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Cathedrals are as important now as ever in Christian witness

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First Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in downtown York, Pa. It is an historic and majestic glory to God. Christmas church sanctuaryAnytime I get the chance to show someone the sanctuary, the instant they walk out from under the balcony they inevitably let out a low reverential “wow” and rightly so. OK, I wouldn’t call FSJs (First Saint Johns) a “cathedral” but for a small city like York, Pa., it’s as close as you will get. Keith Anderson in his book “The Digital Cathedral” writes: “…according to Oldenberg’s criteria, cathedrals tend to function as more of a classic third place. Their doors are typically open throughout the day to visitors and pilgrims. People come and go as they wish, remaining anonymous if they choose. They are welcome to admire the architecture, art, or music; participate in worship; or just sit and be present in the space. The experience is not prescribed and there are lower expectations regarding participation and affiliation. As Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, writes, ‘There is clearly something about a cathedral … which breathes an unconditional welcome, allowing people to use its sacred space as they wish.'” (p 136) Well of course use it within reason. But the point is sill the same. FSJs sends an unconditional message of being a Christian church and rightly so. Me and Timothy in worshipI would love for FSJs to be such a cathedral where people could come and go. Add to that our minister of music or our emeritus musician playing the organ on a regular basis would create a magnificent environment of glorifying Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Certainly I would see that as an opportunity to witness to Christ. The building itself is certainly a witness to what the Christian faith community can do to send a very visible witness and message to the community, but when it’s locked up the vast majority of any week, that witness does tend to send a message of isolation and exclusivity. That’s not the message that should be sent.

Having said that, there is the reality that it is in a part of the city that is a little problematic. There have been items that have, well let’s just say grown legs. That would be minimized if we could have regular supervision, but providing that supervision at least 40 hours a week would also be problematic. It certainly would be a tremendous faith statement to leave those doors open without supervision and I’d like to try, but needless to say that’s going to be a tough sell.

I think that you can tell from the pictures (and they frankly don’t do justice) that this is an impressive space and was made that way for a reason, to show that the builders took the church of Jesus Christ very seriously and would sacrifice time, treasure and talent in order to properly celebrate that. Too often such magnificent testimonials are kept locked away. I try to take advantage of every opportunity to at least hold worship, leaving the church open to all who want to attend. All are welcome to worship. OK, if we have the Lord’s Supper you do need to be a Lutheran. There’s a good reason for that and for anyone who wants an explanation I will be glad to provide it. However, worship is important and if you are willing to be flexible, not so dogmatic in terms of feeling you should be able to do whatever you want, you will get a lot out of worship.

“A cathedral is an immersive experience of faith formation, with the images, architecture, people, music and ritual all serving to form those who enter that space.” (Ibid p 166) Yes, faithfulness to those who were motivated by God to build this tribute and the accompanying unique ritual will affect people. We are serious about worship at FSJs, you will get a genuine worship experience in Christ here. We are not about the world, we are about true Christian worship and everything in that sanctuary is a tribute to that. Not just the history, but the faithfulness of today. What too much contemporary worship lacks is any real connection to the rest of the church. It is connection to the rest of the church, all over the world, as well as to the historical church, all down through Christian history that demonstrates true faithfulness. We are here to be a faithful part of the entire church, vertically and horizontally. Someone from the Lutheran Church in Africa (which is growing explosively, there are more Lutherans in Africa than in North America) could come to worship at FSJs and understand what is going on. They may not get the language or small provincial tweeks, but overall they would feel welcome and part of the worship. The same for a Lutheran from 400 years ago. That’s a good thing, not to be denigrated, the church is all about relationship and true worship. Not entertainment and playing to the crowd. “Part of the genius of cathedrals is the way they affect and shape us simply be being inside them. Even as you trace a particular stone carving with your finger, stare up at a certain stained glass window, walk by a labyrinth… the environment itself is shaping you. As Marshall McLuhan reminds us, ‘Environments are not passive wrappings, but are, rather, active processes which are invisible.’ The space we inhabit (just as the media we use) affect us in ways we don’t always notice.”(Ibid p 166)

The cathedral is always intended to remind us of the ubiquitousness of God, His infinite power and glory and that He focuses all on the individual believer. It’s built to give us the tiniest hint of the glory of God and eternal life in Jesus in the resurrection. Too much of today’s church architecture is made to make people comfortable, a pleasant environment. That’s not what it’s about, it’s about challenging you, wowing you, giving you just the slightest glimpse of the presence of almighty God, Creator, Sustainer, Savior. “That kind of reaction is just what the architects intended… the overall feeling she had was one of weightlessness, as if being lifting heavenward.” (Ibid p 167)

While too many try to emphasize taking over abandoned retail stores for worship, and sure that has its place, too many are also trying to minimize the great monuments to God that can still be maintained and stand as a tribute to the Triune God, to Christ whose church this is, He built the church and as much as possible we should build churches to truly honor Him. My hope and vision is that we can build the ministry of these churches, truly have a cathedral that will be open to any, available to those who want to have worship on Thursday nights at 5pm because they just can’t get to worship any other time. To be a place where people are free to inquire and search and I can be there to help them in that inquiry.

I get the point of Rev Anderson’s book, in this new age we should be a part of all the places where we can reach and connect with people. I have no problem with that and do that to the best of my ability. However, what better place to give people a genuine experience in Christ in a place that was built to honor and glorify Him and genuine discussion and inquiry can happen?

Suffering/hardship is often God’s way of teaching

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“If you become bitter over your hardships, you close some parts of your life from God.”(Experiencing God Day by Day Henry and Richard Blackaby p 27) And certainly many just close off their entire life to God. Increasingly people really expect that they should go through life with nary a bump, when that bump happens, they often shake their fist at God and berate and reject Him. “How could You let this happen?” They shriek.

“Some place in your soul can be reached only by suffering. The Spirit of God has important things to teach you, you can only learn these lessons in the midst of trials.”(Ibid) I’m not going to stake my theological reputation on this statement, however, it does seem that what we learn through trials/suffering/hardship, does stick with us, makes a more long lasting impact on what we do, then if life is just a breeze and we are handed everything. “Ok, I pick God, OK, now make me happy, healthy, wealthy, famous …” Just doesn’t work that way. Did God put us here just to hand us stuff and then bring us into eternal life in the resurrection? No, we’re here to grow, build character, integrity, follow Him as He makes us worthy of being with Him in the eternal life. That only comes through growth and growth only comes through trials and maturity.

“David spent years in suffering and heartache. When he finally ascended the throne, he was a man after God’s own heart.”(Ibid) Jesus certainly had reason to be bitter, through His incarnation, He was being put upon, pushed, threatened. But even on the cross He says “forgive them Father for they know not what they do”. Clearly bitterness turns us away from what Jesus wants for us, and leaves us to flounder around in our personal pity party. What’s worse we expect to drag others down with us in that pity party. I would submit that God uses the suffering and trials to make us complete. That if we resist what God is doing, sort of like not taking our math finals in high school, then we have not completed what God’s doing in us. If we somehow avoid or chose not to deal with some trial God intended for us do we become that person we should be in Jesus? I think a case could be made that we don’t. Do we want to be a lesser person in that eternal life in the resurrection with Christ? We should try to be as much as we can and trust that God is giving us the faith we need to follow Him while He is teaching us. Sure we don’t want to, but on the other end we become more in Him and less in the world. Shouldn’t we be doing that as we move to eternal life?

Cuerpo de Cristo 1 Corintios 12:12 Primera St John el 31 de de enero de, el año 2016

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[for the audio click on the above link]

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 son parte del Cuerpo de Cristo que es su Iglesia dijo … AMEN!

La Apologética Estudio de la Biblia prologa esta discusión de esta manera: “La iglesia en Corinto estaba en algún grado de turbulencia, y Pablo escribió esta carta en respuesta a algunos informes inquietantes que había oído de la iglesia, así como a modo de respuesta a un conjunto de preguntas de la iglesia habían enviado a él “.

Tiene que dar el crédito Corintios, se dieron cuenta de que no estaban donde debían estar y tomó la iniciativa de escribir a Paul y reconocer que, y pedir orientación. Como cristianos podríamos seguir el ejemplo de eso. Es una cosa de hombres, si yo estoy perdido Voy a seguir conduciendo por ahí pensando voy a encontrar el camino. ¿Lo que pasa? Por lo general terminan más perdido de lo que empezó. sermón de hoy está relacionado con el último sermón en el que se nos da regalos con el fin de servir a Dios y servir a su iglesia. Pero es algo más que utilizar adecuadamente sus regalos, es la comprensión de que, como cristiano, no se trata sólo de mí. Se trata de la comunidad, la comunidad se compone de muchas partes, el Espíritu Santo guió a ser parte de esta comunidad. Todas las partes de su cuerpo son importantes. Si usted no tiene todas las piezas entonces usted está limitado en lo que puede hacer. La iglesia es de la misma manera y esto es también acerca de su administración en la iglesia. Cuando todas las partes del cuerpo, la Iglesia, están trabajando al nivel que Dios diseñó para ellos y se coloca juntos para el funciona la iglesia a su nivel más fino cuerpo / y sirve entre sí y nuestros vecinos mucho más eficaz. La iglesia de Corinto fue, lamentablemente, disfuncional, que no era el cuerpo de Jesús, que era cada hombre y mujer por sí mismos. Al igual que el mundo de hoy; ¿Qué consigo fuera de esto, lo hago para mí dejar que todos los demás manejar su propia vida. Si soy un ojo, así demasiado malo para el resto que no puede ver. Imagínese First St Johns, donde tenemos a los que están tan dotado en tantas cosas, y sin embargo, optó por mantener sus regalos a sí mismos. La próxima semana es nuestra fiesta de chile-perro / bingo, ¿y si Marge decide no compartir su premio ganador de chile? A todos nos gustaría ser el menor para ello.

Pablo escribe que en el bautismo, en el que la nueva vida que se nos da, somos bautizados en un solo cuerpo. No importa lo que somos o lo que somos o hacemos, lo importante es que estamos todos igualmente introducidos en el cuerpo de Cristo por medio del bautismo. Del mismo modo que todos comemos el Cuerpo de Cristo y bebemos su sangre, todos por igual, todos a la salud de nuestra alma. Si estamos todos igualmente bautizados y compartir en el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Jesús, ¿no significa eso que llevamos también al Órgano de nuestros regalos que hacen que el cuerpo sea más fuerte?

Un aspecto que parece ser ignorado en el mundo actual es la comprensión de sinergismo. Juntos somos mucho más fuertes en nuestra vida individual y en el Cuerpo de Cristo trayendo nuestro tiempo, tesoro y talento juntos, no retención y mantenerlo para nosotros mismos. Es la sinergia del Cuerpo de Cristo, que no sólo nos ayuda a crecer y fortalecerse como persona, sino también como una iglesia. Apuesto a que que cualquier jugador de la NFL le gustaría estar en los Carolina Panthers en este momento, lo que lo harían los 3-13 Tennessee Titans! Puede ser una súper estrella, pero si usted está en ella sólo por sí mismo, nadie realmente va a conocer usted y seguro que no va a estar recibiendo un anillo de Super Bowl en el corto plazo. Si eres Cam Newton, todo el mundo te conoce y que está probablemente hacerse medidas para su anillo de Super Bowl en este momento.

Jesús ha reunido a su iglesia durante un tiempo y un lugar y una razón. Él se ha hecho parte de su iglesia en este tiempo y lugar. Para una pequeña banda, tuvimos una temporada 2015 que haría que cualquier iglesia cantar y alabar! Vinimos juntos como el Cuerpo de Cristo y en la fuerza de Dios procedió a hacer una marca para su Reino en esta comunidad. Esto es así porque las personas dejaron de lado sus agendas individuales y se unieron para formar su Iglesia para trabajar su voluntad. Todos reconocimos que estamos bautizados y dado nueva vida en el mismo agua que todos los que forma parte del primer Saint Johns. Todos comimos el mismo Cuerpo y bebieron la misma Sangre de Jesús como todo el mundo aquí y se acercó a construir de manera colectiva y de una manera positiva y que eleva el Cuerpo de Cristo en York! Uno de ustedes fueron el ojo, un brazo, una pierna y todos se reunieron en el cerebro, la visión y la dirección del Espíritu Santo para que nos unen para llevar a cabo tanto en llevar el Evangelio de Jesús a York. Si alguien no quiso venir juntos, el resto se dio cuenta de la importancia de lo que se hacía y se utilizaron por el Espíritu Santo para compensar aquellos que optaron por retener sus dones. Lo mismo sucede con aquellos que optaron por tomar y que sea una carga para el Cuerpo de Cristo, otros fueron guiados a trabajar alrededor de los que estaban obstaculizando el avance del Reino. Ben Paynter escribe en la revista Salud de los Hombres citando las revistas Philosophical Transactions “… que los hombres de todas las épocas han agrupado en las tribus de mantener la motivación, abrazar riesgos, vencer el dolor y la construcción de imperios.” El Reino de Dios es el más grande imperio y nosotros como Cuerpo de Cristo, su Iglesia, aquí, en primer lugar Saint Johns son una parte integrante del Reino. Hemos sido agrupados por el Espíritu Santo para que podamos motivar a los demás, aceptar los riesgos que hemos tomado. Hemos conquistado el dolor, hemos superado los obstáculos que otros han tirado en el camino de la Iglesia de Jesús. Pero sólo podría suceder porque, a diferencia de la iglesia de Corinto que elegimos para tomar el camino difícil. ¿El resultado? Muchos han sido tocados por la iglesia para escuchar el Evangelio. Si usted ha estado escuchando a la estación de radio, la plataforma que todos hemos ayudado a construir, fue utilizado por Bill Stockwell para transmitir un mensaje de gran alcance del flagelo de la adicción a la heroína que está teniendo un impacto destructivo en la mayor comunidad de York. A todos aquí, como miembros de esta iglesia tuvieron un impacto en el mundo supera de lejos que cualquier cosa que podría haber hecho de forma individual. Que ha enviado a la voluntad y el líder de Jesús y logrado mucho más de lo que tendría si decide: “Si todos fueran un solo miembro, ¿dónde estaría el cuerpo? Tal como es, hay muchas partes, pero un solo cuerpo. El ojo no puede decir a la mano: “No tengo necesidad de vosotros», ni tampoco la cabeza a los pies: “No tengo necesidad de vosotros.” “Todo el mundo, incluso a aquellos que no creo que tenían la fuerza, resistencia, habilidad o recursos, decidieron que sólo crecerían y servir a los demás y ellos mismos trayendo sus dones y bendiciones juntos para servir a su parte del Cuerpo de Cristo aquí en primer lugar Saint Johns.

De acuerdo, nadie va a estar recibiendo dimensionada para un anillo de Super Bowl, pero no tengo ninguna duda de que para los que se reunieron y se sobrepuso a fin de llevar a cabo un gran servicio para el Reino que él o ella va a ser el receptor de un gran tesoro en cielo. Usted ha seguido la promesa de Jesús: “haceos tesoros en el cielo, donde ni la polilla ni el orín corrompen, y donde ladrones no minan ni hurtan.” Debido a que hemos llegado juntos, porque hemos sido buenos administradores, porque hemos actuado como el cuerpo de Cristo que hemos establecido hasta ese tesoro en el cielo. Ese tesoro en el cielo hará un anillo de Super Bowl vea como algo que se puede salir de una máquina de chicles.

Los Blackabys escribe: “Si no eres parte de una comunidad solidaria de los creyentes, que se están perdiendo en lo que Dios te diseñó para. Usted también está en peligro de caer en el pecado. Debe vincular su vida con otros que están buscando la voluntad de Dios. Tratar de ser una persona que voluntariamente se suma a otros para llevar a cabo las tareas de Dios. Lucha por ser una fuente de apoyo y el estímulo que necesitan los que te rodean “.

Vamos a crecer en nuestra administración. ¿Cuánto más podemos dar nuestro tiempo, talento y tesoro con el fin de lograr más para el Cuerpo de Cristo en el mundo? Hemos visto lo que nuestra fidelidad semilla de mostaza ha hecho en el último año. ¿Qué podemos hacer este año y el siguiente? No tiene por qué ser un gran logro, por lo que a menudo las misericordias más pequeños, regalos, bendiciones que se otorgan a un hombre o una mujer joven, en un solo que es menos afortunados, tienen efectos que hacen eco a través de años, décadas. ¿Cómo sería el Espíritu Santo guiar a su iglesia para utilizar ese dinero extra que da ahora a tener un impacto en el Cuerpo de Cristo, que sonarán en nuestra comunidad por el bien de tantos, en los años venideros?

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

Body of Christ 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a First Saint Johns January 31, 2016

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[for the audio version click on the above link]

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 are part of the Body of Christ which is His Church said … AMEN!

The Apologetics Study Bible prefaces this discussion this way: “The church in Corinth was in some degree of turmoil, and Paul wrote this letter in response to some disturbing reports he had heard from the church as well as by way of reply to a set of questions the church had sent to him.”[1]

Have to give the Corinthians credit, they did realize that they were not where they should be and took the initiative to write to Paul and acknowledge that, and ask for guidance. As Christians we could take a cue from that. It’s a guy thing, if I’m lost I’m going to keep driving around thinking I will find the way. What happens? You usually end up more lost than you started. Today’s sermon is related to the last sermon in that we are given gifts in order to serve God and serve His church. But it is more than just properly utilizing your gifts, it’s understanding that as a Christian it’s not just about me. It is about the community, community is made up of many parts, the Holy Spirit guided you to be a part of this community. All the parts of your body are important. If you do not have all the parts then you are limited in what you can do. The church is the same way and this is also about your stewardship in the church. When all the parts of the Body, the Church, are working to the level that God designed for them and placed them together for, the Body/the Church functions at its finest level and serves each other and our neighbors much more effectively. The Corinthian church was sadly dysfunctional, it wasn’t the Body of Jesus, it was each man and woman for themselves. Much like today’s world; what am I getting out of this, I do for me let everyone else handle their own life. If I’m an eye, well too bad for the rest who can’t see. Imagine First St Johns where we have those who are so gifted in so many things, and yet chose to keep their gifts to themselves. Next week is our Chili-dog/bingo bash, what if Marge decided not to share her award winning chili? We would all be the lesser for it.

Paul writes that in baptism, in that new life that we are given, we are baptized into one body. It doesn’t matter who we are or what we are or do, it matters that we are all equally brought into the Body of Christ through baptism. Likewise we all eat the Body of Christ and drink His blood, all equally, all to our soul’s health. If we are all equally baptized and share in the Body and Blood of Jesus, doesn’t that mean that we also bring to the Body our gifts that make the Body stronger?

One aspect that seems to be ignored in today’s world is the understanding of synergism. Together we are much stronger in our individual life and in the Body of Christ by bringing our time, treasure and talent together, not withholding it and keeping it for ourselves. It is the synergism of the Body of Christ that not only helps us to grow and strengthen as a person, but also as a church. I bet you that any player in the NFL would like to be on the Carolina Panthers right now, than they would the 3-13 Tennessee Titans! You can be a superstar, but if you are in it just for yourself, no one’s really going to know you and you’re sure not going to be getting a Super Bowl ring anytime soon. If you’re Cam Newton, everyone knows you and you’re probably getting fitted for your Super Bowl ring right now.

Jesus has put together His church for a time and a place and a reason. He has made you part of His church in this time and place. For a tiny band, we had a 2015 season that would make any church sing and praise! We came together as the Body of Christ and in God’s strength proceeded to make a mark for His Kingdom in this community. That is because people put aside their individual agendas and came together as His Church to work His will. We all recognized that we’re baptized and given new life in the same water as everyone who is part of First Saint Johns. We all ate the same Body and drank the Same Blood of Jesus as everyone here and stepped up to collectively and in a positive and uplifting way build the Body of Christ in York! One of you were the eye, one the arm, one the leg and all came together in the Holy Spirit’s brain, vision and guidance to bring us together to accomplish so much in bringing the Gospel of Jesus to York. If someone chose not to come together, the rest realized the importance of what was being done and were used by the Holy Spirit to compensate for those who chose to withhold their gifts. Likewise for those who chose to take and to be a drain on Christ’s Body, others were guided to work around those who were hindering the advance of the Kingdom. Ben Paynter writes in Men’s Health Magazine quoting the journal Philosophical Transactions “… that men throughout the ages have clustered in tribes to stay motivated, embrace risks, conquer pain and build empires.” The Kingdom of God is the greatest empire and we as the Body of Christ, His Church, here at First Saint Johns are an integral part of the Kingdom. We have been clustered together by the Holy Spirit so that we can motivate each other, embrace the risks that we have taken. We have conquered pain, we have overcome the obstacles others have thrown in the path of Jesus’ Church. But it could only happen because, unlike the Corinthian Church we chose to take the difficult path. The result? Many have been touched by the church to hear the Gospel. If you have been listening to the radio station, the platform that we have all helped to build, was used by Bill Stockwell to broadcast a powerful message of the scourge of heroin addiction that is having a destructive impact on the York greater community. You all here, as members of this church had an impact on the world that far outstrips anything you could have done individually. You submitted to the will and leading of Jesus and accomplished far more than you would have if you decided: “If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’, nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’” Everyone, even those who did not think they had strength, stamina, skill or resources, decided that they would only grow and serve each other and themselves by bringing their gifts and blessings together to serve their part of the Body of Christ here at First Saint Johns.

Okay, no one’s going to be getting sized for a Super Bowl ring, but I have no doubt that for those who came together and overcame in order to bring about such great service for the Kingdom he or she will be the recipient of great treasure in heaven. You have followed Jesus’ promise: “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Because we have come together, because we have been good stewards, because we have acted like the Body of Christ we have laid up that treasure in heaven. That treasure in heaven will make a Super Bowl ring look like something you can get out of a gumball machine.

The Blackabys write: “If you are not a part of a caring community of believers, you are missing out on what God designed you for. You are also in danger of falling into sin. You must link your life with others who are seeking God’s will. Seek to be a person who willingly joins others in carrying out God’s assignments. Strive to be a source of support and encouragement that those around you need.”[2]

Let’s grow in our stewardship. How much more can we give of our time, talent and treasure in order to accomplish more for the Body of Christ in the world? We have seen what our mustard seed faithfulness has done in the past year. What can we do this year and the next? It doesn’t have to be a huge feat, so often the smallest mercies, gifts, blessings that you bestow on a young man or woman, on just one who is less fortunate, have effects that echo through years, decades. How would the Holy Spirit guide His church to use that extra money you give now to have an impact on the Body of Christ that will ring through our community for the good of so many, for years to come?

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

[1] The Apologetics Study Bible p 1707

[2] Blackaby’s Experiencing God Day by Day p 327

Jealous God?

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At the end of the ten commandments we see “for I the Lord your God am a jealous God,”. (Ex 20:5) Deuteronomy 4:24 says “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” Woo there “jealous”? Isn’t that a bad thing to be jealous? In some situations, it can be used in that context, but we usually think of “envious”, wanting something that is someone else’s not mine.

We are God’s, He made us, He gave us what we have, He sustains us, everything we have we owe to Him. If then we turn and decide to throw our lives away on other “gods” doesn’t God have a right to angry. We’ve taken what He’s give us and thrown it away for what? The “god” of drugs, booze, the wrongful use of the gift of sex that He’s given us? Do we make power, greed, money, our “god”? As our Creator, our Father when we are reborn in the Spirit, does He not have the right to keep us focused on Him.

“He knows the danger of other gods, how they will lure us away, deceive us and leave us empty.” (Experiencing God Day by Day  Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby p 219) We’ve seen plenty of people who have been swept up by idols such as drugs, greed, alcohol, sex, squeezed dry and then tossed aside like an empty candy wrapper. He made us, did He make us to be wasted like that? No! Of course not. So shouldn’t He be jealous of us and what He has given us.

So many are caught up with “gods” who demand things, giving more money, more time, squeezing you for everything. Sure a church needs time and money to continue to serve those around us, but we do serve. We continue to help others grow in Jesus, true life. Whereas the things of the world continue to breakdown, squeeze life out of us, vs the life that is given to us in Jesus. If you see a “god” who just demands and leaves wrecked lives, doesn’t it make sense to run away from that “god” and to God who builds and saves lives?

God is faithful to us and helps us to be faithful to Him. He is jealous for us and as the Blackabys point out: “…the Lord’s jealousy on our behalf is something that should be precious to us! He has the complete right to our lives. He gave us life, and He wants to protect us from anything that could harm us.” (Experiencing God Day by Day  Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby p 219) We have a omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent all holy, righteous, God who looks out for us, is jealous for us, because as baptized children in Jesus we have been given new life in Him, He is our Father, Creator and wants what is best for us. Jealous? OK, but in the most perfect, secure, life altering and enhancing sense of the world.

God chases after us and that’s a great thing

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One of the things that Lutherans emphasize, different from other, as it were, Protestant denominations is that it is all about what God does for us. It is not about what we do, or chose in terms of God. “Jesus knew that because of sin, no one naturally seeks after God. Sinful man’s inclination is to hide from God, rather than to come to him:” (Henry and Richard Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day p 25) “ESV John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ESV John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ESV John 1:7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. ESV John 1:8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. ESV John 1:9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. ESV John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.” (from BibleWorks) John talks about man running from the light, avoiding the light. We don’t want to have anything to do with God in our natural state. We are dead in our sins and we don’t want anything to do with the Holy. Go out and mingle in the world a little, people will tell you straight out that they are just not interested in the holy.

It’s not about you walking down an aisle and making a profession of faith. It’s all about how God brought you to Him, gave you the understanding you needed, brought you to baptism and then brought you to an understanding of what you are in Jesus, how you are saved in Him. When we have this new insight into God, isn’t it the Holy Spirit who is moving us to that insight?

Jesus’ teaching (His actual ones, not the ones the world likes to pin Him into) are impossible for evil man to understand. We are lost in sin, we have no concept of the holy.

The Holy brings you into His presence and gives you what you need to understand. That is what baptism starts in our lives. We are drowned in the water of baptism in order to be reborn as that new person in Jesus. At that time as new children in God, we now have the facilities, given to us by the Holy Spirit, to being to apprehend the holy, true salvation. “As you desire to spend time alone with Jesus, recognize that this is the Father drawing you to His Son. You do not seek quiet times with God in order to experience Him. The fact that He has brought you to a place of fellowship with Him is evidence that you are already sensing His activity.” (Ibid)

This is all a good thing. How can we presume to say “I chose God!”? We can’t begin to understand Him in our fallen, evil state. He has chosen us. If I did the choosing, what would happen? In my fallen evil state, I would somehow mess it up, or doubt it, undermine it. When I know that God has done all the heavy lifting, He has made me His son and I did it with no action on my part, totally undeserving of God’s salvation, I have the assurance, the promise of knowing that it’s done right and I am truly saved in Him. Anything else makes me the pivotal figure and that is so wrong and is so bound to dump you hard back into the world.

Know that God saved you, that it’s all about His will, nothing about Yours. When you know that God does the verbs, does all the important things in salvation, we can rest in the peace, assurance and power of God and not sweat if we did something wrong.

Servir a Dios en sus dones nos 1 Corintios 12: 1-11 Primera Saint Johns 17 de enero 2016

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[for the audio version of this sermon click on the above link]

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 aquellos que utilizan lo que Dios les dio para servir a los demás y su iglesia dijo … AMEN!

Como cristianos tenemos un montón de “vocaciones”, a menudo algo de la vocación como una especie escuela de comercio de cosas, pero lo que realmente significa la llamada. Nuestra muy poco estudio de la Biblia que hacemos miércoles por la mañana, se trata de nuestras diferentes vocaciones como cristianos, la forma en que servimos en esas vocaciones como un cristiano. Utilizamos un libro por el Dr. Gen Veith, luterano, que tiene una visión muy Luterana de vocación o llamado de un cristiano. Dr. Veith hace hincapié en que estamos llamados a vivir nuestra vida cristiana en nuestra vida laboral, como ciudadanos, como padres, hijos, vecinos, nuestra iglesia, todo para la gloria de Dios. Dr. Lutero tenía una visión muy diferente de la vocación / llamada entonces la iglesia romana. La iglesia de la época e incluso ahora vio vocación cristiana en un sentido muy limitado, sólo las “vocaciones” que fueron considerados como “religioso”, eran un llamado válida, es decir los sacerdotes; de la parroquia a un obispo, cardenal, papa, monjes, monjas, otros tipos de auxiliares de los funcionarios de la iglesia. Estas personas tenían una vocación cristiana y por su vocación, que estaban sirviendo directamente a la iglesia y por lo tanto la iglesia vieron esas vocaciones como “santo”. Todas las demás vocaciones eran seculares y no tan importante. La palabra vocación viene del vocatio latín o voces, que significa “llamar”. Lutero vio toda vocación en términos de nuestra vida cristiana. Usted puede ser un plomero, pero como cristiano estáis llamados a esa vocación por Dios, usted es para servir como un plomero cristiano.

Una de las discusiones que el Dr. Veith tiene es en cuanto a los cristianos que sirven como agentes de policía, militares, jueces, funcionarios de prisiones. Es posiciones en la que alguien podría tener que usar la fuerza letal para obligar a alguien a presentar o puede imponer la muerte de otra persona. Enseñanza luterana es muy clara en este ámbito, si estamos sirviendo a los que están, habla secularmente, víctimas inocentes, los que esperan la protección del gobierno, entonces, como cristianos, con el fin de obligar a la sumisión / cumplimiento, podemos usar la fuerza letal. Eso se aplica a aquellos que no hayan sido nombrados a puestos de seguridad pública, y ciertamente se aplica a los ciudadanos estadounidenses que pueden utilizar la fuerza letal para proteger a alguien que podría ser sometido a la fuerza violenta o mortal. Lutero realidad elogia a aquellos cristianos que están dispuestos a servir en las ocupaciones que podrían resultar en la muerte o lesiones graves. Esas sectas cristianas que se niegan a reconocer este principio son sólo mal. Afirman que los cristianos tienen prohibido matar a otro ser humano, que no es simplemente verdad. El sexto mandamiento nos dice que no “asesinato”, que es tomar la vida de alguien que es, de nuevo, inocente, no nos lo quiera tomar la vida de alguien que está tratando de dañar a otra persona. Apuesto a que si un terrorista está tratando de encender una bomba en una multitud que está y un oficial de la policía o de la persona militar mata para evitar que el terrorista de matar a otras personas, mujeres, ancianos, niños, usted no va a estar allí y menear el dedo en esa persona y decirle que son malos para el rodaje. Hay cristianos que van a hacer precisamente eso y no saben lo que están hablando. Dios tuvo ningún reparo decir figuras del Antiguo Testamento como Debroah, Josué, David a tomar a alguien que amenazaba a su pueblo.

Nosotros como cristianos estamos llamados a un número de vocaciones. Dios nos llama a esas vocaciones y Él quiere que nos servimos en esas vocaciones para su gloria. Así que si usted es un plomero cristiano, usted tiene tan santo un llamado como pastor de la iglesia. Si usted está llamado a ser un contador cristiana, no estás solo regulado bajo FASB, también están regulados en la medida de lo que Dios espera que usted sea como contador cristiana. Estoy seguro de que usted sabe que eso significa para un nivel mucho más alto que otros que son fontaneros, contadores, agentes de la policía, los militares, los titulares de cargos públicos, en un sobre. ¿Qué hay de nuestros jóvenes? “No estoy en la iglesia, estoy en mi aula de séptimo grado, por lo que no necesito para obtener todos atrapados en lo que Dios me llama a hacer como un estudiante.” Mi respuesta: “Wrongo, aliento tiza”, si usted está sirviendo a Dios como un estudiante, qué Él no tiene una razón y un plan para que usted pueda estar en esa clase en particular, el estudio de este tema en particular? Si usted decide, “eh, la historia no es tan importante, que puede perder el tiempo y aflojar en esta clase”. Una vez más, Wrongo. Dios te tiene en esa clase por una razón.

Si estamos fielmente sirviendo a Dios, los que nos rodean deben saber que, deben saber que somos cristianos. Sí, debemos profesar nuestra fe, decirle a la gente acerca de nuestra fe y lo que Jesús hace en nuestras vidas. Esa es una razón por la que tenemos “momentos de intercambio confesionales” al final de la adoración. Para que nos cuentes cómo te has compartido tu fe, y creo que todos entendemos que el Espíritu Santo nos puede llevar a hacer eso en el lugar de trabajo, el aula, el equipo de softbol, ​​el Elks Lodge, etc, etc, para nunca interrumpir lo que está pasando, pero en un momento en que usted sabe que debe, decirle a alguien acerca de Jesús, especialmente en el contexto de lo que ellos y / o que se trata de en el momento. Pero desde los que te rodean probablemente saben que eres un cristiano, pero también sabe que usted es perjudicial, poco fiable, no haces bien tu trabajo, o estudias bien, en general, no luchas por lo que es mejor y glorifica a Dios, crea problemas a los que te rodean. ¿Cómo crees que van a ver los cristianos y especialmente en términos de Dios. “Wow, ¿cómo puedo tomar a Dios en serio, cuando los cristianos a mi alrededor me digas que es todo acerca de Dios, y sin embargo, son pésimos estudiantes, inútil, incluso perjudicial en su trabajo?” Ellos no van a pensar mucho en Dios porque usted los ha demostrado que ser cristiano y su relación en Jesús no es grave en términos de toda la vida. Hemos de mostrar a la gente que somos serios acerca de nuestras vocaciones, que nuestro llamado no es sólo para hacer un buen trabajo, pero también para mostrar que todo lo que estamos haciendo, lo estamos haciendo para la gloria de Dios. Todo lo que hacemos debe ser para la gloria de Dios, y debe ser de una manera que realmente muestra la excelencia, trabajo en equipo, lealtad, honradez, y mucho más. Cualquier cosa menos shows otros que Dios no es realmente vale la pena conocer.

Usted podría pensar que es bastante limitado lo que nuestros llamamientos son. Para la mayoría de personas en el mundo que ver a su “vocación” como su empleo y que nosotros, como cristianos, sin duda tienen una vocación en la vida 9-5 trabajo. Esa vocación no es sólo en términos de aparezco, hago lo que tengo que hacer, perforar, ir a casa y eso es todo. Como cristianos estamos llamados a un nivel mucho más alto. También tenemos que entender que en términos de “servir”

Finalmente servir quiere decir que lo mejor de nuestra capacidad en la iglesia. Recuerde, nosotros servimos, porque Dios es el que nos permite servir, en muchos sentidos, y después nos guía en el servicio que Él quiere que nosotros realizamos. Tenemos muchos aquí en la iglesia que ponen su tiempo, talento y tesoro en el servicio a Dios, a la iglesia. Dios les ha inspirado para estar donde están, haciendo lo que están haciendo para su gloria. Cuando estamos fielmente le seguían, le servimos a la medida de nuestras posibilidades, no sólo sentarse y dejar que otros llevan la carga. La mayordomía es una parte muy importante de ser un miembro de la iglesia. Es un tema que se me incluyo en mis sermones de ahora en adelante. No quiero hacer la administración de una serie de sermones cinco semanas. Pero sí quiero asegúrese de entender cómo Dios te está guiando a servir a su iglesia por el mejor uso de sus ofertas financieras, los talentos y habilidades que Dios te y el tiempo y la salud ha dado Dios te ha dado para dedicar a su iglesia . Mirar por encima de nuestra lectura en 1 Corintios. Pablo escribe que hay una variedad de servicios, actividades y dones que Dios nos da: “. A cada cual se le otorga la manifestación del Espíritu para el bien común” (12: 7) ¿Cómo desobediente es tener un dado por Dios, regalo , el talento, el tiempo, y mantenerlo por completo a ti mismo, dejar de hacer nada con ella con el fin de servir a su iglesia, su pueblo y la gente que te rodea? Nos gusta pensar que lo que tenemos es del todo porque estamos tan maravilloso, gente especial y nos merecemos todo lo que tenemos. Como cristianos, mejor sabemos mejor que eso! Lo que tenemos que se ha dado a nosotros por Dios y ciertamente podemos disfrutar de ella, se benefician de ella, crecer en ella, pero no se les permite acumular y no utilizarlo en servicio a los demás. La gente ha acumulado sus dones, y en algún momento Dios simplemente tira de esos regalos lejos de ellos. Podría ser dinero, podría ser un talento, podría ser su momento. Si mal uso de ella o no lo usa para la gloria de Dios, no podría decidir tomar de nuevo, otorgar en alguien a quien Dios puede confiar para utilizarlo para la construcción de su Reino en la tierra.

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

Serving God in His gifts to us 1 Corinthians 12 First Saint Johns January 17, 2016

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[for the audio version of this sermon please click the above link]

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 use what God gave them to serve others and His church said … AMEN!

As Christians we have a lot of “vocations”, we often thing of vocation as a trade school kind of thing, but it actually means calling. Our very little Bible study that we do on Wednesday mornings, is about our different vocations as Christians, how we serve in those vocations as a Christian. We use a book by Dr Gene Veith, a Lutheran, who has a very Lutheran view of a Christian’s vocation or calling. Dr Veith emphasizes that we are called to live our Christian life in our worklife, as citizens, as parents, children, neighbors, our church, all to the glory of God. Dr Luther had a very different view of vocation/calling then the Roman church. The church of the time and even now saw Christian vocation in a very limited sense, only those “vocations” that were considered to be “religious”, were a valid calling, that is priests; from the parish to a bishop, cardinal, pope, monks, nuns, other auxiliary types of church servants. These people had a Christian vocation and because of their vocation, they were directly serving the church and therefore the church saw those vocations as “holy”. All other vocations were secular and not as important. The word vocation is from the Latin vocatio or voces, meaning “calling”. Luther saw every vocation in terms of our Christian life. You might be a plumber, but as a Christian you are called to that vocation by God, you are to serve as a Christian plumber.

One of the discussions that Dr Veith has is in terms of Christians serving as police officers, military, judges, corrections officers. That is positions where someone might have to use deadly force to compel someone to submit or can impose death on another person. Lutheran teaching is quite clear in this area, if we are serving those who are, secularly speaking, innocent victims, those who expect the government’s protection, then as Christians in order to compel submission /compliance, we can use deadly force. That applies to those who are duly appointed to positions of public safety, and it certainly applies to American citizens who can use deadly force in order to protect someone who might be subjected to violent or deadly force. Luther actually commends those Christians who are willing to serve in occupations that could result in death or serious injury. Those Christian sects which refuse to recognize this principle are just wrong. They claim that Christians are forbidden from killing another human being, that is just not true. The sixth commandment tells us not to “murder”, that is to take the life of someone who is, again, innocent, it does not forbid us from taking the life of someone who is trying to harm another person. I’ll bet if a terrorist is trying to ignite a bomb in a crowd you’re in and a police officer or military person kills to prevent the terrorist from killing others, women, elderly, children, you’re not going to stand there and wag your finger at that person and tell them they’re bad for shooting. There are Christians who will do just that and they don’t know what they’re talking about. God had no compunction telling Old Testament figures like Debroah, Joshua, David to take someone out who was threatening His people.

We as Christians are called to a number of vocations. God calls us to those vocations and He wants us to serve in those vocations to His glory. So if you are a Christian plumber, you have just as holy a calling as a church pastor. If you are called to be a Christian accountant, you are not just regulated under FASB, you are also regulated to the extent of what God expects you to be as a Christian accountant. I am sure that you know that means to a much higher standard than others who are plumbers, accountants, police officers, military, public office holders, on an on. How about our young people? “I’m not in church, I’m in my seventh grade classroom, so I don’t need to get all caught up in what God’s calling me to do as a student.” My response: “Wrongo, chalk breath”, if you are serving God as a student, does He not have a reason and a plan for you to be in that particular classroom, studying that particular subject? If you decide, “eh, history’s not that important, I can mess around and slack off in this class”. Again, wrongo. God has you in that class for a reason.

If we are faithfully serving God, those around us should know that, they should know we are Christians. Yes, we should profess our faith, tell people about our faith and what Jesus does in our lives. That’s one reason why we have “faith- sharing moments” at the end of worship. For you to tell us how you’ve shared your faith, and I think we all understand that the Holy Spirit can lead us to do that in the workplace, the classroom, the softball team, the Elks Lodge, etc, etc, never to disrupt what is going on, but at a time when you know you should, telling someone about Jesus, especially in the context of what they and/or you are dealing with at the moment. But since those around you probably know you’re a Christian, but they also know that you’re disruptive, unreliable, you don’t do your job well, or study well, in general you don’t strive for what is best and glorifies God, you create problems for those around you. How do you think they will view Christians and especially in terms of God. “Wow, how can I take God seriously, when the Christians around me tell me it’s all about God, and yet they’re lousy students, unhelpful, even harmful in their work?” They’re not going to think much of God because you’ve shown them that being a Christian and your relationship in Jesus isn’t serious in terms of your whole life. We are to show people that we are serious about our vocations, that our calling is not just to do a good job, but to also show that whatever we are doing, we are doing it to the glory of God. Everything we do should be to the glory of God, and should be in a way that truly shows excellence, team-building, loyalty, trustworthiness, and much more. Anything less shows others that God isn’t really worth knowing.

You might think it’s pretty limited what our callings are. For most people in the world they see their “vocation” as their employment and we, as Christians, certainly have a calling in our 9-5 work life. That calling is not just in terms of I show up, do what I’m supposed to do, punch out, go home and that’s that. As Christians we are called to a much higher standard. We also have to understand that in terms of “serving”

Finally serving does mean to the best of our ability in the church. Remember, we serve because it is God who enables us to serve, in many ways, and then guides us into the service that He wants us to perform. We have many here in the church that put their time, talent and treasure in service to God, to the church. God has inspired them to be where they are, doing what they’re doing to His glory. When we are faithfully following Him, we serve Him to the best of our ability, not just sit back and let others carry the load. Stewardship is a vitally important part of being a church member. It is a subject that I will be including in my sermons from now on. I don’t want to make stewardship a five week sermon series. But I do want to make sure you understand how God is leading you to serve His church by the best use of your financial offerings, the talents and skills that God has given you and the time and health God has given you to devote to His church. Look over our reading in 1 Corinthians. Paul writes that there are a variety of services, activities and gifts God gives us: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (12:7) How disobedient is it to have a God-given, gift, talent, time, and keep it entirely to yourself, fail to do anything with it in order to serve His church, His people and the people around you? We like to think that what we have is entirely because we’re such wonderful, special people and we deserve everything we get. As Christians we better know better than that! Whatever we have has been given to us by God and certainly we can enjoy it, benefit from it, grow in it, but we are not allowed to hoard it and not use it in service to others. People have hoarded their gifts, and at some point God simply pulls those gifts away from them. Could be money, could be a talent, could be your time. If you misuse it or don’t use it for God’s glory, He could decide to take it back, bestow it on someone God can trust to use it to the building of His Kingdom on earth.

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

Encouragement, wow what a relief it is!

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I just want to add that I have received such genuine encouragement from this blog and that it seems that this is a very felt need with a lot of people. Always seems to be plenty of people to tear down and I’m not saying we shouldn’t push on people, challenge, I’m not saying it’s like most of society today, tell everyone they’re wonderful. It is strange for so many they just hear the down side, the criticism, and for others they’re enabled in their negative and destructive lives. Anyway, I appreciate the positive feedback I’ve received from some very genuine people, their encouragement was very much appreciated.

We who write these Christian blogs often seem to be writing to or for ourselves. That’s actually a good thing, we aren’t going to have the world patting us on the back. But when I put out a signal for encouragement and I got it. People like Wally Fry is a regular encourager, it’s almost like he looks for the opportunities and I try to look to encourage too. Real nice note from anitvan, that there are lay people out there who do have a ministry of encouragement. Please give your input, and when I deserve it let me know where I could improve, I have no doubt I need a lot of improvement. And I’m not saying there will be times when you shouldn’t ask “what were you thinking? Or that’s not the way to do that!” I appreciate that too, if someone’s willing to take the time to make me better, I am very thankful. Thanks to all who take time to read these blogs and I hope that I can encourage many of you as much as you’ve done for me. In the meantime let’s keep talking to each other and building each other in Jesus.  Continue reading →