"1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.  2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.  3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you.  4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.  5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn--conflicts on the outside, fears within.  6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.  8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it--I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while-- 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.  10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." (2 Corinthians 7:1-10)

I can identify with Paul's heart here...if only just a bit.  Last Sunday (Mother's Day) was one of the most powerful Sundays I can remember.  Why?  Because God broke many of us.  What do I mean by that?  Through His eternal Word and the humble wisdom of Mary, we learned and reaffirmed that we must "do whatever" Jesus tells us (John 2:5).  That is the key to Kingdom living: obedience to Christ Jesus in every area of our lives.  As a result, the Holy Spirit began to work on our hearts; He began to convict us out of His overwhelming love for us and His desire that we partake not in our plan for our lives but His.  That's part of what He does:

• John 16:8 - When he (The Holy Spirit) comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment. 
• 1 Thes 1:4-5 - For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.
• 2 Thes 2: 13 - But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

But even knowing this, and knowing without a shadow of a doubt that God is more concerned about our holiness than our happiness, preaching the true Gospel is grueling work.  Sometimes in the pulpit, I know that what I'm about to say will be unpopular, will cut, will hurt, will offend, will cause misunderstanding, and that no matter how I try to cutsie it up, will burns ears instead of tickle them.  I know this.  I know that the redemptive plan of God is about our getting free from sin, not getting everything we want in this life.  I understand that following Jesus requires an abandonment of self rather than an exaltation of self.  I know that we must read the Scriptures from a God-centered as opposed to a man-centered perspective.  I'm convinced to my very bones of this.  But as a shepherd let me tell ya...it ain't easy to communicate that all the time!

See, the world tells us we "need" self-esteem, self-worth, self-congratulations, and self-fulfillment.  Scripture tells us the opposite; that we need to be empty of self and full of Christ, that in us nothing good dwells, that the key to life is death to self that we may live in Christ Jesus, that God absolutely hates our pride: "To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech" (Pr 8:13).

But days like Sunday make it all worth it!

Saints, to see you all fall on your faces (metaphorically speaking) before God like that (and to join you)...to sense real, honest godly sorrow in our church, to see our wills break before God and a willingness to allow Him to rebuild us as He wills explode in that place; what a blessing!  "Now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance.  For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.  Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death" (from verses 9-10 above).

Friends, I know our church is on the right track.  I sense God's approval in where we are, what we stand for, and what we are trying to do.  Our patience, discipline, sacrifice, and refusal to bend to the world will pay off.  God is going to reconcile so many people to Himself through our church.  Let's stay the course and preach the Word.  Let's always remember our God does "not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings."  Therefore our "sacrifice(s), O God, (will be) a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise" (Ps 51:16-17). 

So let's continue to keep the attitude of humility and repentance!

If we can continue to be broken and repentant before Him...

If we can repent to our brothers and sisters and be "like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind" (Php 2:2)...

If we strive to "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles" so we might "run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (Heb 12:1-2)...

Then, "may it please You to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem" (Ps 51:18) at CRCC and indeed, in every church in America.