Sermon Starters – Page 8 – Serminutes

Where Were You God?

July 5, 2011July 23, 2018R. Mangold

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. ⁹For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8 – 9

Facing calamities that challenge our faith to its core, our tendency may be to lay blame. “Where were you God, you should have done something!” We’re quick to point our human finger in the face of our Creator and accuse Him of inaction.

I do not purport to have an answer that will assuage our anxiety, but I will caution against recklessly “blaming” God or saying it is “God’s fault.” God doesn’t owe us an answer or explanation. In the face of his trial, Job demanded an audience with God. When God actually showed up, Job was dumbfounded! God had a few questions for him, “Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.” (Job 38:3-4)

We celebrate getting something we don’t deserve when it’s good. However, when getting something we don’t deserve, and it’s bad, we question God’s sense of fairness and justice. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7 –8)

If you’re finding yourself feeling slighted, and pleading your case before God, be careful questioning God…He may have a few questions of His own!

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians! Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold

When Pain Feels Like Punishment

July 3, 2011R. Mangold

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. Job 2:3

Growing up, if your parents were anything like mine, we were disciplined. Alright, that’s “frou-frou” for “we were spanked.” Of course that wasn’t the only form of punishment, but we soon learned that to do wrong brought with it very unfavorable consequences. Put simply, we associate pain with punishment. But, pain in some forms is not punishment at all, rather a reminder that we’re human, and part of our condition, in addition to the joys, there will be pain.

Job sought for purpose behind his pain believing he had wronged God and was being punished for it. Nothing could have been further from the truth. In fact, he had the distinct honor of being considered by God as a “perfect man who shuns evil.” Essentially, this was God’s vote of confidence. This runs contrary to our human logic, but God created you and knows what you’re fully capable of…even if it stretches us beyond the scope of human reason.

We may not always be able to make sense of our pain, but knowing God has the confidence in us to achieve victory, it’s almost as if God has faith in US, while at the same time helping US build OUR faith in HIM!

From Pain to Peace

July 2, 2011R. Mangold

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

Biologically, pain is an indicator there is something wrong in the human physiology. Nerves sense pain and send those signals to the brain to warn us to “be careful;” that action, or set of actions, is painful, so don’t do it again! But, emotionally, what’s the function of pain? We’d almost welcome a wound that could take a few stitches and a band-aid to heal, but emotionally there’s no such comfort. Emotionally we can take years to heal from a painful experience…if we heal at all.

Pain may not be optional, but the suffering is. Our goal, after the initial shock of pain, is to understand its source. Thankfully, when it comes to God, you’re not alone when in pain.

Jesus said He would not leave us comfortless. (John 4:18)
Jesus said He was sent to heal the broken-hearted (Luke 4:18)
God said He was near to the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18)

Yes, we need the love and support of our brothers and sisters, but knowing you have God’s undivided attention during your most emotionally painful moments, can bring you peace, which passes all understanding and shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Disposed to Dispose

July 1, 2011R. Mangold

For there is no respect of persons with God. Romans 2:11

We live in a disposable society. We eat off of paper plates, drink out of plastic cups and use throw away napkins. We shave with disposable razors, take pictures with throw-away cameras, clean our houses and baby’s backsides with disposable wipes and we even have what the accountants call, “disposable income!”

Dare I say, this “throw-away” mentality can even creep into our spiritual walk…

We swap churches and faiths like name brands
We wait until we’re in a good mood to praise God
We don’t like this sermon, so we’ll wait for the next one

This disposable mentality can have us even feeling that way about people…

We avoid praying with people because the look “different”
We only share Christ with the “normal” people
We only help others when it benefits us

God’s commandments are not based on OUR “personal preferences!” We are to be lead by God’s Love and Mercy! God’s Kingdom is eternal, comprised of the souls of humanity. Don’t cast aside opportunities to share God’s unmerited grace and unfailing love with everyone…not just those we “deem” worthy. No soul is disposable to God – He gave His only begotten Son to save us ALL!

Mountaintop Experiences – Must Be Present to Win

June 30, 2011R. Mangold

And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. Exodus 24:12

This may sound counterintuitive if you’re looking for motivation to “do” something for God, but there are times God doesn’t want us do anything…just “be there.” One of the most difficult things for us to master is the art standing still and letting God be God; yielding full control to Him – we must decrease in order for God to increase! This is not an excuse to sit around and do nothing; rather it’s an admonishment to know when to wait on the Lord!

God called Moses up to the mount, not “do” or “give,” something, but to receive. In order to receive we must be present with no pretense. God wanted to “give” Moses the commandments so he could in turn “teach” or “give” the Israelites the benefit of God’s covenant and commandments.

In our busy fast-paced world, our challenge is simply to “be there.” We’re bombarded with phone calls, voicemail, email, and texts, which often distract us from being “present” in very important situations, not the least of which are times when our family, or more importantly, God is trying to get our attention! Like the old adage says when it comes to drawings…you must be present to win!

Part of the Mountaintop Experiences Serminute Series

Clutter-free Breeding Ground of Thought

June 29, 2011R. Mangold

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; I Peter 1:13

We’re each a culmination of our experiences; some good; other’s not so good. Toting enough of this baggage around with us creates clutter and often impedes our ability to maintain healthy relationships. The exchange for discarding this clutter, be it a broken heart, misplaced trust, harbored resentment, or traitorous betrayal, takes place in our minds.

Is it any wonder that we’re taught by Peter to “gird up the loins of our mind?” The loins are the reproductive center of the human anatomy. So, stated another way, shore up the breeding ground of your thoughts or mind. We are products of what our mind “reproduces” on a regular basis. Fortify your thoughts like the Philippians, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (4:8).

The battlefield for many of us is waged in the mind. Negativity breeds negativity, but the benefits of thinking on truth, honesty, purity, love, etc. brings with it a mind clear of baggage and clutter, where seeds of faith, hope, and love can flourish.

Mountaintop Experiences – It is Good for us to be Here

June 28, 2011R. Mangold

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. ⁴Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. ⁵While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Matthew 17:3-5

Another gospel says Peter was “afraid” and wasn’t quite sure what to say at the sight of Jesus’ transfiguration, and watching Him converse with Moses and Elijah! I feel, if you want to get the best read on someone, see how they respond under duress. With no time to prefabricate a fitting response, you just say the first thing that comes to mind. Peter’s response was, “It is good for us to be here…something needs to be done here to commemorate this momentous occasion…let’s pitch a few tabernacles or tents!” Seems a bit strange, but consider Peter witnessed a once in a millennia event!

Recognizing it was good for them to be there and the fact Peter wanted to make tabernacles is significant. Tabernacles are temporary by nature. Peter knew the experience was one to cherish and enjoy, but not one which was meant to be permanent. We relish moments of power, revelation, and anointing, but they’re not meant to be a permanent position – mountaintop experiences are transient; they’re mingled with valleys, desserts, and wilderness. Each station is of value, yet temporary nonetheless. Lastly, wherever you’re at, as long as Jesus is with you, you’re in the right place at the right time!

Part of the Mountaintop Experiences Serminute Series

No Free Rides When You're Running from God

June 27, 2011R. Mangold

Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ²Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. ³But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. Jonah 1:1-3

In Isaiah 55:11 God declared regarding His Word, “it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” How is it we think our plans supersede God’s? Jonah was foolish enough to think he could outrun God’s command to arise and cry against Nineveh. In all actuality, when we run from God it’s going to cost us dearly, and Jonah indeed “paid the fare thereof” and it was more than he was willing to pay…

He paid the fare for the ship ride to Tarshish
He paid in toiling on the stormy seas
He paid for 3 days and nights in the belly of the giant fish

Ironically, like Jonah we utilize more energy running from God than we would simply performing the actual assignment God tasked us with!

The shipmaster rightfully called Jonah “O Sleeper.” Jonah needed to be awakened from his self-centeredness and pride to complete His God-given mission as do we. Awake thou that sleepest,” because Jesus called us to “preach the gospel to every living creature”…if not, the fare may be more than we’re willing to pay!

There are no free rides when you’re running from God!

The Most Expensive Bowl of Soup Ever!

June 26, 2011R. Mangold

Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. ¹⁷For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Hebrews 12:16-17

In the exclusive district of Mayfair in downtown London, “Kai” a Chinese restaurant serves what could possibly be the most expensive soup in all of Great Britain. At $170 (US) the shark fin soup, made up of rare Japanese Mushrooms, chicken, pork, Hunan Ham, and ginseng, is called, “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.” Legend says Buddah, after having smelled the aroma of this soup, despite being a vegetarian, requested a bowl of it. (Source: http://www.rescoweb.com/06MC/contenido.asp?IdIdioma=EN&IdContenido=206)

As expensive as this soup sounds, (or smelled to Buddha) it’s “chump-change” compared to the price Jacob charged his twin brother. Esau sold his birthright, the firstborn’s inheritance, for a measly bowl of soup (stew, porridge, or lentils). The Bible called Esau “profane” because he “despised his birthright.”

Our most valuable commodity in this life, and the life to come, is our soul. Our new “birthright” is now heavenly as Christ has made us heirs, and joint heirs with Him! (Romans 8:17)

Jesus asked, “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” You may be “starving” for worldly love and acceptance, despising the true love Christ demonstrated by His sacrifice at Calvary. To Him the value of your soul is priceless! Don’t sell it for a meager bowl of mushy vegetables!

Prematurely Pulling the Plug on the Process

June 25, 2011R. Mangold

I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. ¹¹He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. ¹²I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. Ecclesiastes 3:10-12

If you’re a collector, or one that loves antiques, you know that some things gain more value with a very important ingredient…TIME. Herein lies the challenge for many of us – while time may add value to antiques, for humans it’s the proverbial “kiss of death.” In a generation that wants instant gratification, the value of growing, maturing, and experience is all too often minimized in favor of a quicker result.

We’d do well to remember, God is in charge of not only the clay, but the wheel on which the clay is spinning. He has in His mind a perfect plan, a defined design, a prescribed purpose for each of our lives. While we’re spinning on the wheel we’re tempted to offer God our “recommendations” AND even go as far as to say when we feel the work is complete!

In order to maximize the “glory that shall be revealed in us” we must trust God with our future. Let God finish what He’s started in you. He’s faithful to complete it. And when given “time” He makes “everything” beautiful. Yes, “everything” – even the flaws, faults, and failures. Let’s not presume to “pull the plug” on God’s process prematurely.

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