Thrive Not Survive!

Sermon: Thrive not survive!

Pastor Brian from Master’s Commission shares about what it means to thrive not survive in our day and hour.

Vernon comes up toward the end of Brian’s message to highlight how he thrived in Master’s Commission.

Scripture Text: Hebrews 12: 1-3:

1Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Thesis: Patrick role modeled for the Christian community what it means to be a hero of the faith. He showed us what it meant to thrive not just survive. His attitude in life showed us how to over-come in this world. The key was to draw closer to God. He also taught us that we have to follow the call of God because it will make a difference in this world. He became a hero of the faith by winning the Irish to Jesus Christ.

Introduction:

Read the prayer “From Patrick’s Breastplate “I Rise Today,” with Celtic music playing in the background.

I bind unto myself today the strong name of the trinity,

by invocation of the same, the Three in One, the One in Three.

I bind this day to me forever by power of faith Christ's incarnation,

his baptism in the Jordan river, his death on the cross for my salvation;

his bursting from the spiced tomb, his riding up the heavenly way,

his coming at the day of doom I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,

his eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to harken to my need,

the wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward,

the Word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me;

Christ to comfort and restore me;

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Trinity,

by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three,

of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word;

praise to the God of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord!

Patrick’s life exemplifies Jesus command to reach the lost. The Gospels give us the following messages from the heartbeat of Jesus on the importance of doing the Great Commission and thriving not just surviving today:

Patrick’s life and ministry teach us to be open to the call of God in our lives. His beginning in Ireland did not dictate his future but it drew him into a love relationship with Jesus Christ. His relationship with Christ helped him to overcome adverse circumstances in his teen years. His ability to draw close to God and forgive had a dramatic impact on the Irish people. His willingness to follow God’s call makes him a hero of the faith.

T.S. - Let’s learn from this man of God and ask our self a few questions, “Am I willing to draw closer to God in turbulent times? Am I willing and able to forgive those who have caused pain in my life? Am I willing to follow the call of God and even give my life to those who enslaved me? If you do you could become a hero of the faith like Patrick.”

Historical Background of Patrick:

Patrick lived in the fifth century, a time of rapid change and transition. In many ways we might say that those times of turbulence and uncertainty were not unlike our own. The Roman Empire was beginning to break up, and Europe was about to enter the so-called Dark Ages. Rome fell to barbarian invaders in 410. Within ten years of that time, the Roman forces began to leave Britain to return to Rome to defend positions back home. Life, once so orderly and predictable under Roman domination, now became chaotic and uncertain. Patrick entered the world of that time (Joyce).

Patrick’s biography is as follows: By Anita Mc Sorley

The uncontested, if somewhat unspecific, biographical facts about Patrick are as follows: Patrick was born Patricius somewhere in Roman Britain to a relatively wealthy family. He was not religious as a youth and, in fact, claims to have practically renounced the faith of his family. While in his teens, Patrick was kidnapped in a raid and transported to Ireland, where he was enslaved to a local warlord and worked as a shepherd until he escaped six years later. He returned home and eventually undertook studies for the priesthood with the intention of returning to Ireland as a missionary to his former captors. It is not clear when he actually made it back to Ireland, or for how long he ministered there, but it was definitely for a number of years. By the time he wrote the Confession and the "Letter to Coroticus," Patrick was recognized by both Irish natives and the Church hierarchy as the bishop of Ireland. By this time, also, he had clearly made a permanent commitment to Ireland and intended to die there. Scholars have no reason to doubt that he did. He died on March 17 the day we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day which is today.