Cinnamon Buns, Chicken Necks and Hippies

Pastor Mike has a since of humor as you can see from the sermon title.
Scripture: Luke 9:23-26
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or he cast away?
26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son on man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

Have you ever had whop rolls? you know you whop the package on the counter, then put the rolls in the pan and walla, cinnamon rolls. Pastor Mike's granddaughter likes the whop rolls! You know how the center roll is soft and has lots of icing. Do you ever find yourself wanting the best one for yourself???

Chicken Necks - Pastor mike tells about his wife growing up in a big family and thinking that the chicken neck was the most special piece of chicken. Her mother always called the chicken neck, pastor's wife was in her mid teens before she realized the sacrifice of her mother, wanting to be sure all her children got a good piece of chicken!

Hippies - Can we turn those hippies to cowboys??? Not the purpose at all - In the Mid 60s Chuck Smith of the Calvary Baptist Church in LA developed a big following of hippies --actually called the Jesus Movement. History shows that every 40 to 60 years there is a time of revival and spiritual awakening. That church began a very important movement. The hippies seemed to be attracted to Chuck Smith's church. Elders and others began complaining that their beads, clothes, buckles, etc were scratching the church pews and that the pastor needed to do something. At the next service he told the congregation - I have pondered the problem, and have a solution to our scratched pews - we will just remove them. The kids are more important than any pew. He did remove the pews and the kids brought in bean bag chairs. His ministry grew and he baptized as many as 300 in one day. Think what an influence those young Christians had on the world around them.

Who are you in these examples, the self centered person thinking only of one's self, the sacrificing mother only think of her children, the pastor sharing Gods plan for salvation!

Today every other person you met is lost. Can you answer the call of sharing the hope of Christ with every person in Texas? What is Texas Hope 2010? Sharing the hope of Christ with every person in Texas within their own language and context by Resurrection Sunday 2010. Pastor Mike challenged us to Pray at noon every day for Texas.

PRAY: "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on Texas!" I am accepted that challenge and will begin the month long program today.

Next Sunday is the grand opening of the Cowboy Church of Dallas County, I look forward to the weeks and month ahead for this new church.