Sermon for July 25, 2010

Food for thought

I read an article recently that talked about how business executives have resigned themselves to the trend that (1) employees now tend to view longevity in one company as a sign of weakness rather than strength, (2) the average new hire will only last 2.5 to 3 years before moving on to a different company, and (3) in reality, that will translate into 1 year of fully-engaged work. Why? Because it takes a year or more for the employee to get fully oriented to their job and the culture of the company, and the last six months are less productive because the employee is distracted looking for a new job.

With that amount of turnover, employers have to spend more on training, and all the coming and going often creates a sense of chaos and instability. In short, it’s a nightmare.

Perhaps the saddest part is that it’s more than just a business issue: people in general are restless and move just as quickly in and out of marriages, friendships, support networks, ministries, churches, homes and locations as they do in their careers. The need for “something new” has, for many, become a new addiction, even an obsession.

And while culture spins out of control, God stands over it in stark contrast with a love for us that “always perseveres.” That’s where we’re going to focus on Sunday.

This will be the last message in a series I’ve called “Grace Fellowship,” which started back in January. To prepare, please read 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 one more time! And if you have time, also read Deuteronomy 31:8, Matthew 28:20 and Romans 8:38-39, and listen for how God wants to speak to you through them.

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Outline of the sermon

GRACE FELLOWSHIP
Love Always Perseveres
James 1:23-24, 1 Corinthians 13:7

1. God’s amazing, unfailing, relentless, persevering love for us
2. Looking in the mirror: persevering love is part of who we are
3. Our old nature is driven to walk away, give up, check out
4. Love always perseveres

Listen to the sermon (34 minutes)

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For further reflection

1. Take that thought in point 1 on the outline: God’s love is “amazing, unfailing, relentless, persevering.” Is that new to you, or not?

If it’s new, how is it different from what you thought before? How does it change how you think about your relationship with God?

If it’s not new: if you had opportunity to tell a new believer (or someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus) three stories from your life that illustrate “God’s amazing, unfailing, relentless, persevering love for us,” what would they be?

2. As you look back over how you’ve handled relationships through the years, where do you see God working through your new nature, moving you to show persevering love in tough circumstances? Where do you see yourself giving in to your old nature and walking away/giving up/checking out in relationships/situations that, in hindsight, perhaps you shouldn’t have?

3. In what current situations/relationships in your life is persevering love especially important (but perhaps also especially difficult)?