pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: good news


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Spirit Empowered

Reading: Acts 2:1-12

Acts 2:4 – “They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.”

Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday! On this Sunday we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. In a way, this is like a second coming of Jesus. As we begin the week in Acts 2 today and tomorrow, we see how the Spirit empowers believers as they and we seek to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world.

Pentecost began on Shavuot or the Feast of Weeks. This Jewish celebration that was 50 days after Passover started as a harvest festival then morphed into a time to remember the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. The Law was what guided a devout Jew’s life. The Holy Spirit functions much in the same way for the followers of Jesus.

On the first Pentecost a mighty wind announced the coming of the Holy Spirit. This noise drew a crowd, through which the power of the Spirit was demonstrated. As “flames of fire” alit on the believers that were gathered together, “They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.” For the disciples, this indwelling Spirit gave them the authority of Jesus Christ. Empowered, they soon became apostles – “sent ones.”

For some of those who heard the good news in their native tongues, the Spirit began to woo many, to draw them towards Jesus Christ. Later in Acts 2, many respond to this call. They are like us. We one day heard the call of God upon our hearts. Opening our hearts, we received Jesus as Lord. Receiving Jesus, we then received the Holy Spirit into our hearts too. Like those first disciples, we are empowered to tell the story of our faith in Jesus Christ. Each in our own way, may we share our good news stories with others.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit! Your Spirit gives us so much: guidance, direction, courage, comfort, conviction, hope, power… Fill our hearts today with a desire to share our faith with others, so that they too may receive Jesus into their hearts, opening the door for the Holy Spirit to dwell in them. Amen.


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Be My Witness

Reading: Acts 1:6-14

Acts 1:8b – “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

As we pick up today’s passage, the risen Jesus has been with the disciples for forty days. He has offered “many convincing proofs” that he has risen and is alive. Jesus has promised the coming “baptism” of the Holy Spirit. In response, the disciples ask Jesus if it us now time for him to “restore the kingdom of Israel.” Not exactly. Remember, nothing remotely like this has ever happened before. The disciples are learning on the fly. An ever patient Jesus replies, “Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” The power is the Spirit of God within Jesus that gave him the words to say, that showed him the next steps to take, that guided all of his actions and decisions. That same power is about to fall upon these first disciples, empowering and equipping them in the same ways that the Spirit did with Jesus.

The Holy Spirit can work the same way in our lives. Once we surrender to Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of our hearts and lives, we too have this same power available to us. Jesus continues in verse 8, telling the disciples, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Note the expanding circles. The community of believers, the earliest “church,” will begin in Jerusalem. It will be tested by fire but will grow through the disciples’ witness. The disciples will go out into wider Israel, entering even Samaria, to witness to the good news. Eventually the apostles – Paul, Timothy, Silas… – will carry the good news of Jesus Christ to the ends of the known world. At each place, the power found in the story of Jesus will change hearts and lives. As the two men in white robes indicated, this work will continue until Jesus returns. We await that day. While we wait, we do so with the same charge as those first disciples: be my witness. So may we do as the first disciples did, sharing our stories of faith, building the kingdom of God here on earth. Lord, may it be so!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the gift of your power and presence that lives in our hearts. Continue to use that presence to refine and shape us, to deepen our faith, and to guide our unfolding stories of faith. Use us as you used the first disciples, taking our stories of faith out into the world, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with all that we meet. Enter their hearts too, O God, drawing them to you. Amen.


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Made Alive by the Spirit

Reading: 1st Peter 3:18-22

1st Peter 3:18c – “Christ was put to death as a human, but made alive by the Spirit.”

As we turn to the second part of our Epistle reading for this week, Peter focuses first on Christ’s suffering. At the start of verse 18 we are reminded that the “righteous one” suffered on behalf of the unrighteous – all who sin. This includes you and me. In the next part of this verse, we see the “why.” Christ suffered so that we could be in God’s presence. Without the atonement that Jesus paid with his body and blood, we would forever be tarnished by our sin. In such a state we could not be in God’s holy and perfect presence. Having paid the price for our salvation, Jesus made a way for us to be made new again and again, washed clean by his blood, standing for moments holy and perfect in God’s presence.

Jesus was also a first fruit in another way. At the end of verse 18 we read, “Christ was put to death as a human, but made alive by the Spirit.” Christ’s human body died but his spirit was made alive by God’s Spirit. Jesus then ascended into heaven and took his rightful place at God’s right hand. Through the Spirit, Jesus continued and continues to be present. Long ago, Jesus was present to the “spirits in prison” (in hell) – offering forgiveness even there. Today Jesus is present to all who call on him as Lord and Savior. Once we die a type of human death, surrendering self to Jesus, dying to the things of this world, we too are made alive by the Spirit. Made alive in and through Christ, we take our rightful place living as disciples of Jesus Christ. In this role we live out our salvation here on earth, sharing our faith with others, both in word and in deed. As we share our faith, we share our Jesus, the one with the power to save and redeem, to open the way to abundant life now and into forever. Doing so, we help others to be “made alive by the Spirit.” May it be so!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the gift of Jesus, he who died our death so that we could be alive in you. There is no better place to be – filled by your presence now so that one day we can dwell eternally in your presence. Equip and empower us to fully live into our call as disciples, sharing the good news, opening eyes and hearts to your love, salvation, and redemption. Amen.


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What If?

Reading: 1st Peter 3:13-17

1st Peter 3:15b – “Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it.”

For most of my years as a Christian I have not suffered for my faith. There have been moments, here and there, and a really hard period a few years ago when I could maybe use the term “suffer.” But that has changed a bit recently. In our country, the word “Christian” has been claimed by some that do not look or sound like followers of Christ most of the time. The choice to name this and to push back against it has come with a cost. Now, this is absolutely nothing compared to what Peter and his contemporaries faced. It is extremely minor when set beside what happens today to Christians in a handful of places around the world, where people literally die for their faith in Jesus.

So as we read and consider Peter’s words of hope and encouragement today and tomorrow, we know that his audience and many today read these words much differently than we do. Even so, Peter and other followers of Jesus held and hold an attitude of “happiness” when they suffered for their faith. They were and are being counted as worthy of Jesus’ example. Verbal confrontations and physical threats were common. When Peter writes, “Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it,” this was everyday advice. Imagine if we lived out our faith in real life in such a way that this was an everyday occurrence for us as well. What if we lived our faith with such holiness and righteousness, with a “good lifestyle in Christ,” so that people regularly asked us to speak of the hope that we have in Jesus Christ? What if?

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the moments when we do get a chance to share of the hope that we have in you. Lord, open our eyes and hearts to the opportunities you give us every day to spread your love and to share the good news. Inspire and empower us to live in ways that increase our opportunities to speak of our hope. Amen.


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Share the Good News

Reading: Acts 17:22-31

Acts 17:24 – “God, who made the world and everything in it, is Lord of heaven and earth. He doesn’t live in temples made by human hands.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

Acts 17 comes during Paul’s second missionary journey. He has seen a lot so far on his mission to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Athens, however, is a different beast. It is a city filled with all kinds of idols and with a population that loves to debate and learn new things. Paul has spoken to enough people that he’s been invited to speak before a large group. He begins by addressing their spirituality. Paul uses this common ground to introduce his God. He does so this way: “God, who made the world and everything in it, is Lord of heaven and earth. He doesn’t live in temples made by human hands.” It is important to note that Paul does not degrade their religion or tell them his is better. He simply tells them about the God that he worships and follows.

Paul then tells them about how God created humanity to “seek him, perhaps even reach out and find him.” We are indeed created for relationship with God and with one another. Paul then turns to the crux of our faith: Jesus resurrected. This is too much for some to hear. They walk away from Paul, as some will do when we share our faith’s power over sin and death. Paul will persist. He will continue to tell all who will listen about his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Many will come to a saving faith as he shares the good news. May the same be true for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, encourage and equip us to be sharers of the good news. Work in us to develop our stories of faith so that we can tell others what Jesus has done for us. Empower us and guide us by your Holy Spirit, Christ alive in us. Amen.


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Living Stones

Reading: 1st Peter 2:4-10

1st Peter 2:9 – “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s possession.”

Returning to 1st Peter 2 today, we turn to the image of building. Peter reminds the early Christians and us today that we are “living stones.” This is a unique phrase. We are to be active in our faith. We are to live as a “royal priesthood” in the world. This is not a privilege thing. We are part of a “chosen race.” All of humanity is one chosen race. God hopes all people will find a saving relationship through Jesus Christ. Since we have found that relationship, we are charged with offering up “spiritual sacrifices” bringing hope and healing and redemption to the brokenness of this world. In these actions and images, Peter is connecting to the example of Jesus.

For the faithful, Jesus is the “cornerstone.” This is the firm foundation stone, the one upon which all else is built and stands. But for the non-believer, Jesus is the “capstone,” which causes people to stumble and fall. This is why many non-believers reject Jesus. His light and truth exposed darkness, bringing discomfort. But for the believer, light and truth build up our faith.

In verse 9 we read, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s possession.” First, we are chosen by God. Along with all of humanity, we are intended to be children of God. Faith is not a random occurrence. We are chosen to be holy, living just and righteous lives. But we are holy not on our own. We are holy because Christ is holy. Because of this, we belong to God, not the world. This allows us to follow and live out God’s will and way. Part of this living is our witness or testimony.

In the next verse Peter describes this as speaking of the “wonderful acts” of God that redeemed us as we were called “out of darkness into his amazing light.” In turn, our stories of faith help others to see how they can experience God’s life-changing mercy, grace, and love. As living stones, may we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ so that he is good news to all people everywhere.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you first for Jesus, our sure foundation. And thank you for pulling us up out of the mire and filth of this world, washing us clean in your mercy and grace, redeeming us so that we can live our faith out in the world. Send us out today, O God, empowered by love to tell others of our Jesus, the one true cornerstone. Amen.


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Every Day…

Reading: Acts 2:46-47

Acts 2:46-47 – “Every day, they met together… shared food… they praised God… and demonstrated God’s goodness…”

Photo credit: Spencer Davis

Returning to Acts 2 today, Luke emphasizes the importance of all four spiritual practices or disciplines. He also focuses on the intended communal nature of these practices. Luke first notes that the believers met “every day.” The main purpose of their gathering was to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. This often happened in worship. Today, in our busy, rushed world, not too many of us gather daily with other believers. Yes, we might all read the same devotional asynchronously, the Upper Room for example, but imagine how our faith would change and grow if we gathered each day to proclaim and celebrate the good news of Jesus Christ!

The believers also gathered daily to share meals. This was most likely an extension of their worship or study time. In our church and in many others we gather after worship for fellowship time. Around the tables we have a coffee or lemonade and a nibble or two and we catch up on one another’s lives. We celebrate the joys of life and we learn of one another’s needs. This enables the body of Christ to “demonstrate God’s goodness” through acts of love. Sometimes, at the table, we learn of a neighbor’s need or of a need in the larger community. This allows the love of Christ and the goodness of God to extend out into the world.

These four practices should be the core activities of all believers and of all communities of faith. Without one of these, the others are less than God intends them to be. When all four practices are healthy and vital within the life of the believer and within the life of the body of Christ, then the Lord will again do what God did in Luke’s day. Then, God “added daily to the community those who were being saved.” O Lord, stir up in us and in our communities this kind of faith, this kind of revival!

Prayer: Lord God, there is a call within these words of Luke to gather regularly. This feels almost impossible in our day and age. Yet it also feels like your intention for all believers. It’s what Jesus modeled and lived out every day. So Lord, open our eyes, widen our hearts, and bend our wills towards making this more of a reality in our lives and in our communities of faith. Stir us up, O God, so that faith is more than a Sunday morning event. Amen.


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Eyes Opened, Hearts Warmed

Reading: Luke 24:30-35

Luke 24:32 – “Weren’t our hearts on fire as he spoke to us along the road?”

As we continue in Luke 24, Jesus takes a place at the table with his two disciples. They have been on a seven mile journey, so they’re likely ready to eat. When Jesus takes and breaks the bread, blesses it and gives it to them, “Their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” In the movement and words of communion, recognition comes to these disciples. Presence becomes real. Eyes are fully opened. And then Jesus disappears.

After this encounter the two disciples say to each other, “Weren’t our hearts on fire as he spoke to us along the road?” Something was stirring, something was at work. We too feel this at times. The Holy Spirit tries to stir us to action or tries to open our eyes or heart or mind to something or someone. We feel a nudge to go to that place. We hear a whisper calling us to visit or text or call that person. And when we are willing, brave even, and take that step of faith, we too encounter the risen Christ as our hearts blaze with love for God and for the other.

But this is a step that we can initially struggle to take. Once in a while we’re lucky like the two disciples were. Jesus makes himself present. After each of these encounters and after the moments when we did take a step of faith, we become more and more empowered to do as these two disciples did. We tell others our Jesus story. Some of the time it is literally telling others about our Jesus. Most of the time, though, it is allowing that encounter or that experience to change us, to fill us with the good news, equipping us to live out our faith more boldly. Doing so, others come to know Christ’s love for them. In all that we say and do, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, we rejoice in those encounters with you, in those times when you open our eyes and warm our hearts. These encounters are powerful and transforming. Keep our eyes open and our hearts willing, O God. Then send us out. Use us to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world. Amen.


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What a Blessing!

Reading: Matthew 5:1-9

Matthew 5:9 – “Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.”

Turning to this week’s gospel lesson for today and tomorrow, Matthew sets the scene: crowds gather so Jesus goes up a mountain, sits down, and begins to teach. Matthew tells us, “his disciples came to him.” We don’t know if the crowd came along too. This leaves us to wonder: if you’d been in the crowd that has heard the good news proclaimed and has seen the healings, would you hike up the mountain too?

Verses 3-9 hold the start of the “Beatitudes.” These statements begin a long teaching known as “The Sermon on the Mount.” Running through chapter 7, this is the longest teaching from Jesus found in the gospels. Traditionally the Beatitudes are seen as gifts or blessings. Other translations begin each statement with “Blessed are…” Perhaps these phrases are also invitations. Seen this way, these statements lay out Jesus’ desires for his followers. Marching orders!

So, who are those that Jesus identifies as “happy” or “blessed?” They are hopeless in this world, so must rely on God. They are mourning and grieving, so they are fully present to one another and to the pain of this world. They are humble and peaceful, so they will inherit God’s kingdom, even here on earth. They are seeking, hungering, thirsting for righteousness, so they will be filled and they will come to see God – in one another and in the world. And they are merciful, so they will receive mercy in return.

Those who are happy see and live by values that are different from the world’s values. They seek to make the good news of the kingdom of God a daily, present reality. And in the seeking, they will come to know God intimately just as they are intimately known by God. What a blessing!

Prayer: Lord God, attune our hearts to your will and way. Draw us, day by day, deeper and deeper into your love, filling us with hope, comfort, peace, humility, righteousness, and mercy. Fill us so that we, in turn, can be these things to the world. Amen.


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Good News

Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10

Isaiah 52:7 – “How beautiful… are the feet of a messenger who proclaims peace… brings good news… proclaims salvation.”

Our Old Testament passage begins with Isaiah celebrating the long-distance runners who carried important news from place to place. Some think, however, that Isaiah is talking about himself here. Either way, the important part is the message: God is present to God’s people and offers peace, salvation, and much more. Whether in the words of scripture, in a Sunday morning message, or in a devotional, this good news brings hope, comfort, encouragement, strength… to all people seeking to walk in right relationship with the Lord our God. The faithful rejoice when we see “our God’s victory” over the things of this world.

This good news and these victories are not heard or received the same way by all people. When God redeems and restores and saves, this is bad news for those who have enslaved, oppressed, and taken advantage of others for their own gain. When God brings peace and strength to those experiencing violence and war, this is not good news to the aggressors and others who seek to exert power over others. When God proclaims and brings salvation, it is not good news to dealers of illicit drugs and other vices that keep people imprisoned. When God works to end injustices and to right other systemic wrongs, it is not good news to those benefiting from these evil ways. God’s good news is not good news to those seeking to live by the ways of this world.

Just as Isaiah and others spoke of God’s power, justice, and love for all people, we too are called to be messengers of God’s good news. With eyes wide open may we strive to bring good news to all people as we seek to build God’s kingdom here on earth.

Prayer: Lord God, sharing good news with people who are eager to hear and receive is such a joy. Guide us to always do so. In other situations, where your good news challenges or calls for good change, encourage and empower us. Strengthen us, Lord, so we can faithfully walk that hard road of justice and love for all people. Amen.