Sunday’s Message
Acts 11:19-12:24
“The church never stopped praying to God for him” Acts 12:5
New Year Resolution 3 – Pray for Friends and Neighbors and Never Stop
Pastor’s Reflections
This was a dangerous time in the early church. James had been killed by the sword which stirred anti-Christian sentiment. Peter had been thrown in jail. Meanwhile the church prayed and didn’t give up.
What follows is actually a funny story, but quite descriptive of many of us. As many Christians were praying in John Mark’s house ( the author of the Gospel of Mark) (they were also “hiding out”), God was answering their prayer. Peter escaped and came knocking on the door. Rhoda went to the door, heard his voice, and without opening the door ran back to the prayer gathering and told everyone that Peter’s here! No one believed her! They went back to praying while the answer to the prayer was right there knocking!
We can be like that too. We pray but somehow don’t really believe that God will answer and when he does, we still don’t believe it. The difference between them and us might be that they kept praying.
Luke is perhaps noting in practice what he records Jesus having taught in Luke 18:1, “pray and never give up”
The first and most important work of connecting someone to the saving work of Jesus Christ is praying for them and not giving up.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
December 29, 2010
Sunday’s Message
Acts 11:19-12:24
“Some of the followers from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and started telling Gentiles the good news about the Lord Jesus.” Acts 11:20
New Year Resolution 2 – Tell Others the Good News About Jesus Christ
Pastor’s Reflections
Philip had shared his faith in Samaria and near Egypt. Peter had encountered a Roman who met Christ. But the church had still not “gone global”. Vs. 19 states that that most were sharing their faith “only with Jews”.
This verse indicates that now there were believers who were going “maverick”, sharing their faith with outsiders (gentiles, which meant non Jews). This marks a really big transition for the early church in the first 15 or so years of the church.
They had to use a new approach. No longer could they speak of the “hope of Israel” to non Israelis. Instead they called Jesus “Lord” (kurios in Greek). Many non Jews of the day, especially in the metropolitan city of Antioch were seeking all kinds of “mystery religions” which claimed a divine kurios who could offer salvation.
Perhaps Antioch was not all that different to our local world. Many are seeking some kind of “salvation” and there’s a huge menu to choose from. These Christians related to their world with the language of their world.
We also need to seek ways to connect the ultimate hopes and dreams of our friends and colleagues to the real hope that exists in Jesus, to help others exchange their “current lord”, which satisfies only temporarily, with the the Lord who satisfies eternally.
Acts 11:19-12:24
“Some of the followers from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and started telling Gentiles the good news about the Lord Jesus.” Acts 11:20
New Year Resolution 2 – Tell Others the Good News About Jesus Christ
Pastor’s Reflections
Philip had shared his faith in Samaria and near Egypt. Peter had encountered a Roman who met Christ. But the church had still not “gone global”. Vs. 19 states that that most were sharing their faith “only with Jews”.
This verse indicates that now there were believers who were going “maverick”, sharing their faith with outsiders (gentiles, which meant non Jews). This marks a really big transition for the early church in the first 15 or so years of the church.
They had to use a new approach. No longer could they speak of the “hope of Israel” to non Israelis. Instead they called Jesus “Lord” (kurios in Greek). Many non Jews of the day, especially in the metropolitan city of Antioch were seeking all kinds of “mystery religions” which claimed a divine kurios who could offer salvation.
Perhaps Antioch was not all that different to our local world. Many are seeking some kind of “salvation” and there’s a huge menu to choose from. These Christians related to their world with the language of their world.
We also need to seek ways to connect the ultimate hopes and dreams of our friends and colleagues to the real hope that exists in Jesus, to help others exchange their “current lord”, which satisfies only temporarily, with the the Lord who satisfies eternally.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
December 28, 2010
Sunday’s Message
Acts 11:19-12:24
“Barnabas encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts” Acts 11:23
New Year Resolution 1 – Encourage Others in their Faith
Pastor’s Reflections
As Antioch became the new hub of growth for Christianity, the leaders in Jerusalem felt it necessary to make sure that the faith being spread was authentic. They sent Barnabas for quality control.
But Luke indicates that the influence of Barnabus was way more significant than that. His power was as an encourager. (Barnabus is actually his nickname, meaning “son of encouragement”. Joseph is his given name.)
Other Christians do not just need accountability, they need the encouragement of other Christians.
Luke indicates that the results of his arrival in Antioch were far reaching. Verse 24 says, “and a great number of people were brought to the Lord”. There had been a new wave of believers come into the church, but it seems that second new wave of believer came in because of Barnabus’ work of encouraging, bringing joy, stimulating friendships, loving people.
Do not underestimate the power that an encouraging word from you to a young believer can have.
Here’s a very powerful action that you can take: Each Sunday look for young couples, young parents, young singles, and approach them. Introduce yourself. And take a moment to find something very, very simple to say to encourage them.
That word of encouragement may be more powerful that day than anything they heard in the sanctuary.
Take part in the ministry of encouragement.
Acts 11:19-12:24
“Barnabas encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts” Acts 11:23
New Year Resolution 1 – Encourage Others in their Faith
Pastor’s Reflections
As Antioch became the new hub of growth for Christianity, the leaders in Jerusalem felt it necessary to make sure that the faith being spread was authentic. They sent Barnabas for quality control.
But Luke indicates that the influence of Barnabus was way more significant than that. His power was as an encourager. (Barnabus is actually his nickname, meaning “son of encouragement”. Joseph is his given name.)
Other Christians do not just need accountability, they need the encouragement of other Christians.
Luke indicates that the results of his arrival in Antioch were far reaching. Verse 24 says, “and a great number of people were brought to the Lord”. There had been a new wave of believers come into the church, but it seems that second new wave of believer came in because of Barnabus’ work of encouraging, bringing joy, stimulating friendships, loving people.
Do not underestimate the power that an encouraging word from you to a young believer can have.
Here’s a very powerful action that you can take: Each Sunday look for young couples, young parents, young singles, and approach them. Introduce yourself. And take a moment to find something very, very simple to say to encourage them.
That word of encouragement may be more powerful that day than anything they heard in the sanctuary.
Take part in the ministry of encouragement.
Friday, December 17, 2010
December 17, 2010
How to Grow Up
“And John grew and became strong in spirit” Luke 1:80
“Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people."
Luke 2:52
Pastor’s Thoughts
Here’s a “growing up” checklist: Let God work it into your thinking and doing this weekend.
“strong in spirit” This is an inner quality of resiliency against things not of
God and strength to persevere in doing the things of God.
“wisdom” This is big picture wisdom, God’s long term wisdom vs. the
short term wisdom of expediency
“stature” In your better moments you know what this means. You know the
difference between worldly stature and a stature that comes
from a foundation of Godly character.
“favor with God” I just want to please God in each thing I do today.
“favor w/ people” People know I value them. People know they matter to me.
“And John grew and became strong in spirit” Luke 1:80
“Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people."
Luke 2:52
Pastor’s Thoughts
Here’s a “growing up” checklist: Let God work it into your thinking and doing this weekend.
“strong in spirit” This is an inner quality of resiliency against things not of
God and strength to persevere in doing the things of God.
“wisdom” This is big picture wisdom, God’s long term wisdom vs. the
short term wisdom of expediency
“stature” In your better moments you know what this means. You know the
difference between worldly stature and a stature that comes
from a foundation of Godly character.
“favor with God” I just want to please God in each thing I do today.
“favor w/ people” People know I value them. People know they matter to me.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
December 16, 2010
Zechariah Blesses His Son
Luke 1:67-79 (NIV)
“You, my child, will . . . prepare the way for Him” Luke 1:67-79 (NIV)
Pastor’s Thoughts
I cannot think of a greater vision for a father to have for his son, than to live a life of preparing the way for Jesus.
This can be done as a teacher, mechanic, attorney, homemaker, baker, accountant, engineer, or salesman. A man once asked Martin Luther, the 16rth century reformer, how he could live for Christ as a cobbler. Luther responded by saying, “first make a good shoe and sell it at a fair price”.
Exactly there is the place to start. Work hard, honor your superiors, treat others with respect, don’t gossip, value others, be fair, be honest, be truthful.
When I became a pastor I lost the power of witness that I had before it became “my job”.
Preparing the way for Jesus is God’s vocation for you to be played out wherever he has you today. If you work at McDonalds, Make a good hamburger and sell it with a smile and people will wonder, “what’s with her or him?” and you’ll have prepared the way for possible further discussion about the “reason for the hope that you have.”
Actually I frequent McDonald’s and there’s a young guy who always smiles and seems to love his job, and I actually do wonder, “what’s up with him?”
Luke 1:67-79 (NIV)
“You, my child, will . . . prepare the way for Him” Luke 1:67-79 (NIV)
Pastor’s Thoughts
I cannot think of a greater vision for a father to have for his son, than to live a life of preparing the way for Jesus.
This can be done as a teacher, mechanic, attorney, homemaker, baker, accountant, engineer, or salesman. A man once asked Martin Luther, the 16rth century reformer, how he could live for Christ as a cobbler. Luther responded by saying, “first make a good shoe and sell it at a fair price”.
Exactly there is the place to start. Work hard, honor your superiors, treat others with respect, don’t gossip, value others, be fair, be honest, be truthful.
When I became a pastor I lost the power of witness that I had before it became “my job”.
Preparing the way for Jesus is God’s vocation for you to be played out wherever he has you today. If you work at McDonalds, Make a good hamburger and sell it with a smile and people will wonder, “what’s with her or him?” and you’ll have prepared the way for possible further discussion about the “reason for the hope that you have.”
Actually I frequent McDonald’s and there’s a young guy who always smiles and seems to love his job, and I actually do wonder, “what’s up with him?”
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
December 15, 2010
“I Must Become Less and Less”
(Read Luke 1:56-67(NIV) for the Birth of John the Baptist)
John said, “He must become greater and greater, I must become less and less."
John 3:30 (NLT)
Pastor’s Thoughts
When I was born I was the most important person in the universe, to my parents at least. I whined, and they fed me. I controled my universe.
But life has gone the other way ever since. I had to learn to do things I didn’t want to do. I had to discover that my parents had other things in their lives besides me. I had to learn that my college was willing to somehow survive without me if I didn’t shape up. When I left my first career, amazingly it somehow flourished without me. And now, as I age, I get first hand experience at seeing my expendability up close and personal. Nursing homes are full of people who once felt crucial to someone, and now feel crucial to nothing.
I think it’s part of God’s training. We start in a fetal position and end up in one.
John the baptizer “got it”. It’s not about becoming less and less so much as it is about Jesus becoming greater and greater.
That’s the real task, not just to humble myself more and more (God will do that to you if you won’t), but to elevate Jesus more and more.
Will you do that today somehow in some way?
(Read Luke 1:56-67(NIV) for the Birth of John the Baptist)
John said, “He must become greater and greater, I must become less and less."
John 3:30 (NLT)
Pastor’s Thoughts
When I was born I was the most important person in the universe, to my parents at least. I whined, and they fed me. I controled my universe.
But life has gone the other way ever since. I had to learn to do things I didn’t want to do. I had to discover that my parents had other things in their lives besides me. I had to learn that my college was willing to somehow survive without me if I didn’t shape up. When I left my first career, amazingly it somehow flourished without me. And now, as I age, I get first hand experience at seeing my expendability up close and personal. Nursing homes are full of people who once felt crucial to someone, and now feel crucial to nothing.
I think it’s part of God’s training. We start in a fetal position and end up in one.
John the baptizer “got it”. It’s not about becoming less and less so much as it is about Jesus becoming greater and greater.
That’s the real task, not just to humble myself more and more (God will do that to you if you won’t), but to elevate Jesus more and more.
Will you do that today somehow in some way?
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
December 14, 2010
Upside Down Gets Set Right Side Up
Luke 1:46-55 (NIV)
“Mary said: '. . . God . . . has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers . . . but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry . . . but has sent the rich away empty . . .'" Luke 1:46-55 NIV)
Pastor’s Thoughts
Pride is the chief of all sins. Nothing else compares. One scholar who studies such things said that men find it easier to knowingly go to their death in the Twin Towers than to apologize their wives.
Pride is the reason Satan left God. Pride is the reason we humans have fallen from grace (“you can be like God” Gen. 3)
One day the proud will be humbled and the humbled will be elevated. This is the great reversal. In the New Creation the lowly will be on top and the unhumbled rich will be sent away empty.
Here’s the really hard thing to swallow. You and I are the rich. . . . among the wealthiest two percent of the earth’s population. Is Mary’s prophecy, often called the “Magnificat”, a message to you and me?
Luke 1:46-55 (NIV)
“Mary said: '. . . God . . . has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers . . . but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry . . . but has sent the rich away empty . . .'" Luke 1:46-55 NIV)
Pastor’s Thoughts
Pride is the chief of all sins. Nothing else compares. One scholar who studies such things said that men find it easier to knowingly go to their death in the Twin Towers than to apologize their wives.
Pride is the reason Satan left God. Pride is the reason we humans have fallen from grace (“you can be like God” Gen. 3)
One day the proud will be humbled and the humbled will be elevated. This is the great reversal. In the New Creation the lowly will be on top and the unhumbled rich will be sent away empty.
Here’s the really hard thing to swallow. You and I are the rich. . . . among the wealthiest two percent of the earth’s population. Is Mary’s prophecy, often called the “Magnificat”, a message to you and me?
Monday, December 13, 2010
December 13, 2010
Who First Announced Jesus’ Arrival?
Luke 1:39-45 NIV)
“When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb” Luke 1:41(NIV)
Pastor’s Thoughts
It was Mother Theresa who pointed out that the first person to announce the arrival of the Messiah was an unborn child. She was making the point that the people we value least in society, the unborn, are the very people God elevates.
My next comments will make you cringe, yet I’ve got to say them:
We humans are barbaric. We murder off our young and for the worst of reasons . . . . because they inconvenience us. And each of is part of the system that condones it. We need rescued. We need forgiven. We need Jesus. We are so much more evil than any of us realize even in our most aware moments.
Yet, and this is incredible, each of us is, apart from the sacrament of Christ’s body, the most holy thing/creature that any of us ever encounters in life. Each of us is an image of God, destined, if we allow Jesus to save us, to become a glorious creature, whom others would be tempted to worship, were they to see us as we will be through Christ. There are no ordinary human beings, only immortal ones.
Amazing. Barbaric, yet Glorious. What do you see when you see another person?
Luke 1:39-45 NIV)
“When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb” Luke 1:41(NIV)
Pastor’s Thoughts
It was Mother Theresa who pointed out that the first person to announce the arrival of the Messiah was an unborn child. She was making the point that the people we value least in society, the unborn, are the very people God elevates.
My next comments will make you cringe, yet I’ve got to say them:
We humans are barbaric. We murder off our young and for the worst of reasons . . . . because they inconvenience us. And each of is part of the system that condones it. We need rescued. We need forgiven. We need Jesus. We are so much more evil than any of us realize even in our most aware moments.
Yet, and this is incredible, each of us is, apart from the sacrament of Christ’s body, the most holy thing/creature that any of us ever encounters in life. Each of us is an image of God, destined, if we allow Jesus to save us, to become a glorious creature, whom others would be tempted to worship, were they to see us as we will be through Christ. There are no ordinary human beings, only immortal ones.
Amazing. Barbaric, yet Glorious. What do you see when you see another person?
Friday, December 10, 2010
December 10, 2010
Luke’s Christmas Story
Luke 1:1-38
God Appears to Mary
Acts 11: 18 (NLT)
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" 35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God." 38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)
Pastor’s Thoughts
There is no more famous passage in the entire Bible than this one.
Talk show host Larry King once said that if someone could prove to him that Mary was actually a virgin that he would believe that Jesus is God.
Personally I do spend of a lot of time trying to reconcile what we know about the world from history and science with what we read in the Bible. Just taking hard to believe things I read in the Bible as accurate without thinking them through as completely as possible is foreign to me. There’s something in me that wants to know what’s true, to make sure I’m getting things as right as I possibly can. I am absolutely convinced that any truth about God will stand up to the most rigorous scrutiny.
My method of doing this has been to check out the reliability of the Bible from a number of angles, then to decide that what the biblical authors wrote can be trusted, and finally to conclude that what they wrote means exactly what they intended it mean and then I go from there.
In the case of the virgin conception (not birth) I have to conclude simply that the account we have above is accurate, especially in light of Monday’s reading.
One of the things that helped me early on to believe in the virgin conception is that the Gospels simply mention it as a fact and do not find the need to use it as a proof of Jesus’ deity. It’s just there along with all the other details. It seems to me that there no compelling reason that the Son of Man had to be conceived that way. The documents simply say that’s how it happened.
I still wonder how Joseph felt. Yet, contradictory as it is to what I wrote above, I feel absolutely certain that I would just have believed Mary stuck by her even without an angel showing up. So there is a place in me that just trusts in the most important of circumstances.
Luke 1:1-38
God Appears to Mary
Acts 11: 18 (NLT)
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" 35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God." 38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)
Pastor’s Thoughts
There is no more famous passage in the entire Bible than this one.
Talk show host Larry King once said that if someone could prove to him that Mary was actually a virgin that he would believe that Jesus is God.
Personally I do spend of a lot of time trying to reconcile what we know about the world from history and science with what we read in the Bible. Just taking hard to believe things I read in the Bible as accurate without thinking them through as completely as possible is foreign to me. There’s something in me that wants to know what’s true, to make sure I’m getting things as right as I possibly can. I am absolutely convinced that any truth about God will stand up to the most rigorous scrutiny.
My method of doing this has been to check out the reliability of the Bible from a number of angles, then to decide that what the biblical authors wrote can be trusted, and finally to conclude that what they wrote means exactly what they intended it mean and then I go from there.
In the case of the virgin conception (not birth) I have to conclude simply that the account we have above is accurate, especially in light of Monday’s reading.
One of the things that helped me early on to believe in the virgin conception is that the Gospels simply mention it as a fact and do not find the need to use it as a proof of Jesus’ deity. It’s just there along with all the other details. It seems to me that there no compelling reason that the Son of Man had to be conceived that way. The documents simply say that’s how it happened.
I still wonder how Joseph felt. Yet, contradictory as it is to what I wrote above, I feel absolutely certain that I would just have believed Mary stuck by her even without an angel showing up. So there is a place in me that just trusts in the most important of circumstances.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
December 9, 2010
Luke’s Christmas Story
Luke 1:1-38
Elizabeth
Luke 1:21-25 (NIV)
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. 23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25"The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people." Luke 1:21-25 (NIV)
Pastor’s Thoughts
I like very much the following passage from William Barclay’s commentary on the New Testament:
“We may often wish that a message from God would come to us. It was in God’s House that the message came to Zehariah.
In Shaw's play, Saint Joan, Joan hears voices from God. The Dauphin is annoyed. "Oh, your voices, your voices," he said, "Why don't the voices come to me? I am king not you." "They do come to you," said Joan, "but you do not hear them. You have not sat in the field in the evening listening for them. When the angelus rings you cross yourself and have done with it; but if you prayed from your heart, and listened to the thrilling of the bells in the air after they stop ringing, you would hear the voices as well as I do."
Joan gave herself the chance to hear God's voice. Zacharias was in the Temple waiting on God. God's voice comes to those who listen for it--as Zacharias did--in God's house”
Do you come to worship with expectation that God will speak to you?
Luke 1:1-38
Elizabeth
Luke 1:21-25 (NIV)
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. 23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25"The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people." Luke 1:21-25 (NIV)
Pastor’s Thoughts
I like very much the following passage from William Barclay’s commentary on the New Testament:
“We may often wish that a message from God would come to us. It was in God’s House that the message came to Zehariah.
In Shaw's play, Saint Joan, Joan hears voices from God. The Dauphin is annoyed. "Oh, your voices, your voices," he said, "Why don't the voices come to me? I am king not you." "They do come to you," said Joan, "but you do not hear them. You have not sat in the field in the evening listening for them. When the angelus rings you cross yourself and have done with it; but if you prayed from your heart, and listened to the thrilling of the bells in the air after they stop ringing, you would hear the voices as well as I do."
Joan gave herself the chance to hear God's voice. Zacharias was in the Temple waiting on God. God's voice comes to those who listen for it--as Zacharias did--in God's house”
Do you come to worship with expectation that God will speak to you?
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
December 8, 2010
Luke’s Christmas Story
Luke 1:1-38
John, Elijah, Zechariah, Gabriel
There’s a lot more more Going on than meets the eye!
Luke 1:14-20 (NIV)
"He (John) will be a joy and delight to you . . . he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take. . . and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. 16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Zechariah asked the angel, 'How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.' 19 The angel answered, 'I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.' " Luke 1:14-20 (NIV)
Pastor’s Thoughts
An elderly couple in an obscure province in the Roman Empire is told that their son will announce the coming of the Savior of the world.
The chief of all angels appears to him and it’s scary. Zechariah looses his speech and it’s because he disbelieved.
Here’s what I make of this:
1. God does always seem to be preparing the way for good things to come. I think we rarely see this. Most of the time we are too much about ourselves and we miss the big picture of how God wants to use us for some great purpose than our little myopic dreams for ourselves.
2. It doesn’t seem fair that Zechariah lost his speech just because he had trouble believing. For me I choose to think, “so what about what I think .. . who am I to make judgments about how God does things?"
3. Angels exist. Like all modern educated Americans my default thinking is not to believe in angels. But I also recognize how narrow and closed minded that default thinking of mine is. In fact when I turn off my default setting, my logic tells me that the world of God’s space is more real and varied than the one we see with our physical eyes. Our world, I think, is indeed the shadowlands, the shadow of the real world that is God’s.
Luke 1:1-38
John, Elijah, Zechariah, Gabriel
There’s a lot more more Going on than meets the eye!
Luke 1:14-20 (NIV)
"He (John) will be a joy and delight to you . . . he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take. . . and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. 16 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Zechariah asked the angel, 'How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.' 19 The angel answered, 'I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.' " Luke 1:14-20 (NIV)
Pastor’s Thoughts
An elderly couple in an obscure province in the Roman Empire is told that their son will announce the coming of the Savior of the world.
The chief of all angels appears to him and it’s scary. Zechariah looses his speech and it’s because he disbelieved.
Here’s what I make of this:
1. God does always seem to be preparing the way for good things to come. I think we rarely see this. Most of the time we are too much about ourselves and we miss the big picture of how God wants to use us for some great purpose than our little myopic dreams for ourselves.
2. It doesn’t seem fair that Zechariah lost his speech just because he had trouble believing. For me I choose to think, “so what about what I think .. . who am I to make judgments about how God does things?"
3. Angels exist. Like all modern educated Americans my default thinking is not to believe in angels. But I also recognize how narrow and closed minded that default thinking of mine is. In fact when I turn off my default setting, my logic tells me that the world of God’s space is more real and varied than the one we see with our physical eyes. Our world, I think, is indeed the shadowlands, the shadow of the real world that is God’s.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
December 7, 2010
Luke’s Christmas Story
Luke 1:1-38
Elizabeth and Zechariah
Luke 1:5-13 (NIV)
”In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah . . . his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God . . . But they had no children . . .
“When Zechariah . . . was chosen by lot . . . to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense . . .an angel of the Lord appeared to him (and he) . . . was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.' " Luke 1:5-13
Pastor’s Thoughts
The Big Story of the world is this: God made the world good. God created human beings to be His managers of the this good world. Human beings “messed with God”. The world is now a mess (just read the news). But God loved the world too much to leave it that way. So he chose a certain group of people through whom he would bring healing to the world. These people were the Jews and you can read all about this in the Old Testament beginning in Genesis chapter 12.
Throughout that history there are hints, predictions and prophecies that one day a savior, a messiah would be born who would finally set the world to rights. Furthermore it was predicted that someone would come along, someone like Elijah, who would announce the Messiah’s coming.
In today’s passage we see God acting in history to prepare the way for the Messiah to arrive. It didn’t happen easily. Zechariah yearned for a son, he worked hard to be a good observant Jew, he struggled with disbelief, and Elizabeth had little hope of conceiving. But the angel said, “don’t be afraid”. “ What God is doing in the world cannot be thwarted. You are part of that plan. Trust Me”
What God is doing in the world cannot be thwarted. And you are part of his plan too. Don’t be afraid. Are you willing to trust Him?
Luke 1:1-38
Elizabeth and Zechariah
Luke 1:5-13 (NIV)
”In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah . . . his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God . . . But they had no children . . .
“When Zechariah . . . was chosen by lot . . . to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense . . .an angel of the Lord appeared to him (and he) . . . was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.' " Luke 1:5-13
Pastor’s Thoughts
The Big Story of the world is this: God made the world good. God created human beings to be His managers of the this good world. Human beings “messed with God”. The world is now a mess (just read the news). But God loved the world too much to leave it that way. So he chose a certain group of people through whom he would bring healing to the world. These people were the Jews and you can read all about this in the Old Testament beginning in Genesis chapter 12.
Throughout that history there are hints, predictions and prophecies that one day a savior, a messiah would be born who would finally set the world to rights. Furthermore it was predicted that someone would come along, someone like Elijah, who would announce the Messiah’s coming.
In today’s passage we see God acting in history to prepare the way for the Messiah to arrive. It didn’t happen easily. Zechariah yearned for a son, he worked hard to be a good observant Jew, he struggled with disbelief, and Elizabeth had little hope of conceiving. But the angel said, “don’t be afraid”. “ What God is doing in the world cannot be thwarted. You are part of that plan. Trust Me”
What God is doing in the world cannot be thwarted. And you are part of his plan too. Don’t be afraid. Are you willing to trust Him?
Monday, December 6, 2010
December 6, 2010
Luke’s Christmas Story
Luke 1:1-38
The Main Reason to Believe in Christianity is Because It is True
Luke 1:1-4 (NIV)
"Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught." Luke 1:1-4 (NIV)
Pastor’s Thoughts
Theophilus is the name of the man for whom Luke wrote this account of the life of Jesus. Of course Luke hoped for a wide readership as well.
Luke starts out his Gospel by making it clear that he did his homework and that what he has written was well researched, accurate and factual. In other words he is saying that everything he wrote happened as he described it. The birth, death and resurrection of Jesus are a true story.
I cannot overstate how important this is. It seems to me that if this true, if Jesus really is and was God, then the only sane thing to do with this fact is to re-orient your life around Jesus. Anything less, especially in light of the overwhelming promises of riches and joy he offers to believers as recorded in scripture, is irrational.
It’s so amazing when one thinks about it, that somehow we humans seem to think that we can just go about our lives as if we are neither in need of nor accountable to God as he is revealed in Jesus. One day each of us will meet Him face to face. There will be a day of reckoning. Our lives will be examined. And none of us will look back with anything but regret on those times when we’ve chosen live independently of God.
Luke 1:1-38
The Main Reason to Believe in Christianity is Because It is True
Luke 1:1-4 (NIV)
"Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught." Luke 1:1-4 (NIV)
Pastor’s Thoughts
Theophilus is the name of the man for whom Luke wrote this account of the life of Jesus. Of course Luke hoped for a wide readership as well.
Luke starts out his Gospel by making it clear that he did his homework and that what he has written was well researched, accurate and factual. In other words he is saying that everything he wrote happened as he described it. The birth, death and resurrection of Jesus are a true story.
I cannot overstate how important this is. It seems to me that if this true, if Jesus really is and was God, then the only sane thing to do with this fact is to re-orient your life around Jesus. Anything less, especially in light of the overwhelming promises of riches and joy he offers to believers as recorded in scripture, is irrational.
It’s so amazing when one thinks about it, that somehow we humans seem to think that we can just go about our lives as if we are neither in need of nor accountable to God as he is revealed in Jesus. One day each of us will meet Him face to face. There will be a day of reckoning. Our lives will be examined. And none of us will look back with anything but regret on those times when we’ve chosen live independently of God.
Friday, December 3, 2010
December 3, 2010
The Privilege of Repentance
Acts 11:18 (NLT)
When the others heard this, . . They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”
Acts 11:18 (NLT)
Pastor's Blog:
How is repentance a privilege?
Repentance is the gift given to human beings by God through Jesus’ death on the cross. Without asking me. Pure Grace. This means God is saying, “I want you back. I want to you to be in the family, not estranged. I want you as my beloved son or daughter” Do you see the length to which God has gone to make things right between you and Him?
Now it’s your, my, our move. Can you see that intellectual assent is not relationship? Can you see that if you reached out to an estranged child at great cost to yourself and that child simply said, “I understand” with no emotional or practical response, that you still have no relationship?
Repentance is the gift given to me and to you by God’s work on the cross to make things right with God from our side. God initiated and did everything necessary from his side. Repentance, then, is our side of the great reconciliation offered by God.
One more thing: relationships are fragile. When was the last time you repented in prayer for your actions, sins, and attitudes? Repentance is a healer. It’s ground zero. When you have nowhere else to go, you always have the foot of the cross. There you are accepted, have a fresh start and have God who will offer you help for the one zillionth time.
To post a comment, click below.
Acts 11:18 (NLT)
When the others heard this, . . They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”
Acts 11:18 (NLT)
Pastor's Blog:
How is repentance a privilege?
Repentance is the gift given to human beings by God through Jesus’ death on the cross. Without asking me. Pure Grace. This means God is saying, “I want you back. I want to you to be in the family, not estranged. I want you as my beloved son or daughter” Do you see the length to which God has gone to make things right between you and Him?
Now it’s your, my, our move. Can you see that intellectual assent is not relationship? Can you see that if you reached out to an estranged child at great cost to yourself and that child simply said, “I understand” with no emotional or practical response, that you still have no relationship?
Repentance is the gift given to me and to you by God’s work on the cross to make things right with God from our side. God initiated and did everything necessary from his side. Repentance, then, is our side of the great reconciliation offered by God.
One more thing: relationships are fragile. When was the last time you repented in prayer for your actions, sins, and attitudes? Repentance is a healer. It’s ground zero. When you have nowhere else to go, you always have the foot of the cross. There you are accepted, have a fresh start and have God who will offer you help for the one zillionth time.
To post a comment, click below.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
December 2, 2010
Who Am I To Stand in God’s Way?
Acts 11:1-18 (NLT)
“The Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius and the other gentiles, just as he fell on us at the beginning. 16 Then I thought of the Lord’s words when he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?” Acs 11:15-17
Pastor's Blog:
Isn’t there something I have to DO to “get into heaven”?
Peter had to explain himself to the Jewish authorities who contended that to be accepted by God a person had to be circumcised (women got accepted through their husband’s circumcision). But Cornelius was not circumcised. And Peter saw that Cornelius and his family believed, were accepted by God and even received the Holy Spirit. How could this be? You can’t just throw out the rules, can you?
The “circumcision” group of Jewish believers were the “hard-liners”, who said, “Yes, there IS something you must DO to get saved, you must become Jews first and go through the Jewish rite of initiation”. Peter held his ground (for now) and four chapters later we will discover that the entire church asked God about this and God showed them that “rites” are not the way to God, rather trust, faith, relationship, response, following Jesus are the core elements of salvation.
In your life are these elements of salvation overshadowed by an overemphasis on ritual?
To post a comment, click below.
Acts 11:1-18 (NLT)
“The Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius and the other gentiles, just as he fell on us at the beginning. 16 Then I thought of the Lord’s words when he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?” Acs 11:15-17
Pastor's Blog:
Isn’t there something I have to DO to “get into heaven”?
Peter had to explain himself to the Jewish authorities who contended that to be accepted by God a person had to be circumcised (women got accepted through their husband’s circumcision). But Cornelius was not circumcised. And Peter saw that Cornelius and his family believed, were accepted by God and even received the Holy Spirit. How could this be? You can’t just throw out the rules, can you?
The “circumcision” group of Jewish believers were the “hard-liners”, who said, “Yes, there IS something you must DO to get saved, you must become Jews first and go through the Jewish rite of initiation”. Peter held his ground (for now) and four chapters later we will discover that the entire church asked God about this and God showed them that “rites” are not the way to God, rather trust, faith, relationship, response, following Jesus are the core elements of salvation.
In your life are these elements of salvation overshadowed by an overemphasis on ritual?
To post a comment, click below.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
December 1, 2010
Peter Explains the Good News to An Outsider
Acts 10:34-48
“God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. . . . ."
“Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. 45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too”
Acts 10:34 (NLT)
Pastor's Blog:
Peter discovered that there were no ethnic, geographical, cultural or moral barriers anymore in the way of anyone who wanted forgiveness and new life. He and the other Jews were astonished that God found the new gentile believers fit vessels for His Holy Spirit.
This is NOT easy, laissez-faire, 21st century tolerance. This is does not mean that God simply validates everyone’s opinion about everything or that He validates everyone’s chosen lifestyle. Cornelius (the gentile highlighted in this portion of scripture) did not want tolerated. He wanted welcomed, forgiven, healed and to be transformed. And he was.
It is a fascinating thing we learn here. Everyone is invited “in” just as we are. Yet no one is accepted in without some sort of response of the heart that issues in allowing the Lord to take leadership one’s life. It’s a bit paradoxical yet very, very simple. Does not the cohesion of every family rest on trust and reciprocity?
To post a comment, click below.
Acts 10:34-48
“God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. . . . ."
“Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. 45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too”
Acts 10:34 (NLT)
Pastor's Blog:
Peter discovered that there were no ethnic, geographical, cultural or moral barriers anymore in the way of anyone who wanted forgiveness and new life. He and the other Jews were astonished that God found the new gentile believers fit vessels for His Holy Spirit.
This is NOT easy, laissez-faire, 21st century tolerance. This is does not mean that God simply validates everyone’s opinion about everything or that He validates everyone’s chosen lifestyle. Cornelius (the gentile highlighted in this portion of scripture) did not want tolerated. He wanted welcomed, forgiven, healed and to be transformed. And he was.
It is a fascinating thing we learn here. Everyone is invited “in” just as we are. Yet no one is accepted in without some sort of response of the heart that issues in allowing the Lord to take leadership one’s life. It’s a bit paradoxical yet very, very simple. Does not the cohesion of every family rest on trust and reciprocity?
To post a comment, click below.
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