probably have difficulty doing without. 

Well today I want to look at a string to consider this message God has for us, as we consider God’s eternity and God’s eternal plan.

[At this point, fasten one end of a ball of string to one wall to the right side of the chancel. Then unroll the ball moving across the sanctuary and fasten it on the opposite wall.]  Note: This sermon uses a ball of string that is stretched across the front of the sanctuary.  The string represents eternity.  The line it makes keeps going through the walls in each direction for miles and miles – well into Hillyard and “Dogtown”, through Spokane Valley, across the ID border, into Rathdrum … Reardan, Davenport, Wilbur, Moses Lake, Seattle ….  Imagine it finally shooting out from earth through space for ever and ever. 

Today we will allow this string to symbolize eternity.  [Then, paper clips are placed on the string during the sermon at the points where they might fit in eternity. A paper clip for Moses.  Then, an inch further, a paper clip for Joshua.  A couple of inches, a paper clip for Jesus. Then down another couple of inches, a paper clip with a 2″ square piece of paper.  This paper is the USA. Take a black ink pen and put a dot on the paper.  This is LPC.  Wow.  Not very big.  Looking intently at the dot, say, “I think I can see you and me.“]

Can you Dream with me here?

What does this string say to us today as we live our daily lives?  Let’s look at a few things we sometimes say:

I. I’m too little to matter.
When I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers — the moon and the stars You have set in place–what are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us? – Psalm 8:3-4 (NLT)

But God does see us.  Think of that.  In all of the countless years of history, God sees this little dot.  In fact, we are promised that God sees every bit of us.  “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” – Luke 12:7

II. My sin is too big to forgive.
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? – Rom 7:24

Look at yourself in light of all eternity.  God sees you [point to the dot on the paper – compare it to the entire length of string).  How eternally serious is your sin?  Can you see that what to you and me is so big, God sees in its true perspective…  There’s no sin that’s too big for God to forgive.  That doesn’t mean that sin is not important.  It most certainly is!  But it is NOT too big for God to be able to handle!

As Paul went on to say in this same verse from Romans, there is one who will rescue me. Thank God, it’s Jesus!

III. My hurt is too big to forget.
This is probably the statement that expresses my personal excellence – I excel at having hurt feelings and holding onto that hurt … and the only place where I ever admit to that weakness is when I’m in the pulpit – never when I’m really vulnerable … just ask Jennifer! 

Well, people do hurt us.
But none of us have been hurt to the degree of Jesus.  So when we are overwhelmed with personal pain, allow the forgiveness Jesus offers you and me to seep thru so we can offer it to another.
Look at the string.  How inconsequential even the most serious hurt really is!  Can we not forgive an action or word that matters so little in all history?

IV. God’s majesty is too vast to comprehend.
“I go east, but He is not there. I go west, but I cannot find Him. I do not see Him in the north, for He is hidden. I turn to the south, but I cannot find Him.  But He knows where I am going. …He controls my destiny.  No wonder I am so terrified in His presence.  When I think of it, terror grips me.  God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.  Darkness is all around me; thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere.” – Job 23:8-10, 15-17 (NLT)

How true that statement is.

The very vastness of God is why our heavenly Father emptied Himself, took the form of a man, and came to earth as our Savior. (Phil. 2:5-11)  This amazing, eternal God became human, incarnate – He came from heaven to earth, to show the way; from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay; from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord I lift Your name on high!

V. The final message is to decide in faith.
“…Choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:14-15 (NLT)

“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, today is the day of salvation.” (II Cor 6:2)

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Let’s see ourselves as we really are – mere specks of dust in a seemingly eternal universe; and let’s see God as He really is – “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic IS Your name in all the earth … How Great Thou Art,indeed!”; and let’s see what this awesome God wants to be in our lives.

As the Church of LPC, journeying toward Jerusalem with Jesus as He offers Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, getting ready for the next Hundred Years of ministry in NE Spokane, Now is the time of God’s favor!  Behold, we are a new creation! We are Be-Comers of God’s reality.  Let’s Be-Dreamers of what that might look like!  Amen!

[Prayer of acceptance of God’s Salvation in JC, and His call to be His followers together! ]

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Receive our tithes and offerings as symbols of our very lives and livelihood, given as response to Your life given for us! Bless it, and by it bless the world around us. In Christ’s name, Amen.

– Offering (4449 N Nevada St, Spokane, 99207 ; or click HERE, or text 833-976-1333, code “Lidgerwood”)

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26-33  Expedition Song #21 –  How Great Thou Art!    

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May we Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Be filled with God’s Holy Spirit.
And give glory to God, today, and forever! Amen.

And as we do that:   “May the Lord bless you and protect you;
may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;  may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.”

38   Announcements      

  • Thursday Bible Study –very Thursday at 10am, here and on Zoom
  • Cantata Choir Rehearsal –very Thursday at 6pm
  • New Member Class – Saturday, 9-noon

Resources: 

Dietterich, Inagrace T.; Journey of Discovery Bible Study: Behold, There Is a New Creation; Center for Parish Development; Chicago, IL; 1999; Pp. 9-14.

Haun, David; God’s Message From a Ball of String; sermon preached at Hope Christian Church; 11/2/03.

Wheeler, Mark; “Be-Dreamers”; Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church; 03/12/2006.

03/05/2023 = Revelation 21:1-5 = “Behold, there is a New Creation: Be-Coming”

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(Click HERE to see the FBLive version of this service – starts at 9:00, sermon at 36:00 – the music did not record at all – Zoom does something weird with music)

(Click HERE to see a different FBLive recording – starts at 6:00, sermon at 33:00 – no liturgy displayed on this site, but music recorded well)

(Click HERE to donate to Lidgerwood church’s mission and ministries)

1                                                                                                                                       

Mark Wheeler

Revelation 21:1-5                                                                                                  

Second Sunday in Lent, 03/05/2023

“Behold, There Is a New Creation: Be-Comers”                                                     

Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church

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Welcome to worship, friends – on this second Sunday in the season of Lent – a Season designed to prepare us for the wonder and grace of Jesus’ death and resurrection, Maundy Thursday, Jesus’ Last Supper, His Good Friday arrest and crucifixion and death, and Resurrection Sunday – let’s join in as Pastor Kathy leads us in our Call to Worship –

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And let’s immediately follow that with our Prelude of Praise and wonder –– I Stand in Awe of You

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Good morning Friends!  Welcome worship at Lidgerwood!! Shalom Aleichem!

Last week we read from II Corinthians and discovered God’s hope for making us into a “new creation” for the old has gone and the new has come.  We talked about how we make lots of opportunities for “starting over” in life, new beginnings.  And we talked about how sometimes, after we’ve started over again and again and again and again … we lose hope, we feel hopeless.  We talked about the “woman at the well” in John 4 who had started over again with marriage 5X, and now she’s given up on marriage and she just “lives with” another man. 

And then we discovered that Christ came for just such a person – for you and me – hopeless; when we are “in Christ, we are – not we will some day become, we ARE already – a new creation.”

This is why the Season of Lent exists. So that we might be-come what God calls us to be. Behold, there is a new creation!

Welcome, friends, from around the world, to this worshipping community!

Let’s take a second to welcome each other, those in the room and across the globe, to a moment of Sabbath in God’s presence and peace, and with others whom we love and with whom we grow together. Friends, may “The PEACE of Christ be with you – and also in you!!”

Welcome to this “gathering” in God’s name. We are assembled in NorthEast Spokane, WA, along with people from all over the world. We are very glad you are “here” with us.

Be filled with God’s Holy Spirit presence and power, in your homes, through your phones and computers, in this building here, and in your lives. Pray with us … and hear and be transformed by God’s Word.

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Choir –! Thank you leading us in worship with this Sunday’s Choral Anthem – lead us in worship with:  “With Wine from the Vineyard”

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Listen in as Pastor Kathy opens our Prayer time in Confession and Thanksgiving

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10    Gloria Patri

11-13  

  • what are some praises, thanksgivings, adorations we want to offer?
  • Is there a person or a situation you want to lift to our Lord for His answers and grace?

14   We pray this in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray:   [The Lord’s Prayer]

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Let’s prepare to receive a Word from our Majestic God by singing a song of Devotion and Praise and Hope  –  Soon and Very Soon  – #667!!

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Blessed Lord, You speak to us through the Holy Scriptures.  Grant that we may hear, read, respect, learn and make “blessed hope” of everlasting life, given us through the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

“Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King….” 

“When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, We’ll sing and shout the victory.”

As I read those words, those famous hymns, what came to your mind?  Did you feel a little excitement?  Did you want to sing along?  Did your mind rush to Heaven and the hope we all share … that one day, one glorious day, this struggle will all be over and we shall see Him? 

While we are joining Jesus on His journey toward Jerusalem this Lent, we repent of our sins, confess them, and pray for forgiveness, this Hope of Heaven is reawakened.  There may be times when we ignore the truth of our God, but when we are reminded, how thankful we are for His perfect plan of Salvation and the Hope of Heaven He so freely offers!

There are a lot of misconceptions about Heaven.  A little boy and his mother were walking along the beach one day when they happened upon a dead seagull.  “What happened to the bird mommy?” the little boy asked.  The mom wanting to soften the harsh reality of death said “Well Honey, that little bird got real sick so God allowed it to die and go to heaven.”  The boy thought about that for a moment and said, “So why did God throw him back down?”

1st century Christians who hid from their persecutors in the catacombs beneath the streets of Rome drew images of heaven on the walls — banquet tables and playgrounds for children.  Thirty years ago, a new Christian Rock group, Audio Adrenaline, wrote this fun song: “Our House is a very, very, very big house …, with a big, big table, with lots and lots of food, a big, big, yard, where we can play football. It’s our Father’s House!”

Many American funerals today depict Heaven as a fishing boat on a lake, or a golf course with no one to wait on, or a kitchen with endless baking supplies and automatically cleaned dishes….

Today’s Bible passage reveals to us once more the real and blessed Hope of Heaven.  Let’s think about heaven for just a couple of minutes together!  Join me in hearing God’s Word from Revelation 21:1-5…. —-

20   1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

21   3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

22   4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

23   5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

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  1. HEAVEN IS A NEW ADDRESS [New Jerusalem (Vs. 1-2)]
    A. Old things pass away!!
    1. This is a reminder of Gen. 1:1 – God had created everything out of Nothing.  The last book of the Bible reminds us of the first book of the Bible.
    2. Then the problem, Genesis 3.  Sin entered the world.  God goes from saying, “It is very Good” to “What is this you have done?”  The curse had arrived!!
    3. Even creation itself was waiting for this: Romans 8 tells us, “All of creation waits with eager longing for God to reveal his children. For creation was condemned to lose its purpose, not of its own will, but because God willed it to be so. Yet there was the hope that creation itself would one day be set free from its slavery to decay and would share the glorious freedom of the children of God. For we know that up to the present time all of creation groans with pain, like the pain of childbirth” (vv. 19-22).
    B. Behold, He makes all things new!!
    1. Once more God unleashes His creating Power and “out of ‘nothing’,” God re-creates something!!!
    2. BUT, it is not just any something; it is a new heaven and a new earth. It is not just a new creation, either; it is a HOLY CREATION, THE NEW JERUSALEM!
    3. The old Jerusalem had been the center of worship for God’s chosen people, but in the end it had been the place of rejection of His only begotten Son!!  NOW God has set things the way they are supposed to be.  Jerusalem is a bride prepared to meet her HUSBAND, not reject Him.  She is Beautifully Dressed in Holiness!!
    4. This is Heaven: Our understanding that God has something more prepared for us.  It will be new; it will be different. It will be God’s Design.  He is Still Sovereign.  He is Still in control.  He is God and there is no other!!  God will make it happen.

TRUTH #1: HEAVEN IS A NEW ADDRESS DESIGNED JUST FOR US!

II.      HEAVEN IS A NEW COMMUNION [With God (Vs. 3-4)]
A. Still the New Jerusalem:
1. Worship of God in Spirit and in truth: “Now the Dwelling of God is with [human kind].”
2. We know that God does not live in a box or in a church, or even in a city.  God is everywhere all the time!!  GOD IS WITH US, BUT!!!    God is SEPARATED from us, different from us, HOLY, somehow, in both the spiritual and physical realms.  Now this is deep and I don’t know how perfectly orthodox I am being, but I believe the gist of it all is that God will be with us physically-spiritually; we will be way more alike than different!  You and I will not be God!   But we will be more godly!
3. II Corinthians 5:6-7 says, “While we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord, here we walk by faith not by sight.”
4. Jesus says to us, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”  It is a promise.  Something Greater is coming for all of us in our relation with God.
5. Now the Dwelling of God is with us and He will live with us.
6. Now that God Dwells Physically/Spiritually with His people things are different.
          a. No sadness: He will wipe away(erase, blot out, wipe out) every tear!  There will be no cause for crying there!!
          b. No Separation: Death will no longer separate us from the ones we love and who love us!!
          c. No sorrow: No more mourning, crying or pain.  This is not just focused on death, either.  No more mourning our failures.  No more crying over things we could never change.  No more pain caused by an unkind world.
          d. No Suffering!!

TRUTH #2: HEAVEN IS A NEW COMMUNION WITH THE LIVING GOD WHO CHANGES EVERYTHING!

III.    HEAVEN IS A NEW ASSURANCE [From God (Vs. 5-7)]
“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’  Then He said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’  He said to me: ‘It is done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.  To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.  He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.’”
A. We are assured that Heaven is a splendid/spectacular place: (sing song)
1. I am making all things New!!  It is finished!!  Jesus’ last words from the cross … now complete.
2. John 14:2-3 holds the key thought here!  “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
B. We are assured that Heaven is a satisfying Place:
1. Satisfying resources: Every need … supplied, every desire … fulfilled: Thirst … quenched with the water of life!
2. Satisfying reward: We are now joint heirs with Jesus – Rom. 8:17 “He who overcomes will inherit all this”: HEAVEN: ALL THINGS NEW!!
3. We are assured that Heaven is a Satisfying relationship:
“I will be his God and he will be my child.”  The adoption process, which began at our conversion, is now completed!!

TRUTH #3: HEAVEN IS A NEW ASSURANCE FROM THE LIVING GOD THAT HE WILL BE OUR GOD AND WE WILL BE HIS CHILDREN!

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Heaven is our goal in this life because it means an eternity with the best of the best in the best of the best … and it is a gift from God Almighty through His Son Jesus Christ! 

Today we celebrate this truth, heaven was God’s plan for our eternal life … from the beginning,

A promised place of peace, separate from all pain and despair!

Heaven is freely offered to all who believe in Jesus, who confess Him as Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead.

In just a minute we will be celebrating at the Lord’s Table.  This is one of those amazing moments where we experience both the very present reality of God in our midst … and the “not yet” reality of heaven.  We share in the broken bread and the poured out cup, the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ – we commune with one another and we commune with God.

As the Church of LPC, getting ready for our next Hundred Years, Now is the time of God’s favor!  Behold, we are a new creation! We are Be-Comers of God’s reality.  Amen!

Approaching the Lord’s Table

I invite our Communion Servers to come forward – we approach this Table, not because of our inherent worth or accumulated value, but because God so loves the world that He gives His only begotten Son! John’s Gospel tells us that all who receive Him and believe Him have the right to be-come the children of God!

In our denomination and in this church, we invite everyone who claims Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to partake of this Holy Communion. If you have not yet been baptized, please come and talk with me or Pastor Kathy, or any of our Elders right after worship, and we’ll sit and pray together.

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As our Servers distribute the trays of broken bread and poured grape juice, let’s sing together tgis wonderful old hymn, #684, “Face to Face”

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Receive our tithes and offerings as symbols of our very lives and livelihood, given as response to Your life given for us! Bless it, and by it bless the world around us. In Christ’s name, Amen.

– Offering (4449 N Nevada St, Spokane, 99207 ; or text 833-976-1333, code “Lidgerwood”)

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32-35  Expedition Song #679 –  When We All Get to Heaven!    

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May we Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Be filled with God’s Holy Spirit.
And give glory to God, today, and forever! Amen.

May the Lord bless you and protect you;
may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;  may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.”

38   Announcements      

  • Thursday Bible Study –very Thursday at 10am, here and on Zoom
  • Cantata Choir Rehearsal –very Thursday at 6pm
  • Breakfast Fellowship – THIS Saturday, 9am, at Frankie Doodles
  • New Member Class – Saturday March 18 (NEXT WEEK), 9-noon

Resources: 

Dietterich, Inagrace T.; Journey of Discovery Bible Study: Behold, There Is a New Creation; Center for Parish Development; Chicago, IL; 1999; Pp. 5-8.

Harding, Joe; All Things New; sermon preached 03/29/2005.

Hauck, Jeremy; Hope Waits; sermon preached 02/2005.

Wheeler, Mark; “Be-Comers”; Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church; 03/05/2006.