September 25 Sermon and Announcements

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

September 25, 2022

 

So what do you think?

Lamentations 4:5-13, 5:15-22

 

We began what has turned into a mini series four weeks ago, looking at why some congregations are doing really well and others not so much. There are at least two basic answers why some are full and others just getting by.

 

One answer is God is blessing some congregations because they are honestly and accurately proclaiming the Word of God. Ironically, others may be doing well because they are good at doing what is talked about in 2 Timothy, Chapter 4, verses 3 and 4. There we read, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” In other words, some churches may be full because they are drawn to a “gospel” that allows them to do whatever they want to do.

 

As we have looked at Lamentations for this the 4th week, we see God’s people who have been led away to follow the godless world of their time. Jeremiah has been honest about what has caused Judah and God’s people to not only be overrun by people who clearly could care less about God. But literally struggle to grow enough food to provide for the basic needs of the people. They are struggling in every part of life. It is because of their turning their backs on God.

 

We read last Sunday, however, God does not take joy in allowing hard times to come to His people, and that was found in Chapter 3, verse 33. God, at times, allows tough times to happen with the hope His people will admit to their sin and turn back to Him and receive His mercy and forgiveness. What we read in Chapter 4 this morning should make all of us cringe. Was Jeremiah being overly dramatic in verse 10 when he said, “With their own hands compassionate women have cooked their own children, who became their food when my people were destroyed.” Were the people so desperate to survive that this really happened? Had they wandered so far from God they were willing to do such evil things to their own children?

 

When we once again look at what is happening in America today, as well as other parts of the world, is God willing to protect and bless people who are allowing some of the things that are happening now? Are the things happening occurring because we are not honoring God and giving him the dominant place in our lives?

 

Some of these things mentioned last week include the murder rates that show disregard for life. The question of what is a man and what is a woman as God’s word clearly indicates. The drug abuse that is worse every day. The suicide rates that are also hitting new records. The fact some schools are more concerned with social engineering than teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Have we gone to a place like Judah had where God’s blessing are simply not possible as they once were? Are we willing to honestly acknowledge our sins as Jeremiah pointed out in Lamentations?

 

The last 8 verses of Lamentations spell it out. “Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to morning. The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned! Because of this our hearts are faint, because of these things our eyes grow dim. For Mount Zion which lies desolate with jackals prowling over it. You O Lord reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long? Restore us to yourself, O Lord that we may return; renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.” Jeremiah was laying it on the line. Yes, we have sinned against you. Yes, we have deserved what has happened to us. But God please give us another chance. Show mercy to your people. Restore us once again to yourself.

 

As the sermon title asks, “So what do you think?” Are the things happening in this nation and throughout much of this world occurring because of the spiritual decline that is very similar to what was spoken of in Lamentations? Are we as individuals, as well as our congregation, where God truly wants us to be? Are some of the more successful congregations successful because of their faithfulness to God, or are some successful because they are providing a “feel good” message that is not exactly in line with God’s word? Are others struggling because they are “too” biblical and people do not want that much anymore? Or because they have a watered-down message and God will not bless those congregations?

 

As we wrap up this look into the state of the church today, we again may have more questions than answers. What God is challenging me to do is to be honest with myself first of all. While none of us are, or ever will be, perfect, are our spiritual hearts in the right place? God has given a very simple yet profound recipe to receive His blessing both as individuals and as congregations and even as nations. Let us close out our time in this study by once more looking at God’s promise of how to receive his blessings as found in Jeremiah 29:11-14, ^“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.”

Pastor Larry

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

September 25, 2022

 

So what do you think?

Lamentations 4:5-13, 5:15-22

 

We began what has turned into a mini series four weeks ago, looking at why some congregations are doing really well and others not so much. There are at least two basic answers why some are full and others just getting by.

 

One answer is God is blessing some congregations because they are honestly and accurately proclaiming the Word of God. Ironically, others may be doing well because they are good at doing what is talked about in 2 Timothy, Chapter 4, verses 3 and 4. There we read, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” In other words, some churches may be full because they are drawn to a “gospel” that allows them to do whatever they want to do.

 

As we have looked at Lamentations for this the 4th week, we see God’s people who have been led away to follow the godless world of their time. Jeremiah has been honest about what has caused Judah and God’s people to not only be overrun by people who clearly could care less about God. But literally struggle to grow enough food to provide for the basic needs of the people. They are struggling in every part of life. It is because of their turning their backs on God.

 

We read last Sunday, however, God does not take joy in allowing hard times to come to His people, and that was found in Chapter 3, verse 33. God, at times, allows tough times to happen with the hope His people will admit to their sin and turn back to Him and receive His mercy and forgiveness. What we read in Chapter 4 this morning should make all of us cringe. Was Jeremiah being overly dramatic in verse 10 when he said, “With their own hands compassionate women have cooked their own children, who became their food when my people were destroyed.” Were the people so desperate to survive that this really happened? Had they wandered so far from God they were willing to do such evil things to their own children?

 

When we once again look at what is happening in America today, as well as other parts of the world, is God willing to protect and bless people who are allowing some of the things that are happening now? Are the things happening occurring because we are not honoring God and giving him the dominant place in our lives?

 

Some of these things mentioned last week include the murder rates that show disregard for life. The question of what is a man and what is a woman as God’s word clearly indicates. The drug abuse that is worse every day. The suicide rates that are also hitting new records. The fact some schools are more concerned with social engineering than teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Have we gone to a place like Judah had where God’s blessing are simply not possible as they once were? Are we willing to honestly acknowledge our sins as Jeremiah pointed out in Lamentations?

 

The last 8 verses of Lamentations spell it out. “Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to morning. The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned! Because of this our hearts are faint, because of these things our eyes grow dim. For Mount Zion which lies desolate with jackals prowling over it. You O Lord reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long? Restore us to yourself, O Lord that we may return; renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.” Jeremiah was laying it on the line. Yes, we have sinned against you. Yes, we have deserved what has happened to us. But God please give us another chance. Show mercy to your people. Restore us once again to yourself.

 

As the sermon title asks, “So what do you think?” Are the things happening in this nation and throughout much of this world occurring because of the spiritual decline that is very similar to what was spoken of in Lamentations? Are we as individuals, as well as our congregation, where God truly wants us to be? Are some of the more successful congregations successful because of their faithfulness to God, or are some successful because they are providing a “feel good” message that is not exactly in line with God’s word? Are others struggling because they are “too” biblical and people do not want that much anymore? Or because they have a watered-down message and God will not bless those congregations?

 

As we wrap up this look into the state of the church today, we again may have more questions than answers. What God is challenging me to do is to be honest with myself first of all. While none of us are, or ever will be, perfect, are our spiritual hearts in the right place? God has given a very simple yet profound recipe to receive His blessing both as individuals and as congregations and even as nations. Let us close out our time in this study by once more looking at God’s promise of how to receive his blessings as found in Jeremiah 29:11-14, ^“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.”

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

 

Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study – studying Proverbs.

 

TODAY - The donation box in the back of sanctuary is for donations for blankets for Church World Service.

September 28 Submissions for October newsletter due

September 30 (4-7 pm) – October 1 (8-4)—The Lord’s Storehouse rummage sale at the Brethren Church.

October 2—World Communion Sunday—6:00 p.m. Love Feast

October 4 12:00 Women’s Fellowship luncheon—soup and sandwiches. Sign-up sheet is in the back of the sanctuary

October 12 Executive Committee

November 4 and 5 District Conference at the Peoria church

 

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 10:00 – 10:45—Easy Exercise Class at the CG UMC. Open to all. See Martha Lynch for more info.

 

Offering plates are in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you for your continued giving!

 

Donation Box: CWS Blankets

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

 

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

 

To keep up on Church of the Brethren news:

Denomination: www.brethren.org/news Sign up for Newsline by clicking link on left side of page.

District: iwdcob.org (click on newsletter link) and on facebook

Our pages: cerrogordocob.com (printed sermon, announcements, & calendar) and on facebook 

Keep in Your Prayers

Puerto Rico; Family of Kathy Whitted; Cecil; Mike Nuding; Michelle West; Carolyn Hirsch; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Joe Waltz; Doug Larrick; Anna Rose Larrick; Ron & Kathleen Petersen; Anna Gentry Thompson; Louis & Carol Sulwer; Maralyn Heckman; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Sonna Hall; Tina Wilhelm; Baby Tate; Bryce Ashenfelter; Mindy Sawyer; Marlene Schultz; Sarah Rudelick; Carl and Wilma Cable; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker;  Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Candy Dobson; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders; the families of those who have died from COVID-19; those who are ill from the virus; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; nursing home residents; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Hope Welty Library; La Place congregation

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for Pinecrest Retirement Community

 

Church of the Brethren vision statement:

Together, as the Church of the Brethren, we will passionately live and share the radical transformation and holistic peace of Jesus Christ through relationship-based neighborhood engagement. To move us forward, we will develop a culture of calling and equipping disciples who are innovative, adaptable, and fearless.

                        Our Mission Statement:

Love God, grow with others, serve faithfully, reach the lost, find peace.