Sunday May 30, 2010 “We are the People” by Pastor Richard Daughtridge

“We are the People” by Pastor Richard Daughtridge

It’s hard to believe that God entrusted to humanity the power to implement change in our world. We stand on memorial day remembering those that have fallen to preserve freedom.  We are challenged to make a difference for our children.  The challen ge for tomorrow is in our hands. “We are the people.”

In 1985 Michael Jackson led an international fundraiser event to save thousands even millions in Africa from starvation. I remember getting goose bumps watching the stars across the stage singing, “We Are the World”. It was a beautiful moment in time. The world was glued to the TV rocking back and forth singing, “We are the World.”  That moment has passed and today offers us even  greater challenges. Today we are the people. We are the world.  How will we respond?

2 Chron. 7:14   If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Seven things I’d like to point out in this promise from God.

1. Name
2. Humility
3. Seek Relationship
4. Turn From wicked way
5. Hear From heaven
6. Forgiveness
7. Healing

Our nation is a nation built on the back of prayer.  Here is a lecture by Ben Frankin at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It says it well.

“In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor… And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth-that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings, that “except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel:… I therefore beg leave to move-that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business.”

Psalm 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.

Three Points of Verse 33

1. Therefore he (God) said: (They Knew who God was.)
2. would destroy them (They knew the consequences of disobedience.)
3. Had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach.(Recognized the opportunity for change.)

Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

The fight for freedom hasn’t ended and  today we are the people.

Sermon Notes May 23, 2010 “I Pledge Allegiance” by Richard Daughtridge

I Pledge Allegiance” by Richard Daughtridge

As we look ahead to Memorial Day we are humbled by the memories of many that gave the ultimate sacrifice to change our world. Such sacrifice should never be forgotten. I still get goose bumps from the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. For the next two weeks we want to examine our allegiance. What makes it so sacred?

Is American patriotism  another man made promotion or is it a set of values, dreams, and yes even morals, under God,  that make it’s foundation sacred?

Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  ³ For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Change is Inevitable

Ecclesiastes 9:11

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

“Mediocrity is a cancer that can destroy our great nation and our church.We do not have to accept the defeatism norm. We can make a difference.” ”

“If surely goodness and mercy is going to follow us all the days of our life then I think it’s time we let it catch up to us.

Story by Warren Buffet (Stock Broker that went Heaven)

Do you see yourself, your church, or your nation as having enjoyed it’s greatest days or is the best yet to come? How we answer this question will be a self fulfilled prophecy that will come true.

“Our past will become the master of our future unless our dreams rewrite our tomorrow.”

Neh. 9:38 And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Courage is Contagious

I Sam. 17-32 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?  And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner and the people answered him again after the former manner. And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.  And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine

Faith Motivates

Hebrews 10:34-39 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. [35] Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. [36] For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. [37] For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. [38] Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. [39] But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Hebrews 12: 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Sermon Notes May 16, 2010 “A Letter from God” by Pastor Richard Daughtridge

“A Letter from God” sermon by Pastor Richard Daughtridge

Have you ever gotten excited because you got a letter from a famous person?

I have, only a few times in my life. Once was an invitation from the White House. Robin and I were invited to the inauguration of President George Busch Sr.  Our invitation came personally from Vice President Dan Quayle.

A day we’ll never forget yet in a million ways will never compare to the letter sent to us by God.

Today we can only examine just one very small portion of his letter to us. This is just 10 verses of  31,173 verses that God wrote to us.  This is just 232 words of the 774,746 words that God wrote to us. If such a small part  of this letter can mean so much then the complete book must contain immeasurable promises, truth and blessing .

The letter said:

1. The Heading

Jer.29: 1 NIV This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

2. Return Address

Jer. 29:4 NIV This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:

3. Content

Jer. 29:11-14 NIV For 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. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.

1. Plan     Hope and Future
2. Prosperity    Blessing not Curses
3. Prayer   Communication
4. Priority      Whole Heartedness
5. Persistence     Focus

4. Completion of  terms of letter.

Psalm 126:1-6  KJV When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. [2] Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. [3] The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. [4] Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. [5] They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. [6] He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

“Wind Beneath My Wings” Sermon to Honor Mothers 05/09/10 by Pastor Richard Daughtridge

Betty Daughtridge 1996

“Wind Beneath My Wings”   Sermon to Honor Mothers  05/09/10   by Pastor Richard Daughtridge

God’s agape love has always fascinated me. It is an unconditional and nurturing gift that God instills in parents to help us through the primary years of development. The attachment however last a life time. Such is a mother’s love.

I have fond memories of mom through the difficult moments of childhood. One was when dad was layed off from work and mom was determined to feed six children. We didn’t have a car and mom would ride her bike. She would ride along the roadside and pick up Coke and Pepsi Bottles. She would return them to the store where they would trade them for food, a slab of fatback (fatty unsliced bacon with no lean), and some flour to make bread (biscuits). She would cook the meat to crisp, make gravy and use the left over grease in the pan to prepare the doe for the biscuits. It was a feast to us.

This a medley I put together in honor of her along with all the mothers here today.

Song: The Hand that Rocks the Cradle/ You’re my Hero / Wind Beneath My Wings

Mom was probably one of the most loving, caring, and compassionate people that I ever met. She said lots of prayers over her children and I was blessed to call her mom. The greatest thing said about her at her funeral was that she was everyone’s mom.   People called her mom that I didn’t know.

I married Robin which I thank God has become that same type role model for our children. A mother’s love and strength to me seem supernatural. Well maybe it is.

We have some great moms in this church and today we honor you.

Deut. 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Deut. 11:19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

What is our commitment as parents?

Deuteronomy six gives us some thoughts on the subject. Here are 10 points.

1. To love God wholeheartedly (Deut. 6:5)

2. To have God’s words in our heart (Deut. 6:6)

3. To teach God’s Word diligently to our children (Deut. 6:7,20-25)

4.To talk of God and to God at home.  (Deut. 6:7)

5.To memorize and post God’s word at home. (Deut. 6:9)

6. To remember God and serve God in prosperity and success (Deut. 6:10-12)

7. To honor the Lord, serve Him. (Deut. 6:13)

8. To detest idols (Deut. 6:14-15)

9. To diligently keep the commandments, testimonies, and statutes (Deut. 6:17)

10. To do that which is right and good in the sight of God and man (Deut. 6:18)

The results of such a to do list is found in Proverbs.

Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Mother’s we are blessed to honor you.