SERMON | Psalm 100 | "Joyful Noise" by Rev. Joseph Sanford at Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin, Indiana

SERMON | Psalm 100 | "Joyful Noise" by Rev. Joseph Sanford at Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin, IndianaGod’s steadfast love endures foreverand God’s faithfulness to all generations.Steadfast refers to covenant: God’s covenant love endures foreverGod’s promise to love God’s people will NEVER ceaseGod can be trusted by anyone who calls upon God’s name and devotes themselves to God’s Reign.All generations:People hundreds of years ago belong to God just as much as we do…The Silent Generation…Baby-boomers…Generation X…Millennials…Gen Z…Gen Alpha…Gen Beta…God is faithful to us all.God’s promise will never cease.THIS IS THE GOODNESS OF GODGod will bring order, goodness, and flourishing to and through those who devote themselves to God’s Reign.We may feel like these days are difficult or heavy or dark…We may feel like things are getting worse…But friends, we have nothing to fear.Through Jesus all is already accomplished to assure God’s promise coming to fruition.THIS IS THE GOODNESS OF GODDo we believe this?Do we remember this?Look at this picture. You can almost hear their joyful screaming.Each one of them lives in different homes with different kinds of parents.Each one will get hungry…Each one will get mad about something they find to be unfair…Each one of them has bumps, bruises, and scrapes on their little bodies…But they don’t forget how to look past all of it and simply embrace joy.When we know we are loved and will have someone to journey through life with us…we can always find joy.Yes, evil still excels and gains momentum in many ways…Hatred and division continue to see their flames fanned by some on this earth…War and violence rage on and find new venues…Arrogance, ego, and narcissism are still making a lot of noise every single day…But we mustn’t lose our hope.Because God’s promise of renewal for all things is still assuredGod’s love for all of creation still endures…God’s devotion to us endures…God still reigns…God still reigns…God still reigns…Let us live our lives fully devoted to God’s way of grace, mercy, and love.Let us live our whole lives seeking out goodness, order, and flourishing.Let us live our lives to reflect the good ness of God to those who don’t know.In a world full of all sorts of noise and chaos…Let God’s people make an even louder noise of order…Let us make a joyful noise that comes from hearts fully devoted to our good God’s way with full trust that the God to whom we belong is our God…and NOTHING will stop God’s reign from having its way upon this earth.