Back to School

[0:00] Good morning and welcome to Braemar Baptist Church for Sunday, September 6, 2020. My name is Kent Dixon. I'm the lead pastor of Braemar here in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

[0:11] Welcome this morning to people from our church who are watching as well as others who are tuning in online or listening or watching later on. So welcome and God bless you this morning as you gather with us.

[0:23] So please check out the information below this video because you'll see a link for how to connect with our church in a few different ways. And definitely we'd love to hear from you and we'd love to interact with you through email or phone calls or anything like that.

[0:43] So you can also visit our website at braemarbaptist.com. So good morning again. This morning we're going to celebrate communion together. So this is a great time for you to take the opportunity to get some water, some juice and have that handy.

[0:58] Maybe a piece of bread or a bit of a cracker and just have that ready for later on. Pastor Luwam will be preaching this morning, our associate pastor. And so he will be leading in communion as well.

[1:11] So please take an opportunity to have some things ready for you handy so that you can participate online where you're at. Let's open in prayer this morning. Father God, thank you for the opportunity to come before you this morning in worship and praise and adoration.

[1:29] Lord, we recognize you for who you are. We thank you for who you are to us, what you've done for us and what you've indeed done for all humanity. Lord, this morning we recognize that there are challenges around the world from pandemics to conflicts to natural disasters.

[1:46] And so Lord, we cry out to you this morning. We cry out with pain and grief and anguish. And Lord, we also cry out in recognition that only you can prevail over the things that are going on in our world.

[2:02] And so Lord, we ask for your guidance as we navigate from day to day. Lord, we ask for your protection over us, over our families, over the world, over our countries.

[2:12] And Lord, this is a tumultuous time and yet we recognize that you remain in control. And so Lord, thank you for that, that you are in control. You are the God of all creation and you are our God and our Father.

[2:26] And so we welcome the opportunity to come before you this morning together in this way. Lord, bless this time we spend together worshiping you and hearing from your word. And we pray all of these things in your name. Amen.

[2:39] So now let's join together in worship. And we're going to sing two songs this morning. We're going to sing A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. And you may know that song or you may not. And either is fine because the lyrics and music will play and you can follow along and maybe you'll be learning a new song.

[2:57] And then we're going to follow that song with I Am Thine, O Lord. And that's another great song. So again, if you don't know it, it's an opportunity to learn it this morning. And you'll be able to follow the lyrics as they appear on the screen.

[3:10] And our virtual service leader, our virtual worship leader will be able to guide you through. So let's sing our praises to our awesome God this morning. A mighty fortress is our God Our world will never fail Our world will never fail Our real bird he a man of love Our mortal hills prevail Still our ancient foe

[4:11] To seek to work us war His craft and power are laid And armed with cruel hate All north is not easy And though this world with devil's wrath Should threaten to undo We will not fear For God has won His truth to dry up

[5:12] Through the earth When such a darkness is grim We tremble not for him His rage we can endure For the road is due It's short One little word shall fail I am thine, O Lord I am thine, O Lord I am thine, O Lord I have heard thy voice And it's all thy love to be

[6:16] But I long to rise In the arms of faith And be closer drawn to thee Draw me nearer, O Lord To the cross where thou hast died Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer Blessed Lord To thy precious bleeding side Contagrate me now To thy service, Lord By the power of grace divine That my soul, O Lord With steadfast hope And my will be lost in thine

[7:20] Draw me nearer, nearer Blessed Lord To the cross where thou hast died Draw me nearer, nearer Nearer, nearer Blessed Lord To my precious bleeding side Draw me nearer, nearer Blessed Lord To the cross where thou hast died Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer Blessed Lord To thy precious bleeding side I hope you enjoyed that time of singing together

[8:27] And as I said before we started If either of those songs were new to you I hope that they were a blessing That you were able to listen to the lyrics And begin to learn them For some of us those are old familiar hymns And so I hope it was comforting for you If you know those to hear them again And sing them again This is such a great time to be able to sing We are singing alone To our cameras sometimes If we're at home If we're gathering in person We're not maybe singing And we're wearing masks But we are listening to the truth of these songs The rich theology The rich depth of meaning that they have And the great traditions of our church And of our faith that they come from And so I hope they're a blessing to you So it's an interesting season for us We're used to this time of year being back to school And again it is back to school For many students and many families And yet that looks different And we recognize that

[9:28] And it's a challenge And it's a stressful time And we're praying for people And we're encouraging them And we want everyone to be safe And so this is a different time But it's also an exciting time It's a time of new experiences And new learning And in many ways We're always going back to school Even as adults Whether that's literally going back into a classroom To learn some new things Or learning a new language Or a new skill Some sort of art Or music Or something like that Learning something new But at the same time We're also always going back to school To learn what God has for us And learn from the example of Jesus And so this morning It's a joy to have Our associate pastor Luwam Gumbling Here this morning To preach a sermon About back to school And all of the different things That that can mean for us So as we reflect On the change of seasons As we reflect on this time

[10:28] And we're reflecting On returning to school And changes in our lives And schedules Let's take some time This morning With Pastor Luwam To reflect on Other meanings of Back to school And so God bless you As you hear God's word Through Pastor Luwam This morning And be blessed As you go forth After the sermon Into your week God bless you Good morning everyone My name is Luwam I am associate pastor Here at Brahma Baptist Church Since we'll be doing communion later I would like you to have Some water Or juice And a piece of bread Or cracker ready For the communion Many of you would know That here in Alberta Schools are reopening From this week I know this This excitement For back to school Is not the same As previous year Certainly

[11:29] There is a concern For everyone Student Parent Teacher Not knowing How new normal Will be for students In their learning For the teacher In their guiding And teaching system Regardless of what Is happening Around the globe And what worrisome Parents have I notice Younger students Are extremely happy To be back to school Let's remember them In our prayer For their safety And a new Normal way Of their learning I believe Most of you Who are listening This morning May have finished Schooling One question I would like to ask Is when was the last time You said No more school It is done For some of you

[12:31] It may be recently For some It may be 10 or 20 years ago Or some For some It may be 30, 40, 50 Years ago Or even more For those Who Were not Interesting In schooling The last class Or graduation Would be definitely A huge relief But for those Who Like learning In the classroom With friends I believe It will not be As exciting As others Whether we like Being in the classroom With friends Or not The truth Is Education Is always Available For those Who love Learning Do you agree That We as believers Are only In a continuing Education program

[13:32] Once We become believers Or the followers Of Christ We have Only one purpose Being in a continuing Education program Which is To become Christlikeness When I use The title Back to school For this sermon I'm not trying To bring The concept Of Back to school Or back to church Literally Instead I would rather Try to Bring The concept Of reminding Ourself Or refocusing Our spiritual growth As we start New season For this year Spiritual growth Is of course Becoming Christliked Colossians 3 10 Says Put on Your new Nature And be renewed As you learn To know Your creator And become Like him

[14:32] The question Can be asked Why do we Need to remind Ourself Or refocus Becoming Christlikeness Based on Colossians Chapter 3 Verse 17 In which We will Be covering Today We found A couple Reasons There One Is Because We have Been raised To a new Life With Christ The second Because We Because God Chose Us To be The holy People He Love The first Verse Of Colossians Chapter 3 Starts With Seeing You Have Been Raised To a New Life With Christ Basically It said We are Not On Our Own Anymore As We Become Believers From

[15:33] The time We Become Believers We Become New Lives With Christ That's Why Apostle Paul Is Encouraging That Our Moral And Ethical Behavior Should Match With Our Faith In Christ Like Students Who Are Gearing Up For The New School Year We As Believer Have To Settle A Few Things First In Order To Become Christ Likeness And Bring His Glory To Other Verses 1 And 2 Said That We Have To Set Our Heart On Things Above And Set Our Mind On Things Above The Commentary I Read Suggest That Set Your Heart On Things Above Is Descriptive Of The Im Which Would Refer To Practical Persu Of

[16:34] The Christian Life Set Your Mind On Things Above Would Refer More To Inner Disposition Basically What Paul Suggest Here Is That We Need To The Transformation When We Do That Versus 4 Says Christ Who Is In Our Life Is Revealed To The Whole World In Other Words His Glory Will Be Known Through Our Lifestyle We Are Aware That Every School Has Their Own Discipline Policy Which Contribute To The Quality Of Students Educational Experience It Is Said Without Discipline In School Learning Cannot Occur Discipline

[17:36] In School Are Such As Fighting Assault Battery Death Harassment Of Others Cheating Disrespect To Others Stuff Disrespect To Stuff In In In Appropriately Dressed And So On Likewise In The Following Paul Is Also Talking About What We Should Not Be Doing And What We Should Be Doing In Order To Become Christ Likeness There Are Three Main Categories We What We Should Be Doing With Sin The First Category Is Sin Of Sexual Attitude And Behavior Those Sin Are Found In Verses 5 Sexual Immorality Impurity Lust Evil Desire And

[18:36] Greed Paul Is Warning Sin They Are Very Destructive To Any Group Or Church We Should Have Them Put To Death In My Old Understanding It Would Be Forget It Don't Even Bring It Back To Life Or Please Don't Even Think They Have Even Existed The Second Category Is Sin Of Speech Those Sin Are Found In Verses 8 And 9 Anger Rage Malicious Behavior Slender Dirty Language And Lying Paul Is Your Warning Since They Are Relationship Breaker We Should Have Them Get It Off In My Own Understanding It Will Be

[19:36] They May Come Along With Us From Time To Time When They Do Come We May Have To Take Them All From Our Way The Third Category Is About Sign Of Love Those Signs Are Found In Verses 12 And Verses 13 Which Are Mercy Kindness Humility Gentleness Patience For For For For For For Paul Is Here Advising Since They Are Relationship Builders We Are Encouraged To Close Ourself With Them So These Are Three Main Category What Excuse Me What We Should Be Doing With Or What We Should Be Dealing With The Truth Is Unless We Put The New Self Or New Nature With Christ I

[20:37] Don't Think We Are Able To Perform Those Categories Such As Putting Sinful Attitude And Behavior To Death Getting Sinful Speed Rid Of Clothing Ourself With Sign Of Love Verses 10 Of NIV Said Have Put On The New Self Which Is Being Renewed In Knowledge In The Image Of Its Creator Here New Self Is Described As Being Renewed In Knowledge The Verb Being Renewed In Greek Is Present Tense With Express Continuous Process Of Renewing Definitely Is Not Just One Time Things It Is Continuous Process That's

[21:39] Why I Believe That Every Christian Or Believer Is Always In A Continuing Education Program Some Believer Believe That Church Building Is A Place Where We Practice Our Spirituality And Where We Learn For Our Spiritual Growth Church I I Agree That However I Believe It Is More Than That The Church Should Not Be Only A Place Where We Try To Be Nice People And Being Nice To Others For Believers Our Classroom Is Not Just In A Church Building But At Home At Workplace Other Social Gathering And Literally Everywhere Where We Are If We Can Be Nice

[22:39] Here In This Church Building We Should Be Able To Nice At Home At Workplace My Wives Sometimes Says That Why Can I Be Patient With Her Why I Can Be Patient With Others If Our Lifestyle Isn't The Same Everywhere We Should Consider Transforming We Are Still In The Process Of Continuing Education And The Program The More We Know Of Christ And His Work The More We Should Be Able To Transform Christ Likeness Since This Process Is A Lifelong We Must Never Stop Learning And Obeying It Takes Practice

[23:39] Ongoing Reviews Patient Concent Concent Concent To Keep In Line With God Will I Believe Many Of You Will Feel This You Will Feel That You Still Need To Learn Or Transform Yourself To Be Christ Likeness Regardless Of How Many Years You Have Been Believer Or How Many Years You Have Been Attending Church True Believer Never Stop Learning Transforming Themselves To Be Christ Likeness In Fact They Are Always In Desire Of Learning And Transforming To Become Christ Likeness I Have Witnessed Some Here In Our Congregation The

[24:44] Good News Is Our Lord Jesus Is Our Soul Instructor And He Is Absolutely Everything That's Why We Are Encouraged To Represent Him In Every Action We Do And Every Word We Say We Can See It In Verse 17 If We Are Stuck In Our Continuing Education Program Or Being Renewed In Knowledge Like What Is Said In Colossians 1 Verses 9 Let's Not Forget To Ask God To Give Us Complete Knowledge Of His Will And To Give Us Spiritual Wisdom And Understanding Dear Dear Friends We May Not Need Any Effort

[25:44] For Our Salvation But We Do Need To Put Effort For Our Spiritual Growth We Know That Spiritual Growth For Spiritual Growth Or Christ Likeness Is Neither Instant No Automatic It Is A Continuing Process Or Continuing Growth That Will Take The Rest Of Our Life The Rest Of Our Life Our Lord Jesus Indeed Want Us To Grow Up Spiritually And Become Like Him Let's Pray Our Lord Jesus Thank You For The Privilege Of A New Life With You Lord Ran

[26:45] Us A Desire And Commitment To Grow And To Make An Effort To Grow As Well As To Proceed In Growing Spiritually Pray That You Would Give Us Complete Knowledge Of Your Will And To Give Us Spiritual Wisdom And Understanding As We Are In The Process Of Becoming Christ Likeness We Pray In The Name Of Your Precious Name Jesus Christ Amen We Are Going To Communions I Would Like To Read One Scripture Which Reflect What We Are About To Do John Chapter 6 Verses 47 To 58 I Tell I

[27:46] Tell You The Truth Anyone Who Believe Has Eternal Life Yes I Am The Bread Of Life Your Ancestor Ate Manna In The Wet Ness But They All Die Anyone Who Ate This Bread From Heaven However Will Never Die I Am The Living Bread That Came Down From Heaven Anyone Who Eats This Bread Will Live Forever And This Bread Which I Will Offer So The World May Live Is My Flesh Then The People Began Arguing With Each Other About What He Me How Can This Man Give Us His Flesh To Eat They Ask So Jesus Said Again I Tell You The Truth Unless You Eat The Flesh Of The Son Of Man And Drink His Blood You Cannot Have

[28:46] Eternal Life Within You But Anyone Who Eat My Flesh And Drinks My Blood Has Eternal Life And I Will Raise That Person At The Last Day For My Flesh Is True Food And My Blood Is True Dream Anyone Anyone Who Eat My Flesh And Drain My Blood Remains In Me And I In Him I Live Because Of The Living Father Who Sent Me In The Same Way Anyone Who Feeds On Me Will Live Because Of Me I Am The True Bread That Came Down From Heaven Anyone Who Eat This Bread Will Not Die As Your Ancindor Did But Will Live Forever Jesus

[29:46] Said This Is My Body Which Is For You Do This In In Memory Of Me Let's Pray Our Lord Jesus As We Take This Bread Let It Be A Sign Of All You Did For Us And A Sign Of Who You Are For Us Thank You For The Bread Of Life Let's Remember Our Lord Jesus Who Gives Us Life Who Fits Our Faith Who Encouraged Gratitude And Who Died For Us Jesus Said This Cuff Is The New Covenant Sealed By My Blood Whenever You Drink It Remember Me Let's Pray Our Lord Jesus

[30:47] As We Drink This Cuff Let It Be A Sign Of Who You Did For Us And A Sign Of Who You Are For Us Thank You For The New Covenant Sealed By Your Blood Let's Remember Our Lord Jesus We Are Alive In Him So Be Thanksful This Morning The Benediction Is From Ephesians Chapter 3 Verses 17 To 19 May May Christ Make His Home In Your Heart As You Trust In Him Your Roots Will Go Down Into God Love Keep You Strong And May You Have The Power To Understand As All God People Shoot How Wide

[31:47] How Long How High And How Deep His Love Is May You Experience The Love Of Christ Though It Is Too Great To Understand Fully Then You Will Be Made Complete With All The Fooness Of Life And Power That Come From God Amen Go In Peace And Be Blessed