Sunday Sermon
GOD IS NOT BORING
Date: June 8, 2008
Speaker: Pastor Gerry Gregoire
Scriptural Reference: Luke 24:30-31
Listen to Audio Sermon

LUKE 24:30-31
30And it occurred that as He reclined at table with them, He took [a loaf of] bread and praised [God] and gave thanks and asked a blessing, and then broke it and was giving it to them31When their eyes were [instantly] opened and they [clearly] recognized Him, and He vanished (departed invisibly).

NOW THAT WAS AFTER THE RESURRECTION, BUT WHEN HE WAS WITH THEM HE DID MANY THINGS THAT WOULD AMAZE ALMOST EVERYONE.

HOW WOULD IT BE IF YOU WERE CONVERSING WITH SOMEONE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY DISAPPEARED OUT OF SIGHT. PRETTY GOOD TRICK, WOULDN’T YOU SAY? JESUS WAS CONTINUALLY DOING THINGS THAT AMAZED THE APOSTLES. THAT MAY BE THE REASON WHY THEY FOLLOWED HIM. HE WAS SO AMAZING AND OUT OF THE ORDINARY.
I DON’T BELIEVE THAT THE LORD WANTED HIS CHURCH TO BE A BORING ORGANISM DURING IT’S EXISTENCE ON EARTH. PRACTICALLY EVERY CHAPTER OF ACTS HAS MIRACLES, SIGNS OR WONDERS TAKING PLACE. WHAT HAS MADE THE CHURCH SO THAT IT IS NOT APPEALING TO MANY PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY KIDS, IT’S BECAUSE THEY THINK IT IS BORING OR PHONY?

WHEN THE TRUE PRESENCE OF GOD IS ON THE SCENE, IT IS NOT BORING. THINGS HAPPEN THAT AMAZE AND CAPTURE THE ATTENTION OF PEOPLE. THE GREAT MIRACLES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT HAVE NOT PASSED AWAY. HE CAN STILL SPLIT A SEA AND MAKE WALLS COME TUMBLING DOWN LIKE AT JERICHO. HE CAN STILL STOP TIME, HEAL THE SICK AND RAISE THE DEAD. HEB 13:8 8 Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).

OUR GOD HAS NOT CHANGED, WE HAVE CHANGED AND WE HAVE MADE CHURCH BORING. WE NEED TO BE EXPECTING MIRACLES AND HEALINGS AND SIGNS AND WONDERS.

ON YOUR WAY TO CHURCH TODAY WHAT WERE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO? DID YOU EXPECT GOD TO SHOW UP OR TO TAKE THE DAY OFF? WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO GIVE THEIR LIVES TO JESUS AND IS YOUR ATTITUDE AND LIFESTYLE CONDUCIVE ENOUGH TO CAUSE OTHERS TO WANT WHAT YOU HAVE IN THE WAY OF A RELATIONSHIP?
EVERYTHING JESUS HAD AND DID THE APOSTLES WANTED. THEY WANTED TO PRAY AND HEAL SICK FOLKS BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT JESUS WAS ALL ABOUT. THAT IS WHAT THE CHURCH IS TO BE ABOUT TODAY.
JESUS WAS AN EXCITING MAN,

LOOK AT LIKE 24:33-38 33And rising up that very hour, they went back to Jerusalem, where they found the Eleven [apostles] gathered together and those who were with them 34Who said, The Lord really has risen and has appeared to Simon (Peter)!
35Then they [themselves] related [in full] what had happened on the road, and how He was known and recognized by them in the breaking of bread.36Now while they were talking about this, Jesus Himself took His stand among them and said to them, Peace (freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin) be to you!
37But they were so startled and terrified that they thought they saw a spirit.38And He said to them, Why are you disturbed and troubled, and why do such doubts and questionings arise in your hearts?

HE JUST APPEARS IN THE MIDST OF THEM, IT WOULD GET THEM THINKING. THAT ALONE WOULD MAKE THEM WANT TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THIS IS WHAT GOD WANTS TO DO THROUGH HIS CHURCH TODAY.

TOP CEO’S OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS HAVE MADE THEIR COMPANIES SUCCESSFUL WITH THEIR MANAGEMENT STYLE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER. TAKE FOR INSTANCE, BILL GATES THE HEAD OF MICROSOFT AND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR THAT COMPANY. THERE ARE MANY LIKE HIM NOW AND IN THE PAST THAT HAVE DONE WONDERS FOR THEIR COMPANIES AND HAVE BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL.

LOOK AT MARK 12:10 23For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church, Himself the Savior of [His] body.

CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH, THE CHIEF EXECUTICE OFFICER SO TO SPEAK, AND HE HAS MORE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE THAN ANYONE, SO WHAT SHOULD HIS COMPANY BE DOING IN THE WORLD? GETTING THINGS DONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS PLAN AS HE HAS OUTLINED IT IN HIS INSTRUCTIONS.(THE BIBLE) HE HAS SET THE EXAMPLE, ESTABLISHED THE BAR AND WE ARE TO FOLLOW IN DOING WHAT HE DID WITH GREATER THINGS BEING DONE.

LOOK WHAT HE TELLS HIS DISCIPLES IN MARK 16:15-20 15And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race].16He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned.

17And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages;18They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.

19So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God.20And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]. Amen (so be it).

JESUS GIVES THEM INSTRUCTIONS TELLING THEM WHAT THEY ARE TO DO AND THEN HE IS TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN. CAN YOU SEE THESE GUYS JUST STANDING THEIR WITH THEIR MOUTHS OPENED. NEVER THE LESS THEY DID WHAT HE SAID.

HE HAD SENT THEM OUT BEFORE HIS DEATH IN LUKE 10:8-9
8 Whenever you go into a town and they receive and accept and welcome you, eat what is set before you;9And heal the sick in it and say to them, The kingdom of God has come close to you.

AND WHEN THEY CAME BACK TO REPORT TO HIM THIS IS WHAT THEY SAID IN LUKE 10:17-20 17The seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!18And He said to them, I saw Satan falling like a lightning [flash] from heaven.
19Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.20Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven.

DOES THAT SOUND LIKE A BORING LIFE? NOW THEY ARE TOLD THAT EVEN DEMONS WERE SUBJECT TO THEM. THEY WERE GIVEN ALL AUTHORITY OVER SATAN AND HIS DEMONS. THIS SAME AUTHORITY IS WHAT YOU AND I HAVE TODAY. DID YOU GET THAT?

WHEN THEY WERE SENT OUT IN MARK CHAPTER 16, WHAT THEY DID WAS RECORDED IN THE BOOK OF ACTS. EVERY CHAPTER IN THAT BOOK HAD HIS FOLLWERS DOING EXCITING AND SUPERNATURAL THINGS THAT WERE NOT BORING, JUST AS THE CHURCH OF TODAY SHOULD BE DOING, BUT THE ENEMY HAS BOUND MOST OF THE CHURCH WITH FEAR AND UNBELIEF.

REMEMBER WHAT JESUS SAID IN JOHN 10:10
10The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

THE DEVIL’S TASK IS TO KEEP YOU IN BONDAGE. HE WANTS TO CONVINCE YOU THAT YOU DON’T HAVE ANY POWER AND FOR A GOOD PART OF THE CHURCH HE HAS SUCEEDED. HERE IS WHAT HAPPENS:
THAT MOMENT IN LIFE GOD REVEALED HIMSELF TO YOU AND YOU RECEIVED HIS LOVE AND BECOME BOLD AND EXCITED FOR JESUS, THE DEVIL IS THERE TO BIND YOU IN UNBELIEF AND FEAR. BECAUSE OF THAT, MOST PEOPLE NEVER GET TO THAT POINT OF MATURITY WHERE THEY ARE ABLE TO OPERATE LIKE THE BELIEVERS OF ACTS.
DIE TO YOURSELF, SELL ALL YOU HAVE FOR THE GOSPEL’S SAKE, LOVE GOD MORE THAN FAMILY, EXERCISE YOUR FAITH IN TIMES OF TURMOIL, SUFFER PERSECUTION, WE SAY, NO, THAT’S NOT FOR ME. I’LL JUST TAKE THAT GOOD OLD BORING CHRISTIAN LIFE WITH NO WAVES! GIVE TEN PERCENT OF MY MONEY FOR THE GOSPEL, ARE YOU KIDDING? HOW AM I GOING TO SURVIVE DOING THAT? WE MAY NOT SAY IT BUT THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE THINKING.

THE ENEMY HAS MADE THE CHURCH LOOSE IT’S EXCITEMENT. BOLD IS BAD AND BORING IS GOOD. GOD’S WORD TELLS US THAT EVERYTHING ABOUT GOD IS NOT BORING BUT EXCITING.

LOOK AT JOHN 5:5-9 5There was a certain man there who had suffered with a deep-seated and lingering disorder for thirty-eight years.6When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, Do you want to become well? [Are you really in earnest about getting well?]
7The invalid answered, Sir, I have nobody when the water is moving to put me into the pool; but while I am trying to come [into it] myself, somebody else steps down ahead of me.8Jesus said to him, Get up! Pick up your bed (sleeping pad) and walk!
9Instantly the man became well and recovered his strength and picked up his bed and walked. But that happened on the Sabbath.

FOR THIRTY EIGHT YEARS THIS MAN SAT AROUND, HURTING AND PROBABLY BORED AND ALONG COMES JESUS AND THE MAN IS INSTANTLY HEALED. WHAT HAPPENED AFTER IN THIS MAN’S LIFE IS NOT RECORDED BUT I BET HIS LIFE WAS NOT BORING FROM THAT DAY ON. JESUS BRINGS LIFE TO DEAD SITUATIONS. HE WAS PROBABLY THE LIFE OF THE PARTY WHEREVER HE WENT.

THE BOOK OF ACTS TELLS THE STORY IN EVERY CHAPTER. THE CHURCH WAS ALIVE AND FILLED WITH EXCITEMENT AND MIRACLES.

ACTS 1:3 THE VISIBLE APPEARANCE OF JESUS AFTER HIS RESURRECTION, ACTS 1:9 HIS MIRACULOUS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN, ACTS 2 RECOUNTS THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ACCOMPANIED BY MIRACULOUS WIND, FIRE AND SPEAKING IN TONGUES.

ACTS 2:43 – MANY MIRACLES PERFORMED BY THE APOSTLES, CHAPTER 3:7-11 LAME MAN AT THE TEMPLE WAS HEALED, ACTS 4:31, PETER SAVED BY MIRACULOUS EARTHQUAKE, ACTS 5:5 ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA WERE SLAIN BY THE LORD. 5:12 – SIGNS AND WONDERS WERE CONTINUALLY DONE BY THE APOSTLES. 5:19 THE PRISON DOORS WERE OPENED, 6:8 STEPHEN WROUGHT GREAT WONDERS AND SIGNS, 8:6,7,13 IN SAMARIA, PHILIP DID GREAT MIRACLES AND SIGNS.

ACTS 9 PAUL IS LED TO THE LORD BY ANANIAS AND HIS BLINDNESS WAS HEALED, ALSO PETER HEALS AENEAS. ALSO IN CHAPTER 9, PAUL RAISED DORCUS FROM THE DEAD. CHAPTER 10 CORNELIUS SAVED WHEN PETER PREACHED. PETER HAD A VISION ON THE ROOF AND SPOKE WITH THE LORD. CHAPTER 12 PRISON GATES OPENED. CHAPTER 13 AND 14 PAUL PERFORMS MIRACLES. CHAPTER 16, EARTHQUAKE OPENS PRISON DOORS AT PHILIPI ANDTWELVE MEN SPOKE IN TONGUES.

THE LIST GOES ON AND ON AND THIS IS IN THE INFANCY OF THE CHURCH. REMEMBER JESUS IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH AND IS BRINGING DIRECTION TO US THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

GOD HAS GIVEN US JESUS, THE BLOOD OF JESUS, THE NAME OF JESUS, THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH INCLUDES MIRACLES, AND HEALINGS, THE PRAYER OF AGREEMENT.
AND YET, PEOPLE COME TO CHURCH AND HO-HUM ITS JUST ANOTHER DAY ON THE RANCH.. YOU MAY SAY, WHAT MUST WE DO PASTOR?

1) WE MUST WAKE UP AND REALIZE THAT THIS IS THE END TIMES AND THAT GOD IS STILL IN THE MIRACLE BUSINESS.
2) WE MUST GET OUR CHILDREN INVOLVED. THEY ARE NOT ONLY THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH BUT THE ARE THE CHURCH NOW.
3) WE NEED TO BECOME BOLDER AND START SHARING OUR FAITH WITH ANYONE GOD LEADS US TO.
4) WE MUST INVITE MORE PEOPLE TO THE CHURCH THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD PICNICS AND PRAYER MEETINGS.
5) COME TO CHURCH EVERYTIME EXPECTING GOD TO MOVE IN POWER.
6) IN FAITH LAY HANDS ON THE SICK AND CAST OUT SICKNESS AND BELIEVE GOD FOR HIS WORD.
7) ASK GOD TO PUT PEOPLE IN YOUR PATH WHO NEED THE LORD. I GUARANTEE HE WILL DO IT.
THE ENEMIES BACK HAS BEEN BROKEN, THE ONLY THING HE CAN DO TO YOU IS WHAT YOU LET HIM. TO BECOME THAT CHURCH THAT WILL BE A SEEDBED OF REVIVAL WE CANNOT LET SATANIC ATTACKS HINDER OUR QUEST. THE LAST TWO CHAPTERS OF ACTS TALKS ABOUT PAUL BEING SHIPPED WRECKED ON THE ISLAND OF MALTA. WHILE ON THE ISLAND HE WAS BITTEN BY A VIPER AS HE MADE A FIRE. HE JUST SHOOK IT OFF. THE LOCAL PEOPLE THOUGHT FOR SURE HE WAS GOING TO DIE. BUT HE JUST SHOOK IT OFF.

WE NEED TO BE THAT WAY WHEN BAD THINGS COME OUR WAY, JUST, “SHAKE IT OFF.” AFTER EXPERIENCING SHIPWRECK AND A VIPER’S BITE HE WAS STILL DOING THE WORK OF THE LORD.

LOOK AT ACTS 28:7-9 AS WE CLOSE. 7In the vicinity of that place there were estates belonging to the head man of the island, named Publius, who accepted and welcomed and entertained us with hearty hospitality for three days.8And it happened that the father of Publius was sick in bed with recurring attacks of fever and dysentery; and Paul went to see him, and after praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him.
9After this had occurred, the other people on the island who had diseases also kept coming and were cured.

NO MATTER WHAT CAME HIS WAY HIS FOCUS WAS JESUS AND HIS CALL. HIS WAS NOT A BORING LIFE AND NEITHER SHOULD YOUR LIFE BE BORING. OUR SERVICES, BIBLE STUDIES AND PRAYER MEETING OUGHT TO BE EXCITING AND FILLED WITH ALL OUR MEMBERS WHO CAN SENSE THE TIME WE ARE IN.
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, JESUS IS COMING SOON AND HE IS LOOKING FOR A CHURCH THAT IS IN THE MIDST OF REVIVAL. LET US BE THAT CHURCH WITHIN A CHURCH.

Additional Scriptures

PSALM 24:1-10

1THE EARTH is the Lord's, and the fullness of it, the world and they who dwell in it.2For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the currents and the rivers.
3Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy Place?
4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully.5He shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6This is the generation [description] of those who seek Him [who inquire of and for Him and of necessity require Him], who seek Your face, [O God of] Jacob. Selah [pause, and think of that]!7Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, you age-abiding doors, that the King of glory may come in.
8Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.9Lift up your heads, O you gates; yes, lift them up, you age-abiding doors, that the King of glory may come in.
10Who is [He then] this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah [pause, and think of that]!

MICAH 2:13
13The Breaker [the Messiah] will go up before them. They will break through, pass in through the gate and go out through it, and their King will pass on before them, the Lord at their head.
DEUT 1:11
11May the Lord, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are and bless you as He has promised you!
MALCHI 3:8-12

8Will a man rob or defraud God? Yet you rob and defraud Me. But you say, In what way do we rob or defraud You? [You have withheld your] tithes and offerings.9You are cursed with the curse, for you are robbing Me, even this whole nation.
10Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.11And I will rebuke the devourer [insects and plagues] for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine drop its fruit before the time in the field, says the Lord of hosts.
12And all nations shall call you happy and blessed, for you shall be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.