Communion

Let's pray. Lord, as we gather together today to take part in a very sacred ceremony. Be with us now in Jesus name. Amen. When I was about 16 or 17 years old, I've shared this story with you all.

My grandmother asked if I could go and cut the lawns for her businesses. I thought, fine, she's my grandma, I have to do it, I'm obligated. So we loaded up this small Toyota with everything, cut all three of the business's lawns. Afterwards, I returned back and I said, grandma, we're done. And she had money for me.

Oh, this was awesome. And so for the next two, three years, I faithfully cut the gardens, the lawns of all the businesses. Then, of course, I left college and I think about that time she started to wrap up those businesses. There was no need. But I learned a lot of lessons doing that.

I learned hard work. I learned sometimes you don't get the choice of the weather. It has to be done, whether it's freezing cold or it's really, really hot. I learned I get allergies sometimes. I learned about discipline, doing what's right.

Did I do a good enough job?

Now, over the years, as I drive by lawns, I sometimes have to admit that I judge in that I think I can do better or I see Elon as like, I want to do everything I can. Because really, when you maintain lawns, there's a sense of pride and joy that I took in doing that. It was hard work, but it was very gratifying to see a lawn that needed to be cut, to be restored when it was in order. And I've shared as well. A couple of years ago, I found this new addiction.

It's a healthy addiction, at least of individuals who would drive around where they lived, such as Al Blades in Florida or S.B. moen in Wichita, Kansas, or I think MND Lawn Care. I think they're in Houston. There's also the Blessing Boys or Flawless Cleaning Services in, I think Bexley or Buxley in London. All of them started going around.

They maintain, of course, their landscaping services or pressure washing businesses, but they turned it into more when they realized, you know, I have some extra time and I have some extra money and funds, let's just dedicate one day to be a blessing to, to other people. And they would go around and they would find yards that were just the owners were either physically or financially unable to maintain or it was just gotten so bad that they could not maintain it. Finally they would go up, they would knock on the door most of the time people would look at them with, what do you want? I mean, come on. In these days and age, when a stranger knocks on your door, is there a little bit of apprehension?

Let's be honest, how many of you just don't even open the door anymore? You got a ring camera, and you look through the ring and you'll talk to them even though you're upstairs or even in the living room, right?

All of these individuals, all of these groups, though, looked and they had, and they sought out these lawns. And these individuals, they needed help. Now with them getting popular, the channels people have started to nominate them, or if they're humble enough, they'll actually ask and say, hey, I just. I need some help to get restarted. Now, in the book of Luke, chapter seven, if you have your Bible, let's go there real quickly.

Luke 7, Jesus has been talking with a centurion, and he says to you, I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.

He sends everyone home. And soon afterward, chapter 7, verse 11, it says, soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain and his disciples, and a large crowd went along with him. And as he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out. The only son of a mother, and she was a widow. If you're this particular woman, you're potentially in dire straits because the son who was supposed to care for and look after you has died.

He's a young man. And she's also, what, a widow. What is her future outlook? Not very positive unless she has friends and family who are willing to take her in. She doesn't have much of voice.

She probably doesn't have much power or influence. And here she is, she's let alone grieving the loss of her son. Her child that she bore, carried, raised, is now dead.

As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out. The only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, what his heart would. His heart went out to her, and he said, don't cry.

And if you're in the middle of a funeral procession, somebody says, don't cry. How would you take that? Maybe some of you are wanting to ball up a fist, right? But I love this. His heart went out to her.

He had compassion, he had empathy. And he says, then he went up and he touched. He touched the air which they were carrying him on. And the bearers stood still. And he said, young man, I say to you, get up.

The dead man sat up and he began to talk and Jesus gave him back to his mother. What a gift. What a story of redemption. A woman who needed rescuing and he brought restoration. Those around verse 16 said they were filled with awe and praised God and a great prophet has appeared among them.

They said God has come to help his people. This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country. If you follow us on YouTube or any of our socials I shared a video and a thought this last week and it was a verse. Sorry, a quote from Tim Keller. Redemption is not just about rescue.

Okay? Redemption is not just about rescue. It's also about restoration. I don't know about you, but I've also shared in the last couple of weeks I'm just tired in general. Not just physically, but I feel just tired, weary for a lot of things that we've been experiencing.

And I'm sure some of you are also struggling with many things. Maybe you feel dead inside. I have nothing left to give. I don't just need rescue. I need renewal.

I need restoration. I need sleep.

Promo by the way, we're starting a small group series on resting Sabbath in two weeks. Don't miss us. Do you want rest without rigidity? Do you want to be able to go to bed at night without any worries? For many of you, I'm sure, are probably struggling with decisions that you have to make and you have no idea.

But I will say that God is faithful and God wants to bring renewal. Today we have a very special service, a sacred service that Jesus shared in the Book of John. He gathered disciples together. He washed their feet also in other parts of Scripture. He then shares a meal with them.

And so I'd like to invite our deacons and our elders to come up here. And as we go through this sacred spirit services ceremony, I want you to reflect and think about where do you need not just redemption, not just rescue, but where do you need to be restored?