Sunday Inspiration: Sunday, October 6, 2024
More Than We Can Imagine
Many remarkable stories are emerging from the tragic events surrounding Hurricane Helene. I am reading stories of heroic acts by first responders and everyday citizens helping neighbors.
As a congregation, we put out a call to fill a tractor-trailer that was going to head out the next day. Within twenty-four hours, you had eight truckloads, a trailer, and a church van loaded with supplies. It was nothing short of a miracle response.
I found one story intriguing: a father who was determined to attend his daughter's wedding. What would have been a two-hour drive from Boiling Springs, South Carolina, to Johnson City, Tennessee, turned into an almost 27-mile overnight journey.
He drove as far as he could on Interstate 26 before troopers said his car could not go further due to washed-out roads, bridges, and dangerous conditions. At that point, he was at Exit 43, Temple Hill Road, in Unicoi County, Tennessee. David Jones told the State Trooper, "My daughter is getting married at 11:00 AM, and it's now 2:00 AM, and I've got to get to Johnson City to walk her down the aisle."
As he approached Erwin, Tennessee, a State Trooper gave him a ride two miles closer to his destination. He was next picked up by another driver, whom he quickly realized was someone he knew. The man told him, "I couldn't sleep and wanted to drive over to check on some property." Mr. Jones said, "The Lord was keeping him up for me."
Out of the miles he traveled, seventeen of them, he did so by foot. He walked his daughter down the aisle at the wedding, and then after, at the reception, he told the story of the adventure. He gifted her and her new husband with a reflector he had picked up on the side of the road, telling them, "Let it help you always remember to be each other's protector. Especially in the darkest hours, like it did for me. And continue to reflect God's goodness as you always have."
Paul's prayer to the Ephesians includes praise to God, who "is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20). God's power is living and active within each of us, bringing us to a place beyond our imaginations. Every miracle, every breakthrough, every blessing that exceeds our imagination points us back to Him. Our lives, our testimonies, and our churches should be living proof that God is working among His people.
The final quote in the story of the father who was determined to make it to his daughter's wedding was her saying, "If my father could love me this much, imagine how much our Father in Heaven loves us."
Friends, this is a season in which God calls us to live with bold vision, pray with bold faith, and trust in His power working within us. The future God has for you, this church, and His Kingdom is beyond anything we can picture right now.
The Apostle Paul believed that to be so for the church in Ephesus.
Have you ever overheard a prayer that someone was praying on your behalf? My former church had a prayer team that would pray before the worship service. Sometimes, I couldn't pray with them before the service. I would walk by the room where they were praying and hear them say, "Lord, give Jamey the words most needed today; take away any fear that he may possess or doubt that may be settling in his mind. Lord, give him a supernatural boldness to proclaim the Word needed for us this day."
There was something special about overhearing the prayers that people pray on your behalf. In this scripture today, I want you to hear it as overhearing a prayer prayed on your behalf. Paul prays "....... that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit......that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.....and that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge."
When we allow God's power to flow freely in us, we begin to think differently, dream bigger, and have greater faith. If God can do more than we can imagine, then it is vital that we live with a vision bigger than ourselves. God calls us to live with a purpose that aligns with His plans, not just our desires.
As individuals and as a church, we need to dream of what God can do in our families, our communities, and the world. Mountains need to be moved, souls need salvation, and lives need transformation. God's vision for us is always more significant than we can imagine.
On this World Communion Sunday, as we partake in this meal today, let us pray that God's power would work within us, not just for our own sake but for the whole world's sake. Through us, the world may know the width, length, height, and depth of Christ's love.
On this World Communion Sunday, as we gather at the Lord's Table, let us remember that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. We are united with believers worldwide, sharing in the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, anchored in a love that knows no boundaries.
The love that unites us is far greater than anything that divides us. There is no limit to what God can do through us. What does this mean for us?
First, remember that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. We are part of a worldwide movement striving to make Jesus famous and God's presence felt across the world. It is always bigger than our individual lives.
Secondly, we are called to make local what God is doing globally. Another way of saying it is to do for one what you wish you could do for all. I know the needs of the world can be overwhelming, but don't let it stop you from doing for one what you wish you could do for everyone. If we all did for the one in front of us, we would all be making an impact.
Thirdly, Be united in purpose while appreciating our diversity. When someone separates from the body because of a theological difference, I always wonder if they are implying that we won't be together in heaven. If you must leave, do we get together in heaven? God's love shining through you, not your judgment, will be your best contribution to the world.
Remember, Paul's prayer is that Christ may dwell in your heart through faith as you are rooted in love.
Love walks seventeen miles through washed-out dark roads to get to the wedding. Love is kindness shown to others. Love is never stationary.
My hope for each of you and our church in the days ahead is that we will surrender our limitations, our fears, and even our small imaginations to a God who is infinite in His power and boundless in His love.
Let's dream with God, trusting that the best is yet to come and believe that He will do more than we can imagine.
Pastor Jamey
(Click Here to Watch the Worship Service from Gainesville First United Methodist Church, Gainesville, Georgia)
Questions to Consider:
In what areas of your life are you limiting God’s power by small thinking or fear? How can you begin to dream bigger with God's vision in mind?
The father in the story walked 17 miles to reach his daughter's wedding. What is a "journey" of love and perseverance that God might be calling you to take?
What is one way you can "do for one what you wish you could do for all" this week? Who is God placing in front of you to serve right now?
Prayer:
Loving God, We dedicate our lives, our gifts, and this church to You, trusting that You will do more than we can ask or imagine. Use us, Lord, to reflect Your goodness to the world. Let us be a light in the darkest hours, a reflection of Your love, and a beacon of hope to those in need. We surrender our small imaginations and our fears to You, knowing that Your plans for us are far greater than we can envision.
In this season of unity, as we partake in communion with believers worldwide, may we be reminded that we are part of a larger mission—one that calls us to live with bold vision, trust in Your power, and love without bounds.
Bless us, O God, and let Your Spirit work within us so we may continue to reflect Your love and impact this world. We dedicate all that we are and all that we have to Your glory, knowing that You are faithful and Your love endures forever.
In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
Benediction:
Go forth boldly, dreaming with God’s vision, trusting in His limitless power. In every step you take, may you reflect His goodness, bringing hope, healing, and love to a world in need. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you now and always. Amen.
Great message!