June 23, 2019 Second Sunday after Pentecost

“1 ¶ “I was sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ To a nation that was not called by My name. 2 I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in a way that is not good, According to their own thoughts; 3 A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face; Who sacrifice in gardens, And burn incense on altars of brick; 4 Who sit among the graves, And spend the night in the tombs; Who eat swine’s flesh, And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels; 5 Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, Do not come near me, For I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day. 6 “Behold, it is written before Me: I will not keep silence, but will repay — Even repay into their bosom —  7 Your iniquities and the iniquities of your fathers together,” Says the LORD, “Who have burned incense on the mountains And blasphemed Me on the hills; Therefore I will measure their former work into their bosom.” 8 ¶ Thus says the LORD: “As the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, ‘Do not destroy it, For a blessing is in it,’ So will I do for My servants’ sake, That I may not destroy them all. 9 I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, And from Judah an heir of My mountains; My elect shall inherit it, And My servants shall dwell there.” (Isaiah 65:1-9 NKJV)

Isaiah presents us with the most complete picture of Jesus in the Old Testament and perhaps even in the Bible. Most of the passages both prepare us for the coming of the Messiah and offers a description of Jesus.

Take time to look over this passage the references to Jesus. At first you may miss some but pray God will open your eyes and soul to see Jesus revealed in this passage and throughout the book of Isaiah.

In the first part of this passage we are shown the love and mercy offered through Jesus on the cross. “I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people”.

Isaiah “paints” a 3 dimensional picture of Jesus, the Messiah, spreading His arms to those who are evil and hate God as well as to those who cry out in pain and fear. But the spreading arms also reveal the sacrifice of Jesus would extend from then to the beginning of time and to the end of time.

Isaiah reveals a very in-depth and painful look at who we are without the help and sacrifice of Jesus. We can see ourselves as God sees us and our need of Jesus the Messiah.

Let us turn from not just the horror of humanity but also who we are to Jesus who spread His arms in sacrifice bearing our sin so we can be made holy. God desiring us even though we are undesirable and loving we who are unlovable and unable to love. Discover your true “esteem” in God’s love for you!

As pain and weariness grow

it is harder for seeds to sow

Words connect less and less

the struggle grows I confess

Very soon the time will be

when wording is beyond me

“In these offerings may you

discover My love for you”                6/18/2019

June 16,2019 Trinity Sunday

“1 ¶ Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 ¶ For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Romans 5:1-10 NKJV)

The book of Romans teaches the meaning of the Gospel and how to guide others to Jesus within a pagan society. Pagans worshiped and served gods they created and made images of. Paul teaches the uniqueness of God as Creator rather than a god created as seen in paganism.

Some do not like Paul because his letters contain things they do not agree with and do not like. In the writings of Paul we see a very painful description of who we are without Jesus and who we can become in Jesus. All of this culminates in what is one of the greatest works of history, 1 Corinthians 13.

The Bible reveals itself as the ultimate truth and guide and even if we do not agree or like what it says as Christians we must accept its authority. There are some teachings in the Bible that trouble each of us but we must accept God is God and we are not. This is pointed out when Jesus declares if you love me you will obey me.

We will never understand or appreciate the meaning of Jesus dying for us until we understand how undeserving we are. Our willingness to accept our sinfulness will be the measure of our understanding of the love of Jesus!

In a world in which bullies and despots bring misery and destruction, Jesus came in love riding in on a simple donkey and surrounded by worshipers rather than a war horse and an army. The world forces obedience but Jesus offers the love revealed by sacrifice so we can offer obedience as a sacrifice of our love.

We can assume God’s love means we can do what we want and God will still accept us but that is untrue! Indeed: God loves us enough to accept us as we are but also loves us enough to not leave us there. The Bible not only reveals God to us but also is our guide to living in Jesus!

In the first part of this passage God through Paul reveals to us the progression of not just believing in the Gospel but grow to be to live it! The struggles and persecution of this life now have meaning as an opportunity to grow up as God’s redemption empowers us.

We are shown the fullness of the Gospel in which the fullness of the Trinity works as one to allow us to be reconciled to God. The greatest statement of our value is that the Father sacrificed His Son revealing the depth of God’s love for us and the value God places on us!

We were created for love and by Love we are recreated to love!

June 9, 2019 Pentecost

“1 ¶ When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 ¶ And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 “And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 “Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 “Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 “Cretans and Arabs — we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”” (Acts 2:1-12 NKJV)

Pentecost often is lost to Christians and has even been turned into a denomination rather than a work of God forming and extending His Church. Our reluctance about Pentecost makes sense because Pentecost is really a fearful happening. Pentecost defines Christianity as being an act of God beyond our control and comfort.

Act of God – For 2000 years the Church has spread across the world and despite those who misused the Church for their own power has made the world a better place. Some would disagree but would they choose to live in a non-Christian country? We must remember the history of the Church is His Story, the story of God working in and through the Church.

Losing control – As human beings we can fool ourselves into believing we are in control but in truth we cannot lose what we never had! James reminds us we cannot even control our tongues (OUCH!) and like the rudder of a ship we are led astray and lost!

Fearful – We are fearful of what Pentecost will mean to us and who we want to be! As humans we want to be what we want to be and live our lives our way but that choice destroys not only our lives but our family and our community. What if God calls us to great sacrifice or suffering? This helps me:

“God never asks anything of us He hasn’t already given to us and never calls us to do anything He hasn’t already done for us.”

What do we lose by not accepting Pentecost?

Being close to God – There is no doubt about the change in the disciples and all those who received the Holy Spirit. As the Church moved forward Pentecost came and people were radically change as they experienced the love and presence of God.

Seeing God’s work around us – At Pentecost the disciples spoke in tongues and all were able to hear God’s call to repentance. Some marveled and came to Jesus but others scoffed thinking they were drunk. Some today wonder why God does not do miraculous things but through the Holy Spirit we can see the miracles of God all around us!

Being part of God’s work around us – While seeing the miracles God work in our world is amazing, even more amazing is to be part of it! Possibly the greatest miracle you will ever see is someone accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. While many miracles are temporary in nature salvation is an eternal work of God. There is something amazing to see their eyes and lives change before you!

We must discover Pentecost is not a one time happening but continues happening in lives today! Each person’s Pentecost has its foundation and birth from the first Pentecost.

It is Sunday morning

I cannot go to worship

I can not “commune”

I miss being with them

Being with God’s people

But my Lord reminds me

I am a piece of God’s body

Part of universal worship

I worship with God’s body

People around the world

Those of different tongues

That worship in secret

That loudly worship God

Those seeing God’s face

I worship with the host

The host of heaven itself

We worship the Lamb

Jesus the Lamb of God

The Father who loves us

The Holy Spirit within us

O Lord, let me arise

Rise before you in praise

Join with all who worship

Saying and singing to You

Singing Holy, Holy, Holy

Lord God Almighty

Heaven and earth praise

Join together in praise

Join together in worship

Worship for You are worthy

Worthy and deserving of

Glorious God of worship!!!

Let me praise Your name      6/2/2019

June 2,2019 Seventh Sunday of Easter

“10 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” 12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. 18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 20 ¶ He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:10-21 NKJV)

It can be easier to preach from the first part of Revelation 22 than the second part. These verses we either want to read over quickly or do not read them at all. How can the “kind and loving” Jesus say these things!

It is so easy to incorrectly define love as being “kind”. Take time to see how many times the “kind” is used in the Bible. Love at times will appear to be very unkind. It is easier – FOR US – to send people to hell with a smile on their face than to love someone enough to call them to God’s Truth even if it costs us their friendship.

The first section holds a surprising and seemingly contradictory view of Jesus.

“10 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.

This could mean since the “time is at hand” there will not be time to seal “the words of the prophecy” or it could mean the seal should not be sealed to leave room for others to come. Either possibility reveals the caring nature of God’s willingness to not close the prophecy.

11 “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

Here is where the image of the “nice” Jesus takes a serious hit. Bluntly we are told, to paraphrase, the bad will remain bad and those Jesus has cleansed of sin and made righteous will remain so. Righteousness is not an act or actions by us but the work of God in us so we must trust in Jesus!

What does verse 11 mean? Is God saying there is no hope for us if we are filthy now? Is this a sign of the unkindness of God? Or is it a call and warning of God’s love (Is their a difference?) to receive Jesus and be made righteous?

To some this passage teaches predestination since those who are filthy will remain filthy. Or could it be the God who exists outside of time “foreknew” who would come or not. Which way best takes into account prophesy being left open? Which way reveals to us the infinite and eternal God unlimited by any boundaries.

How can we know what is right or wrong

how can we know for all what is wrong

Without their being for all a united law

confusion and violence will cause our fall

Our reason will always lead us astray

for our reason will change day to day

Each persons reason changes each day

is guaranteed to lead society astray

When we say a thing is no longer wrong

then the result is that nothing is wrong

If we cannot stop from sexual wrong

how can pedophiles or rapists be wrong

We are to the point like theives of old

honest person called wrong as evil bold

Fear and anger rule as hearts are cold

cut off from teachings 2000 years old

What is the true source of our belief

the Bible is how God shapes our belief

When Bible in foundation of our belief

we are guided by Truth for our belief

5/31/2019

(To criminals in the early 1900s Wrong—Not to be trusted by thieves; an honest man.)