Learning To Change Series

Then, you stepped out on faith and hired Brad as our Youth Minister

And in the past few weeks, a few people have become so excited about what God is doing here

They’ve paid for a new roof on the building

Bought new chairs for the sanctuary… and new glass doors for the entryway

And a number of people have committed themselves to setting up a fund to hire Gregory Peck (not THE Gregory Peck) as a part time children’s minister for JAM.

And then, of course – this Sunday we’ve begun a 2nd Worship Service …

This morning, I got to asking myself why people fear change, and my mind went back to the day that the Israelites were at the border of the promised land for the first time… and they were afraid of the change. What made them afraid? The size of the giants and strength of the walled cities. They were afraid of change because they had their eyes on the giants, and not on God. Their fear came from the fact that their God wasn’t big enough to face the challenges they were faced with.

We don’t have that problem here. We dream big dreams because we serve a big God.

CLOSE: John Huffman in his book, "Who’s In Charge Here?", tells about Robert Dick Wilson, a great professor at Princeton Theological Seminary. One of Dr. Wilson’s students had been invited back to preach in Miller Chapel twelve years after his graduation.

Old Dr. Wilson came in and sat down near the front. At the close of the meeting the old professor came up to his former student, cocked his head to one side in his characteristic way, extended his hand, and said, "If you come back again, I will not come to hear you preach. I only come once. I am glad that you are a big-godder. When my boys come back, I come to see if they are big-godders or little-godders, and then I know what their ministry will be."

His former student asked him to explain, and he replied: "Well, some men have a little god, and they are always in trouble with him.

He can’t do any miracles.

He can’t take care of the inspiration and transmission of the Scripture to us.

He doesn’t intervene on behalf of his people.

They have a little god and I call them little-godders.

Then there are those who have a great God.

He speaks and it is done.

He commands and it stands fast.

He knows how to show Himself strong on behalf of them that fear him.

You have a great God; and He will bless your ministry."

He paused a moment and smiled, and said, "God bless you," and turned, and walked out.