Introduction

Good morning, dear church family. It's a joy to gather with you in the warmth of this sanctuary, the echo of our shared laughter and the harmony of our joined voices filling this sacred space. It's a blessing to be here with you, united in faith, bound by love, and driven by our shared pursuit of understanding God's Word.

There's a beautiful quote by Charles Spurgeon that I find particularly fitting for our discussion today. He once said, "A Bible that's falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't." Isn't that a thought to hold dear? The more we turn to the Scriptures, the more we find our lives, our hearts, and our spirits held together by the loving hand of God.

So, let us turn to the Scriptures now, to the book of Genesis, chapter 9, verses 8 through 17:

"Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 'I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.' And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.' So God said to Noah, 'This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.'"

Building Bridges with Our New Pastor

In the sacred narrative we've just read, God establishes a covenant with Noah, his descendants, and all living creatures. This covenant, symbolized by the rainbow, is a divine promise of protection and care. It's a commitment that God will not destroy the earth again by a flood. This covenant is not just a promise; it's a relationship. It's a bond between the Creator and His creation.

Now, let's think about our own community, our own church family. We've recently welcomed a new pastor into our midst. This is a time of change, a time of transition. But it's also a time of opportunity. It's a chance for us to build a new relationship, a new covenant, if you will, with our new pastor.

Just as God used the rainbow as a sign of His covenant with Noah, we too can use symbols and actions to signify our commitment to our new pastor. We can show our support, our respect, and our love through our words and deeds. We can make our new pastor feel welcomed and valued. We can make him feel like a part of our church family.

But building this relationship, this bridge, is not just about making our new pastor feel welcomed. It's also about opening our hearts and minds to his teachings and guidance. It's about being willing to learn from him, to grow with him, and to walk with him on this spiritual journey.

Just as God was with Noah and his descendants, our new pastor is with us. He is here to guide us, to teach us, and to help us grow in our faith. But he can only do so if we are open and receptive. If we are willing to listen, to learn, and to grow.

So, let's make a commitment today. Let's make a covenant, just as God did with Noah. Let's promise to support our new pastor, to learn from him, and to grow with him. Let's promise to build this bridge together, as a church family.

But remember, building a bridge takes time. It takes effort. It takes patience. It's not something that can be done overnight. It's a process. And it's a process that requires all of us.

Becoming Open and Affirming in Our Congregation

As we consider the importance of becoming open and affirming in our congregation, we must first look to the Scriptures for guidance ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO