A very different week

Postby **Pastor Gary** » September 16th, 2004, 11:18 pm

I need prayer.

This week I am preaching on Luke 5:12-16 -- the story of Jesus cleansing a leper. I studied, I thought, I prayed... no direction. I read what others wrote on the subject...

DRY.

Then I stumbled upon an approach that just gripped me; I read a sermon by Daniel Cale of Hughesville Friends Church -- a Quaker. In essence, he just told the story from the leper's point of view. I am feeling strongly compelled to use that model, even though it is WAY outside my 'normal' style of preaching/teaching. I will have at least 30 out-of-state visitors there Sunday (visiting Christian Hula group that will dance) AND I just learned that there is a local troubled, non-Christian family really needing the Lord who will be present.

The presentation of the gospel in the message has to be right on target and have the anointing of the Lord -- that family must be reached Sunday!

Please pray for me; I need the Lord to stretch me out of my comfort zone so there is LESS of me and MORE of Him.

lady4jc · Postby **lady4jc** » September 17th, 2004, 12:38 am

Praying for ya

The Martins · Postby **The Martins** » September 17th, 2004, 2:00 am

Father, give Pastor Gary the direction he seeks. Speak through him Sunday morning exactly what You want the listeners to hear. Allow Your Spirit to move to convict hearts. Let Jesus be lifted up so that You can draw men to You. Let circumstances come to soften the hearts of the non-Christian family that will be in attendance and anyone else who needs You. Lord, have Your perfect way from the first prayer, the first note of music, the first word spoken to the last Amen.

In Jesus Name we ask this to bring You glory. We thank You in advance for hearing and answering and we'll never fail to give You the praise, honor and glory for it all.

Amen.

doris · Postby **doris** » September 17th, 2004, 4:45 pm

Praying for Jesus to annoint you from the top of your head to your toes. Let your words be his words. I thank the Lord for you and your ministry, and your work here on Jude 2. May you bless your church as much as you do me, and the others here. God Bless and give us a Praise Report when you get time.

Postby **Pastor Gary** » September 18th, 2004, 10:49 pm

I have posted the 'script' I used as a basis for my sermon this week. It is a first-person narrative of the leper cleansed by Jesus.

Not sure if it is just me, but I cry every time I read it, and I have read it a lot.

It is available at the DOWNLOAD page of www.windwardworship.com

There is also a PDF of a Bulletin Insert written by Foster Bellthat is related to the topic at hand and to Hawaii.

Sherry · Postby **Sherry** » September 19th, 2004, 2:10 pm

WOW is all I can say.

How did your service go?

Postby **Pastor Gary** » September 20th, 2004, 10:29 pm

YellowRoseTX wrote:WOW is all I can say.

Powerfully written, wasn't it? I hope my presentation and adaptation was equal to it.

YellowRoseTX wrote:How did your service go?

It was a wonderful, anointed service from the first song.

Sherry · Postby **Sherry** » September 21st, 2004, 12:51 pm

Pastor Gary wrote:
YellowRoseTX wrote:How did your service go?

It was a wonderful, anointed service from the first song.

Awesome! I'm glad everything went the way the Lord had planned for it too. :wink:

Jude 2