​First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street
Blackwood, NJ 08012                                                                              
Sermon Notes (Sunday, January 23, 2022)
Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor
 
“Let’s Draw Near to God!”
Hosea 1812-13; James 4:7-10
 
Since the beginning of 2022, I have been delivering messages that aim to cultivate a spirit that seeks God earnestly, intentionally, and seriously.  My goal for this New Year is help us as Christ’s followers to pursue more of God in our lives; to make more room for God in our ordinary days; to develop a mindset that would value and treasure our relationship with God and consider it the believers’ most valuable asset, the pearl with great value.
 
I chose, “Nearer My God to Thee”, as our Closing Hymn today.  The story behind this hymn is amazing.  “Nearer My God to Thee,” was written by two sisters.  Sarah Flower Adams wrote the words and her sister, Eliza Flower, wrote the music.  Sarah, the author of the words, was a British actress who enjoyed a successful career on the stage playing “Lady MacBeth” in Shakespearean 1837 drama.  After health problems that disrupted her plans to continue with theater, Sarah retired from the stage.  Not long thereafter, her sister, Eliza, came down with tuberculosis.  Sarah, determined to nurse her, came down with the disease as well, and both died at a relatively young age.
 
This hymn acknowledges the possibility of suffering but refuses to allow it to have the last word.  It says: “Even though it be a cross that raiseth me; Still all my song shall be, nearer my God to Thee.”  The message of the hymn is that every experience, good or bad, can draw us nearer to God, who gives us comfort and strength.  Bearing a cross brings us nearer to God.  Darkness brings us nearer to God.  Angels bring us nearer to God.  Loneliness brings us nearer to God.  Grief brings us nearer to God.
 
The things that the hymn mentions such as a cross, darkness, grief tend to be difficulties.  Sometimes when life is good we tend to forget that we need God.  It is the difficult times that reinforce our deep need for God’s grace—that do, indeed, bring us nearer to God.  Two short observations that I would like to share this morning:
 
First: Everything Stands or Falls on Being Close to God
I truly believe that everything stands of falls on being near to God. Our minds are slow to understand the will of God because we are not close enough to hear His voice. Our lives don’t reflect the light of Christ because we are not close enough.  New perspectives are gained when we draw near to God.  New compassion is gained when we draw near to God.  Life is transformed when we draw near to God.
 
In Christ, God drew so near to us. John 1:14 states, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  In Christ, God has invited us to approach His throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” Hebrews 4:16.  Friends, I want you to know that this is a privilege that no one ever enjoyed under the Old Covenant.  Only in Christ, we can approach God’s throne with confidence.  Everything stands or falls on drawing near to God.  This is like the Thermostat that regulates our actions and responses.  Without being close to God, our lives will be a mess.
 
Second: Foster Some Activities that Bring you Nearer to God
Fostering a closer relationship with the Lord doesn’t happen in a vacuum.  I want to be practical today and suggest some tangible things that each one of us can do to foster a greater relationship with our Lord. These suggestions go in two directions: worship and service.  We get closer to God when we pay attention to worship life and our life of service.
 
We draw closer to God when we pray.  Prayer is an open line of communication between us and God.  Read your Bible.  God speaks to us through His Word.  This is how we know who God is and how He works.  As we study the Bible, we understand God’s purpose for our lives.  The life of service is of equal importance to the life of worship.  Give the best of every part of your life to God — time, treasure, and talent.  We have been blessed to be a blessing to others.  The life of service is a response to the grace God has shown us.
 
Friends, let’s draw near to God in this New Year.  This will definitely involve some work on our part.  The prophet Hosea invites us today to “break our fallow ground, for it’s time to seek the Lord.”  We need to plow up the hard ground of our heart.  It’s time to till and to dig the ground of our lives.  The longer we wait, the harder this ground gets.
 
May drawing near to God become the deepest desire of our hearts today.  So whether we are on the top of the mountain or at the darkest valley, healthy or our health is falling apart, have much or got little, may we draw near to God.  Asaph wrote these words in Psalm 73:27-28, “Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.  But as for me, it is good to be near God.  I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”  Let’s draw near to God, and He will draw near to us.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.
 
 
 
 

​First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street
Blackwood, NJ 08012                                                                              
Sermon Notes (Sunday, January 16, 2022)
Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor
 
“A New Year, a New Pursuit!”
Psalm 16:5-8; Matthew 13:44-46
 
The Kingdom of God is so central to the teaching of Jesus Christ.  Someone said that Jesus spoke about God’s Kingdom probably more than any other topic.  In teaching His disciples how and what to pray, Jesus encouraged His disciples to pray for God’s Kingdom “to come on earth as it’s in heaven.”  Christ invited His followers to “seek first God’s Kingdom” and all the other things shall be added unto them.  His everyday encounters with ordinary people aimed to bring them closer to God’s Kingdom and bring God’s Kingdom closer to them.  As a matter of fact, the gospel writers tell us that Christ’s life marked the coming of God’s Kingdom in a very special way.  Matthew captures this truth in chapter 4:17 as he says, “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
 
If God’s Kingdom was so important to Jesus, it should be so central to our lives today too.  In Matthew chapter 13, Jesus delivered a group of parables that primarily focus of God’s Kingdom.  In this collection of parables, Jesus talked about the meaning of God’s Kingdom, its dynamics, and its implications on our lives.
 
The two short parables we read this morning from Matthew 13:44-46, invite us to seriously pursue God’s Kingdom and make every effort to make it our top priority. Why should God’s Kingdom become our top priority?  Why should God’s work in our lives and in the lives of those around be so central to us?  Why must we diligently and intentionally pursue it?  Jesus gave at least two reasons:
 
First: The Great Value of the Kingdom of God
In Matthew 13, Jesus says that the Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure.  It’s like a pearl of great value.  Basically, Jesus was saying there is nothing that is of greater worth in this present world than the Kingdom of God.  It’s our greatest asset.  It’s our most valuable treasure.
 
What God counts as valuable, we need to learn to count as valuable.  Someone said that we need to adjust our sense of value.  The world distorts what we value and here comes the gospel lesson today to remind us what is valuable and priceless in the eyes of God and what we are to value.
 
Second: The Great Joy we Find
Jesus gives a second reason regarding pursuing the Kingdom.  There is so much joy, great joy, in pursuing the kingdom of heaven.  In Matthew 13:44 Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
 
There is joy in discovering and finding the Kingdom of God.  Whoever finds that treasure will be filled with joy.  Seeing the Kingdom of God, belonging to the Kingdom of God, and participating in the activities of the Kingdom of God should fill believers with great joy. Why should we pursue the kingdom of heaven?  Because this is the most valuable thing we could ever do.  Not only that, but Jesus says in pursuing the kingdom of heaven, we also find our greatest joy.
 
The Hidden Aspect of the Kingdom
But Jesus also talked about the hidden aspect of God’s Kingdom.  “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field,” said Jesus.  The idea of a treasure hidden in the ground was something usual during the time of Jesus.  In the ancient world, it was much more common to bury one’s riches.  Today we place our money in a savings account, or invest it in stocks and bonds. If we possess valuable jewels or other items, we might place them in a safety deposit box. But in Jesus’ time, this how they kept their valuables.  During attacks by foreign nations and in times of resettlement, treasures were hidden in fields to be retrieved at a later date.
 
The Kingdom of God had a hidden aspect to it.  Yet, to the disciples and to us, Jesus revealed the secrets of the Kingdom of God.  God is at work behind the scenes.  God is building His kingdom in a way that is hidden to most, but visible to those who belong to Him and are willing to obey Him and see Him at work.  We who believe have been given the enormous privilege of seeing the Kingdom of God and of being part of that Kingdom, though the priceless value of God’s Kingdom is hidden to most people. Yet, when we realize the priceless worth of the Kingdom of heaven, we will be willing to pay the cost of acquiring it.  We will be willing to sell all what we have to own it.
 
Friends, life is a treasure hunt, in the sense that we are always seeking something which will add value to our lives.  There is nothing wrong with that.  In order to find this value, we make friendships, we pursue good education, we build careers, we make money, we get marry, we raise children, we own a home, we keep a good reputation of our lives, and so many other things.  Joy comes in when we get a treasure that we believe will add value to our life.  Depression comes in when we think we’re going to lose a treasure that we believe essential to the value of our life: whether it be losing a job, a friend, our marriage, our reputation.
 
As I said, nothing wrong with that. These are all blessings from God, but the problem is, all these treasures, as precious as they are, are an echo of a deeper longing in our hearts. They do add meaning to our lives but we always have a sense that there is something more, something we’re missing.  That can lead some people to feel despair, depression, emptiness within, and fear.  Yet, as followers of Christ, it invites us today to pursue more of God’s Kingdom because if we gained the whole world but failed to enter the kingdom of heaven, we have profited nothing. But if we have nothing else, but have the kingdom of heaven, we have everything.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

​First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street
Blackwood, NJ 08012                                                                              
Sermon Notes (Sunday, January 09, 2022)
Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor
 
 “On the Road without Jesus!”
Deuteronomy 6:10-12; Luke 2:41-52
 
The story we just read from Luke’s gospel is probably the only account the gospels tell about Christ’s childhood and youth years.  The Bible doesn’t say much about the early years of Christ.  There is silence in the Scriptures basically from the birth of Jesus until His baptism and the beginning of His public ministry at the age of 30.
 
In today’s story Jesus is on a trip with his parents.  He is 12 years old, and it’s Passover time.  As devout Jews, Mary and Joseph decided to make the trip from Nazareth to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover at the Temple.  A good time was spent by everyone and it’s time to go home.
 
As it was the custom of those days, the family left with a large group of travelers where men form one group, women form another, and children spent most of their time playing games around the caravan.  The group got about a day away, then Mary and Joseph realized that they were living every parents’ nightmare: they had left their son back in Jerusalem.  Jesus was missing.
 
Can you imagine what it was like in that moment?  “I thought you had him, Mary.”  “No, I thought you had him, Joseph!”  Mary and Joseph had to go back and check all the rest stops.  And then they rushed back to the city and for three days, three whole days, they looked around Jerusalem; the hotel, the restaurant, relatives’ homes … And then, finally, they went back to the Temple.  And there was Jesus …  sitting in the midst of the rabbis and scholars, asking questions and giving answers.
 
As we reflect on this story today, I want to share two short observations as we enter this New Year.
 
First: Don’t Hit the Road without Jesus
I believe that the temptation of all time is to leave Jesus behind; to hit the road without him.  “Do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery,” is a warning that we see over and over in the Book of Deuteronomy.  I truly believe that the temptation of all time is to plan and Jesus is not included in our plans.  The temptation of all time is to budget and God’s kingdom is not a line in our budgets.  The temptation of all time is to plan your week and there is no time for Jesus.
 
The real tragedy is to keep going when Jesus is missing of our lives.  Luke tells us that Jesus’ parents went a day’s journey assuming that he was in the group of travelers.  Writing to the nation of Israel, the Prophet Hosea lamented the fact that they have gotten weak without even knowing it.  In Hosea 7:9, he says: “Foreigners sap his strength, but he does not realize it.  His hair is sprinkled with gray, but he does not notice.”  The same thing is said of Samson.  Samson – a man who has always enjoyed the presence and the strength of the Lord – because of his disobedience, the Spirit of God departed him.  In Judges 16:20 we read: “Then Delilah called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had left him.”  May we never lose sight of Jesus this year.
 
Second: Do Not Look for Jesus in the Wrong Places
Beware of looking for Jesus in all the wrong places.  Luke tells us that Jesus was 12 years old when His parents left Him behind.  Luke also tells us in Luke 2:46, “After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.”  It took Mary and Joseph three full days to find Jesus.  “After three days they found him in the temple,” Luke says.  I understand that Jerusalem gets crazy during the Passover with people coming from all over the world to celebrate the Feast of Passover, but I think Mary and Joseph should’ve known better.  They should’ve guessed where Jesus was.
 
Like the Magi, Joseph and Mary looked for Jesus in all the wrong places.  The Magi looked for the newborn king where kings should be born, the palace of Herod.  The trap of looking for Jesus in all the wrong places is a dangerous one.  Think about how much energy and time we waste when we look for Jesus in the wrong places.  Are we looking for God in the right places?
 
So as we enter 2022, I believe we need to wrestle with an important question; a question that will be like our compass this year.  Where do we find Jesus in the world today?  Brothers and sisters in Christ, let me remind you that Jesus is found in this gathering.  He is present among us.  May we never forsake this gathering.  He is found in the faithful study of His Word, the Bible.  Read your Bible daily.  Jesus is also found in the life of service.  Christ is found in feeding the hungry; in giving drink to the thirsty; in clothing the naked; in visiting and checking on the sick; in sheltering the homeless.  Christ is found in showing hospitality to a stranger; in a moment that you spare of your time to pray with someone; in an act of mercy and a gesture of love; and in helping the weak and helpless.
 
Friends, as we enter the New Year, I encourage not to leave Jesus behind; not to hit the road without Jesus.  Don’t hit the road without Jesus.  Make sure He is at the center of your life this year.  Make sure He is the captain of your ship.  Let’s make every day count this year.  A day that we do not get the chance to commune with Jesus is not worth living.  A day that we do not get to do something for the glory of God is not worth living.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

​First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street
Blackwood, NJ 08012
Sermon Notes (Epiphany Sunday ~ January 2, 2022)
Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor
 
“Passionately Pursuing Jesus!”
Jeremiah 29:11-14; 2 Timothy 1:6-10
 
Some Christian traditions extend the Christmas celebration to full 12 days.  They call it, the Twelve Days of Christmas.  I believe the idea behind the Twelve Days of Christmas is the fact that Christmas, the Nativity of Jesus, cannot be captured in just a single day.  More time is needed to meditate on God’s indescribable gift.
 
The Twelve Days of Christmas lead to the Feast of Epiphany, which is celebrated this Thursday, January 6.  Epiphany is also known as “Theophany”, “Little Christmas” or “Three Kings Day.”  The word “Epiphany” comes from the Greek “epiphaneia” which means “manifestation, revelation, or making known.” 
 
In Luke 2:32, Simeon the righteous refers to the birth of Christ as “a light for revelation to the Gentiles.”  In 2 Timothy 1:10, the apostle Paul speaks about the grace of God that “has been revealed” through Jesus Christ.  Without Christ, you and I wouldn’t be able to know much about the God we have come to believe in.  In 1984, songwriter, Mark Lowry, wrote the well-known Christmas song, “Mary, Did You Know?”  In the second stanza, he says, “May did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod … And when you kiss your little baby, you’ve kissed the face of God? Mary, did you know?”
 
Christian faith has a revelatory nature.  Listen to what the apostle John says in John 1:18, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.”  In the Message, Eugene Peterson, paraphrased John 1:18 that way, “No one has ever seen God, not so much as a glimpse.  This one-of-a-kind God-Expression, who exists at the very heart of the Father, has made him plain as day.”
 
Our God is a Pursuing God
Jesus of Nazareth “has made God plain as day.”  He revealed the very nature of the God of heavens and earth.  Looking at the gift and life of Jesus, we can say that our God is a pursuing God.  He is the one who pursues us.  He is the one who searches for us.
 
What should be our response to a pursuing God?  On this First Sunday of 2022, I want us to consider this question.  In Christ, God has pitched His tent in our own backyard.  If our God is a pursuing God, we are under two obligations:
 
First: We Are to Intentionally Pursue God
A New Year is ahead of us.  Every day presents a fresh opportunity to pursue more of Jesus; to pursue a closer relationship with Him.  I think one of the most dangerous problems in our walk with the Lord is we settle for just occasional encounters with Jesus in some casual manner.  I wish we go for the maximum, not the minimum this year.  I hope we pursue more of God’s voice in our ears; more of His hope in our grief; more of His dirt on your hands; more of His nearness in our loneliness.
 
Jeremiah 29:13 is a great Scripture that speaks of pursuing God.  “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”  The people of Israel are in exile in Babylon.  God sends them a message through the prophet Jeremiah and tells them that even at this very dark hour of their nation, God is still accessible.  They can call on God and He will hear them.  They can seek God, and the promise is: they will find Him.  He never hides from us.  It’s such a beautiful assurance to know that when we seek God with all of our hearts, we will find Him.
 
Second: We Pursue Jesus Together
We pursue God in a community.  Community is so central to the Jesus movement.  From day one, Jesus of Nazareth built a community of followers.  This community was so diverse; educated and not well educated; rich and poor; Jews and Gentiles; religious and not very religious; young and old; Roman citizens and non-Romans.  The first community of Jesus of Nazareth was so diverse, but they all had one thing in common, they wanted to pursue more of Jesus together.
 
“Together” is an important concept in the New Testament.  It’s God’s plan for us to run the race of faith together; to pursue Jesus together.  There is power in togetherness.  The Pandemic has challenged our togetherness in a way like no other.  I pray for a time when everyone feels safe to be together both in body and spirit.
 
As the community pursues Jesus together, we all know that we are not perfect.  Rather, we are work in progress.  Sometimes our togetherness gets messy and sometimes we fail, but God doesn’t define us by our failures.  This is the truth.  We are not perfect.  That truth, however, doesn’t mean we give up, but it means to “set aside the sin that so easily entangles and run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” Hebrews 12:1-2.  We can be easily defeated when we run the race alone, but this is not what Jesus wants for us.
 
Friends, I charge you this year to pursue more of Jesus.  Keep pursuing until your whole life is saturated with God’s presence.  We pursue God because, in Christ, we have been pursued by God.  May we do it passionately, actively, and intentionally.  Do it within the community of Christ’s followers.  Do it remembering the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:78-8, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”  Amen.