pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Together with One Voice

Reading: Romans 15:4-6

Romans 15:4 – “Whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction so that we could have hope through endurance.”

Photo credit: Fredrik Ohlander

As we enter Romans in chapter 15, Paul is in the process of elevating the community over the individual. For example, in chapter 12, Paul argues that individuals are given gifts by the Spirit for the benefit of the community (not for individual gain or glory.) In chapter 14 Paul emphasizes pleasing God and loving neighbors more than self. At the start of chapter 15 Paul encourages patience with those who are less mature in faith. As Christ did, Paul invites those who are able to build up their neighbors.

Today in verse 4 we read, “Whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction so that we could have hope through endurance.” Paul and his theology are deeply rooted in the Old Testament and in the Law in particular. But his understanding and application of the scriptures changed radically through his relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul saw and understood how Jesus came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. There is no better example of this than in the Sermon on the Mount, beginning in Matthew 5. Again and again Jesus unpacks the Law through his use of the sayings, “You have heard that it was said… But I say to you…” In each of these examples and in how he lived out his faith, Jesus was demonstrating what love of God and love of neighbor truly looked like. Paul looks at these examples and encourages the church to emulate Christ’s attitude in their lives.

The early church needed hope so that they could endure the trials and persecution of their day. We too need hope to faithfully love God and neighbor in the midst of a culture that elevates self above all else. Like the early church, may we find strength in the scriptures, in Christ, and in our community of faith, all to “glorify God… together with one voice.”

Prayer: Lord God, we pray for daily strength and encouragement, for hope and peace. Draw us deeper into your word, deeper in our relationship with Christ, and deeper into our communities of faith. In these things we find support, help, and the power to love you and to love neighbors as Christ first loved us. Lord, use our daily living to glorify your name and to build your church. Amen.


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Christ Reigns!

Reading: Colossians 1:15-20

Colossians 1:18 – “He is the head of the body, the church… firstborn from among the dead so that he might occupy first place in everything.”

In today’s hymn of praise Paul elevates Jesus to his rightful place: the one who is supreme over all of creation – past, present, and future. Paul begins by identifying who Jesus is: “the image of the invisible God.” In the flesh, dwelling here on earth, Jesus revealed fully who and what God is. Then Paul connects Jesus to the very beginning, to Genesis 1, stating that “all things were created by him.” Paul unpacks “all” a bit to help us understand the totality of Christ’s reign. “All” includes things visible and invisible, including all powers and rulers. Paul doubles down, declaring that Jesus existed before all things and that in Christ, “all things are held together.” Christ reigns over all of creation! Hallelujah!

In verse 18 Paul then writes, “He is the head of the body, the church… firstborn from among the dead so that he might occupy first place in everything.” Here Paul enters the now and then. Jesus is the head of the church now and into the future, giving guidance, direction, strength… through his Spirit. And Jesus is the path to the next life, the way to eternity. Through the cross and his blood, Jesus made a way for all things to be reconciled to God, to be made right with God.

This act of surrender was not just at the cross. The fullness of God also surrendered, taking on flesh, experiencing suffering and sorrow, doubt and temptation. God chose this because God longs to be in relationship with us. God in the flesh walked as one of us so that we could become one with him. Hallelujah and amen!

Prayer: Lord God, alpha and omega, beginning and end, first and last, you are in all things and all things were created for your glory. We are created in your image, made to be your heart and hands and feet in this world, just as Jesus was. When we fail to honor you, reconcile us. Use us to reveal to the world what it is to live daily with you on the throne of our hearts. Amen.


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Worthy in His Power

Reading: 2nd Thessalonians 1:11-12

2nd Thessalonians 1:11 – “We are constantly praying for you for…”

Turning to our second part of this week’s passage from 2nd Thessalonians 1, we read Paul’s prayer for these model churches. For Paul, this is like the many prayers that we lift up each day. As an example, every morning I pray for my whole family, each by name. Paul’s prayers for these churches are like our prayers in another way: he prays for specific things.

Paul first prays that “our God will make you worthy of his calling.” In these faithful and enduring churches, each person has been called by God to follow Jesus. Without God’s call being felt in their hearts or heard in their spirits, they would still be wandering in the darkness of this world. Without this call they would be lost in their sin. All who come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ have received this call from God. At one point we each heard or felt the call and responded by committing to walk in a personal relationship with Jesus.

Next Paul prays that God will “accomplish every good desire and faithful work by his power.” Paul reminds the believers in these churches (and us today) that these things will be accomplished only by and through God’s power. It is not by our power that we move a mountain or comfort a grieving neighbor.

When we live lives that are worthy of the call of God, it is then that Christ is honored, as Paul prays. Note that Paul adds a second honoring: “you will be honored by him.” Christ living in us will honor our faithful walk, bringing us hope, joy, peace, strength, courage… May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, we submit to your will and way, to your presence and power. In humility we ask that you would lead and guide us to live faithfully this day, seeking all that you desire for us and for our world. Bless our works towards this goal, empowering us to share the good news with those who don’t yet know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Amen.


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Safe, Welcoming, Loving?

Reading: Luke 15:1-10

Luke 15:10 – “Joy breaks out in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who changes both heart and life.”

As today’s passage begins, tax collectors and sinners are gathering around Jesus – “to listen to him.” Jesus often welcomed and loved on such as these, people who were not welcomed or loved by the other group that was present. The Pharisees and legal experts are not there to listen either. They are there to grumble, to complain, and to critique. This second group is unhappy with the “radical” welcome that Jesus offers to all people, especially to these folks that are clearly not part of God’s family.

Many years ago the church that I was a part of had an opportunity to minister to the poor and homeless. The building across the parking lot was purchased with the intent of renovating it to open a day center for this population. Some in the church thought it’d be better to tear it down to have more parking. These voices did not win out. Those typically excluded or kept on the outside found a safe and welcoming and loving place to be during the day, when the local rescue mission was closed.

In response to the religious folk’s hard hearts, Jesus tells two parables. In both, the list thing (a sheep and then a coin) is sought and then found. The finder’s community then celebrates together. In the same way, Jesus says, “Joy breaks out in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who changes both heart and life.” The same sentiment was often said and/or felt at the day center when another person was brought out of poverty or homelessness or addiction or… The same could be said about our churches and about our very lives. Are we and are our churches willing to be safe and welcoming and loving places? Places that cause the angels in heaven to rejoice?

Prayer: Lord God, open our hearts and hands to the needs around us. Lead us to be people who create safe places, who provide genuine welcome, and who love all people deeply. Guide our churches to live this same Christlike faith. Amen.


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Changing Dynamics

Reading: Philemon 1-21

Philemon 6 – “I pray that your partnership in the faith might become effective by an understanding of all that is good among us in Christ.”

Photo credit: Sophie Walker

Today’s reading – a short letter containing 21 verses – appeals to a slave owner on behalf of the slave. Paul writes to Philemon, a fellow Christian who is known for his love and faithfulness. Paul addresses his letter not only to Philemon but also to the church that meets in his house. This home church was likely started by Paul and is likely led now by Philemon. Paul writes to both because he is counting on grace to shape both Philemon’s decision and the community that will be affected by his decision.

Paul is sending Onesimus, the runaway slave, back to Philemon, probably with this letter in hand. Paul has been in prison and Onesimus has been like a son to him. He sends Onesimus back not as a slave but as if he was sending “his own heart,” as one who has become “a dearly loved brother to me.” Paul writes this prayer to Philemon: “I pray that your partnership in the faith might become effective by an understanding of all that is good among us in Christ.” Paul hopes that Philemon, a fellow leader in the church and a brother in Christ, will accept Onesimus back not as a slave but as “a brother to you, personally and spiritually in the Lord.” Paul is asking Philemon to change the dynamics of the relationship in a radical way.

How might the Spirit ask you or I to do a similar thing? While the slavery of this distant past doesn’t exist, today many people are enslaved in other ways. Who do we hold imprisoned in stereotypes or in broken relationships? Who do we know that is held captive by addiction or debt or grief or because of continuing unwise or unhealthy choices? What radical steps or changes of heart could we undertake in ourselves to love and free these folks, seeing them as sisters and brothers in Christ?

Prayer: Lord God, just as Paul experienced the life-changing love and grace of Christ, so too have we experienced his love and grace. Move in our hearts today, Lord Jesus, to open us up to changing the broken dynamics, to seeing all as a future brother or sister in Christ. In practicing radical love and grace we will be transformed as we seek to transform our world into the kingdom of God, here on earth. Amen.


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Our One Foundation

Reading: 1st Corinthians 3:10-17

1st Corinthians 3:11 – “No one can lay any other foundation besides the one that is already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

During his missionary journeys, Paul planted many churches. As he moved on to other communities others took over the leadership of these new churches. In our passage today, Paul speaks into this transition. Paul reminds these new leaders that at the start of each church he “laid a foundation like a wise builder.” A wise builder would lay a foundation that was true and square. A good foundation is essential – it provides a stable and solid base for the next phases of building.

Paul then speaks to the continuing work of building the churches in Corinth. First, he writes, pay attention to what you are doing. Keep the focus. In verse 11 he writes, “No one can lay any other foundation besides the one that is already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Jesus is the true foundation, the truth that anchors the church. Keep the focus on Jesus.

Next Paul speaks to the quality of the building of the church. He makes a distinction here. Some apparently are teaching things equivalent to “wood, grass, or hay” – things that will not sustain the church and people’s faith, things that aren’t eternal truths, things that will “go up in flames.” Instead, teach those truths which are eternal, things of spiritual worth. Paul speaks of this kind of teaching akin to “gold, silver, precious stones” for the soul.

Our passage closes as Paul addresses the church – both corporately and individually. Those who seek to destroy the church, Paul says, will themselves be destroyed. To counter these efforts, Paul reminds them that each member of the church is holy, as are we. The Spirit will guide those in the church to remain holy as God is holy. Living this way, the church will be supported and sustained. May this be true for you, for me, and for the church.

Prayer: Lord God, walk with us daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Keep our eyes and hearts focused on Jesus Christ, our one foundation, the source of life and love and faith. Fill us with the teachings, truths, and promises that sustain and build our faith. Guard our hearts and minds against the things that lead us away from you. Thank you, God. Amen.


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Avoid, Yes… But…

Reading: 1st Timothy 3:1-5

1st Timothy 3:5 – “They will look like they are religious but deny God’s power. Avoid people like this.”

Chapter 3 of Paul’s first letter to Timothy begins with the heading, “Avoid people like this.” Reading that brought my mind back to my days of parenting and to my work with church youth. As a parent you too probably had at least an idea of who or what kind of a person you hoped your son or daughter did not hang out with. The sad truth, though, is that the same reason that we hoped this for our kids also applies to us as people. Who we choose to spend our time with greatly influences who we are.

Paul’s advice to Timothy echoes the feel of what we read yesterday in Galatians 5. Paul references the “last days” in verse 1. The early church believed that Jesus’ return was imminent. The reality is that Christians have been living in the last days ever since Jesus’ death. Those to avoid will be money-lovers. They will be selfish and prideful. They will be without self-control. They will choose love of pleasure over love of God. We all know people like this. But, in at least some of these ways, we were and can be people like this. Yes, truth be told, some of these ways of unholy living remain dangers to our walk of faith.

Because of this last part, because of our ongoing struggles with some sins, verse 5 hits home. Here Paul writes, “They will look like they are religious but deny God’s power. Avoid people like this.” While we’ve all sat and will sit in church while we’re wrestling with some sin, Paul is talking about folks who try really hard to appear all religious but are far from God and from holy living. We know and/or know of people like this. And, yes, we should avoid them in the general sense. But should we do more?

Prayer: Lord God, walk with us daily. Whisper your guidance, conviction, and correction into our hearts through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Move us to offer prophetic voice to speak against false religiosity. Use us to call it out, yes, but also use us to model true faith to the world. Amen.


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Focus on the Good

Reading: Romans 16:17-20

Romans 16:19 – “But I want you to be wise about what’s good, and innocent about what’s evil.”

As Paul closes his letter to the Romans, he returns to a familiar topic: Christian unity. On one level, in our age where the church has split into literally 100’s of denominations, this passage applies to individual churches. Yet on the larger level I can’t help but think that all these divisions grieves the heart of God. At what point do genuine theological differences divide and at what point is it personal preference or opinion that leads to division?

Taking broad strokes today, Paul warns us to “watch out for people who create division and problems against the teaching you heard.” Paul is talking about a core set of theological understandings about Jesus and what it means to truly follow him. My mind goes to the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) bracelets… that we used to wear. This question still makes a great filter for Paul’s warning. Paul continues to advice concerning these folks, writing, “Keep away from them. They are serving their own feelings.”

We all know and see people and leaders who regularly choose selfish ambition over humble service to the common good. We see people in positions of power using “smooth talk” to justify the things they are doing and saying that would make Jesus cry and weep if he were present today. In the midst of all this Paul turns to the individuals that make up the church, saying, But I want you to be wise about what’s good, and innocent about what’s evil.” In the midst of a world focused on self, you focus on the good. Love God and love neighbor. Let that be your guide. Be well aware of the evils and stay innocent of these things. And trust. Yes, trust that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan.” Lord Jesus, come soon. Come soon.

Prayer: Lord God, as churches and as believers, we have so much in common in our theologies and understandings. Use these primary matters to create more unity in the family of God. Help us to understand that secondary and tertiary matters do not have to divide us. Lead us to make better choices, to model Jesus’ love better. Gather your church to be the witness that you desire us to be. Amen.


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Worthy of the Call

Reading: Ephesians 4:1-7

Ephesians 4:2 – “Conduct yourselves with all humility, gentleness, and patience. Accept each other in love.”

Chapter 4 of Ephesians begins with Paul’s call to “live as people worthy of the call” of God. We can see this as the summary statement for what follows in the next few verses. Paul’s focus overall is the unity of the body of believers. The “church” should reflect to the world the love, grace, mercy… of God. To fail to do so greatly damages the church’s ability to witness to the world. If the world cannot see God and Christ in the church and in her actions, then the world will never listen to her words.

With these thoughts in mind, Paul gets down to specifics: “Conduct yourselves with all humility, gentleness, and patience. Accept each other in love.” Practicing these four virtues or behaviors on a regular basis will work to bring unity to the body of believers. Humility works against pride and judging – two primary dividers of any group of people. Gentleness guides our words, our thoughts, our actions, steering them away from gossip, critiquing, and harsh words and actions. Patience raises our levels of understanding concerning our differences in thought, belief, and practice, and it makes us take pause before speaking words that might cause harm or hurt. These first three virtues guide us to accept one another in genuine love, bringing peace and unity to the body of Christ.

When we as individuals and we as the church live out these Christ-following virtues, the oneness that Paul speaks of becomes evident in our lives and in our churches. This draws others towards Christ. Living a life and a faith worthy of our calling matters for us personally and it matters for the watching world. Therefore, in all things may we lift high the Lord our God.

Prayer: Lord God, living out these virtues – humility, gentleness, patience, acceptance – can be challenging. So, Lord, when we’re tempted to be less than you call us to be, whisper your words of love and grace, peace and unity into our ears. Bring before our hearts and hands the example of Christ. Empowered by these reminders, use us to build your kingdom in our hearts and here on earth. Amen.


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Willing to Risk

Reading: Colossians 1:24-29

Colossians 1:27 – “God wanted to make the glorious riches of his secret plan known among the Gentiles, which is Christ living in you, the hope of glory.”

Paul writes of his ministry to the church in verses 24-29 and beyond. Much more so than we do today, the earliest church both expected and almost welcomed suffering for their faith. If their faith was being lived out enough to draw persecution… then it was a faith worthy of Jesus Christ. This is why Paul states that he is “happy” to suffer for his service to the church. There was an honor to continue Christ’s suffering “for the sake of the church.”

Paul speaks of a “secret plan” that was being revealed to the Gentiles. Jewish thought at that time believed that God’s plans were complete but were held in heaven, to be revealed in God’s time. These ‘plans’ were established at the creation of the world, so they have been hidden for many generations. But now, “God wanted to make the glorious riches of his secret plan known among the Gentiles, which is Christ living in you, the hope of glory.”

The goal for Paul and all in the early church was for every person, for all people, to experience the indwelling presence of Christ’s Spirit in their hearts, to know the living hope that they knew. So wonderful was this faith and so great was their hope, they were willing to suffer so that they could share their faith in Jesus Christ with literally everyone. May it be so for us as well!

Prayer: Lord God, draw us to a depth of faith where we will risk more for the spreading of your word. Encourage us to step across those lines, into places and lives where there might be a cost to sharing our faith. Walk with us, Lord, strengthening and equipping us for this journey. Amen.