Where Is Your Heart?

[The following was delivered at New Gilead Reformed Church, Concord, NC, on Sunday, August 3, 2008.]

Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.

Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
-- Mark 16:9-20 [NKJV]

The scriptures I just read (from Leviticus 20:22-26, 2 Corinthians 6, and Mark 16:9-20 above) may seem contradictory. In Leviticus we are told to stay separated from the people of the land, or the world, and to distinguish between clean and unclean things. In Second Corinthians, Paul cautions us to not be "yoked together" with unbelievers. But then in Mark, we hear Jesus instruct us to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Second Corinthians Chapter 6 even seems to contradict itself - be ministers of God but stay away from unbelievers, from lawlessness, from darkness.

The last time I was here, I asked the question, "Why are you here?" Today I would like for us to consider the question "Where is your heart"? But before we provide possible answers to that and to the seeming contradictions in our scripture lessons, let's look more closely at this idea of separation, separation from the world our text mentions and see what else the Bible might say about it.

Besides what Paul wrote in Second Corinthians Chapter 6 about being separate from unbelievers, John, in his first epistle, chapter 2, furthers this view and enhances it some:

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." -- 1 John 2:15-17

James, in Chapter 4, pretty much draws up sides:

"Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, 'The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously.' But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." -- James 4:1-10

That is a pretty powerful statement: "Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

Make no mistake: the world is a very dangerous place. I don't mean physically. We all know the world out there presents many dangers to our health and our bodies. Just watch the evening news. No, I mean that our very souls are in danger of falling prey to the temptations of the world. Paul lost a follower and a friend to temptation and the lures of the world. In his second letter to Timothy, he implores his brother:

"Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica — Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia." -- 2 Timothy 4:9-10

We read all this and take it to heart and we think one way to stay separate from the world, from those who might ifmperil or tempt us, is to stay away from worldly things. We make lists of things to avoid. Dancing is not allowed, no card playing, no wearing make-up... These seem a little silly to us today, but not that long ago folks held these as dear and sacred. Some still do. We make these lists and call them Christian standards. After a while, we begin to accept our list and the items on it as truths, we pass them on to our children. And we can easily mistake our prejudices for our convictions. We can think that because we hate something, or some ones, that they must be worldly so we put them on our list. Going back to our "no dancing" example, if we really don't like someone and think them worldly, and that person really loves dancing, then we might begin to consider dancing a worldly act since this worldly person dances all the time. And then, by extension, if dancing is evil, then everyone who dances is worldly and should be avoided, even the little ballerina spinning around on the music box I want to give my daughter. But none of this is from God, no matter how we might come by it. The only list of things to do and not do in the Bible, from God's holy word, is the Ten Commandments.

If all we've learned or been taught, if the things on our list, are not in line with the principles clearly given in the Bible, then we'd better revise our standards, edit our lists, and get back in line with the Bible. We need to get an attitude adjustment. There are indeed standards we should follow, but the method we use to determine those standards must be in accordance with God's word.

Now one problem with this method of separating ourselves from people and activities and things that we consider "worldly" is that we can tend to either consciously or unconsciously try to avoid temptation by avoiding other people. We withdraw a little, build our own little worlds of like-minded believers. The ultimate example of where this can lead is a monastery. We go into a remote region and build an enclave with a wall around and a fortress-like structure at its center, and we fill it with people who believe what we believe and do what we do and think what we think and discourage any others from entering. We even tend to separate from other believers seemingly by degrees or levels of worldliness. I know some Baptists who will not associate with Methodists, and Episcopalians from one part of the world shun Episcopalians from another part of the world.

Sadly, rather than teach our youth how to confront and overcome evil, we show them how to avoid it, how to try to hide from it. But how can we teach them to "fight the good fight" when we don't know how ourselves, when we've never been taught?

This separation, this isolation leads to a growing sense of boredom and frustration with life, especially for younger folk. We avoid trouble, we hide from danger, we shun the worldly, we ignore our brothers and sisters in prison, we retreat. There's no challenge, no peril, nothing to keep the blood pumping and the adrenaline flowing for the Lord. Maybe this is why some young Christians seem so lifeless in "traditional" worship services. Maybe this is why people keep drifting away from the church year after year. Maybe they seek out the world for stimulation, wanting to experience its temptations just so they can feel alive.

Another problem with this form of separation is that the more we try to isolate ourselves from the worldly, the more the world creeps in to our lives. We feel safe, here on our island surrounded by our like-minded friends. We follow our lists and know we are doing the right thing. We let our guard down. And the world just sneaks right in, slipping through thousands of cracks in our armor.

For the truth is, worldliness is not a matter of things.

Let me illustrate by example. If you wear a really pretty dress or fine suit to church so other people can see you and admire you and think how nice you look, that's worldly. On the other hand, if you wear a frumpy dress or a threadbare suit so everyone can see how lowly and humble you are, well, that's worldly too. If you buy a big fancy car so everyone will know how well you are doing and important you are, that's worldly. But if you drive an old heap so people will see your humility, that's still worldly. If you are hurt when people fail to notice you, then that is worldly.

For worldliness is all about what is in your heart. Worldliness is all about your attitude. Everything is worldly if your attitude is worldly. And the Lord knows what is in your heart.

We can't just make lists and be safe, but there certainly are things we should and should not do; not because someone else thinks we should or should not do them; not because the church is watching; not for some other reason that originates from outside ourselves: that is worldly. We do or don't do some thing because we know deep down inside that God would want us to do or not to do that thing. What does that sound like - a conscience? Doesn't that sound like the Holy Spirit living within us telling us what we should or should not do?

Reread a bit of our text from First John again. "All that is in the world... is not of the Father". If we exclude God from our considerations of what to do or not do, if we make decisions without turning to God for counsel, then that is worldly thinking, no matter what we do. Always seek our Father's guidance.

Another result of this Christian isolation is a lessening or even outright loss of the sense of sacrifice for our Lord. When we withdraw to our secure little island, safe from all temptation, we can become complacent at best, or smug and insensitive and uncaring at worst. We avidly support missionaries with our dollars as they work in far off lands while ignoring or even shunning someone right next door who might be struggling in spiritual despair. We can lose our will to step outside our own door for fear of facing the devil.

The Lord didn't say "send your people" or "spread your money into the world". In my message scripture from Mark, we heard Jesus say, "Go into all the world and spread the Gospel". The King James Versions keeps in the implied "you" and commands, "Go ye into the world".

There are two ways to look at this phrase, go into the world. First, in order to spread the Gospel, we must tell it to people who have not heard it before or have forgotten it or who have been turned deaf by Satan, to unbelievers, to the worldly. But isn't this a contradiction to Leviticus and Second Corinthians? No, not if we don't become worldly. Remember: it's all in the attitude, it's all about what is in your heart. We cannot spread the Good News throughout the world while staying isolated from the world. We have to leave our island. But if we keep our hearts clean and give full consideration to the Father in all things, we will not become of the world, we will not be worldly.

The second view of going into the world is so that we can learn more about the worldly, to build sympathy for them, to stir us more in our God-given desire to help lead them to Christ. We can learn about the ways of the world, the attitudes of the world, so we can help the wretched, lost souls - those across the world and those right down the street. This is part of our personal responsibilities as Christians: witnessing to others. We should try to imitate Jesus. He gave everything to save us. But we sometimes find it tough to give up an afternoon of golf or a night of television to share God's wonderful grace, or to open our homes for Bible studies or prayer meetings.

Have we already become deaf to the cries around us, numb to all the hands reaching out to us for help from all sides? We are living in the middle of a sea of people who are dying for what we have, unknowingly searching for what we've found or been shown; people who are putting bullets through their heads, jumping of buildings, overdosing on alcohol and drugs... just to end the misery that their lives have become, because they don't have Christ in their lives.

Do we sit on our island, or go into the world?

Now our danger lies in forgetting what we are and our purpose in all this, in losing sight of God and becoming worldly. For if we become worldly ourselves, if we become like the world, then we lose all our power to influence the world. And that is where we need to impose separation. We need to be in the world, but separate ourselves from the attitude of the world. We must keep our clean attitude, focused on God.

Remember the story of Lot? We read of him in Genesis chapters 13, 14, 19 (mostly). God instructed Abraham to take up his household and head out; God would tell him where to go later. Lot, Abraham's nephew, went with him. Eventually, they parted ways and Lot took his household into the land of Sodom. Now in those days this was a green and lush land, a veritable Eden, even though many reports came out of there of evil men and evil activities. So Lot settle in Sodom and tried to do good there. He tried to help God and lead the people back to Him. But he did so by becoming like the people their, by adopting their attitudes, by becoming like their world. And in the end the whole area was destroyed, wiped clean, and Lot was barely able to escape with his life and his daughters, losing even his wife as they fled. This is a very clear warning that we must keep separate from the attitude of the world, and not become of it or like it.

To do the work Jesus commissioned us to do, we must go into the world, make worldly friends, invite them into our homes and visit with them in theirs so that slowly, by example and word and deed, we might bear influence upon them and their thinking and their attitude and their heart, and help them find Jesus. Just remember not to think like the world, for our attitude, our thoughts are different. We have the greatest news in the universe and we just can't wait to share it! That is what our attitude should be.

But isn't all this dangerous, going so deeply into the world where it can reach out and tempt us? Sure. Sure it is, but that's what makes it exciting. That's what makes it thrilling, gripping, vital, challenging, daring... and that can provide tons of motivation to folks who've become bored with island living. In a way, God wants us to face problems so we can learn how to overcome them. How else can we grow? How else can we help others overcome their problems?

So it's our job as Christians to be in the world, but not of it; to identify and sympathize with its suffering, but not with its attitude; to be Christ's representative and help bring His influence to bear on the world's life, but not be corrupted by its ways.

And that brings me back to my question - Where is your heart? Is it in the world? The Bible is correct and true when it says this world is really unimportant and will pass away. If we believe that, truly believe it, then living a Christian life should be the easiest thing in the world, if nothing else matters. But if the world's things really do matter to us -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, as John put it -- then being a Christian is going to be tough.

As Christians, we know the Truth. We look to things unseen rather than seen, for we know that things seen are here only today and are quickly passing away, but those things unseen are eternal.

Keep your heart's desires away from the world. Keep your heart on things unseen. Keep your heart in heaven.

Amen.

Comes the Harvest

[The following was delivered at St. James Reformed Church, Mt. Pleasant, NC, on Sunday, July 27, 2008.]

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord." Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

-- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 [NKJV]

Do you kind of get the idea that Jesus thought it important that we understand heaven? Let's take a moment to look back over the symbolic descriptions Matthew saved for us:

• A mustard seed, something so tiny and small and insignificant seeming, but when planted will grow into a tree that provides shelter and protection.
• A small portion of yeast mixed into a much larger measure of dough will react and grow and cause the whole thing to rise, with delicious bread as the end result.
• A treasure well worth giving up everything you own, and doing so with joy, in order to possess it.
• That one exquisite pearl of greatest value, again worth giving up all you have for it.
• All kinds of people gathered together: Jews and Gentiles, men and women, all races, even good and bad.
• But at the end of time, the angels will separate the bad from the good and the bad will be tossed into the fiery furnace while the good remain in heaven.
• Finally, those who know about heaven and share what they know give a great treasure to others in this knowledge, both to people who already understand about heaven and to those who have never heard Christ's words.

And Jesus asks, do you understand these things? It is very important that we do.

The rewards of heaven are so vast and great they are worth any cost. There will be judgment at the end. Discipleship - following Christ - carries a cost. Those who discover or are taught the truth of the kingdom of heaven willingly forsake all to become a disciple. Through Matthew, by the word of Jesus, the mysteries of heaven are now revealed.

It shouldn't seem too unusual to talk about the upcoming fall harvest in the middle of the summer. The seeds have been planted. The growing crops are cultivated and weeded, so there is still work to do. And Pastor John began a miniseries here with messages on planting seeds and pulling weeds. So I thought I would continue the trend and end the series in this vein, for soon comes the harvest, the time when we can reap the rewards of all our hard work.

Maybe we should first consider where are our rewards. Are they in this life, here on earth? A new car, a big house, adoring fans, celebrity status... Are these some of our rewards? There are many who seem to think so. Some even interpret God's promise to give plentifully to us to mean He will see to it that earthly treasures are bestowed upon us. Maybe He does. Maybe in some cases God does provide us with something we don't really need and didn't really earn, just as a way of saying "Thanks". But David, in his Psalm 17, verses 13 and 14, asks God to strike down those wicked men, men of the world who have their portion in this life, who seek their reward in this life, who are more concerned with what this world has to offer than what God promises us. I believe that David understood what Jesus would say, that our greatest treasure awaits us in heaven.

One way to consider harvesting what was sown can be found in Isaiah, chapter 55, verses 10 and 11. "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." God scatters His word like seeds and the harvest from them at the end of time will not be empty but will be great, for His harvest will be us, those who believe in and follow His Son. We are also the tools God uses in His earthly garden to scatter His seeds, to sow His words. Jesus will handle the harvest and His angels will take care of any bad crops.

And that brings us to the more obvious idea of harvest in the context of Christian life. This is how Matthew related the message of Jesus when the angels harvest all mankind and separate the good from the wicked. Our reward for bearing the cost of discipleship will be to spend eternity in the loving, glorious presence of God. The evil ones will not have it quite so good. John reinforces Matthew's telling of this when he shares with us what God revealed about the end times. In Revelation, chapter 14, verses 14 through 20, he describes Jesus, the Son of Man, with a sharp sickle in His hand. One by one angels cry to Him to "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." Another angel carries a sickle also, and thrusts it into the earth gathering the wicked, the "vine of the earth", and throws them into "the great winepress of the wrath of God".

And long before Jesus walked among us, His ancestor David spoke of this final harvest. In his 96th Psalm, verses 10 through 13, he instructs: "Say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns; the world also is firmly established, it shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously.' Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and all its fullness; let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord. For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth."

Comes the harvest, which crop will you be? Do you understand the things of heaven Jesus described? The cost of discipleship is high, but the reward is unimaginably great. Comes the harvest, we will spend eternity with our Lord.

Amen.

Why Are You Here Today?

[The following was delivered at New Gilead Reformed Church in Concord, NC, on July 6, 2008.]

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, and the King above all gods. In His hands are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His land.

-- Psalm 95: 1-7

Thus says the Lord: "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist," Says the Lord. "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word."

-- Isaiah 66: 1-2

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

-- Ephesians 2: 19-22

In the early days of the church, Christians suffered persecution and took great risks to gather together to meet and worship Christ. The Apostle Paul is a good example of what befell early followers of The Way -- tortured, beaten, imprisoned, executed. Ten of the original twelve Disciples were put to death for their belief in Christ. (Judas committed suicide and John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos.) We could certainly understand if these early Christians had decided to skip a worship service every now and then. After all, they could be dragged off to prison if caught praising Christ. But they kept their faith and they kept their worship alive because they loved the Lord and they loved the church.

Why are you here today? There can be many answers to that question, but before we look at them let me take a moment to tell you why I am here, and in so doing tell you a little about who I am.

I am here because Brother Ned Weavil asked if I would come. Of course, there's a little more to it that that. One reason I am here is that I need opportunities to address congregations just like yours. While perhaps not your typical student, I am currently in seminary studying to do, in part, what I am doing here right now. There is certainly much more to being a minister than standing in the pulpit each Sunday morning delivering God's word and exhorting the masses, but this may well be the most nerve wracking, at least for me. Fortunately, I trust in God to put the message He wants you to hear into my head and my heart, and to speak His words through my mouth. So that is one reason I am here: in a nutshell, because I need the practice.

But I am also here because I believe you and I walk a common ground. I can relate to where you are as a congregation because I have been there. My understanding is that you have been in a pastoral search for a little over three years now, and just recently parted from the United Church of Christ. My church, St. James Reformed Church in Mt. Pleasant, spent over three years in an introspective study and a following search for the minister to lead us. During that period we looked closely at ourselves, led by a gentleman trained specifically for that task, Rev. Bill Davis. We dug into our collective hearts and determined what we wanted and needed from our church, where we wanted it to go. And after that prolonged study and search, we issued a call to Rev. John Bigelow, who God placed along our path and who has ministered to our needs these seven years since. As a congregation, we left the UCC about two years ago.

During that period we learned a few remarkable things, chief among them that we could manage the affairs of our church quite well on our own. While we needed a shepherd, a pastor in the Biblical sense, we did not need someone to lead us, to do things for us. We could lead ourselves, we could control our church's destiny. From what I know of you and this church, you either knew this all along or have discovered it for yourselves. You are a strong, healthy church, as evidenced by folks taking charge when something needs doing, seeing to it that jobs get done, and by simply being here each and every Sunday keeping the doors open. And I can relate to the level of effort and dedication involved in all this because I served on both the study steering committee and the search committee during our long period without a pastor.

Those are a few reasons why I'm here. Why are you here? Probably not just to hear me. Maybe you're here because your spouse (or mother or father) kept fussing at you to "Get out of bed, we're going to church!" this morning. Or maybe you're here because there is no ball game this afternoon that you need to leave early for so as to get a good seat. Or maybe the fish aren't biting right now because it's been so hot lately. Maybe you're here because you know that people expect you to be here -- that's what good Christians do, go to church on Sundays, and you're a good Christian. Now I'm not saying someone is not a good church member or Christian if they're not here today. There are many legitimate reasons for not being in church on Sundays. I'm not in my church this morning. I'm just giving a few answers some folk might give for being here, whether out loud or in their hearts.

And God is looking into our hearts to see the motives that drive our actions. It isn't so much what we do as why we do it. Do we do this thing because we have to, or because we want to? For instance, do we go to church because we have to, because people expect us to, or because we want to go, because we love God? Does love provide our motivation, or does fear? Do we love God, or fear Him? To me, it is far easier to sing praises out of love, than out of fear. God loves us, so much so that he gave us His Son. How much do we love Him?

Now getting back to those possible reasons I listed for why you might be here today, I don't really believe any of those to be true for anyone in this congregation, simply because of what I said earlier. If you did not have the true desire within you to keep this church open and functioning, the doors would be locked and this beautiful sanctuary would be quiet and still. You realize you have to be here for as many service events as humanly possible, and you have to pitch in and help accomplish as many jobs as you can, for your church to survive. So you're here today because you love God, and because you love your church and care about it and its future.

And that begs the question, what is the church? I'm sure this will come as no great surprise to you, but this glorious building is not the church. Some people call this the House of God, but this structure could no more house God than a water glass could contain the ocean. No, the building merely provides shelter from the elements for the church. I think Paul said it best, in his first letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 3, verses 16 and 17: "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." There you have it: you are the church. You, me, your brothers and sisters sitting beside you and those not with us today, we are the church, we are the body of Jesus Christ left on earth to carry out His great commission.

Later, in Chapter 12 of the same letter, verses 4 through 7, Paul adds, "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free — and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually." In those few short lines Paul lets us know that (1) it is the same God who works everything in all of us, (2) we are to use however God chooses to make Himself known in us to the betterment of all of us, (3) the many individual members, you and me and everyone else, are just parts of the one body of Christ even while being individuals, (4) Gentiles as well as Jews are included in the body of Christ, and (5) again, unequivocally, we make up the body of Christ.

Think about that for just a second... God, the Creator of all, the infinite God over the finite universe, whose being is without limits or boundaries, who could not be contained in a million million buildings like this one... God chooses to live within us, within our hearts, because we are the body of Christ. We are the church. We are the House of God. Go back and read today's scripture from Paul's letter to the Ephesians: "in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." Of course, our hearts cannot completely contain God either, for He fills us to overflowing and spills out from us to fill others! Through our actions and interactions with other people, God can fill them with His Spirit.

Do you remember the old movie, "Caddyshack"? Bill Murray played a dubious golf pro trying to train a young man enough about the game to win a contest. He wants the young man to visualize the ball leaving the club's head, lofting through the air, and rolling into the hole. He closes his eyes and holds out his hand and instructs the young man, "Be the ball. Be the ball...".

Be the church. Paul tells us we already are, we just need to understand and believe it. Be the church. We are encouraged to spend our time together with other Christians, to congregate with other believers as much as possible. This helps us keep our heads and our hearts in the right place. Be the church. Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? The dictionary defines a disciple as a follower, a student, someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another. Be the church.

If we are the church, if we are the temple of God, then church is never over as long as we take breath. When we leave this building today, church is still in session. As you go about your normal daily business during the week, try to remember that you are in church as you deal with other folks. They are sitting in the pew right beside you. God is preaching the sermon. The choir is in excellent voice. Bright smiling faces all around. Visualize that scene with everyone you come in contact, and you cannot help but act in a manner pleasing to Jesus our Savior.

Be the church.
Amen.

The Way

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

-- John 14:6 (NKJV)

In chapter fourteen of his Gospel, the Apostle John continues his recounting of the last meal Jesus shares with His disciples before His crucifixion. Up to this point during what we call the Last Supper, through John's thirteenth chapter, Jesus has gathered His beloved followers together, washed their feet, identified Judas Iscariot as His betrayer, given His new commandment, that we love one another as we love ourselves, and predicted Peter's upcoming denial of Him.

Now as John continues, Jesus reassures His disciples that they know where He is going soon, and, of greater import to this section, they know the way to where He is going. Thomas questions this, saying that they do not know where Jesus is going so how could they possibly know the way. And here Jesus makes it very clear, to Thomas and those assembled that day so long ago, and to us today. Here He does not relate a parable as He so often does when trying to get across a complex point. Here He states exactly what we and they and all His followers need to be assured of, need to understand clearly and without question or doubt. Jesus Himself is the way.

Jesus lets His disciples know that He is soon to return to His Father, to God. He assures them that He is going ahead to prepare a place for them in His Father's many-mansioned house, and if He is doing that for them then surely He will return and take them back with Him. But to go with Him they must know the way, and that way is Jesus.

The message is clear for us today as well: If we wish to live eternity with our heavenly Father, we must follow Jesus, for He is the way, He is the correct and only path that leads to the Father. He is the truth of all of existence, and in Him we can trust, in His word we can believe. And He is the life, for only through Him can we find eternal life. But make no mistake: no one -- NO ONE can come before God, our Father in heaven, except that they go through Jesus Christ our risen Lord and Savior!

So many times the Gospel writers included the words of Jesus that indicate what we need to do to gain eternal life. And Jesus tried teaching that lesson in so many ways. John 3:16 is a great example: whoever believes in the Son of God will not perish but have everlasting life. But here, in chapter 14 verse 6, Jesus, through the hand of John His beloved, tells us in no uncertain terms that through Him and only through Him may we reach that goal. He is the way. His word is the truth. His death, and defeat of death, leads to our life. And only through Him will we live that life for ever and ever.

Jesus is the way. Amen.

Partake of Christ's Sufferings

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."

-- 1 Peter 4:12-13

I have many times heard asked, "How can a loving God allow so much pain and suffering in this world?", or some variation thereof. In fact, a dear friend, strong in her faith, admitted her own doubts as to how a loving Father could stand by while His children suffered so much. She knew that parents do everything they can to shield their children from hurt and pain. Why cannot God, Who can do literally anything, not shield His believers, His children from all suffering?

I thought on this for a very long while before I came up with an answer that satisfied us both. Granted, parents do try to protect their children from unavoidable harm, and try their best to keep their children innocent for as long as they can. But do not we, even as the most loving and doting parents, teach our children how to ride a bicycle, remove the training wheels or other intermediary aids, and give them that first shove to independence on two wheels? And do we not do this knowing full well that our child will at some point fall and scrape a knee or elbow? Do we not do this with the full knowledge that by this very action our child will be hurt, to some extent or another? By this simple act, we knowingly send our children on a path that will result in pain and suffering. But we also know that sometimes, this is the only way to learn. We know if we do not give the child a chance to fall, they will never try to stand.

The Apostle Peter, in his first epistle "to the pilgrims of the Dispersion", adds much to this thought when he notes that we should not think it strange or out of the ordinary that we may suffer some affliction, some trial. The underlying implication is that everyone will face trials. Instead, he encourages us to rejoice in the face of these hard times, because we are being allowed to share in the sufferings that our Christ and Risen Savior endured! We should rejoice as we partake of Christ's sufferings. There are two interesting points about that simple sentence we should examine more closely.

First, take note that Peter said "Christ's sufferings". He used the plural, more than one instance of suffering, more than one pain, more than one trial. We need to remember as we read Peter's words that he personally knew Jesus, walked the dusty roads with Him, saw how badly He suffered at the hands of His persecutors, and knew even of the suffering Christ must have felt at Peter's own denial of Him. Our Lord suffered many times, and to a horrendously great extent. It has been said that no more cruel a method of putting a man to death has been created by the minds of humankind than crucifixion. Yet our Lord Christ not only suffered this horrible death, but He was beaten, humiliated, and abused in every conceivable manner before finally being nailed to the cross to die. Sufferings, indeed. If the Son of God experienced sufferings, plural, why should we expect to not also bear the pain of multiple sufferings?

And again Peter's choice of words provides further insight into his message. Generally, when the phrase "partake of" is used, it carries along with it the idea of pleasure or enjoyment, even relish. For instance, while one may simply eat a meal, taking in the nourishment our bodies need, our minds add no embellishment to the words and we imagine only the near mechanical action of fork to mouth. On the other hand, when we partake of a meal, we now seem to be participating in an event, enjoying a social gathering with others who are likewise enjoying themselves. Our mind's eye can picture us savoring each morsel, chatting amiably between bites with our hosts and other guests. This is how I believe Peter meant the words, that we should not only go through the act of suffering our afflictions, but that we should almost relish each trial because in it we are in some small way sharing in the suffering our Lord Jesus experienced during His walk on earth as a man. This suffering gives us a common ground to walk upon with the Son of Man. We cannot literally carry the cross for Christ, but in our suffering we can know some small measure of what He suffered for our sake.

Starting the fourth passage of this letter, Peter said: "Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God." (1 Peter 4:1-2) This to me is a very interesting passage from which I myself gain two messages. First, I believe Peter is telling us that we can expect to suffer. Suffering is a foregone conclusion. We will face afflictions and trials, if for no other reason than because Christ Himself suffered while in the flesh. And if the Son of God suffered we can expect to do no less ourselves. So this part of the message, to me, confirms the discussion above.

But then the second part of these two verses, beginning with "for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin", seems to convey a deeper meaning, going beyond the fact of suffering to perhaps the cause of suffering. Throughout the New Testament we are cautioned that Satan has been given rule over this world of man for a time, so that he might tempt as many souls as he can from God's loving embrace. God allows this because He wants us to truly love Him, and not what He might be able to give us during our mortal lives. So Satan takes every opportunity to tempt us while in the flesh, offering all manner of physical pleasures and riches. He wants nothing more than for us to sin, and thus to draw us further and further from God until we are lost. If we, in our love for God, resist Satan's temptations, he will increase the pressure. At some point, he will even cause us great pain, with the implied promise that the pain will cease if we just accept him as our lord and turn away from God. I believe Peter is trying to tell us that if we are suffering, it is a sign that we are not sinning but are doing the will of God. If we are doing that which is acceptable in God's sight, we are certainly not doing what Satan wants, so he causes us to suffer. Whether all suffering is caused by Satan or because we are trying our best not to sin, I cannot say. But I do believe Peter is trying to reassure us that our suffering may indeed indicate we are doing the will of God.

One final note, and a personal one at that, is how often Peter begins a discourse using the endearment "Beloved". Remember how the Gospel writers generally described Peter? He was a fisherman, a strong man, what we might call a man's man. His face was surely weathered by many hours upon the sea, facing the wind and sea spray. I see hands rough and calloused from wooden oars and coarse nets, shoulders and chest broadened and strengthened from constantly dragging heavy nets filled with the catch. I watch as this brawny man pulls a sword and strikes at the servant of one who comes to take his Lord and Master away. I hear his frightened yet angry denials of his Christ, three times as foretold. But here is this strong man, this man of action and few words, speaking so softly to his brothers and sisters in far off lands. He immediately lets them know just how much he cherishes them by calling them "Beloved". And as I read his words, in my heart he speaks directly to me and I know I am also his beloved. And by extension, as his words were inspired by Jesus and by God, I know I am beloved of Christ as well.

Rejoice as you partake of our Christ's sufferings. Amen.

Giving Up

"From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."

-- Matthew 16:21 (NIV)

Jesus knew exactly what the future held for Him. He was keenly aware of what was expected of Him. Each step of His journey was closely planned out, every move carefully choreographed, every action precisely orchestrated for His arrival at the cross in time for the salvation of mankind.

But His followers just could not quite grasp this concept. All the ancient prophesy, which He had filled up to this point, clearly depicted Jesus as the Messiah, the One who would deliver the people of Israel from slavery, save them from their enemies, defeat any who stood before them. The people expected a warrior king, not this humble servant. And certainly not One destined to die at the hands of their own kind without so much as lifting a finger in defense.

So Jesus took the time to carefully explain what the immediate future held for Him and for them. He repeated the lesson often, and still they did not truly grasp what He was saying, not until they witnessed the risen Lord in all His glory.

We enter into the sacred Christian season celebrating the death and resurrection of our Christ by observing Lent, the time of sacrifice. As Matthew describes in the verse above, Jesus knew he was to die at the hands of the very children God so loved. God made the greatest of sacrifices when He placed His only Son upon the altar of man. Jesus gave up His life, sacrificed His blood that our sins might be washed away. After Christ's resurrection and ascension, the Disciples also suffered greatly for their belief in our Lord and their willingness to do as He instructed, even when it greatly displeased the powers and leaders of the time. They also sacrificed on our behalf as they established and nurtured the early church. Stephen was martyred, Paul suffered many beatings and imprisonments, an exiled John died alone.

God gave up His only Son. Jesus gave up His body and life. The Disciples gave up everything. Since the day Christ ascended into heaven and the Holy Spirit descended upon us to live within us, men and women have faced harsh decisions for their beliefs and have made great sacrifices to follow the word of God and the teachings of Christ. They clearly understood the meaning of Lent.

But what of us today, in our comfortable homes? What of we who have so much, who know little or no want, whose needs are easily met? What do we sacrifice for our Lord? What have we given up to follow Jesus? What hardships, real or contrived, do we face because of our belief in and support of our Lord Christ?

It is very important to note that we do not gain our way into heaven by observing Lent nor any other religious season or ritual, for works alone will not avail us. The work has already been done for us. During Lent, we recognize and give thanks for those sacrifices made so long ago. Many do so by giving up some small comfort for the forty days leading up to Easter, commemorating the forty days Jesus fasted in the wilderness and prayed, before completing His journey to the cross. Maybe we will give up sweets or going out to movies. But to be meaningful, we should give up something that is really important to us, just as those we recognize did. If you've wanted to quit smoking for years, now is a great time to do it. If alcohol has a grip on you, give it up for Lent and you may find you can live without it for life. Sacrifice large meals in favor of smaller portions. Double your gifts to your church or charity. Give something that causes you a little pain. Your rewards will be great! Improved health, longer life, and more stars in your heavenly crown will surely follow.

You may also want to add something new into your life. If you don't already, make time each day for prayer and devotions, listening carefully for God's response. Teach a Sunday School class at church, sing in the choir, or assist with a service. Step out of your comfort zone for a bit and enrich your relationship with Jesus.

Take advantage of Lent by giving up! Give up a pleasure that you feel you want more than anything. Give up a comfort that makes life bearable. Give up a bad habit you think you can't live without. And give up your heart and life to Jesus -- not just for forty days, but for ever. Amen.

Unto Us

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder: and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

-- Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah was the greatest of the prophets and his poetic writings provide the best picture and the richest revelation of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. To understand the full impact of just how closely he described the life and times of Jesus, you need to understand that Isaiah lived about 740 years before Christ! His ministry to the people of Judah, the southern kingdom of the Jews, began when the ten tribes that made up the northern kingdom of Israel were being carried away into captivity by the invading Assyrians and ended some fifty years later, about the time Judah was taken captive into Babylon. That he was able to so accurately and beautifully predict how our Christ would come to us, live with us, and die by us is nothing short of amazing, and clearly indicates just how God-inspired are his words.

As I write this message, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is beginning to subside and we can take a few moments to stop and think about what Christmas really means to us. Over the last few weeks we had many opportunities to celebrate the birth of our Savior, to reflect on how God with us impacts our lives. We had church services we could attend and concerts of special Christmas music and Nativity scenes our children depicted for us. But now all that crashing wave has passed and we can think about the message Isaiah and others gave us.

That Isaiah lived so long before Christ yet was able to so clearly describe His life is a sure indication that God spoke through Isaiah, and that the promises He makes are true and trustworthy. The passages from the Old Testament that relate directly to New Testament scripture and the Gospel can be used to corroborate one another, giving validity to both for those who need more "proof" than faith alone can offer them. It is not just that what Isaiah predicted came true, it is that he so accurately described what would come to life over 700 years later that gives perfect credence to his words.

But for myself, when I read this particular verse of Isaiah, I not only feel wonder in his prophesy, but I take great comfort in his choice of words. "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given." Not just to you, not just to me, not just to those scattered tribes of Israel or to the people of Judah who were slipping into idolatry, but to all of us did Jesus come. He was born for all our sakes. This makes it personal, this birth of the Christ, this giving of a Son. He was given for all of us, this greatest gift, and all the rule of heaven was placed upon His shoulder.

And note that Isaiah did not say that a Child will be born, or that a Child was born, but that a Child is born. Even though Isaiah knew that he and everyone that lived during his days would be dead long before this Child would be born, he realized that the Savior would be for him and all the people of his time, just as He would be for those alive when Jesus walked the earth. And that also means He came for us who were born long after Jesus rose from the grave, and for all of those who will come after us until the end of time when Jesus comes again as Judge.

Unto us a Child is born, the Prince of Peace, the Son of God.

Amen.