27

Jump Start # 4144

Posted on August 27, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4144

 

John 14:2 In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.

 

We are looking at the final 10 sermons I preached at Charlestown Road

 

# 2 The Tapestry of Heaven

 

One of the joys of moving, whether to a college dorm room, an apartment or a house, is decorating it to your tastes. You put you into the place. Maybe different paint on the walls. Your favorite pictures are hung. Your collectables on the shelves. The place becomes “you.”

 

God has a house. It’s Heaven. Now, like God, Heaven is spiritual. There is not a paint color you can put on your walls that is just like what you’d find in Heaven. One can’t buy a replica chair like the ones in Heaven. Heaven is spiritual. But, wouldn’t it be nice to have a piece of Heaven here? For some, Heaven seems too good to be true. Some wonder if there really is a Heaven. If we could have something tangible, something we could see with our eyes to assure us, wouldn’t that be amazing. Part of this is understanding faith. Faith believes when our eyes cannot see. But, there is a piece of Heaven that the Lord has given to us. I call it the “Tapestry of Heaven.”

 

In the letter to the Colossians, Paul shows that you and I, God’s people, different strands of thread,  are all woven together beautifully by the Lord, to make Heaven’s tapestry. This is what people see.

 

First, we are woven together in love (Col 2:2). Together we are stronger than we are by ourselves. It’s not an organization that we are a part of, but instead, the body of Christ. We all belong. You cannot pull out one thread without messing up the tapestry. What draws us together is not the church building or the programs, but the Lord. We have different roles, different functions, different responsibilities, but together we blend together to honor the Lord.

 

Love doesn’t throw away…love restores. Love doesn’t remember…love forgives. Love doesn’t keep score…love lets go. Love unites. Love accepts. Love helps. One of the greatest pieces of Heaven is that each of us are accepted, wanted, needed, included and loved by Heaven and each other.

 

Second, Every strand is wrapped around Christ. Focused upon the Lord, we are not confused, deluded or deceived. In Christ we have been made complete, removed from the world, baptized, raised and made alive.

 

Third, together we show the world Heaven. What a beautiful picture we make. Thankful. Kind. Gentle. Godly. Righteous. Helpful. No room for selfishness. No place for the rude and offensive. No space for misery, complaining or unrighteousness.

 

We become the only Heaven that some will ever see. Close to us is as close as some will ever get to Heaven. Through us they will make conclusions and judgments about Jesus, the church, and our faith. Their conclusions may not be accurate, but the picture we present to them is what they will see.

 

If we could only pull something from God’s house and have it here, what a difference that would make. We have something. It’s God’s people.

 

The tapestry of Heaven.

 

Roger

 

 

26

Jump Start # 4143

Posted on August 26, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4143

 

Acts 20:27 “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.”

 

We are looking at the final 10 sermons I preached at Charlestown Road.

 

# 3 Staying the Course

 

Douglass Corrigan was a young and ambitious pilot who wanted to fly across the county in 1938. Taking off from New York on a foggy July morning, instead of flying west to California, which was his destination, he flew east. Heavy clouds and a faulty compass, Corrigan spotted a airfield twenty hours later. Instead of landing in California, he landed in Ireland. “Wrong way Corrigan,” became an expression of someone who had the best intentions but went the wrong way.

 

In Acts 20, Paul meets with the shepherds from Ephesus one last time. The apostle is headed to Jerusalem. He’s been warned by God that afflictions await him. Each stop on this journey, brethren beg him not to go. Paul is determined. Nothing will change his mind.

 

As Paul meets with the Ephesian elders, much tears are shed. They realize that they will never see each other on this side of life. Paul expresses four major concerns and principles with these leaders.

 

First, Stay on God’s Foundation. He had preached the whole counsel of God’s word. He was not rediscovering, reinventing, redefining or reshaping Christianity. We are not the masters of God’s word. We are not editors of God’s word. We are not owner’s of God’s word. We have been given the task of being stewards who carefully entrust the message to others. Preach Heaven, but also preach hell. Preach love, but also preach judgment. Preach grace, but also preach discipleship. It’s the whole counsel of God’s word. Not just our favorite parts. Not just the stuff that people like. Not the topics that will make us preachers famous and loved.

 

Second, Stay alert to today’s challenges. There are external and internal challenges that constantly must be faced. Among the Ephesians would arise wolves who would try to tear up the church. The warning was to be alert and be on guard. Leaders can’t stick their heads in the sand. They can’t be clueless to what is going on. As an ancient watchman on the walls around the city, the leaders are scanning the horizon to see if danger is approaching. They were to sound the trumpet when trouble was near.

 

Paul did not invite the entire Ephesian church to this meeting. It was just the elders. It was the elders that Paul believed could handle these challenges. Gifted. Experienced. Knowledgeable. These shepherds could keep the church on the right course.

 

Third, Stay faithful through coming changes. A big change was about to take place. They would not have Paul around any more. Off to Jerusalem and then to Rome and then to the Lord, was the destination of Paul. Life is always changing. Living things change. Dead things remain the same. Little trees grow into mighty trees. Kittens grow into cats. And, we change. Our congregations change. New faces in and old faces out. The demographics change. The needs change. Preachers come and go. Baptisms. Weddings. Births. Funerals.

 

Paul wasn’t going to be there, but God was. They would no longer have Paul, but they would always have the Lord. Stay faithful through the changes.

 

Fourth, Stay focused until the course is finished. Don’t stop early. Don’t quit until the job is finished. Paul finished the course. Remain steadfast when pressures come. Remain immovable when culture shifts. Continue to abound when the work becomes difficult. It’s easy to start. It takes faith and commitment to stay with something to the end. Starting a book is easy. Do you finish it? Starting college is easy. Staying with it until you graduate is hard. Starting the journey with the Lord is one thing. Many have done that. But, staying with the Lord through the storms, the troubles, the loneliness and when others drop out, that’s something else.

 

Wrong way Corrigan thought he was headed to sunny California. He ended up in rainy Ireland. He was a long way from where he intended to be. How about you?

 

Roger

 

25

Jump Start # 4142

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4142

 

1 Thessalonians 4:1 “Finally then, brothers and sisters, we request and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel even more.”

 

We are looking at the final 10 sermons I preached at Charlestown Road.

 

# 4 Cultivating a Culture of Excellence

 

Before the first hymn is sung. Before the preacher steps up to the pulpit. What do people feel when they walk into the church building? Many don’t think about it. Developing a culture of excellence reminds us why we gather and what is most important.

 

Imagine being one of the four Levites who carried the ark of the covenant. What a special role that would be. Or, the father of John the Baptist, going into the temple to serve. Do you think he had someone reminding him that he was scheduled that week? There were so many priests that he may had one opportunity in his lifetime to serve as he did.

 

By culture we mean attitude, atmosphere, vibe, feel or a spirit of doing things. Every organization, every team, every school, every home, every church has a culture. Some places may feel like sitting in the BMV waiting your turn. No one talks to anyone and no one really wants to be there. Culture is developed by leaders but must be embraced by everyone to be effective. Some cultures are not healthy nor right. A culture can change.

 

By excellence we mean bringing your best to the Lord. Passages like Philemon 21; 1 Thes 4:1 are examples of this. In Malachi’s day, the spirit of excellence was lost. The people were content in giving God what no one else wanted, the crippled and diseased animals. The problem wasn’t just the animals, it was the spirit of the people who thought God wouldn’t care. Giving God the left-overs.

 

God deserves the best because He is the best. God deserves the best because He always gives the best. We bring excellence when we do the best that we can. That carries over to mowing the church yard, cleaning the building, leading singing, teaching a class and preaching. You may not be the best that there is out there, but you are certainly doing the very best that you can.

 

The spirit of excellence begins in our hearts and our homes before it carries over to our worship. Being the best dad that you can be. Being the best teenager that you can be. You do this for the glory and honor of the Lord.

 

  By cultivating we mean seeking the best in all that is done. Culture is shaped by repeated expressions that are believed, practiced and communicated. It’s more than catchy slogans and mottos. This becomes who we are. Believing that Sunday is the best day of the week will change how people view worship. Once that becomes the culture, you’ll find folks arriving early for worship and sticking around long after it’s over. They want to be there and they want to be around one another. Other expressions such as: face the direction you are headed, leave the place better than you found it, live life the way it was meant to be each has a way of changing our thinking.

 

A better culture. Song leaders who have the songs picked out and practiced by midweek. They are already thinking of Sunday. The man giving the Lord’s Supper discussion has put on paper weeks ahead what he wants to say. He’s been thinking about that. Bringing the best. Guests will notice that. Members will notice that. God will notice that. It becomes catchy. Others will want to do their best and one by one, the culture is changed.

 

To keep a culture of excellence requires both forethought and effort. It won’t just happen. You have to work and work at it. The four common enemies to excellence are: comfort (we’ve always done things this way); complacency (it’s good enough); carelessness (it doesn’t matter); consumerism (what am I getting out of this?).

 

But when a congregation develops a culture of excellence, servants grow in number. Men become leaders. Young families become pillars. People begin looking for ways to serve instead of reasons not to.

 

Long after the sermon is over, the lights have been turned out and people have gone home, the vibe, the culture, the warmth, the love is what people will remember.

 

Don’t settle for substandard service. Cultivate a culture of excellence.

 

Roger

 

24

Jump Start # 4141

Posted on August 24, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Leave a comment

Jump Start #4141

 

Psalm 124:1-2 “Had it not been the Lord who was on our side,” Let Israel say, “Had it not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us”

 

We are looking at the final sermons I preached at Charlestown Road.

 

# 5 Every Mile with the Master

 

In this Psalm, as the chapter opens, David talks to the nation. As the chapter ends, David talks to the Lord. There is something big that David wants the nation to remember. Twice in the opening words David repeats, “Had it not been for the Lord.” This is something David knew personally. Had it not been for the Lord, the lion would have devoured him, the giant would have crushed him and Saul would have killed him. Had it not been for the Lord.

 

But this Psalm isn’t David’s personal story. It’s the story of Israel. Had it not been for the Lord the Egyptians would have killed Moses and Israel. Later, had it not been for the Lord, Haman and the Persians would have exterminated the Jews. Had it not been for the Lord, Jonah would have been lunch for the giant fish that swallowed him. Had it not been for the Lord, prison doors would not have swung open for Peter.

 

Had it not been for the Lord: five windows which we see things. Like walking around in a house, each window gives you a different view.

 

Window one: Looking back: we realize what God has brought us through and how far we have come. God has never hidden His people from scary moments. The pressures were intense. The stress was unbelievable. The temptations were strong. And, yet today, here we stand. The storm passed. At the time you couldn’t see God working. All you could see was the darkness and the pain. Yet, years later you realize that prayers were answered, doors were opened and the Lord put people in our lives to help us. Had it not been for the Lord we likely would not be here today.

 

Window two: Looking upward: recognize that it is the Lord who deserves the credit. David in this Psalm never gives a shout out to his commanders, his army, their strength or even himself. It was the Lord. Had it not been for the Lord, Israel would have sunk. Every baptism, every faithful shepherd, every diligent teacher, every restored marriage points directly upward to the hand of God. Thankful. Grateful. Clinging to His side, blessed be the Lord.

 

 Window three: Looing inward: God still delivers. There are more giants to be defeated. There are more enemies in the land. There are more challenges awaiting us. We may face things that we never have before. Covid was like that. There was nothing to fall back on to see as a templet as to what to do. Kids off to college. Getting married. Empty nesters. Driving for the first time. Dealing with aging parents. Every turn in the road presents new and unique challenges. How do we navigate those? It is the faith that reminds us that the Lord continues to help, guide and be with His people. Had it not been for the Lord.

 

Window four: Looking ahead: leaving the next generation with confidence. Every generation wonders, “Will the church survive?” Every generation has had its worries and challenges. Yet, the church has outlived kings, empires, depressions, wars, pandemics, persecution and cultural change. It survives not because of us, but because it belongs to the Lrod.

 

Window five: Looking around: the Lord has brought us together. Had it not been for the Lord, most of us would not know each other. Many would not be married to who they are married to. Deep friendships would not have been formed. Powerful and amazing fellowship that is demonstrated by love, acceptance and support would not be experienced, had it not been for the Lord.

 

Author Alex Haley, who authored Roots, had a picture on his office wall of a turtle sitting on the top of a fence post. It was a reminder that the turtle did not get up there on its own. It had help. And, this passage reminds us that we would not be where we are “Had it not been for the Lord.”

 

Had it not been for the Lord…

 

Roger

 

21

Jump Start # 4140

Posted on August 21, 2026 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 4140

 

Philippians 4:22 “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.”

 

We continue our countdown series, looking at the final ten sermons I preached at Charlestown Road.

 

# 6 Bloom where you are planted

 

In the Lord’s parable of the sower, some of the seed was eaten by birds (Mt 13:4). Sometimes birds drop the seed. Other times the wind blows the seed. And that tiny seed ends up in the most unusual places. Given enough soil and sunlight, that little seed blooms. It blooms where it was planted. Throughout the hilly Ohio Valley, one sees trees growing out of rocky ledges along the highway. No one purposely planted a tree there. It happened that a seed landed there and it bloomed where it was planted.

 

Spiritually there is a valuable lesson in learning to “Bloom where you are Planted.” Life doesn’t always turn out like we had planned. Our Plan A is often not God’s Plan A for us. And, when things are not the way we intended, some become bitter, miserable and spend their life living “what might have been,” rather than blooming where they are planted.

 

The seed never gets to choose where it lands. Its choice is whether it will grow.

 

Joseph didn’t plan to be sold into slavery. Moses didn’t plan to spend forty years of his life in Midian. David didn’t plan to hide in a cave.

 

Our verse today mentions the “household of Caesar.” Within the palace of the most powerful man on earth was New Testament disciples. Was this servants? Was this some of the immediate family? Was it distant relatives? Somehow the seed of God’s word got into that palace and it Bloomed where it was planted.

 

There are some wonderful lessons for us to learn from this:

 

First, there are always things that you can do. We often look at what we cannot do. We are quick with that list. “Well, I can’t preach,” someone declares proudly. Maybe not. But you can encourage that preacher. You can support that preacher. You can bring friends to come hear that preacher.

 

For Paul, while in a Roman prison, he was limited. There were things he could not do. He wasn’t free to travel as he once had. He didn’t have a congregation to preach to. Yet, he found ways to bloom where he was planted.

 

Second, you are here for a  reason. God has made you the way you are and put you in this generation for a specific reason (Acts 17:26). God doesn’t make mistakes about time, gender or talents. So, why this family? Why this congregation? Why this stage of life? Why this health challenge? We so often are looking for answers, when God is looking for faithfulness and productivity.

 

When young David brought lunch for his brothers on the front lines of battle, he never realized by the end of the day he would have killed a giant. David was ready for opportunities. Had he left his sling shot at home, the story would have been different. David was ready. The opportunity to serve, light shine, help others may come very suddenly and unexpectedly for you. It is those who see the opportunity and are ready that make a difference. David bloomed where he was planted.

 

Third, God is counting on you. If not you, then who? Esther found herself in a position to make a difference. It was challenging. She bloomed where she was planted. Many of the greatest Christians never preached a sermon, led a congregation or stood before a crowd. Yet, they became the backbone of a congregation. They prayed. They encouraged. They visited. They invited. They welcomed. They gave a cup of cold water and Heaven noticed (Mt 10:42).

 

Send your roots deep into Christ. Reach upward toward Heaven. Bear fruit where you are. Bloom where you are planted. Make a difference in your family. Make a difference at school or on the job. Make a difference in the congregation.

 

Bloom where you are planted.

 

Roger