Church of the Holy SpiritSong

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“Preparing for Ten”
Pastor Tom Millner
August 10, 2008

Isaiah 53:5-6; John 17:20-26; Matthew6:31-34

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Why (He had to die) – What He desires for us – How we receive it!

In August of 1999 a group of God seeking women began to meet on a regular basis to grow in unity and to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Church of the Holy SpiritSong was born out of seeking God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. Birthed from God’s prompting, fed by obedience, and multiplied repeatedly seeking Him. It purpose – to fulfill the great commission while living the great commandment! Commission – share the Good News, baptize, and teach – Command – love God first and others as much as self. For nine years now, this church has been preparing for and engaging the fulfillment of its mission to “ignite the world for Christ…one life at a time.”® How many of you were there at that first meeting? …. Yet, we are today more than a hundred strong – because of the faithfulness of a few. Today, we celebrate the beginning of #10 – the year of Christ within!

Number ten – the year of Christ within!

What’s our mission? Igniting the world for Christ…one life at a time®

Exciting, isn’t it? All the possibilities of things we can do as we enter the beginning of a decade. Food pantry, expanded outreach, growing choir and worship team, SpiritSong Institute, workshops galore, retreats, HIV ministry, mission work, greater web presence, spiritual growth conference, expanded food pantry, dance and art ministries… limitless possibilities… limited only by the time, place, and resources to accomplish these. Or is it just time, place and resources?

In the movie, “Facing The Giants,” a football coach for a Christian academy in rural Georgia is burdened with a losing team, a negative attitude, personal difficulties with finances and the loss of hope for biological children. He overhears a group of parents discussing with his superiors and his assistants the poor performance of the football team and the loss of trust and confidence in him as the coach. For the first time, it becomes apparent his job is on the line. Beaten down emotionally, but not defeated, he turns to God’s word and seeks His face in prayer. He discovers through digging deeper that his purpose as coach is not to win football games, but rather to lead his team into a deeper relationship with Christ. The attitude and performance of the team improved dramatically when each team member committed to seeking God first and letting Him be the center and purpose of his actions. The team went on to win the State championship against significant odds. “Whether we win or whether we lose,” he said, “we will give God the glory.” Now there’s a pitfall here, if we aren’t careful. The temptation is to believe that I will get my way (a particular outcome) if I just spend time in Bible reading and prayer. That’s like saying “if I spend time in the kitchen, a gourmet meal will appear.” On the other hand, if you’re NOT in the kitchen, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to prepare the meal.

We are surrounded by a community that is hungry for “spiritual” connectedness. We hear the phrase “I’m spiritual, but not religious.” What this really means is that “I want to experience God my own way – I want to play the game (of life) any way I want, and still win the prize.” After all, don’t all roads lead to God? NO – all roads do not lead to God – only one leads to God… all others lead back to the self that in the end is dead without God. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

What we hunger and thirst for is substance that satisfies and quenches. What we hunger for is something that will give us peace. What we hunger for is something that will satisfy our longing to know that we measure up. What we hunger for is something that assures us that we don’t have to be held accountable for every wrong we’ve done. What we hunger for is a sustaining presence in our lives. What we hunger for is not a what, but a who. What we hunger for is a person – Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 14:6 that “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” I heard someone say recently that he thought it was arrogant to propose that there was one and only one way to God. If I drop a book, it will fall to the ground –that’s the truth, that’s the law of gravity. It’s the truth – no amount of rationalization is going to change that truth. So it is with God’s truth. Whether we choose to believe the truth or a lie, the truth does not cease to exist.

A mission – “ignite the world for Christ…one life at a time.” Folks, we have a community, a world that seeks the light – that hungers to be enlightened – that yearns for a sense of eternal oneness. A life cannot be ignited for Christ unless it is touched by Christ. We cannot do be what He calls us to be unless we are one with He who called us to be!
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Where is the Kingdom of God? – it is within. Seeking Him is surrendering of self – it’s letting go of pretenses – being open and honest before Him - accepting Him as the only way to God – asking Him to take the first position in your life – Seeking His lead – learning to follow – Digging deeper into His Word – spending quality time with the first love of your life – Jesus!

Church of the Holy SpiritSong – a place? A structure? A Pastor or three? A Ministry Head? Deacons? Trustee? Elders?... NO – a person – Jesus Christ, without whom there would be no reason for Church of the Holy SpiritSong.

Year ten – the year of Christ within!

Go to His table and feast on the meal of eternity - Commune now with Him as He leads the way.

Year Ten – the year of Christ within!

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