The Bungee Cord.  3-15-21

Hello,

 

NOMATTERWHAT!

 

That is the way with God and God’s love for us.  NOMATTERWHAT!

 

NOMATTER that from the very beginning of creation, humans rebelled against God, tempted and fell to a desire to be like God.

 

NOMATTER that humans messed things up so badly that God so grieved of what had become of the world that God wiped the board nearly clean with a flood.

 

NOMATTER that Abraham and Sarah could not believe the promise of bearing a child at their old age, and the generations that followed that amazing birth were littered with faithless acts by Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

 

NOMATTER that when Moses led the people through the wilderness to the promise land, the people constantly complained and even set up idols to worship.

 

NOMATTER that when God sent prophets and kings to lead and guide God’s people, the people didn’t listen and followed their own ways to their peril.

 

NOMATTERWHAT!  God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

 

NOMATTERWHAT!  Jesus walked into Jerusalem, knowing that he would face suffering at the hands of those who hated him…. whipped, beaten, spat up, ridiculed, crowned with thorns…. knowing that he would experience the abandonment of all of those who loved him…. knowing that nails and spear would pierce him….and that he would die.

 

NOMATTERWHAT!  Into a lifeless tomb, God breathed life again and trampled death to death as Jesus walked out of the tomb.

 

NOMATTERWHAT!  That is the way it is with God and God’s love for us.

 

So…..

 

NOMATTER what you have done in your life, good or bad

NOMATTER what others think of you

NOMATTER the number of your successes of failure, be they great or small

NOMATTER the amount of faith or disbelief that you hold

NOMATTER how often you pray or how often you go to church

NOMATTER how much or little you give in your offering

NOMATTER how angry you may be with God

NOMATTER how often you have turned your back on God

NOMATTER how many other gods you have clung onto

 

NOMATTERWHAT God loves you with the love of God’s Son, Jesus.

 

That is why on this Easter, this Church is going worship God.  NOMATTERWHAT!  

NOMATTERWHAT…. we’re going to be worshipping outside.

NOMATTERWHAT the weather might be.

NOMATTERWHAT the temperature might be

NOMATTERWHAT the world thinks of us, crazy or foolish

NOMATTERWHAT our inside space might limit us; we’re going outside limitless

 

NOMATTERWHAT we are going to be outside celebrating the unstoppable and unrelenting love of God for us at 10:00 on Easter Sunday morning.  If you’re in the area, come and join us!  If you’re far away find a church at which you can safely worship.

 

On Easter Sunday morning, we are going to be worshipping God NOMATTERWHAT…. because on Easter Sunday morning we discover that we have a God who loves us NOMATTERWHAT!!!

 

Have a great week.

God’s grace and peace (ggap),

Pastor Jerry Nuernberger