Hang on or hang up...

December 29th, 2023

A few minutes ago, I was putting some final touches on my sermon for Sunday. I want to end our Advent Series, “Embracing Eternity” from the Psalms well. I also want to provide some practical ways to begin 2024 as an opportunity to know Jesus and make Him known.

So after several hours of reading and learning from Psalm 77, the phone rang.

There was a hesitation on the other end, and I thought it was probably someone selling something…however, since it’s the church phone, I have to be nice 😊.

But I was wrong.

The voice on the other end said he was from Reno, NV…I then assumed he was going to ask for money for a bus ticket out here to KC…

Wrong again.

He told me about a nephew who was struggling with life here in KC and needed some help. The more details he shared with me, the more I softened.

It was at this point, that the Scriptures I had been studying began to break through the walls I had built from many people attempting to take advantage of the church by asking for money over the phone.

As we neared the end of the phone call, the guy on the other end of the phone told me he wasn’t very religious, but he figured a church would be the best place to turn with problems.

When I heard this I was rebuked for my skeptical thoughts and grateful I hadn’t verbalized what I had been thinking. He assured me he would call his nephew next and ask him to attend church on Sunday. I told him we were here to help.

Then God led me to ask him if I could pray with him over the phone. He replied, “Sure I can always use prayer.” After I prayed we said our goodbyes and then I realized, “God had me here at the church to answer this call to offer hope and encouragement through Jesus Christ.”

As I look ahead to the sermon for Sunday, I believe God has plenty of opportunities for you and me to share hope through the Gospel in 2024. Imagine if each of us took just one opportunity a day to offer hope or share encouragement…I believe Paul was right when he wrote, “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor. 2:9)

I am looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday, but I’m really looking forward to all God has planned for 2024.

I hope to see you at 8:00, 9:15 (Full KidCity available), or 10:45 am (Full KidCity available), or you can watch the Livestream on YouTube (Like and Subscribe) or Facebook at 9:15 am. Additionally, we are also publishing our sermons on Spotify.

Happy New Year,

Troy

P.S. I would love for you to check out our Beyond Campaign.