The Power (Personal!) of Jesus Christ

Dear Friends -

Last Sunday (February 8th, 2015), I told a deeply personal story during my sermon.

The text for the story was the lectionary - Mark 1:29-39 - a story about the early ministry of Jesus. In this passage Jesus is healing people. First, he heals the disciple Peter's mother-in-law and then he heals the entire village. In fact, Jesus heals so many people that he has to sneak away, early the next morning, to get some time alone in prayer. But in the story, I found it remarkable, that when Peter's mother-in-law is healed, she gets up and begins to serve them.

In other words, Jesus healed her so that she could do the things that she was created to be. It's a theme throughout the gospel of Mark. Jesus heals those he meets from illness, demons, basically everything; he heals them and sets them free to live into the life that God desires for them.

Because of my experience, I know the power of this. I know what it means to be healed and set free by the power of Jesus Christ.

You see, I am an alcoholic. I attended my first AA meeting in November of 2009 - just over five years ago. And on December 1st, 2014 - I attended another AA meeting a received my five-year chip. I have been sober for just over five years - and I plan on staying that way - one 24 hours at a time.

AA is a 12 step program. Here are the first 3 steps:

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol--that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over the care of God as we understood him.

For me those first 3 steps have made all the difference. I had come to a place in my life where I knew I needed help, big help (step one) and I had come to believe that only the God I know in Jesus Christ could help me. And so I asked God to help me stop drinking.

I remember going to a meeting and saying for the first time: "My name is John and I am an alcoholic." And I remember feeling the power of God take away my desire to drink. And it's not always easy, but God willing, I continue to focus on the next 24 hours and continue to be grateful for my sobriety.

Honestly, I've been struggling with how to tell this story to the congregation that I serve as pastor. I know that no one expects me to be perfect - but still I was hesitant to share this part of me. But recently, something has shifted within me. I was thrilled to get my five year chip in December. Absolutely thrilled. And I realized that this is my story - and it is good news. It's my story of amazing grace - for I once was lost, but now I am found. And if it is such good news - then I should have the courage to tell it. To share it. To tell other people what God has done for me.

And so I'm telling me story. And I hope you can find hope within it. After I shared this story in my sermon on Sunday, one person came through the line to shake my hand and she said, "Pastor John, you became human today."

Amen and amen.

Last Year's Super Bowl Commercial

Yesterday in my sermon, I opened by talking about my favorite commercial from the Super Bowl....last year's super bowl.

Here is a link to it:

http://www.davidlose.net/2014/02/empowerment-marketing-and-theology/