6-18-23 Sermon Notes “Grand Openings”

You might be thinking, “Grand Openings? I thought this was your last Sunday!” It is…and it is a “closing” in a way. It is a closing of this chapter of our ministry together. It is also a grand opening of a new chapter with Pastor Sherri Reynolds, and I’m excited to see where GFUMC goes next! Grand Openings also refers to the Gospel Reading for this Sunday - Matthew 9: 35 - 10: 8.

35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

10 Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not take a road leading to gentiles, and do not enter a Samaritan town, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Cure the sick; raise the dead; cleanse those with a skin disease; cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.

This Sunday, we will think about the seven grand openings we are called to in this passage: (1) Open your eyes and see what Jesus did. (2) Open your heart, and feel what Jesus felt. (3) Open the lines of communication, and PRAY. (4) Open your mind…you just might be the answer to your prayer! (5) Open your hands, and receive the authority God gives you. (6) Open your arms, and embrace your fellow disciples. (7) Open a can of worms, because ministry is messy!

It’s been an honor to be your pastor!

See you Sunday,

Pastor Sam