Sermon Tone Analysis

A fun series on Disney + just ended called The Mandalorian

Spaghetti Western

Filled with all kinds of imagery from Far East religion and whatever.

A phrase the Mandalorian’s say to each other and to others about what their religion and customs require them to do: “This is the Way”

This is how we have to do things.

This is what makes us who we are.

Trivia - Christians were first called followers of : “The Way”

Jesus said,

VIDEO

In 2020, the Way will be the same as every other year past and every year since,

The Way to live life is following JESUS.

But that’s not the question people have asked me this week.

It’s what do I do tomorrow.

Why does my life keep getting messed up?

What do I do right know?

What do I do right now?

What is “The Way of Jesus” right now?

I understand your question.

I began this December overwhelmed because I had no idea how I was going to make it through completing a lot of individualized education plans for my students which involves giving tests, meeting with parents, talking to experts.

Its a process and I had a lot to get down.

Then my daughter would come home and my in-laws and my best man and we had the light show and so much more!

Overwhelmed I so look forward to getting through it.

I cannot tell you to turn on your Bible and go to this section of Proverbs 33:25 where it says, “test your special needs student’s in this way and call your families in this way.”

I know The Way of Jesus was to love my student’s, their families, everyone involved enough to do my very best at it even though I could get away with less.

That isn’t in here.

But there is a way.

There is “The Way” of Christ.

In everything in life their is “The Way of Christ” It is the way of Love.

Our whole initial knowledge of the way of God is built in love and what we do with it in our lives is love.

The Way of Christ is Love.

Interpreting what that means on my Monday is a relationship with Christ.

The Way of Christ is Love.

Interpreting what that means on my Monday is a relationship with Christ.

I’ve learned what it means to love Christ at work through reading the Bible and being taught by other followers of Jesus.

It meant that I had to do my very best for my student’s even though no one would care if I cut corners.

God tells us

Love means

I busted my butt and was working long days at work and then at home so I could get this done in time.

If i am giving Jesus a gift, and he judges my pay by what I do, then I am going to do my very best.

Love is Working for Christ

I Finished.

We accomplished so much and on Friday I was exhausted.

My perception was in my exhaustion that I was done.

I plopped in my chair to watch tv and begin a night of doing nothing.

Than Friday at about 5:15, maybe 45 minutes into me sitting in a chair, pastor Harry called me to tell me their was a shooting across the street from the church.

Today we know how this plays out and some of you may think I know what I am doing and others of you might think I’m an idiot (you’re mean)

But there is no where in scripture telling you what “The Way” is when you get called about a shooting.

There is no exact verse where your sitting next to family when they learn horrific news.

I can’t see John 52:17, “Jesus said, when entering the emergency room waiting area make sure to say this ...

But there is Love

Love is “The Way”

Love is Sacrifice

If God is near them than I should be near them.

Than we should be near them.

But I was exhausted.

Wow church you know this, You stepped up.

I’m not positive but I think 10 of you showed up on Sunday and Monday nights to help show love to our community and raise money for Eddie’s family.

But there is a way.

There is “The Way” of Christ.

In everything in life their is “The Way of Christ” It is the way of Love.

Our whole initial knowledge of the way of God is built in love and what we do with it in our lives is love.

Jesus said the two greatest commands:

So I want to get us ready for 2020 our plans must be focused in love

The Way is based on Love and love can be based on some principles

My wife is a great mother.

She became a soccer coach for many seasons just to keep her daughters getting exercise.

She didn’t know much about soccer at all.

She will make sure they have food first.

She’s willing to tell them no

She’s willing to go out of her way, because that is love

Love as Sacrifice means to expand that to another, everyone really, Jesus said even our enemies

And since love as sacrifice means laying down your life it means allowing yourself to be in an uncomfortable place because if you were in the same spot you would want someone there with you.

You did it.

Love means having courage in Christ.

Jessica R. and going to visit Maria

Jessica R. and going to visit Maria

We must be a church that shows up in Crisis even when we barely know what to do.

We have resources and I called on Jessica R. to help visit with Maria.

She knows Spanish she knows Eddie’s brothers.

She was ready to go.

She was Eager but she didn’t know Spanish.

God worked and we gave comfort and laughed together actually.

In 2020 though, we have to remember that most of Jesus’ life was not a crisis.

It was a Monday, then a Tuesday, Wednesday, all the way to Saturday and started over again.

To be there for people in a crisis is beautiful but to love everyday is life changing

Love is a Habit

Love as a Habit

Love as a Habit means everyday in the humdrum of life I am going to Christ trying to figure out how I can love God and love my neighbor.

Most followers of Jesus, in fact many who don’t follow Jesus at all can be close to God in a crisis.

Most followers of Jesus, in fact many who don’t follow Jesus at all can be close to God in a crisis.

But Love is built in the hum drum of daily practice.

It’s annoying to only minister with people that can be counted on in a disaster.

Our witness in this event was built on those who broke their backs in November putting lights into the ground.

Most of life should not be a disaster but the hum drum of daily practice.

Actually it was those who came last January 2019 and helped clean up.

It was the teenagers and adults who came out for the past 12 years building a witness of who New Day is

It was Jenn and Justin who showed up every Wednesday, teaching and living alongside Eddie.

It was

An event can be a great memory in someone’s life, life changing, but the life of following Christ is a daily, today.

While a mountain can change with an earthquake.