I had prepared and uploaded my blog for today but I set it aside late last night. I can’t get past tomorrow, September 11 or as it has become simply 9-11. There will be many words today, few will be able to capture the impact in loss of life and the realization that our enemies now had the ability to bring the horror of war to our soil. Here are a couple of things I take away from that day.   Death is never an easy thing to cope with and I don’t hold much with the advice that “things will be better in time; every day it will get a little better.” Don’t believe that, I believe we just learn how to live with it or for lack of a better term tolerate the loss. Like everyone else I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing. Been fifteen years now and I still can close my eyes and see those people jumping from the towers. Now after all these years’ history is slowly being rewritten in that many films have been edited to remove those pictures. Why is that important? To me it is important because while I can’t say what was in their mind at that time, I prefer to believe in that moment of extreme despair they chose how they would die. First take away, how much easier is it for us who only have to choose how to live.

One of the first things that happened after it was determined that this was not a terrible mishap but was indeed a deliberate attack, was a no fly order issued for the whole country. All flights except those of military origin were grounded throughout the USA. I remember standing outside at work that afternoon and the next few days and looking up at the sky above. My second take away was that those contrails left by planes were absence from the sky. How odd it seemed. Just as a room becomes quite, no one speaking, their absence marked the silence of the skies. It was as if I was waiting to see something there that would tell me everything was going to be alright. My third take away is perhaps the one that is most imprinted on my mind and heart. As the towers fell the dust and debris of this awful destruction blotted the sun from the sky and blinded all those trapped by it. Everyone was covered to the point that there was no way to distinguish skin color or ethnicity, all were caught in a world of gray horror, dependent on the help and mercies of those closest to them. Somehow the need to take or offer a hand, to cover and shield another from the debris, to offer self in defense of another was the most striking thing I saw. We came together as a people, there was no time to shout USA, USA as would be heard much over the next few days. This may not make sense and I stand to be corrected. I believe on that day we were Americans all and in that moment we all became God’s children. (Matthew 22:39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

There is no way I could ever put to words the sacrifice of NYFD or Police, EMS or the hundreds of medical and civilian responders, there are no words that could do honor to their sacrifice. So how or where do we go from here? As a nation and a people we need to return to the good way, we need God and there is only one way…..

John 14:6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

 Next week “Muddy Shoes”. See you in the pew…..jk

 

 

A few years ago I shared this message and for some reason in preparation for this weeks blog I was looking at all that is going on in the Christian world today and it came to mind. It has not been posted as a blog to the best of my memory. So…..back in the day it went this way.

Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true. Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. In faith we know that the Lord sustains our lives and watches over us in every moment. Faith is not a matter of accepting certain doctrinal teachings, but rather a trust that God can bring transformation. In the Wesleyan tradition, the journey of faith includes an expectation of transformation, change and holy living. “are you going on to perfection?” We come together as a community of faith, believers who share the joy, hope, love and peace of the faith. For many of us when we leave our church, walk outside these walls and drive off, we then come face to face with the stark realities of life. The world we live in today is one of many uncertainties. The church,  and our christian faith is under constant attack. The things that provide some sense of sanity in this uncertain world, home, family, faith and church are at risk. Homes are lost; families torn apart and churches are being closed as others face a decline in membership and support.  A nation that once called out to God …..now whispers his name so as not to offend anyone; one nation under God has now become a nation which must first debate when and where or even if his name may be evoked. This is indeed a world of many uncertainties in which we see each day a loss of faith, a people who should be on their knees, but instead are running from the faith seeking to grab something to hold onto in these uncertain times. 

I was a young man voting in his first national election when Barry Goldwater was the nominee of the Republican party.I remember him saying… “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Boy did that get him in trouble. He was from that day on labeled a war monger, a man of uncertain temperament. Those words cost him the election. Well, I am no Berry Goldwater, but we can no longer continue doing as we do. We must defend the faith. Extremism is a harsh word and in its simplest form means to go beyond the norm. Faith has often been answered by those who disagree with our faith with extremism.

Our lord was beaten in such a manner that the flesh was torn from his body. He was spit on, ridiculed, and made to carry his cross through the streets to the place of his crucifixion. Six inch nails were driven through his hands and feet. Nailed to a cross while solders cast lots for his clothes and challenged him; “come down off that cross, are you not the king of the jews? With agonizing breath He said “father forgive them.” While he was still known as Saul, Paul held the cloaks of those who stoned Stephen. He obtained letters authorizing him to go to Damascus and bring those known as “people of the way” back to be imprisoned. Then there are those who took up the cross. The Apostle Paul was stoned and left for dead. He got up and went back into the town and continued to preach the good news.  At the council in Jerusalem Peter spoke in defense of the faith on behalf of Paul and Barnabas. James the brother of jesus defended the need to take the faith to the gentiles.

We have lost our faith to religion. The jews lived and died by the law. Peter reminded them that day that no man could possibly keep all the law. It is the faith that believes Jesus Christ is the son of the living God and through him only can we come to the Father……this and this alone….grace freely given… that is our salvation. In the OT the word faith in the sense of belief occurs only five times. OT faith was never mere assent to a set of doctrines or outward acceptance of the law, but absolute confidence in the faithfulness of God and a loving obedience to his will. We find that in the NT the words faith or believe occur almost 500 times. Jesus offered himself as the object of faith and made plain that faith in him was necessary for eternal life.

Going back to what Barry said, I believe another word would better communicate a christian like attitude. Boldness……“the trait of being willing to undertake things that involve risk or danger” Yes, I like that word better…..Boldness in the defense of the faith is no vice. And moderation in the pursuit of the faith is no virtue. We must return a sense of boldness to the faith, we only need to look to the boldness of our missionaries who daily take the faith of our fathers to others in all kinds of circumstances.

 So what is this faith we are called to defend? Faith has both an active and passive sense in the bible. The first relating to one’s loyalty to a person or commitment to a promise; the other being confidence in the word or assurance of another.  Faith is not merely what a person believes, as example, an accurate doctrine or creed, but also and more importantly, that the object of our faith is valid. The empty  tomb validates our faith. I believe it to be a reasonable statement that we are governed by our thoughts; we ultimately become what we dwell most upon in our minds. The Apostle Paul gave these instruction to the romans:

Romans 12:2 “do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what god’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

One of my favorite passages, one I have shared many times:

Philippians 4:8 finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

 What is the value of faith?  2 Chronicles: 20-20……… As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the lord your god and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.”

We are established as a people through our faith. Isaiah 7-9 …………“if you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”

Our faith is a gift of god

Luke 17: 5  The apostles said to the lord, “increase our faith!” Romans 12: 3 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

Here is a passage we all know well……8 “to one there is given through the spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same spirit, 9 to another faith by the same spirit?” The purpose of our faith is to gain understanding and truth.

John 8:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “if you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Faith helps us to grow in God’s grace

Hebrews 4:16 “let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

We are able to rejoice through our faith.

Philippians 2: 17-18 “But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 so you too should be glad and rejoice with me.”

We can use our faith to strengthen ourselves

Romans 6:13-14 “do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 for sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”

Through faith we become transformed into the image of Christ, a people strong in the faith.

Ephesians 3: 12 “in him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”

Boldness in the defense of the faith is no vice. The distractions are many and many mean well; but I would say to you that the removal of a nativity scene, the objection to a cross in the desert, the obsessions and honors given to people of questionable Christian behavior are regrettable distractions to people of faith.

We need………

-the bold faith of our lord that would allow him to do no less than the father’s will, even if it meant his death.

-the bold faith of Paul having been stoned and left for dead, he got up, went back and continued to preach the good news.

-the bold faith of Peter rising to speak on behalf of Paul and Barnabas’ ministry to the gentiles.

-the bold faith of James who challenged the church at Jerusalem, knowing that there were those who opposed the gentile.

We need a boldness in our faith that says ….come as you are. The faith belongs to all who seek Jesus Christ.

The church has lost its boldness. We must put aside the distractions of this world and come together in defense of the faith. To defend the faith is to defend Jesus Christ.  “I am the way”

Don’t leave your faith here in the pew. Take it with you and share with all……jk

 

 

This week we look at the “Temptation of Jesus”, and turning to Barnes Notes discover some interesting viewpoints. The book of Mark has only three verses about this, the more detailed writings being in Matthew and Luke. We will examine Barnes Notes for our blog references this week. Consider that all three books point to the fact that Jesus went into the wilderness alone. He was alone during the temptations until He sends Satan away at which time the Angels came to attend to him.

Fact, at some time Jesus had to share his time in the desert with his disciples or there would have been no record of the temptations. Imagine our Lord telling about this time in his life. I am sure from past reading of the ministry of Jesus, he would have used this story to teach his disciples about the ways the devil can come against us. Imagine also that here is Jesus, just baptized and God declaring “and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased( Matthew 3:17) and here he is suddenly being tested by the devil just as we all are at times in our lives. The humanity of Christ, God incarnate among us. As the song says “I Can Only Imagine”.

First let’s look at the word tempt as used here. It means to try, to endeavor, to attempt to do a thing. In these verses the devil attempts to draw Jesus away from virtue or plainly said from the Father, from God. These temptations are not so much about sin as they are about obedience. Satan knows that disobedience opens the heart and mind to sin and sin separates us from God. Next it is written that he fasted for forty days. “Fasted-Abstained from food”. There have been commentaries that suggested otherwise but Luke puts that to rest. “Luke 4:2 – for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry.” There are other things that have been written that suggest that Jesus only came to the realization of self and his call upon his baptism. I will leave that to the scholars and go with one certain thing. “ – Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness.” (Mark 1:12) True calling requires a time of preparation and immediately Satan sought to tempt Him.

In verse 3 (Matthew 4) we find the first of the three temptations. Why be hungry you have the power to fix that! We know our Lords answer to that. He went to old testament scripture.  “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD. (Deuteronomy 8:3)

 The following is from Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible:

– Satan often takes advantage of our circumstances and wants to tempt us.

 –Satan‘s temptations are often the strongest immediately after we have been remarkably favored. Jesus had just been called the Son of God, and Satan took this opportunity to try him.

 –His temptations are plausible. They often seem to be only urging us to do what is good and proper.

 –We are to meet the temptations of Satan, as the Savior did, with the plain and positive declarations of Scripture. We are to inquire whether the thing is commanded, and whether, therefore, it is right to do it, and not trust to our own feelings, or even our wishes, in the matter.”

 The second temptation places Jesus on the very pinnacle of the temple. Satan tells Jesus to throw himself off, no harm will come to you if you are the son of God. It is written – “He shall give his angels charge concerning thee …And in their hands they shall bear thee up – Lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone –.”

Again the Savior replied to Satan using Scripture – a passage which expressly forbade an act like this. “Matthew 4: 7 –Again it is written, you shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” Jesus once again reaches back and quotes from “Deuteronomy 6:16 – “You shall not put the LORD your God to the test” One last point before we move on from Albert Barnes.

“It is true, indeed, that God aids those of his people who are placed by him in trial or danger; but it is not true that the promise was meant to extend to those who wantonly provoke him and trifle with the promised help. Thus, Satan, artfully using and perverting Scripture, was met and repelled by Scripture rightly applied.”

Moving to Matthew 4: 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name”. (Deuteronomy 6:13)

 Once again Jesus turns to scripture and Satan is driven away. Three temptations, the first one to a necessity, food, Jesus was hungry. The second to the protection of God when in great danger. The third is far more serious. It was a proposition that the Jesus should worship the devil, turn from the father and bow down before the Prince of wickedness and give him homage. But as we have read in Deuteronomy this was plainly forbidden. Albert Barnes gives these words of wisdom.

(a) That no one is so holy as to be free from temptation, for even the Son of God was sorely tempted.

(b) That when God permits a temptation or trial to come upon us, he will, if we look to him, give us grace to resist and overcome it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

 (c) We see the art of the tempter. His temptations are adapted to times and circumstances. They are plausible. What could have been mere plausible than his suggestions to Christ? They were applicable to his circumstances. They had the appearance of much piety. They were backed by passages of Scripture misapplied, but still most artfully presented.

(d) One of the best ways of meeting temptation is by applying Scripture. So our Savior did, and they will always best succeed who best wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, “And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”( Ephesians 6:17)

 Temptation is Satan’s way of drawing us away from God and opening the heart and mind to sin. The story of the “Temptation” provides a remarkable link to our blog of last week. That reading, studying and living scripture is important to living a Holy Life. Temptation leads to sin and sin separates us from God. Come back next week, there is always room in the pew.     jk

Reference: Albert Barnes

 

In the English Standard Version there are 53 references to verses that contain reference to scripture in the New Testament. Other versions can have as many as 59. One of the most referred to and familiar to all of us is 2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…..” We cannot overlook the fact that even in the Old Testament writings God wanted his people to keep His words close.

 

 

The Torah, or the Pentateuch, is the central reference of the religious Judaic tradition. The Torah consists of the foundational narrative of Jewish peoplehood: their call into being by God, their trials and tribulations, and their covenant with their God, which involves following a way of life embodied in a set of moral and religious obligations and civil laws. Just as we do today when we carry our bibles, the Jew in that day carried God’s word with him.

Phylacteries are a set of small black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah. They are worn by male observant Jews during weekday morning prayers. God’s word was the very center of Jewish life. Our world of communications today offers many choices of ways to read, study and obtain knowledge about most any subject and  increases the ways we get information to people and increase their knowledge of what we are about.

The church today is blessed that there are so many ways to reach the churched and un-churched. There many Christian writers and authors who now have access to a large market of readers and while I haven’t counted the many ways available to take the written word to the people, it exceeds anything we may have imagined just a few short years ago. This is all good and I do not seek to marginalize any method used to lift up the word of God and make it available to as many as possible. One thing we must do is to use every resource available to take the Good News to the world. I do have one concern to share with you in today’s blog. Because of the proliferation of reading and study material and commentaries, which I use often, I have noticed less reading and studying of the bible itself. We now have the bible on iPhones, iPads, computers and even computer disks. We have also developed a habit of using bible studies from books written by a favorite author and while these are a great learning tool they lack one thing. So what is that thing and what is my concern? Context, that is my concern. The Bible is best understood in its total context. Often scripture is used to prove a point or elevate a position of a person or group by pulling one or a few verses to serve their purpose. Context is important because of what it does….context is the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed.

I use Bible Gateway to look up scriptures and also the many tools they offer to help in studying the bible. When I chose this subject as this weeks blog I entered the word scripture in one of their search engines. In every verse of scripture listed per my request was three options. ” Context, Verse, Full Book.” What does “context” mean? One more time!

“The circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed.”

Reading our bibles strengthens our relationship with the word as written and does these three things.

1. Scripture inspires: Luke 24:32 “They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
2. Scripture tells about Jesus and brings the good news of salvation: Acts 8:35 “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.”
3. Scripture can teach, lift us up and give us strength: Romans 15:4 “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

There are so many ways to study the bible and all are worthy of consideration but I encourage you to read “The Book”. Keep the written word of God close to your heart and ever in your mind.

Hope to see you here in the Pew next week,

jk

References: Wikipedia / Bible Gateway

 

Back in the day there was a radio personality that was very much respected and loved by a lot of people. His name was Paul Harvey and I actually got to meet him. I don’t know when it started but he had a series on his program called “ The Rest of the Story”. The story about the woman at the well is one most of us are familiar with. I like to use the term “beyond the words” but today I will invite you to come with me for “The Rest of the Story”. As we read in John 4 the encounter takes place at a well. We can imagine that Jesus is tired and of course having walked most of the morning he is thirsty and hungry. He had sent his disciples into the village to buy some food. So we find ourselves reading a rather ordinary story about a meeting of two people but if we seek the rest of the story we will find that few stories in the gospel record show us so much about the character of Jesus.

John shows us the reality of Jesus’ humanity. Jesus was tired and the journey so far had been difficult, he sat by the side of the well exhausted. John shows us a Jesus that struggles just as we do. John shows us someone who was tired and had to go on, just like we do in this earthly life.

John shows us the warmth of Jesus’ sympathy. Had it been an ordinary religious teacher, or one of the orthodox religious leaders of the day, the Samaritan woman would have fled in embarrassment. She did not perhaps because she had at last met someone who was not a critic but a friend, one who did not condemn but who understood. His very countenance put her at ease. It shows us Jesus as the breaker-down of barriers. The quarrel between the Jews and the Samaritans was an old, old story. Way back about 720 BC, the Assyrians had invaded the northern kingdom of Samaria and had captured and subjugated it. There are many barriers but we won’t go into that detail at this point. The simple fact was that Jews and Samaritans avoided each other at all costs.  But there was still another way in which Jesus was taking down the barriers. The Samaritan was a woman. The strict Rabbis forbade a Rabbi to greet a woman in public. A Rabbi might not even speak to his own wife or daughter or sister in public. Not only was she a woman; she was also a woman of notorious character. No decent man, let alone a Rabbi, would have been seen in her company, or even exchanging a word with her – and yet Jesus spoke to her.

There is one more interesting “rest of the story.” Troubled by the attention from the Pharisees, which by the way was not in any way good, Jesus sets out to leave Judaea and return to Galilee, the quickest way being through Samaria. He finds himself at a town in Samaria called Sychar around noon time, tired from walking all morning, the heat and thirst was taking a toll on him and the disciples. Sending the disciples to get food from the nearby town, he had set down to rest when the woman came to the well. William Barclay sums these verses up best as to why this is “the rest of the story.”

“To a Jew, this was an amazing story. Here was the Son of God, tired and weary and thirsty. Here was the holiest of men, listening with understanding to a sorry story. Here was Jesus breaking through the barriers of nationality and orthodox Jewish custom. Here is the beginning of the universality of the gospel; here is God so loving the world, not in theory, but in action.” (William Barclay Commentaries)

Overwhelmed by what Jesus had told her up to this point and no way of really understanding what he has said, verses 26-30 are explained by this commentary from William Barclay.

Do we as Christians, even when weary and thirsty, follow the example of Christ? Do our actions show God’s love for the world and all its people and will we recognize the truth when it comes among us? Or will we too be bewildered and without understanding. 

Hope to see you in the pew next week. jk

References: William Barclay’s Commentaries

 

 

The Democrat and Republican conventions are over for this election year…..can I get an Amen For that? Presidential elections are always an interesting time so first let’s look at Politics. What I always thought was a religion thing was in reality a political thing. All of us have heard the phrase “don’t discuss politics in church”. Politics is all about influence, getting and keeping power, people who are part of the government, and what it should do and a person’s political thoughts and opinions.

*In 1954 when Lyndon Johnson was a U.S. senator the then Democratic minority leader, introduced an amendment to Section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code dealing with tax-exempt charitable organizations, including groups organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literacy and educational purposes, or to prevent cruelty to children or animals. It said, in effect, that if you want to be absolved from paying taxes, you couldn’t be involved in partisan politics. The law says all such organizations “are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.” That includes contributions to political campaigns and any form of public statement for or against a candidate or group of candidates. Just a quick thought, it hasn’t worked to well on the “obey” the law side. First observation:  Politics are most often a divider of people.”

Saw a sign in front of a church that has stayed with me for years. “Have you tried Religion?  Now come in and try Jesus.” I thought there was message there, I thought it was a clever play on words. Never gained any traction among the folks. I’m sure some of us have heard or even said “ole (you use whatever name you like) got religion the other day and is going to church now.” Religion according to Webster is: the belief in a god or in a group of gods, an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods, an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group.  A few years ago I quit asking people what religion are you. Let’s look at that definition again.  “an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods, an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group.” Everyone has a different approach to this thing called religion. Second observation: Religion can be a divider of people.

Hebrews 11:1King James Version (KJV)

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 I find no fault in turning to others to express a certain point or helping me to acquire knowledge to share and pass on to others. While commentaries are interpretations or analyses of scripture by educated scholars, they can also be the result of prayer and seeking of the Holy Spirit. Mathew Henry is one of my favorites. Read what he has to say about faith.

Matthew Henry Commentary

11:1-3 Faith always has been the mark of God’s servants, from the beginning of the world. Where the principle is planted by the regenerating Spirit of God, it will cause the truth to be received, concerning justification by the sufferings and merits of Christ. And the same things that are the object of our hope, are the object of our faith. It is a firm persuasion and expectation, that God will perform all he has promised to us in Christ. This persuasion gives the soul to enjoy those things now; it gives them a subsistence or reality in the soul, by the first-fruits and foretastes of them. Faith proves to the mind, the reality of things that cannot be seen by the bodily eye. It is a full approval of all God has revealed, as holy, just, and good. This view of faith is explained by many examples of persons in former times, who obtained a good report, or an honorable character in the word of God. Faith was the principle of their holy obedience, remarkable services, and patient sufferings. The Bible gives the most true and exact account of the origin of all things, and we are to believe it, and not to wrest the Scripture account of the creation, because it does not suit with the differing fancies of men. All that we see of the works of creation, were brought into being by the command of God.

Hebrews 11:1 Commentaries

 I see no divider within this statement about faith. Pay attention to the last section in bold print. We are to believe and not take away the account of creation because it does not fit our agenda. I believe that applies to all scripture, especially those instructions given to the Patriarchs of the faith by God. Faith is a unifier. Faith brings us together, faith helps us to endure those things, people or situations, we face in this life. We will see and hear much in the weeks to come. Politics will divide us, doctrines and procedural differences within the Religious community will divide us. Like in the Athens of old we will gather in different groups to debate those things that divide us and in some instances become even more divided. What if we just stepped  back, acknowledge that God is in control and follow this advice written long ago:

Philippians 4: 8,9

8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

 See you next week and keep the Faith,

jkc

References: Matthew Henry Commentaries / Webster Dictionary / Panorama Bible / Wikipedia / biblehub.com

 In the book of Philemon we are introduced to Onesimus who is the servant of Philemon or plainly said his slave. There is much conjecture and debate over the exact meaning here as to slave or servant. I will leave that up to you and deal with the facts as we know them. Onesimus had probably done some wrong to Philemon either by taking his property, or by the fact that he had escaped from him. We know he is a servant because old testament writings use a word that designate his condition as such. Philemon 1:16 ( δοῦλος,  doulos). We know that he was bound to Philemon, either by his parents or guardians, or that he had bound himself to render voluntary service. Hidden within this book are some interesting little pointers that speak to Christian character.

Onesimus , has left his master Philemon, and is in Rome at the same time that Paul is in prison there. Paul was confined for a lack of a better term, to house arrest. He could receive guests but was not allowed to wander in the city. How we do not know, he knew where Paul was being held and went there to see Paul. It is pretty certain that Paul would have known him from staying at Philemon’s home on occasion. Of course Onesimus would have known him from the time he served Philemon. As things go he finds Paul and over some time he is converted and stays to work with Paul. Why Onesimus came to the apostle, is not known. It may have been because he was in need and Paul was the only one in Rome whom he had ever seen or knew. Here now is the first little nugget in this story. He had perhaps come to realize on his own that leaving Philemon was wrong, or maybe there were other sins and he sought him out to obtain spiritual counsel. Sin or wrong doing is felt by all people, whether they are Christian or not, it is part of our earthly being. Onesimus knew he needed help and he saw something in Paul and his God that he needed. How about us? Do we live a Christ like life that would draw others to God?

Some commentaries point to slavery, which was prevalent in biblical times as part of this story. I will not dwell on that but rather pick up on Ablert Barnes’ commentary on this book. For hidden in this book is to me the undisputable power of the Christian faith. “Christianity, in its highest influences, interferes with nothing that is good, and would annihilate nothing which is not wrong. That which is true, and best for the welfare of man.”(AB)

Christianity will destroy intemperance, and idolatry, and superstition, and war. Stepping back and looking at our lives and realizing that sin separates us from God, what a powerful message lies among the words of this story. We also are given the example of the courtesy and politeness which the Christian ought to practice at all times, as well as furnishing many valuable lessons on Christian duty that will inspire others to want the same things in their lives. I love to go beyond the words as written and seek the little things that are hidden there. Remember “seek and ye shall find”.

So to wrap this up, what are some of the things that you find you are a slave to? Maybe I am being too simplistic but I believe in this little book are some big things that help us in our Christian walk.  Would you like to lose some things and gain your freedom? If so it is worth repeating…..

“Christianity, in its highest influences, interferes with nothing that is good, and would annihilate nothing which is not wrong. That which is true, and best for the welfare of man.”(AB)

You have nothing good to lose.  jk

Reference Materials: Albert Barnes Commenteries / Panorama Bible

As I write these blogs I often turn to commentaries and other writings encountered as I research the topic for the week. I will always share with you the source and author at all times. The lesson I hope you pick up on here is that we live in a world of information no father away than a keyboard a computer and internet supplier. I hope you will be encouraged to do as the scripture says “seek and ye shall find” adding to that prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit to build your faith and service to God.

Back in the day many young boys dreamed of riding the plains doing good and rescuing the young girls from evil. Mounting the trusty broom and riding the backyard range in search of stray cattle or damsels in distress and even hoping to come across a bad guy or two. Sporting a set of Gene Autry pistols and a new hat and cowboy boots from Sears or the local Western Auto store, we were the picture of young justice and any number of Saturday cowboy shows on the old black and white TV. Sneaking a bit of small rope from dad’s work bench for a lasso, even the dog and cat feared our pass through the backyard range. They were examples of what we admired or wanted to be in our adolescent dreams and wishes. Today we look at a different time and a different type of hero, the ones back in the day that set an example of faith and called to mind in the 11th chapter of Hebrews through the writings of Paul.

**Great Examples of Faith

Paul writes that the bones of faith are based on substance and evidence. Whether they were eternal or invisible they were true because they were from God. God’s creation of the world from nothing is understood by faith in the word of Almighty God, who, by definition, could do what He chose to do. Paul then states that those such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah, are all taken as evidences of God’s blessing on even weak people who put their trust in Him. Faith is always rewarded when it is put in God. The Old Testament saints were simple people who lived what they believed to be true. Simple faith makes an uncomplicated confession of trust in, and following of the Lord. Their eyes where on heaven. God is not ashamed of them and has prepared heaven for them!

Paul uses as an example of faith the Israel’s Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is further demonstrated by Israel’s first human savior, Joseph. Moses is the next. He had to make many choices using only his uncompromising faith in God, as he lead the children of Israel out of Egypt through the Red Sea, also keeping the Passover by faith. Many other believers are commended for their faith although the testimony of these faithful followers was good, the fact is clear that the promise that was to be given in the New Testament gospels was not known to them at that time. Many others suffered greatly but remained steadfast in the faith. They are to be commended for their faith which enabled them to stay faithful to God in the face of such cruel opposition and persecution. Under God, these people—and others who followed in their footsteps—should be our real heroes, not today’s passing celebrities of stage, screen, music, sport and politics. Verses 39-40 provides us with as the author wrote the unbeatable climax. Although the testimony of these faithful followers was good, we are privileged to have received ‘something better’, namely the clear gospel promise that was unavailable to them in such clarity. For this reason, one day we will be perfected with these people whose faith was in God.

I have relied heavily on the Bible Panorama in the above two paragraphs. I acknowledge that to give proper credit and to also make a point. As I wrote earlier the commentaries and bible study resources are in abundance in the world wide web. We can as laymen share with each other and lead others to this rich resource, allowing us to grow in faith and service to our Lord. As we read in Romans 10: 14-15

14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

 I pray that we might be those feet and bring the good news!

Thanks for joining me “In The Pew”. Hope you come back next week. jkc

 

Resources:  **Bible Panorama / NLT Hebrews 11

 

 

John 20

8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— 9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. 10 Then they went home.

I have always thought that for our Lord to be resurrected and escape the tomb it would not depend on the stone being rolled away. Just as Thomas had to see the hands and side of Jesus to believe, the visual conformation of the empty tomb was necessary. They were then as we are now “…oh Ye of little faith”. Without the Resurrection and the empty tomb there would be no story here except that of a great prophet, a story teller and man who became a problem for those of power, the Roman Government and the leaders of the Jewish faith. The rest of this story is the beautiful truth about the significance of that empty tomb. The tomb was empty but in the mist of nothing was a promise kept and to this day we struggle to understand it.

 Resurrection is the concept of a living being coming back to life after death. In a number of ancient religions, a dying-and-rising god is a deity which dies and resurrects. The death and resurrection of Jesus, an example of resurrection, is the central focus of Christianity.Resurrection – Wikipedia, the free encyclopediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ResurrectionWikipedia

Read over once more the Wikipedia statement above. I may be on the wrong train here but that’s a solid definition…..in the secular world.  First a couple of thoughts. There is only one God that has the power to restore life. Jesus is not an example of resurrection, he is the resurrection; also as it is written …”the first of a great harvest of all who have died…” (1st Corinthians 15:20) I wish to simply state the beautiful truth about the resurrection relying on what I refer to as the resurrection chapter, 1st Corinthians 15. So let’s get right to it.

As we read 1 Corinthians 15:19-20 we see Paul finds little comfort in that there is lacking a triumphant and joyful assurance that Christ “had in fact risen.” Paul does not seek to argue but rather in verses 21 through 34 sets out his reasoning that the resurrection is real and justifies all we as Christians endure. As a layman I have missed the other side of the resurrection story. The question asked in verse, 35 “But someone will ask, How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” The answer Paul gives provides the most glorious prospect which can be exhibited to dying, yet immortal man.

In verses 36 – 41 Paul addresses the nature of those bodies and in verse 39 the fact that there are different kinds of flesh. He speaks of celestial bodies and earthly bodies in verse 40 and closes out in verse 41 pointing out that there is a difference between the sun, and moon, and stars.  Paul continues in these next verses 42 – 50 and makes a direct statement for which the mind is prepared by the illustrations of the previous verses, of the important changes which the body of man must undergo, and of the nature of that body which he will have in heaven.

It will be a body that is Incorruptible, Glorious, Powerful, A spiritual body and finally, it is like the body of the second man, the Lord from heaven. Yes, amen, is that not worth dying for! Oh the power of the written word, Paul’s explanation of the greatest promise ever made.

How extraordinary is this? Well for those of us in the pew that grew up hearing about the streets paved with gold, all our family and friends meeting us there and the beautiful unceasing music and praise to God, it is a picture painted in words that hold a reality we understand. Sitting in the pew requires that we listen but to hear and understand we must read, study and pray. Mark this book and chapter down and when you are faced with death remember these verses also.

1st Corinthians 15

53 For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O death, where is thy victory?

O death, where is thy sting?”

 Thanks for coming back and hope to see you in the pew next week.

jkc

Reference Material – Albert Barnes Notes – 1st Corinthians 11: 1 – 58

 

 

5/5/16

As believers, church attendance is of high importance. It is a place we can all come together to worship, be encouraged, and learn from God’s words for spiritual growth.  I know we all don’t all share the same view of church but I would like to share my thoughts with you, some of you may disagree with me and that is all right. In many ways the church today has become a numbers game, a service industry, involved in social issues and an entertainment venue with a Christian message. What about you? What troubles you and what do you believe the church’s role is in today’s world.

 Colossians 3:16 NIV

16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 

 Matthew 18:20 NIV

20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Do we? According to scripture it only takes two or three.

 

Leviticus 19: 1,2

19 The Lord said to Moses, 2 Say to the whole community of the Israelites: You must be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

We find here the introductory verses of the “Holy Code,” which describes the vocation of God’s people as to “be holy” because God is “holy”. What does that mean for a way of life and being in the world. Mention Leviticus and you can hear moans of despair and even occasionally an under the breath “why Leviticus?”. I am at a loss as to why the Old Testament is shoved to the side so often. The Old Testament speaks to how we came to be, the relationship God sought with his people through the Prophets and Patriarchs and God’s plan for his people.

Exodus 19: 5-6

 5 So now, if you faithfully obey me and stay true to my covenant, you will be my most precious possession out of all the peoples, since the whole earth belongs to me. 6 You will be a kingdom of priests for me and a holy nation…..

God has set the standards for the church from the very first. We have been adopted into the family of God through the birth, ministry, crucifixion, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Some time ago I was in a meeting at work and the subject was Authority, Accountability and Responsibility. For some reason and through all the years I have never forgotten that meeting.

-We were told that Authority was granted.

–Accountability on the other hand was imposed and was one of the burdens of being in a position of authority.

–Responsibility on the other hand was an inherent trait. 

If we stretch this a bit for use as an example we might say, that God has granted us through the commandment to go forth with the word, a reasonable sense of Authority, for which we will be held Accountable. Then there is this thing of Responsibility .  Most of us accept the Responsibility of living a Christian life as best we can.  The Responsibility of family, community and job is something we all take seriously. But wait a minute…..

“What does the Lord require?”

 

Micah 6: 6-8

6  With what should I approach the Lord   and bow down before God on high? Should I come before him with entirely burned offerings, with year-old calves?

7  Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with many torrents of oil? Should I give my oldest child for my crime; the fruit of my body for the sin of my spirit?

Perhaps in that day and time this would have been a perfectly reasonable question! Now for those who think the Old Testament is outdated or old hat so to speak, hear the words of Micah in verse 8.

 8  He has told you, human one, what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.

I believe that these words written over 2000 years ago can be applied to the world we live in today.  Let’s take a moment here……

WHAT WAS THE EARLY CHURCH L I K E?

The three distinguishing marks of the early church were: separation from the world, unconditional love, and childlike obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

S E P A R A T I O N   F R O M   T H E   W O R L D

“No one can serve two masters,” declared Jesus to his disciples (Matt. 6:24). However, Christians have spent the greater portion of the past two millenniums apparently trying to prove Jesus wrong. We have told ourselves that we can indeed have both-the things of God and the things of this world. Many of us live our lives no differently than do conservative non-Christians, except for the fact that we attend church regularly each week. We watch the same entertainment. We share the same concerns about the problems of this world. And we are frequently just as involved in the world’s commercial and materialistic pursuits. Often, our being “not of this world” exists in theory more than in practice. But the church was not originally like that. The first Christians lived under a completely different set of principles and values than the rest of mankind. They rejected the world’s entertainment, honors, and riches. They were already citizens of another kingdom, and they listened to the voice of a different Master. This was as true of the second century church as it was of the first.

WHAT WERE THE EARLY CHRISTIAN PEOPLE LIKE?

The Letter to Diognetus, the work of an unknown author, written in about 130, describes Christians to the Romans as follows:

“They dwell in their own countries simply as sojourners…. They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven.  They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time, they surpass the laws by their lives. They love all men but are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned. They are put to death, but [will be] restored to life. They are poor, yet they make many rich. They possess few things; yet, they abound in all. They are dishonored, but in their very dishonor are glorified…. And those who hate them are unable to give any reason for their hatred.” The Letter to Diognetus can be found in the Ante-Nicene Fathers.

And what about:

A   L O V E   W I T H O U T   C O N D I T I O N

At no other time in the history of Christianity did love so characterize the entire church as it did in the first three centuries. And Roman society took note. Tertullian reported that the Romans would exclaim, See how they love one another! Justin Martyr sketched Christian love this way:  We who used to value the acquisition of wealth and possessions more than anything else now bring what we have into a common fund and share it with anyone who needs it. We used to hate and destroy one another and refused to associate with people of another race or country. Now, because of Christ, we live together with such people and pray for our enemies.

http://www.earlychurch.com/unconditional-love.php 

Church is much different today. These times we live in now place a heavy burden on the church to be everything to everybody and bear the brunt of societies failures while trying to adapt to the demands of the day. We are constantly being told that we must change and in some instances those things that have in the past been been a part of Christian teachings are now considered to hamper membership and often are blamed for declining membership. There is always something to blame, the music, the preaching, lack of programing that meets the needs of families or seniors, not enough money and the building is old and to small. What church is about becomes a confusing mix of well-meant suggestions and can even result in what I like to call the program of the month. For many of us we wonder where all this uncertainty leaves us. Here is the good news! Why church? Because church is simple. This thing called religion has made it difficult.

Matthew 5: 13-16

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? It’s good for nothing except to be thrown away and trampled under people’s feet. 14 You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven. 

God is not ready for you to be thrown away and trampled under the rush to supposed better things. He wants your light to shine. Do you? Are you willing to shine? It’s not hard to do. It is good to be simple people who through their daily lives bring God’s love to his people in simple everyday life.

 Matthew 28: 16-20  Commissioning of the disciples

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. 18 Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”

Disciple- a personal follower of Jesus during his life……  one of a group of 12 men who were sent out to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ…… someone who accepts and helps to spread the teachings of Christ

But wait, let’s make it even simpler….YOU, have you not accepted the teachings of Jesus Christ? You see God is not done with you, you have responsibilities.

 Galatians 6: 2

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

You have been adopted into the Family of God, YOU are part of the body of Christ and one of your responsibilities is to bear one another’s burdens. A few simple things as found in scripture, things that make church easy.

 

Ephesians 4: 1

To the church at Ephesus Paul writes, “I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling.”

We fail as a church to be worthy and broaden the path we walk when we value the ways of this world more than those things we as followers of Christ have been taught.

Mark 12: 30,31

30 “and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 31 The second is this, you will love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” 

Here Jesus summarizes the heart of the Law, love of God and love of neighbor. To teach and to live these commandments as a way of life – could that be at the heart of the church’s mission. It should be.

Join me next week here in the pew as we look at the rest of the story concerning the resurrection.  jkc