Celebrate, Remember, Serve
Bicentennial Celebration • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Warren Brosi
January 7, 2024
Dominant Thought: By receiving the eternal Christ, He forgives our past, enlightens our present, and prepares our future.
Objectives:
I want my listeners to understand how Jesus is eternal.
I want my listeners to be encouraged by Christ who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
I want my listeners to memorize Hebrews 13.8, our theme verse, for 2024.
Kim Jackson, a friend of Tara McCann and the leader of Elder Orphan Care, encourages people to consecrate your calendar. As we begin this new year, we invite you to think about what ,God has planned for your year if Jesus should wait to return. At Berlin Christian Church, we are celebrating our bicentennial year. But here at the outset, let’s ask God to fill in our calendar with the things He’s prepared for us to do. Here’s a prayer you may want to pray as we begin this year. (Prayer adapted from Kim Jackson, https://crossroadscommunicators.blogspot.com/2009/12/calendar-consecration-by-kim-jackson.html)
Today, I consecrate my 2024 calendar to You. I commit the days You have given me on this planet to Your purposes.
Thank You for the gift of life. I pray that You will strengthen me to live a life that makes You smile.
Jesus, Your Word says in Ephesians 2:10 that I am Your masterpiece, Your workmanship, and that the reason You created me is to do good works which You prepared in advance for me to do.
So today, Jesus, I am asking You to fill all the little blank squares on this calendar with the things You prepared before time began, specifically with me in mind. I want to always be on Your schedule, fulfilling everything You have in mind for me to do in the minutes and months of my life.
I ask that You will guard my heart from distractions that would hinder me from fulfilling the matters You have planned. Keep me aware and awake to Your Spirit’s promptings and help me to seek Your guidance before filling up the squares on this calendar.
Father, if I run ahead or behind of your perfect plan, I claim the promise in Your Word, Romans 8:28, that even in my missteps, You will work things for good.
Father, please teach me what it means to “number my days that I may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
Lord, help me to recognize the enemy’s strategies that would keep me busy, but not productive; remind me often of Your truth expressed in 2 Corinthians 4:18 so that I will fix my eyes, not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. Please remind me frequently that what is seen in temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
True Lord Jesus, empower me by Your Spirit to live my life with my eyes focused on what matters to You.
Lord, if you tarry and I am still walking this earth next year, may I be able to look back over the filled-in pages of this calendar and rejoice, knowing that I have lived well for my Master.
I love You, Amen.
On this first Sunday of 2024, we thank God for His faithfulness to Berlin Christian Church. While sources say our church was organized in 1825, Andrew Scott arrived in Island Grove Township in 1824 and the seeds for the Berlin Christian Church were planted in his log cabin. He joined efforts with a Christian brother, Theophilus Sweet and Spring Creek Church came to life. The church was also known as Mount Zion Christian Church for about 37 years (1842-1859). The church relocated to Berlin and became known as Berlin Christian Church in 1859.
As we open this bicentennial year, we’ve chosen Hebrews 13.8 as our theme verse.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
We have another ministry friend whose sent us greetings for our 200th, Tim Barbee from Litchfield Christian Church. [show video].
As we reflect on what we want to accomplish this year, we’ve chosen three theme words: Celebrate, Remember, and Serve. We want to celebrate what God has done through Berlin Christian Church. We want to remember our history and learn some lessons from our past. We also want to serve. Berlin Christian Church has served this community for 200 years and we want to continue to mission of service in the name of Jesus. This quarter we will focus our service efforts toward the Pregnancy Resource Center. Soon, we will make available baby bottles to fill with coins, cash, and checks for the Center. We will also, collect diapers. Sizes 4-6 are the ones in most demand. More information will be available once the Pregnancy Resource Center is ready to launch the baby bottle drive.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. I’d like us to read that sentence in its context. Then, I want us to read more Scripture about our eternal savior before concluding with how Jesus transforms our past, and future.
Let’s read Hebrews 13.1-19.
To gain a deeper picture of our Lord Jesus, I want us to read some Scriptures together. I’ll read the words in white and you can read the words in bold/yellow on the screen.
Hebrews 1:1–2 (NIV)
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
Psalm 102:24–27 (NIV)
So I said: “Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations.
In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.
But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
Isaiah 48:12 (NIV)
“Listen to me, Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last.
Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Ephesians 1:3–6 (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love
he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Colossians 1:15–18 (NIV)
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Revelation 1:8 (NIV)
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.
So, as we look at Scripture today, I want you to see Jesus is God who was present in creation and will live forever. As we look at the history our church this year, I want us to understand we are stepping into something special that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, began in creation. In reflecting our our theme verse of Hebrews 13.8 over the story of Scripture we see, “By receiving the eternal Christ, He forgives our past, enlightens our present, and prepares our future.”
By receiving the eternal Christ, He forgives our past. (Hebrews 13.12)
The good news about Jesus is He cleans up our past failures. In Hebrews 13.9, the writer says, “It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace.” Grace is a gift we cannot ear and we do not deserve. The writer continues in Hebrews 13.12, “As so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through His own blood.” Sin requires punishment. The difficult thing to comprehend about the death of Christ on the cross is feel the weight and agony of sin. Sin is punished. God is just. Thankfully, God is merciful and gracious and the death of Christ covers our sins—past, present, and future. We must open the gift that He has given to us. Jesus, you are my king. We repent of our sins. We trust in Him through baptism and walk in a new life.
By receiving the eternal Christ, He enlightens our present. (Hebrews 13.13)
The writer of Hebrews continues in Hebrews 13.13, “Let us go to him [Jesus].” In John 6, Jesus preaches a sermon, “I am the bread of life.” Near the end of the sermon, all the people leave Jesus (John 6.66). Jesus looks to the Twelve and asks, “You don’t want to leave, too, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6.67-68). Go to Jesus. The Hebrew writer says, “go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore.” Jesus was on a cross outside the camp/city. We bear the disgrace of Jesus by carrying the cross of Christ.
Listen to how the gospel of John begins as he describes the eternal Christ. Read John 1.1-14. Jesus came into the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. Over the years, Berlin Christian Church has encountered her seasons of darkness: The American Civil War, two pandemics—100 years apart, the Great Depression. There were probably times when the church was just hanging on to keep the doors open, but the eternal Christ gave light to the leaders and the church to lead through those dark days and to an even brighter future.
By receiving the eternal Christ, He prepares our future. (Hebrews 13.14)
The Hebrew writer reminds the congregation, “For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13.14). In Christ, we have hope for the future. For those who are in Christ, we have eternity to share with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is preparing a place for us. Listen to the words of Jesus to His disciples.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that 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.
You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Over the next 21 days, we invite you to join us with 21 days with God. During those 21 days, we invite you to join us in the following:
Pray with someone each day for 21 days either in person or on the phone.
Invest 21 minutes each days in word, worship, and prayer. If you’d like to have a daily text reminder, then you can text “21 days” to 1-833-612-9972. Our 21 days scripture readings will be from John 14-17.
Pray for a word for this year to guide you closer to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
I’m excited to see how God will grow us closer to Him and one another over the next 21 days and during this special year as we celebrate, remember, and serve Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Consecrate your calendar. Start with John 1.1, In the beginning.
Highlight some BCC history dates...
https://crossroadscommunicators.blogspot.com/2009/12/calendar-consecration-by-kim-jackson.html
Calendar Consecration by Kim Jackson
I bought my 2010 calendar today. There were three full kiosks at the office supply store, each boasting different designs, colors, formats, and time frames. The one I picked is called a “Monthly/Weekly Planning Calendar.” It has a tagline printed under the brand name: “Design your day.” I chose a lavender way to design my days. At the present moment it has pristine 2” squares for each day of the upcoming year.
Quite a lot of each day is planned for me by others: my boss at work, my church responsibilities, the clubs and groups I belong to, doctor’s appointments, etc. Sometimes I get to fill in a few of those blank squares with things that make my heart smile: “Home for Thanksgiving,” “Writing Retreat,” “Meet Robin for lunch.”
📷
I will write in lots of appointments and plans. The empty squares on my calendar will quickly fill up. I’ll start out writing neatly, but soon scribbles will overtake my precision.
Sometimes things have to be marked off my calendar because, as John Lennon said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”
But does life really “happen to” a believer in Christ Jesus?
Ponder this:
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10, NIV).
There is a designer for each of my days, but I’m clear that it’s not me. So how do I cooperate with His design for the precious days He has given me?
Several years ago I started a tradition that helps me be awake and aware to God’s handwriting on my calendar. Perhaps it might help you, too.
I set aside a chunk of time near the end of the year to consecrate my calendar. I put on a favorite praise and worship CD, open my new calendar to January and write out Ephesians 2:10 at the top of the page. Then I pray something like this:
Dear Jesus,
Today, December 31, 2009, I consecrate my 2010 calendar to You. I commit the days You have given me on this planet to Your purposes.
Thank You for the gift of life. I pray that You will strengthen me to live a life that makes You smile.
Jesus, Your Word says in Ephesians 2:10 that I am Your masterpiece, Your workmanship, and that the reason You created me is to do good works which You prepared in advance for me to do.
So today, Jesus, I am asking You to fill all the little blank squares on this calendar with the things You prepared before time began, specifically with me in mind. I want to always be on Your schedule, fulfilling everything You have in mind for me to do in the minutes and months of my life.
I ask that You will guard my heart from distractions that would hinder me from fulfilling the matters You have planned. Keep me aware and awake to Your Spirit’s promptings and help me to seek Your guidance before filling up the squares on this calendar.
Father, if I run ahead or behind of your perfect plan, I claim the promise in Your Word, Romans 8:28, that even in my missteps, You will work things for good.
Father, please teach me what it means to “number my days that I may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
Lord, help me to recognize the enemy’s strategies that would keep me busy, but not productive; remind me often of Your truth expressed in 2 Corinthians 4:18 so that I will fix my eyes, not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. Please remind me frequently that what is seen in temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
True Lord Jesus, empower me by Your Spirit to live my life with my eyes focused on what matters to You.
Lord, if you tarry and I am still walking this earth on January 1, 2011, may I be able to look back over the filled-in pages of this 2010 calendar and rejoice, knowing that I have lived well for my Master.
I love You,
Kim