Pastor Scott's Musings

 Sermon for Milledgeville & Centenary UMC [Title Slide] Journey to Promise: Take Possession ( Deuteronomy 31:1-3, 5-8; 33:44-47; 34:1-7 )   We are finishing today our time with Moses and the Hebrews and their time in the wilderness. God used the wilderness to shape His chosen nation and prepare them to take possession of the Promised Land.   Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who is going with you. He will not fail you or abandon you!” Deuteronomy 31:6 Like Cecil B. DeMille’s Ten Commandments, we’re skipping a lot of Moses’ story and ending with his final words. Allow me to share a couple important stories we are skipping over.   While Moses was with God on Mt Sinai, the people strayed. Even though God told them not to make idols, they pressured Aaron to make them an idol to worship. [Slide] In DeMille’s The Ten Commandments, Edward G. Robinson played Dathan, a chief troublemaker. “We don...

 Sermon for Milledgeville and Centenary UMC... Journey to Promise: The Covenant ( Exodus 19:1-6, 16-19; 20:1-21 )   [Slide] The climax to Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind happens at Devil’s Tower, Wyoming. An immense alien spacecraft comes down from space in thick clouds, rumblings, bursts of fire, and trumpet blasts. People stand in awe as the ship hovers above the mountain. Some cowered. I love it when the one guy goes running for the porta potty to hide.   I was a teenager when I first saw the film. I was in awe just like the characters on screen. Little did I know that Spielberg was recreating God’s appearance at Mt. Sinai. [Slide]   The Hebrews were terrified by what they saw and heard. The whole experience shook them to their cores. They begged that Moses act as mediator, because they were sure if God spoke to them again, they would surely die. God’s overwhelming appearance on the mountain sent a solemn message. [Slide] This ...

 Sermon for Milledgeville and Centenary UMC... [Title Slide] Journey to Promise: Getting Organized ( Exodus 18:5-23 )   A new CEO takes his seat at the helm of a large corporation. [Slide] He finds three envelopes on his desk, numbered 1 to 3, with a note.   "Dear successor, these envelopes will help you in times of a crisis. Open them only in the order they are numbered. Good luck!”   He stores them in a safe and gets to work. The economy is sluggish. The corporation isn't doing well, and the board wants an explanation. He decides it's time for the first envelope. He rips it open and reads:   "Blame your predecessor"   At the press conference, he blames everything on the shortcomings and nearsightedness of his predecessor. Everyone is pleased and he remains CEO.   But after a while, the displeasure isn't waning Another press conference is held and he rips open the next envelope.   "Call for reorganization" ...

 Sermon for Milledgeville and Centenary UMC [Title Slide] Journey to Promise: Water From The Rock ( Exodus 17:1-7 ) Tourist spot in the Sinai Desert (Rephidim) where the miracle of water from the rock is remembered On the run from the police, a man headed into the desert. [Slide] Very soon, he runs out of water and is extremely thirsty. He sees something far off in the distance. Hoping it’s an oasis, he starts running towards it, only to find an old man selling neckties. [Slide]     'Hey you, do you have water?' pants the criminal. The old man replied, “No, but would you like to buy a tie? Only $5!” Desperate and frustrated, the criminal shouted, 'You moron! I’m thirsty!! Do I look like I need a tie? I should kill you right here!"  'There's no call for threats,' said the old man. “If you continue over that hill for about 3 miles, you'll find a restaurant with great food and all the ice cold water you can drink. Good luck!” Mutterin...