February 6
Preacher: Gary Dennis
Special Event: The Lord’s Supper
Scripture: Acts 10:23b-48 — The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshiped him. 26 But Peter made him get up, saying, “Stand up; I am only a mortal.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; 28 and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?”
30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this very hour, at three o’clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. 31 He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.”
34 Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, 46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
Sermon Theme: The sermon is about the importance of the Holy Spirit for our congregation, especially as we attempt to proclaim Jesus Christ in Los Angeles County. I will tell the story of Peter and Cornelius, and how the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and his family, as a sign that they had come to faith in Jesus Christ.
Some Presbyterians mistakenly think that an emphasis on the Holy Spirit belongs solely to the Pentecostals, the charismatics, and their cousins. This may be one more reason that the Presbyterian Church is dying. We overlook the foundational and strategic importance of the Holy Spirit, as we attempt to be Christ’s people in the world.
Certainly, there is misunderstanding surrounding the Spirit. Some of our Christian brothers and sisters will insist that operating out of the power of the Spirit involves a second blessing. We follow Jesus; and then at some future point in time, the Holy Spirit comes into our life.
I believe our theology is correct. With our baptism, whether as an infant or an adult, we receive the Holy Spirit. As the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians,
“For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13).
Paul was adamant. Not several communities: one body. Not several levels of spirituality: one body. With our baptism, we are baptized into one Spirit, one body, solely because of what Jesus has done for us. Then, we receive the Spirit.
Yet, the issue is will we call upon the Spirit. When this finally happens, it is often a notable milestone in their spiritual life. They experience the reality of Jesus, the power and love of the Spirit, and then receive the gifts of the Spirit that they need for their ministry between Sundays.
Have you yet to discover the power of the Holy Spirit that resides within you? If not, I enthusiastically encourage you to read Michael Green’s book, I Believe in the Holy Spirit. It is a marvelous read, especially for those who want to take seriously being Christ’s person in the world.
It was the Holy Spirit that drove the expansion of the early church throughout the Mediterranean World. I pray that same Spirit might empower us as we represent Christ during this coming week.
Sermon Title: Moving Out into Water Over Our Heads
February 13
Preacher: Gary Dennis
Scripture: Acts 13:13-16, 42-52 — Then Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem; 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent them a message, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, give it.” 16 So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak:
42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people urged them to speak about these things again the next Sabbath. 43 When the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; and blaspheming, they contradicted what was spoken by Paul. 46 Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
‘I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles,
so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers. 49 Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region. 51 So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Sermon Theme: Paul and Barnabas are being Christ’s people in the world. They are out in the middle of it, talking about Jesus. Their church in Antioch of Syria sent them out so that they could tell others about Jesus. Similarly, we send you out at the end of every worship service to be “Christ’s person in the world.” What can these men teach us about faith sharing between Sundays?
After describing Paul and Barnabus’ style of reaching out, I will offer three suggestions for how we can more effectively reach out to the 60-80% of the people in Los Angeles County who do not have a meaningful relationship with a church.
Reaching out to share God’s love with others. It has been an important part of faith since the time of Abraham. Are you willing to be one of Christ’s people in the world during this coming week?
Sermon Title: A Blueprint for Being Christ’s People in the World
February 20
Preacher: Gary Dennis
Scripture: Acts 14:1-18 — The same thing occurred in Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them. 4 But the residents of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 5 And when an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 the apostles learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; 7 and there they continued proclaiming the good news.
8 In Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been crippled from birth. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. And Paul, looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And the man sprang up and began to walk. 11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice. 14 When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to follow their own ways; 17 yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good—giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.” 18 Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.
Sermon Theme: This sermon is about healing. While the apostles were in Lystra, God uses Paul to heal a man who is described as,
“A man … who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been crippled from birth.”
As Paul looks at him, he is able to recognize faith in him. Remember that grace is the initiative that God takes in relationship to us. Faith is the ability to respond to God’s initiative. This is why Paul will later write to the Ephesians that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). Our “yes” to God’s pursuit of us is what brings us into a living relationship with God. Paul somehow recognizes this crippled man’s ability to respond in that way. Luke tells us,
“Paul said [to him] in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And the man sprang up and began to walk (14:10).
This story helps establish Paul’s identity as an authentic prophet in the tradition of Jesus. Remember when Jesus did a very similar thing? It’s the story about the friends who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus. When the crowds were too large to bring the friend through the door of the house where Jesus was teaching, the friends carried their friend onto the roof of the house and then lowered their friend to Jesus. Luke describes what happens next,
[Jesus] said to the one who was paralyzed—“I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.” 25 Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. 26 Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen strange things today.”
This healing made it clear. Paul was a prophet like Jesus. While I believe God continues to heal people today in the same way the crippled man was healed in today’s scripture, I believe that it is the exception rather than the rule, as it was the exception rather than the rule in Paul’s ministry.
On the other hand, there is another kind of healing that is desperately needed today. Post-traumatic stress disorder is rampant in our society, especially with the veterans of our military. Did you know that we have been fighting the war in Iraq longer than we fought in the Second World War, that we have been fighting the war in Afghanistan longer than we fought in the First World War and the Second World Wars combined. Every day in June 2010, there was military veteran a day who committed suicide. This is horrendous.
Whether it is with military veterans or another group of people who have been battered by life, what would it mean for the La Cañada Presbyterian Church to create a ministry of healing to address the pain of these women and men?
Sermon Title: Addressing the Pain in Our World – Faith and Healing
February 27
Preacher: Gary Dennis
Scripture: Acts 15:1-21 — Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to discuss this question with the apostles and the elders. 3 So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the believers. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “My brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers. 8 And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; 9 and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us. 10 Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
12 The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. 15 This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,
16 ‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen;
from its ruins I will rebuild it,
and I will set it up,
17 so that all other peoples may seek the Lord—
even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called.
Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things 18 known from long ago.’
19 Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood. 21 For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
Sermon Theme: This sermon is about discerning God’s will. Where is the Holy Spirit at work? Are we working with God, or are we working against what the Lord wants to do in and through us? Is our holding onto the past keeping us from the new thing that God is doing in the world?
These are questions surrounding the meeting of the apostles and elders in Jerusalem with Peter, Paul, Barnabas and others from the church in Antioch in Syria. The Antioch followers of Jesus had come to believe that faith was the only qualifier for salvation. Some in Jerusalem felt that circumcision and following the Law of Moses had to go along with faith. What did it mean to be saved? Was God at work among the Gentiles or was this simply a misunderstanding of Paul and Peter? The First-Century church had to discern what God was doing in and through them.
The same is true for us today. Our congregation is in the middle of a huge paradigm shift. For numerous reasons that we have discussed many times in the past, our old strategy for ministry no longer works. Every year that we hold onto the old paradigm the less effective it will be.
The old approach to ministry worked well for a long time. In fact, this is one of the reasons that it is so hard to let go of it. It’s all we know; and it was so effective in the past. Our model for ministry was to create the most dynamic programs possible, from worship to education to congregational care, make Jesus the center of each of those programs, and then watch people be drawn to the La Cañada Church because we have created programs that meet people’s needs.
This approach to being the church was popularized in one of Kevin Costner’s movies, “If you build it, they will come.” This approach to ministry has dominated since Constantine legalized Christianity in 313 A.D. Build the cathedral in the center of the village. Be sure that the bell tower was sufficiently high enough that the church bells could be heard throughout the village and the surrounding farmland. Ring the bells and the people would come.
Of course, what made this attractional model work is that the people in the surrounding area shared the values of the cathedral that stood at the center of that society. People wanted to be attracted to the church.
All of that has changed today. Now, the majority of people who live in this part of the world do not follow Jesus. They have little or no interest in Christianity. A majority of these people consider themselves spiritual but they do not believe that the church has anything to offer to their spirituality. According to a number of surveys we have read, somewhere between 60-80% of the people who live in Los Angeles County are not meaningfully connected to a church. You can build a church steeple that literally reaches the heavens and still they won’t come. Since they do not believe that we have anything to offer them, why would they come?
The churches that continue to have a vital ministry over the next fifty years will be the ones that learn how to go out and engage the 60-80%. This is why we want to equip as many of you as are willing to learn how to be Christ’s person in the world. “In the world” – out there where those people who aren’t interested in the church spend their time. We know that the day will never come when all of you are willing to do this, but we continue to pray that every year there will be a growing number of you who weekly will be more intentional about representing Christ in your “My95,” in the 95% of your time when you aren’t at the church.
Another way that we want to go out to those who don’t want to come here is by beginning new communities of faith in Los Angeles County. In fact, our church’s goal is to encourage the start of a hundred new faith communities in the next ten years. There are other congregations up and down the West Coast that are asking questions about what we are doing. Could they join in the venture in their area? Could we start a thousand new faith communities on the West Coast over the next decade? Nothing like that has ever happened in our part of the world.
You can imagine the conflict that has grown up around this plan for the future of the ministry of our beloved congregation.
How do we use this story in Acts 15 to give our congregation guidance for how we navigate our way through the new circumstances in which we find our church? This is what we will do in this sermon.
Sermon Title: Hooray for the Conflict – Discerning God’s Will for the People of God
