Hello Family and Friends

Here are my sermon notes from Sunday, August 2, 2015

Sermon title:

“Tools of the Carpenter”

Was presented to Plummerville UMC August 2, 2015

By: Brother Bill Ferguson

Devotional Title: “Tools of the Carpenter”

Main Scripture reading: …………………………………………. Amos 7: 1 - 9

Referring Scripture…………..….Matthew 7: 24 – 27 & Psalm 127:1-2

Additional reference scripture: 2^nd Chronicles 7:14

The Words of God for the people of God, thanks be to God.

Responsive Reading ……….. Psalm 130 ………………….. #848

The Words of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!

        While meditating over today’s scripture, thoughts of the tools of a carpenter came drifting through my mind, along with memories of my childhood. I’ll try and explain.

        Some of the most important tools for a builder/carpenter are the plumb line, the level, and the square. But most importantly is the foundation we build on. When I was a young boy, our neighborhood theater often showed the movie series “Spanky and Our Gang.” Many of us remember them as the “Little Rascals.” In the fifties they were shown on television. Some of us remember Betty Flower’s Saturday show; “Betty’s Little Rascals.” I loved that show and I still remember some of the members of “Our Gang” And I bet you do too. There was Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Darla, their mascot “Peatie,” and of course Spanky. But one of the things that impressed me most was their Club House.

        All the kids in the neighborhood thought it would be neat to have a club house like the Little Rascals, so we got together for the project. We used some concrete blocks (piers) for our   foundation. We were able to get the wooden floor fairly level, but we had trouble making the sideboards fit. When we finished our club house, it looked like something out of a “Snuffy Smith” cartoon. We asked Mr. Bob Jackson, our neighborhood “Mr. Fix it man,” the reason our club house leaned. He said we hadn’t used a plumb line. “What’s a plumb line?” We asked. We were told that carpenters use a plumb line to make sure walls are square with the floor. He said, “It is a string with a weight on it that hangs straight down to guide the builder when he puts up a wall.”

        It’s important that walls be built square to the floor. We’ve all seen, at one time or other, walls or buildings that have toppled over. More than likely, they were not built “on the plumb.” And perhaps the foundation was not right. When a wall leans, eventually time and gravity pushes it over.

     Now we might wonder what this story has to do with the scripture message. Let me explain. Here I see a parallel in life with the story of the leaning club house that relates to the scripture in the book of Amos and in Matthew. We can equate building a club house with building a life (or a nation for that matter), and we can equate time and gravity with just plain living and the toppling over of a wall is the result of sin and compromising God’s laws. Listen, not only do individuals compromise God’s laws, but entire Nations are guilty as well.

     In the book of Amos 7:1-9, our God warns the prophet, in a vision, about a swarm of locusts and a great fire. This was judgement brought on by their sins. These visions foretold the destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel. After Amos prayed, the Lord agreed to delay his judgement. Amos was given another vision of a straight wall with the Lord standing by it holding a plumb line in his hand.

        God was telling Amos that he was checking the Israelites against his plumb line to see if they had measured up and they hadn’t. I wonder how America would measure up to God’s plumb line. Listen. God’s plumb line can only represent one thing; God’s divine standards. God had given them all that they needed to build their individual lives, their religion, and their nation. Not only was there a compromising of justice and righteousness but their worship was shallow and all show, not the Heart Attitude that God desires. You see, God desires a heart attitude from each of us. The Bible tells us that Israel was given another chance but we know from history that eventually their sinful compromising of God’s standards brought about their fall.

        Friends, God has set a plumb line in our midst today. It’s the Word of God (called the Bible) with its principles and Commands and laws. When we follow God’s directives, our lives will be on the square with his desires. The standard of excellence by which God (who is the Master Builder), measures us is the example set for us by his Son Jesus the Messiah. The foundation that we should build our lives on is this same Jesus.

     An old hymn says it more directly and eloquently; “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Today’s message is asking: Do you sometimes feel your life is about to topple over? , or leaning in the wrong direction? Would you like to start over? Are you willing to let God’s divine standards to be the plumb line that governs your life? If you answered “Yes.” I invite you to welcome Christ Jesus into your life today, right now and make a commitment to the Master Builder. Friend, you can start a new life today by making Christ Jesus the foundation you build on. And then share the good news Gospel with your family and loved ones.

     If you have never made a profession of faith or if you feel a need to make a renewed commitment, I invite you to pray this prayer with me.

     Dear Heavenly Father, I praise Your Holy Name. I recognize my sins and I repent of my sins. Forgive me. I welcome Your Son, Christ Jesus, into my life. Come into my life, Lord God, and mold me to do thy will. In the name of Jesus the Messiah, Amen.

 
Holy Communion ……………………………… UMH……………………………… #15 & 16