Hebrews: An Introduction

Good Wednesday to you,

This past Sunday, I introduced you to the book of Hebrews. Remember, there is some mystery associated with this amazing book. We don’t know who the author is. We don’t really know who the intended audience was. We can only speculate when it was written.

We do know that it was written by an educated person, who wrote eloquent Greek. We know it was addressed to Jewish-background believers who had been persecuted for their faith in Jesus and were considering returning to Judaism. We know that the author wrote this "short" letter of encouragement to convince them to stay the course.

The book of Hebrews is more of a sermon than it is a letter, and as such it can encourage us. However, it can also challenge us in areas where we are weak in faith. Above all, I suggested we need to keep the end in sight as we begin this series. The final verse in the book is, "Grace be with you all" (13:25).

Our vision is to be more like Jesus. The means to accomplish this vision is spiritual discipline (prayer, Bible reading/studying, worship, acts of service – think "soul exercises"). What we sometimes lack is "intentionality." Intentionality comes with regular and deliberate exercise of our God-given gifts. This trek through Hebrews will challenge us toward greater intentionality.

I am excited about this series and I hope you are as well. This next Sunday we will look at the opening verses (1:1-4). We will also be celebrating the Lord's Supper, so prepare your elements before you join the livestream.

I look forward to "being with you" this next Sunday.

Happy New Year and God bless you all.

Grace and peace,
Pastor David

If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now.

Living Faithfully

Good Wednesday to you,

This past week we looked at an example of living faithfully that took place in Dallas, Texas. When police office Amber Guyger was convicted in the murder of Botham Jean, Botham’s brother Brandt offered grace and forgiveness to officer Guyger. He told her forgiveness from God was at hand, and what he and his brother would want most was for her to give her life to Christ. In an unprecedented move, he requested permission from Judge Kemp to give the convicted murderer a hug. She granted it. The judge left the bench and the courtroom, returning with a book in her hand and she offered her personal Bible to Guyger, suggesting she begin with John 3:16, encouraging the woman to take mustard-seed sized faith and trust God with the rest of her life. WOW. Tears flowed and hugs ensued. Justice was served (Guyger received a ten-year sentence), but forgiveness was offered and received. It was living faithfully in public places!

As one might expect in our word today, the backlash against the judge was swift in coming, though she defends her actions of giving her Bible away to Guyger. Wanting to express my gratitude for living faithfully in public, I sent the judge a Bible to replace the one she gave away, with a note of gratitude. Wouldn’t it be great if every Christian who hears about this would do the same? Any interest in inundating the courts of Dallas with Bibles? If you are interested, here is her address:

The Honorable Judge Tammy Kemp, 204th Judicial District Court, Frank Crowley Courts Building, 133 N. Riverfront Blvd (Lock Box 29), Dallas, Texas 75207, Phone (214) 653-5832

I also mentioned an upcoming even sponsored by Coronado Men’s Connection. On November 18th, Dennis Prager will be speaking at the high school auditorium on “Why the Rational Bible,” a series of commentaries he is working on of the first five books in the Bible. Tickets are free, but limited. The Event is only being promoted locally until this Friday. If you want to attend, click here to register for your tickets. Once this is opened to the wider population, it will “sell out” before the day is over.

Next week we will be looking at “Living Gratefully” through the narrative of the ten lepers healed by Jesus found in Luke 17:11-19. I hope to see you Sunday!

Grace and peace,

Pastor David

Choices

Good Wednesday to you,

This past week we took a look at the cost of non-discipleship. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, we saw a “reversal of fortune” as the poor man, Lazarus was ushered to Abraham’s side when he died, and the rich man found himself in torment.

The rich man called Abraham, father; Furthermore, Abraham called him son. The rich man also knew Lazarus by name and by sight. The rich man probably was a very religious man, but his religion never found its way into his life. There was no compassion, no mercy, and no thought of anything other than his own appetites. In the end, he lost it all. This is yet another reminder that we are to be good stewards of our time, our abilities, our possessions and money.

Is it important for us to have good theology? Of course. Belief informs our behavior, and belonging gives us accountability and opportunity to exercise our faith. For those of you who regularly attend and support the ministries of Graham, you will find in your mailbox this week our annual stewardship letter. Please read it and prayerfully consider standing with us in the coming year. If you no longer attend Graham, but find yourself blessed by this weekly email, I would invite you to consider a one-time-gift to help us finish the year strong. You can give online by clicking here. Thank you.

Next Sunday is Worldwide Communion Sunday and I will begin a series on living faithfully, gratefully, persistently and humbly. We will start with Luke 17:1-10.

I hope to see you on Sunday!

Grace and peace,

Pastor David

Wealth Management

Good Wednesday to you,

We are continuing to look at various facets of discipleship, and this past Sunday we looked at the challenges of discipleship through the eyes of one of the more challenging parables in the Bible – the shrewd manager, found in Luke’s Gospel. While many attempt to read into the parable, I suggested that the “shrewd manager” used the resources at his disposal to plan for his future. Jesus even stated that “the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.” (Luke 16:8b).  Rather than use our resources (our time, our abilities, our possessions and our money) to plan for our earthly retirement, we should be planning for our eternal retirement as well.

Jesus went on to say, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9).When we teach a child in Sunday School, when we walk alongside a youth in our community, when we serve in any number of ways the Kingdom of God, we are, in fact, using our wealth to make eternal friends!  As disciples, we recognize all we have, our time, abilities, possessions and money, are all gifts from God, and we are but stewards. Are we good stewards? “No one can serve two masters… you cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13). It is a question we each must answer, not to earn our way into God’s loving embrace, but to demonstrate our trustworthiness. Our time here is a precursor for eternity. May we enter eternity with the hope of hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Next week we will look at another challenging and unusual parable – the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).

Grace and peace,

Pastor David

Engaging the World

Good Wednesday to you,

Last Sunday we looked at the task of discipleship. While it is vital that we continue to grow in our faith through Bible study, spiritual disciplines, and participation in the life of a community, we are also tasked with “looking for the lost sheep.” When the “sheep” are lost in public places, practically challenging Christians to identify themselves as a person of faith (Drew Brees as an example) more and more disciples quietly pray for the return of Jesus, so we will not have to engage our culture. Yet, engage we must. I suggested three things the faith community could practice that would help us do just that.

First, to love our neighbor, regardless of what they believe, more than we love our theological positions. That doesn’t mean that our beliefs are unimportant. They are extremely important, but loving our neighbors more is a must. If fact, Jesus said it was right up there with loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Second, we need to temper our selective outrage. When we focus on one particular sin, while ignoring other, blatant sins (unmarried friends living together, gossip, envy, pride) we reveal our hypocrisy. Consistency is important if our witness is to have any impact when engaging the culture.

Third, let us offer a cup of grace to everyone we meet. When we realize the ocean of grace we have been given my God, it would be a “no-brainer” to offer a mere cup of grace to others, especially those with whom we disagree. Dallas Willard says we need to “burn through grace like a jet burns through fuel.” I really appreciate that.

Being a disciple is difficult enough in our current culture without us making it harder. Perhaps, if we strive to share God’s love up front, we can regain respect, leading to a conversation that allows the Holy Spirit to work in everyone’s life!

Next week we will continue talking about discipleship through what is arguably the most difficult parable Jesus told – “The Shrewd Manager,” from Luke 16. I hope to see you on Sunday!

Grace and peace,

Pastor David

Tariff-fying Times

Good Wednesday to you,

This past Sunday we started a series in discipleship and looked at some pretty hard sayings of Jesus – “if anyone comes to me and does not hate…does not carry his (or her) cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:25-27). I suggest that Jesus is talking about priorities here, and the fact that suffering is a distinct possibility for those of us who will prioritize Jesus in our lives. A commitment to follow Jesus has often led to estrangement from friends and families, especially if one is coming from a different faith community. There is no chance for a “detached association” with Jesus in that context. One is either all in or not in at all.

I challenged you to identify your top three priorities, then articulate how that priority reflects your commitment to Jesus. If you are willing to share with me some of your priorities and reflections, I’d welcome it.

It is so good to be back with you. I am grateful to all who faithfully ministered to you in my absence, especially Ralph, who took it upon himself to ensure this Wednesday email made it out to you each week.

Next week we will look at the “Task of Discipleship,” focusing on Luke 15:1-10 as the sermon text. I hope to see you in worship on Sunday!

On another subject, many in our community are participating in a “beautification project” for Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach this coming Saturday. We still need some wheel barrows, shovels and rakes, and a few able bodies to help make this a success. If you are willing to loan us any of these implements (or bodies), please let me know.

May the rest of your day (and week) be filled with blessings!

Grace and peace,

Pastor David