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Happy Mother’s Day.

I was so blessed with a wonderful mother. Mom died in 1998 of pancreatic cancer. I have fond memories of her, thankful for her faith in Christ. She is the one who instilled in me the love of cooking. I’m also blessed with a dear mother-in-law. I too am thankful for her faith in Christ. What a joy it has been to see my three daughters and a daughter-in-law serve Christ in their roles as mothers to my grandchildren. They are an inspiration to me. And of course, I am thankful for Susan who was a godly mother to our four children and now a sweet “nana” to the grands.

While we rejoice with those who rejoice we also weep with those who weep. This day can be a time of sadness for those who wish to be mothers – or for those who have recently lost a mother or a child in death.

The 5^th commandment tells us to honor our parents. Today we honor moms. We all have – or had a mother. She was responsible for giving us life. Kids, honor your mother by obeying her, Eph 6:1-3. We honor our mothers later in life by caring for them, 1 Tim 5:8. Our respect for our parents reflects our commitment to Christ. Col 3:20, Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Our relations with our parents relate back to Christ. The gospel affects every area of life – including family life.  May we live out the 5^th  commandment for God’s glory not only on this day but every day of the year.

My good friend Pat Quinn serves as the director of counseling at University Reformed Church in East Lansing. He’s preached here several times in my absence. Crossway published a book by Pat on corporate prayer. I quote from his chapter, Prayer Is and Should Be Trinitarian.  Our prayers need to include all members of the Trinity.   

“After decades of reading the Bible, following Jesus Christ, and participating in countless worship services, I am more convinced than ever that prayer is and should be Trinitarian. Of course, this doesn’t mean that every single prayer must reference the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But for prayer to be truly Christian, it must consistently bear witness to the three-in-one … As the old saying goes, we pray to the Father, through the Son, by the power of the Spirit. Since the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are equally divine and essential for our salvation, it makes perfect biblical, theological, and practical sense that we would refer to each of them in prayer. Matthew Henry’s prayer of adoration is a good example of Trinitarian prayer: ‘We pay our homage to three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: for these three are one. We adore thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth; and the eternal Word, who was in the beginning with God, and was God, by whom all things were made, and without whom was not anything made that was made … We also worship the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, whom the Son has sent from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, and who is sent to teach us all things, and to bring all things to remembrance.’”

In 1828, Governor Martin Van Buren wrote a letter to then President Andrew Jackson. His letter is the epitome of having no vision – living in the past and refusing to change with the future. He wrote: “The canal system of this country is being threatened by the spread of a new form of transportation known as railroads. This federal government must preserve the canals for the following reasons: One, if canal boats are supplanted by railroads, serious unemployment will result. Two: Boat builders would suffer. Three: Canal boats are absolutely essential to the defense of the United States. As you know Mr. President, railroad carriages are pulled by enormous speeds of 15 mph by engines, which in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, scaring livestock and frightening women and children. The Almighty never intended that people travel at such breakneck speed.”

We laugh but failing to embrace the future isn’t funny but disastrous. What a pleasure to work with leadership here that is visionary – not content to live in the past. We as a church have sought to be very strategic. This has been especially  true with me transitioning out of the role of teaching pastor and another transitioning into that role. As announced last Sunday, Anthony Lange is coming to candidate for this role, June 8 and 15. Anthony’s doctrinal statement and philosophy of ministry can be found on the kiosk. Next Sunday during the ABF hour, the pulpit committee will conduct a “family chat” discussing what this involves, taking questions from the congregation. We urge our church family to be in attendance for this important time. It is exciting seeing what God is doing.

Christ is risen!   He is risen indeed! 

This historical saying dates back to Christianity’s early days – instead of saying “good morning” or “hello” believers would use this refrain on Easter. The tradition lives on 20 centuries later. We will use it this morning. Be ready. 

Did you know that Christ’s resurrection will destroy death itself one day? Death is swallowed up in victory, 1 Corinthians 15:54. In the death and resurrection of Jesus death was defeated. Death is our enemy. The child asks, “Mommy, why do people die?” Answer – sin, for the wages of sin is death. Because of original sin death struts around like a proud peacock. It haunts us.

But in 1 Corinthians 15 the Apostle Paul taunts death, vs. 55-56, O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. Sin, death and the law all go together. Sin is breaking God’s law. God’s law convicts us, shows us where we failed, death is the result. Jesus pulled out death’s sting. Death could not keep Jesus in the grave. Because of Jesus’ victory over death, it no longer should frighten us. Death was defeated on the cross (past) and it will be destroyed (future) by the believer’s resurrection. No wonder Paul concludes by saying, But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, v. 57.

He is risen!  He is risen indeed! 

It is a joy to welcome to the pulpit this Sunday, Anthony Lange. Currently Anthony is the minister of congregational care at Berean Baptist in Livonia. Our pulpit committee and deacons have been involved in meeting and talking with Anthony about the possibility of him coming here to serve in the future. He has been asking us questions too, for this is a two-way-street. Anthony is not an official candidate; he’s simply our guest speaker today. 

This process takes time.  We want to get to know Anthony, to hear him preach, and for you to meet him and his wife, Kali, along with their four children, Naomi (6), Haddon (4), Ezra (3) and Magnolia (4 months).  Susan and I have been in Anthony’s and Kali’s shoes before. There is a flood of emotions. This is hard on a family. They love their current church and yet sense God directing them elsewhere. Please pray for Anthony as he preaches today. Pray for the family as they worship with us. And pray for our leadership as we and the Langes seek God’s direction concerning what comes next. Anthony’s resume is available at the kiosk. If you have questions, ask someone on the pulpit committee: Paul Krepps, Doug Troxell, Joe Hart or me.

This isn’t my church. The church belongs to Jesus. We have sought to be strategic regarding our future. We’ve discussed and prayed over the idea of calling another man to serve with me for a transitional period. We believe this would be beneficial to the church in the long run. You’ve been faithful in giving. Past budgets and our current one include money set aside for this plan. But all in time. For now, greet the Langes. Welcome them! May God use Anthony as he speaks today.

Last Sunday at the end of our service Paul Krepps announced Anthony Lange as a potential pastoral candidate. His resume is on the kiosk. Friday our deacons and wives met Anthony and his wife Kali. He’s been asked to preach next Sunday so you can meet him too. Please make every effort to attend.

This should be nothing of a surprise. Our strategic plan addresses me eventually stepping aside from serving as our teaching pastor. I have never sought to “retire” – playing shuffleboard, for I want to stay involved in ministry as long as my health allows. However, the demands of the pastorate can be heavy. This is why we have been setting aside a sum of money each year in our budget so we could call a man to work alongside of me – in essence, me fading out of this role and he fading into it. 

Anthony is currently serving on staff at Berean Baptist in Livonia, where my dear friend Terry McIntosh is the teaching pastor.  Terry introduced me to Anthony last fall; I introduced him to Paul. The Krepps then invited the Langes along with Susan and me, for dinner in January. Sensing God’s hand, Paul and I formed a pulpit committee according to our constitution – asking two deacons to join us, Doug Troxell and Joe Hart. We had a delightful time talking together with Anthony last month. 

Anthony is not an official candidate. This is simply one step in a long process. Please pray with us. More will be discussed as we sense God’s direction in the days ahead. And if you have questions – feel free to ask the pulpit committee.

In three weeks we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord – though technically every Sunday is Easter. We meet not on the Sabbath (Saturday) but on the first day of the week (Sunday) because Jesus rose from the dead. And yet Easter is special.

On April 20, our annual breakfast will be held here in the auditorium at 9:15am. Please sign up choosing what dish you wish to bring. It helps knowing how many of a specific dish we have coming, or we could end up having 20 servings of bacon … well, would that be bad? J  Also please indicate the number attending with you. That includes your guests. This helps setting up how many tables we need, etc. Sue Depoorter will also need others assisting her that Sunday morning. After breakfast we’re take the tables down and reset the chairs for the service.   

Please invite others to attend. Mary has enclosed a beautiful invitation card in the bulletin. Your homework assignment is to give this to someone this week inviting them to the breakfast and service. Just think if half of those invited came! Easter along with Christmas are wonderful opportunities to invite others to church. This is one of those “come and see” events. Let’s pray for a great service. He is risen!

Before Easter is Good Friday. For years now we have met together with Covenant Life Community Church. It’s good for us – and for CLCC to be together. We’re not alone – we’re part of a wider body, the Body of Christ. For years we switched from hosting it ourselves to Covenant Life hosting, but with their new building and the number of people who attend, their auditorium seats more. This year I’ve been asked to preach. Please come and join in the wonderful time of worship and fellowship.

In government the name of Washington is revered. In literature the name of Shakespeare is respected. In music the name Bach is admired. In Christian circles the name of Spurgeon is honored. If the names of mortal men are regarded for their accomplishments and integrity, how much more should we esteem the name of God?

The third commandment challenges us not to take God’s name in vain. Jesus taught us to pray, “Hallowed by thy name.” How do we take God’s name in vain? We misuse God’s name in our speech. I am grieved whenever I hear God’s name mentioned frivolously – OMG.  Most people don’t even realize how often they do it. That’s the point. No name has endured more misuse than God’s or his Son’s. Hollywood thinks nothing of taking God’s name in vain. People use Jesus’ name as an exclamation point. Do not invoke God’s name in careless speech. Jokes that involve his name should be avoided – sacrilege is sin.

How then should we reverence God’s name? In our worship, Ps 96:2, Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Our consuming passion in both public and private worship must be – is God’s name being exalted?  Jesus praised the church at Philadelphia, You have kept my Word and have not denied my name, Rev 3:8. When we are faithful in our witness we are upholding God’s holy name. We also hallow God’s name in our daily living. Col 3:17, Whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. May God’s name be hallowed by us at work, at play, at school and in the home. Martin Luther said, “We best hallow God’s name when our lives are truly Christian.”

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change, Ja 1:17. The Bible says God is infinitely and lavishly generous. But my sinful tendency is to think he’s not good but mean. And I am not alone. Tragically this is our default screen.

James tells us what we must do to counter this evil tendency. The Father of lights is ancient Jewish title referencing God as the Creator. Remember after the creation of the sun and stars the text says, And God saw that it was good.  Whatever my circumstances I’m not a victim of fate. I’m cared for by a sovereign God. No, I cannot harmonize this truth with my personal experiences, so I accept it by faith. Regardless of my situation – God is at work behind the scenes. James continues, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. The sun moves across the sky casting shadows, but God remains constant. He is dependable. The heavens might be a swirl of motion, but God is immutable. God is always good to us – and his commitment to us, even in times of heartache never falters. A farmer was showing Charles Spurgeon his barn when Spurgeon noticed the weathervane: God is Love. Spurgeon asked, Are you saying God’s love is as fickle as the wind? The farmer said, “No, I’m saying his love is constant regardless of how the wind might blow.”  

We must affirm the truth that God is good. Faith re-interprets circumstances considering God’s truth. We live in unsettling days. But in our ever-changing culture there’s someone who remains unchanged. Heb 13:8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. And he remains our great and good God. Taste and see that the Lord is good, Ps 34:8.

I like collecting quotes – you know, small, one sentence reminders of truth. I write some in the fly leaf of my Bible. My phone has dozens of them saved under photos. Here are a few miscellaneous ones that have spoken to me:

“Fear arises when we imagine everything depends on us.”  – Elisabeth Elliot

“The greatest enemy I dread is the pride of my own heart.”  – Henry Martyn

“One good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others.” –Anonymous

“It is impossible to serve God without serving others.”  – Alistair Begg

“Modern religion focuses on filling churches with people. The true gospel emphasizes filling people with God.” – A.W. Tozer

“The only way to be really happy, in such a world as this is to be ever casting all your cares on God.” – J.C. Ryle

“Every hardship we face is not an interruption or a failure of God’s great plan, it is an integral part of it.” – Paul Tripp

“Worry is not believing God will get it right. Bitterness is believing that God got it wrong.” – Anonymous

“The greatest single secret of spiritual development lies in the personal, humble, believing, obedient response to the Word of God.”  – John Stott