pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: heaven


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God’s Upward Call

Reading: Philippians 3:4-14

Philippians 4:14 – “The goal I pursue is the prize of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus.”

Photo credit: Pablo Heimplatz

Our Epistle reading begins with a list of accolades and accomplishments. These are the titles and things that would impress the religious people of Paul’s day. Modernizing the list, it might read: “I’m a Christian… an American… an elder at my church… I do no wrong…” Outside the church, one might say, “I’m a billionaire… I’m the CEO of ___… I’m an All-Star… I won a Grammy…” These status symbols matter in certain circles. But for Paul, when Jesus found him, he “wrote them off as a loss for the sake of Christ.” As Paul walked with Jesus, the things of this world became unimportant. Paul’s identity was in Christ.

Paul came to understand that because Christ was in him, his righteousness was “not my own.” It had been before. In his old life, Paul knew an outward righteousness based upon what he did. In and with Jesus, Paul came to know an inward righteousness – one based on faith alone. Because it is grounded in Christ’s faithfulness, this inward righteousness is not tied to the things of this world. With Christ in his heart, Paul strove to live in right relationships with God and with his fellow human beings. Through faith in Christ, we can strive to live this way too.

In the last few verses, Paul lifts his spirit and his thoughts heavenward. First recognizing that he has not yet “been perfected,” Paul declares that he is still pursuing eternal life. Forgetting his past, Paul looks forward and upward. In verse 14 we read, “The goal I pursue is the prize of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus.” Living faithfully day by day, loving God and neighbor, trusting in the power of Jesus Christ, Paul presses on for the prize: perfect fellowship with Jesus in glory. Day by day, may we press on for the prize.

Prayer: Lord God, through the power of your Holy Spirit in us, lead and guide us to live a good and just and righteous life. Fill us with your love so that love guides all of our thoughts, words, and actions. As we walk in faith each day, drawing ever closer to eternal glory, use our life and witness to bring more of heaven to earth. Amen.


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Together

Reading: Philippians 1:21-30

Philippians 1:27 – “Most important, live together in a manner worthy of Christ’s gospel.”

Paul writes the letter to the Philippians from prison in Rome. He awaits trial before Caesar. He has found opportunities to share Christ even there. His example of faithful witness has led other believers to speak more boldly and with greater courage. Paul hopes that this continues to be the case for him and for his ministry. And in this dire situation, there is no fear of death. There is no desperation to continue living this life. There is hope.

In verse 21 Paul expresses his wrestling with life, faith, and death: “Because for me, living serves Christ and dying is even better.” Yes, part of Paul longs to go to heaven, to see Jesus Christ face to face once again. As he unpacks this tension, Paul comes to understand that it is better for him to “stay in this world for your sake.” Through his ministry, the gospel is spreading. He is still effective. People in Rome, Philippi, and other communities are “progressing” in their faith and are finding joy in Christ.

Paul then shifts from himself to his fellow believers in verses 27-30. His summary statement comes in verse 27: “Most important, live together in a manner worthy of Christ’s gospel.” Paul is referring here to living like Jesus in their/our public, visible life. He is encouraging believers to allow their faith to be evident – not just in church but everywhere, all the time. The apostle is also stressing the importance of unity in the community of faith. We are to be unified with “one mind and spirit” (of Christ.) Living a connected faith, they and we are able to “stand firm” and together to experience the “privilege” of both believing in and suffering for Christ. The walk of faith is not always easy. But together – with Jesus Christ and with one another – we can experience the joys and the growth in our faith that come with striving forward side by side, day by day. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the reminder to live a public, active faith. It is in community that we find the opportunity to practice grace, mercy, forgiveness, welcome… Work in and through us, O God, drawing others into a relationship with Jesus and into our communities of faith, where support, encouragement, connection, and accountability are found. Amen.


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Extravagant Forgiveness

Reading: Matthew 18:21-35

Matthew 18:26 – “Please be patient with me, and I’ll pay you back.”

Photo credit: Ben White

Our gospel story begins with what Peter thought was a generous offer of forgiveness. The number Peter placed on forgiving was seven times. The accepted norm in the Jewish religion was four. But Jesus’ response blows Peter’s offer out of the water. Jesus expands forgiveness, telling Peter that we must forgive up to 77 times. This is an extravagant amount of forgiveness – one so vast that we really cannot wrap our heads around it. To illustrate the need to forgive again and again and again and… Jesus tells a story. He begins with these words: “The kingdom of heaven is like…”

One day the king starts settling accounts. A servant is brought before him that owes “ten thousand bags of gold.” This would be worth millions upon millions of dollars today – a vast amount of money. The servant falls down and begs, saying, “Please be patient with me, and I’ll pay you back.” The king shoots right past patience, landing instead on compassion. The debt is forgiven. This extravagant amount of forgiveness is one we struggle to wrap our head around. It is almost unimaginable.

This man then goes out and runs into a fellow servant that owes him 100 coins – a relatively very, very small amount. He harshly demands repayment. The servant falls down and begs, saying, “Please be patient with me, and I’ll pay you back.” There is no patience. The second servant is thrown into jail. It’s hard labor until the debt is repaid. Their fellow servants are “deeply offended.” The king is informed and he hauls the first servant back in. He is reprimanded for his lack of grace and is thrown into debtor’s prison, basically forever. Jesus brings the story home with this reminder: “My heavenly father will also do the same with you if you don’t forgive a brother or sister from the heart.” Yes, Lord. May we be people of grace and forgiveness.

Prayer: Lord God, we experience such grace from you. We should be gushing grace back out into the world. Yet as abundant as your grace is with us, we can be pretty stingy with ours. Lord, open our hearts to the generosity of grace that is demanded in the kingdom of heaven as it is here on earth. Thank you. Amen.


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Conflict Resolution

Reading: Matthew 18:15-17

Matthew 15:17a – “If your brother or sister sins against you…”

In Matthew’s gospel, as it is throughout the entirety of scripture, there is an emphasis on loving God and neighbor. These actions are the focus of the shema – a three times daily Hebrew prayer. These actions are identified by Jesus (and others) as the two most important commands of God. And even with all of this emphasis, Jesus must still address the fact that in the church – in the place of love – we sin against and we hurt one another.

Before we dive into verses 15-17 today, let us consider what immediately proceeds Jesus’ teaching on conflict resolution. In verses 10-14 we find the very well-known parable of the lost sheep. We recall that a sheep gets lost. The shepherd goes to great lengths – to any length necessary – to find the one lost sheep. Returning the sheep to the flock, there is great rejoicing both on earth and in heaven. We next consider verses 15-17 with this spirit in mind.

Jesus addresses the consequences of sin within the church in three steps. The first step is one-on-one. It is personal and private. There is no airing of our dirty laundry. It is a loving, honest sharing of the hurt. Without an audience, it allows forgiveness to heal a broken relationship. If this effort fails, we are to engage a third party. They can impartially hear both sides of the conflict and offer unbiased input. There may be something that we need to hear too.

And if this fails, we are to bring the conflict to the church’s attention. This engages more listeners and potential mediators. It becomes a group effort to reconcile a damaged relationship. Sadly, even this step fails sometimes. Jesus’ next step? Treat them as you would a Gentile or tax collector. Keep reaching out, meet needs when possible, maybe even have dinner with them. Treat them as you would a lost sheep, going to any length necessary to return them to the flock. In love, may it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, conflict! We do not like it. We want to avoid it. But left unresolved, it poisons our intentions, it harms the body of believers, it taints our words and actions. Lord, empower us to be people of reconciliation. In these efforts, make us brave and transparent. Make us good listeners. Make us people that will go above and beyond to heal brokenness. Amen.


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Put on Christ

Reading: Romans 13:11-14

Romans 13:14 – “Dress yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t plan to indulge your selfish desires.”

As we press on in Romans 13, Paul adds the “why” and the “how” to the call to live out our obligation to love. In verse 11 and the first part of verse 12, Paul declares that “the hour has already come.” Whether talking about Jesus’ return or about the fact that one has professed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Paul states, “our salvation is nearer than when we first had faith.” Indeed – each day lived is one day closer to heaven. This is Paul’s “why.” As we do not know our last day, it is important to love well each and every day.

In the rest of verse 12 through verse 14, Paul addresses the “how” of fulfilling our obligation to love. Paul focuses mostly on their/our struggles. “Behave appropriately” sums up Paul’s instruction on holy and righteous living. He lists several “actions that belong to the darkness.” Maybe some of these resonate with you. Maybe your struggles with sin are in other areas. Many of our battles change as mature in our faith, but others remain constant “thorns” in our side.

Paul closes his thoughts with these instructions: “Dress yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t plan to indulge your selfish desires.” This image connects into the imagery of baptism. Entering the waters, one takes off the old self, repenting of sin. Emerging from the waters, one is cleansed, made new in Christ. If we daily clothe ourselves in Christ, we are making an intentional choice to live a good and holy life. This means we are not planning to satisfy our selfish wants. To close, John Wesley noted this concerning verse 14: “The apostle does not say, Put on purity and sobriety, peacefulness and benevolence; but he says all of this and a thousand times more at once, in saying, Put on Christ.” May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for bringing us one day closer to being with you in your glory. Walk with us today, leading and guiding us to step even closer this day. Keep us on your path. Guide us so that we do not stray. Lead us to daily clothe ourselves in Christ, empowering us to love you and all of our neighbors. Amen.


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A Confessing Faith

Reading: Romans 10:5-9

Romans 10:9 – “Because if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and in your heart have faith that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

As we step into Romans 10 today and tomorrow, Paul begins with Moses and the Law. For Moses and for the Jews, righteousness comes through keeping the Law. Do all these things and you will live. Except no one can keep all of the Law. It is not possible. Therefore, if we cannot keep the Law, then it cannot bring life. The greatest effort to keep the Law still leaves one dead in their sin.

In verses 6 and 7 Paul removes the responsibility for finding or earning eternal life from our hands. In a very roundabout way, Paul reminds us that we don’t need to go to heaven or hell – either figuratively or literally – to find Jesus. No, he writes, “The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.” Jesus in Spirit is right here with us. We don’t need to go on a search for Jesus. God has already done the work. It’s not about us doing anything. The Spirit of Christ is here, available to us.

Verse 9 confesses faith in the work that has already been done on our behalf. Here we read, “Because if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and in your heart have faith that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Faith in Jesus is the way to salvation. If we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, then we receive grace, the gift that defeats the power of sin and death. Freed from the power of sin and death, we are able to live as light and love in the world, inviting others to know the source of light and love and grace: Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior.

Prayer: Lord God, we first thank you for the gift of salvation received through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We thank you for doing the hard work that defeated the power of sin and death. We thank you for the grace that flows from Christ’s sacrifice, the grace that removes our sin and makes us new again. We ask that you would use us to reveal these things to the world, so that others can come to a confessing faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Amen.


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Kingdom Builders

Reading: Matthew 13:44-52

Matthew 13:46 – “When he found one very precious pearl, he went and sold all he owned and bought it.”

Photo credit: Markus Spiske

Today we turn to three more parables about the kingdom of heaven. In the first two, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a treasure and to “one very precious pearl.” In both parables, once discovered, it was all that was desired. In the second parable we read, “When he found one very precious pearl, he went and sold all he owned and bought it.” The first of the great commands invites us to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is about being all in for the kingdom of God.

The third parable is the culmination of this mini-series on the kingdom of heaven. When we allow our faith to grow and permeate all of our life, like the mustard seed and yeast, then our faith becomes the most important thing in our life. All that we do, say, and think is done for and out of our love of God. We are led and guided by Jesus’ Spirit. When the net is cast and the angels sort the good and the bad, we who love God will go “into the container.” The bad “fish” will be tossed into the burning furnace. Heaven or hell – the final judgment.

As followers of Jesus Christ who seek to love God with all that we are, we focus now on the building of the kingdom of heaven here on earth. Through our lives, our witness, and our example, others experience the kingdom of God. As we seek to be kingdom builders, may we offer all of ourselves to others so that they too may come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ. Focus our heart, mind, soul, and strength on loving you and on loving neighbor. Encourage us to be generous with our blessings. In all things, use us to glorify you as we seek to build the kingdom of heaven here on earth. Amen.


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The Kingdom of Heaven

Reading: Matthew 13:31-33

Matthew 13:31a and 33a – “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed… is like yeast.”

Beginning our gospel reading today we find two parables that tell us about the kingdom of heaven. Tomorrow we will read three more parables that speak of the kingdom of heaven. I think, in general, when most people hear the phrase, “kingdom of heaven,” they think of a place in the clouds with angels and streets of gold. While some version of this might be the kingdom of heaven some day, today and tomorrow, Jesus is speaking of the kingdom of heaven here on earth – right here and right now.

In verses 31-33 Jesus speaks of two very small things that have large impacts. The teacher says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed… is like yeast.” The smallest seed becomes a large plant, giving rest and a home to the birds. Yeast, a tiny organism, works its way through a whole bushel of flour, causing it to rise so that it can feed many people.

The kingdom of heaven is found today in our small acts of faithful witness. It is found in that visit to a sick friend, in the meal brought to a struggling family, in the money used to pay a single parent’s water bill. The kingdom of heaven is found in the time given to help at VBS and in the monthly donation to a child in a far away country. It is found in the way you walk through a hard situation with peace and in the way you handle another’s anger or insults with grace. The kingdom of heaven is found everywhere that Jesus’ light and love are made real. Be the kingdom of heaven today.

Prayer: Lord God, instill in us a sensitivity to the kingdom-building opportunities that you bring our way. Make us willing servants, ready to give generously of our time, talents, resources, prayers, and presence. Open our eyes to see how small acts of faith hold tremendous power – the power to change lives and to change our world. Amen.


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This Kind of Knowledge

Reading: Psalm 139:1-12

Psalm 139:3b – “You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways.”

David begins Psalm 139 with a truth that applies to all of us as well: “Lord, you have examined me. You know me.” God knows when we come and go. God knows our plans. God studies our times of busyness and our times of rest. In the rest of verse 3 David writes, “You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways.” Thoroughly familiar – that is a great term for how well God knows us.

To me, this thought is both incredibly comforting and it is incredibly disconcerting. God knows my best intentions and my worst thoughts. God sees my shining witness and my damning failures. God is always there, “front and back.” Yes, the psalmist is correct: “That kind of knowledge is too much for me.”

With this intimate knowledge in mind, David launches into a great set of questions and recognitions in verses 7-12. There is nowhere we can go to escape the presence of God. To heaven, to the far side of the ocean, to the deepest darkness? God is there in all of these places and everywhere in between. So in the moments when we need comfort, God is there. In the moments when we need strength, God is there. In the moments when we laugh and share joy, God is there. In the moments when Christ’s light and love flow out of us, God is there. This kind of knowledge is beautiful and wonderful and amazing. And it is for you and for me. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for being there. Yes, in the moments when I need you. But especially in the moments when I don’t think I need you and suddenly do. I find then that you’ve been there all along. You are an amazing and wonderful God. This knowledge is just what I need. Amen.


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Crosses of Love

Reading: Matthew 10:32-39

Matthew 10:38 – “Those who don’t pick up their crosses and follow me aren’t worthy of me.”

In the second half of this week’s gospel lesson, Jesus is addressing our public witness. Verses 32-33 offer an invitation of sorts: reflect Jesus out into the world, be welcomed one day into heaven. If one chooses not to accept the invitation to reflect Jesus to the world, then one will be denied a place in heaven. Jesus is reminding us how important it is that our faith is evident in all that we say, do, and think – everywhere, all the time.

Verses 34-39 reveal the challenges, the cost, and the difficulty of living a life fully committed to following Jesus. Acknowledging the battle between the ways of the Lord and the ways of the world, we’re reminded that Jesus did not come just to bring peace. The full commitment to Jesus requires that we love Jesus more than anything – more than family, more than self. The second is being addressed when Jesus says, “Those who don’t pick up their crosses and follow me aren’t worthy of me.” Our crosses are to be like the cross that Jesus died upon. He died for a purpose: to defeat the power of sin – all that holds us captive, all that keeps us from fully loving God and neighbor.

Today we celebrate a holiday. 161 years ago the last slaves in the US were freed. That unjust system was officially brought to an end. Many bore crosses of love in the fight to end slavery. People of faith led the way in this fight. Today there are many unjust systems that our faith calls us to fight against. The social justice issues of our day include racism, poverty, homelessness, unequal access to education and healthcare – just to name a few. The way of Jesus is centered on love – loving God and neighbor more than self. What cross of love are you feeling led to carry on behalf of those Jesus loves?

Prayer: Lord God, as we celebrate the steps taken many years ago to end an unjust, oppressive system, open our eyes and hearts to the unjust systems that are in practice today. Spark in us a love for the other that emboldens us to stand, to speak, to fight for and alongside the voiceless, the powerless, the suffering. Bearing that cross of love, may all come to experience life abundant in this world. Amen.