Yard

Written by cycleguy on February 21st, 2013

construction

 

When I was growing up and watching baseball, a HomeRun was a HomeRun.  Now they call it “Going Yard.”  Unless, of course, your announcer is Chris (Annoying) Berman with “It’s going back back back back (add more).”

But, as much as I am glad baseball is almost here, I’m not going to talk about Baseball or Going Yard or how the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to finally break their record for consecutive losing seasons.  🙂

I HAVE A DIFFERENT YARD IN MIND

Over the past two months I have been preaching a series on “Beliefs Under Construction.”  I’d like to thank all of you who have prayed during this time.  God has really been present, in spite of the pastor’s feeble efforts.  I approached the series as though I was building a house.  Here is a recap of the series:

A Never-Ending Project=Phil.1:1-11 (emphasis on verse 6)

Something to Follow (Blueprints)=The Bible.

Groundwork=God.

Framework=Jesus.

The Roof=Prayer.

Wiring=The Holy Spirit.

Heating/AC=Heaven and Hell.

The final sermon is the yard.  A big, big yard.  A BIG, BIG YARD!!  After the house is built, the yard is the last thing that gets our attention, except for all the little things that need done.   We are not done building our house, the church is not building its house, if we don’t see the yard.   If you have any doubt what I mean, check out this Scripture.  The yard surrounds the church building, but in this case I am not talking about the green, green grass of home.  I AM talking about the fields that are ripe for harvest.

I’m excited to be co-preaching this message with another man.  Last October I began to feel like we needed to branch out, especially more into our community.  But I knew I needed help.  God knew that and in November brought Brett and Beth to us.  He had been working full-time, as well as preaching at a little country church for three years, and needed a break.  They began to worship with us and I felt God saying, “Ask them.”  So I did… and they turned me down.

Did I hear God right?  Seriously?

So I prayed some more.  One Sunday Brett asked to go out to eat with me and talk.  He said, “Yes” this time.  This Sunday, he is going to introduce the idea in his half of the message.  I will lay the groundwork with the No/Yes story, then present again our Purpose (to bring fame to the Name of Jesus);  Mission and Vision.  I give you the links so you can look if you want.  Frankly, I don’t want to pastor a church of navel-gazers.  There are too many people beyond our walls who need to be loved (and if possible hear about Jesus).

Thanks again for your prayers.  Do you have a big, big yard or is yours a little postage stamp (spiritually speaking)?

 

23 Comments so far ↓

  1. Daniel says:

    I seem to live on a deserted island sometimes. I still look amongst the bushes when I come upon them and am in a reasonable frame of mind. I will pray for you tag-team efforts this Sunday.

  2. Susan says:

    Do I detect a bit of Audio Adrenalin in that big yard? http://youtu.be/KTuoUDkwXWU

    Praying for God to move in hearts.

  3. Bill, my yard is growing. I’m going with my church to a rehab center to worship with and encourage tomorrow. I’m excited.

  4. floyd says:

    Love the building analogy. I use it on just about everything! Big surprise…

    The most difficult part of any endeavor, whether building a house, writing a book, or running a race, is finishing. The detail of they yard is the first thing the world is going to see when they look at us; the church.

    Will they see weeds fighting with the grass for dominance? Most likely… Our yards should be the ones that the lost world sees and says to themselves, “I wish I could live there.”

    “They will know you by the love you have for one another…” The hardest part is finishing…

    Praying for you and yours, Bill.

  5. Betty Draper says:

    I so appreciate this message brother. You are asking them to “reach beyond their world”, right outside those physcial walls that hold enough power to light up the yard.

    You are a good man brother to allow someone to share your pulpit…this show leadership that does not covet the pulpit just for himself.

    My heart is excited this morning, looking forward to what God will do through a group of people who go play in the yard…they will draw others…challenging post.

    • cycleguy says:

      Thanks Betty. I wish I could say I was always willing to share the pulpit with another. Too insecure at one time to do that. It will be nice to have help. Thanks for your words and prayers.

  6. Sounds like an awesome idea, Bill. Hope it all goes well tomorrow!

  7. Interesting how you’ve used the metaphor of a house. I chuckled at relating heaven and hell to A/C and heating.
    I’m not nearly as good at personal evangelism as I would like. It’s something I’m starting to be convicted about, but I don’t really know how to go from here. I work from home and I’m self-employed. So I don’t get a lot of opportunities to reach out to the community.

    • cycleguy says:

      Glad you were able to catch the meaning of the Heating/AC reference. I had a few last Sunday catch it also. Working from home and being self-employed does present some challenges. Ryan, my tech geek, does also. He and his family home educate but are heavily involved in TKD.

  8. Debbie says:

    Praying for you and rejoicing too, on the way this upcoming sermon will be delivered. 🙂 And thank you for talking to us about our ‘yards’. I’m a little isolated, but still have opportunities. Praying to see them when they come! God bless you and those you reach out to!

  9. I love the concept of this series and bringing fame to Jesus. Do you have a post that develops that concept (or could you write one)? I’d love to feature it on The Inspired Day.

  10. cycleguy says:

    Thanks for your careful thought and planning of this series. I think the metaphor is great in making God’s truth relavant to our lives and seeing how much He loves us. I thoroughly enjoy your messages. Keep helping us see Jesus, and Jesus only. Sally

    • cycleguy says:

      Thanks Sally. It is a joy to preach to people like you who love God’s Word and want to learn. As you can tell Sally is from the church I pastor. 🙂