Jeffrey C. Long

The following sermon was preached on August 6th, 2006 at Filer Mennonite Church in Filer Idaho. These are the notes that I preached from.
Illustration: Age. Youth. Wisdom. I am not the same person I was in my 20′s. I can remember who I was, but I don’t recognize him. Some good things have been lost. Other weaknesses have been strengthened making me a better man.
One of the things that I spent an enormous amount of time on in my 20′s was what became my 8 core convictions. My imagination had been captured by Stephen Covey’s emphasis on principles of living. Principles. Overarching ideas that influence the way we think and act. Principles are different from rules.
Let me give an example of what a rule and a principle is: You could legalistically say that you will not use violence. You could make it a rule for membership: “no one in this church is allowed to use physical violence.” But that is different then saying “i’m going to love my enemy.” One is a rule. The other is a principle.
So, these core convictions were not just about orthodoxy, which means “correct beliefs” but also, “orthopraxy,” Correct action. How we should live. We believe with all protestant churches that we are Saved by faith, not by works. But as Mennonites we believe that it is not a faith without works.
What are the principles of our faith that produce works consistent with the fruit of the spirit.
And then do you know what happened with time? I forgot them. They are still embedded in me… I live my life according to some of them. But others have slipped by the wayside which is what happens to us over time. We get distracted by the duties of our life and gradually our principles of living begin to slip.
An illustration that has been meaningful to me for reclaiming important habits from the past is redigging the wells. Genesis 26:15-18 tell the story of Isaac redigging the wells his father Abraham had dug but which the Philistines had filled up. If he didn’t, refreshing water wouldn’t flow. So it becomes important for us to redig the wells from which living water flows that have been filled in by neglect or the enemy.
So. I’ve decided to take a sabbatical from Luke and redig the wells for us with a sermon series called “Back to basics: The principles of our faith.” We’re going to start with a two part series on God. This week dealing with knowing God and next week with the sovereignty and providence of God.
Turn to Psalm 99.
1 The LORD is king!
 Let the nations tremble!
 He sits on his throne between the cherubim.
 Let the whole earth quake!
2 The LORD sits in majesty in Jerusalem,[a]
 supreme above all the nations.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name.
 Your name is holy!
4 Mighty king, lover of justice,
 you have established fairness.
 You have acted with justice
 and righteousness throughout Israel.[b]
5 Exalt The LORD our God!
 Bow low before his feet, for he is holy!
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests;
 Samuel also called on his name.
 They cried to The LORD for help,
 and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud,
 and they followed the decrees and principles he gave them.
8 O The LORD our God, you answered them.
 You were a forgiving God,
 but you punished them when they went wrong.
9 Exalt The LORD our God
 and worship at his holy mountain in Jerusalem,
 for the LORD our God is holy!
Prayer:
Lord I pray that you would give us spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that we might grow in your knowledge. I pray that our hearts will be flooded with light so that we can understand the wonderful future you have promised to those you have called. I pray that we would realize what a rich and glorious inheritance you have given to your people. And I pray that we will begin to understand the incredible greatness of your power for us who believe in you. Amen.
(Ephesians 1:16-19)