God has been faithful to His church and to His people for 100 years through

Ebenezer. But my friends, a past with no future is nothing more than history.

A tale of two stories; a tale of two names (Ebenezer and Ichabod). Separated by just
three chapters in the biblical text; but worlds apart in meaning. One speaks of hope,
deliverance and help. The other of sadness, ____ and despair (or darkness and
deathI like these words better).
The only thing that separates the two is the presence of God Himself.
So it is with Ebenezer its past and its future. One is full of tradition, ____ and
faithfulness. The other is yet to be seen. But the only thing that will make an eternal
difference in Ebenezers past and future, is the presence of God.

A past with no future is nothing more than

A past with no future is nothing more than
A past with no future isdark, forgotten and hopeless.

Tonight we celebrate 100 years of Gods faithfulness to and through Ebenezer. And
rightfully so. But if there is no future, if there is no vision, then this celebration
might as well be a closing ceremony where we locked the doors of the church and
never enter them again.
But what if the next 100 years, should our Lord tarry, what if the next 100 years
were more glorious, and more rich, and more powerful than the first. What if the
second century of Ebenezers existence was marked by the power of the Holy Spirit
expressed through the outpouring of unhuman love upon the world through its
members? Now wouldnt that be something to celebrate? Wouldnt that be
something to sing about? Wouldnt that be something live forand even die for?
So may we look behind us at 100 years of Gods goodness and faithfulness. And
may we look forward to the days ahead and ask God to move in a mighty way that
all may know that the glory has not departed from this place. That the Lord God
Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, still reigns and still moves and that this
church stands as a memorial that thus far the Lord has helped us. And may He
never stop. May He set Ebenezer like a city set on a hil, shining like the stars in the
heavens, that all may see the glory of the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ is in this
place!
Lets pray.

thus far the Lord has helped us, thus far the Lord haw helped Ebenezer. And may
He continue to do so until our Lord returns. Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!

Even in the name of Ebenezer itself, meaning thus far the Lord has helped us, even
in the name itself there is a plain indication of the need for the Lord to continue to
help us. The Lord has helped Ebenezer for 100 years, but if He should fail to help
now, Ebenzer will be nothing more than concrete and brick with no spirit, no life
inside. But if the Lord should enable, and from this day forward provide His divine
help and support, then the best days and years of Ebenezers life have are still
ahead.
But a past of rich tradition with an exciting future ahead is a glorious