Date Posted: 2024-10-07 03:52:02 | Video Duration: 01:14:20
Welcome to Highland Park Presbyterian Church, where faith meets community and the spirit of God resonates through every word, song, and prayer. This week’s sermon, delivered by guest teaching Pastor Gary Haugen from the International Justice Mission, delves into the essence of what it means to be agents of Christ’s redemption in a world fraught with challenges. As we gather on this World Communion Sunday, we are reminded of the power of unity in faith and the call to embody God’s love and justice.
As we opened the service, a reading from 1 Chronicles 16 set the tone, calling us to “sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.” The scripture urges us to declare God’s glory among the nations, emphasizing the greatness of the Lord and His marvelous deeds. The pastor encouraged us to greet each other, fostering a spirit of community that reflects the unity we find at the Lord’s table.
The Call to Justice and Community
Pastor Haugen, an accomplished human rights attorney and the founder of the International Justice Mission, shared his insights on the role of faith in justice. He reminded us that the work of God is singularly redemptive, aimed at making things right in a world that has gone wrong. According to Matthew 5, Jesus calls us to be the “light of the world” and the “salt of the earth,” finding purpose in darkness and decay.
The sermon highlighted the increasing global challenges, with statistics showing rising levels of anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Despite unprecedented material prosperity, these issues persist, often exacerbated by global inequality and rapid technological changes. Yet, Jesus’s compassion for the harassed and helpless offers a blueprint for our response.
Freedom from Fear and Lifegiving Joy
In an age of overwhelming anxiety, Pastor Haugen emphasized the need for God’s people to embody freedom from fear and lifegiving joy. He posed a poignant question: how are we doing today in reflecting these attributes? As followers of Jesus, we are called to demonstrate a supernatural love and truth that is infectious and transformative.
Highlighting the teachings of Jesus, such as those in Matthew 7 and Luke 11, Haugen stressed that belief is not merely about acknowledgment but about acting as if it were true. He recounted a powerful analogy from World War II, where soldiers had to trust small boats for rescue, paralleling our need to trust Jesus’s teachings in our lives.
Real-World Application: The Work of International Justice Mission
The sermon also shed light on the real-world application of these principles through the work of the International Justice Mission. In regions plagued by modern slavery, IJM works tirelessly to bring rescue and restoration, often in the face of significant danger. The courage and joy of IJM’s workers serve as a testament to the power of faith in action.
Pastor Haugen shared personal reflections on overcoming fear, drawing from his experience in founding IJM. He encouraged us to confront our own fears and embrace the freedom that comes from trusting in Jesus’s promises. The call to “act as if” aligns with the prayerful plea, “I believe; help me in my unbelief,” inviting us to move from fear to faith.
As we concluded the service, the congregation was invited to partake in communion, a tangible reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and the unity of believers worldwide. With a call to action, we were encouraged to support initiatives like IJM and to live out our faith through acts of service and generosity.
This message resonates deeply as we navigate our complex world. It challenges us to be bold in our faith, to act on our beliefs, and to trust in the redemptive power of God’s love. As we leave the service, may we carry this message into our lives, shining as lights in the darkness and bringing hope to a world in need.
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