Weekly Sermon

INTRODUCTION NEW YORK, NY (February 24, 2006) — Nearly 11.5 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed in the United States in 2005, according to statistics released today by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Compared to 2004, surgical procedures increased 1% to 2.1 million, while nonsurgical procedures declined 4% to 9.3 million. The Aesthetic Society which has been collecting multi-specialty procedural statistics since 1997 says the overall number of cosmetic procedures has increased 444% since the collection of the statistics first began. The most frequently performed procedure was Botox injections and the most popular surgical procedure was liposuction.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) is announcing the results of its 2006 Consumer Perception Survey.

The survey was conducted on behalf of the Academy to gauge current consumer perceptions as it relates to celebrity

"must-have" features. The survey showed that cosmetic surgery is something that only 6% of the adult population has done,

but that almost 20% of the population aspires to do at some point in their lifetime. Additional highlights of the results report include:

- An overwhelming five out of six consumers believe that personal appearance is key to professional success.

- When asked how open they would be about a cosmetic surgery procedure, 33% of consumers said they would tell only those

who asked, while 18% said they would tell only close friends and family.

- The two most wanted celebrity features, according to the survey, are Jennifer Aniston's eyes for women (46%) and Nick

Lachey's abs for men (51%).

- If there was disposable income to be had, 46% of consumers say they would forego an expensive vacation or luxury car to pay for

cosmetic surgery.

- About 12% of the men surveyed believe they will have cosmetic surgery at some point in the future.

- Only 18% of consumers cited fear of pain as a reason for foregoing cosmetic surgery. Instead, the cost is what would discourage

54% of those surveyed from having a procedure.

By 2010, cosmetic plastic surgery is expected to be an $11 billion dollar industry in the USA

Stories of cosmetic surgery- people wanting to look like someone else, usually a famous celebrity- lips like Angelina Jolie…

- describe success stories of Saddleback, Willow Creek, Allison, Hillside, Moncton Wesleyan

- there are things we can learn from those who do things well, and are experiencing success

- the temptation with these stories is to try to be smaller replicas of those churches

- We can’t be someone else; programs, personnel, styles, etc. all reflect who we are now, and who we seek to become. Emphasis on seeking

DISCOVERING OUR CHURCH DNA Luke 14:27-28- And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me. But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is

- part of this means understanding what everyone ‘brings to the table’- we can’t give what we don’t have- Romans 12:6-8- God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for

- understanding our setting- Galatians 2:7-10- They saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the Good News to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. For the same God who worked through Peter for the benefit of the Jews worked through me for the benefit of the Gentiles. In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. The only thing they suggested was that we remember to help the poor, and I have certainly been eager to do that.

- understanding the times in which we live- When David was in hiding from King Saul, and was putting together an army of faithful followers, there is an interesting description of a group that allied themselves with him: 1 Chron 12:32- From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the temper of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.

- Isaiah 43:18-19- Forget what happened long ago! Don’t think about the past. I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, streams in thirsty lands. (CEV)

It does not mean that in the end, some things will not be the same as before, or in other places.

- we will still base what we do on the Word of God and the movement of God’s Spirit.

- seek to reach out and empower younger generations, as well as encourage and enlist older ones. Ecclesiastes 1:9-10- History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. What can you point to that is new?

What will be different and change- perhaps fairly regularly- will be the ‘how’ we do these things.