What Are We So Afraid Of?

We don't really talk about sin anymore. Even back in the early 70's, Karl Menninger made us aware of the shift happening in our culture with his book: What Ever Happened to Sin?

We deceive ourselves when we think we don't sin, but "[if] we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9, ESV).

There are three basic steps to getting back to a right relationship with God:

• EXAMINE our lives and ask God to show us our sin,
• CONFESS our sins honestly before God, and
• REPENT or turn away from our sin and walk the other, right way.

The season of Lent is about being honest with ourselves and God.

Often our fears make us vulnerable to sin. God reminds us, though, that we have nothing to fear. The only fear we need is a holy, respectful, awe-struck fear of God, even while we are humbled by His love for us.

Let's walk boldly into Lent: repenting and living out our redemption.

The Honor of Your Presence

Sometimes we feel especially close to God, say, when we hold a newborn baby or walk along the beach or during worship, but other times, God sometimes seems distant. But the truth is, is that God is omnipresent, He is always with us, even when we're slow to realize it.

When God feels distant, we need to realize that the absent party is actually us. God is the rock to which our boat is tied -- the boat might drift, but our Rock doesn't.

Like Brother Lawrence we all need to practice the presence of God. Our prayer needs to echo his: "Make me according to your heart." Our desire to be with God is what brings Him honor. 

Fellowshipping together, spurring each other on to good works, and coming together for worship and to celebrate the Lord's Supper are ways we can come to the wedding feast and honor our King.

Ever-loving Work

One of the Reformation's primary tenets was "sola fide" or "faith alone." Luther wanted to get away from a works-based road to heaven and back to what he understood to be the essential element of salvation, namely faith. 

Our scripture this morning came from James, which Luther once referred to as an "epistle of straw." After all the debates are over, however, we can affirm both "faith alone" and James' point: "It’s that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend.” Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works" (James 2: 23-24, The Message)? 

What do faithful people do? Good works. And so, the work of Christmas continues.

Snow Day

Lamb and Shepherd

When Jesus likened his listeners to sheep and Himself as their Shepherd, he was using a metaphor that was easily understood by his audience. When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming for baptism, he exclaimed, "Behold, the Lamb of God." The whole history of Israel was culminating in that moment, and the people understood the significance of the name. 

As God's sheep, He knows us by name and He guides and cares for us each step of the way. "Pastors" are called to be shepherds, just as Jesus was and is.

But, interestingly enough, we are also called to be shepherds ourselves. We are called to imitate Jesus, in our walking, our learning, and our practicing. Jesus tells Peter that the way he can prove his love for Him is to feed His lambs and take care of His sheep. 

After listening and telling our faith story, the work of Christmas is to help shepherd the flock. 

A friend of our church shared this photo of a flock of sheep. Interestingly enough they were without a shepherd and here, with this perspective from above, we can see one or two begin to go astray. The light in the sanctuary caught the reflection of our windows. There a kind of symbolism here: come find your way back in church, together with the flock, let's attend to one another's needs.

Three Life Stories, Plus One

Who knew that Oscar Wilde would have a good thought for a sermon? He once said, "Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future." All of us Christians have a faith story to tell that testifies how we move from death unto life. The proof that Jesus is real is in our stories.

Continuing last week's assignment of listening to others, this week's work of Christmas is to consider our testimony. How has Christ changed us?

Some of us can talk of drastic change like Paul or Mary Magdalene. So much of what we know about Mary is speculation, but the Bible does tell us that she was freed from a stranglehold of demons. Jesus' love was more powerful than any treatment imaginable. And then consider her life's testimony: she stayed with Jesus until the end, even when others were no where to be found. A less spectacular story, what about Andrew? He was looking for the Messiah from the beginning, and as he matured, so did his faith. He wound up taking the Gospel as far as the Ukraine until he was crucified on a cross. James, the brother of Jesus, refused to believe that Jesus was who He said He was, until a personal encounter with the Risen Christ.

What is your story?  

The Work of Christmas

This week the Church marks the Twelfth Day of Christmas, or Epiphany. Epiphanies, like so much else in life, are in the eye of the beholder.We suddenly understand something and we have to allow it to sink in.

Last week we asked ourselves how we are to live in light of Christ's coming. Our after-Christmas experience will be dull without an Epiphany; if we haven't truly worshiped the Christ Child, then our Christmas will end entirely lack-luster. 

This morning we heard Dan Forrest's marvelous setting of Howard Thurman's poem, "The Work of Christmas:" "[...] When the kings and princes are home,/When the shepherds are back with their flock,/The work of Christmas begins:/To find the lost, to heal the broken, [...] To make music in the heart." 

Experiencing Christmas is thrilling, but it's also difficult and challenging. Think about the story in Matthew 2 and how Mary and Joseph and the baby had to get up and escape to Egypt.  

Our assignment this week. our first work of Christmas, is listening. Let's listen to every person that speaks to us, really listen, and be a person who can bear all things in love and only answer if the Holy Spirit prompts us and gives us the words to say.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

This morning we were encouraged to make a conscious effort to look at the life we live in the light of Christ's coming. How is our rising and shining going? We all need to make a progress report.

If we feel unqualified or inept to spread the good news of Jesus' birth, then the shepherds give us great hope. They just returned to their regular lives, but told everyone with whom they came in contact about what they had seen. 

December 26th is traditionally the Feast of St. Stephen, which gives cause again for a self-examination, when we consider to what extent we're willing to be a witness for Christ.

December 27th is St. John's Feast Day, another heroic witness for Christ, whose Gospel on the life of Christ continues to instruct and enlighten. 

And shouldn't we highlight December 28th's remembrance of the massacre of the Holy Innocents? The loss of innocence in our culture is deplorable: abortion, abuse, trafficking, neglect... 

We are the Light-bearers, the Gospel-bearers, we need to share with others the transformation that Christmas has wrought in us. We've been changed by Jesus, not resolutions, Weight Watchers, AA, Dave Ramsey, or self-help books. 

Let's keep celebrating Christmas! 

Full Joy

We talk about Joy, but think about the dire circumstances: unwed Mary, not-the-Dad Joseph, 80 mile donkey trek, 9 months pregnant, Joseph's feeling the pressure of finding a room, but place after place refusing them, finally the misery of the manger. Joy is most definitely not happy, pleasant circumstances.

Is it a Christmas shopping list? a feast? family-togetherness?

We're reminded of the Sermon on the Mount and Christ's admonition to look past our circumstances -- not to worry about what we'll eat or drink or wear.

Joy is also not the notion that we should just buck-up, keep a stiff upper lip, as if we could dredge up some joy within ourselves.Left to ourselves, Eugene Peterson reminds us that we can't manage joy for long. 

John 15:9-12 relates Jesus' likening himself to the vine and us as branches. Without Him, we are nothing but dried up sticks. Remaining in Him, and keeping His commandments, namely through LOVING EACH OTHER, His joy will be within us and will be made complete. God is the source of Joy. Our goal is to love each other and then the joy comes.

God is Love

Beginning in the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible, God reveals His name and attributes that we might know Him. He tells Moses that He is "I Am that I Am." He is holy, powerful, our Judge. Our response should be reverence. God is also Love.

How could that name possibly be misconstrued? Can we switch it around and say Love is God? Love reigns supreme? That makes Love (or God) into just an idea or feeling. It's a slippery reversal that can end in the height of idolatry. 

But God is loving. God's essence is Love and He's the source of all Love. Read I John 4 again.

It's unfortunate that some modern translations of the Bible leave out the word, "begotten," in John 3:16. Jesus as God's only begotten Son marks their same nature, their same genes, so to speak, their same essence. 

John is writing about God's love here at the end of his life, all alone, everyone else had been martyred. Just like the peace not based on circumstances that we talked about last week, this love is far greater than some sappy feeling.

Our anthem was Aurelius Clemens Prudentius' (348-410) praise poem:

"Of the Father’s love begotten
ere the worlds began to be, 
he is Alpha and Omega — 
he the source, the ending he, 
of the things that are, that have been, 
and that future years shall see
evermore and evermore."

The Peace of Christ

During Advent we wait for, long for the Christ to come into our lives and bring His peace. This peace is not the absence of conflict, but it a deep and abiding peace that only Jesus can bring. Jesus' peace passes human understanding. It can often provide a way out of fear and anger. But we can't make peace, we can only receive it. 

The eighteenth century preacher, George Whitefield, writes: "Is God your friend? Is Christ your friend? Then, look up with comfort; all is yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. Everything shall work together for your good; the very hairs of your head are numbered; he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of God's eye. [...] For Christ's sake, if you know Christ keep close by him; if God have spoken peace, O keep that peace by looking up to Jesus Christ every moment. Such as have got peace with God, if you are under trials, fear not, all things shall work for your good; if you are under temptations, fear not, if he has spoken peace to your hearts, all these things shall be for your good."

And there's another message of Christmas, "Fear not!"...

Jacob's Transformation

Our guest proclaimer, Timothy Parker, used Genesis 28:10-22 for his text this morning and considered the hope found in Jacob's transformation. 

Just as God met Jacob there at the place he named Bethel, He desires to meet each of us; these meetings are not only possible, but also necessary.

"'When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, 'Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.' He was afraid and said, 'How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven'" (Gen. 28: 16-17, NIV)

Are we actively expecting these meetings with God? In His mercy, God meets and accepts us where we are and transforms us.

Choosing the name, Emmanuel, God With Us, God binds Himself to us. He changes who we are and what we value in a permanent way.

Truly King

The apostle John wants to portray Jesus not only as the Jewish Messiah but also the universal King. John 18:28-40a shows Jesus' encountering Pilate, who represented Roman rule in Judea, and gives this story a global background. Pilate asks Jesus to answer the accusation that he was calling himself the King of the Jews. A simple yes or no would have made the situation so much easier, but Jesus chooses another tack. He will ask the questions. What's important here is how we interpret Jesus' tone, which will speak to his intent. Jesus is not arrogant here or angry or sullen, but rather gentle in his gracious attempt to engage Pilate, much like he does with the woman at the well or Nicodemus. Pilate doesn't have the ears or heart to hear, though. Or does he? Hoping the Jews will find Jesus innocent, Pilate goes to the Jews no less than four times. 

Whether or not we recognize Jesus as the King of Kings, He is. His being King is not dependent on our declaration of that fact. Do we acknowledge Him in this role? What difference does it make?

What Must Happen

Apocalyptic passages like Mark 13:1-8 can sometimes be scary to read. Like the disciples, we want to know when are the end times coming? How will we know?

A good rule of thumb when considering any biblical passage about prophecy is to use the varying perspectives of a spy glass. 

The first application, of course, pertains to the disciples and their time. The Church was being born and God's Word was trustworthy. God's message to them and to us is not to be afraid and to trust Him.

What about our time? One thing is for sure: "We're always getting closer to the end!" 

God's goal here is not to frighten or even necessarily to warn, but rather to comfort us. As the ultimate realist, He knows what's coming and He wants us to trust in Him that no matter what, He is our sure Foundation, our Rock, and our Redeemer.

Being in the Way

Today's sermon considered God's sovereignty and John the Baptist's choice to participate in that sovereign plan. 

After John's followers told him about how people where flocking to Jesus, John knew exactly what his reaction should be: “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:22-30 NIV). 

John knew that Jesus must be lifted up. He could either be in the way or be part of the way. True to his character, he chose the latter. What's is God doing in our world? How are we responding?

In Remembrance

Today we reflected on the importance God places on remembrance. We are reminded repeatedly in Scripture that we should remember the important things. 

God also remembers all his promises and covenants: "He called to mind his covenant from long ago, the promise he extended to a thousand generations [...]" (Ps. 105:8)

Even though it's God's nature to remember, he also deliberately chooses to forget our sins against Him: "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us" (Ps. 103:11-12). 

The Hebrew word for "remember" has the weighty implication of "to treasure." As God remembers His children, he treasures each and everyone of us.   

Thoroughly Dedicated

Today marked our first Sunday in our newly renovated sanctuary! It was a day of dedicating not only our building, but also our lives in gratitude to God's faithfulness and mercy.

Who of us can fully count all of our blessings? They are simply too numerous to count. How are we supposed to be able to thank God? In Romans 12: 1-2. Paul reminds us: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." 

To paraphrase our hymn of dedication this morning, "Lord, for the Gift of Children:" for the gift of children, we came to give God praise, we brought them there before Him, as they begin their days. God loves each precious one, yet they are not our own, we give them back in faith, and trust God's grace alone.

We and so many other workers and contributors and pray-ers have worked so hard to make this day a reality. God has been our constant help along the way. "Under the shadow of His throne, we have dwelt secure" and we will continue to put our hope in Him. Our God is a mighty Fortress and our Helper. 

As we enter this special season of Thanksgiving, let us offer ourselves anew as living sacrifices, dedicated to God. 

Paul on Trial

Luke makes deliberate parallels between Paul and Jesus as he writes the narrative of Paul's trials before Felix, Festus, and Herod Agrippa. No matter what the situation he's in, Paul stays true to the Gospel and its truth. 

Agrippa fights within himself to stand firm against Paul's persuasive arguments; with a sarcasm that might betray some personal questioning, he asks:  "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” 

Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains” (Acts 26: 28-29 NIV). 

Oh, that we would all accept Paul's plea!

The Jew in All of Us

Maybe you've heard an old saying that, "People don't change, they just get more so" or something along those lines. It certainly seems like a truism for some people we know, right?

But we also know that through the work of the Holy Spirit, we can be truly transformed. This transformation doesn't occur over night, but is more like a life-long adventure. 

With its reliance on the Holy Spirit, the early church and its conflict resolution is truly a marvel. Sometimes we forget how the early church was first made of Jews, and just like any other group of Jews, some were more pharisaical than others. Recently we talked about the hurdle of opening the church to the gentile God-fearers in the story of Peter and Cornelius. And then they widened their circle to include gentiles with even no Jewish references at all in Antioch. Some insisted that these new non-Jewish converts be circumcised. Were they just being over-zealous and self-righteous? Or were they genuinely concerned about keeping their faith pure? They probably leaned more towards the latter. 

Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the church concluded that they would not add any more burdens, but require only the essence of their faith, namely believing in the crucified and risen Christ. Jesus said, "This is the work that God requires: believe in the one whom he has sent" (John 6:29 NEB). 

The Spirit's Work in Antioch

Last week we considered how Peter was just about the only one with enough authority among the Jews to preach in a convincing way that, yes, "even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life."

But it took men from Cyprus and Cyrene, Gentile converts in other words, to take the Gospel on to places like Antioch. These men were determined that even the Greeks would hear the "good news about the Lord Jesus." We read, "The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord." Eventually Barnabas and Saul also come and lend their teaching and experience.

At the conclusion of the chapter we read an interesting postscript that during a famine in the Roman world, the church at Antioch, each as he or she was able, "decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea." Ministry had come full circle, they were loving each other now.