Restoring instead of buying new

I'm pretty excited for a new sermon series that I am starting this Sunday (4/15).  There are some topics that I have wanted to preach on for quite a while but I haven't been able to squeeze them into my schedule.

So the series is 6 weeks and I'm calling it "Restoring instead of buying new."  The idea is that new things are always more exciting than old things.  They are shiny, smell good, and still have everything in working order.  However, there is something to be said for restoring something to original quality.  Anyone can go out and buy a new car, motorcycle, or whatever, but it takes special skill to get something that has been buried under years or even decades of weather, dirt, and debris and go through the work that it takes to bring back the majesty that it once had.  For instance, (gas mileage aside) a 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback will always be better than the latest Mustang, always.

There are many things in the Christian faith that are better restored than they are bought new.  There are trends and flashiness in Christianity too.  No matter how entertaining or interesting a new book, new sermon, new idea, or new song are - they are nothing compared to the classics restored.  (Think 2,000 years ago, not 1976.)

This first weekend I will be preaching on the journey of God's word from the mouth of God to the NY Times list.

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