Called
Good Wednesday to you!
Loving a fine piece of furniture and being able to make fine furniture are two different things. It takes a master builder to create a masterpiece. Similarly, people love Jesus, but have no idea how to help someone else understand and love Jesus. In order to make disciples (think the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20), one must first be a disciple. This past Sunday we looked at the transformation of John the Baptizer's disciples becoming disciples of Jesus (John 1:29-34). The transformation came about as they accepted the invitation of Jesus to "come and see" where He was staying. Transformation comes from spending time with Jesus.
I talked about the difference between devotional reading of Scripture (reading a chapter or two in one setting, which helps us to love Jesus more) and studying Scripture (looking up words and names, and thinking deeply and meditating on what we are reading) which helps us grow in the knowledge of who Jesus is. What does it mean when we read that Jesus is "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," or "Rabbi," or "Messiah?" Do you remember the three ways Messiah is defined in the Old Testament? (Prophet, Priest, and King) Jesus is all three.
Taking the time to look and think deeply about Jesus is vital if we are going to have an answer to give to those who ask us for a reason for the hope that we have. We need to be able to do it with gentleness and respect. Our "deep dive" into John is designed to help us along that journey. When someone comes up and asks you about Jesus, you will have the tools to answer in ways that honor God.
Speaking of tools, here are a couple of websites you can use in your study time: Bible Gateway, Bible Study Tools, The Bible.
Of course, you are free to search the internet yourselves. There are abundant resources out there to assist you in your spiritual growth.
Next week the focus will shift from being a disciple to making disciples. The Scripture reading will be John 1:43-51.
I hope you are having a good day, and I hope to see you soon.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Atonement (pt. 2)
Good Wednesday to you!
This past Sunday we looked a little deeper into the various atonement theories. That God desires to be reconciled with the world God created is clear throughout the Bible. As I have repeatedly said, I have five fundamental truths I rest my faith upon: Jesus is fully God and fully man, the Bible is the first and final authority in all areas of life and faith, Jesus died on the cross for our sins (atonement), Jesus bodily rose from the grave three days later, and one day, Jesus will bodily return to fully establish His kingdom.
Questions about what happened on the cross and why it was necessary for Jesus to die upon the cross has given us many theories – moral influence, ransom, Christus Victor, satisfaction, penal substitute, government, and others. While there is no place in Scripture that gives us the precise answer to atonement questions, we are given many "pieces" to the puzzle that help us to form our understanding of atonement. I provided several verses and suggested you look each one up and read it in context.
Here they are…
Romans 3:25, 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13-14; Ephesians 2:15-16; Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 8:22; 1 Peter 2:24, 3:18; 1 John 2:1-2; and, the one that speaks loudest about why Jesus suffered and died, Isaiah 53:10 – it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer. Spend some time looking at each of these verses in context and see what you think.
The sacrificial system in the Old Testament is set up (in my opinion) to communicate that sin has consequences. The greater the sin, the greater the consequence, the greater the suffering. Sin separates us from God and the more we sin the more we will suffer. No one suffered more than Jesus. And He did it because it was the Father's will (Luke 22:42). It was the only way.
We may never fully understand that this side of eternity, but suffice it to say, God did it because God loves us that much. Knowing what Jesus has done for us, what can we do in grateful response? We can become His disciples. Next week we will look at what it means to be called into a discipleship relationship with God, looking at John 1:35-42.
Good news! We have resumed the "Coffee Connection" between services! Coffee and donut holes have finally returned. If you (and a friend or two) would be willing to host this fellowship opportunity, click here and we will "put you to work!" If you have any questions, feel free to email me!
I will be holding a new members/inquirer's class on March 26 from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. I have many names of people who are interested. Click here to make sure you are on the list.
As my retirement draws closer (January 1, 2023), I want to encourage you all to pray for me, for the process of selecting a new pastor, for the people of our community, and for the pastor God will bring to continue the ministry. Remember, pray for the pastor you want!
I hope the rest of your day is blessed.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Atonement (pt. 1)
Good Wednesday to you!
Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
Surely, that statement shook those who first heard it. What could it mean? Who was this man? Why would God need a "Lamb?" The image of the Passover Lamb combined with the sacrifices offered on the Day of Atonement would have collided in their minds. For us, we also remember Jesus in the garden, praying for "this cup" to pass, but not His will but the Father's will to be done. Could Jesus have been thinking about the substitute Abraham received when he was about to sacrifice his son, Isaac? There would be no substitute for Jesus because Jesus is our substitute.
What was accomplished on the cross? Why was it necessary? If you were to do an internet search on "atonement theories", you would come up with at least a half a dozen or more. What we know is that through the cross, we are reconciled, pardoned, forgiven, healed, and restored in our relationship with God.
Next Sunday we will "soak" in these verses (John 1:29-34) a bit longer and examine the reasons behind the cross. I would encourage you to spend some time reading and thinking about this first chapter of John. We will be here for a couple more weeks.
Blessings to you all,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
He > I
Good Wednesday to you!
Thanks to all who helped make Scottish Presbyterian Heritage Sunday a success! We had a great time with all the shortbread, sausage rolls, and rutabagas, and, of course, haggis! (Thanks, Reavies!) The bagpipes, the food, and all the kilts made this past Sunday very special.
We took a deep dive into the reformations, not just the Protestant Reformation. God's people have been involved in reformation (a call to return to our first love) since the Garden. The four questions that led to the Protestant Reformations (remember, there were several) were – How is a person saved, where does religious authority lie, what is the church, and what constitutes essential Christian living? These four questions led to the "Five Solas." Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Scripture Alone, Christ Alone, and To The Glory of God Alone sum up the Reformer's response to the four questions.
Ultimately, it is about returning to the authority of Scripture as the first and final authority in matters of life and faith. In Scripture we learn that it is faith in the work of Christ on the cross, giving us grace all for the glory of God.
Too easily, we allow ourselves, or the institution we now call "the Church," to come between Jesus and us. The challenge is to remember we are always reforming, always returning to Scripture, always returning to the work of Jesus as the basis of our salvation and our life together as the Church.
Next week we will begin tackling the doctrine of atonement. It will be at least a two-part sermon. This Sunday we will also celebrate communion together.
This Saturday, February 12, our Men's Ministry is having a Dads' Breakfast. Join other dads for an informational breakfast for growing and learning about some of the challenges before our culture. You will be given practical tools to help you and your family take back the joy of being together. If you would like to join us, please RSVP to Ken Ireland by Thursday, February 10th.
Thank you all for your ongoing faithfulness. I pray your day is blessed.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
The Lord Incarnate
Good Wednesday to you!
In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. (1)
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (14)
For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known. (17,18)
These four verses from John's prologue make it clear that Jesus Christ is God Incarnate. This represents an amazing shift in the universe, as the God of all creation breaks into history to personally reveal Himself to us. When the sin and disobedience entered the world, humanity began to decay. Left to our own devices, we would ultimately be destroyed. Through the Incarnation, God brings healing, redemption, and reconciliation into the world. Jesus not only brings all this, He shows us how we are to live with one another and with God.
A couple of books I recommended on Sunday were Gary Moon's "Apprenticeship with Jesus," and Athanasiuss "On the Incarnation," with an introduction by C.S. Lewis. I think you will enjoy both.
Next Sunday we are celebrating our Scottish Presbyterian Heritage! Break out your kilts and bake up some shortbread. (The recipe is in last Sunday's bulletin.) We will have sausage rolls and haggis as well as Bagpipes! As promised, our text will be John 1:19-28. Also, we will be rolling out our new livestream format. Those watching remotely will be able to choose either the 9:00am service or the 10:30am service. Thank you for your patience as we work this out.
While I have been talking about retiring for some time now, this past Sunday I made it official. My final Sunday will be January 1, 2023. That date will put me into my 30th year here at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church, and I think that is long enough for any congregation to put up with one pastor. Our plan is to travel around the country for a year, living out of Air B&B's for a month at a time. In the second year, we hope to spend six months in Italy and six months in Scotland. Year three? We'll see!
But, remember this: God loves this worshipping community more than any of us. God is Sovereign, and God has a plan. I would invite you to begin even now praying for the person God has already chosen to lead this congregation. God is faithful. Let us be faithful as well. But, HEY, I'm not gone yet. We have the rest of the year together!
You are a blessing. I look forward to seeing you next Sunday.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
The Witness
Good Wednesday to you!
It was so nice to be back in the sanctuary this past Sunday. Even though I was able to be "virtually present" the week before, it is just not the same thing. What a joy to worship in person. I know, with all the variants out there, not everyone is comfortable with in-person worship. That is why we are still live streaming the service. We are working on improving the process. Please remember, media production is not (yet) a seminary class! When you are comfortable returning, we will be here!
On Sunday, I talked about the witness of John, the baptizer. As the last of the Old Testament prophets, he was calling people back to the Lord, preparing them for the coming Messiah. His idea of what the Messiah would be was not perfect. But, he knew that he was a witness to the Light, not the Light himself. I used the analogy of a Polaroid camera (remember those?). Once the picture is taken, it took some time for the picture to develop. The same is true for us. Once we read the Gospels, we have a "picture" of Jesus, but as we continue reading the Gospels, the "picture" we have of Jesus becomes clearer and clearer. That is why we spend time in the Gospels.
Each of us has a story with regard to Jesus. What He is doing in our lives becomes our testimony, our witness. We want our witness to have credibility. That witness must be consistent with the portrait we see in Scripture. Inviting others to see for themselves is a wonderful way to share Jesus with others. I have a handful of small booklets containing the Gospel of John, if anyone wants one to give to a friend. First come, first serve.
We had 28 women show up for the Ladies' Bible Study on Monday morning! Well done! A big thanks to Kelli Boutros and Patti Ireland for coordinating the event. If you are interested in this monthly gathering, click here for more information, or contact Kelli Boutros.
This Friday night we are having our Annual Congregational Meeting. The meeting is at 6:00pm, followed by a catered dinner. If you have not RSVP’d yet, you have until midnight tonight. We must give the caterer an accurate number come Thursday morning.
This coming Sunday we will take our "deep dive" into the Incarnation. We will still be in John 1:1-18. Jesus, fully human and fully God at the same time is an overwhelming concept. I hope you will join us live or via livestream this coming Lord's Day. I promise that the following Sunday we will move to verse 1:19 and beyond!
I hope your day is blessed!
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
The Lord (pt. II)
Good Wednesday to you!
Well, that was quite a Sunday! I happy to report that both Jody and I tested negative for COVID-19 yesterday. I am now "free to roam about" and plan on being physically present this coming Sunday! I must give a shout out to Pastor John, our Sound Technician, Thomas Ritz, and our Youth Ministry students, Caroline Chesnut, Nathan Kostenko, and Natalie Mosier, who made it all possible. I can now tick that experience off the list!
I still think wrapping our minds around the concept of an Infinite, All Powerful, All Knowing, All Seeing, Eternal, and Unchanging God who loves us is overwhelming. This is who God has revealed Himself to be! God is the loving Father, who dwells in the immaterial world. We have access! The invitation is extended for us to crawl up on His "lap," call Him Father, and learn from Him. I pray we take full advantage of the opportunity given to us to "Know Christ and make Christ known!"
On Sunday we will take a step back and look at "a man who was sent from God. His name was John...” (John 1:6). What does it mean to be "sent from God?" Whom does God send? Why does God send? Is God sending you and me? We will look at this questions as we focus on John 1:6-18. (Eventually, we will get out of the first chapter of John's Gospel, but there is so much good stuff in there, and I do not want to leave too much behind!)
If you have not RSVP’d for the dinner after annual congregational meeting, please do so. The meeting is at 6:00pm, January 28th, with dinner to follow. We need to let the caterer know how many to expect. Thanks for taking care of this sooner than later.
Have a safe and healthy day. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible this coming Sunday!
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
The Lord
Good Wednesday to you,
What a Sunday! We said our "goodbyes" to Rebecca Smith. We heard a musical solo by Rev. Neil Watson, from Glasgow, Scotland. We celebrated Communion (in the middle of the sermon), and we began looking at a theology of God, as Sovereign Lord of all creation. MOREOVER, we finished up on time! That is an accomplishment.
As I promised, the book I mentioned on Sunday during the sermon is called The Great Doctrines of the Bible by William Evans. (It is currently free on Amazon for Kindle!)
Next week we will continue to explore the natural and moral attributes of God. I will leave the cosmological, teleological, and ontological arguments for the existence of God for the "classroom." I will expand the text from John 1:1-5 to include verses 6-18. Stay tuned!
By the end of the month, you will be able to tell me if you are enjoying this series. Until then, I ask for your prayers as I work this out Sunday by Sunday. One thing I know; God is faithful and I will strive to honor God throughout this series!
Remember, the annual congregational meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 28th at 6:00pm. Do not forget to RSVP if you are planning to attend the dinner afterward.
Thank you. May your Wednesday be filled with blessing.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
The Word
Good Wednesday to you,
Welcome to the New Year! This past Sunday we got off to a good "theological" start in looking at the authority of Scripture in our lives. To repeat, the Word of God (aka the Bible, Holy Scripture, and the Written Word) is the first and final authority in all areas of faith and life for the disciple of Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ we need to be committed to reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on this primary, external authority in our lives. As followers of Jesus, we must reject anything that seeks to invalidate, contradict, or reject what the Bible tells us about God and how we live with God and one another. We also reject any subjective reading of Scripture. It is God's Word and Self-revelation to us.
If you are looking for a "read through the Bible" program, check here. It’s not too late to start! If you need further advice or insight, feel free to email me and we can chat about it.
Next week, we will be looking at John 1:1-5 again, but looking at "The Lord as Creator." As I said on Sunday, I am looking to do a "deep dive" theologically and doctrinally through the lens of the Gospel According to John. It is so important to know what we believe, why we believe it, and why it matters. This is a challenging opportunity for all of us!
It is with sadness and gratitude that we bid farewell to our Director of Children’s Ministries, Rebecca Smith. If you missed the announcement on Sunday, Rebecca received and accepted a position as the Director of Children’s Ministries closer to her home in Chula Vista. Her final day with us will be next Wednesday. If you would like to send her a note, you can email her, or mail a card to her care of Graham Memorial, and we will ensure she receives it.
As Rebecca departs, we are pleased to announce that Megan Smith is stepping into the role of Interim Director of Children's Ministries. She is no stranger to Graham, and remains committed to pursuing God's call in her life to Cameroon. As she waits upon the Lord, she has agreed to help us "bridge the gap" between Rebecca and her successor. Please join me in welcoming Megan to our staff!
If you have not sent in a pledge to Graham Memorial for this year, you still have time. We will be setting our budget at this month's Session meeting on January 19. Your pledge helps us to set an accurate and responsible budget. Thank you!
Last, but not lease, our annual congregational meeting is coming up on January 28. The meeting will be at 6:00pm and we will enjoy a catered meal afterward. If you are planning to join us for the dinner, please, please, please RSVP your attendance. (No need to RSVP if you are only joining for the meeting.)
This New Year starts with some significant challenges. God is faithful. Please continue praying for the ministries of our faith community.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Sing
Good Wednesday to you,
I trust you all had a very happy Christmas this past week. We had a wonderful time with all our family here. It was especially joyful for us to light the Advent candles on Christmas Eve with the "men in kilts!" Heidi and Louis returned to Seattle yesterday, and Andrew returns to South Korea on Friday. Jody and I are a bit discombobulated as the Kirk House kitchen and laundry room are in the process of renovation. We will be living a bit of a "nomad" lifestyle for a couple of months. Your prayers are welcomed and encouraged!
This past Sunday we sang. We sang about our faith. We sang to the glory of God. I think it is safe to say that 2021 did not turn out as we had hoped. In spite of early evidence, I remain hopeful for 2022. This coming Sunday I will begin a series on doctrine and theology. Knowing what we believe and why we believe it is important. If someone asks you if you believe the Bible is the Word of God, and you say, "Yes," are you prepared for the follow-up question, "Why do you believe that?" I hope to provide you with some answers to questions like that and others.
For this series, I have chosen to use the Gospel According to John as a backdrop. This is new territory for me. There will be Sundays where we will examine the same text, but looking at different aspects of theological truth. I will attempt to move chronologically through this gospel. The passage for this Sunday will be John 1:1-5 and we will look at the authority of Scripture. Again, your prayers will be welcomed.
Each year, several people attempt to "read through the Bible in a year." There are many reading plans available. If you are interested, here is a link with some examples for you.
Well done to all who supported the Alternative Christmas Market this year. We are still calculating the final numbers, but it looks like this was our most successful market ever! I am so encouraged by your faithful generosity. This Sunday I will report.
If you have not returned your stewardship commitment card for 2022, you can make a pledge online, or return the card to the office. We are shaping up the New Year's budget as we speak. You still have a couple of days to make a year-end-gift to Graham as well. We are hopeful to finish in the black and have a bit of a jump for the next year!
As difficult as the year has been, we have made it through together. I am grateful.
Have a great day, and a Happy New Year!
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
Mary, Did You Know?
Good Wednesday to you,
I hope you enjoyed the choir's Christmas concert as much as I did. It is always a wonderful way to celebrate the season and hear the marvelous work of our choir director, Kimberlee Joseph, the guest musicians, and the Chancel Choir. I always look forward to this concert. It remains the best sermon I never preach!
Christmas is in just three days, which means our Christmas Eve services are this Friday. We are hoping for good weather as our children and family service is outdoors at 4:00pm. The traditional candlelight service will be indoors at 6:00pm, and it will be live-streamed.
Sunday we have our annual hymn sing. Come prepared to sing Christmas favorites as we gather for the final Sunday of the year.
It is not too late to give a year-end-gift to Graham, or to participate in the "Alternative Christmas Market." As always, thank you for your generous support. Without your faithful prayers and support, and God's grace, this last year might have looked very different.
We continue to pray for you all with much gratitude.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
The Gift of Joy
Good Wednesday to you,
Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world. (John Piper)
I love that definition of joy as much as I love the advent themes that remind us that our faith in Christ rests on the facts of who Jesus is historically as well as spiritually. Feelings follow facts. Our joy flows from our hope and our faith. It does not depend on our external circumstances, but exists in spite of our external circumstances. How is this working for you today?
By now, I am sure you are all aware of the new indoor mask mandate announced on Monday, effective as of today. I am aware that there are folks in our community who welcome this announcement, and I am aware that there are folks in our community who decry this announcement. Our challenge, regardless of where we find ourselves, is to make sure we respect those who disagree with our position. My calling to Christ, and His command to love (will the good of others) each other, has a higher priority than where I stand on masks and vaccines.
We are scrambling. Sunday we will follow the state mandate and require masks for indoor worship. Sunday is our annual choir concert. As of this writing, I cannot tell you what Sunday will look like. Certainly not what we thought. We will respect everyone’s convictions. We may or may not have a choir to present a concert, in which case the service will look similar to previous Sundays. What will not change is our commitment to lift high the name of Jesus. Your prayers are appreciated.
This news affects our calendar through the end of the year and beyond. Will the “four week mandate” be over on January 15? I cannot answer that. What I can tell you is that we will do what we need to do to keep Sunday worship going. Pray for us.
Thank you to all who participated in the Military Outreach Christmas store. It was a huge success! Thank you for participating in our Alternative Christmas Market. That market will remain open through the end of the month! Thank you for your year-end-support of Graham Memorial. We are grateful for your amazing generosity and faithfulness.
You are a blessing, and I am blessed.
Merry Christmas,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
The Gift of Peace
Good Wednesday to you,
This past Sunday we opened the "Alternative Christmas Market" for you to do some of your Christmas shopping. I suggested, in keeping with Sunday's Advent theme, this market gives us the opportunity to give the "Gift of Peace" to others. This is the peace Jesus offers us, peace with God, the knowledge we are forgiven and reconciled with God. Peace with God is key for peace within our hearts. This is unlike the peace the world gives. The world's peace is conditional and fragile; God's peace is stable and eternal. I hope you join me in giving the gift of peace to others through our alternative Christmas market this year.
With Christmas just around the corner, here are the times for our Christmas Eve services. Outside services for children and families are at 4:00pm. Come and celebrate the birth of our Savior, and bring bells to "ring in the birth!" The traditional "Candlelight Service" is at 6:00pm in the sanctuary.
This Sunday, following the 10:30 service, we are holding a seminar with Ian Noyes, from the National Christian Foundation. From 12:00 to 1:30pm, Ian will discuss year-end giving strategies and other topics for managing one's charitable giving. He will cover RMD's and DAF's. If you are unfamiliar with either one, then this seminar is for you. We will even feed you lunch! Please RSVP so we will know how many sandwiches to order.
Get ready for the annual Choir Christmas Concert, coming up on December 19th. The Choir will celebrate the birth of Christ in song at both services. The next day, Cookies, Cocoa, Caroling 'n Critters will make a return to the front lawn. Please plan on bringing a couple of dozen cookies to share. We will supply the cocoa, caroling, and critters!
In closing, I am mindful that yesterday was December 7th. Eighty years ago, our nation was attacked at Pearl Harbor. Many of us remember people who were there that day. Take a moment and give thanks to God for the people who continue to serve our country, and especially for all who pay the ultimate price for our freedoms. Thank you.
Next Sunday, we will look at "The Gift of Joy." I will be preaching from John 15:9-17. I can’t wait to worship with you on Sunday and celebrate the Lord’s Supper together!
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
True Blessedness
Good Wednesday to you,
I trust you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving last Thursday. Our daughter Heidi and our son-in-law, Louis hosted us. It was their first Thanksgiving in their own apartment, and it was wonderful. I am also thankful for our guest preacher, Brianna Smith. I was able to watch the livestream, and I think she did a terrific job. Thinking about God’s faithfulness through the birth narratives in Scripture is a wonderful reminder to us of both God's promise keeping, and our challenge to be patient as we await the fulfilment of the promise of Christ's return.
Advent is a wonderful season. As we gear up for Christmas and all the related festivities, it is good for us to remember that we are patiently waiting for Jesus to come back and fully establish His eternal kingdom.
This next Sunday we are going to look at the gift of peace Jesus offers us in light of our hope. We are also going to be talking about the "Alternative Christmas Market," which the Mission Committee will host virtually, starting on Sunday.
I pray for you all as you prepare your hearts and homes to celebrate the birth of our Savior. May God's peace and hope encourage us toward a very Merry Christmas.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Onesimus
Good Wednesday to you,
Which is easier – to forgive someone or to ask for forgiveness? Both can be challenging, but I’d say the easier one is to forgive someone. Philemon was asked by Paul to forgive Onesimus. Onesimus needed to ask Philemon to forgive him. Paul "brokered" the restoration through his understanding of the Gospel.
While we looked at Philemon last Sunday, this Sunday we looked at it from Onesimus' point of view. Why did he do it? Why did Onesimus go back? I think it was because of his relationship with Christ. It was the right thing to do, even though it was hard, and it might result in his death. He trusted in the Lord. He also trusted in his relationship with Paul. Paul was after restorative justice, not punitive justice. When the time was right, and Onesimus was ready to go back, Paul wrote a "character reference" for him and urged Philemon to receive Onesimus back, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ.
Sometimes you may find yourself in Philemon's "sandals," offering forgiveness, sometimes as Onesimus, asking for forgiveness, and sometimes as Paul, brokering forgiveness that leads to reconciliation and restoration. This amazing narrative reminds us that when it comes to seeking forgiveness, be it from God or anyone else, it starts with being honest with ourselves. If we cannot be honest with ourselves, we cannot be honest with God.
In his book, Apprenticeship with Jesus, Gary Moon reminds us not to be "vampire Christians," who get just a little bit of blood to cover our sins, but not a total transfusion that leads to genuine transformation. In the "second day" chapter, Gary re-works the 12-Step program from AA and presents it as "12 Confessions" for someone who desires to be transformed into the image of Jesus. If you are looking for a good read (we read this book together back in 2012) I'd recommend it highly.
Next week is the beginning of Advent. I hope you will begin preparing your heart to celebrate the birth of our Savior while remembering that the promise is for two Advents, not just one. Advent is a time to remember the coming of the Lord, once as a Suffering Servant, and the second coming as the Conquering King!
I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow. May we be a blessing to all we encounter for the Glory of God.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Philemon
Good Wednesday to you,
Coming into a movie mid-stream is never optimal. We like to start at the beginning so we know what is going on. The same is true for books. No one reads only the third or fourth chapter of a novel. So when we come to a letter like Philemon, we are a bit frustrated because it gives us neither the beginning of the story nor the ending. We can only speculate.
What we do know is that it is a letter from Paul to Philemon regarding the status of a runaway slave named Onesimus, who had become a follower of Christ under Paul’s care. At a minimum, Paul is asking Philemon to receive Onesimus back with a forgiving spirit. This act of forgiveness would have been controversial in the day. It would have cost Philemon socially and economically and potentially led to many more slaves running away. With pride and ego on the line, it is sometimes difficult to do the right thing. Paul is looking for evidence of transformation in Philemon.
When pride and ego arise in our lives, how do we respond? When we asked to forgive, do we readily forgive? What processes do we go through to determine whether to extend forgiveness? I can tell you what Jesus went through to forgive us… the cross!
Next Sunday we will continue looking at this fascinating short letter, but from the perspective of Onesimus. What does it look like for us to ask for forgiveness from someone? What if they refuse? What consequences might we experience? I hope you will join me this coming Sunday as we take another look at this short epistle.
I want to thank all those who participated in the Thanksgiving Box drive for our junior enlisted. All boxes were sponsored! If you missed out, the annual Christmas Store for MOM (Military Outreach Ministries) is just around the corner. Stay tuned.
If you are interested in signing up for an Advent reading and lighting the Advent candles, you can respond to me or contact Kimberlee directly.
It is a blessing for me to journey with you. I hope your day is blessed!
Grace and peace to you all,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Just Mercy
Good Wednesday to you,
Life is filled with ups and downs along with some twists and turns. Hopefully, there are not loops, flips, and/or corkscrews like a roller coaster. Our lives are filled with ups and down and Jonah's life was no exception. Jonah's story is a familiar one to many of us because we learned about him as young children in Sunday school. After spending four weeks studying God's Word focusing on the book Jonah, I pray we see parallels in our lives with Jonah's life.
On Sunday, we jumped into chapter four and listened to the conversation Jonah had with God. At first glance it is easy to separate ourselves from Jonah. Is he really displeased and angry that God was compassionate and merciful to the Ninevites? They called upon God and turned from their evil ways. What more could Jonah have wanted? From our vantage point, we assume Jonah should be overjoyed and excited—we would be. Wouldn't we?
Several reasons are offered as to why Jonah was displeased and angry. Whatever the reason for Jonah's displeasure and anger, we can certainly relate to his anger. Anger is an interesting thing. We get angry when expectations are not met, or perhaps goals are blocked. What makes anger so interesting is our actions. People say and do awful things when they are angry. The beautiful picture in chapter four is Jonah's absolute honesty with God. Jonah shares his heart and God meets him. At the very least we have permission to share our anger with God, no matter what it is. God can handle it.
As I mentioned, there are several reasons offered as to why Jonah was angry. One of the reasons is because he wanted God's justice to rain down on Nineveh for all the evil they committed. If that is the reason why Jonah was angry, then Lord help us all! When someone wrongs us, we want justice, but when we fail and harm someone, we desperately want and need mercy. No one is justified by their own actions. We are all guilty of sin. Only through Christ are we made righteous.
Jonah knew God's mercy first hand as he was rescued from death when God provided the big fish. Jonah knows God is "gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…" (Jonah 4:2). Just as God is concerned with Jonah, God is also concerned about Nineveh! That is exactly why God had mercy—because God's desire is for everyone know him.
The book of Jonah ends with a question, "Should I not be concerned about that great city?" For those who know God's grace and compassion, the answer is absolutely yes! What we do with that knowledge is where the rubber meets the road. How will you share God's heart for the great city, or your neighbor, or co-worker, or family every day? Let's do it together, extending grace and mercy to everyone God brings in our path.
Again, I am thankful for all your encouraging words on Sunday. Worshiping together is a tremendous blessing. Next Sunday, we will pick up a "character study" in the book of Philemon (all 25 verses). Also, please remember that we will also be switching the Livestream to 10:30am this coming Sunday. I look forward to worshiping with you, whether in person or online!
Blessings,
Pastor John
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Get the Picture
Good Wednesday to you,
It may come as a surprise, but God is not primarily concerned with our happiness. God is concerned with our faithful obedience. If you question this, just re-read Jonah. What we do need to remember is God gives second chances. Jonah was reconciled with God, which led to his reluctant obedience. He went to Nineveh, and proclaimed the message God gave him – "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned" (Jonah 3:4). The people, very self-aware, repented, gave up their evil and violent ways, hoping that God would relent. God did. God gave Jonah a second chance; the people of Nineveh were given a second chance. God, always sovereign, has a heart that is toward those whose heart is toward God. God changed his mind, but not his character.
What we see happening in Nineveh is the work of the Holy Spirit, convicting people of what they already know to be true. Most people are self-aware, but the battle is between God's sovereignty and self-sovereignty. Like Jonah, we are called to live out our faith with gentleness and respect in front of the world. Giving people an opportunity to ask the reason for the hope we have. Speaking truth in love does not need to be confrontational. It needs to be done in gentleness and respect, trusting that the Holy Spirit will be at work in whomever we are talking to.
Next week, Pastor John will finish the book of Jonah. I would encourage you to take ten minutes and read it. (Really, that is all the time it will take you). The challenge for us is to allow the Holy Spirit to work, not pre-selecting who we think is interested in the Good News of Jesus Christ. Forgiveness is at hand, God is ready to hear regardless of where we find ourselves, and forgiveness and reconciliation are available to all who call upon the Name of the Lord.
It's time to mark your calendars for two important upcoming events: Daylight Savings is this week! On Sunday, November 7, at 2:00 a.m., we will gain one hour as we "fall back." While most clocks do this automatically nowadays, please be aware of this upcoming change in regards to worship this coming week.
Then, for those who worship with us via Livestream, on Sunday, November 14, we will officially begin Livestreaming the 10:30 a.m. service. We hope you will join us either in person or online at 10:30 a.m. This also means that the middle school and high school Sunday School hour will move back to 9:00 a.m.
As you read this, Jody and I are in Minnesota celebrating the live of her father. Your prayers are much appreciated.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Down in the Mouth
Good Wednesday to you,
Whether we are talking about Michael Packard or Jonah, son of Amittai, both had a "down in the mouth" experience. When he found himself in the mouth of a whale, Michael Packard assumed he would die there. Jonah, we are told, immediately cried out to God. Jonah wasn't running away from God, he was running away from God's will, from obedience. But, when he found himself "swallowed" by the consequences of his choices, he called and God answered. He called and God listened. When you look at Jonah's prayer, it is clear he understood that God was sovereign in all things and over all things, and he trusted in God's mercy and compassion giving him hope. It is also clear that Jonah knew his Scripture, as his prayers contain several quotes from Psalms.
What happens when we are "swallowed" by the consequences of our choices? Do we call out to God? Are we convinced of God's mercy and compassion? Do we find ourselves running from God's will, from faithful obedience?
On Sunday, I suggested that we, the Church, are being "swallowed" by our culture. As "woke" culture progresses, our desire to be liked creates a sort of self-censorship that is counter to God's will, exposing our disobedience. I referred to an article by Beri Weiss -- I would highly encourage you to read it.
Now is the time to find our voice, and that voice begins with prayer. We must stop clinging to worthless idols that cause us to forfeit the grace that could be ours. Let it begin with a song of thanksgiving and a sacrifice of praise to the Lord, our God, for salvation comes from the Lord.
Next week we will look at the third chapter of Jonah. I would encourage you to take time between now and Sunday to sit and read all of Jonah in one sitting. It shouldn't take you more than ten minutes. (It's a very short book!) You will get more out of the sermon if you are more familiar with the text. Also, if you are so inclined, join us for the Friday morning Pre-Sermon Bible Study at 11:00am. The "Bagel Boys" also discuss the text on Saturday morning at our 7:00am Men's Bible Study. Both studies are online.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers for Jody’s family. We will be traveling next Monday to Buffalo, Minnesota for his memorial service on Tuesday.
Grace and peace to you all,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Hide & Seek
Good Wednesday to you,
One of the challenges we face reading passages of Scripture, sometimes we go into auto pilot—much like childhood games we have played over and over again. We know the rules and how to win the game! While Jonah is a very familiar "Historical Narrative" which many of us learned as young children, it is very easy to shift into auto pilot.
As I shared on Sunday, the book of Jonah is filled with irony from the opening verses to the closing chapter of the book. Even the book itself is a bit of an irony. The book itself contains only two prophetic statements, but is considered among the minor prophets of the Old Testament. Then, God says "Go to Nineveh" and Jonah runs the opposite direction. Going to Nineveh meant going northeast; Jonah went southwest to Tarshish.
The reasons why Jonah ran the opposite direction are complex and multifaceted—because that’s how people are. Some argue Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh because it was a death sentence. The Assyrians were merciless in expansion and experts in killing. One of their tactics in warfare was to kill everyone in the city but leave one or two survivors. Those survivors were sent ahead to the next city on their hit list as witnesses to the death and destruction. Simply merciless.
Many of the reasons why people think Jonah ran have merit. Ultimately, Jonah's running is a reflection of our brokenness. We want what we want when we want it. A sort of "My Will" over God’s Will in our lives. We end up running and hiding from God, like Jonah, as if there is anywhere we can go to hide from God. Reminds me of Adam and Eve hiding from God in the Garden—kind of ironic to hide from the God who knows everything.
In studying Jonah with you, it was refreshing to see how God was working in Jonah's life, the sailors' lives and even in Nineveh (although we won't see Nineveh's turn until later). It can be difficult to see how God is working in the lives of other people—but Jonah is a clear example of God working. It is easy for us to see how God worked in Jonah's life. As he spiraled "down" to the point of being thrown overboard to his death, God rescues him. The same is true for the sailors, they feared for their lives, called upon the Lord, and He rescued them from death. Now we do not know the end of their stories (like we do for Jonah) but we do know the sailors "feared the Lord, and they offered sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him" (1:15).
Jonah is a masterfully written work—it demonstrates the full Gospel. Some have said the title of the book should be "The Gospel According to Jonah." God is at work in the world, in our lives, and in the lives of people around us. Jonah is a story of redemption—in our brokenness and sin, God hears our cries for help and rescues us. What a beautiful story, and it is our story. Now go and share it! Share it with your families, friends, neighbors, classmates, and co-workers. It is the greatest story ever told!
Again, I am thankful for all of you and your worship on Sunday morning—know you are all an encouragement to me. Next week, we'll look at Jonah chapter 2.
Blessings,
Pastor John
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!