April Fool?

Sermon Notes, April 1, 2012

Jan Sinozich

            Pastor Jan’s first sermon as interim pastor of Hope Community Church of the Nazarene began with the sharing of some April Fool’s jokes.  She then reminded us that God has a sense of humor.  Look at the way He sent the Messiah: not as a king, not as a warrior, but as a baby!  Not at all what the people expected.

            At the time of the Messiah, God’s chosen people were under the control of the Romans.  They were in a mess. They had been in captivity.  They had been persecuted.  And God was silent.  The people continued their religion—keeping the law, but forgetting why they did what they did.  They had huge expectations for their Messiah.  They interpreted how God would send the Messiah.  He would be a warrior, a politician.  But no, he came as a baby, and this baby became a reformer.

            The prophet Jeremiah, who wrote at the time of the captivity, said this:  “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me, and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”   (Jeremiah 29:11-13)  This still applies to us today, in Culpeper.

            God has given Pastor Jan a vision for Culpeper.  Her vision is simple: not necessarily easy, but simple.  It is simple and relational.

• Connection—of God to His creation—John 3:16
• Relational—love God and love others—Matthew 22:37-40
• Directional—Go—Matthew 28:19

Prayer, and working together are the keys to bringing this vision to fruition.  With much prayer, individually and corporately, and with God’s help, Pastor Jan and our church will flesh out this skeleton of the vision God has given her for Culpeper.

            God is personal.  He is very involved in His creation—us.  He sets us up for success.  We need to love God and love others through discipleship.