Sermons

This has been a really busy week in the life of the First Presbyterian Church in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Unless you have been here every day, as some of us have, you have no idea what has gone on here for the Kingdom of God.

Last week some of our children were at Camp Wyoming, and some from our Presbyterian Women were gone to the Synod Gathering in Storm Lake.

Saturday, the church was full for the Service remembering Dave Shepherd. This past week, Monday-Thursday mornings, more than a hundred children and all the adults and youth it took to manage them filled this place with songs of praise to God during Vacation Bible School.

Tuesday, Cooper George Haroldson was born weighing more than nine pounds. He is the new son of Adam and Amanda, a young couple who just moved to town. They have been visiting our congregation several Sundays. Many of you have met them.

Thursday evening, while some of us were in the Session meeting discussing the kitchen remodel project, which will begin tomorrow, the whole Vacation Bible School set you saw last Sunday all in place was taken down and moved to Terry and Joan Boer’s farm, and the church was cleaned in preparation for Saturday’s wedding.

Friday, the last day of Vacation Bible School, was spent outside among the farm animals we could pet and feed. Our best count that day was 160 children and adults who not only had Bible School outside on the farm but ate a picnic lunch as well.

Friday evening after the wedding rehearsal, the Middle School youth and their leaders spread mulch around the flowers outside to make the church grounds pretty for the remainder of the summer.

Yesterday at 4 p.m. the wedding was beautiful. Following the wedding, Kellie Comstock returned to clean the church building again and get ready for today. Today some of our Praise Band is singing at another local church celebration, and there are still others who are off to Camp Wyoming for their week there.

I can’t say it too many times. I am absolutely amazed at how you not only take care of each other, but how much you care about what goes on in this part of God’s family. You have brought food, served, taught, carried, lifted, pushed, mowed, and been a blessing in more ways than anyone can count.

God has called us together for the wonderful privilege of ministry. Let’s give God a hand for all the ways we have been blessed this past week…

All of this is happening because of what Jesus did for us. We read in the scriptures today that “He set his face to go to Jerusalem.”

That means he was determined to go and do what God had for him to do because he knew that all of the wonderful things that the church would do in calling men and women and boys and girls throughout the centuries to follow him depended on his obedience to God.

While we are here doing what God has called us to do, we, too, are building on the foundation Christ began. When we are obedient and use the resources and abilities God has given, we become a part of what God is doing in our generation.

Jesus sent some of his followers on ahead to make arrangements. The Samaritans didn’t want to make accommodations for a Jew on his way to Passover. There was no place to stay that night and no supper, so they had to travel on. The disciples were angry about that and wanted to teach those Samaritans a lesson. Jesus wasn’t interested in giving someone what they deserved; he was interested in making a way for them to know God.

Other pilgrims along the way vowed their faithfulness. Jesus told them the way would not be easy. In fact foxes had time to prepare a place to sleep; Jesus didn’t.

One pilgrim said, “I will follow you as soon as I bury my father.” That meant, “I will follow you when my aged father has finally died and I get my inheritance. Then I can afford it.”

Jesus said, “If you wait that long, you have missed many opportunities.”

Another pilgrim said, “I will follow you as soon as I go back to my native home country and say good-bye. If I follow now, they won’t know what happened to me.”

Jesus said, “If you go back now, you will be distracted and all this will become part of the distant past. You have to keep your eye on the future. Looking back not only ruins present opportunities but also distracts you from the focusing on what is coming.”

That is the message Christ delivers to us today. There many have been times when we have been like the Samaritans who did not want to make any kind of accommodations for Jesus. We had other goals and, while it may have been that we deserved punishment for our shortsightedness, Jesus is interested in calling us into a relationship with God and is not distracted with giving us what we deserve.

There may have been a time when we said, “I will follow you so long as I can sleep in my own bed.” Jesus said, “Most every creature knows where he or she will sleep. I don’t, because the Kingdom of God is more important.”

There may have been a time when we said, “I will follow you as soon as I get my inheritance, as soon as I get a raise, then I will be able to give you the whole tithe, when I get the house paid off, when I get the kids raised, when I get a million dollars in the bank.”

Jesus knew that was shortsighted. He was focused on a Kingdom that had no end. He was focused on using all his strength to obey God at this moment.

There may have been a time when we said, “I will follow you when I get all the loose ends at home tied up. When I get everyone at home convinced that I am not forsaking them, and when they understand that this is my call from God, then I will be ready.”

Jesus said, “Those focused on relationships that used to be won’t have time, resources, or strength to focus on present relationships that lead to better serving God. Always looking back at what used to be keeps you from plowing a straight row ahead.”

I want to say that I have experienced a real joy among all of you that have stepped up to do the work that has been accomplished in this part of Christ’ church.

Yes, we have been tired, and yes, there seems to always be one more thing to do before we go home, and yes, there are things at home we haven’t got done, but there is a joy that comes from knowing that what we have been doing here has made a difference for the Kingdom of God.

I have seen you step up from being just on the church roll. Many of you have moved from just Sunday attendees coming in hopes of getting something to get you through the week, just doing your part because it is your turn, to become committed Christians working for God’s Kingdom.

I haven’t heard any of you complain about being asked not only to support the church budget, but also give toward a new kitchen.

In fact, much to my surprise, all of you who voted that Sunday to proceed with the kitchen project voted 100 percent to proceed.

Presbyterians believe that God works in the hearts of believers, calling us to the joy of service. When we get a 100 percent positive vote, that is certainly confirmation that God wants us to proceed. The way God is moving among us in what you have given toward the project is just a blessing to everyone who hears the story.

I am humbled to serve with you and praise God for your ministry.

Isn’t it exciting to be a part of what God is doing? We have a bright future ahead as we continue look for opportunities to grow in our faith, and grow in our obedience to God’s call. We look forward to what God is calling us to become.

One of the Bible School verses this week was Jeremiah 29:11-13. God says:

“I know what I am doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hoped for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14a, The Message)