Worthy

Written by cycleguy on August 26th, 2011

How does a pastor end a series of sermons?

Does he just say, “This is it.  It is finished”? 

Does he let it ride slowly off into the sunset with a “Hi-o Silver. Away!”

Does he get on his horse (that he doesn’t have) and sing, “Happy Trails to you?”

That was my dilemma as I began working on this last message of this series of God: Unmasked.  I didn’t just want it to drift off into the sunset, nor did I want to leave it hanging in the air.  I have to confess something: working on this series did a number on my heart, and I was not willing to just let it die a simple and easy death.  I wanted to convey my heartfelt thoughts, while at the same time making sure this was not about me.  Preaching, in my humble opinion, should never be about me.  It should always be a passionate conveyance of the awesome love of God reaching down to man.

British preacher, Charles Spurgeon, made this comment:

But while the subject (study of God) humbles the mind, it also expands it.  He who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe.

How can I say this without sounding overzealous?  Never mind.  AMEN MR. SPURGEON!!!!  What Mr. Spurgeon says is something I have experienced throughout this study.   While some of what I studied were things I already knew or believed, there were some things that became even clearer, or stuck to me like an octopus’ cup.   Please tell me how anyone you can study the attributes of God and not be bowled over?  I’m not one of them, because I experienced times of being arrested by God and held hostage (in a good way).  The magnificence of God held me captive.  And while I was overwhelmed by the vastness of God, there were also those times I have seen my understanding of Him expanded.  I will share Monday what I learned, or had reinforced.  🙂

Until then, I ask for your prayers for this Sunday.  I thank you ahead of time.  Now a question for you:  have you ever been arrested  by God?  Have you ever had your view of God expanded?  Are you thinking or plodding?

 

24 Comments so far ↓

  1. Mercy says:

    I believe God gives us opportunities, every day of our lives, to know more about Him or to expand our view of Him. My view of God expands each time I read His word.
    I’ll be praying for you and the church community. Have a great weekend.

  2. Craig says:

    Bill, it sounds like this sermon series has become an altar for you. That probably sounds weird.

    We have moments in life where God shines. God speaks. As you say it, we are arrested.

    The altar bit is from the OT -whenever folks had a God moment they’d build an altar to forever remember what God did for them. I think it’d be good for folks to have altars (of some kind) in their life to forever remember that God spoke to me, right here, at this time in my life.

    I guess I need to throw in a disclaimer – when I refer to an altar I’m not saying we worship an idol or anything – I just think we need a physical reminder that God is with us in all seasons of life 🙂

    thanks Bill

    • cycleguy says:

      Understood what you meant by an altar Craig. Jacob comes to mind when he saw angels ascending and descending and set a stone as a monument. I am praying this will be one of those defining moments for me. Thanks for the comment. See you over at Sammy’s place. 🙂

  3. Moe says:

    There have been times when I’m doing my devotionals and a section of scripture rocks my world. I literally get up and walk around my living room and smile and get so overwhelmed. It really is amazing.

  4. Zee says:

    He continually expands my view of Him – if I will cease to be amazed by Him something would have to be REALLY wrong. There’s so much to learn about God and we will never be able to learn all about Him even if we spend eternity together.

    • cycleguy says:

      You are so right Zee. The moment was are no longer amazed by Him, we have problems. I don’t want to get to that point. Thanks for the comment.

  5. lindaM says:

    Hi Bill,
    I think that I am being arrested by God this year. Month by month I am seeing Him work in my life.

    To my amazement I was able to fix my difficulty with imputing into my computer yesterday. Am I a tech? NO. Is God? Apparently so!

    Do I even know what restore means on my computer? Do I even know where to find it? or did I ever have any thoughts about a system restore button somewhere deep in my computer? NO. But I found it somehow yesterday.

    I restored my system to a couple of days ago when things were working and I must have bypassed the virus.

    When this didn’t solve all my problem with my computer, I had an idea to unplug my keyboard and plug it in to the back of my computer again. And there I go, back to being able to input and search google on the Internet.

    My eyes are being opened as to how deeply and intimately God is connected to our lives. Is this worth all the gold in the world? You bet.

    • Mercy says:

      That’s wonderful, Linda. I’m happy because I love reading your comments. It’s good to see how God makes a way when we think there is nothing we can do about a situation.
      Have a blessed weekend!

      • lindaM says:

        thank you Mercy. I’m enjoying reading your comments too. You have good insight lots of times. God Bless you!

    • cycleguy says:

      It is so great to see God working in your life Linda. Sometimes it just helps to see it and sense that reassurance. So glad you can stay in contact. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

  6. Joseph says:

    I have to be honest and say that just about every time I read or hear a strong message my view of God is expanded. The simple truth is I know about .0001% of who/what God truly is. (ok. maybe .0001% is dramatic, but you get my point.)

    Bill, not to throw you under the bus but I look at our age difference 🙂 and see how you are still learning about God. He is still showing Himself to you. It just tells me that I need to always search after God. Being so young it can be easy to want to know everything right now. I want to live a life where I continually draw closer to God. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts next week. Have a good weekend. 🙂

    • cycleguy says:

      I too find myself falling so short on what i know about God. I am humbled Joseph that you see a searching heart. I never want to stop and if that can serve as an inspiration to you or anyone, then I will be happy. Thanks.

  7. Jim F says:

    God will just take me at times me and arrest me with His Word. I often get “stuck” in a place in the Bible and God will use it to arrest me and astound me and change my view of Him and life.

  8. dustin says:

    I remember once in college I was reading something (don’t remember what or where it was), but all of a sudden I got up and did a fist pump in the air. I was so excited that God revealed something to me. 🙂

  9. Dan Black says:

    I have found when I’m preparing a sermon or talk, I walk away filled and changed by God. Charles said it so well.

    Your perspective of preaching is right on. Preaching should always be outward focused. Great points and thoughts.

    I will be praying for you and the service.

    • cycleguy says:

      I think walking away filled and changed is what needs to happen whenever we prepare to speak/preach. If not, then what do we have to tell anyone? Thanks Dan.

  10. Larry Hughes says:

    I think Spurgeon was quite eloquent in his statement and factual. (At least in my experieces.)

    I had always wondered why I have thoughts or modified prayers about God daily but as time went on, I did experience a deeper meaning of life and Him.

    So I guess I was arrested in a form by God. I know he has been working me over with my recent saga with health issues. Every time I think it can’t get any worse, He comes through with a new insight and hope that I am being healed.

    • cycleguy says:

      Modified prayers is an interesting way to put it Larry. Our prayer life, as well as other parts of our lives, change when we become more aware of God and what He is doing. thanks for the input. Hope you are feeling better.

  11. Lori Devine says:

    Thinking and plodding. Yes, that explains me exactly! Over the past few years I have come to appreciate more of the beliefs and traditions of different denominational lines. Digging deeper into God’s Word and contemplating the doctrines that supposedly “divide.” Amazingly enough, it did wonders to fan the flames in my heart and humble me at the same time. I have to say, though, that sometimes I feel a bit alone and misunderstood. Mostly because I LOVE to discuss these things and seek the input and logic of others. I have been met with varying responses and not all have been pleasant 🙂 I have come to believe that most people around me don’t appreciate a mind that constantly questions and contemplates. That makes me feel very lonely sometimes.

    I am thankful to God for His work in my life. It thrills my heart to love Him with all of my mind. I guess I have to take the good with the bad–even if I feel like yelling out questions to the cat because he is the only one listening!

    • cycleguy says:

      Lori: your syndrome is not alone. There are many who do not want to be questioned or have questions thrown at them for fear of maybe not knowing the answer or for the simple thing of having their faith rattled. Keep asking and seeking, even if it is only the cat who is listening. Thanks for commenting.