First Presbyterian Church of Alabaster (Cumberland) - 7-11-05 We?ve met before, I think. Haven?t we met?

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7-11-05 We?ve met before, I think. Haven?t we met?

Tuesday, 19 July 2005

This coming Sunday the Rev. Dr. Jay Earheart - Brown, President of Memphis Theological Seminary, will be filling the pulpit. Now, that I?ve officially introduced him to you with his academic achievements and professional titles I can just say how glad I am to have Jay preaching here on Sunday. Just calling him Jay is more comfortable to him, too. Jay and I are long - time friends. We have known each other since 1985 when I enrolled at MTS and Jay was a senior. We haven?t always stayed in touch, but our friendship is one of those that isn?t predicated on how often you talk or how often you see each other. Ours is a friendship that transcends distance and time. And you know what that?s like.

     Each of us probably has one or two persons that even if we haven?t spoken in years, when the conversation is begun it?s like it never ended. Given the context of this summer?s series of sermons taken from Paul?s Roman letter the thoughts of friendship and relationship are appropriate. Especially when taken in light of the eighth chapter of Romans where Paul beautifully describes the work of the Spirit of God among God?s children. From the beginning line of ? no condemnation ? right through the promise of adoption and the promise of the help of the Spirit as we pray to the climax of ? nothing will separate us from the love of God through Christ Jesus our Lord ? Paul trumpets mightily the gifts of God that belong to the children of God.

     Which is to say that all have us hold in common this wonderful, particular gift of being called children of God. There is a connection that runs through us that transcends distance and time. We are bound. Connected. United. One. The body of Christ. God?s Spirit is a precious gift. Jay will continue our journey through Romans as his sermon will be from Romans 8: 12 - 25. I know God will speak to our congregation through Jay, and I know that God will speak to Jay through our congregation. That?s just how things unfold when you are connected, united in adoption through the Spirit.

     Even as one comes among you this Sunday whom many of you do not know. It won?t take long. Jay and you will both be saying, ? I know you from somewhere. We?ve met before, I think. Haven?t we met? ? Thanks be to God for the gift of Spirit and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ who makes us one.

     Grace and peace,
       Pastor Mark