Author Archives: Pastor Jim Driskell, Lutheran Church

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About Pastor Jim Driskell, Lutheran Church

I am the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Chestertown, Md. I pray that you will come and worship with us, worship is 10 am Sundays. We are a renewal church and we are lifting God up in classical worship, and being faithful disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. 101 Greenwood Av, Chestertown. Plenty of parking behind the church.

Sólo la voluntad de Dios en el Nuevo Mundo de la Revelación resurrección 22: 1-6, 12-20 First St Johns 8 de mayo de, el año 2016

Hacemos nuestro comienzo en el Nombre de Dios el Padre y en el nombre de Dios el Hijo y en el nombre de Dios el Espíritu Santo y todos los que miran hacia adelante a la vida eterna, perfecta en la resurrección y el nuevo mundo dijo … AMEN !

No soy tan grande en la escatología, tiempos del final, nunca he comprendido realmente el punto. Cuando Dios decide dejar que el reloj se queda sin, que va a pasar, si estoy listo o no. Lo que hace fascinarme, y lo que se trata todo esto, como cristianos, es el mundo eterno, los nuevos cielos y la nueva tierra. Uno de mis profesores en el seminario Rev. Dr. Luis Brighton, es un conocido estudioso y experto en el Libro de la Revelación. Dr. Brighton es profesor emérito de la Concordia en San Luis, pero lo hizo con regularidad leccionarios sobre la Revelación y me tomó ventaja de tomar en su experiencia, en especial respecto a la resurrección. Entre el Dr. Randy Alcorn Brighton y, he llegado a una verdadera comprensión y apreciación de la resurrección que nunca tuve como laico. La resurrección es la realidad última.

Vivimos nuestra vida como pueblo de Cristo, bautizados en el nombre del Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo. Tomamos el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Jesús y salvos, sostiene y fortalece para vivir nuestras vidas nutrirse de su verdadero cuerpo y sangre. Estamos confirmado en su iglesia, el Cuerpo de Jesús. Estas son las cosas que el Espíritu Santo nos lleva a hacer en nuestra muy corta difícil, la vida, lleno de pecado en la tierra. Si morimos antes del regreso de Jesús nosotros, que somos en Jesús, irá al cielo, será la iglesia en espera de la resurrección prometida. Sé que hoy en día la palabra promesa se utiliza un poco demasiado flojo, promesas hechas pero fácilmente olvidado o una excusa rápida porque nuestra promesa es demasiado a menudo poco sincero y rápidamente hecho. Así que con Jesús debemos leer la palabra promesa como hierro revestidos / garantía de tubería de plomo.

Había Judios que creían en la resurrección como parte de la doctrina judía. Era una fuente básica de desacuerdo entre las dos escuelas principales de la época de Jesús, los fariseos, que creían en la resurrección y los saduceos que no lo hicieron. Los saduceos trataron de atrapar a Jesús haciendo un argumento falaz de una mujer que tuvo siete maridos “que estarían a su marido en la resurrección?” ¿En serio ?! Rechaza la resurrección, porque el estado civil de una persona en esta tierra? Si usted se presenta regularmente a Jesús que la gente va a escuchar un montón de argumentos tontos y no tengo ninguna duda de que este era uno de los muchos que Jesús oyó. Su respuesta dejó en claro que Dios tenía la intención nuestra resurrección desde el principio de los tiempos. Dios sabía que lo iban a rechazar y que tendríamos que ser retirado de la primera paraíso terrenal, de Eden. Sabemos que hay una vida perfecta para nosotros porque de la primera creación perfecta en el Edén. La respuesta de Jesús a los saduceos hace hincapié en lo que nuestra verdadera vida será: “ESV Mateo 22:31 Y en cuanto a la resurrección de los muertos, ¿no habéis leído lo que fue dicho por Dios: Mateo 22:32 NVI” Yo soy el Dios de Abraham, y el Dios de Isaac y el Dios de Jacob? Él no es Dios de muertos, sino de vivos “ESV Mateo 22:33 Y cuando la multitud lo oyó, se admiraban de su enseñanza.” Jesús les responde a un poco más de aspereza en la versión de Marcos de esta perícopa: “.” no es esta la razón por la que está equivocado, porque no saben ni las Escrituras ni el poder de Dios? … ESV Marcos 12:27 Él no es Dios de muertos, sino de vivos. Usted está muy equivocado. “” No es exactamente el oh tan delicada Jesús el mundo le gusta hacer él. Básicamente, “usted no sabe lo que está hablando, porque es obvio que no sabe Escritura.” Lucas tiene los escribas que encomiaba él: “. ESV Lucas 20:39 Entonces algunos de los escribas respondió:” Maestro, has hablado bien “” Dios no nos creó para hacer estallar simplemente fuera de la vida, él nos creó para que pudiéramos tener vida y vida más abundante . Para los que están en su voluntad, ha creado un mundo eterno, completamente de acuerdo con su ser el Dios de los vivos.

Jesús tomó esta referencia de Éxodo 3: 6, camino de vuelta al segundo libro de la Biblia. Esto es importante porque los saduceos creían que sólo el Pentateuco, los primeros cinco libros de la Biblia fueron los únicos válidos los libros de la Escritura. Jesús está haciendo más énfasis claro en una manera que no podía descartar que es todo acerca de la resurrección. Dios no nos crean para que nosotros simplemente pestañeamos de distancia. Él nos crea con el fin de vivir nuestra vida en Cristo que nos hace verdaderamente preparados para la vida eterna en un mundo nuevo que sólo se adaptará a las de Jesús, porque Él estará muy presente, fuente de la vida eterna. Como el Dr. Brighton escribe: “… cualquier tipo de vida física a su pueblo a vivir y experiencia en sus cuerpos resucitados, Dios ricamente entregar dicha terrena necesita como lo hizo con Adán y Eva en el primer paraíso antes de la caída.”

No interprete mal, el mundo no va a ser un gran jardín con nosotros sentados alrededor de comer fruta. Dios proveyó a Adán y Eva todo lo que pueda desear en su propio contexto. Eso es lo que hará por nosotros en nuestro propio contexto. Ha habido 5.000 años de historia de la humanidad y de la resurrección será la culminación e integrador de toda esa historia.

Entre Mateo y Apocalipsis hay 41 referencias a la resurrección.

Para aquellos que les gusta nos dicen lo injusto que estamos en decir que sólo aquellos en Jesús serán resucitados, se refieren a las palabras de Jesús a Juan: “No habrá más maldición; y el trono de Dios y del Cordero estará en ella, y sus siervos le adoraron “(Ap 22: 3). lo que se maldito? … ¡Todo! Sin hizo todo en la creación, la tuya, la mía, todos, desde Adán y Eva para ti y para mí. No somos “buena”, todo lo que son malditos, pero en Jesús somos salvos, somos justificados y justos. Dr. Brighton escribe: “La teología de la Encarnación misma sugiere que, como resultado de la actividad redentora de Cristo y de su propia resurrección corporal, los de Cristo en su resurrección se restaurará en el diseño original de Dios para el estado corporal de la humanidad y por lo tanto también la tierra actual ser restaurado a su estado original, divinamente concebido como el hogar para personas resucitadas de Dios. “lo siento, pero no puede haber una diversidad de opinión y de” estilo de vida “en el nuevo mundo. Sólo había la voluntad de Dios en Jesús a través del cual toda la creación llegó a existir en el mundo original. Sólo puede ser la voluntad de Dios en el mundo nuevo y resucitado. Seguro que hay un montón de otras “opiniones” y estilos de vida y la diversidad en este mundo. Pero no es así como la intención de Dios en su creación original y que sólo será lo que Dios quería en el mundo nuevo, resucitado restaurado.

Jesús promete John que escribe esa promesa a nosotros: “. He aquí, yo vengo pronto, y mi galardón conmigo conmigo, para recompensar a todos por lo que ha hecho” “Próximamente” en el contexto de la eternidad, incluso dos mil años después de la promesa hecha medios más o menos inmediato. En la eternidad, vamos a entender claramente cómo eran rápidas y tenues nuestras vidas cortas y cómo incluso dos mil años en la eternidad es “pronto”. Dios es un Dios justo, completamente santa, esperamos que a partir de él. El problema es que esperamos que él sea sólo de acuerdo a nuestro punto de vista, que es inevitablemente mal. Nosotros sólo somos sólo en Jesús. Si en el juicio final vamos a tener que responder por las cosas que falló en, pecamos. La diferencia entre aquellos de nosotros en Jesús y el resto de la humanidad es que nuestro Sumo Sacerdote, Jesús, interviene para aquellos que lo conocen como Señor y Salvador. Jesús le dice a Juan: “los perros estarán fuera, y los hechiceros y los inmorales, los asesinos, los idólatras, y todo aquel que ama y hace mentira.” (Ap 22, 15) que hace eso incluye? Sí, todos nosotros. Pero en Cristo somos limpiados en su Sangre, su sacrificio por todos los que lo conocen como Salvador. Para aquellos, que él describe como perros, que lo rechazaron, que negaban lo que Él es, que están en el exterior del nuevo mundo resucitado. “Bienaventurados los que lavan sus ropas, para que puedan tener derecho al árbol de la vida y que puedan entrar en la ciudad por las puertas.” (Ap 22:14) En Jesús nuestras ropas han sido lavados, en su sangre .

La resurrección está totalmente en la voluntad de Dios, será la restauración de su creación conforme a su voluntad. Su voluntad sólo puede ser en términos de su justicia, su santidad, su justicia. Sólo aquellos que están en Cristo serán capaces de compartir en aquel mundo eterno que es sólo en la voluntad creadora de Dios. Debemos hacer todo lo que podamos hacer hincapié en que a todos los que nos encontramos y el punto que la única manera posible de ese nuevo mundo resucitado que es sólo en Jesús. Para aquellos que rechazan e ignoran nosotros, debemos llorar por los que están condenados y la decisión de mantenerlos en oración para que Dios tenga piedad de ellos y conducirlos a la única esperanza y la promesa de que está en Jesús. Volver a leer el relato de la resurrección en la Revelación, es entre los capítulos 21 y 22. Diario cómo va a ser todo sobre Jesús y no sobre cómo el mundo piensa que debería ser.

La paz de Dios que sobrepasa todo entendimiento, guardará vuestros corazones y vuestros pensamientos en Cristo Jesús. Amin y Shalom

Only God’s will in the New World of the resurrection Revelation 22: 1-6, 12-20 First St Johns May 8, 2016

We make our beginning in the Name of God the Father and in the Name of God the Son and in the Name of God the Holy Spirit and all those who look forward to the eternal, perfect life in the resurrection and the new world said … AMEN!

I’m not that big into eschatology, end times, I’ve never really understood the point. When God decides to let the clock run out, it’s going to happen, whether I’m ready or not. What does fascinate me, and what it’s all about as Christians, is the eternal world, the new heavens and the new earth. One of my professors in seminary Rev Dr Louis Brighton, is a well known scholar and expert on the Book of Revelation. Dr Brighton is a professor emeritus at Concordia in St Louis, but he regularly did lectionaries on Revelation and I took advantage of taking in his expertise, especially concerning the resurrection. Between Dr Brighton and Randy Alcorn, I have come to a real understanding and appreciation of the resurrection that I never really had as a lay person. The resurrection is the ultimate reality.

We live our lives as Christ’s people, baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We take the Body and Blood of Jesus and are saved, sustained and strengthened to live our lives being nourished by His true Body and Blood. We are confirmed in His church, the Body of Jesus. These are the things the Holy Spirit leads us to do in our very short, difficult, sin-filled life on earth. If we die before the return of Jesus we, who are in Jesus, will go to heaven, will be the church in waiting for the promised resurrection. I know today the word promise is used a little too loosely, promises made but easily forgotten or a quick excuse because our promise is too often insincere and hastily made. So with Jesus we should read the word promise as iron clad/lead pipe guarantee.

There were Jews who believed in the resurrection as part of Jewish doctrine. It was a basic source of disagreement between the two main schools of Jesus’ time, the Pharisees who believed in the resurrection and the Sadducees who did not. The Sadducees tried to trap Jesus making a fallacious argument about a woman who had seven husbands “who would be her husband in the resurrection?” Really?! You reject the resurrection because of someone’s marital status in this earth? If you regularly present Jesus to people you will hear a lot of silly arguments and I have no doubt that this was one of many that Jesus heard. His answer made it clear that God had intended our resurrection from the very beginning of time. God knew that we would reject Him and we would have to be removed from the first earthly paradise, Eden. We know that there is a perfect life for us because of the first perfect creation in Eden. Jesus’ answer to the Sadducees emphasizes what our true life will be: “ESV Matthew 22:31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: ESV Matthew 22:32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” ESV Matthew 22:33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.” Jesus answers them a little more tartly in Mark’s version of this pericope: “”Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? … ESV Mark 12:27 He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.”” Not exactly the oh so delicate Jesus the world likes to make Him. Basically, “you don’t know what you’re talking about because you obviously don’t know Scripture.” Luke has the scribes commending Him: “ESV Luke 20:39 Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.”” God did not create us to simply pop out of life, He created us so that we would have life and life more abundant. For those who are in His will He did create an eternal world, completely in accord with His being the God of the living.

Jesus took this reference from Exodus 3:6, way back to the second book of the Bible. This is important because the Sadducees believed that only the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible were the only valid books of Scripture. Jesus is making it emphatically clear in a way they could not dismiss that it is all about the resurrection. God does not create us in order for us to simply blink away. He creates us in order to live our life in Christ that makes us truly prepared for eternal life in a new world that will only be suited to those in Jesus, because He will be the very present source of that eternal life. As Dr Brighton writes: “…whatever kind of physical life his people will live and experience in their resurrected bodies, God will richly supply their earthly needs as he did with Adam and Eve in the first paradise before the fall.”[1]

Don’t misconstrue, the world is not going to be one big garden with us sitting around eating fruit. God provided Adam and Eve all they could want in their own context. That is what He will do for us in our own context. There has been 5,000 years of recorded human history and the resurrection will be the culmination and inclusive of all that history.

Between Matthew and Revelation there are 41 references to the resurrection.

For those who like to tell us how unfair we are in saying that only those in Jesus will be resurrected, refer to Jesus’ words to John: “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it and his servants will worship him.” (Rev 22:3) What is accursed? … Everything! Sin made everything in creation, yours, mine, everyone from Adam and Eve to you and me. We are not “good”, we are all accursed, but in Jesus we are saved, we are justified and righteous. Dr Brighton writes: “The theology of the incarnation itself suggests that, as a result of Christ’s redemptive activity and his own bodily resurrection, those in Christ in his resurrection will be restored to God’s original design for humanity’s bodily state and so also the present earth be restored to its original, divinely intended state as the home for God’s resurrected people.”[2] Sorry, but there can’t be a diversity of opinion and “lifestyle” in the new world. There was only God’s will in Jesus through whom all creation came into existence in the original world. There can only be God’s will in the new, resurrected world. Sure there’s a lot of other “opinions” and lifestyles and diversity in this world. But that’s not how God intended in His original creation and it will only be what God intended in the new restored, resurrected world.
Jesus promises John who writes that promise to us: “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.” “Coming soon” in the context of eternity, even two thousand years after the promise made means pretty much right away. In eternity we will clearly understand how quick and tenuous our short lives were and how even two thousand years in eternity is “soon”. God is a just, completely holy God, we expect that from Him. The problem is we expect Him to be just according to our perspective which is inevitably wrong. We are only just in Jesus. Yes in the final judgment we will have to answer for the things we failed in, we sinned in. The difference between those of us in Jesus and the rest of humanity is that our Great High Priest, Jesus, intervenes for those who know Him as Lord and Savior. Jesus tells John: “Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” (Rev 22: 15) Who does that include? Yes, all of us. But in Christ we are cleansed in His Blood, His sacrifice for all who know Him as Savior. For those, who He describes as dogs, who rejected Him, who denied who He is, they are on the outside of the new, resurrected world. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.” (Rev 22:14) In Jesus our robes have been washed, in His blood.

The resurrection is entirely in God’s will, it will be the restoration of His creation according to His will. His will can only be in terms of His justice, His holiness, His righteousness. Only those who are in Christ will be able to share in that eternal world that is only in God’s creative will. We should do everything we can to emphasize that to all who we meet and point them to the only possible way to that new resurrected world that is only in Jesus. For those who reject and ignore us, we should mourn for those who are doomed and continue to hold them up in prayer that God will have mercy on them and lead them to the only hope and promise that is in Jesus. Go back and read the account of the resurrection in Revelation, it is between chapters 21 and 22. Journal how it will be all about Jesus and not about how the world thinks it should be.

The peace of God that surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amin and Shalom

[1] Dr Louis Brighton “Revelation” p 631

[2] Ibid p 632

Leftovers for God? Is that a smart way to go?

Yea the Blackabys have inspired me to get this written, it’s been sitting for awhile, but the blanks have been filled in. It’s about how we give God the leftovers, if that. I’m not innocent of this, as I lay person I didn’t have an appreciation for what goes on at a church while I’m not there and didn’t feel as motivated as I should to give the very best. The Blackabys point out”When the Israelite gave an offering to God, it was no longer their own, it belonged entirely to God. God would only accept the best that people could give. It was an affront to almighty God to offer him animals that were damaged or imperfect in any way. God Himself set the standard for sacrifices when He offered His own Son as the spotless lamb.”(Experiencing God Day by Day Henry Blackaby, Richard Blackaby p 268).

Certainly to the point they write “You do not serve Him in your spare time or with your leftover resources.” Yea, as a pastor I really do feel it. Too often “hey here’s five in the offering plate, great service.” Try to imagine how that makes me feel. I really do try to make worship as uplifting and yes challenging as possible. Compare that to the therapist/counselor who charges, just you, a lot more. I’m there to push you to grow in Jesus, to make the best for Him for what He’s given you and to also push myself. I have some great folks who help me, but too often you just hear about how the big box church has produced some massive show for about one-tenth your total annual budget for one Sunday.

But for the most part, it’s about people’s soccer games (a general reference to all the other things going on Sundays. Really?! Sunday? Morning? seven days in the week, you can’t reserve half a day, read give or take three hours?) To be there to lift up praise and worship to God Father, Son and Holy Spirit who created you, sustains you and gives those in Jesus the promise of eternal life? How about the other folks that do rely on church for encouragement, often times just to see younger people and interact and encourage others. Few if any there to encourage them, because they’re working, they’re traveling, they’re at sports or some other event, they’re at home because they had a tough week. Yes, maybe three Sundays out of 52 (not including weekday worships, which I miss even more rarely), I am there the rest of the time really trying my best. No I’m no Chuck Swindoll and I’m always looking for feedback. However I’m also working hard to faithfully worship as millions have for 500 years and millions do around the world today. That is a faithfulness that can’t be matched by any of our current fads, that just have to be on Sunday morning.

I get it, people do travel, people do other things. But clearly the priority is no longer church, worship, their pastor, their fellow congregants. People tell me all the time they’re going to meet with me, they’re going to come to church. Gotten to the point where it seems, unless of course someone wants something, that about 80% of the time what they say is bupkus. So much for integrity. My wife says they just tell you what you want to hear. Really how about just tell me the truth? It’s far more disillusioning when someone tells me something that they will do and don’t, then just telling me the way it is. I’m a big, tough, ugly, gnarly guy, you’re not going to hurt me with the truth. But wow, when people say they’ll be there, do something, support something and don’t because there is something more interesting going on elsewhere, it really does beat you down and yea does hurt. Really what I do isn’t interesting and challenging?

Hey, to be sure I’m not going to stop. There are Christians through history and all around the world who are going through far worse than I am and I’ve made promises to the church, to the congregation to do as much as I can. I feel very strongly the need to be able to tell someone I did all I could, probably more for Christ and His church. Yes, there may come a time when I may have to sacrifice a lot more. For now I can look you in the face and say I have every intention of being faithful to my vows, for working hard 6+ days a week. For those who have become church members, you might also want to remember that you made vows to be a member to support the church with your time, treasure and talent. From 13 year old confirmands to those who come to Christ later in life. Way too many just pooh-pooh those vows. (As far as time, for most of you a two day weekend is a given, for me, it’s a holiday. If I have one day that is truly about me and my family, that’s even pushing it. I can’t remember the last time that I had a three day weekend. Hasn’t been in the last year.)

How about it? For those who have never gone, maybe you should get over yourselves and see what it’s all about. For those who have a “sawtooth” pattern, if that regular, maybe you could step it up about 50%, maybe everyone could do a little more in all respects to the time, treasure and talent? “But I’m so busy!” I will compare Day-Timers with anyone out there, you’re not that busy. Giving the best to God? I’ve had people who haven’t been in church in decades, members, who call me and expect that because of some, usually tragedy, that I’m supposed to now jump for them. There are people who’ve supported that church for decades, so that I could be there, but you didn’t, now I supposed to jump for you? And for those who like to give me that patronizingly little pat on the head “oh it will all work out”, no, no it won’t. And you won’t like it.

I am privileged to work with a handful of people at my church who can say they do. But for the most part, the rest just give left-overs and for too many people pretty scraggly left overs. So yea, this is a challenge, especially to the guys. Let’s see you step up and really lead your family in Christ, start by showing up, listening to what needs to happen, being that disciple of Christ that your wife, children, community, employers will be forever grateful for, as well as your brothers and sisters in Jesus, you will be great and I will be there to do whatever I can to make you that guy. Lose the lame excuses and step up to things of eternal value.

I am holding on to you John 16 First St Johns May 1, 2016

[please click on the above for the audio of this sermon]

We make our beginning in the Name of God the Father and in the Name of God the Son and in the Name of God the Holy Spirit and all those who know that the great I AM is holding on to them said … AMEN!

I AM holding on to you, I AM holding on to you, in the middle of the storm I AM holding on I AM. For those who are convinced that I’m a stodgy fuddy-duddy, who just can’t get contemporary Christian music, I assure you that is completely inaccurate. I will compare my library of “contemporary” Christian music going back over twenty years to yours any day of the week.

One of the newer artists is David Crowder, the last Winter Jam we went to he was there and he really is great. I think he gets it a lot better than a lot of Christian musicians and yes, sad to say, there is a lot of junk out there.

One of his newest songs is titled “I Am”, if you listen to the song without really “hearing” it, it will sound as if me, you, the desperate sinner whoever that is, is almost frantically proclaiming that he is holding on. Sort of like me on a real roller-coaster. I don’t like roller-coasters, and when I am on one, I am probably thinking about how much “I am holding on”. But that’s not the point of the song and it is a really good illustration about our relationship with Jesus.

When Crowder says I AM holding on to you, who is the I AM? …  Yes, Jesus. In the middle of the storm I AM holding on to you. We have that assurance all the way through as to who it is that is really holding on. Jesus says, in our reading, “…whatever you ask of the Father in My Name, He will give it to you.” Now that is a huge assurance that in Jesus when we ask we will get what we need. More than that, when we think we’re asking in Jesus’ Name and we’re not, we’re asking for something that is not going to build us in Jesus or glorify Him or witness to the world for Him, we won’t get it. Why? Because He is holding on to us, even when we have a bad idea or motivation, He is holding on to us to protect us from ourselves and the world. Between John 6: 35 to 51, Jesus refer to Himself four times as “I AM the Bread of Life”. I AM the Good Shepherd, I AM the door, I AM the water of life over and over. The people listening to Him all knew exactly what He meant, Yahweh told Moses that His Name is I AM. They understood His reference to the bread that Yahweh provided for their ancestors in the desert. They understood their need for that physical bread, and also the bread that “strengthens and preserves us in body and soul to life everlasting.” That Jesus was saying I AM the bread. He was telling them that He is God the Son, the only one who could give them what they need to preserve them in their daily lives, but also for spiritual nourishment, to strengthen, preserve and prepare them to life eternal in the resurrection, as He was going to be shortly resurrected. The difference being our resurrection will be in the perfect world of the eternal earth.

Crowder writes “this is my resurrection song”, saying again that it’s about what Jesus did, He who died in order to save us from our sins, who was perfect, perfectly holy and God the Son, the only One who would be sufficient to pay those sins and in doing so gave us the hope and promise that we need in order to know that we are saved. Not just saved but also given the very visible, tangible evidence of our salvation. The perfect Son of God, tortured, mocked, humiliated, killed so that our sins are completely paid for. Not what we did, but entirely what He has done and continues to give us the assurance that He has provided everything necessary for us to live in this world in Him, and as it says in the Revelation reading: “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.” That is, we will be in the very presence of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the resurrected, perfected, eternal world.

Through all of our readings today, it is being made abundantly clear, who’s we are and in Whose hand we are and will always be.

Luke tells about Paul who is headed east, toward Asia. The Holy Spirit gives Paul a dream of a man in Greece, Macedonia, asking Paul to cross from Asia Minor to bring the Gospel message to Greece. Paul’s journeys have been entirely in faith to Jesus who knocked him off his horse on the road to Damascus. While Paul was taking the initiative to spread the Gospel, it’s obvious when we look at all he had to endure that it was the great I AM who was holding on to him, guiding him in his ministry. Paul had the things that he was told by the apostles in Jerusalem, by men who had been Jesus’ disciples during His incarnational ministry. He had his encounter with Jesus, he certainly had his experience of being raised to the third heaven. But the Holy Spirit was leading him into places that had never heard of Jesus. Paul didn’t have a New Testament to show people and help them to see who Jesus is. But Jesus was holding on to him, even in new places where Paul had to trust entirely in Christ. There were no churches, no clergy, no funds to live on, no Bibles, no radio, internet or television. Just Paul and maybe Timothy, Barnabas, Mark, maybe Peter caught up to him. Much more powerfully it was the great I AM who promised to hold on to him, did hold on to him and lead him to where he needed to be to build those churches, establish the Christian leaders who would be the catalyst of Christianity to grow around the entire world.

Finally He gives them the ultimate hope and promise; “But take heart; I have overcome the world.” It’s not up to us to overcome the world. We’re not going to be able to overcome the world, Jesus will. The world will ultimately become so corrupted, sin-filled, beyond the possibility of any kind of rehabilitation or redemption that it will be destroyed. Yea, I guess many people would wag their finger saying how mean that will be of God. “Why can’t God just leave us alone and let us be happy?” You hear people regularly ask. Because the world they envision, filled with destruction, despair, anger, intolerance will become an intolerable place to live, even to those who think that complete independence from God will form some kind of utopia. It won’t, the world today, all around us, is filled with despair, hopelessness. We see people substituting that hope with greed, drugs, sex, alcohol, things that separate us, divide us, even cause us to confront each other in anger, violence and destruction. The only thing that will unify us, bring the world together is the peace and hope of Christ, who through Him all creation came into existence. Jesus’ promise in our reading that yes, we will have tribulation, but in the things that He has promised us, we will have peace, we will have true life and life more abundant, our life in this world and especially in the life of the resurrection. The great I AM is holding on to us.

Crowder’s song may sound like the desperate floundering of someone who is just barely holding on, but it really is about the assurance that no matter what we’re going through, being led to some unknown to witness to Jesus, to serve others, going through the storms of life, that the great I AM is holding on to us and not the other way. He holds on to us even when we try to pull away, when we ask in His Name He is faithful to keep holding on, always for our good in Him.

The peace of God that surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amin and Shalom

Jesus Ascends, our high priest, Ascension Day 2016

[For the audio version click on the above icon]

We make our beginning in the Name of God the Father and in the Name of God the Son and in the Name of God the Holy Spirit. Amen

Starting at Ash Wednesday, through Lent, all of the Holy week remembrances. Sunday morning we celebrate “He Has Risen! He has risen indeed hallelujah.” It can be tough for us to observe all the important milestones of the Lent/Easter season. They are packed together and they kind of come at you, bang/bang. It’s not over either, another big one, Pentecost where the disciples are really grabbed by their collars and  moved right out into the fray.

Luke seems to give us the most complete account of this time. He might have been there and he certainly had access to people who were right there. He doesn’t stop in his Gospel, his next book, Acts, picks up from where he stopped. Acts still has them standing there gaping into the sky. Hey, I don’t blame them, even in this technologically advanced age, we don’t see people being levitated out of sight into the sky. That they wouldn’t be standing there gaping would surprise me, because I would be. Seems a little disjointed between the end of Luke’s Gospel and the beginning of Acts, but either way the disciples are now being moved on, in the Holy Spirit. Sure they would have liked Jesus to be with them physically, who wouldn’t want to hang with Jesus. But it’s, obviously, physically impossible. The entire world is about to find out about Jesus, He can’t be everywhere all the time, physically, and it is now time for a new chapter. It is time for the Holy Spirit to appear and because He is God/Holy Spirit, He can be everywhere. God Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all equally God, they are all omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, but in Spirit, we can be that physical temple of the Holy Spirit. He can dwell in all of us, as Spirit. And He will be what physically drives the disciples, Paul and new Christians to bring the Gospel of salvation in Christ to the rest of the world.

Backing up to Easter morning, they thought that He was gone, they were despondent, defeated. Luke 24 starts out by telling us that the women are visiting the tomb, having no expectation that they are there to properly prepare Jesus’ Body, something they were unable to do because of the Passover Sabbath. Jesus wasn’t there! How could that be? There are two men there, angels, telling the women that Jesus has risen. Just as He told them He would, but of course who would believe that? But it’s true! Now they have a second chance, He has risen, He has returned. Luke doesn’t go into detail about what was said in the forty days after the resurrection. Jesus had explained that He would be killed, but then He would be resurrected. Obviously, they weren’t listening then. But now so much has happened, and the Body is gone and two angels have told them straight out what has happened, who knows maybe it’s the same two angels who pop up while they’re standing there staring into the sky. Now that Jesus had their undivided attention, He would have mine, I’ve never known anyone to be resurrected and yet He is right here. So now He has their undivided attention, He was crucified and now He’s alive. That has to be enough to keep even the attention of the most attention deficient person. During the forty days He has probably told them what will happen next, that He does have to leave, again. But this time He is leaving as the Lord of creation, He is going to the glory of being seated at the right hand of the Father. Just as you see in the stained glass window above me. He has been to the deepest depths, beaten beyond recognition, no food/water, tortured, naked, nailed into and lifted up on a rough wooden cross and then a spear drive through Him. All this to be the payment for our sins. Reduced to the lowest humiliation, our creed says He even descended to Hell. Certainly not condemned, but to free those who are now free in Him.

We see that Jesus leads His disciples to Bethany and some translate the word “Bethany” as the House of Obedience. It certainly does seem appropriate. Another writer describes Bethany as a “miserable” village. So Jesus isn’t giving them some “white glove” treatment. Certainly the disciples are going to find being obedient, is going to cause some misery. While the disciples are going to be getting further orders, seems as if Jesus is making a point? This is the last time you will see me and as I said, He probably has told them what is about to happen. Gives them some final instructions and rises into the air helped by angels. They don’t seem upset in any way that He’s leaving, He gives them a final blessing, they worship Him and “returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” It does seem as if the disciples have a much more profound understanding of what is going to happen. Nonetheless they are still human, they may have returned to Jerusalem joyously. Jesus no doubt gave them promises and assurances. The disciples had seen Jesus do miracles, teach with a wisdom that is beyond what they had known from any human. They saw Him die on a cross, they saw Him resurrected, now they see Him rise far into the sky, into heaven. Augustine writes that “Jesus ascends in his body so that the person of Jesus, divine and human nature is not separated.”[1] He is now the Great High Priest, very God, very human as the writer of Hebrews tells us: “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” That great high priest has to be man, but He is also the all mighty God the Son. Our Lord and Savior. Leo the Great submits that because Jesus has returned to heaven, both God and man, the disciples have further assurance of the fact that they enter into heaven along with Him. So surely, at this point they will return to the upper room joyously. But even a day can make a big difference, and there has been a lot of attention put on the disciples. So when we see them again, a week from Sunday, they will be hunkered down in fear. They have had the assurances of Jesus just ten short days ago, but they still do not have the Holy Spirit as they will on Pentecost, so their joy only lasts so long, they probably don’t know exactly what the next step is, ten days is a long time when you are waiting, and their joy is back to fear. But with the Holy Spirit in them, they will charge out, not just in joy, but in determination, guided by the promised Holy Spirt who will lead them to various places in the known world, and who faithfully leads us today where the Lord had destined us to serve Him.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Shalom and Amin

[1] Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture p 391

Fear and pain are what move you to grow, mature and serve others to your glory and Jesus’

One thing I find odd about people today is that too many of them genuinely think that things are supposed to happen nice and easy, that they’re never supposed to experience any kind of pain, that there shouldn’t be any risk to what they do. Basically we have become unrealistically averse to any kind of pain or risk. An article in “Triathlete Magazine” (October 2015 p 28) written by Jene Shaw discusses the fact that if you’re going to do anything to grow, there’s going to be pain.

It really is called maturing, too many really think that they can really sit back, contribute as little as possible or nothing and expect everyone else to scurry around them. Obviously as a person and in a society, that model is not going to last too long. Only so many people can take, because there are only so many  available to give. In order to grow and become stronger and be better positioned to support those in genuine need. When we all do what is necessary then it’s not just for someone else, be we do become much stronger and a lot better able to cope with life. As a part of that whole we become better.

Too many really believe that pain is bad and something is wrong when they have pain. As the picture posted by someone in the triathlon community puts so well, at the end , when the challenge is overcome, the pain is a sign that you have grown through it. Whether it’s triathlon, basketball, weights, abs, swimming, if I don’t feel some pain, muscular, a little bruising I really don’t feel I’ve gotten the whole experience. That pain in the muscles tells me, that my body will rebuild from that pain and make me stronger.

As Jene suggests in the article, you need to accept the pain, if you fight it or fear it you can’t grow into it. Believe me there have been plenty of times when I’ve stood at the start of a swim at 7am wondering what I’m doing up at this time, knowing that hitting that water is going to be a, yea, painful experience. Knowing that I’m probably going to be kicked and elbowed by other swimmers, knowing that I have to get out to bike and run, yea there is anxiety. But knowing the feeling of accomplishment, success in finishing and knowing what it will do for my physical, mental and yes spiritual growth that will follow (some call it “bragging rights”), helps me to stand up to the challenge. So realize what you love about it, what it will move you to and the heck with the pain. I’ve done 54 triathlons and dozens of other races, so yea, I think I know what I’m talking about.

Jene suggests setting some goals. How can I do the swim, bike, run faster. Isn’t that finishers medal going to look good with my other medals, how great it will be to share with the other finishers, with my family, friends,  others at church? Think about the things you need to do during the race in order to finish as strong as possible.

She suggests relaxing, find some positive way; deep breaths, stretching and shaking, encouraging mental images, encouraging the other triathletes. It will work out and it will be rewarding, even if it’s only for your personal satisfaction.

Yes there is pain that is a warning sign. When you get to the point where you have overcome a lot of fear, anxiety you might think you should push through that pain. You do have to learn the difference, when you need to push through and accomplish, or when you do need to stop in order to prevent further damage. So there is pain that we need to overcome on our own in order to grow stronger, but pain when we do need someone else’s help. Can you say “medical tent, take me to the hospital”?

But in a Christian context it is the same. As disciples we need to grow and strengthen. When we do, those around us can take courage in us, we become stronger to help those who are genuinely in need, we become givers and leaders, not just takers. Yes there is a time in the Christian walk when we do need to take. Jesus has provided those times to be baptized, to be strengthened in His Body and Blood in our body and spirit, to be built up and strengthened in His preached word and in Scripture. To be a part of Christian fellowship that builds up yourself and those around you. There are times when you will feel you can’t go on. Truth is that being a Christian marks you out for attacks by the devil. The upside is that it also marks us out to be protected by the Holy Spirit, and to be strengthened and gifted to be better able to provide for yourself and for others. Certainly Jesus’ disciples started out as kind of weak and petty. Within a few short years they grew to be tigers of the Christian faith who served many others and also stood up to the fear and challenges of being disciples up to and including dying for Christ.

Too many people today make up their minds that they can’t, when it’s really they won’t. They think that they’re too weak, when they’ve never even tried to see how strong they could be. I’ve experienced this a lot: “well you are bigger and stronger, mentally and physically, you’re special so you can”. I assure you the only way I became that way is by pushing myself. There are plenty of times when I could have just rolled over and let it defeat me. There are too many people who’ve already decided they can’t do anything for themselves and let it defeat them. Ironically those will be the someones who decide that you shouldn’t be doing those things for yourself either. You have to continue to strive. Yea, don’t get me started on those people who stand there, find some way to pooh-pooh what you’re doing and give you this “hey! You think you’re better than me?” Me? I really don’t care, but apparently you seem to know deep down.

Ministry has been a very real lesson in knowing who I can rely on and who I just need to keep at arms length. Sure I serve anyone as much as I can. But, especially in an inner-city church, there are a lot out there who simply don’t want to step up and in fact want to take all that you will give them, if not more. They really see others as simply a source to provide for themselves. Again, yes, do what you can and don’t try to make excuses to avoid situations. However, know your limits and what pain is a warning sign. Do you want to beat yourself on some of those people who are hard as rocks? There are a lot of Christian brothers and sisters who do understand their own growth and growth together with others. Those are the ones that you need to pull together with.

Yes, there is pain, that’s a good thing and the sooner you accept that it will build and strengthen, the better for you and those around you. Sometimes you do need to be at that starting line wondering; “what the heck am I doing here”. But you seem to get to the finish and realize how great that was. There is team too. It is exhilarating to win a basketball game as a team, even though you’ve gotten bruised and banged and it’s kind of hard to really stand. Those painful muscles in the morning are a wonderful memory of the things you did to be stronger from the previous day. Find those who encourage and build you up and let them do the same for you. Quit sitting behind that computer looking for that kind of fellowship. It’s sad on your part and it’s just not going to happen.

Celebrate the success you’ve achieved, share it with those who know what it means to be fearful and have pain, it’s a great way to grow in brothers and sisters. Realize that even when there is suffering for Jesus, He knows what’s going on, who is and isn’t His. I’m glad I’m His, I’m glad He’s given me the challenges He has and that He’s been the one to move me through the fear, pain, anxiety and given me the thrill of victory, no matter how small the world sees that victory. Let Jesus move you to where you need to be regardless of the things you have to overcome. When I’ve reached the end of those challenges, I’ve realized that Jesus has done the things necessary in order to get me there. So feel some real pain and fear, join those who know the joy and accomplishment that makes you feel. You will be a far better person and so much of your fear and stress will disappear. Find me at the starting line of the next race, it would be great to obsess and encourage with you. !

¡Sí! Un nuevo cielo y una nueva tierra! Apocalipsis 21: 1-7 Primera Saint Johns 24 de de abril de, el año 2016

Hacemos nuestro comienzo en el Nombre de Dios el Padre y en el nombre de Dios el Hijo y en el nombre de Dios el Espíritu Santo y todos los que miran hacia adelante a la vida eterna resucitada de cumplimiento y el orden dijimos … AMEN!

Así que aquí es donde todo se junta. A partir del Jardín del Edén, todos los diferentes aspectos de Jesús en el Antiguo Testamento, lo que lleva a la encarnación / la vida de Jesús en el Nuevo Testamento. Ciertamente, el pico de la Biblia para nosotros es la muerte de Jesús, su sacrificio como pago de nuestros pecados, y luego viene la resurrección. El camino ha sido hecho para nosotros estar en relación con el Padre, para restaurar lo que se ha roto por el pecado durante tanto tiempo, pero si no hay resurrección, entonces todavía morir para la eternidad. Nuestra esperanza y promesa es en la resurrección de Jesús, es por eso que adoramos los domingos, todos los domingos de ser un mini-Pascua, un tiempo para venir y ser bendecidos y alimentada por todos los sacramentos que reforzar en nuestro espíritu con el fin de seguir viviendo y la función de Cristo en un mundo oscuro, sino también para tener la certeza de la vida eterna. La vida se nos promete en la resurrección de Jesús y, finalmente, en nuestra resurrección. Chuck Swindoll cita S Lewis Johnson: “La resurrección es de Dios a la declaración de Cristo, Amén! ‘” Todo se ha cumplido “” No es que Jesús está terminado, o toda la esperanza está terminado.. ¡No! Es el final de la desesperanza y la desesperación, el fin de la separación, el viejo se deja llevar, el reino está aquí, como es en Jesús, en presencia del Espíritu Santo y en última instancia, es toda la realidad. El viejo mundo, del mundo en que vivimos día a día no es más, se ha destruido, barridos. El pecado, la muerte, la enfermedad, la ruptura de nuestro cuerpo, los fracasos de la edad y la discapacidad. Todas esas cosas ya no son un factor. La resurrección es el cumplimiento de la promesa de Jesús de que en él tenemos vida y vida más abundante. En la resurrección, es el último de la vida abundante. Ya no estamos limitados por la muerte y la enfermedad, el resultado del pecado. Juan escribe: “… porque el primer cielo y la primera tierra pasaron, y el mar ya no existe.” El “mar” en la literatura judía siempre fue una metáfora, para el caos, la destrucción, la falta de orden, control. La primera tierra falleciendo significa al mundo de pecado, el caos. El deseo en el mundo de hoy es para el cumplimiento, la felicidad. ¿Cuántas veces se oye decir que, ver alguien publicar en los medios sociales “Sólo quiero ser feliz.” ¿Cómo es que va a funcionar? ¿Alguno de nosotros vemos ninguna verdadera felicidad en el mundo de hoy? No. Usted simplemente no lo hace. No me importa lo que su situación es, en algún momento el descontento, la envidia, quiere, se cuelan y bien “no sólo que está va a ser feliz hasta que …” Cuando eso sucede, entonces qué? Sí …, el pecado! “Bueno, yo tengo derecho a ser feliz”, oímos decir que una y otra vez hoy. Esta es la primera etapa en la historia del mundo, donde la gente realmente se sienten con derecho a la felicidad. Cuanto más esperan, más su definición de la felicidad se expande, ¿cuál es el resultado final? Infelicidad. OK, he ganado la carrera de este tiempo, pero ¿qué hay de la raza grande la próxima vez? ¿Qué hay de la misma carrera el año que viene? No estoy diciendo que no hay que ser motivada y se esfuerzan por mejorar. Pero cuando nos atamos a la felicidad y nuestra confianza allí en vez de en Jesús, no vas a ser feliz. Lo hemos dicho antes, hay alegría en Cristo, existe la esperanza y la promesa de lo que hace por nosotros. Ciertamente, en este pasaje que la esperanza y la promesa se está claramente explicado: “El enjugará toda lágrima de sus ojos, y la muerte no será más, ni habrá más llanto, ni clamor, ni dolor, porque las primeras cosas tienen fallecido. “Lo que tenemos aquí, en este momento, todo esto va a pasar, esto es una garantía tubo de plomo. Esta es la promesa de Dios para nosotros que los que están en Cristo a ser parte de una nueva tierra, la fealdad y la muerte pútrido de la vieja tierra se ha ido. En este nuevo mundo, nuestra nueva vida resucitada, este mundo del aquí y ahora será un vago recuerdo. Y ya que tendremos la vida eterna en este nuevo mundo, esta vida se desvanecen aún más en nuestra memoria, esta vida en la tierra es tan corto. La vida en la resurrección eterna será tan larga y ocultar el dolor y la angustia de este mundo sinfilled.

Contexto histórico. Edward Englebrecht escribe: “En el momento en que el Apocalipsis fue escrito cristianos estaban siendo terriblemente perseguidos por el emperador romano Domiciano.

El libro de Apocalipsis revela a Jesús en toda su majestad y victoria gloriosa. Sus fotografías y descripciones son ciertas, pero no literal. Muchos de los primeros cristianos soportaron el dolor inimaginable simplemente porque se negaron a renunciar a su fe en Jesús. Ellos fueron arrojados a los leones y otros animales salvajes, mientras que los espectadores vitorearon. Ellos fueron incendiadas, arrojado hacia abajo acantilados, desollados vivos y, según informes, incluso cocidos en aceite. La crueldad era fuera de serie! Como creyentes observaban amigos y familiares torturados, habría sido fácil renunciar a la esperanza. Hubiera sido fácil negar su fe. El libro de Apocalipsis ayudó al pueblo de Dios se mantienen firmes a pesar de las tormentas que rugían a su alrededor. El libro tiene un mensaje claro y preciso: Jesús es victorioso y viene pronto “!

El libro de Apocalipsis ha sido una fuente de esperanza y promesa a través de los siglos. Incluso para aquellos que no pueden estar sufriendo de persecución física, que los cristianos de hoy sabemos que nuestra esperanza viene de este pasaje. Debemos recordar y celebrar lo que Jesús hizo por nosotros en la cruz. Debemos recordar y celebrar que Él ha resucitado. Estos no son generales, las ideas abstractas! Estos son la esperanza y la promesa que tenemos de la vida eterna: “. He aquí que hago nuevas todas las cosas” Y sabemos que la promesa es para nosotros, la edad en que vivimos ahora se ha ido. El nuevo habrá una tierra más allá de nuestra imaginación y de tal promesa y el potencial que nos sorprenderá. Aferrarse a esa esperanza y promesa. La sensación de arenilla del pecado y la muerte se acabará pronto, el mundo que Dios prepara para los que ama, los que son suyos en Jesús, sus hijos, será el mundo de la felicidad, de la felicidad genuina, lo que ahora es una visión de la impresionante promesa de que será para nosotros la realidad de la vida eterna, alegre, emocionante en un mundo muy físico, que contendrá maravillas que hacen que la tecnología moderna de hoy en día mirada infantil.

Cuando Juan escribe que él ve “una nueva tierra”, Spiros Zodhiates escribe: “Nuevo, a diferencia de edad o anterior y por lo tanto también lo que implica mejor, … También para renovada, hecho a nuevo, y por lo tanto superior, más espléndido. … Metafóricamente, hablando de los cristianos que se renueva y cambia del mal al bien por el Espíritu de Dios; una nueva creación … “Esta es la razón por la nueva mundo sólo se promete a los cristianos. Será un mundo que Dios ha creado que sólo se acomoda a aquellos cuyas vidas están en Jesús, que viven juntos conociendo la vida en el Espíritu Santo. No habrá habitación o tolerancia para aquellos que insisten en las cosas del mundo. ¿Quién eligió para crear la lucha, el dolor, la codicia, para sus propios fines. Como cristianos confían en la voluntad de Dios, queremos un mundo que se ajuste a su palabra y no a la voluntad de aquellos que lo rechazan y piensan que pueden hacer las cosas mejor que él. Si alguien se niega la voluntad de Dios, ¿cómo iban a vivir en una “nueva tierra” que es del todo sobre el Padre y su voluntad? Nuestra existencia terrenal se trata de la clasificación de aquellos que quieren vivir en Jesús y que va a perseverar y superar de acuerdo a la voluntad de Dios. Eso es lo que la nueva tierra se trata. No se trata de aquellos que adoran a su propia voluntad y que han vivido en este mundo por su propio juicio, limitada, de pecado. Quiero vivir en el mundo perfecto santa, e ilimitada de la vida verdadera, no un mundo que los hombres y las mujeres optaron por desastre de acuerdo a sus deseos egoístas. Randy Alcorn escribe: “creyentes en particular (los que tienen el Espíritu de Dios dentro) están alineados con el resto de la creación, que llega intuitivamente a Dios por la liberación. Sabemos lo que Dios quiere para la humanidad y la tierra, y por lo tanto tenemos un objeto de nuestro deseo. Gemimos por lo que la creación de gemidos -. Redención “, escribe Pablo en Romanos 8 que toda la creación gime. Confiamos en que la resurrección será maravillosa allá de nuestra comprensión, Alcorn escribe: “… del Artista Maestro, nos pondrá en exhibición a un universo con los ojos abiertos. Nuestra revelación será una revelación, y vamos a ser visto como lo que somos, como lo que estábamos destinados a ser – portadores de la imagen de Dios. Él glorificaremos al dictaminar sobre el universo físico con la creatividad y la camaradería, mostrando respeto y benevolencia para todos nosotros gobernamos. “La promesa que leemos hoy en día deben tomar aliento. Renuévanos no sólo para la esperanza en el mañana, sino también con un corazón para compartir lo que nuestra promesa es. Para nuestro corazón a doler para aquellos que no tienen ninguna promesa y para llegar a ellos para compartir el maravilloso mundo que se nos promete en Jesucristo.

La paz de Dios que sobrepasa todo entendimiento, guardará vuestros corazones y vuestros pensamientos en Cristo Jesús. Amin y Shalom

Yes! A New Heaven and a New Earth Revelation 21: 1-7 First St Johns Apr 24, 2016

We make our beginning in the Name of God the Father and in the Name of God the Son and in the Name of God the Holy Spirit and all those who look forward to the resurrected, eternal life of fulfillment and order said … AMEN!

So this is where it all comes together. Starting from the Garden of Eden, all of the different aspects of Jesus in the Old Testament, leading to the incarnation/the life of Jesus in the New Testament. Certainly the peak of the Bible for us is the death of Jesus, His sacrifice as a payment of our sins, and then comes the resurrection. The way has been made for us to be in relationship with the Father, to restore what has been broken by sin for so long, but if there is no resurrection, then we still die to eternity. Our hope and promise is in Jesus’ resurrection, that’s why we worship on Sundays, every Sunday being a mini-Easter, a time to come and be blessed and nourished by all the sacraments to be strengthened in our spirit in order to continue to live and function for Christ in a dark world, but also to have the assurance of eternal life. The life we are promised in the resurrection of Jesus and ultimately in our resurrection. Chuck Swindoll quotes S Lewis Johnson: “The resurrection is God’s ‘Amen!’ to Christ’s statement, “It is finished.’”[1] Not that Jesus is finished, or all hope is finished. No! It is the end of hopelessness and despair, the end of separation, the old is swept away, the kingdom is here, it is in Jesus, in the presence of the Holy Spirit and ultimately is all of reality. The old world, the world we live in day to day is no more, it has been destroyed, swept away. Sin, death, disease, the breaking down of our bodies, the failures of age and disability. All of those things are no longer a factor. The resurrection is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise that in Him we have life and life more abundant. In the resurrection, it is the ultimate of abundant life. We are no longer limited by death and disease, the result of sin. John writes: “…for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and the sea was no more.” The “sea” in Jewish literature was always a metaphor, for chaos, destruction, lack of order, control. The first earth passing away means the world of sin, chaos. The desire in today’s world is for fulfillment, happiness. How many times do you hear people say that, see someone post in social media “I just want to be happy.” How’s that going to work out? Do any of us see any real happiness in the world today? No. You just don’t. I don’t care what your situation is, at some point discontent, envy, want, sneak in and well “you’re just not going to be happy until…” When that happens then what? Yea …, sin! “Well I’m entitled to be happy”, we hear people say that over and over today. This is the first period in the history of the world, where people genuinely feel entitled to happiness. The more they expect, the more their definition of happiness expands, what is the ultimate result? Unhappiness. OK, I won the race this time, but how about the bigger race next time? How about the same race next year? I’m not saying we shouldn’t be motivated and strive to improve. But when we tie it to happiness and place our trust there instead of in Jesus, you’re not going to be happy. We’ve said this before, there is joy in Christ, there is the hope and promise of what He does for us. Certainly in this passage that hope and promise is being plainly spelled out: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” What we have right here, right now, this will all pass away, this is a lead pipe guarantee. This is God’s promise to us that we who are in Christ will be a part of a new earth, the ugliness and putrid death of the old earth is gone. In this new world, our new resurrected life, this world of the here and now will be a vague memory. And since we will have eternal life in this new world, this life will fade even further in our memory, this life on earth is so short. Life in the eternal resurrection will be so long and obscure the pain and heartbreak of this sinfilled world.
Historical context. Edward Englebrecht writes: “At the time that Revelation was written Christians were being terribly persecuted by the Roman emperor Domitian.

The Book of Revelation reveals Jesus in all His majesty and glorious victory. Its pictures and descriptions are true, but not literal. Many early Christians endured unimaginable pain simply because they refused to give up their faith in Jesus. They were thrown to lions and other wild beasts while onlookers cheered. They were set on fire, hurled down cliffs, skinned alive and reportedly even boiled in oil. The cruelty was off the charts! As believers watched friends and family members being tortured, it would have been easy to give up hope. It would have been easy to deny their faith. The Book of Revelation helped God’s people stand firm despite the storms that roared all around them. The book has one focused message: Jesus is victorious and He is coming soon!”[2]

The Book of Revelation has been a source of hope and promise through the centuries. Even for those who may not be suffering from physical persecution, we Christians today know that our hope comes from this passage. We should remember and celebrate what Jesus did for us on the cross. We should remember and celebrate that He has been resurrected. These aren’t general, abstract ideas! These are the hope and promise we have of eternal life: “Behold I make all things new.” And we know that promise is for us, the old that we live in now is gone. The new will be an earth beyond our imagination and of such promise and potential that will astound us. Hold on to that hope and promise. The grittiness of sin and death will soon be over, the world God prepares for those He loves, those who are His in Jesus, His children, will be the world of bliss, of genuine happiness, what is now a vision of breathtaking promise that will be for us the reality of eternal, joyous, exciting life in a very physical world, that will contain wonders that make today’s modern technology look childish.

When John writes that he sees “a new earth”, Spiros Zodhiates writes: “New, as opposed to old or former and hence also implying better, … Also for renewed, made new, and therefore superior, more splendid. … Metaphorically, speaking of Christians who are renewed and changed from evil to good by the Spirit of God; a new creation…”[3] This is why the new world is only promised to Christians. It will be a world that God has created that will only accommodate those whose lives are in Jesus, who live together knowing life in the Holy Spirit. There won’t be room or tolerance for those who insist on the things of the world. Who chose to create strife, grief, greed, for their own ends. As Christians we trust God’s will, we want a world that conforms to His Word and not to the will of those who reject Him and think that they can do things better than Him. If someone refuses God’s will, how could they live in a “new earth” that is entirely about the Father and His will? Our earthly existence is about sorting out those who want to live in Jesus and who will persevere and overcome according to God’s will. That is what the new earth is all about. Not about those who worship their own will and have lived in this world by their own, limited, sinful judgment. I want to live in the perfect, holy, unlimited world of true life, not a world that men and women chose to mess up according to their selfish desires. Randy Alcorn writes: “believers in particular (those with God’s Spirit within) are aligned with the rest of creation, which intuitively reaches out to God for deliverance. We know what God intended for mankind and the earth, and therefore we have an object for our longing. We groan for what creation groans for – redemption.”[4] Paul writes in Romans 8 that the whole creation has been groaning. We trust that the resurrection will be marvelous beyond our comprehension, Alcorn writes: “…the Master Artist, will put us on display to a wide-eyed universe. Our revelation will be an unveiling, and we will be seen as what we are, as what we were intended to be – God’s image-bearers. We will glorify Him by ruling over the physical universe with creativity and camaraderie, showing respect and benevolence for all we rule.”[5] The promise we read about today should take our breath away. Renew us not just for hope for tomorrow, but also with a heart to share what our promise is. For our heart to ache for those who do not have any promise and to reach out to them to share the glorious world that we are promised in Jesus Christ.

The peace of God that surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amin and Shalom

[1] Dr Charles Swindoll     Swindoll’s Ultimate Book of Illustrations and Quotations. P 492

[2] Concordia’s Complete Bible Handbook Edward Engelbrecht General Editor p 442

[3] Spiros Zodhiates Executive Editor “Key Word Study Bible” p 2193

[4] Randy Alcorn “Heaven” p 127

[5] Ibid