Strangers in the World with Elizabeth Waller

Opening Prayer

You are here, Lord, in this place. Now. Not only do we stand in awe of how great You are, larger than our imagination; But we also can scarcely comprehend that You are with us this moment. Yes, from a distance You are watching us. But You stand beside us as well. Your Spirit's presence quickens our pulse, fills us with wonder when we become aware than You are near. In extra-ordinary, as well as common, every-day ways, You make Your presence known to us. This is Your time of worship, God. The words don't belong to the Pastor or myself. The music isn't the property of the organist. The praying and singing we all do comes not only from us but, most importantly, from You. When we lose sight of this, today as well as every day, O Lord, forgive us, and live in and through us. Do great things with us right now, and in the week which lies ahead. We pray this, our heavenly Father, in the name of Your Son — Jesus Christ, in the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.  
Let us now pray the prayer you Lord have taught us to pray:
‘Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
    but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
For thine is the Kingdom the power and glory forever and ever Amen

The Offertory Prayer

Almighty God, we gather in the name of the one to whom all authority is given – Jesus Christ. As we offer you this money, you ask us to renew our commitment to be your faith-filled disciples. May our lifestyles reflect a desire to be in mission for others. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen. Matthew 28:16-20

Prayer for D-Day

Friday marked the 70th anniversary of D Day. We thank God for the courage and bravery of the men and women who took part in D Day, and whose great sacrifice brought peace to Europe. Heavenly father we pray for those for whom the memory of what happened this day 70 years ago still remains fresh, and for friends and loved ones who died in the struggle for peace. Shall we take a moment of silence.

As we commemorate the events of 70 years ago, we also pray for places around the world where there is conflict this day, we pray especially for the people of Syria, Ukraine, Southern Sudan and Central African Republic. Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Lord ble

ss all those who are engaged in the struggle for justice and peace in our world this day. We ask this in the name of the Prince of Peace, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gordon Furey sings

"Child Of Mine"
by Carole King

Although you see the world different than me
Sometimes I can touch upon the wonders that you see
All the new colors and pictures you've designed
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

Child of mine, child of mine
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

You don't need direction, you know which way to go
And I don't want to hold you back, I just want to watch you grow
You're the one who taught me you don't have to look behind
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

Child of mine, child of mine
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

Nobody's gonna kill your dreams
Or tell you how to live your life
There'll always be people to make it hard for a while
But you'll change their heads when they see you smile

The times you were born in may not have been the best
But you can make the times to come better than the rest
I know you will be honest if you can't always be kind
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

Child of mine, child of mine,
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine

Child of mine, child of mine
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine


Psalm 119:17-24, 49-56
New International Version (NIV)

ג Gimel
17 Be good to your servant while I live,
    that I may obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see
    wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;
    do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing
    for your laws at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
    those who stray from your commands.
22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
    for I keep your statutes.
23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,
    your servant will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your statutes are my delight;
    they are my counselors.

Psalm 119:49-56
New International Version (NIV)
ז Zayin

49 Remember your word to your servant,
    for you have given me hope.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
    Your promise preserves my life.
51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
    but I do not turn from your law.
52 I remember, Lord, your ancient laws,
    and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
    who have forsaken your law.
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song
    wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
    that I may keep your law.
56 This has been my practice:
    I obey your precepts.


STRANGERS IN THE WORLD
Sermon Date: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
By : James Zondervan 

Have you ever felt like a "duck out of water"? Have you ever felt uncomfortable, out of place, like you just didn't belong? Perhaps you went somewhere in casual clothes, while everyone else was in more formal attire, and you felt rather conspicuous and out of it. Or maybe you found yourself in a group of people who were swearing or telling off-color jokes, and you didn't quite know what to do or how to react. Or you go to a birthday party, but are the only one who forgot to bring a gift. Or maybe the gift you brought is obviously the cheapest, and the recipient can barely hide her disappointment. From time to time, we all feel conspicuous or out of place, like we don't belong.

According to these Scripture passages, God's people, Christians, should always feel somewhat out of place in this world. They ought to feel like strangers, pilgrims, aliens, like "ducks out of water," out of their proper environment. The Psalmist said, "I am a stranger on earth" (Psalm 119:19a) Since I am a stranger on the earth, do not hide your commands from me.. The phrase, "wherever I lodge," in verse 54, literally means: "in my temporary house." According to Hebrews 11, the "heroes of the faith" "admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth" (verse 13) All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them..

Peter describes his Christian readers as "aliens and strangers in the world."

As strangers in the world, we are disturbed by many things. Our own mortality can be distressing. Children grow up and parents grow old. In the countryside, one can see many abandoned farm places. At one time the houses were probably dream homes, but are now dilapidated and the people are long gone. If you have not seen the friends and acquaintances of your youth lately, it might surprise you to see that they now have gray hair. It reminds us that we are growing older, and that life is going by rapidly. Also distressing is the fact that bad things happen to basically good people, to God's people. There was a fine Christian woman, who was very active in her church. Once she took her son's paper route while he was at a Cadet camp-out. Somewhere along the line she fell, severely damaging her ankle. In fact, later she ended up on crutches. Although in considerable pain, she wanted to finish the route before going to the doctor. To save a few agonizing steps, she hobbled across a lawn. Halfway across, the door opened and an angry voice shouted: "What's the matter with you, walking on the grass? Someone your age ought to know better."

She saw some humor in that later. Other things that happen to us are no laughing matter; not now, not ever. They are downright distressing or discouraging, and remind us of how vulnerable we really are.

The Psalmist was well aware of his weakness and frailty. In the Psalms we read of both high and low points in the life of faith. Like the Psalmist, there are times when, spiritually speaking, we feel like we could "soar with the eagles." A short time later, however, we seem to be waddling around like penguins. Our own instability can be distressing.

Something that ought to distress us is when God is ignored or dishonored. The Psalmist said: "Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law" (119:53). When God's law is broken, people get hurt, God is offended, and society suffers the consequences.

Whether we observe it or experience it, we know that life is simply unfair. For example, God's good gifts are not evenly distributed. Professional athletes earn far more than farmers, although farmers' work is far more important. Athletes merely amuse us; farmers actually feed us. Injustice occurs every day, in all aspects of human life. The problems of the world seem so overwhelming that we are tempted to just throw up our hands in despair.

But strangers in the world are not alone in the world. In one Bible version, Psalm 119:49-56 is entitled: "God's Word is my comfort and guide whatever the circumstances." The Psalmist wrote, "My comfort in my suffering is this: your promise preserves my life" (119:50). "I remember your ancient laws, O Lord, and I find comfort in them" (verse 52). He found comfort not only in Scripture, but in Scripture's Author: "You have given me hope" (verse 49).

A Christian author once said: "Life is unfair. Get over it!" His point was that in an imperfect world filled with imperfect people problems are inevitable, so don't expect too much. While our life's "book" will certainly have a happy ending, there is some sadness on almost every page.

Children soon discover that life isn't fair. There are times in your lives when bruised knees or broken dreams have brought tears to your eyes. You have probably experienced how some children and older people can be downright nasty or unkind. Maybe you yourselves said or did something that made you feel bad, that gave you a guilty conscience. Life simply isn't fair. Some people have great beauty or brains, health or wealth, while our portion seems rather small. Diseases and accidents happen to both believers and unbelievers. The Bible reminds us that while life may be unfair at times and people might be unkind,

God is always just and loving.

Peter reminds his readers that they are "God's elect, strangers in the world...who have been chosen" (I Peter 1:1, 2). Being God's chosen people does not keep us from life's storms, but it is our security in life's storms. Another Psalmist reminds us that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." When we are in the midst of a "storm," we usually ask God to calm it. Until he does, we may pray: "Lord, keep me afloat during this storm." The sea around us might be raging but in our hearts there can be the peace of God.

Psalm 4 says: "Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him" (verse 3). Children, young people, and adults need to know that they are children of God. The awareness of God's presence helped Jacob on his way (Genesis 28:12ff). Once he was alone under the stars, running for his life, when he saw a stairway with angels on it. He woke up and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.... How awesome is this place!" Then he continued his journey.

If only we could live each moment of every day with that awareness, thinking: "Surely the Lord is in this place and in my life. Because of that, How awesome is this place, and how awesome is life itself and eternal life!" Even though you might feel out of place at times, feel as though you don't belong, you do belong to your Savior.

Because you belong to him, live for him. Peter writes: "I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul" (I Peter 2:11). Abstaining is not a very popular concept. Yet young and older people need to abstain from the sinful desires that war against our souls. Parents, teachers or pastors might say it, too, but first of all it is your God, your Savior, who says: "Abstain from sinful desires." He does not want us to lose the battle for our souls.

It is hard enough to abstain from sinful words and actions, how can we abstain from sinful desires? Perhaps we can't keep inappropriate thoughts from crossing our minds from time to time, but we can keep them from staying there. We can't prevent them from using the road, but we can put up "No Parking" signs, and we can enforce that rule.

Peter urges us to live good lives among those who don't believe (I Peter 2:12). Many people are concerned about treasures on earth, but Christians desire spiritual riches. Christians are thankful for what they do have, not angry or bitter about what they do not have. Christians confess and repent of their faults, but are not obsessed with them. They know that they have physical, mental, emotional, financial limitations. They accept God's love and forgiveness, and do their best.

A man once claimed that he was a "war baby," that his parents had taken one look at him and started fighting. Like him, everyone one of us has limitations, whether real or imagined, limitations that we have to live with. The good news is that God loves us!

Hopefully we, God's children, never waste our time wishing for things that others have, or wishing that we were more beautiful, athletic or intelligent than we are. Hopefully we realize how beautiful and special we are in the eyes of God and in the eyes of those who love us. Hopefully we enjoy ourselves, our lives, our Lord, and develop the unique gifts he has given us. Hopefully we seek first God's kingdom and God's will for our lives. Hopefully we will be the best that we can be, for God's glory and for our own good.

Though we travel as strangers or temporary residents, the Lord wants us to do good along the way, and to promote the well-being of church and society. The pilgrim Abraham was a great man of faith, who interceded for Sodom and rescued Lot. Like Abraham, Peter urges believers to make a difference in this world for God and for good. All of us are called to be part of God's Rescue Squad, who throw out the lifeline, who fulfill our part of the Great Commission. Many of us have been strangers at some time in our lives, newcomers to a certain city or community. After living for awhile in a place, people usually become more and more comfortable. They adjust, and may even adopt some of the customs and traditions of their new home. In time, they no longer feel like strangers.

Yet Scripture warns us not to become too comfortable here on earth. The Bible does not promise us comfortable lives. It teaches us that our lives on earth are temporary, and that, spiritually speaking, even when we are in the world we are not of it. It informs us of the comfort that comes from knowing that we belong to Jesus.

A company once sent pamphlets in the mail, containing the phrase: "an investment in paradise." No place on earth is a "paradise." In reality, we make an investment in the true Paradise when we commit our lives to Jesus. Paradise is the place where we will never again feel alone, out of place, discouraged, or sad. And as we travel there, we pray: "I am a stranger on earth.... Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.... Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge" (119:18,19a,54). AMEN.