American Church in Paris - Sermons

ACP HOME - Sermon Archives - Past ACP Sermons

"Developing Intimacy with God" by Dr. Alex Aronis 1 July 2007 Texts: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Mark 1:32-39 © 2007 Alex Aronis

I feel very grateful to the Lord and to your council for inviting me to be your interim senior pastor. And I appreciate very much the warm welcome that Tina and Marvin, Fred and Nancy, John and Sharon, the Council Members and many of you have extended to Carol and me.

When I found out that on this my first Sunday in the pulpit I would be sharing the service with the Madrigal Singers from the Philippines, I was delighted. This very talented group presented a Sunday night concert at our church in the Philippines.

When you meet Filipinos, you will be impressed with their graciousness and humility. But Filipinos can also be very direct, very frank. In 2001 we were returning to the Union Church of Manila when our son warned us not to go to the Philippines because we might be kidnapped. We were attending a conference in Baltimore on one occasion when our son called. “Dad, “ he said, “I’m serious, don’t go to the Philippines. I’m afraid you will be kidnapped.” I said, “Steve, I noticed that there is a nun in the conference from Manila. Tell you what. I’ll ask her if she thinks there is any danger of our being kidnapped.”

I went to the conference center and there she was -- Sister Rosario -- sitting by herself. I approached her and I said, “Sister, my wife and I are planning to go to the Philippines to serve a church there. But my son is concerned because he thinks there is danger of our being kidnapped. Tell me is there any danger?” She said, “Oh yes. There is definitely danger. They kidnap movie stars, and good-looking men. Then she paused and looked me full in the face and said, “You have nothing to worry about.”

You are probably wondering what my hopes and expectations are for this congregation. How are we going to develop a deeper sense of unity? Greater love and appreciation for one another? A more mature faith? Deeper intimacy with our Lord? How are we going to fulfill the great vision the church has for itself?

Here is my plan: I will be emphasizing three prepositions during this coming year: WITH, LIKE, and FOR. As Christians, we must be WITH CHRIST, we must become LIKE CHRIST. We must give ourselves in service FOR CHRIST.

There is a natural progression in these three prepositions. First is entering into a personal relationship with Jesus. We do this by inviting him into our lives to be our Savior and our Lord-- and then we deepen that personal relationship, nurturing it, strengthening it in a variety of ways-- but primarily through meditation on the Scriptures and prayer.

Next, there is growth in becoming like Christ. Like him in character, in attitudes, in our behavior, in our love for God and for people.

Then, there is service offered for Christ. Serving him at home, in our occupations, our communities, here in church. We serve out of love FOR CHRIST.

The three steps are obviously inter-related. However, what I would like to stress this morning, is that communion with Christ takes precedence, it is the most important of the three prepositions-- it is the foundation for the other two. The apostles began, and we ourselves must begin, by being with Christ: We are told in Mark that Jesus “appointed twelve . . . that they might be with Him . . . .” (italics added) (Mark 3:14).

With Christ

Jesus, himself set the example for us. He gave top priority to being WITH the Father. Our text tells us that Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mk 1:35

The previous day had been filled with service for others. In the evening, people brought all the sick and demonized to Jesus. We’re told that the whole town gathered at the door of the home in which he was staying. Desperate people pleaded for his help.

Many of you face demanding pressures every day. —Fighting traffic , —handling responsibilities at work, —looking after the children--taking them here and there, —paying bills , —fulfilling social obligations, --serving the church in a variety of ways. You drop in bed exhausted, wondering how you can keep up with all of the pressure. How do you do it?

Here’s how Jesus did it. He got up a great while before day; and went to a solitary place where he could not be easily found or disturbed; and there in quietness and in solitude, Jesus communed with his Father, got in touch with his power source, got direction for the new day, nurtured his spirit on the sweet fellowship that alone could sustain him. Jesus gave priority to being WITH God-- His Father.

Bill Hybels, Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago, has co-authored a very helpful book called “Leadership by the Book.” In it he gives advice to a young business executive who was once a dedicated Christian, but who had fallen away and is now was trying to run his business and his life as a CHRISTIAN. Toward the end of the book, Hybels says, “The best advice I can give you-- and the biggest challenge for us all --- keep our eyes on Jesus and spend time with him daily for direction and help.”

That’s great advice! Keeping your eyes on Jesus, --spending time WITH Christ daily-- an absolute requisite for Christian growth.

In his autobiography, “Just as I Am,” Billy Graham was asked If he had to do it all over again, what would he do differently? He said he would “spend more time in prayer and meditating on the truth of the Bible, and getting closer to God.” Had he done that, he believes that his service for Christ would have been more powerful, more effective.

A lot of people wonder how they can grow in their faith. You and I must learn “to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2) Don’t get distracted by the wind and the waves--the storm all around you. Keep your eyes on Jesus and you won’t sink.

Like Christ

Here is what happens when we commune regularly with Christ in prayer— the Holy Spirit transforms us inwardly so that we increasingly become like Christ in character, motivation, values, goals, in behavior. Paul describes this process in 2 Corinthians 3:18: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another . . . .” (RSV)

What are we “beholding” (RSV)? -- His humility, patience, purity of heart, obedience to God, compassion, kindness --- And what happens when we do this? This important verse tells us that we are “changed” (RSV) or “transformed” (NIV) into his likeness. This is how we are transformed. The Holy Spirit changes us as we admire, appreciation, adore Jesus. That’s what this verse tells us.

John Stott, the British theologian and author, commenting on this verse says that what happens is a “steady, ongoing, unceasing process of becoming more like him.” Of course, there is always plenty of room for growth. The Christian life is a progressive development, ---a metamorphosis into Christ’s image.

I would like to convince you of this, --that personal transformation takes place by noticing in increasing depths how wonderful Jesus is. (2 Cor 3:18) The fastest way to compassion is to delight (notice, savor, really delight!) in Christ’s compassion.

For Christ

What happens as we become more LIKE Christ? The more we become “like” him, the more we will want to offer ourselves in service FOR Christ.

The Bible says, “He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Cor. 5:14-15 (NIV)

The problem is that many churches overemphasize service for Christ. Pastors are frequently desperate for volunteers. When someone new comes to church, the emphasis is not on teaching this person to be with Christ or how he or she can become like Christ, but to engage him or her in service for Christ. We eagerly put them to work-- serving as an usher, or as a member of a committee, or in the choir, or as a Sunday school teacher or helper.

These are all good things, but if they are not balanced by the WITH and LIKE, people burn out. Their fire dims-- They’re in the front door, and before you know it, they disappear out the back door.

A widely known author, pastor, and radio-Bible-teacher Charles Swindoll took a sabbatical to look at what was going on in the church. In his journal he recorded his appraisal. He said that as he talked to many pastors and lay people, he became concerned over the business of so many in the churches. Their heavy involvement left them feeling weary, resentful, and empty. One clergyman whispered to him, “I’m operating on fumes. I am lonely, hollow, shallow, enslaved to a schedule that never lets up.” As Swindoll embraced him, the man wept with deep, heaving sobs.

This led to more serious thinking and reading and praying until Pastor Swindoll arrived at the heart of what seemed to him to be the core issue. He expressed it this way: “A lack of intimacy. Pure and simple. That best defines the problem. An absence of intimacy with the Almighty. Involvements, yes, but not intimacy. Activities and programs aplenty, but not intimacy” (Italics added).

Could that be an accurate assessment of your spiritual experience?

How do we develop intimacy with God? By spending time WITH CHRIST, -- especially in worship, in receiving the Lord's Supper, in meditating on Scripture, -- learning how to do that, and committing ourselves to actually taking the time to do it. Intimacy will lead us to growth in Christ-likeness. And the more we become LIKE Christ, the more we will want to give ourselves in service FOR CHRIST “With Christ!” “Like Christ!” “For Christ!”

Nine months ago, my wife and I bought airline tickets for a ten-day vacation in Paris and London. We came to this church on Sunday morning, February 25th. The main floor was packed so we made our way up to the balcony. As I looked around I noticed people from many nations--Africans, Asians, Europeans, Americans and I thought to myself--“Wow, it would be such a privilege to have the opportunity to address a congregation like this!”

Just then my wife, Carol, nudged me and pointed to a notice in the bulletin. She had a surprised look on her face. The bulletin said that this was the next to last Sunday for the Senior Pastor, Barry Dawson. I immediately wondered: “IS THIS A COINCIDENCE?”

On our way out, we introduced ourselves to Barry. He greeted us warmly and said that he had worshipped in the church I pastored in the Philippines, the Union Church of Manila. He said he knew of my ministry. Again, I wondered: “IS THIS A COINCIDENCE?” I asked, “Have you found an interim pastor yet?” He said, “No, not yet.” So I casually said, “Keep me in mind.”

As we left the sanctuary and went to the coffee hour, a gentleman tapped me on the shoulder and said, “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation with the pastor. My wife and I also served in the Philippines. I was on the Board at Brent School in Baguio.” “Oh, we know a number of people who are part of Brent schools,” I said. “The current Chairman of the Board is an elder at out church.” We talked for a few minutes and he asked, “Were you serious about the Interim senior pastor position?” I said “Well, --sure.” He said, “I am a member of the AFCU Board for this church. Do you have a calling card?” And I said, “Yes. Here’s one.” And I wondered, “IS THIS A COINCIDENCE?”

One thing led to another-- and --- here I am. So, --what can one say about a set of circumstances like that? Is it all coincidental? Or, --is this one of those God things? Did God work this out? Is this somehow a divine appointment?

Do you know how you evaluate whether something is just circumstantial or whether it is truly of God? We can discern that God’s hand has been at work if there are good results. If good consequences flow from my ministry here --than we can say that it was of God.

I will be hoping and praying and working that there will be good fruit from my ministry in this church. What a great vision this church has -- a beacon on the Seine, a multinational, interdenominational “Taste of Heaven.” A “Church of All-Nations.” But this vision needs to be under-girded with men and women and young people who love to spend time WITH CHRIST. This vision needs to be under-girded with men and women and young people who are growing more and more LIKE CHRIST. This vision needs to be under-girded with men and women and young people who are eager to give themselves in service FOR CHRIST. --- May it be so! --- I hope that you will choose to make it so. AMEN!!