Good friends, this is what I intended to talk about today but for some reason God lead to speak without notes today. So some of this made it into the Message and some of it didn't. I pray that God speaks to you in his Word read and proclaimed.
Friends, what’s the good news for today? It seems like every day this week all we’ve heard about is politicians or political action groups grumbling about the proposed health care package or news people rehashing for us one more time Tiger Wood’s family problems. The good news, if there’s been any, has been buried deep beneath all the gloom and doom of the world’s problems.
The news Micah had for Israel came to people who had either been conquered by the Assyrians or were about to be conquered by them. This fifth chapter was written for those who had been in exile. Micah is sharing God’s good news with the people about one whom God has chosen to rule Israel; one who is descended from a respected family from the little town of Bethlehem. And they were really starving for some good news. I’d like to hear some good news, wouldn’t you?
Wouldn’t you like to shout to God like today’s psalmist? “God come back! Smile your blessing smile!” Everyone just needs to hear some good news!
Luke gives us the story about the angel Gabriel coming to Mary telling her that she was going to get pregnant and give birth to a son who would be the savior of the world. We know that was good news now but if you had been Mary and living when she lived would you have received that message from God’s angel as good news?
I believe that’s why Mary should be remembered. She heard God’s message, and other than asking how this would be possible since she wasn’t married and had never been with a man, she accepted Gabriel’s answer. Her response was, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” I wonder how many of us would have responded like she did given the same set of circumstances.
Since Gabriel had told her about Elizabeth she decided it was time to pack her bag and go to the hill country of Judea to stay for a while and visit. As she came up the path to the town she caught sight of Elizabeth and gave her a shout.
I know that babies in the womb respond to outside stimulation such as sudden loud noises and music and so forth but baby John’s reaction must have been different given the comments recorded by Luke. Somehow Elizabeth knew that Mary was with child and she also knew somehow that the children they were both carrying were blessed by God. The course of their lives had been predetermined by God. One was to be a messenger to prepare the Way and the other would be the savior of the world, the Messiah.
Mary was so filled with joy that she burst out in song, accapello, praising God for the many great things he had done and was doing for his children. This song is known as The Magnificat, the first word in the Latin translation of this passage. Did you notice how this is a song portrays God as a champion of the poor, the down and out, and those whom no one wanted any contact with? And I like to believe that He is still that champion.
Mary received the news that she was going to be the mother of God’s son and she accepted that news and praised God for granting her such a blessing. So how is God praised today? Who is lifting up praise to Him today with joy in their hearts for receiving his blessing?
Friends, I ask you to take time today and the rest of this week to reflect on the graces you have received from God. As you remember lift your voice in song and praise to your creator, God, who continues to bless us every day.
Today we are reminded to proclaim God’s message of love to all people. Friends, you will come face to face with many of God’s children this week. As you look them in the face don’t let the opportunity slip by without taking the time to share with them how God has blessed you; how he loved the whole world so much that he sent his Son to live among us to show and teach us about his never ending love for us, his children and that includes them.
The Advent season is all about preparing for the coming of the Messiah. Messiah has come. He is coming again. It could be today. That’s why it’s so very important that we share the good news with everyone we meet. God doesn’t want anyone to miss out on eternal life in the new heaven and the New Jerusalem.
Do you know someone who hasn’t committed their life to Jesus? Why not tell them the story today while it’s fresh in your mind. Sing them your song of praise to God.
Friends, God loves you and so do I. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Jesus Is Coming, Here!
Jesus is coming. Have you heard? Who told you? What does it mean? What should we do? Do we have to do anything? Is He really coming? Do you think it could be today?
The prophet Malachi tells us to “watch for this.” He says “the time is coming.” Zachariah is so happy to get his voice back that he breaks into song. His son has been chosen by God to proclaim the Good News that the Messiah is coming. His son, little baby John, is going to be the one who will be the one who is the “thunder in the desert” crying out from the wilderness. He’s one proud papa.
I wonder how he felt when his little boy came out of the wilderness and called the religious of the day “vipers.” John went to the wilderness and stayed there until God spoke to him, gave him the Message to proclaim to the people. His Message was that they had to get ready because the Messiah, Jesus, was coming. I don’t believe John knew then that his cousin, Jesus, was the One. He found out later but that didn’t deter him from coming out of the wilderness to the River Jordan, where the people were, to proclaim his Message of repentance, forgiveness, and baptism. Jesus, the Messiah, was coming, right there, right then. And they all needed to get things ready.
Luke named all these important people in history so that those who would be reading his gospel would have a reference point for John’s ministry. We can all understand that can’t we. When we begin to relate some story from our family history we usually begin by saying it was around the time when so and so was governor or so and so was president or such and such event happened around the same time.
The folks reading Luke’s gospel would know all these names and they’d say, “Oh yeah, I remember that.” John the Baptist is even referred to in the Qur’an as being the one who proclaimed God’s message about Jesus, the prophet. Historical references give us a point in time to fix our mind on.
With these words from the prophets saying that the Messiah was coming, I wonder were the people any better prepared than we are today. Friends, the Message for us today is Jesus is coming, here. Are we ready to receive the Savior? Are we prepared?
Do you want to know what I think? I don’t think we are. It’s just my opinion, but it doesn’t look to me like we are any more ready for the coming of Jesus than Israel or Judah were when John shouted his Message from the River Jordan.
You might be wondering why I think that. Look at the state of the world around us. There is war in Iraq and Afghanistan and it doesn’t look like its going to end any time soon. Do you hear a loud outcry from the churches that this is wrong? Is there a huge petition drive to provide food and water for those regions in the world where families are starving and/or dying because there is an inadequate food supply or clean water to drink? Do you hear people talking in the bakery or Aunt B’s about the genocide that’s occurring in Africa or Indonesia?
Are we really ready for Jesus? Are our hearts ready for Jesus to come again? Friends, Jesus is here whether we’re ready or not. Soon he will come in person and it will be too late to change. Now is the time to repent. Now is the time to lay it all out there and pray that God will forgive us. Today is the day we should make the commitment to change remembering John’s Message from the wilderness, “Prepare for God’s arrival.”
Everyday we let pass by without consciously making the commitment to change we risk not being ready. Jesus is coming, here!
Let’s change today so we can be forgiven. Open your heart today to God. Let his Spirit change you so that Zachariah’s words will come true…
“Through the heartfelt mercies of our God,
God's Sunrise will break in upon us,
Shining on those in the darkness,
those sitting in the shadow of death,
Then showing us the way, one foot at a time,
down the path of peace.”
How many more days do you think we have until he comes? I don’t think we should take any chances. I believe we need to change today. Jesus is coming. Here! Thanks be to God. Amen.
The prophet Malachi tells us to “watch for this.” He says “the time is coming.” Zachariah is so happy to get his voice back that he breaks into song. His son has been chosen by God to proclaim the Good News that the Messiah is coming. His son, little baby John, is going to be the one who will be the one who is the “thunder in the desert” crying out from the wilderness. He’s one proud papa.
I wonder how he felt when his little boy came out of the wilderness and called the religious of the day “vipers.” John went to the wilderness and stayed there until God spoke to him, gave him the Message to proclaim to the people. His Message was that they had to get ready because the Messiah, Jesus, was coming. I don’t believe John knew then that his cousin, Jesus, was the One. He found out later but that didn’t deter him from coming out of the wilderness to the River Jordan, where the people were, to proclaim his Message of repentance, forgiveness, and baptism. Jesus, the Messiah, was coming, right there, right then. And they all needed to get things ready.
Luke named all these important people in history so that those who would be reading his gospel would have a reference point for John’s ministry. We can all understand that can’t we. When we begin to relate some story from our family history we usually begin by saying it was around the time when so and so was governor or so and so was president or such and such event happened around the same time.
The folks reading Luke’s gospel would know all these names and they’d say, “Oh yeah, I remember that.” John the Baptist is even referred to in the Qur’an as being the one who proclaimed God’s message about Jesus, the prophet. Historical references give us a point in time to fix our mind on.
With these words from the prophets saying that the Messiah was coming, I wonder were the people any better prepared than we are today. Friends, the Message for us today is Jesus is coming, here. Are we ready to receive the Savior? Are we prepared?
Do you want to know what I think? I don’t think we are. It’s just my opinion, but it doesn’t look to me like we are any more ready for the coming of Jesus than Israel or Judah were when John shouted his Message from the River Jordan.
You might be wondering why I think that. Look at the state of the world around us. There is war in Iraq and Afghanistan and it doesn’t look like its going to end any time soon. Do you hear a loud outcry from the churches that this is wrong? Is there a huge petition drive to provide food and water for those regions in the world where families are starving and/or dying because there is an inadequate food supply or clean water to drink? Do you hear people talking in the bakery or Aunt B’s about the genocide that’s occurring in Africa or Indonesia?
Are we really ready for Jesus? Are our hearts ready for Jesus to come again? Friends, Jesus is here whether we’re ready or not. Soon he will come in person and it will be too late to change. Now is the time to repent. Now is the time to lay it all out there and pray that God will forgive us. Today is the day we should make the commitment to change remembering John’s Message from the wilderness, “Prepare for God’s arrival.”
Everyday we let pass by without consciously making the commitment to change we risk not being ready. Jesus is coming, here!
Let’s change today so we can be forgiven. Open your heart today to God. Let his Spirit change you so that Zachariah’s words will come true…
“Through the heartfelt mercies of our God,
God's Sunrise will break in upon us,
Shining on those in the darkness,
those sitting in the shadow of death,
Then showing us the way, one foot at a time,
down the path of peace.”
How many more days do you think we have until he comes? I don’t think we should take any chances. I believe we need to change today. Jesus is coming. Here! Thanks be to God. Amen.
Monday, November 30, 2009
What's Important?
This is the Message I delivered at our Thanksgiving Eve worship service.
As you heard the scriptures read what did you think about? How did they speak to you this evening? How did you hear God talking to you in his Message?
As I read the lessons from The Message I was struck by the words. They just seemed to jump out at me, almost like they were saying, “Hey, this is important. Pay attention to what's being said here.” It may be because of the present condition of the world around at this time that they seemed particularly profound to me. At any rate I think there is a Message here for all of us in this season of thanksgiving.
The OT reading from the prophet Joel says in so many words that we, the children of God, should celebrate. Be glad in our God...full of praises to our God, the God who has set us back on our heels in wonder. Don't you get the feeling of awe sometimes as you walk about or travel about in this wonderful place God has placed us? Doesn't it just make you want to “celebrate” as Joel puts it?
The psalmist continues this when he says, “...it seemed like a dream, too good to be true...we laughed, we sang, we couldn't believe our good fortune...God do it again.” Have you ever thought to yourself, “This must be a dream. This is too good to be actually happening to me?” That's what the psalmist is feeling.
So, I know, sometimes our lives aren't really so good and we just don't feel like celebrating or singing or laughing. What do we do then, crawl in a hole, stick our heads in the sand like an ostrich? That doesn't fix anything but sometimes we are just too overwhelmed by what the world is doing to us.
Good friends, I believe it's then we need to remember Paul's words to Timothy, “The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.” Have you ever got up in the middle of the night and then went back to bed and couldn't fall back to sleep? What do you do? Get up for a snack or maybe something hot to drink? How does that work for you? Have you ever tried praying for everyone you can think of? Have you ever thought of praying for the people on your block or your neighbors when you couldn't get back to sleep? It may be that God is telling you to pray not because he needs your prayers but because you need prayer, you need to take your mind off yourself and consider others. Who knows, it's got to be better than tossing and turning and trying to count sheep or goats or ceiling tile.
Have you noticed how every time the television goes to commercial it's an advertisement about something every person should have in their kitchen, their bathroom, their living room, entertainment room or their workshop? We just have to have it. If we don't how could we possibly live? The world continually tells us we have to own this or that. We just can't be complete with it, whatever it may be.
Matthew gives us Jesus' answer in chapter 6 that we heard read this evening. I don't believe he's telling us its wrong to possess “things.” I think he's telling us we need to decide where our priorities are. If we are the Christians we profess to be then we must realize we need to make a commitment to follow Jesus. When we do that then the focus is no longer on us it's on others. After all it's not about us but it's about what God is doing in and around us, that's what's important.
Making the commitment to serve Jesus and trust him to provide for us is certainly scary for us but as God grows our faith we are able to do so much more than we ever imagined we could do.
God is telling us that excessive worry and anxiety will get us nowhere. It only serves to separate us from God. In the verses that precede this passage we are told that we can't serve two masters. That's what Jesus continues to elaborate here. He wants us to think about where our priorities are, where are our values. The world would have us think that God comes after our jobs, after our homes, after our retirement accounts, you can fill in the blank with many other things we worry about.
Friends, where is our allegiance, where do we place our loyalty? Jesus told us we only have two commandments to concern ourselves with and the first is to love God with our hearts, our souls, and our minds. That should be our number one priority. And then we are told to love our neighbors as we ourselves want to be loved. It's still not about us. It's all about God and others and serving them.
So this thanksgiving season as you sit down to tables overflowing with delicious meals prepared with loving hands remember why we're all here, what our work is as children of God. We are called to serve and we all need to decide what that means.
Friends, God loves you and so do I. Thanks be to God for his many blessings. Amen.
As you heard the scriptures read what did you think about? How did they speak to you this evening? How did you hear God talking to you in his Message?
As I read the lessons from The Message I was struck by the words. They just seemed to jump out at me, almost like they were saying, “Hey, this is important. Pay attention to what's being said here.” It may be because of the present condition of the world around at this time that they seemed particularly profound to me. At any rate I think there is a Message here for all of us in this season of thanksgiving.
The OT reading from the prophet Joel says in so many words that we, the children of God, should celebrate. Be glad in our God...full of praises to our God, the God who has set us back on our heels in wonder. Don't you get the feeling of awe sometimes as you walk about or travel about in this wonderful place God has placed us? Doesn't it just make you want to “celebrate” as Joel puts it?
The psalmist continues this when he says, “...it seemed like a dream, too good to be true...we laughed, we sang, we couldn't believe our good fortune...God do it again.” Have you ever thought to yourself, “This must be a dream. This is too good to be actually happening to me?” That's what the psalmist is feeling.
So, I know, sometimes our lives aren't really so good and we just don't feel like celebrating or singing or laughing. What do we do then, crawl in a hole, stick our heads in the sand like an ostrich? That doesn't fix anything but sometimes we are just too overwhelmed by what the world is doing to us.
Good friends, I believe it's then we need to remember Paul's words to Timothy, “The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.” Have you ever got up in the middle of the night and then went back to bed and couldn't fall back to sleep? What do you do? Get up for a snack or maybe something hot to drink? How does that work for you? Have you ever tried praying for everyone you can think of? Have you ever thought of praying for the people on your block or your neighbors when you couldn't get back to sleep? It may be that God is telling you to pray not because he needs your prayers but because you need prayer, you need to take your mind off yourself and consider others. Who knows, it's got to be better than tossing and turning and trying to count sheep or goats or ceiling tile.
Have you noticed how every time the television goes to commercial it's an advertisement about something every person should have in their kitchen, their bathroom, their living room, entertainment room or their workshop? We just have to have it. If we don't how could we possibly live? The world continually tells us we have to own this or that. We just can't be complete with it, whatever it may be.
Matthew gives us Jesus' answer in chapter 6 that we heard read this evening. I don't believe he's telling us its wrong to possess “things.” I think he's telling us we need to decide where our priorities are. If we are the Christians we profess to be then we must realize we need to make a commitment to follow Jesus. When we do that then the focus is no longer on us it's on others. After all it's not about us but it's about what God is doing in and around us, that's what's important.
Making the commitment to serve Jesus and trust him to provide for us is certainly scary for us but as God grows our faith we are able to do so much more than we ever imagined we could do.
God is telling us that excessive worry and anxiety will get us nowhere. It only serves to separate us from God. In the verses that precede this passage we are told that we can't serve two masters. That's what Jesus continues to elaborate here. He wants us to think about where our priorities are, where are our values. The world would have us think that God comes after our jobs, after our homes, after our retirement accounts, you can fill in the blank with many other things we worry about.
Friends, where is our allegiance, where do we place our loyalty? Jesus told us we only have two commandments to concern ourselves with and the first is to love God with our hearts, our souls, and our minds. That should be our number one priority. And then we are told to love our neighbors as we ourselves want to be loved. It's still not about us. It's all about God and others and serving them.
So this thanksgiving season as you sit down to tables overflowing with delicious meals prepared with loving hands remember why we're all here, what our work is as children of God. We are called to serve and we all need to decide what that means.
Friends, God loves you and so do I. Thanks be to God for his many blessings. Amen.
Still Waiting
Another church year has ended and a new one begins today with the first Sunday of Advent. Today’s Message from the Scriptures talks again about Christ’s coming again. When Luke wrote his gospel the people were waiting…and waiting…and waiting…and we are still waiting. Have people given up on Christ ever coming back? Have we become discouraged with all the waiting? I wonder.
How patient are you? Some days I’m very impatient and other times it doesn’t matter, but the world has been waiting a long time for Christ to return and bring with him the new heaven and earth and a New Jerusalem. Do you think we’re ready?
We have heard this Message so many times and he hasn’t come yet that I wonder if we haven’t been putting changing our lives or even thinking about changing that we may be in danger of not being ready. Friends, I’m speaking from experience here. I am the classic procrastinator who puts things off until they absolutely can’t be put off any longer. But this is something I shouldn’t put off and neither should you.
Jesus said that he is coming and we are to watch for the signs. When these signs appear that means that the kingdom of God is near. So, should we be watching for signs or preparing ourselves for Christ’s coming? What do you think?
I think if we spend our time watching for the signs and trying to interpret what we think they mean that we may be in danger of putting of the hard work of changing our lives and doing the work God has called us to do. It could easily happen. We get so involved with listening to the news that we forget that we are to telling the Good News and bringing people into the kingdom of God that is here right now.
Our prayer should be what Paul wrote in his letter to the Thessalonians, “13May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you… May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.”
Our goal for the new year should be to do what we know we should be doing so that we are ready for Christ’s return, reading Scripture, studying Scripture, praying to God and spending time in silence so we can hear what God has for us. And then sharing the Good News of God’s love with our friends and neighbors and people we don’t know yet whom God brings to us everyday.
That sounds like a full-time job, and it is, but once we have decided how we can get this discipline ingrained in our lives it ceases to be a chore and becomes as natural as breathing. It’s just part of our daily living and then we don’t have to be worrying or anxious about whether we’re ready or not. It doesn’t matter that we’re still waiting, because we’re ready for Christ to return.
Friends, I can’t empathize enough how important this is. What if Christ came today? Would we be ready? I didn’t use to think about this very much but when I read Luke’s Message to us I am reminded of the state of the world today. It looks to me like “all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.” I’m not sure the leaders of the world powers are quaking or not but it sure looks to me like the things Luke talks about have begun. There’s war, there’s economic turmoil and uncertainty, there’s global warming, and who knows what else we’ll hear about in the news today. And so it’s even more important for us to make sure people are ready and not just biding their time waiting because they’ve been waiting so long and nothing’s happened yet.
So if God has set things right with Jesus coming into the world then I believe we should make the psalm reading today our prayer. Verses 5-7 speak to me in particular, “5 Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren't you? 6 Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, GOD; Rebuild the ancient landmarks! 7 Forget that I sowed wild oats; Mark me with your sign of love. Plan only the best for me, GOD!”
Friends, I think we have our work cut out for us. We’ve put off doing the things we should have been doing and every day that we let slip by without changing is one more day wasted and maybe one more life that may be lost, never knowing that there is a God who loves and cares for all his children and doesn’t want to see even one of them lost to the Evil One.
So even though we are still waiting for Christ’s return we shouldn’t be sitting around watching the signs and waiting. There is work to be done. We are to be making disciples and loving and caring for neighbors. We are to be worshipping God and spending Sabbath time with Him. If we do these things we can be assured that we will be more ready when Christ does come with all his followers.
Friends, lets not wait any longer. Let’s make the commitment to give it all to God and do all he has called us to be and to do. Begin today by getting back in his Word and spending time with him. He misses you.
Sisters and brothers, God loves you and so do I. Thanks be to God. Amen.
How patient are you? Some days I’m very impatient and other times it doesn’t matter, but the world has been waiting a long time for Christ to return and bring with him the new heaven and earth and a New Jerusalem. Do you think we’re ready?
We have heard this Message so many times and he hasn’t come yet that I wonder if we haven’t been putting changing our lives or even thinking about changing that we may be in danger of not being ready. Friends, I’m speaking from experience here. I am the classic procrastinator who puts things off until they absolutely can’t be put off any longer. But this is something I shouldn’t put off and neither should you.
Jesus said that he is coming and we are to watch for the signs. When these signs appear that means that the kingdom of God is near. So, should we be watching for signs or preparing ourselves for Christ’s coming? What do you think?
I think if we spend our time watching for the signs and trying to interpret what we think they mean that we may be in danger of putting of the hard work of changing our lives and doing the work God has called us to do. It could easily happen. We get so involved with listening to the news that we forget that we are to telling the Good News and bringing people into the kingdom of God that is here right now.
Our prayer should be what Paul wrote in his letter to the Thessalonians, “13May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you… May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.”
Our goal for the new year should be to do what we know we should be doing so that we are ready for Christ’s return, reading Scripture, studying Scripture, praying to God and spending time in silence so we can hear what God has for us. And then sharing the Good News of God’s love with our friends and neighbors and people we don’t know yet whom God brings to us everyday.
That sounds like a full-time job, and it is, but once we have decided how we can get this discipline ingrained in our lives it ceases to be a chore and becomes as natural as breathing. It’s just part of our daily living and then we don’t have to be worrying or anxious about whether we’re ready or not. It doesn’t matter that we’re still waiting, because we’re ready for Christ to return.
Friends, I can’t empathize enough how important this is. What if Christ came today? Would we be ready? I didn’t use to think about this very much but when I read Luke’s Message to us I am reminded of the state of the world today. It looks to me like “all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.” I’m not sure the leaders of the world powers are quaking or not but it sure looks to me like the things Luke talks about have begun. There’s war, there’s economic turmoil and uncertainty, there’s global warming, and who knows what else we’ll hear about in the news today. And so it’s even more important for us to make sure people are ready and not just biding their time waiting because they’ve been waiting so long and nothing’s happened yet.
So if God has set things right with Jesus coming into the world then I believe we should make the psalm reading today our prayer. Verses 5-7 speak to me in particular, “5 Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren't you? 6 Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, GOD; Rebuild the ancient landmarks! 7 Forget that I sowed wild oats; Mark me with your sign of love. Plan only the best for me, GOD!”
Friends, I think we have our work cut out for us. We’ve put off doing the things we should have been doing and every day that we let slip by without changing is one more day wasted and maybe one more life that may be lost, never knowing that there is a God who loves and cares for all his children and doesn’t want to see even one of them lost to the Evil One.
So even though we are still waiting for Christ’s return we shouldn’t be sitting around watching the signs and waiting. There is work to be done. We are to be making disciples and loving and caring for neighbors. We are to be worshipping God and spending Sabbath time with Him. If we do these things we can be assured that we will be more ready when Christ does come with all his followers.
Friends, lets not wait any longer. Let’s make the commitment to give it all to God and do all he has called us to be and to do. Begin today by getting back in his Word and spending time with him. He misses you.
Sisters and brothers, God loves you and so do I. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Who Is Christ the King to You?
I think everyone here today is a citizen of the United States of America, a country founded on the principles of a democratic government where the voice of the people could be heard. This country that we are all citizens of places a great deal of importance on individual freedoms. There are very few people living in this part of the world who like to have someone tell them what they should do, whether it’s how to live or what to eat or how to vote or what car they should be driving or what they should believe about God. And so it’s very hard for us to get our heads around the concept of Christ being King of the world let alone our lives.
The problem, I believe, is that if we accept the fact that Christ is King then that means that we would have to live lives that proved that out. People who observe us as we go about our daily tasks would be able to see that we have given our whole allegiance to Jesus the Christ as the King of our lives just by how we behave and act and live.
Today all churches who follow the revised common lectionary observe this Sunday, the last Sunday of the church year before the beginning of Advent, as Christ the King or Reign of Christ Sunday. The scriptures we heard read today reflect the fact that Jesus is the King, and his “king” –dom is not what any other kingdom has ever been like. His kingdom is not of this world, the world we live in.
That’s not to say that his kingdom isn’t here. What it says is his kingdom is not like the world’s idea of a kingdom. This day requires us all to take time to reflect on what that means to all of us who profess to be Christians, followers of Jesus the Christ. Jesus is King, so what’s that mean to you and me?
When Pilate asked Jesus if he was a king he was only concerned for himself. He really wasn’t too worried about Caiphas or the other Jewish leaders. His concern was with Caesar and those under him. If he allowed someone who claimed to be a king to go on speaking of his kingdom here on earth without challenging his kingship then he was in danger of losing control of his little corner in the world in Palestine. And then what would he do and who would he be? That was a real worry for Pilate. It was a major concern for the Sanhedrin too. If Jesus was the King and they didn’t challenge him, then they would have to relinquish some of their control in the Temple. Their lives would change drastically and they weren’t about to let that happen. Both Pilate and the Sanhedrin had too much invested in their power to concede the control to Jesus. Their sense of security was definitely threatened by Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah, the King.
Isn’t it interesting that the Jews had been waiting for an eternity for the Messiah? They wanted the Messiah to come so that their kingdom could be restored. If only he would come and kick out these Roman oppressors and establish a kingdom that would surpass David’s and be even richer than Solomon’s.
But when we read the gospels Jesus, the Son of Man, the Son of God, isn’t anything like that at all. This King asked his disciples and he asks us to pick up his yoke, the cross, and follow him. Along with the rich young man who came to Jesus asking how he could be certain that he would secure eternal life we are told to give up everything we hold dear and follow him, follow Jesus. And friends, admit it that scares a whole lot of people. Give up control and trust in God, how could we possibly do that?
If we’re struggling with giving our all to God and trusting in his providence then can we truly say that Jesus is King of our lives? We celebrate Christ as our King but how is he the King of our lives?
Good friends, none of us, no one is perfect. None of us gets this right. The thing is we need to be reminded at least once a year who we owe our allegiance to, Jesus the Christ, the King. We have grown up with the idea that we are each responsible for our own welfare. That’s how most of us have lived. We got our education, we sought jobs that would provide a good income, and we made decisions for ourselves that would provide some amount of security for us as we grew older. And so it’s very difficult for us to let go of all that and let God have control. But he is the King. He is in control, whether we admit it, whether we live as if that’s true or not.
The whole gospel of John validates Jesus as Christ the King. So today, friends, I pray that you would re-dedicate your lives to the one who is truly the King of your lives. Let go of all the old baggage you carry with you and begin the new church year as a new person, a child of God who worships Christ as the King of your life. Let go of it all and unlock the padlocks the world has put on the chains that keep you bound to it.
Let’s all make the commitment to follow Jesus the King and live our lives as the new people God has planned for us to be.
What’s that mean? Friends, I believe it means that we begin to live as people who truly want to serve, service to God and to those he brings to our doors. It means that we trust God through Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit to provide everything we need to be of service to Christ’s kingdom here on earth.
Its hard work, but its work that is worthy of those who love and serve the Lord.
Friends, God loves you and so do I. Thanks be to God for his Son, Jesus Christ the King. Amen.
The problem, I believe, is that if we accept the fact that Christ is King then that means that we would have to live lives that proved that out. People who observe us as we go about our daily tasks would be able to see that we have given our whole allegiance to Jesus the Christ as the King of our lives just by how we behave and act and live.
Today all churches who follow the revised common lectionary observe this Sunday, the last Sunday of the church year before the beginning of Advent, as Christ the King or Reign of Christ Sunday. The scriptures we heard read today reflect the fact that Jesus is the King, and his “king” –dom is not what any other kingdom has ever been like. His kingdom is not of this world, the world we live in.
That’s not to say that his kingdom isn’t here. What it says is his kingdom is not like the world’s idea of a kingdom. This day requires us all to take time to reflect on what that means to all of us who profess to be Christians, followers of Jesus the Christ. Jesus is King, so what’s that mean to you and me?
When Pilate asked Jesus if he was a king he was only concerned for himself. He really wasn’t too worried about Caiphas or the other Jewish leaders. His concern was with Caesar and those under him. If he allowed someone who claimed to be a king to go on speaking of his kingdom here on earth without challenging his kingship then he was in danger of losing control of his little corner in the world in Palestine. And then what would he do and who would he be? That was a real worry for Pilate. It was a major concern for the Sanhedrin too. If Jesus was the King and they didn’t challenge him, then they would have to relinquish some of their control in the Temple. Their lives would change drastically and they weren’t about to let that happen. Both Pilate and the Sanhedrin had too much invested in their power to concede the control to Jesus. Their sense of security was definitely threatened by Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah, the King.
Isn’t it interesting that the Jews had been waiting for an eternity for the Messiah? They wanted the Messiah to come so that their kingdom could be restored. If only he would come and kick out these Roman oppressors and establish a kingdom that would surpass David’s and be even richer than Solomon’s.
But when we read the gospels Jesus, the Son of Man, the Son of God, isn’t anything like that at all. This King asked his disciples and he asks us to pick up his yoke, the cross, and follow him. Along with the rich young man who came to Jesus asking how he could be certain that he would secure eternal life we are told to give up everything we hold dear and follow him, follow Jesus. And friends, admit it that scares a whole lot of people. Give up control and trust in God, how could we possibly do that?
If we’re struggling with giving our all to God and trusting in his providence then can we truly say that Jesus is King of our lives? We celebrate Christ as our King but how is he the King of our lives?
Good friends, none of us, no one is perfect. None of us gets this right. The thing is we need to be reminded at least once a year who we owe our allegiance to, Jesus the Christ, the King. We have grown up with the idea that we are each responsible for our own welfare. That’s how most of us have lived. We got our education, we sought jobs that would provide a good income, and we made decisions for ourselves that would provide some amount of security for us as we grew older. And so it’s very difficult for us to let go of all that and let God have control. But he is the King. He is in control, whether we admit it, whether we live as if that’s true or not.
The whole gospel of John validates Jesus as Christ the King. So today, friends, I pray that you would re-dedicate your lives to the one who is truly the King of your lives. Let go of all the old baggage you carry with you and begin the new church year as a new person, a child of God who worships Christ as the King of your life. Let go of it all and unlock the padlocks the world has put on the chains that keep you bound to it.
Let’s all make the commitment to follow Jesus the King and live our lives as the new people God has planned for us to be.
What’s that mean? Friends, I believe it means that we begin to live as people who truly want to serve, service to God and to those he brings to our doors. It means that we trust God through Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit to provide everything we need to be of service to Christ’s kingdom here on earth.
Its hard work, but its work that is worthy of those who love and serve the Lord.
Friends, God loves you and so do I. Thanks be to God for his Son, Jesus Christ the King. Amen.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Why Bother?
Attendance is down, giving is down, people I talk to think they can be Christian without being part of a community of faith. And I think what am I doing? Don’t you sometimes think the same thing? Be honest, you do think that sometimes don’t you?
Why should we continue waiting for Christ to come again? We’ve been waiting for an eternity it seems. Is Jesus really going to come back? Is this evil ever going to end? Has God written us off? There are still wars. People are killing each other over the most asinine things. Families are being torn apart by alcohol, drugs, and infidelity. Sometimes I think, “Why do I bother?”
Maybe it’s the time of year that makes us feel so down in the mouth about things. If the sun would shine all the time then we’d all be happier and more optimistic. No?
All around the United States mainline denominations are losing members. Even our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters are seeing their numbers declining. What’s a church supposed to do? The world is just too powerful for the church.
Friends, this is nothing new. The epistle of Hebrews was written for a church that was experiencing declining numbers. People were staying away saying that they could be true to God without the church. That doesn’t sound too much different from today.
So what’s the good news? The good news is the word of God to His people. The word from the prophet Jeremiah was that this…
This new plan I'm making with Israel isn't going to be written on paper, isn't going to be chiseled in stone; This time "I'm writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts."
He concludes, I'll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins.
Jeremiah was telling God’s people about the “new covenant” that was going to written on the hearts and minds of those who believed.
The main problem we all have is that we know our sin and we don’t believe that we can ever be made clean again. Even when we hear that God forgives our sin through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we just can’t believe that anyone could ever love us after the wrongs we’ve done to our friends and families. We can’t forgive ourselves even though we hear in the Message that God has forgiven and forgotten all of our sins.
And that’s the reason we need to hear this Message again. Jesus died once for all of our sins. That sacrifice was enough and it never needs to be made again. Believe it, friends. Jesus was not ordinary priest. He was the priest who was and is still able to meet the requirements in order for us to have clear consciences again.
In the Feasting on the Word commentary they asked a very good question, “If the cross of Christ solved the problem of sin and Easter is the validation of this then why do we still see and feel so much sin and suffering all around us?”
What do you think the answer is? Is God losing the battle against the Evil One? The commentary pointed to Psalm 110, “…sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.” Jesus completed what he had been sent here for and now God continues waging battle against the “enemies” of Christ. It’s a little like watching a football game that you know one team has won but the clock hasn’t run down yet. There are still plays that need to be run before the score is really certain. That’s what’s going on now. Jesus has defeated death but all the detractors have to be put to bed before he can come back and assume his throne.
Friends, that’s why it’s so important to come together as a community of faith and hear the Word proclaimed, to be reminded “to hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering.” As Thomas Long put it, “…if you want to know the truth, pay more attention to the gospel you hear than to the obsolete evil you see, thrashing in its death throes in the world.”
So instead of coming to worship feeling all glum and down in the mouth you can come here to be released from those chains that have been holding you back. You can come into this sanctuary knowing that your sins have been forgiven and the slate has been wiped clean. You are really a new person and in the eyes of God you are pure and sinless because you have been claimed as one of Christ’s own children. Friends, we can live that way because the victory has already been won.
My friends, God loves you and so do I. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Why should we continue waiting for Christ to come again? We’ve been waiting for an eternity it seems. Is Jesus really going to come back? Is this evil ever going to end? Has God written us off? There are still wars. People are killing each other over the most asinine things. Families are being torn apart by alcohol, drugs, and infidelity. Sometimes I think, “Why do I bother?”
Maybe it’s the time of year that makes us feel so down in the mouth about things. If the sun would shine all the time then we’d all be happier and more optimistic. No?
All around the United States mainline denominations are losing members. Even our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters are seeing their numbers declining. What’s a church supposed to do? The world is just too powerful for the church.
Friends, this is nothing new. The epistle of Hebrews was written for a church that was experiencing declining numbers. People were staying away saying that they could be true to God without the church. That doesn’t sound too much different from today.
So what’s the good news? The good news is the word of God to His people. The word from the prophet Jeremiah was that this…
This new plan I'm making with Israel isn't going to be written on paper, isn't going to be chiseled in stone; This time "I'm writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts."
He concludes, I'll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins.
Jeremiah was telling God’s people about the “new covenant” that was going to written on the hearts and minds of those who believed.
The main problem we all have is that we know our sin and we don’t believe that we can ever be made clean again. Even when we hear that God forgives our sin through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we just can’t believe that anyone could ever love us after the wrongs we’ve done to our friends and families. We can’t forgive ourselves even though we hear in the Message that God has forgiven and forgotten all of our sins.
And that’s the reason we need to hear this Message again. Jesus died once for all of our sins. That sacrifice was enough and it never needs to be made again. Believe it, friends. Jesus was not ordinary priest. He was the priest who was and is still able to meet the requirements in order for us to have clear consciences again.
In the Feasting on the Word commentary they asked a very good question, “If the cross of Christ solved the problem of sin and Easter is the validation of this then why do we still see and feel so much sin and suffering all around us?”
What do you think the answer is? Is God losing the battle against the Evil One? The commentary pointed to Psalm 110, “…sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.” Jesus completed what he had been sent here for and now God continues waging battle against the “enemies” of Christ. It’s a little like watching a football game that you know one team has won but the clock hasn’t run down yet. There are still plays that need to be run before the score is really certain. That’s what’s going on now. Jesus has defeated death but all the detractors have to be put to bed before he can come back and assume his throne.
Friends, that’s why it’s so important to come together as a community of faith and hear the Word proclaimed, to be reminded “to hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering.” As Thomas Long put it, “…if you want to know the truth, pay more attention to the gospel you hear than to the obsolete evil you see, thrashing in its death throes in the world.”
So instead of coming to worship feeling all glum and down in the mouth you can come here to be released from those chains that have been holding you back. You can come into this sanctuary knowing that your sins have been forgiven and the slate has been wiped clean. You are really a new person and in the eyes of God you are pure and sinless because you have been claimed as one of Christ’s own children. Friends, we can live that way because the victory has already been won.
My friends, God loves you and so do I. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Two Coins
As I was studying this last week I read in "Feasting On the Word" about the two coins and thought I would try to use it in Sunday's Message.
If we would try to put ourselves in this story what would we be? Would we be the widow, or maybe the scribes, or the disciples, or what if we were the two coins? What if “we” were the offering that the widow gave that day?
These two coins that the widow put into the treasury at the Temple didn’t amount to much. They were barely noticed when they were added to all the other offerings that day. Today, just for today, and maybe longer, we are those two coins.
There have been times when all of us have thought that we had nothing of consequence to give or what we did have wouldn’t amount to much; it couldn’t possibly be noticed if we gave or didn’t give and it probably wouldn’t make any real difference in the greater scheme of things in this world we live in today.
Have you ever been at that point in your life where you said to yourself, “What’s the use? No one cares anymore. I’m just banging my head against a cement wall. Why even bother?” Have you ever felt like that? Have you said those words in your mind? I have. Have you thought that about how the taxes you pay are often not used for the good of all the people? Or how your tithes aren’t used as you think they should be used? Have you ever felt like you’re in a losing battle? And the world is going to be destroyed anyway someday so who cares if I don’t put my two coins into the plate. It won’t make any difference anyway, whatever. When was the last time you voiced those words, yesterday, this morning, a few minutes ago?
Friends, we’ve all been there. We’ve all felt like the bureaucracy is too much for us to battle against. If that’s the case what do you think is God’s message for us today in this gospel? Are our lives just an exercise in futility? Are we just spinning our wheels and making nothing but dust?
If my life is two coins and each of you here today is two coins then all together as a community we might be 50 coins, or 60 coins or 80 coins or maybe some here are three coins and together we total a 100 coins. One hundred coins has more clout than 2 coins, right?
What do you think is the message God has for us in this gospel? Is it about the corruption in the world or could it be about us giving our all for the work of the Lord, whatever that may be. Let’s think about our actions this past week. Did we give our all as if the Lord were standing on a hill watching our every move? Did we stop to think that everything we did this week was for the Lord, things like raking leaves, combining beans and corn, baking cookies, visiting a friend who was hurting, or changing soiled bedding or cleaning up after guests in the Super 8. Did we give it our all as if it were our offering to God even if it was only 2 coins? Most of us probably never gave it a thought, that every thing that we thought of as just work was an offering to God. Something He would use to further his kingdom here on earth or to bring glory to his Name. It probably never entered our minds.
Friends, you have plenty of company. Most of the world doesn’t give a thought to how their lives and work is used by God to bring his plan to a glorious end.
That can change today. Today we can all make that conscious effort to change. We can repent of our sin and turn our lives around and give our all to God and his work. We can, along with the widow, put our lives on the line for Jesus, put our 2 coins, give all we have and put it in the treasury of God’s kingdom.
What does that mean for us? I think it is different for each of us. Some will want to make the sacrifice of their lives and give their all in mission work somewhere in this great world. Others will make a commitment to make everything they do a witness to the love God through Jesus Christ gave to this corrupt and condemned world.
Today all I ask is that all of us take time to reflect on what we are doing with our lives. How are they being used to bring glory and pleasure to this great God we worship? How can our 2 coins make a difference in this community, in this county, in this state, in this world? Let’s all pray that God grants us the grace of faith to step out and trust in Him to provide everything needed to grow our 2 coins.
Friends, God loves you and so do I. Thanks be to God. Amen.
If we would try to put ourselves in this story what would we be? Would we be the widow, or maybe the scribes, or the disciples, or what if we were the two coins? What if “we” were the offering that the widow gave that day?
These two coins that the widow put into the treasury at the Temple didn’t amount to much. They were barely noticed when they were added to all the other offerings that day. Today, just for today, and maybe longer, we are those two coins.
There have been times when all of us have thought that we had nothing of consequence to give or what we did have wouldn’t amount to much; it couldn’t possibly be noticed if we gave or didn’t give and it probably wouldn’t make any real difference in the greater scheme of things in this world we live in today.
Have you ever been at that point in your life where you said to yourself, “What’s the use? No one cares anymore. I’m just banging my head against a cement wall. Why even bother?” Have you ever felt like that? Have you said those words in your mind? I have. Have you thought that about how the taxes you pay are often not used for the good of all the people? Or how your tithes aren’t used as you think they should be used? Have you ever felt like you’re in a losing battle? And the world is going to be destroyed anyway someday so who cares if I don’t put my two coins into the plate. It won’t make any difference anyway, whatever. When was the last time you voiced those words, yesterday, this morning, a few minutes ago?
Friends, we’ve all been there. We’ve all felt like the bureaucracy is too much for us to battle against. If that’s the case what do you think is God’s message for us today in this gospel? Are our lives just an exercise in futility? Are we just spinning our wheels and making nothing but dust?
If my life is two coins and each of you here today is two coins then all together as a community we might be 50 coins, or 60 coins or 80 coins or maybe some here are three coins and together we total a 100 coins. One hundred coins has more clout than 2 coins, right?
What do you think is the message God has for us in this gospel? Is it about the corruption in the world or could it be about us giving our all for the work of the Lord, whatever that may be. Let’s think about our actions this past week. Did we give our all as if the Lord were standing on a hill watching our every move? Did we stop to think that everything we did this week was for the Lord, things like raking leaves, combining beans and corn, baking cookies, visiting a friend who was hurting, or changing soiled bedding or cleaning up after guests in the Super 8. Did we give it our all as if it were our offering to God even if it was only 2 coins? Most of us probably never gave it a thought, that every thing that we thought of as just work was an offering to God. Something He would use to further his kingdom here on earth or to bring glory to his Name. It probably never entered our minds.
Friends, you have plenty of company. Most of the world doesn’t give a thought to how their lives and work is used by God to bring his plan to a glorious end.
That can change today. Today we can all make that conscious effort to change. We can repent of our sin and turn our lives around and give our all to God and his work. We can, along with the widow, put our lives on the line for Jesus, put our 2 coins, give all we have and put it in the treasury of God’s kingdom.
What does that mean for us? I think it is different for each of us. Some will want to make the sacrifice of their lives and give their all in mission work somewhere in this great world. Others will make a commitment to make everything they do a witness to the love God through Jesus Christ gave to this corrupt and condemned world.
Today all I ask is that all of us take time to reflect on what we are doing with our lives. How are they being used to bring glory and pleasure to this great God we worship? How can our 2 coins make a difference in this community, in this county, in this state, in this world? Let’s all pray that God grants us the grace of faith to step out and trust in Him to provide everything needed to grow our 2 coins.
Friends, God loves you and so do I. Thanks be to God. Amen.
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