Grace in Which We Stand

Sermon Romans 5:1-8 June 18, 2017 Ordinary Time/Father’s Day/Church Re-dedication NMPC

Grace in Which We Stand

It is June and today here we stand in our sanctuary. We are amazed at the beauty that surrounds us. Both congregations have suffered structural damage and both are now fully functional. It has been a long hard road to get to where we are, but here we are no longer fearful of a leaky roof, swollen pew benches (FMPC), smoke and soot odor (NMPC), damaged furniture, ruined Bibles and hymnals, or of destroyed worship space (F&NMPC).

We have been surrounded by grace through all of this.

We have been humbled about how the people around us notice us and care for us. When they became aware of our needs they reached out as we reached to them.

We have been blessed through the kind offerings of many different people and groups to restore us to where we are able to stand today.

And it is with Paul, as he spoke to the Romans, that I can say we have peace!

We have peace, friends, because we have been given the grace in which we stand today. The power of God has been at work in all of us.

God has moved and pushed our minds to think and hear in creative and constructive ways. We have been renewed and refreshed by the need to work together to arrive at this day.

Perhaps our building woes has brought us into a new relationship in our faith as well as with one another. Paul says to boast in our sorrows.

I must say we were not in any shape to be boasting in our difficulties,

but we were certainly, energetic in not letting our situation get the best of us;

even if it tried to for a minute or two.

Friday night we had a spaghetti dinner to raise funds for both churches to help cover the costs of our expenses for repairs. It was not only the highest amount of funds received from a dinner; it was also the most dinners ever cooked!!! 

We had a kitchen and a dining room over flowing with help.

We had dozens of take-out orders and people sending folks from their work places and their neighborhood.

Perhaps, this is what Paul meant when he said to boast in our sufferings.

Because our external, physical challenges, we came together and worked hard-even enjoying ourselves.

That is something to boast about. We can boast or rejoice, for the endurance we achieved as we put buckets everywhere each week to collect rain, or the set-up and take down of our temporary worship quarters built some muscles too.

It is in moments such as these that we recognize how character is built up. As we face challenges that seem to always be set before us, we discover the character within us. There are so many ways to respond to challenging times. Whether it is a church building or just a rough week or work, or receiving a life changing diagnosis, the character within us comes forth as we seek to work through these times.

Paul, says that the power of God within us through Jesus Christ is what gives us peace. Through Christ we have received all we need for this life.

The faith of God is within us because of Jesus.

We are reconciled, renewed, refreshed.

This is the grace in which we stand!

We have discovered our own character with

one another through these times.

And friends, we’ve discovered how

we are a people full of hope!!

And hope does not disappoint!

Look around.

Hope does not disappoint!!

Here in our little churches we’ve been hoping to grow our relationships with each other. We’ve had the desire to know one another better as we worship together.

It’s been a blessing.

Our hope to grow together as a church family

has shown us that hope does not disappoint.

Our desire to continue grows out of the

love of God poured into our hearts.

May we be willing to be recipients of that love

as we seek to serve in the world beyond these walls.

This grace in which we stand is all we need.

Let the glory of God be shared no and forevermore. Amen.