Archive for the ‘Pastor's Corner’ Category
Pastor’s Corner
Every year that Christmas comes I am more and more excited about the story of the GIFT we ALL get to unwrap at Christmas time. That special gift is JESUS! I seem to be more excited about it each year and more than the year before. Let me share the story that brings me joy so that you may enjoy it with me.
Well, the time has finally arrived. Our days of WATCHING and WAITING and PREPARING during this ADVENT SEASON are finally over, and tonight the CELEBRATION BEGINS. Set the details of the HUSSLE AND BUSSLE aside tonight and REJOICE, as we gather to consider the event that changed the course of human history forever. It’s Christmas! And my prayer tonight is that Jesus will be born in us,–and LIVE IN US, and be OUR REASON for LIVING, and loving and caring and giving every day of our lives.
Now,– having said that, I know that this is also a night of SURPRISES. In fact, I think that’s a word that best describes CHRISTMAS– in this modern day. Packages under the tree or under the bed hold surprises that wait to be unwrapped. Family or friends will travel great distances and show up at our homes unexpectedly. “Surprise!” they will say when we open the door. One WOMEN approached the clerk at WALMART and asked for a large bottle of PERFUME for her DAUGHTER. “IS IT A SURPRISE?” the clerk asked.
“Yes” the woman said, “she’s expecting An IPAD!”
Christmas is all about SURPRISES. When the ANGEL GABRIEL told MARY that she would CONCEIVE and bear a SON, and HE would be the Savior of the world, Mary was SURPRISED. “How can this be?” she asked the messenger.
When Joseph FOUND OUT that his FIANCEE was PREGNANT, Joseph was SURPRISED, SHOCKED and ANGRY until the ANGEL told him the REST of the STORY.
Elizabeth and Zecharias were ASTONISHED when Elizabeth got PREGNANT as an OLD WOMAN. Then the angel announced that their child would USHER in news of the MESSIAH, for whom the world had been waiting for a thousand years.
But I am here tonight to tell you that NOBODY was MORE SURPRISED than the SHEPHERDS near Bethlehem, when ANGELS appeared to them and ANNOUNCED the BIRTH of the Son of God.
They were shepherds, after all. UNEDUCATED, and UNLIKELY, but it was to THEM that the NEWS FIRST CAME . “Do not be afraid” THE ANGEL SAID.
But of course they were AFRAID; they were TERRIFIED. But the angel persisted. “Don’t be afraid, for I bring you GOOD NEWS and GREAT JOY, which shall be for all the people.
For unto YOU this day in the City of David there has born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
What happened next is a MARVELOUS MIRACLE, ONE of MANY that happened on that first Christmas night. When the ANGELS DEPARTED from them, the SHEPHERDS said to one another “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing which the angel has made known to us.” And they just WENT!
The shepherds ACTUALLY WENT!– Scripture says- that the shepherds WENT with HASTE to Bethlehem– and found it just as it had been told TO THEM. But that’s because they were SHEPHERDS. They didn’t form a COMMITTEE, they didn’t stop to consider the ECONOMIC IMPACT, they didn’t TAKE A POLL, or call in CONSULTANTS, or REQUESTED MORE INFORMATION FROM THE ANGEL. They WENT. With haste. Immediately. And they found it exactly as the angel had said.
But what does all of this mean to us,– some 2000 years removed from that holy night? In an age when shepherds have all but disappeared from our world;– an age when the town of Bethlehem is an EPICENTER of CONFLICT and BITTERNESS, and when we seem to do everything “with haste” except consider whether there is any room for Jesus in our lives. What does it all mean to us…today…in this present age? Three things, I think.
THE FIRST– is that Jesus still wants to come into the LIVES of the PLAIN and ORDINARY PEOPLE of this world. SHEPHERDS were not rocket scientists!
They weren’t SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS, or NOBEL PRIZE winners, or LUTHERAN PASTORS. They were COMMON FOLK, whose lives were filled with MENIAL TASKS and significant CHALLENGES, and often, they were just trying to SURVIVE in the WILDERNESS.
People, we have met the shepherds and THEY ARE US.
Nothing SPECIAL. Nothing EXTRAORDINARY. But CHOSEN by GOD to receive the greatest gift ever given. “This very night, a Savior has been born, FOR YOU.”
I know for a FACT that there are MANY in our MIDST whose LIVES are HARD.
You wonder where your LIFE is HEADED. You wonder if you do COUNT FOR ANYTHING. You wonder if GOD HEARS your prayers. welcome to the SHEPHERDS GUILD, friends. A Savior has been born for YOU tonight.
THE SECOND this has to do with is FEAR. “Do not be afraid” the angel said.
Well, EASIER said than DONE. When rumors and threats and “CODE ORANGE” flood our MINDS. When LOVED ONES face ILLNESS. When MONEY is SHORT, when HOPE is FADING,– when RELATIONSHIPS are STRAINED, of course WE become AFRAID.
To be AFRAID is to be HUMAN. To simply say “Don’t be afraid” DOESN'T CUT IT!
But that’s not what the angel said. “Don’t be afraid, for I bring you good news of great joy; a Savior has been born for you.”– God is here,– in this FRACTURED,— HURTING WORLD OF OURS.
God is WITH US in the DARK NIGHTS and the HOPELESS SITUATIONS.
God promises NEVER to ABANDON US, and more than that, God has promised that because of Jesus, we will LIVE FOREVER. His love WILL WORK on our fear.
And THE FINAL THING IS THIS; the SHEPHERDS went to Bethlehem.
They didn’t HAVE to GO. The ANGELS didn’t COMMAND IT; God didn’t REQUIRE IT.
But the INVITATION was offered. “This shall be a sign for you; a baby, wrapped in SWADLING CLOTHES and lying in a MANGER.”
The SHEPHERDS went straight to Bethlehem, not to SEE if it was TRUE, but because they BELIEVED IT WAS.
They knew that the WORLD had suddenly CHANGED,– and they wanted to CELEBRATE that fact.
And I think that’s why we are HERE TODAY; MOST OF US, at least.
Some may have come because your PARENTS made YOU, or your SPOUSE required YOU, or your CHILDREN guilted YOU into coming. That’s okay; we’re just GLAD you’re HERE!
But most have come because, like the SHEPHERDS, you believe the MESSAGE of the ANGELS. A Savior has been BORN, one who will BRIDGE the GAP between a SINFUL WORLD and a gracious God. So you’ve come. God has TOUCHED YOU with a promise that has taken ROOT in your HEART.
That though you are ORDINARY…that though you are SINFUL SHEPHERDS and SO AM I…a Savior has been BORN FOR US, and we have a reason to celebrate. Thanks be to God.
GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I…..Have a Happy and Healthy New Year. May you bring Christmas in your world 365 days a year.
Pastor Ron
Reflection: Give Thanks To An Awesome God.
As Christians, I think most all of us have a sense that we are supposed to be joyful and
thankful all the time,– especially during the Thanksgiving season.
But we all have corners of our life that bring us SORROW,–DISAPPOINTMENT,–PAIN AND EVEN DISILLUSIONMENT.
Those are the FACETS of LIFE that TUG at our SPIRIT of CONTENTMENT and GRATITUDE.
Those issues can leave us feeling like we are LAME CHRISTIANS because we just don’t feel “happy” about them and if we let them,– they can PULL US INTO DESPAIR.
The SECRET to a JOYFUL,–GRATEFUL HEART isn’t that we feel “happy” or “good” about EVERYTHING in OUR LIFE.
There are things that simply aren’t happy, no matter how we look at them.
God doesn’t expect us to DISCONNECT our MINDS from REALITY and live in some twilight zone of PLASTIC HAPPINESS.
BAD things are BAD things. And they happen to GODLY PEOPLE.
God grieves over the BROKENESS IN US and in our world. It isn’t WRONG to GRIEVE over them just as He does.
The KEY to having a HEART of GRATITUDE amidst those difficult circumstances is being FILLED with an UNSHAKABLE EXPECTATION that God will do something GOOD with them, that He sits SOVEREIGN over every DETAIL of LIFE–and that His CHARACTER is GOOD, PERFECT and LOVING.
May God grant us the VISION and GRACE that would enable us to PRAISE His name and CHARACTER in our HARDSHIPS and give most generously from our lack – then we will be people who know the SECRET of having thankful HEARTS in every circumstance.
There are always REASONS to be thankful.
We need to be thankful FOR ALL THINGS and to be thankful IN ALL THINGS.
Even in the most DIFFICULT of CIRCUMSTANCES,– you can find a reason for a thankful heart.
I like the phrase that says, “I complained because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” No matter what your circumstances, I believe there is a reason to be thankful in your circumstances. Your situation MAY NEVER CHANGE,– but your ATTITUDE CAN CHANGE, and that will make all the difference in the world.
Terry Fox was a Canadian distance runner who started a run from one side of Canada to the other. He ran at least a marathon distance of 26 miles each day to raise money for cancer research. He was a CANCER VICTIM HIMSELF.
He ran every mile on one leg, since his right leg had been amputated above the knee. Almost every day a television announcer or radio newscaster would put a microphone in front of Terry and ask him how his run for cancer was going. Often exhausted and losing valuable strength, Terry would say, “I don’t know about tomorrow, but God gave me another day to live, and I’m thankful for each day I’m alive.”
Terry DIDN'T FINISH his run across Canada because he DIED of the dreaded disease. Yet even to the end, he remained thankful for each day and considered each one God’s gift to him. With an ATTITUDE OF THANKFULNESS he made the most of a difficult situation.
Here is a part of the Thanksgiving story you may not know.
While the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in October of 1621, it was not until October of 1777 that all 13 colonies celebrated Thanksgiving, for the first time. At one point, our first president, George Washington, proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving, but conflict and difficulties among the colonies put an end to its observance.
It was a magazine editor, Sarah Josepha Hale, whose work led to the celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday we observe today. Hale wrote letters to governors and presidents, and editorials in magazines, books and newspapers, promoting the observance of Thanksgiving. In 1863, after 40 years of letter writing and campaigning, Hale’s PERSISTENCE PAID OFF and President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving.
Since then, every president has supported Thanksgiving. Forty years of dedication, persistence and passion, all to make sure that this country would celebrate a National Day of Thanksgiving each year.,,,,,,, Hmmm. Impressive.
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Make the most of the present moment. No occasion is unworthy of our best efforts. God often uses the humble occasions and little things to shape the course of a man's life.
What are your circumstances right now? Is it time for you to begin developing a greater attitude of thankfulness in your life?
May God Bless You More This Year And Keep You Healthy, Thankful and Persistent.
Be thankful for all and prepare yourself for the coming of our Lord.
Merry Christmas!
Pastor Ron and Karen
Pastor’s Corner
Looking Back Helps Us As We Move Forward (Matthew 1:1-17)
Have anyone heard of JANUS– IN ROMAN THEOLOGY?
He was CAPABLE of LOOKING SIMULTANEOUSLY– FORWARD AND BACKWARD.
Our look back at 150 YEARS of this congregation's life– gives us COURAGE and HOPE for the NEXT 150 YEARS..
I've chosen A TEXT that marks a similar TURNING POINT in the Bible:– the opening 17 verses of Matthew of the New Testament, AND the beginning of the collected writings of the Christian Church.
This seems like a STRANGE TEXT for a sermon:— 17 verses of NAMES — WHO was the father of WHOM for 42 GENERATIONS.
It's a passage that's NEVER INCLUDED in a LECTIONARY, and SELDOM READ in a WORSHIP SERVICE.———- DID YOU FIGURE OUT WHY YET?
LOTS OF HARD NAMES TO PRONOUNCE….AND…It seems like mere BACKGROUND INFORMATION. But in Matthew's understanding of the gospel,– this GENEALOGY is the PROPER BEGINNING for the story of Jesus. Why is Jesus' family history so IMPORTANT in the Bible?
Jesus' genealogy serves TWO PURPOSES.
FIRST,– it tells THEM –just WHO JESUS WAS.
The original readers of this gospel were JEWISH PEOPLE, who Matthew BELIEVED could best UNDERSTAND JESUS if they knew how HE FIT into their history.
"You know who ABRAHAM WAS," he says, "and ISAAC and JACOB and DAVID and SOLOMON. This Jesus,– the Christ, is THEIR DESCENDENT."
SECOND,–this LIST of GENERATIONS told Matthew's READERS the MEANING of their OWN ANCESTRY. In Jesus' DAY,– the PEOPLE of Israel looked to THE PAST for their PURPOSE.
They were the people who had been DELIVERED FROM EGYPT,– and had RECEIVED the TEN COMMANDMENTS,– and had CONQUERED THE PROMISED LAND.
But they had become SUBJECTS of ONE FOREIGN EMPIRE after ANOTHER,– and they were inclined to see all their GLORY in the PAST;– they also felt as though God had ABANDONED THEM.
In this long GENEALOGY of Jesus,– Matthew tells them, "The meaning of your history is NOT IN the PAST,– but in the PRESENT. The significance of ABRAHAM and JACOB and DAVID is NOT that they lived in the 'good old days' when God REALLY CARED,– but that they were FORERUNNERS of Jesus." The importance of Israel's history, for Matthew,– was the OUTCOME toward which it was leading for those 42 generations:—-THE OUTCOME— WAS the BIRTH of the SAVIOR.
Matthew's TWO REASONS for beginning his gospel with Jesus' GENEALOGY suggest a Christian VIEW of history that SHAPES our REFLECTIONS on this ANNIVERSARY.
FIRST,– as a CHURCH–we are FORMED and IDENTIFIED by OUR HISTORY,–
by WHERE we HAVE BEEN in OUR PAST.
And SECOND,– the meaning of that history is determined by THE FUTURE, –
AND by where OUR HISTORY is LEADING US.
SO YOU SEE THERE IS A METHOD TO MY MADNESS.
Henry Ford once said that HISTORY is BUNK.–SOMEONE ALSO SAID THE WORLD WAS FLAT.
We all know that isn't true EITHER.
Perhaps NO INSTITUTION is more clearly DEFINED by its history– than THE CHURCH.
The CHRISTIAN FAITH is based on a COLLECTION OF WRITINGS that dates from ANCIENT TIMES. And the Bible is NOT only a HISTORIC BOOK,– but a HISTORICAL BOOK: —
it tells the history of HOW God DEALT with HIS PEOPLE.
We read the stories about what God did for His people thousands of years ago:
about the BIRTH OF ISAAC,–the BURNING BUSH– the PARTING OF THE RED SEA, AND about DAVID and GOLIATH.
We tell the story of the RISEN SAVIOR– just as it was told the FIRST TIME,–
2000 years back in our history.
That ANCIENT WORD seizes our attention and MAKES US the PEOPLE OF GOD.
Our FAITH is further SHAPED by the CENTURIES of Christian HISTORY since the Bible was WRITTEN.
We make our CONFESSION in the WORDS of ANCIENT CREEDS;
We SING HYMNS hundreds of YEARS OLD;
We PRACTICE RITES AND LITURGIES OLDER than the LANGUAGES in which we RECITE THEM.
And of course on this ANNIVERSARY–
We REMEMBER THE HISTORY of this CONGREGATION in this community:
The GENERATIONS of your OWN FAMILIES who have been BORN,– BAPTIZED,– MARRIED,– and BURIED HERE;– the TRADITIONS that you have CREATED,– and that have in turn made you the PEOPLE YOU ARE.
Today we are PROUD TO SAY that we are PART of that WHOLE HISTORY,–
just as Jesus was PART of the HISTORY OF ISRAEL,– all 42 generations from Abraham on down.
My father's FATHER was THE MAYOR of WILLOW BUNCH SASKATCHEWAN, and although he ALSO was a FARMER AND BARBER in town– he ROSE TO PROMINENCE in business circles.
At a LOCAL meeting MY FATHER met an old friend of HIS FATHERS.
He INTRODUCED HIMSELF by his name– BUT IT DIDN'T REGISTER with the OLD-TIMER.
He tried to explain WHO HE WAS,– but WITHOUT SUCCESS.
Finally he said, "Don't you remember me? I'm MAYORS' boy!"
Then the OLD MAN KNEW who he was,– and for years afterwards his friends TEASED HIM about having to introduce himself as "THE MAYORS boy."
But we're ALL IDENTIFIED by OUR HISTORIES.
MY FATHER ended up being THE MAYORS BOY all his life.
Matthew introduced Jesus to his readers as Mary and Joseph's boy.
We owe who we are to OUR PAST,–OUR HERITAGE,–OUR UPBRINGING,–
OUR EDUCATION,–AND OUR TRADITIONS.
YOU and I,– and THIS CONGREGATION, are products of WHERE WE HAVE BEEN.
Matthew also knew that the PAST ISN'T ENOUGH.
He wanted to CORRECT THE VISION of those people who always LOOKED to the PAST for MEANING.
The REAL POINT of all those generations of Israelites, HE CLAIMED,– was that they were LEADING UP to something that was to FOLLOW THEM. We can LEARN A LOT from THE PAST,–
but its most important function is to LEAD US INTO THE FUTURE.
Jesus made that PLAIN.
He told His disciples to REMEMBER what HE HAD DONE,– but He also TURNED THEIR ATTENTION to the FUTURE TASK that HIS MINISTRY was PREPARING them for.
"Go and be my WITNESSES," He told them.
"Go and work in the VINEYARD.
“Go and make DISCIPLES."
Jesus never let His disciples DWELL on what had ALREADY BEEN DONE.
Their purpose was not to be FOUND WHERE THEY HAD BEEN,– but in WHERE THEY WERE GOING.
Our FAITH is BORN and NURTURED in a HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE,– in what God has done for US in the PAST,– but it always LEADS US into the FUTURE.
As a CHURCH TODAY,– your ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION naturally turns your GAZE BACK on YOUR HISTORY.
But you must let that HISTORY be part of your MOVEMENT into the FUTURE.
Jesus has COMMISSIONED YOU and SENT YOU into the WORLD with a MISSION:
***How will you fulfill it?
WE HAVE COME THROUGH A TRANSFORMATION over the last ELEVEN YEARS IN THE LCMC. We have LET GO of what WAS FAMILIAR for the sake of WHAT IS TRUTH AND BIBLICAL. That wasn't EASY…BUT IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
MOMS–DADS–GRANDMOTHERS–GRANDFATHERS–BAPTISMAL SPONSORS–
***You have a RESPONSIBILITY to your YOUNG PEOPLE,– to PREPARE THEM for what they will FACE IN LIFE. THEY NEED TO COME TO CHURCH.
***You have a RESPONSIBILITY to your SENIOR CITIZENS,– to help meet THEIR NEEDS in a CHANGING WORLD.
***You have a RESPONSIBILITY to the COMMUNITY AROUND YOU,– to PROCLAIM the GOOD NEWS OF SALVATION and to be examples of Christ's love.
***You have a RESPONSIBILITY to TRANSFORM THIS CHURCH into a CHURCH that WILL KEEP your CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN ATTENDING even if it means YOU HAVE TO COMPROMISE THE WAY YOU WORSHIP.
Let the stories of FAITH, COMMITMENT, and SERVICE that are told TODAY as we RECITE the history of this congregation STRENGTHEN YOU,–PREPARE YOU,–and PROPEL YOU into the NEXT CENTURY of YOUTH MINISTRY in this place.
And the question "Where are we going?" has a still GREATER SIGNIFICANCE,– because AS CHRISTIANS– we know that OUR HISTORY has an ETERNAL DIRECTION,–AN ULTIMATE GOAL. In the INCARNATION,–DEATH, –AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST– the WORLD has been set toward its final moment, along with ABRAHAM and SARA,– BOAZ and RUTH,– JOSEPH and MARY, and hundreds of GENERATIONS of the SONS and DAUGHTERS of GOD — are part of the history that flows into God's own eternity.
The Church is the first-fruits of the Kingdom of God, the first dawning of God's presence in the world in our day. Its purpose is BOTH to REMEMBER God's FAITHFULNESS,– KINDNESS,– MERCY,– and PROVIDENCE, through our HISTORY up to NOW,– and to MOVE US and OUR WORLD toward the goal God has given us.
So during this anniversary celebration we STAND at a PLACE like the place from which Matthew told the story of Jesus. We look to OUR HISTORY– the HISTORY of God's people,– of the Christian Church,– of this congregation — remembering who we are and where we have been. And at the same time we look to the future, remembering what we have been put here to do and where we are going. Our history is always leading us somewhere; our glory as God's children is always yet to come. I CONGRATULATE ALL OF YOU AND HAVE FAITH IN YOU THAT YOUR PRIORITIES FOR YOUR CHILDREN IN THIS CHURCH WILL CONTINUE.
YOUR CHURCH AND YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ONIT.
God loves you and so do I.
Pastor Ron
God, Be Merciful To Me A Sinner
Our Gospel lesson today is about AUTHORITY — Jesus' authority. I can tell you something about authority. I have SEEN IT. I have FELT IT
I have been to Washington, D.C. If there's anything that stands out about Washington, it's AUTHORITY. Its GREAT BUILDINGS– the WHITE HOUSE,– the CAPITOL BUILDING,– the SUPREME COURT BUILDING — even the US MINT and the SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM — practically SHOUT AUTHORITY. Those buildings SCREAM power. They say, "We're in charge of America!"
In Jesus' day,– Jerusalem was LIKE THAT. The Jerusalem Temple was LIKE the White House and the Capitol and the Supreme Court Building– ROLLED INTO ONE. A massive building of WHITE STONE and GOLD TRIM,– it stood HIGH ON A HILL– showing its importance as God's house. The people responsible for RUNNING THE TEMPLE — the priests and elders — also RAN THE NATION.
When Jesus went to Jerusalem,– he was greeted by a HUGE CROWD that LINED his pathway with their CLOAKS AND PALM BRANCHES. They shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!"
Then Jesus paid a VISIT to the TEMPLE. What he found was a BIG FARMER'S MARKET– PEOPLE everywhere — MONEY CHANGERS everywhere — SHEEP AND DOVES everywhere.
Jesus DROVE OUT all the MERCHANTS and overturned the tables of the money changers.
He said: "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer'; but you are making it a den of robbers".
That's where our Gospel lesson for today BEGINS. The chief priests and the elders of the people — the people in charge of the temple — CAME LOOKING for Jesus. When they found him, they asked:
"By what AUTHORITY are you doing these things, and who gave you this AUTHORITY?" .
Good questions — because the chief priests and elders WERE the AUTHORITIES in charge of the TEMPLE. THEY ISSUED the PERMITS. If Jesus wanted to CLEANSE THE TEMPLE,– he should have gone to THEM FOR PERMISSION. You know how that goes. First, you HIRE A LAWYER. Then you STATE YOUR CASE. Then the BUREAUCRATS DELIBERATE. Then they RETURN YOUR REQUEST stamped "Disapproved!" After all,– in THEIR MINDS,– the MONEYCHANGERS AND THE SELLERS of livestock were performing an ESSENTIAL TEMPLE FUNCTION.
But Jesus DIDN'T HIRE A LAWYER. He DIDN'T ASK PERMISSION.
He just went into the temple and began THROWING THINGS AROUND. So the chief priests and elders came to the temple to CONFRONT JESUS. They asked:
"By what AUTHORITY are you doing these things, and who gave you this AUTHORITY?" .
Most people would PANIC at that POINT,– because the CHIEF PRIEST and ELDERS had AUTHORITY. They could THROW PEOPLE into JAIL. They could have PEOPLE FLOGGED.
They could DO ANYTHING they WANTED with Jesus — EXCEPT KILL HIM.
Rome RESERVED THE RIGHT of CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. To kill Jesus,– the priests and elders would have to get the ROMANS INVOLVED. They weren't ready to do that yet– so they asked:
"By what AUTHORITY are you doing these things, and who gave you this AUTHORITY?" .
Jesus ANSWERED their QUESTION with ANOTHER QUESTION. He asked whether John the Baptist BAPTIZED by GOD'S AUTHORITY or by HUMAN AUTHORITY. That put the PRIESTS AND ELDERS on the SPOT. They didn't LIKE JOHN,– but they knew that the PEOPLE DID. They didn't want to ADMIT that John BAPTIZED by GOD'S AUTHORITY — and they were AFRAID to say that he BAPTIZED by HUMAN AUTHORITY — so they said, "WE DON'T KNOW."
What a PITIFUL ANSWER. The priests and elders were IN CHARGE of RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS.
They were PAID TO KNOW whether John was LEGITIMATE or NOT.
But they WOULDN'T tell Jesus whether John baptized by God's authority.
They were PAID TO KNOW whether John was LEGITIMATE or NOT.
But they WOULDN'T tell Jesus whether John baptized by God's authority.
So Jesus replied, "Neither will I tell you by what AUTHORITY I am doing these things".
Then he told them a parable. In his parable, a father had TWO SONS. The father asked the FIRST son to GO and WORK in the VINEYARD,– but the son REFUSED TO GO.
However,– the FIRST SON later CHANGED HIS MIND and WENT to the vineyard to WORK.
The father then asked his SECOND son to GO and WORK in the VINEYARD. The SECOND son said that HE WOULD do that,– but then CHANGED HIS MIND and DIDN'T GO.
Then Jesus asked the priests and elders, "Which of the two (sons) did the will of his father?". They said, "The first (son)" — because the FIRST SON,– in spite of his initial DISOBEDIENCE,–DID GO to the vineyard to work. Then Jesus said:
"Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you."
Keep in mind that Jesus is talking to the CHIEF PRIESTS and the ELDERS. These men are IN CHARGE of God's AFFAIRS in God's CHOSEN NATION,– but Jesus is telling them that, on Judgment Day, they will be kept standing in line while the TAX COLLECTORS and PROSTITUTES walk through the pearly gates. Then Jesus said:
"For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him".
WHAT was GOING ON HERE? WHY did Jesus so DELIBERATELY INSULT these religious leaders? WHY did he say that God would allow TAX COLLECTORS and PROSTITUTES into HEAVEN — and leave the RELIGIOUS LEADERS standing in LINE? The answer, of course, is that this is a parable of GRACE — NOT OF MERIT. This parable demonstrates something of God's character — and it pulls back the CURTAIN just a bit to give us a GLIMPSE into the KINGDOM of HEAVEN.
It SHOWS US how THINGS WORK in the KINGDOM of HEAVEN. Most of us want to GO TO HEAVEN someday,– so we ought to keep OUR EARS and HEARTS OPEN as we HEAR this parable.
Let's look at the parable again. The father asked his FIRST son to WORK in the VINEYARD,– but the son said, "No!" Later, the son CHANGED HIS MIND–and did as his father had ASKED. Did that son obey his father? NOT AT FIRST. First, he DISOBEYED,– but then he CHANGED HIS MIND and did what his father ASKED him to do.
We have some FATHERS here TODAY. Is that the way you would want your SON or DAUGHTER to BEHAVE? Probably NOT! There isn't a FATHER or MOTHER HERE TODAY that has NOT at ONE TIME had a DAUGHTER or SON do SOMETHING that was AGAINST their WISHES…MYSELF INCLUDED. But it would be some satisfaction when your SON or DAUGHTER finally DID what you had asked. That wouldn't be PERFECT, but they say, "All's well that ends well" — and the story of the FIRST SON did end well.
Then there's the SECOND son. The father asked his second son to work in the VINEYARD,– and the son said, "Yes!" But then that son CHANGED HIS MIND and WENT ELSEWHERE. He did NO WORK in the VINEYARD. Did that son obey his father? No!
In the beginning,– HE ACTED as if he would OBEY,– but in the END he did NOT OBEY.
What about YOU–FATHERS? Would you want YOUR SON to BEHAVE that way?
Surely NOT! The story of the first son STARTED POORLY–but ENDED WELL.
The story of the second son STARTED WELL,– but ENDED POORLY.
Jesus said that the TAX COLLECTORS and PROSTITUTES were LIKE THE FIRST SON.
They had been DISOBEDIENT. They had REFUSED to ACKNOWLEDGE the FATHER'S AUTHORITY. They had REFUSED to do what GOD WANTED THEM TO DO. But then they REPENTED and CHANGED THEIR WAYS– and GOD FORGAVE THEM– and through the GRACE OF GOD,–the TAX COLLECTORS and PROSTITUTES were USHERED INTO HEAVEN.
The CHIEF PRIESTS and ELDERS were LIKE THE SECOND SON. They had cloaked themselves with God. They QUOTED SCRIPTURE and SERVED in the TEMPLE. They were as RELIGIOUS as RELIGIOUS could be. But there was a PROBLEM. They were SINNERS TOO– and they COULDN'T ADMIT THAT. They thought that God OWED THEM SOMETHING. But God didn't owe them anything.
That's THE END of the PARABLE. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO US? Most of us have been pretty RELIGIOUS for most of our lives. We need to be CAREFUL lest we get to feeling that God OWES US something. God sent Jesus Christ into the world to DIE FOR OUR SINS, because we are SINNERS — and are in need of REDEMPTION. That applies to ALL OF US– Sunday school TEACHERS and CHOIR members and CLERGY ALIKE. God doesn't OWE US anything. Our hope for heaven is based on ONE THING and ONE THING ALONE– and that is the GRACE OF GOD.
And, of course, if you are in a DIFFERENT SITUATION– if you REBELLED AGAINST GOD for most of YOUR LIFE and recently REPENTED — this parable assures you that GOD'S GRACE is more than adequate to COVER YOUR SINS. By the GRACE OF GOD,– you very well might march into heaven at the FRONT OF THE LINE.
When I read this parable, it reminded me of a story LAST WEEK about THE LAND OWNER HIRING WORKERS FOR THE FIELD.
THAT PARABLE was about MORE than JUST a GENEROUS LAND OWNER.
THAT PARABLE was about MORE than JUST a AN HONEST WAGE FOR an HONEST DAY'S WORK. THAT PARABLE was about SALVATION.
THAT PARABLE was about MORE than JUST a AN HONEST WAGE FOR an HONEST DAY'S WORK. THAT PARABLE was about SALVATION.
THAT PARABLE reminds us that it doesn't really MATTER at WHAT POINT IN OUR LIFE we
INVITED JESUS IN OUR LIFE……we receive SALVATION the same as a PERSON that has been a
CHRISTIAN ALL THEIR LIFE.
INVITED JESUS IN OUR LIFE……we receive SALVATION the same as a PERSON that has been a
CHRISTIAN ALL THEIR LIFE.
So also we need to approach the kingdom of heaven with repentance and humility. If we approach heaven arrogantly, saying, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?" the Lord is likely to respond, "I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers" (7:22-23).
The proper prayer for each of us — PASTOR or DEACON–TAX COLLECTOR or PROSTITUTE — "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" (Luke 18:13). When we learn to pray that prayer from our hearts, we can be sure that God will FORGIVE US and MAKE US WHOLE.
IF you are NEW HEAR or HAVE NOT INVITED JESUS INTO YOUR LIFE. YOU STILL CAN DO THAT TODAY. PLEASE PRAY THIS PRAYER WITH ME.
Precious Jesus–I am a SINNER–I REPENT of ALL my SINS.
Forgive me Lord for the sins that 1 am AWARE of–
and the sins I have BURIED–AND FORGOTTEN-
I BELIEVE you DIED ON THE CROSS for my SINS and ROSE AGAIN.
Come into my life–Be my LORD & SAVIOR.
Show ME the WISDOM of YOUR WAYS–IN Jesus' NAME I PRAY………….AMEN
Forgive me Lord for the sins that 1 am AWARE of–
and the sins I have BURIED–AND FORGOTTEN-
I BELIEVE you DIED ON THE CROSS for my SINS and ROSE AGAIN.
Come into my life–Be my LORD & SAVIOR.
Show ME the WISDOM of YOUR WAYS–IN Jesus' NAME I PRAY………….AMEN
There is no better way to celebrate our 150th Anniversary than to reach out to our brothers and sisters of Zion and make sure they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior that we may celebrate together in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise God!
Pastor Ron.
Who Do Those People Think They Are?
Matthew 15:10-28
I read a story about a LITTLE TOWN in Minneapolis called PELICAN RAPIDS. This little town of about 1500 people was settled chiefly by Norwegians and Swedes. There are SEVEN Lutheran churches in this community. But Pelican Rapids is not Scandinavian ONLY– any more.
The TURKEY PROCESSING PLANT has HIRED PEOPLE from all over the WORLD to work there;– most come from MEXICO and CENTRAL AMERICA but others from BOSNIA, SOMALIA and VIETNAM. The article highlighted HOW WELL this community was doing INTEGRATING these NEW FOLKS into the town.
But I also know that people from that community DISLIKE the CHANGES.
"These new people AREN'T LIKE US,"— they say,— "They are DIFFERENT."
We may not want "THOSE PEOPLE" in our little town.
It has always been EASY to DRAW A CIRCLE so that some are INSIDE and OTHERS are OUT.
It may be people of a DIFFERENT RACE or ETHNIC ORIGIN,– different GENDER or–AGE, –EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND or ABILITY. It is easy to look at the MAN with TATTOOS or the WOMAN with many PIERCINGS,– the MAN who STUTTERS or the WOMAN who didn't make it through HIGH SCHOOL and say that— THIS PERSON is JUST NOT LIKE US.
I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT ZION IS NOT LIKE THAT.
******Our Bible passage speaks directly to “US” and “THEM.”******
Jesus has gone out of the land of Israel into the region of Tyre and Sidon –– GENTILE TERRITORY.
Then a WOMEN from the AREA comes to Jesus –– She is a "Canaanite".
Canaanites were the PAGAN PEOPLE whom the Israelites FOUGHT for CENTURIES.
The Canaanites were IDOL WORSHIPERS and OPPONENTS of the ONE TRUE GOD.
It was a CANAANITE WOMEN who came to Jesus SHOUTING LOUDLY,———
"Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David."
This woman had THREE STRIKES AGAINST HER –– she was NOT JEWISH –and Jesus' mission, so He told her,— was to the LOST SHEEP of the house of Israel." STRIKE ONE
She was a WOMAN –– STRIKE TWO–– and she SPOKE to a MAN without a MALE INTERCEDING FOR HER.
STRIKE THREE–– she was a PEST whose SCREAMING and SHOUTING would not IMPRESS Jesus and His followers.
The disciples came to convince Jesus to, —"Send her AWAY, for she keeps SHOUTING AT US."
The CIRCLE is clearly DRAWN –– JESUS and the DISCIPLES and JEWISH MEN are INSIDE. This bothersome, CANAANITE WOMEN is OUTSIDE.
What I find VERY INTERESTING is how much a MAN OF HIS TIME and PLACE JESUS WAS.
Jesus AGREED,– it seems,– with the DISCIPLES.
He tried to BRUSH the WOMAN OFF……………..HIS MISSION was to ISRAEL ONLY.
Yes, –she had CONFESSED HIM LORD and MESSIAH,– something many IN ISRAEL would NOT CONFESS. She asked him for MERCY and KNELT DOWN BEFORE HIM.
She had FAITH that Jesus COULD HEAL HER DAUGHTER of a tormenting DEMON.
What did Jesus do when she would NOT GO AWAY?……….. He called her a DOG.
In the Middle East, even today, people DO NOT keep PET DOGS.
We do. We SHAMPOO THEM–and TRIM THEM,– DRESS THEM UP for holidays, buy them treats.
This is a WORLD AWAY from THAT of the MIDDLE EAST.
In Islam,– DOGS are considered UNCLEAN– and they SCAVENGE at the EDGE of the VILLAGES and TOWNS. It was the SAME in Bible times.
The Jews called the Gentiles "DOGS" and it was NOT A TERM of ENDEARMENT but rather A PUTDOWN.
It is the term used BY JESUS for this woman, "It is NOT FAIR to take the children's BREAD and throw it to DOGS." But she turned around and USED the SAME PHRASE to say to Jesus, "Yes, Lord,– yet even THE DOGS eat the CRUMBS that fall from their MASTER'S TABLE." She had Him there.
She BROKE the CIRCLE—- and ENTERED IN.
SALVATION came to HER and HER POSSESSED DAUGHTER– not because she became JEWISH or promised to keep the LAW of MOSES. Jesus said to her, "Woman,– GREAT is your FAITH!
Let it be DONE to you as YOU WISH." And her daughter was HEALED INSTANTLY.
The Gospel is NOT just FOR MEN,– for Jews,– for people who CONFORM to our EXPECTATIONS of THEM. It took the CHURCH a long time to realize this. The first great CONTROVERSY in the Christian Church was whether Gentiles HAD TO BECOME JEWS before they could become CHRISTIANS.
Paul ARGUED that GENTILE MEN did NOT NEED to be CIRCUMCISED to be BAPTIZED and Peter had revealed to him by God that the DIETARY LAWS commanded in the Hebrew Bible were NO LONGER REQUIRED. No person was to be called COMMON or UNCLEAN.
At the Council of Jerusalem it was AGREED that GENTILES could become CHRISTIANS.
I remember READING ABOUT the American Lutheran Church when they decided that WOMEN must be ALLOWED to be VOTERS in their CONGREGATIONS. Some CONGREGATIONS WITHDREW from ALC because they would NOT give WOMEN THE VOTE.
One women ASKED, “Is DIVORCE an UNFORGIVABLE SIN?"
Divorce is NOT an UNFORGIVABLE SIN.
Being GAY or a LESBIAN is NOT an UNFORGIVABLE SIN EITHER.
What does the BIBLE SAY about that?
"ALL have SINNED and FALLEN SHORT of the GLORY of GOD."
We are NOT SAVED by WHO WE ARE –– the Jews were NOT SAVED because they were JEWS because as Jesus said,– he could RAISE UP sons of Abraham from the STONES of the field.
Paul, writing to the Romans, declares that JEWS and GENTILES are BOTH SINNERS and invited to be God's people through FAITH in JESUS. We are NOT SAVED by our GENDER or our STATUS,– our RACE or EDUCATIONAL LEVEL,– by our ORIENTATION or our GOOD BEHAVIOR.
We do not find our self worth in what others may think of us but in being CHILDREN of GOD and HEIRS to GOD'S KINGDOM through FAITH in CHRIST ALONE. What our Gospel text CLEARLY SAYS is we are SAVED BY FAITH in Jesus alone.
We did not read this but in the beginning of the fifteenth chapter of Matthew, Jesus talks on the HOLINESS CODE of the Old Testament. He and his disciples were ACCUSED of NOT WASHING their HANDS before they ATE. Jesus argued that it was NOT what went in a PERSONS MOUTH that DEFILED–
but rather the EVIL and MALICE that come out of the human heart. If the RULES and regulations HURT PEOPLE,– they could be put aside.
Remember that the Sabbath was MADE for HUMANS———- NOT HUMANS for the Sabbath.
In the SECOND PART of the same chapter– Jesus is SETTING ASIDE the whole system of SALVATION in the Old Testament. The Hebrew Bible did care about the GENTILES and looked for the day when ALL the NATIONS would come to Zion. God's mission was IN and THROUGH the JEWISH PEOPLE ONLY.
This is what Jesus STARTS to AFFIRM–– the Gospel is for the LOST SHEEP of the house of Israel.
But the TEXT does NOT STOP THERE and in this passage,– we SEE that the Old Testament scheme is SET ASIDE. God's GOOD NEWS—— is for ALL PEOPLE– NOT JUST SOME.
Christ DIED for ALL—— not just SOME.
FORGIVENESS is for ALL———– not just SOME.
The ONLY CONDITION—— is FAITH—– which is itself —–a GIFT OF GOD.
Others may be DIFFERENT from OURSELVES and often what makes THEM DIFFERENT—is something we DON'T LIKE.
The CHURCH has been GUILTY of keeping people OUT– rather than INVITING THEM IN.
AND WHO IS THE CHURCH? WE ARE.
We are HUMAN BEINGS—— and FALLEN, SINFUL ONES at that.
We KNOW what we LIKE and we LIKE what WE KNOW.
Think of the DISCIPLES,— they were the SAME WAY.
Some of you may BE HERE because you have been HURT by the PEOPLE in a PREVIOUS Church,–
by what people have SAID about YOU— or what a PASTOR HAS SAID.
You may have been HURT by other people too.
In SOME CHURCHES –at coffee hour the SAME PEOPLE talk to the SAME PEOPLE every week–
and if you are a NEWCOMER you may be ignored. I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING HERE.
In some Churches— you could get DIRTY LOOKS for sitting in someone else's PEW.
You may have been asked to LEAVE the service if your CHILDREN WERE FIDGETY.
You may have been SHAMED because you DIDN'T KNOW the PROCEDURE for making COFFEE or how THE TOWELS should be HUNG in the kitchen.
Remember, the disciples were NOT GOD.
Remember that NEITHER the CHURCH nor the PASTOR nor the COUNCIL is God either.
God is FAITHFUL and LOVING even when God's SERVANTS MAY NOT BE.
God draws the CIRCLE WIDE ENOUGH to bring EVERYONE IN.
Never let ANYONE or ANYTHING try to SEPARATE YOU from God's love in Jesus Christ.
GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I…..Enjoy your Labor Day weekend and no matter where you are take time to attend Church services.
Pastor Ron
Some Sow, Some Water..But He Reaps The Harvest
Matt 13:1-9, 18-23
Many years ago,– a FRIEND of mine CRITICIZED Martin Luther King for stirring up TROUBLE. "Trouble follows him wherever he goes," he said,– as if that PROVED SOMETHING. I DON'T REMEMBER how I RESPONDED,– but I know what I would say TODAY. Today I would ask, "What about Jesus? Trouble followed HIM wherever he went too!"
TROUBLE did follow Jesus wherever he went. Our Gospel lesson today comes from the 13th chapter of Matthew. That chapter is just PACKED with TROUBLE:
** Jesus' disciples PLUCKED GRAIN on the Sabbath,– which got them in TROUBLE with the PHARISEES,– who accused them of WORKING on the Sabbath .
** That very same day,– Jesus went to the synagogue, where he MET A MAN with a WITHERED HAND. Jesus' ENEMIES asked "Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath?"
If Jesus said, "No, it isn't lawful to heal on the Sabbath," they would REMIND HIM that HE HAD,– in fact,– HEALED on the Sabbath.
If he said "Yes, it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath," they would ACCUSE HIM of being a Sabbath-breaker. But Jesus reminded them that,– if a sheep fell into a pit on the Sabbath, they would rescue it. He said that a PERSON is MORE VALUABLE than a SHEEP,– so it is GOOD — NOT BAD– to heal on the Sabbath. Then– he HEALED THE MAN.
** Then Jesus healed a man who was POSSESSED by DEMONS. The Pharisees responded by ACCUSING Jesus of HEALING by the power of DEMONS. So I guess you could say that it was just ONE THING after ANOTHER. No matter WHAT Jesus DID,– the scribes and Pharisees tried to make it SOUND BAD.
It must have been DISCOURAGING for Jesus' disciples to see Jesus' ENEMIES always NIPPING at his HEELS — always setting TRAPS — always trying to BLOCK HIM. Some of Jesus' disciples were fishermen who were USED TO seeing WAVES coming at them — one after the other — never ceasing. Jesus' ENEMIES were like that. They NEVER managed to STOP HIM,– but they never QUIT trying EITHER. That gets TIRING after awhile.
Not long before this,–Jesus had sent his disciples on a MISSION to "cure the SICK,– raise the DEAD,– cleanse the LEPERS, (and) cast out DEMONS". He told them to ACCEPT HOSPITALITY when it was OFFERED,– and to SHAKE the DUST off their FEET– and TO MOVE ON –when people REFUSED to WELCOME THEM. I suspect that,– by the time of our Gospel lesson,– the disciples had SHAKEN quite a bit of DUST off their FEET. That can be discouraging.
So Jesus gives this parable — the Parable of THE SOWER– to ENCOURAGE his disciples — and to ENCOURAGE US. He talks about a SOWER sowing seeds.
In those days,– FIELDS were SMALL– and farmers SOWED SEED BY HAND. (NOT LIKE TODAY)
** In Jesus' parable,– as in REAL LIFE,– some SEED fell on a hard-packed PATHWAY.
The seed could NOT put down ROOTS in the hard-packed soil,– so it just LAY there.
Birds came to EAT IT.
** Some seed fell on ROCKY GROUND — ground with a thin layer of soil over a ROCK SHELF. The rock collected HEAT from the SUN,– and the heat encouraged the SEEDS TO SPROUT. However, once they SPROUTED,– they had NOWHERE to put down ROOTS,– so they soon WITHERED and DIED.
** Some seed fell among THORNS. Some of those seeds GERMINATED,– but the thorns soon crowded them out. WHY is it always like that? The plants that WE WANT are TENDER and DELICATE — but WEEDS that we DON'T WANT–are like a thousand pound GORILLA!
** But some SEED fell on GOOD SOIL. That SEED gave the farmer a harvest of a HUNDRED-FOLD– or SIXTY– or THIRTY. Even thirty-fold would have been a MAGNIFICENT HARVEST.
JESUS EXPLAINED his parable to his disciples. He started by explaining the HARD PACKED PATHWAY. The Gospel-seed that FELL on PACKED PATHWAY. The Gospel-seed that FELL on the Pathway is like PEOPLE who HEAR God's word– but DON'T UNDERSTAND IT. The Gospel-seed just BOUNCES OFF their HARD HEARTS(or their thick noggins). They just DON'T "get" it. They DON'T even TRY to "get" it. The Gospel-seed just can't PENETRATE deeply enough in their HEARTS to do any good. Jesus told his disciples that,– with PEOPLE LIKE THAT,– the EVIL ONE swoops in like a bird and EATS THE SEED.
As we go about our work as Christian disciples,– we will MEET PEOPLE who fit THIS DESCRIPTION. They PASS by CHURCHES without NOTICING THEM. They HEAR people TALK about GOD,– but it DOESN'T REGISTER with them. We invite them to COME to church,– but they SIDESTEP the INVITATION. Their RADAR is set to TUNE OUT GOD-TALK. For whatever REASON,– they just DON'T want to be BOTHERED. We could get DISCOURAGED when we ENCOUNTER people like that. But the GOOD NEWS is that ONLY PART of our Gospel-seed falls on the HARD PACKED PATHWAY. Keep listening!
**The SECOND KIND of Gospel-seed was that which fell on ROCKY GROUND. Jesus said that this seed was the PERSON who received the Gospel with JOY,– but didn't last long — especially when TROUBLE CAME.
We see PEOPLE in the church like that. They JOIN. They are EXCITED. They jump into ONE thing after the other. Then, suddenly,– THEY ARE GONE. We CALL THEM "a flash in the pan" — someone who STARTS STRONG but FINISHES WEAK. These people JUMP from ONE church to ANOTHER. Such people always seem to be UNHAPPY with the way things turn out.
But the good news is that only PART of our Gospel-seed FALLS on ROCKY GROUND. Only a little bit springs up QUICKLY and then DIES. Only a FEW people jump into the CHURCH with BOTH FEET– and then leave just as QUICKLY. The Gospel-seed that falls on ROCKY GROUND is BAD NEWS– but it is NOT the whole story.
**The THIRD KIND of Gospel-seed was that which FELL among THORNS. Jesus said, "This is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing." To some extent,– THIS DESCRIBES ALL OF US. Who is NOT affected by "the cares of the world"? Who is NO TEMPTED by "the lure of wealth"?
Speaking of "the cares of the world," "If you feel OVERLOADED,– you're NOT CRAZY. You're NORMAL. But you may feel DISTRACTED,–FRUSTRATED,– or HALF SICK, because the average office worker gets 220 messages a day –in e-mails, memos, phone calls, interruptions, and ads."
THOSE are just some of the "cares of the world" that we have to negotiate every day.
Regarding "the lure of wealth," Jesus had plenty to say..He said: "No one can serve two masters….You cannot serve God and wealth".
**I like the old King James Version of that verse. It says, "You cannot serve God and MAMMON." Mammon is MORE THAN JUST WEALTH –it is THE LOVE OF MONEY. And mammon DOES threaten to ENSNARE US. Jesus tells us about a RICH MAN who came to ask what he needed to do to INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE. Jesus recited some of the commandments, –and the man responded, "Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth."
**Jesus then said, "You lack ONE THING;– go, SELL WHAT YOU OWN,– and give the money to the POOR, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come and FOLLOW ME." But the man "was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions".
The message is that there are people whose HEARTS are so full of LOVE FOR MONEY that they have NO SPACE LEFT for LOVING God. But the GOOD NEWS is that the Gospel-seed that falls among the THORNS is not the only seed. There are OTHER SEEDS. Jesus tells us that some of those will fall on GOOD SOIL,– and will bring forth grain, "some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty".
In Jesus' day, a thirty-fold harvest would have been a bonanza, and a hundred-fold harvest would be like winning the LOTTERY. In those days, a seven-fold harvest was GOOD, and a ten-fold harvest was a BUMPER CROP. So when Jesus says that the Gospel-seed that falls on good soil will bring forth a grand harvest. JESUS is SAYING that the GOOD SOIL is THE INDIVIDUAL that RECEIVES HIS WORD and takes HIS WORD– (THE BIBLE)– and CHOOSES to SHARE IT with EVERYONE. The more people that HEAR and RECEIVE HIS WORD the GRANDER the HARVEST.
Jesus had TWO REASONS for telling his disciples about that grand harvest:
** For one thing,– he wanted to encourage his DISCIPLES. They were facing OPPOSITION and needed to know that their SACRIFICES in behalf of the Gospel would produce a REAL HARVEST– a bountiful harvest.
** For another thing,– Jesus wants to ENCOURAGE US. We make sacrifices too. We need to know that OUR WORK for Christ is going to mean something. Jesus promises that IT WILL.
When I hear this I think of VBS. Some of those children, I am sure, are like the hard-packed pathway. Some are like the rocky ground. Others were like the thorn-infested ground. But others were fertile soil. I am confident that there are many Christians today, raising their families to know Christ, because of a faithful witness from a SUNDAY SCHOOL or a VBS TEACHER. (Jon Keck -Kala Gray)
All that– ONE PAIR OF HANDS-was the result of someone taking the time to spread a little Gospel-seed — to invite a young person to VBS-SUNDAY SCHOOL or CHURCH. What a nice harvest came from that simple invitation. **Jesus says: "But as for what was sown on GOOD SOIL,– this is the one WHO HEARS the WORD and UNDERSTANDS IT,– who indeed BEARS FRUIT and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."
When we do things for Jesus,– he PROMISES that OUR WORK will NOT be in VAIN.
He promises that OUR WORK will produce a BOUNTIFUL HARVEST.
Yes,– some of our Gospel-seed will fall on PATHWAYS. Yes,– some of it will fall on ROCKY SOIL. Yes,– some of it will fall among THORNS. Yes,– some of it will come to NOTHING.
But Jesus promises that a LIFE DEDICATED to Jesus– will produce a bountiful harvest. Jesus will NOT allow our EFFORTS on HIS BEHALF to come to NOTHING.
I believe that one of heaven's joys will be seeing the FRUITS of our LABORS.
** I can imagine Jesus saying, "Do you remember when you invited that couple to church?
Let me show you what happened!" Or "Do you remember that little girl in your Sunday school class. Let me show you what she did."
**Hear it! Believe it! When we spread Gospel-seed, Jesus promises that SOME of it will FALL ON FERTILE GROUND and will PRODUCE an ABUNDANT HARVEST.
God Loves You and So Do I……….Pastor Ron
Well once again Happy Father’s Day. I hope that your day was as special as mine was. Here is a reminder of our great challenges we have ahead of us dads. May God continue to bless you.
Sometime back, I came across one of those TOP TEN lists that David Letterman reads on The Late Show.
This one was called: “The Top-Ten Things You'll Never Hear a Dad Say” And I figured,– since this is Father’s Day,– it might be a good time to read it. So here we go:
Ten things YOU NEVER HEARD come out of your father’s MOUTH:
Number 10 “Well, how 'bout that! I'm lost! Looks like we'll have to stop and ASK FOR DIRECTIONS.”
Number 9 “You know Pumpkin, now that you're 13,– you'll be ready for UNCHAPERONED car dates.
Number 8 “I noticed that all your friends are ALL UNEMPLOYED” …… I really like that!”
Number 7 “Here's a CREDIT CARD and the KEYS to my new car –… GO CRAZY!”
Number 6 "What do you mean you wanna play football? Figure skating’s not good enough for you, SON?"
Number 5 “Your Mother and I are going away for the weekend …you might want to consider THROWING A PARTY"
Number 4 “Well, I don't know what's wrong with your car. Probably one of those doo-hickey thingamagiggies – you know — that makes it RUN or something. Just have it TOWED to my MECHANIC and I'LL pay whatever he asks.”
Number 3 “Now Listen! NO SON OF MINE is going to live under this roof WITHOUT AN EARRING–
so quit your BELLY-ACHING,– and let's go to the MALL!”
Number 2 “Whaddya wanna go and get A JOB FOR? I make plenty of money FOR YOU TO SPEND!”
Ten things YOU NEVER HEARD come out of your father’s MOUTH:
Number 10 “Well, how 'bout that! I'm lost! Looks like we'll have to stop and ASK FOR DIRECTIONS.”
Number 9 “You know Pumpkin, now that you're 13,– you'll be ready for UNCHAPERONED car dates.
Number 8 “I noticed that all your friends are ALL UNEMPLOYED” …… I really like that!”
Number 7 “Here's a CREDIT CARD and the KEYS to my new car –… GO CRAZY!”
Number 6 "What do you mean you wanna play football? Figure skating’s not good enough for you, SON?"
Number 5 “Your Mother and I are going away for the weekend …you might want to consider THROWING A PARTY"
Number 4 “Well, I don't know what's wrong with your car. Probably one of those doo-hickey thingamagiggies – you know — that makes it RUN or something. Just have it TOWED to my MECHANIC and I'LL pay whatever he asks.”
Number 3 “Now Listen! NO SON OF MINE is going to live under this roof WITHOUT AN EARRING–
so quit your BELLY-ACHING,– and let's go to the MALL!”
Number 2 “Whaddya wanna go and get A JOB FOR? I make plenty of money FOR YOU TO SPEND!”
And the Number 1 thing you never heard your father say:“Would you mind turning that music up a bit!”
Father’s Day can bring up memories & feelings for all of us –
And for those of US who GREW UP in homes touched by alcoholism or drug addiction,– the memories aren’t always happy.
And for those of US who GREW UP in homes touched by alcoholism or drug addiction,– the memories aren’t always happy.
I read an article about a PASTOR who served for many years as the CHAPLAIN in a very large STATE PRISON. And he tells the story of his very first year there:
When Mother’s Day arrived in early May,– he was OVERWHELMED with requests from the prisoners for Mother’s Day cards for the men to send HOME. He gave out BOXES and BOXES of ‘em – but he never seemed to HAVE ENOUGH to meet all the DEMAND.
And so the PASTOR said to himself – next time,— he wasn’t going to be CAUGHT SHORT–
and so the very next month, when Father’s Day rolled around, he’d STOCK UP with plenty of cards – but he was SHOCKED at what happened next – (PAUSE) ………ALMOST NONE of the MEN ASKED for them. This time he was LEFT with boxes and boxes of UNUSED CARDS.
and so the very next month, when Father’s Day rolled around, he’d STOCK UP with plenty of cards – but he was SHOCKED at what happened next – (PAUSE) ………ALMOST NONE of the MEN ASKED for them. This time he was LEFT with boxes and boxes of UNUSED CARDS.
When he ASKED one of the other CHAPLAINS why NOBODY wanted the CARDS– the guy said: “Welcome to prison! Most of these men NEVER KNEW THEIR FATHERS and a lot of the ones who DO– would just as soon forget ‘em.”
Father’s Day– can bring up memories & feelings that many of us would just as SOON FORGET.
I’ve spoken about the problems I had with MY OWN FATHER.
I’ve spoken about the problems I had with MY OWN FATHER.
He was a BAD ALCOHOLIC who had the added problem of often GETTING VIOLENT when he got DRUNK. I was on the RECEIVING END of a lot of that when I was GROWING UP. My experience of what a FATHER IS- wasn’t good– ALTHOUGH I STILL LOVED HIM.
IN MY EYES AS A CHILD–A father wasn’t SAFE – a father wasn’t to be TRUSTED –
And like the KID in today’s gospel,– I couldn’t wait to GET AWAY from HOME.
And like the KID in today’s gospel,– I couldn’t wait to GET AWAY from HOME.
Now Jesus tells this story because HE'S being asked by the righteous, church-going people in his town:
Why’s he HANGING OUT with THE ONES they consider all the LOW LIFE SCUM in their community?
Why’s he HANGING OUT with THE ONES they consider all the LOW LIFE SCUM in their community?
Why’s he PALING around with PROSTITUTES and talking it up with TAX TRAITORS–
Why’s he HEALING LEPERS and helping out all the so-called LOSERS –
What’s the deal, Jesus? You’re supposed to be a HOLY MAN– a PROPHET – don’t you know WHO these people are? ( PAUSE)…. so Jesus TELLS them this STORY.
Why’s he HEALING LEPERS and helping out all the so-called LOSERS –
What’s the deal, Jesus? You’re supposed to be a HOLY MAN– a PROPHET – don’t you know WHO these people are? ( PAUSE)…. so Jesus TELLS them this STORY.
It’s Jesus explaining to the CHURCH PEOPLE of his day what he’s doing – because what he was doing, WASN'T what any of them were doing.
But,– according to Jesus,– what he’s doing is exactly what God WANTED HIM TO DO.
But,– according to Jesus,– what he’s doing is exactly what God WANTED HIM TO DO.
He’s LOVING his kids —- “unconditionally.”
He’s loving ‘em in ways that absolutely BLOW AWAY all their OLD IDEAS about who God is– and how GOD WORKS IN OUR LIVES. Many of us TRY to HOLD ON to our OLD IDEAS– and we DON'T let ‘em go EASILY.
He’s loving ‘em in ways that absolutely BLOW AWAY all their OLD IDEAS about who God is– and how GOD WORKS IN OUR LIVES. Many of us TRY to HOLD ON to our OLD IDEAS– and we DON'T let ‘em go EASILY.
In his story ,– Jesus is saying:– we’ve got some old ideas about GOD,– and he wants to OPEN OUR EYES and help us SEE a very DIFFERENTIMAGE of —THE GOD— he knew so well.
Jesus called God, HIS ABBA– and that translates as his PAPA or his DADDY.
The holy people were all SHOCKED – and if I’ve LEARNED ANYTHING all my years IT'S THIS:
If the God of Jesus doesn’t come to me as a TOTAL SHOCK– then I haven’t heard what Jesus really said SHOCK– then I haven’t heard what Jesus really said—and I’m still STUCK in some of MY OLD IDEAS.
The holy people were all SHOCKED – and if I’ve LEARNED ANYTHING all my years IT'S THIS:
If the God of Jesus doesn’t come to me as a TOTAL SHOCK– then I haven’t heard what Jesus really said SHOCK– then I haven’t heard what Jesus really said—and I’m still STUCK in some of MY OLD IDEAS.
Dads —you have all received a SCROLL. That scroll’s part of a painting, "The Return of the Prodigal Son," done almost FOUR hundred years ago by REMBRANDT,– the artist.
It’s considered one of HIS GREATEST WORKS.
The painting is the ARTIST'S UNDERSTANDING of this gospel scene where the PRODIGAL SON finally comes to HIS SENSES— and RETURNS to his FATHER.
Now– I don’t know if you can SEE IT on the SCROLL – probably NOT – but there are TWO THINGS about the FATHER that the ARTIST PAINTED into the scene that most people can VERY EASILY MISS.
The painting is the ARTIST'S UNDERSTANDING of this gospel scene where the PRODIGAL SON finally comes to HIS SENSES— and RETURNS to his FATHER.
Now– I don’t know if you can SEE IT on the SCROLL – probably NOT – but there are TWO THINGS about the FATHER that the ARTIST PAINTED into the scene that most people can VERY EASILY MISS.
The FIRST has to do with the way he’s painted the FATHER'S EYES– because according to this ARTIST,– (PAUSE)– the father is BLIND.
In Rembrandt’s imagination – the father doesn’t even HAVE EYES to SEE ANY or ALL of the TERRIBLE THINGS that his son has DONE TO HIM.
In Rembrandt’s imagination – the father doesn’t even HAVE EYES to SEE ANY or ALL of the TERRIBLE THINGS that his son has DONE TO HIM.
All this father does: IS LOVE!
He loves his son when he SPITS in his FACE by asking for his INHERITANCE.
(See, you don’t get your inheritance until your FATHERS DEAD–
“Drop dead!” is what his son was SAYING.
“Drop dead,— Dad,– so I can GET what’s then legally coming to ME!
He loves his son when he SPITS in his FACE by asking for his INHERITANCE.
(See, you don’t get your inheritance until your FATHERS DEAD–
“Drop dead!” is what his son was SAYING.
“Drop dead,— Dad,– so I can GET what’s then legally coming to ME!
But this father is BLIND to that – He’s BLIND to the INSULT – He simply keeps on LOVING – and instead of giving him the BACK of HIS HAND– he gives the boy EXACTLY– what he ASKS for.
And,– just like so many of US,–the kid takes the MONEY and goes right out and BLOWS IT–
IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG–and it was ALL GONE !
So the KID winds up living with the PIGS ….. and WE ALL have our OWN PIG STORIES don't we?
IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG–and it was ALL GONE !
So the KID winds up living with the PIGS ….. and WE ALL have our OWN PIG STORIES don't we?
But, being the little CON ARTIST that HE IS,
THIS KID is still trying to manipulate his OLD MAN.
THIS KID is still trying to manipulate his OLD MAN.
“I’ve got a PLAN!” he says, “I’ll TELL my father that I DON'T DESERVE to be called HIS SON–
I’ll PLAY on HIS MERCY – I’ll ask him to take me in and treat me like one of his SERVANTS.
At least I’ll get myself: THREE HOTS AND A COT.”
I’ll PLAY on HIS MERCY – I’ll ask him to take me in and treat me like one of his SERVANTS.
At least I’ll get myself: THREE HOTS AND A COT.”
But the OLD MAN seems BLIND to that TOO. (Maybe Love really is BLIND!)
ALL this LOVING FATHER can do is THROW his arms around HIS SON–
And instead of treating him like a SERVANT (which was the SONS plan)
he treats him like ROYALTY (which is GOD'S PLAN!)
ALL this LOVING FATHER can do is THROW his arms around HIS SON–
And instead of treating him like a SERVANT (which was the SONS plan)
he treats him like ROYALTY (which is GOD'S PLAN!)
He puts RINGS on his FINGERS —and a ROBE on his BACK,
He showers him with KISSSES—- and presses him close to HIS HEART.
And there’s something else about THIS PAINTING that’s puzzled people for centuries.
It’s the way the artist depicts the FATHER'S TWO HANDS.
Hands that are holding on to this WAYWARD SON.
For some reason Rembrandt painted each of the FATHER'S HANDS very differently –
ONE HAND— is very clearly the hand of a MAN –
And the OTHER– is just as clearly,— the hand of a WOMAN
He showers him with KISSSES—- and presses him close to HIS HEART.
And there’s something else about THIS PAINTING that’s puzzled people for centuries.
It’s the way the artist depicts the FATHER'S TWO HANDS.
Hands that are holding on to this WAYWARD SON.
For some reason Rembrandt painted each of the FATHER'S HANDS very differently –
ONE HAND— is very clearly the hand of a MAN –
And the OTHER– is just as clearly,— the hand of a WOMAN
Rembrandt’s– SAYING something very powerful here about the God of HIS UNDERSTANDING-
and about how it is that GOD LOVES US.
and about how it is that GOD LOVES US.
He seems to be saying that GOD LOVES US BOTH as a FATHER loves and as a MOTHER loves too.
This FATHER is STRONG – and that’s the MALE HAND that’s supporting HIS SON–
It’s holding him UP– so he doesn’t FALL AGAIN– It’s the hand that’s ENCOURAGING him and BLESSING him. He’s passing on HIS ENERGY to the NEXT GENERATION so this SON of his will be STRONG ENOUGH some day to pass it on to HIS SON TOO.
It’s holding him UP– so he doesn’t FALL AGAIN– It’s the hand that’s ENCOURAGING him and BLESSING him. He’s passing on HIS ENERGY to the NEXT GENERATION so this SON of his will be STRONG ENOUGH some day to pass it on to HIS SON TOO.
If we MISSED receiving these things from our FATHERS – the good news is: it’s never TOO LATE to get them. GOD makes that POSSIBLE. And maybe the bigger ‘the Father hole’ we have inside OUR SOULS– the more OPEN we’ll be to letting God come IN and FILL IT WITH HIS PRESENCE,– and the more GRATEFUL we’ll be to RECEIVE IT.
But with the OTHER HAND ,– while all of this is GOING ON,– then with his OTHER HAND, with his FEMALE SIDE– this father’s also gently HUGGING his son’s NECK – He’s EMBARASSING HIM,– much as a MOTHER would HUG HER CHILD.
But with the OTHER HAND ,– while all of this is GOING ON,– then with his OTHER HAND, with his FEMALE SIDE– this father’s also gently HUGGING his son’s NECK – He’s EMBARASSING HIM,– much as a MOTHER would HUG HER CHILD.
This FATHER isn’t afraid to SHOW LOVE. He’s not afraid to make himself VULNERABLE – He isn’t afraid to CRY or to open his HEART. We need that from OUR FATHERS– and we need it from OUR GOD TOO. The scriptures tell us that we’re each WONDERFULLY MADE.
They say we’re made in the very image and likeness of God –
And because we REFLECT HIM and who HE IS,– So we have a God who is BOTH STRONG and TENDER . A God who’s full of POWER and MIGHT but one who’s also full of LOVE and compassion.
They say we’re made in the very image and likeness of God –
And because we REFLECT HIM and who HE IS,– So we have a God who is BOTH STRONG and TENDER . A God who’s full of POWER and MIGHT but one who’s also full of LOVE and compassion.
I want to close now with another list I came across not too long ago.
It’s a collection of scripture passages that were put together to make up AN IMAGINARY Father’s Day card from our God to YOU.
It’s a collection of scripture passages that were put together to make up AN IMAGINARY Father’s Day card from our God to YOU.
Someone gathered up one liners from the Old and the New Testament and strung ‘em all together. And if you’ll listen to them carefully, I think you’ll hear the two sides of God that Rembrandt saw.
Maybe it’s a unisex card that THE pastor in prison could use on Mother’s Day and on Father’s Day too.
Maybe it’s a unisex card that THE pastor in prison could use on Mother’s Day and on Father’s Day too.
It reads like this:
MY CHILD . . .
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head I’ve numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my own image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head I’ve numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my own image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
You are my child. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are broken hearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son Jesus. John 17:23
When you are broken hearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son Jesus. John 17:23
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
Come home. Luke 15: 7
Signed: With Love Everlasting – Your Father.
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
Come home. Luke 15: 7
Signed: With Love Everlasting – Your Father.
GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I…..Happy Fourth of July. Enjoy that day off with your family.
Pastor Ron
Pastor's Corner
John 3:1-13 Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
1. Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3. Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4. “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5. Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9. “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11. Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13. No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.
Congratulations to our Confirmans: Amber and Shannon Aman, Alexis Herrington, Ethan Gregory and Mathew Goetz.
Following this very special day you have now become ADULT members of our Church with full voting privileges. Most importantly you have declared with your own voice that Jesus Christ is Lord of your life and you accept Him as your Lord and Savior. You are now BORN AGAIN of WATER and of SPIRIT. Although some of you may think that Confirmation is THE END of your studies…… it is really just the beginning. There is even more reason now for you to come to Church on Sundays and to become more involved.
Do you remember the prayer that I said when you were confirmed. Let me share it with you again.
Father in heaven for Jesus' sake, STIR UP in (Amber and Shannon Aman, Alexis Herrington, Ethan Gregory and Mathew Goetz.) the GIFT of your Holy Spirit;….. GOD HAS GIVEN YOU A GIFT. NOW YOU HAVE TO IDENTIFY IT AND USE IT TO GLORIFY HIM.
CONFIRM their FAITH,… YOU SAID, “YES LORD , I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE MY LORD AND SAVIOR AND YOU DIED FOR MY SINS ON THE CROSS AND WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD JUST FOR ME TO FREE ME FROM MY SINS. ”
GUIDE their LIFE,…..You made a public profession that YOU WOULD CONTINUE IN YOUR COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, LIVE AMONG GOD'S FAITHFUL PEOPLE, READ THE WORD AND SHARE IN HIS SUPPER, PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD THROUGH WORD AND DEED, SERVE ALL PEOPLE, FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF OUR LORD JESUS AND STRIVE FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE IN ALL THE EARTH.
EMPOWER them in their SERVING,…….YOU NEED TO SERVE IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT…your home, school, your Church, WHERE EVER GOD TAKES YOU.
give them PEACE in their SUFFERING,……GOD NEVER SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE EASY. THE REWARDS ARE, ”OUT OF THIS WORLD!”
and bring them to EVERLASTING LIFE……WHEN WE HAVE SERVED GOD AND OUR NEIGHBOR THE BEST WE CAN, HE WILL SAY TO YOU…WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.
Your response was…..I DO. I DO LORD……I PROMISE YOU.
Let's not forget that our life with Christ is ONGOING. It has a beginning but has no end until we meet HIM in heaven at the end of our life here on earth. NEVER FORGET YOUR PROMISES TO GOD! God loves you and so do I…….Pastor Ron
NOTE For Clarification Purposes: My sermons are populated with a lot of “……” These dots represent the pregnant pauses I use as I speak my sermon to you on Sunday. Just as “the pauses” between musical notes turns a bunch of notes into beautiful music, the telling of a story is the same way. Although it is not grammatically correct…..I am going to leave them in just as I would speak them to you….. My hope is that you would read it just as you would hear it………… Pastor Floyd
Faces of an Empty Tomb
Grace & Peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior the RISEN Christ. Please pray with me: Heavenly Father today is the celebration – Today we rejoice for you have redeemed the world, reconciling all human-kind to yourself so we might live. You have made the ultimate sacrifice…..carried our sins upon your back and have cast them away forever. Help us to remain as Christ-like examples to a world who does not yet know you. AMEN.
Just as sin entered the world through one man…..saving Grace and forgiveness of sin entered into the world through one man. We, through Adam were a fallen humanity……there was no way out of our sin except by the law……the keeping of the commandments of God…….God’s people failed over-and-over again in keeping His law, yet God would continue to provide for and direct them; through this Love for His people Israel…….In our Psalm this morning verse 18 says “The Lord indeed punished me sorely, but did not hand me over to death, He opened for me the gates of righteousness”. And verse 22 “The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone”. We as a sinful people have rejected Christ, yet He has become the chief cornerstone…….HE is the gate of righteousness…….In verse 35 of our first reading, Peter is speaking to Cornelius of Caesarea and says; “But in every nation anyone who fears Him (God) and does what is right……. is acceptable to Him” and later in verse 43 says; “All the prophets testify about Him that…. everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name”. You see…..the free gift has been given.……the rejected stone has become the chief cornerstone of the church……..anyone who fears Him…….anyone who believes in Him receives the forgiveness of sins and the gates of righteousness have been open………Is your heart right with God?…….have you asked Him to forgive you?……….do you tremble with fear and awe when you go before Him?………if you answer yes to this, then this is a wonderful day of celebration……this day, the most important day of the year for us poor believing sinners……..the day He took all of our sins to the cross, and through this cross cast them away forever.
Our Gospel reading this morning is taken from Matt, and Matt is like the gospel of John when it comes to the women going to the tomb…… There is a difference between the Gospels of Matt /John & that of Mark/Luke……Matt/John are not carrying spices because the spices were used at the time the body was laid in the tomb………unlike the Gospel of Mark & Luke where the the women bring the spices to the tomb after the Sabbath………Because Jesus’ death was on the day of “preparation”, right before the Sabbath, ……… he was either anointed immediately before the Sabbath or after the Sabbath……..and we really don’t know which version is the correct one, so I am going to choose to speak about the women carrying spices to the tomb to prepare the body of Jesus after the Sabbath.
Why are the women the first to discover the empty tomb? Was it the maternal instinct that women have?……Where they refuse to give up…….. where they must take care of the favored son even after death?………remember, Matt’s Gospel says they just went there to sit at the tomb because the anointing had already been done………..How about the men? ……..were they back in their place of hiding, licking their wounds planning or wondering what to do next?………..In trying situations…….. men seem to move on, while Women tend to not let go ………and in this Gospel situation, I very happy that we had women who would not let go of Jesus……..
I want you to put yourself in our Gospel lesson this morning……You are about to become the very first people to witness the empty tomb and believe in the resurrection after Jesus’ crucifixion. At least that is the thought I want to put into your mind……..and since I have acknowledged the women as the shining stars of the supporting cast in today’s narrative,……..I want you to imagine yourself as one of the women who first arrived at the tomb……..remember, you are in mourning because the Messiah has died…….you were there at the cross and saw His last breath……….you witnessed the pain he endured………. ……..and this scene at Calvary plays over and over in your mind…….the suffering………so tremendous was the anguish and suffering……. and your own pain of helplessness that you had to endure as you stood by watched him die a slow painful death……….so on this morning’s walk to the tomb, you are at your lowest because this is to be your final contact with him…….preparing His body with the spices that you carry.
Providing a proper burial (by preparing the body with spices) was an important obligation of family members. It is very evident that the women going to the tomb considered themselves very close family to Jesus, as was Joseph of Arimathea when he claimed the body of Christ and provided the tomb in which to lay Him.
In our present day lives we deal with the preparations of death.……death within our family…… of our loved ones………of our friends. Death, loss, and funeral preparations are some of the most trying times in our lives………but knowing what we know about our savior gives us the faith to handle the worst of situations…….we know that Christ goes before us….. to prepare a place for us and our loved ones as long as we “believe in & confess Him” with our mouths. But the original followers did not yet have this assurance…..this assurance of being with Christ forever…..although you might say, “They had Jesus with them and He told them many times where He was going”………. we must remember though they had not yet received the Holy Spirit, they were only leaning on their own understanding….. and this lack of understanding had to leave them feeling completely lost at the death of Jesus.
But can you imagine their joy once the scriptures and the impact of the resurrection was revealed to them by the Holy Spirit?……PUT YOURSELF BACK AT THE TOMB…..You have arrived and see the stone rolled away! WHAT HAS GONE ON HERE?? WHERE HAVE THEY TAKEN HIM?? You are in shock and feel completely helpless……..and then…….the two angels of the Lord appear and say………“Why do you look for the living among the dead”? Did He not tell you that the Son of man would be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and on the third day rise again?
You at the empty tomb feel a flood of emotions rush through your body………through the fear your thoughts begin to crystallize………you remember His words now……YOU REMEMBER HIS WORDS NOW! Fear starts to turn into overwhelming hope……….adrenaline courses through your body………“I MUST TELL THE OTHERS!!”………you drop everything from your hands and start to run back to where the others are……..the adrenaline in your muscles and the hope in your heart puts wings to your feet……..as you cover the ground, you think…..could it really be true?….could it really be true?….COULD IT REALLY BE TRUE!!
When the women reached the disciples and told them of what they had seen…….there was disbelief with all…… all except Peter……Peter ran to the tomb to see for himself………and after Peter had witnessed the empty tomb, he went back home…….amazed at what he had seen and at what had happened.
There were many.. “Faces of this Empty Tomb”……faces that showed fear………faces that showed sadness…..faces that showed despair…. faces that showed shock…….faces that showed disbelief……faces that showed hope…….and faces that showed sheer joy…….
This is a day of celebration my brothers & sisters for as the women questioned themselves on the way to tell the others “COULD IT REALLY BE TRUE”? …….IT IS TRUE!!…….it is as true today as it was on that first day ……….that first day when understanding dawned upon that group of women.
HE HAS RISEN! …… HE HAS RISEN INDEED!!
AMEN
Sermon by Pastor Floyd on Easter Sunday
When Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, he addressed Jesus respectfully — "Rabbi," he said — "teacher." He told Jesus that is was obvious that Jesus had come from God, because "no one can do THESE SIGNS that you do apart from the PRESENCE OF GOD".
Jesus' response seems rather off-the-wall. He said, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being BORN FROM ABOVE". Did Jesus mean that we must be "born again" or that we must be "born from above"? It is pretty clear that he meant BOTH. If we are to see the kingdom of God, we must be BORN AGAIN — born from above — begotten of God.
Jesus went on to explain: "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of WATER AND SPIRIT".
"Born of water" points to BAPTISM, doesn't it? In his letter to the Romans, Paul talks about baptism as a DEATH and RESURECTION — being "buried with (Christ) by baptism into death.
"Born of the Spirit" points to the WORK of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God LIVING AMONG US — DWELLING IN US. When we were BAPTIZED, we received the GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 2:38). We now have the Spirit of God LIVING IN US — LOVING US — GUIDING US– OPENING DOORS FOR US — and sometimes CLOSING DOORS as well.
The Holy Spirit DWELLS WITHIN US to act as the Captain of our lives. If we would only let the Spirit DIRECT OUR LIVES, — how much SIMPLER things would be for us. If we would only let the Spirit STEER US in the right DIRECTION, — we could AVOID much of the WRECKAGE that most of us experience. That's hard to do. It's hard to "Let go — and let God!"
"When you have a GLOVE in your HAND the glove CANNOT DO ANYTHING BY ITSELF, but when your HAND IS IN IT, it can do MANY THINGS. True, it is NOT the GLOVE, BUT YOUR HAND in the GLOVE that ACTS. BROTHERS & SISTERS….WE ARE THE GLOVES. It is the Holy Spirit IN US that is the HAND, who does the job. We have to MAKE ROOM for THE HAND so that every finger is filled.
BY MYSELF I am NOT LIKELY to do much that will be truly IMPORTANT. Like that GLOVE, I am only LIMP and LIFELESS as long as I am working by my own meager POWER. I might be only a CLOTH GARDENING GLOVE but it makes NO DIFFERENCE. ****Without a HAND in the GLOVE, it can do NOTHING IMPORTANT.
All I have to do is to let God's Spirit FILL MY LIFE as a HAND FILLS A GLOVE. When I do that, MY LIFE becomes GOD-POWERED, and there is NO LIMIT to what God can do as he WORKS through me! The same is TRUE FOR YOU!
When God's Spirit is at WORK, great things HAPPEN. I came across a story that illustrates what I mean. A young woman living in London was concerned about HER UNCLE Henry. Henry DIDN'T have much USE for the CHURCH, but his NIECE kept INVITING HIM to go to church with her.
Finally he AGREED TO GO. They went to church together. When the preacher READ the SCRIPTURE, — the young woman's HEART SANK. The scripture was from Genesis 5, which is a LIST of the DECENDENTS of Adam. Let me give you just a little sample. It says: "When Adam had lived one hundred thirty years, he became the father of a son in his likeness, according to his image, — and named him Seth. The days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years; and he died".
The fifth chapter of Genesis keeps REPEATING THE PATTERN OVER and OVER and OVER. Henry's niece felt AWFUL that the preacher would have CHOSEN a text like that for the Sunday that HER UNCLE finally agreed to GO TO church.
But the next day, as Henry went about his business, the phrase "and he died" kept REPEATING in his MIND. It was LIKE one of those SONGS that gets STUCK in your BRAIN. Henry kept hearing "and he died" — "and he died" — "and he died". Finally, he COULDN'T STAND IT ANY LONGER, because he knew that someday people would say of him, "and he died". He also knew that he was NOT READY to face ETERNITY so he got DOWN on his KNEES and GAVE HIS LIFE TO CHRIST.
When things like that happen and THEY DO happen, they are the WORK of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit takes ORDINARY THINGS like a GLOVE, like that genealogy from Genesis 5, like YOUR LIFE and MY LIFE and FILLS them with POWER.
That delights me, because it means that OUR LIVES can be something IMPORTANT if we are BORN of the WATER and the SPIRIT.
Jesus says, "No one can see the kingdom of God without being BORN FROM ABOVE." The Good News is that, by the GRACE OF GOD, WE CAN DO THAT. By the grace of God, we can become NEW PEOPLE ready to live RICH and FULFULLED. All we have to do is GIVE OURSELVES to God so that God might EMPOWER US just as a live hand EMPOWERS A LIMP GLOVE. Do not live another day without accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Please pray this prayer.
Precious Jesus- I am a SINNER-I REPENT of ALL my SINS.
Forgive me Lord for the sins that I am AWARE of – and the sins I have BURIED AND FORGOTTEN. I believe that your are the MESSIAH and DIED ON THE CROSS to set me free. Come into my life – Be my LORD & SAVIOR. Show me the WISDOM of YOUR WAYS – IN Jesus' NAME I PRAY…..AMEN
GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I….May you enjoy your new life in Christ this Easter.
Pastor Ron