Top 40 With Gumption

2. Jesus told the Father he had accomplished His assignment - It is finished!

3. No one has promised us that this life will be easy. That being a Christian would be ease. That being a member of a church would be easy But God does promise us that there is something better yet to come in if we just hang in there.

GAL 6:9 says “Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and quit.

Yes, it is easier to face the race, to face life when we remember the reward of eternal life promised to us by God.

That’s what I think it takes to get on God’s list - a firm commitment, a plan, disciplined to take life one day a time, encouragement from friends and the promise of what is yet to come - GUMPTION

And today as we celebrate homecoming I think it is important for us to remember the people who have gone before in this church with Gumption people like Polly Ansley who even as a old woman got down on her hands and knees in this church to help put down the carpet. Mr. Jim Byers who walked 8 miles here and 8 miles home every Sunday, no matter what the weather, just to teach Sunday School. People like Frances, Woodrew and Mrs. Odell Garrett who persevered until our Fellowship Hall was built. Lewis and Lourine Steves, Kathleen Carnes, Bill and Ray Moore, Florrie Holloway and many others who have already passed on as witnesses to the spirit of Faith that lies in this church.

And together with those listed in here in Hebrews 11 - and our very own top forty list with gumption ---- Chapter 12 vs 1we are surrounded - in this church on this day - Our homecoming - by a great cloud of witnesses who are watching the race we are running But they not sitting idly in the stands but they standing up cheering us on, celebrating with us the holy witness of this church - encouraging us to keep the faith running to endure the race that is set before us by God. And God himself I don’t think he is sitting in the bleachers just watching us. I think he is on the track like any good couch runnning beside saying come on hang in there, you can do it, you are almost there, just keep to my plan and you will finish the race.

As the choirs song said - May He find us faithful today and every day!

Perhaps this morning you want to make that commitment to be one of God’s Top 40 with Gumption - to live a life committed to Him, to live according to God’s plan for your life you already have the friends here in this church to encourage you and God’s promise of eternal - won’t you come? Or perhaps this morning you want to become one of the top forty+ members of this church - to make a commitment to that this church will be your church home! Won’t you come - the altar is open and waiting for you.

May he find us faithful and full of gumption

May we run the race with perseverance and discipline.

May His grace wash over us as we live out our lives according to His Plan, His Will

Go in Love

Go in peace.