HoHum:
Funny things at Pleasant Ridge
I remember asking Steve and Ginger Bailey to get me a crown for a children’s minute from Burger King. They said they would handle it. Right before the sermon, they gave me the package and instead of a Burger King crown, it was a tiarra.
I remember having a children’s minute with a young boy. I asked, “What does God really want from us?” The boy said, “He wants our money.”
Crystal and I enjoyed doing Uncle Lewis and Aunt Bethany for the plays.
“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 8:15, NIV. New Living Translation says it like this, “So I recommend having fun”
WBTU:
Reminiscing is a good thing to do. Longest ministry is here.
Food, fun and fellowship is good. Want to talk about somethings that are deeper than this about Pleasant Ridge. They all focus on words that begin with the letter “F.” Already talked about fun.
Thesis: Foundation, Family, Finances and Future
For instances:
Foundation
I remember growing up as a boy at Coburn Corners Church of Christ near St. Joe, IN. I remember going to Sunday school and learning about the basics of the Bible. Once a year, when everyone was to move to the next class, we would get up and quote some Scripture or reenact a Bible story or sing a song. My family was always there Sunday morning and Sunday evening. Coburn Corners had a big thing on Wednesday nights called “JAM”, Jesus and me. We would have a lesson and then do fun things as a group kind of like our youth group/ family ministry. We were always involved in VBS. Got a good foundation in the Bible from Coburn Corners.
This church is much the same way. Take children to Sunday school and I know they are being taught the Bible. If take children to morning and evening worship and then to youth group/ family ministry they will get a good foundation. Add on Wednesday nights and the foundation just grows stronger and deeper. All for fun but the world offers fun and we cannot compete with that. Need to make the teaching enjoyable and fun but need to emphasize the importance of the Scriptures and Christ. Even though I did not make my decision to follow Jesus into the watery grave of baptism until we moved away, the foundation was there. Where did I learn the importance of baptism, from Coburn Corners. “the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15, NIV.
Something I think I could have emphasized more is having devotions together as a family. I often open up the Bible at our home and this is where the best teaching is done. “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” 2 Timothy 1:5, NIV.
Family
This church is blessed to have families. Some complain about the church that it is just a big family reunion. What is so bad about that! Here we have grandchildren worshipping the Lord with their grandparents. Here we have nieces and nephews worshipping the Lord with their aunts and uncles. Children worshipping with parents. Isn’t this the way it is supposed to be!
When we have guests come, they always comment that we have a lot of children. Some might comment that this is difficult, having so many really young children in the main worship. However, this is a good thing. I think the family integrated idea for worship is wonderful. Need to find ways to worship together instead of apart. I am thankful that my children have been here to hear my preaching. In other churches, the preacher’s children rarely hear their father preach because they are off in children’s church. How sad! Many of my sermons have been directed to my children. “So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” Ephesians 2:19, NLT.
I think the family integrated needs to continue for worship. Now, as far as other programs like VBS or camp or youth group/ family ministry that go against the family integrated model, I think that is okay. I wish we had more fun times together as a church. I am thankful for the times that we did have together. I am concerned about the youth group/ family ministry. While I was here I preached 3 times a week (2 times during the summer), and then visited the sick and followed up with the guests, and then devoted some time to the youth group. The youth group was not going well. Thankful for those who stepped up and things went so much better. However, think about what could be done with this ministry? I remember when I moved to Indianapolis we had Bible bowl tournaments, we had short term missions trips, we had fun trips here and there. Remember all of that with fondness. The preacher cannot oversee all of this and do it all well. Maybe need to rethink the youth group.
Finances
We have no financial troubles here. Christians need to keep giving if nothing else for their own spiritual growth. “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” 1 Corinthians 16:2, NIV.
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5, NIV.
I have been told that not so many years ago this church was strapped financially. However, when the resources became available, this church rose to the challenge. Giving almost 50% to causes outside of this church, most of it going to foreign missionaries. Because the church leadership has made this such a priority, the Lord continues to bless us in this area. Just look at the budget from the leadership meetings and we will see that the Lord continues to bless. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”” Luke 6:38.
Future
This congregation was formed in the 1830’s. Been around a long time. I think a good move was when this building was built around the year 2000. The old building brings back a lot of memories for people but, from what I have been told, to stay there would have stunted the growth of the church. We need to be concerned with people and their souls. Many say that we need to get this building filled up. While I have been here the attendance has gradually gone up. Unfortantely, when a preacher leaves, this is the time when many go away to another congregation or leave the church altogether. I don’t want you to do that. In counseling people who are going through grief, often ask, “What would your departed love one want you to do and how would they want you to live?” I want you to keep coming to this church. “I don’t know what is going to happen in the future?” I believe this chuch’s best days are ahead.
I heard a story about a scrawny kid who attended a small high school. They didn't have a wrestling program, but he read a book on wrestling and asked one of the assistant football coaches if he would enter him in some of the wrestling matches in that region.
The coach agreed to help the kid. This little guy was neither strong nor skillful, but he had one enduring quality--he refused to give up. He won every single wrestling match because he tenaciously held on to his opponents and wore them down.
By the end of the season, he was undefeated and made it to the state finals for his weight classification. The kid's opponent was a two-time state champ and a bona fide college prospect. As the scrawny kid faced the state champion, the guy made a couple of quick moves, and soon had the kid on his back and about to get pinned.
The coach knew his athlete was about to lose, and he couldn't bear to watch it, so he turned his head away. Suddenly, the coach heard the roar of the crowd and when he turned around, his kid was on top of the state champ, pinning him. He had won the match!
The little guy bounced across the mat and hugged the coach and said, "Coach, I won! I won!"
The coach said, "Sure, son. But I missed it. I turned away just before you were about to lose. What happened?"
The kid said, "Coach, that guy was good. He had me twisted like a pretzel on that mat. But you know me, coach. I NEVER quit. I refused to give up! So I opened my eyes, and there in front of my face was a big toe. I don't even know if it's against the rules or not, but I bit into that big toe with all my strength...and coach, it's amazing what you can do when you bite your OWN toe!"
God honors persistence. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9, NIV.
Two frogs fell into a can of cream, Or so I’ve heard it told; The sides of the can were shiny & steep, The cream was deep & cold. "O, what’s the use?" croaked Number One, "’Tis fate; no help’s around. Goodbye, my friends! Goodbye, sad world!" And weeping still, he drowned.
But Number Two, of sterner stuff, Dog-paddled in surprise. The while he wiped his creamy face And dried his creamy eyes. "I’ll swim awhile, at least," he said- Or so I’ve heard he said; "It really wouldn’t help the world If one more frog were dead." An hour or two he kicked & swam, Not once he stopped to mutter, But kicked & kicked & swam & kicked, then hopped out... via butter!
