Sermon from Sunday, June 24, 2012

Kennedy San

Listen to the 6/24/2012 Sermon here.

I was conducting the choir for the first time a few weeks ago. It was scary, and I was frightened because most of the choir members are very good musicians and know much more music than me.

Timothy was in a similar situation as I was, except it was a bigger group of people. He was sent to a place where new Christians were. At a place where people believe in other Gods. With his young age, Paul worried that he might be scared. So to encourage him, Paul wrote this to him. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

I know that some of you might be going, oh that’s for young people, but this was meant for all Christians in the world This scripture is telling us to share the gospel, and show others how to be good Christians.

Two weeks ago, our youth group went to Shannondale, Mo. to help out in the community. While we were there we got to know more about each other, played games like apples to apples, gt to enjoy the nature, but most of all we got to share our love to this community through the work we did. This is an example of an act that God wants us to do. He wants us to show our love to each other, even if we never met before.

I know sometimes it is hard to be that person. The person who is supposed to set the example. It is really hard, especially when you are the oldest child in the family. Raise your hand if you are the Oldest Child in your Family/ For those of you who are not the oldest the rule is very simple. Don’t do anything or say anything that you don’t want your brother to repeat after you. And if you do, just cross your fingers and hope that your brother doesn’t repeat it in front of your mother. So, it is really hard to be that person who is suppose to set the example. Trust me, I know.

BUT REMEMBER what Jesus said: “If a person wants to follow me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross, and follow me.” If we want to live with him eternally, we must do these things he has asked of us.

But is that all? Just set a good example? No. 1 John told us, “God is love.” So, it’s not just setting a good example or doing something to help your neighbor. We have to do these things like we wanted to, not because we think it’s the right thing to do. We have to be passionate about it. But most of all, we have to do it with love.

From today on, I urge you to tell others about God’s love and give them God’s love like they were never loved before. They could be people at work or anybody you know. But do remember this: anything you do, do it with love, for God is love. Amen.