One of the great wonders of the universe is that God actually wants us to communicate with Him. Some might suppose God’s not interested, or does not communicate, but that’s not what He tells us through the Bible. Psalm 94:9 asks rhetorically, “Does he who implanted the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?” Think about it – if we have faculties of communicating (speaking / listening), is it not reasonable to suppose whatever Intelligent Designer made us has at least as much ability?

A little boy was saying his bedtime prayers with his mother: “Lord, bless Mommy and Daddy, and God, [here he spoke quite loudly] GIVE ME A NEW BICYCLE!” His mother said, “God’s not deaf, son.” He replied: “I know, Mom, but Grandma’s in the next room, and she’s hard of hearing!”

Who better to coach us on how to pray than the Lord Himself? In Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 6, part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives His followers some valuable insight into how to pray. So today we’re going to look at – the kind of God worth praying to; the kind of prayer worth praying; and prayer’s earthly prerequisite, the conditions that set up prayer for effectiveness.

THE KIND OF GOD WORTH PRAYING TO

Let’s begin by looking at the picture of God underlying what Jesus teaches here about prayer. If you suppose the person on the other end of a conversation is either deaf or not interested in what you have to say, soon you’re going to lose all motivation for talking. Does our lack of praying spring from a sneaking suspicion that God doesn’t really care about what we’d ask? That He’s off supervising bigger and better matters in the universe?

Materialism is a prevalent worldview that holds that matter - physical ‘stuff’ - is all that is; there’s no such thing as a spiritual dimension to the universe. God is irrelevant, or even ‘dead’ – everything’s just a product of time plus chance plus matter. God is relegated to the fictional realm of the tooth fairy and Easter bunny.

Deism was “an intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries that accepted the existence of a creator on the basis of reason but rejected belief in a supernatural deity who interacts with humankind.” It accepted the idea of a creator but not a god who intervenes in the universe; it’s as if God wound up the universe like a cosmic grandfather clock, then walked away to let it wind down on its own. God becomes very remote, dispassionate, uninterested in human affairs in this view.

Besides the DISTANT God of Deism, there’s the DUMB God of Eastern spirituality. Much of the thrust of Buddhism is towards identification with nothingness. I was overhearing a popular New Age author talking about meditation, using a certain sound in the morning and a different sound in the evening, with the object of emptying one’s mind of thought so as to merge consciousness with what’s beyond ourselves. But that supposes God is dumb, unspeaking, does not want to communicate His thoughts to us or hear our concerns.

But what does Jesus tell us? He very specifically says at least 3 things in this passage that undercuts these heretical views, the distant god of Deism and the dumb god of Eastern spirituality. Mt 6:6b “Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Two things: God sees what’s done in secret; AND God rewards the pray-er.

God sees what’s done in secret. Proverbs 15:29 notes, “The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” Prov 15:8 “The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.” The Lord DELIGHTS to hear you talk to Him, it pleases Him! And God’s not far off, remote, removed from the sphere of human activity. Psalm 139:2,4 “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar...Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.” Does that sound like someone who is oblivious to the details of your life?

Jesus insists our Heavenly Father “will reward you”. He wants to bless those who rely on Him through faith. Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Prayer is worthwhile, because the Being to Whom we are praying is worthy of being approached, He responds to those who cry out to Him in sincerity. So we see even Jesus, Himself the Son of God, making time to pray, keeping it a priority. Mark records how Jesus got up very early in the morning while it was still dark, went off to a solitary place and prayed there (Mk 1:35). We see Him praying intensely in the Garden of Gethsemane, just before His arrest (Mk 14:32ff).

A four-year-old boy once saw a picture of Christ praying and asked what Jesus was doing in that picture. When he was told that Jesus was praying, the youngster responded by asking who Jesus was praying to. After being told that Jesus was praying to God, the young boy protested, “But Jesus IS God!”

A similar thought was capture by St.Cyprian who said, “If He prayed who was without sin, how much more it becomes a sinner to pray.”

Martin Luther once said, “I have so much to do that I must spend the first three hours of each day in prayer.”

Jesus paints for us the picture of a loving Heavenly Father who sees what’s done in secret and rewards those who pray. Also in Mt 6:8, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Do you realize God knows your needs? Personally? In advance, before you ask Him? Communicating with God is never telling Him something He doesn’t already know. But He wants you to ask, just the same: the act of asking demonstrates your reliance upon Him.

Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry...” How keen is God to respond to our spoken needs? Isaiah 65:24 “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” God will answer even before the call is voiced.

Friday I had the privilege of taking two of my youngest granddaughters, who are visiting from Germany, ages 3 and 4, out to lunch. Arriving at the restaurant I asked them if they needed the bathroom; they said no. After we’d ordered, before the food was delivered, the older girl said she needed the bathroom. Did I begrudge her telling me? Did I delay to take action? No, I love them so I took them right away to get their physical needs met (and avoiding having to make use of the change of clothes their parents had thoughtfully sent along with me just in case). I was glad she could ask.

Jesus said in John 16(26f), “In that day you will ask in my name.I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” Our Heavenly Father loves those who have trusted in His Son and is waiting to respond when we ask in Jesus’ name, for His purposes, on the basis of His authority.

What does your prayer-practice reveal about the kind of God you believe in? Does it suggest God is dead, distant, or dumb – or that He delights in responding to His children?

THE KIND OF PRAYER WORTH PRAYING

Next, what’s the kind of prayer worth praying?

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus criticizes the hypocrites who pray from wrong motives. “Hypocrite” means “actor”, a pretender, someone who isn’t really deep-down what they are projecting. So in 6:5 Jesus warns against praying to be seen by other people, like those who “love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners”. Then in v7 He warns against being like those who “keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words”.

Back in 1Kings 18 we see a contest of sorts between Yahweh’s prophet Elijah and the state-approved prophets of Baal, on Mount Carmel. Each would take a turn calling on the name of their god, and see which answered by fire. We read of the pagan prophets’ hullabaloo in 1Kings 18:26-29: “So they took the bull given them and prepared it.Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon."O Baal, answer us!" they shouted.But there was no response; no one answered.And they danced around the altar they had made.At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said."Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling.Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed.Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice.But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.”

God isn’t impressed by long drawn-out prayers or much theatrics. By contrast, Jesus says, Mt 6:6 “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” We needn’t be long winded when addressing a God who knows what we need before we even ask.

Jesus goes on to give us a model prayer, what’s traditionally become known as “The Lord’s Prayer”, a few short succinct phrases. Let’s sum them up with a few hand gestures as aids. HONOUR - index fingers pointing up. HONEST - palms open, extended, nothing to hide. HOLDING HOSTAGE - as if gripping someone’s throat. HELP FROM THE HELLISH - as if holding onto / climbing a rope.

Okay, here we go, walking through the Lord’s Prayer with our hand gestures. HONOUR (index fingers pointing up) - Mt 6:9f “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We’re honouring GOD as Number One in our life: it’s about HIS honour (name being hallowed – holy, sacred, reverenced); His kingdom, His reign or dominion, He is Lord, He’s in control not us; HIS will being done, not ours. Here’s a clue right away, then, that prayer is about far more than presenting our grocery list of requests; it’s more than just a wish list to Santa Claus! It’s about tuning in to what God’s will might be in our situation, NOT what we want.

Are you honouring God in your life? When you begin to pray? Michael Green notes, “Many view God only as a kind of heavenly genie, ready when you rub the lamp of prayer to appear and say, ‘Yes, master; what do you want me to do?’ But God is not like that.God is sovereign.God moves according to his own purposes, and he does not play games with us. He is not to be mollified and placated by a temporary return to him when we get into difficulty.”

It’s about God’s will, not ours. We’re praying similarly to what our Lord Jesus prayed in His hour of crisis in the Garden of Gethsemane: Lk 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Are we praying for God’s will rather than our own? Are we living for HIS will, or our own human desires? 1Peter 4:2 “As a result, he [the disciples who has suffered in the body and is ‘done with sin’] does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.”

Second, HONEST (palms open, extended): 6:11 “Give us today our daily bread.” What’s your real, basic, immediate need? It’s for DAILY bread, not a lifetime supply! It’s for daily BREAD, not a Porsche – your necessities, not luxuries. Do you share the attitude of the Apostle Paul in 1Tim 6:8? “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

Third, HOLDING HOSTAGE (hands as if gripping throat) – Mt 6:12 “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” You want to be released from your sins, what you owe God; have you forgiven others, or are you still holding their shortcomings and wrongs against them? Have you truly forgiven others? Are you mad at God, even? Bitterness will choke the spiritual life out of you and separate you from God. What do you need to ‘let go’ of rather than try to keep throttling someone about? The word ‘forgive’ here means “to send away, to dismiss, to wipe off”. Leave it, let it go. You’re only inadvertently choking yourself if you keep hanging onto that grudge.

We need to be honest about our mess-ups and confess our failures rather than hide them. God knows the whole story. A young boy saw a pack of cigarettes on the ground and decided to try them. He went to a field near his home and, after several fumbling attempts, got one to light up. It didn’t taste good; indeed, it burned his throat and made him cough. But it made him feel very grown up. Then he saw his father coming. Quickly he put the cigarette behind his back and tried to be casual. Desperate to divert his father’s attention, the young boy pointed to a nearby billboard advertising the circus. “Can we go, Dad? Please, let’s go when it comes to town.” The father quietly but firmly replied, “Son, never make a petition while at the same time trying to hide a smoldering disobedience.”

Fourth, HELP FROM THE HELLISH (hands as if clinging to a rope / lifeline). 6:13 “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” In Lk 22:40 upon arriving at the Mount of Olives, Jesus urges His disciples, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” We’re asking for God’s protection, to keep us from hard testing. And to ‘deliver us from the evil one’ – there are spiritual agents out there stronger than us: we need the Lord’s help! He can provide ‘a way out’ when we’re tempted. 1Cor 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

PRAYER’S EARTHLY PREREQUISITE

Jesus ends this section on prayer by underlining the conditions by which forgiveness is possible. He would later go to the cross to die in horrible pain and offer His life in our place as an atoning sacrifice so our own sins could be forgiven. Some precious promises – Ac 13:38 “...through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.” Eph 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” But Jesus’ teaching links OUR forgiveness by God with the need for us to forgive OTHERS.

Mt 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” This comes IMMEDIATELY after the Lord’s Prayer. Many of us have memorized the Lord’s Prayer – but do we remember unforgiveness of others will block us from heaven?

Peter once asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother when he sins: as many as 7 times? Jesus countered, 77 times! (Mt 18:22) And then went on to give the classic parable about the unforgiving servant, who’d been forgiven millions of dollars himself and been spared a life in prison, but in turn threw his fellow servant into prison over a few measly bucks.

Where can we find the grace and mercy necessary to keep on forgiving others when they hurt us and wrong us? To ‘accept each other’ as Pastor Phil preached last week from Romans 15? By savouring all our Saviour has done for us. Eph 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Col 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

In closing – one short command and promise from Jesus: Jn 16:24 “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

Ask – bringing even the little things before the Lord, seeking His will. As has been said, “Prayer moves the hand that moves the world.” Let’s pray.

“Giving and Getting - for Lasting Reward” - Jan. 12, 2020 Mt.6:1-4,19-24

FRACTIOUS FELLOWSHIPPER

We live in a very ‘lossy’ world. Life is fragile, fortunes change suddenly. My son had his 38^th birthday this past Monday and celebrated by taking his car into the mechanic’s for an expected $700 repair on his brakes – which morphed into about $1100 once they got looking at the state of the calipers, etc! Bushfires and plane crashes are extreme events but remind us how quickly all we have can be suddenly taken away. So our reflex can be to become guarded, holding tightly onto what seems like the little we have. Yet Jesus challenges us to see what lasts is not material ‘stuff’, but the character of our soul. How we treat what this world calls ‘treasure’ reflects the condition of our heart toward God, and eternal values.

An apologetic church member once explained to their pastor, “I just don’t see how I can give as much as a tenth, pastor; would it be all right if I just gave a fourth?” (!)

Whether or not math is your strong suit – you can be helped by what Jesus has to teach us about giving and getting. First of all, He teaches us about GIVING that’s ASSUMED, MOTIVATED, and REWARDED.

GIVING: ASSUMED, MOTIVATED, REWARDED

Continuing on in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6, we find that giving is ASSUMED. In this section Jesus begins to address various practices associated by religious leaders with being ‘acts of righteousness’ - giving, prayer, and fasting. This first section (vv1-4) talks about our approach in GIVING.

Let’s admit candidly up front that some of us have a bias concerning the needy, those who are poor. Do we assume they’re lazy, they don’t make an effort? Some of them have a medical disadvantage. Some of them are between jobs, thrown out of work because a plant closed down or that industry suffered a shake-up. Changes in government policy can have drastic effects even on workers who were good at what they do.

The New Bible Commentary [Revised] notes, “The Pharisees thought of wealth as a reward for keeping the law.” Is that something we too assume? That if a person has money, they must have worked hard to earn it? Sometimes, but not always. Or that if a person is in need, they must have somehow made poor choices that landed them there? Sometimes, but not always. So we ought not to ‘pre-judge’ – form an opinion beforehand without knowing all the facts; that is how ‘prejudice’ develops.

Note carefully how Jesus begins vv2,3 in chapter 6: “So WHEN you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets...But WHEN you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing...” Does He say, IF you give to the needy? No – “WHEN you give to the needy...” Jesus ASSUMES we will respond to people with genuine need around us. 1Jn 3:17 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” How indeed?! Or take Proverbs 19:17 “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.” God is paying attention to how we treat those worse off than ourselves.

Never assume a person deserves to be in need just because they are. Sometimes the details would surprise you. Assumptions can be dangerous things.

A wealthy Texan was in the habit of giving his dad unique gifts on Father’s Day. One year it was lessons on hang-gliding. The year before it was the entire record collection of Slim Whitman’s hits. But this past year he felt he had outdone himself. He purchased a rare kind of talking bird that could speak five languages and sing ‘The Yellow Rose of Texas” while standing on one foot. The talented bird cost $10,000, but the son felt it was worth every penny. This would be a Father’s Day gift his dad would never forget.

A week after Father’s Day he called his father. “Dad, how did you like the bird?” he asked. His father responded, “It was delicious!”

Giving is ASSUMED. In Jesus’ eyes it also needs to be properly MOTIVATED. What’s behind our giving? Is it genuinely prompted by others’ need, or are our own selfish interests involved?

What does v2 reveal as the motivation of the hypocrites, the play-actors, those who are just pretending to be religious? “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” What’s their motivation? TO BE HONOURED BY OTHER PEOPLE – to get noticed. When they’re giving the cheque, be sure to pause long enough and have a photographer from the paper standing by so full credit can be given to the generous donor. Are you giving in order to get something back? As Jesus notes, “They have RECEIVED their reward in full.” They payoff is on this earthly plane.

Speaking of planes – some time ago, vandals cut down six royal palm trees along Miami’s Flagler Street. The palms were about 15 feet tall and provided a nice background for a “Fly Delta” billboard. Since palms are very expensive, Dade County authorities weren’t sure if they could replace them anytime soon. But then someone donated six more and even looked after having them planted. A slight difference, the new palms were 35 feet tall (over double the originals) and completely hid the “Fly Delta” sign. Guess who the generous donor was? Eastern Airlines! Not altogether altruistic motives, I’d say.

Next, giving is REWARDED. See v3 where the better motivation becomes clearer: 6:3f “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Are we giving to be seen by men, by other people? NO: to be seen instead by our loving Heavenly Father, who doesn’t need it to be announced in order to notice. Giving done privately allows the heart not to be clamouring for praise or attention. Instead we are content with our Father’s reward.

God declares in Jeremiah 17:10, “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”

Thomas Watson once said, “There is a blessed kind of giving, which, though it makes the purse lighter, makes the crown heavier.”

Yet perhaps the heavenly reward that’s to be ours is still missing Jesus’ point. Are we still only going to give because of the prospect of getting something in return? (Even if it IS a ‘heavenly’ reward) Eduard Schweizer cautions, “A man can be just as selfishly and greedily devoted to riches stored up in heaven as to earthly riches.” Perhaps our heart still hasn’t been totally freed from the disease of ‘what’s in it for me?!’

Consider Jesus’ words, “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” It’s so proverbial and familiar now we probably miss its shock value, its absurdity, how comic it is! Of COURSE your right hand’s going to know what your left hand is doing! But Jesus is making the point our consciousness is not to be all wrapped up in how WE can benefit from such-and-such a gift – give freely, spontaneously, not in a calculating and overly concentrating way, studying to watch whether the gift is suitably appreciated or even well utilized.

I have a Scottish background, with a leaning toward stinginess, more politely put ‘thriftiness’, I’d like to think I’m ‘parsimonious’ – but I’m haunted by the warning of Proverbs 23:6f: “Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost."Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you.” Always thinking about the cost. Always got that mental calculator going, a running tally, what the net profit or loss will be. But God’s not a stingy giver. Php 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Because we’re blessed children of a gracious Heavenly Father, we can afford to give to those in need. As Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, 2cor 9:8,11 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work...You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion...”

Want proof that God is gracious, a generous giver? Look at the cross. Jesus Son of God BLEEDS for us. Ralph Waldo Emerson in his essay Gifts wrote: “But our tokens of compliment and love are for the most part barbarous. Rings and other jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself. Thou must bleed for me. Therefore the poet brings his poem; the shepherd his lamb; the farmer his corn; the miner a gem; the sailor, coral and shells; the painter his picture; the girl, a handkerchief of her own sewing.”

Hm – Thou must BLEED for me. Christ gives us that kind of gift – one that costs Him Himself.

GETTING – ACCUMULATE, RADIATE, HATE

Later in chapter 6 of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus turns to the subject of getting, where our keywords are accumulate, radiate, and hate.

ACCUMULATE – ‘storing up’ in vv19,20. There’s actually a pun here, a play on words – “Do not treasure for yourselves treasures.” HUH?! ‘Don’t treasure treasures’ – ie don’t hold as precious everything the world considers precious. Christians ought to have a different value system. What’s catching our attention, drawing us to collect more, mesmerizing us to the point we’ve just GOT to have some?

ACCUMULATE – Jesus directs us to store up that which doesn’t get lost or taken or corrupted. Mt 6:19f “"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” This planet is a very ‘lossy’ environment. Those taking off in that Ukrainian airplane at the Iranian capital did not guess that in a few seconds nearly a couple of hundred lives would be snuffed out. So tragic! Over a third of them carrying Canadian passports. “Moth and rust destroy” can also have somewhat the sense of worms eating away at something. As you live decade after decade through your life, what really lasts? Is what you’re trying to accumulate really going to endure? Jesus’ parable of the rich fool would leave us asking ourselves, “Are we storing up things for ourself – or are we rich toward God?” (Lk 12:21)

Charles Spurgeon, the great English preacher, was once invited by a wealthy man to come to preach in a certain country church, to help the membership raise funds to pay off a debt. The man told Spurgeon he was free to use his country house, his town house, or his seaside home. Spurgeon wrote back and said, “Sell one of the places and pay the debt yourself.”

ACCUMULATE – in heaven, where it’s not ‘lossy’ like on earth. RADIATE...Jesus switches gears from talking directly about material things to talking about our desires, what brings light to our eyes, where our attention goes, what we’re attracted to. Vv21ff “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."The eye is the lamp of the body.If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

In one sense, material wealth is not the real issue: it’s about idolatry, where’s our true loyalty? Do we own our wealth or does it ‘own’ us? Does it consume our attention, occupy our waking moments? Material goods are like the idiot light that helps us gauge the real state of the engine inside, the heart. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Like Gollum in Lord of the Rings, are we obsessing over ‘my precioussss’?

Jesus uses the terminology of ‘light’ and ‘darkness’, with our eyes being the gatekeeper of sorts. Earlier in the Sermon on the Mount He’d coached, Mt 5:14,16 “You are the light of the world...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” But is light what’s really inside us? V22 “The eye is the lamp of the body.If your eyes are good” – Gk ‘generous’ / single / un-braided – “your whole body will be full of light.” Some people’s eyes are bright, cheery, beckoning, like windows into their soul. On the other hand, there are those whose eyes are “bad” (v23) - grudging, squinting, the ‘evil eye’. Are we envious of what others have? Coveting? Thinking the worst about the person we’re dealing with? Nobody wants to be around a person who’s always sizing you up for what they can take advantage of you for. Instead Christ empowers us to radiate light and goodness, to be a net ‘plus’ in others’ lives. The Macedonian believers were poor materially, yet Paul could write of them: 2Cor 8:2 “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.”

When Mark McGwire signed a three-year, $28.5 million contract with the St.Louis Cardinals, he pledged $1 million per year over the length of the contract to begin a foundation for abused children. As he made this announcement, the star player broke down and cried for more than thirty seconds.In a way of explanation, he later told 'ESPN Magazine,' "the money we make in baseball is so ridiculous, how can you not do something like that?" That’s generous, more like being a light than full of darkness; that’s not grudging, the ‘evil eye’.

Getting is about ACCUMULATE; RADIATE; and, HATE – that is, HATE the mammon-master. Stewardship, when it comes right down to it, is a matter of power and control: what are we going to allow to be lord over us? If Jesus isn’t Lord of all, He’s not Lord at all! What other master so benevolent could you choose to run your life? If you refuse to submit to Him, you’re bound to find yourself enslaved to some other preoccupying and enticing idol. The apostle John closed his first letter – and if you listen carefully you can almost hear the pleading in his voice: 1Jn 5:21“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”

In our present case – is it God, or the Money idol? Mt 6:24 “No one can serve two masters.Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.You cannot serve both God and Money.” Strong language here: you can’t be ambivalent! Hate / love; devoted to / despise. Jesus is implying if you get enticed by mammon (a Chaldee / Syriac / Punic word for the money-god) you are certain to develop a hate for and despise the true God.

Yes, on Tuesday someone in Brampton apparently won $70 Million in Lotto Max (as yet unclaimed) – the biggest lottery prize ever awarded in Canadian history. Their life will no doubt be forever changed. But will it come to dominate their consciousness? How can it help but take over their future direction?

A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research examined 3,362 Swedish lottery winners who scored at least $100,000 (up to $2 million), and surveyed them about their well-being five to 22 years after they hit the jackpot. One of the findings – “Winning the lottery didn’t seem to change overall happiness.” There was some indication overall satisfaction was improved; researchers said, “We also asked about their happiness, and for happiness we found there’s no strong evidence that lottery winners are happier in the long run, but there is strong evidence that they are more satisfied with their lives in the long run.” However co-author Dr Daniel Cesarini did add, “I’m sure that people who win much larger prizes wrestle with certain challenges that you wouldn’t wrestle with if you win a $1 million.”

The way you manage the wealth you have now, already, is an indicator of the way you would handle more wealth. It shows where your heart’s at on this whole issue. Very very rich person John D Rockefeller Sr observed, “I have tithed every dollar God has entrusted to me: And I want to say, if I had not tithed the first dollar I made, I would not have tithed the first million dollars I made.”

GIVING = LIVING

Jesus pointed out, 6:23b “If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Will you be open to the light of Jesus Christ – or huddle protectively around your own weak spark?

In stories of survivors of the Nazi death camps, an attitude of determined giving was one of the things that distinguished the survivors from those who perished. If a prisoner was on the verge of starvation, but he had a crust of bread or a scrap of a potato that he could share with his comrade in suffering, he was psychologically and spiritually capable of surviving.

A survivor of the death camp at Treblinka described it this way: “In our group we shared everything, and the moment one of the group ate something without sharing it, we knew it was the beginning of the end for him.”

Think about it – giving goes with living. Let Jesus light your lamp to shine His grace and love into others’ lives. Let’s pray.

“Word or Whimsy – Which are You Building Your Life Upon?” - Feb. 23, 2020 Mt.7:24-29

BEAT UP BY LIFE’S STORMS

The other day my wife and I were driving up from Sarnia to Goderich along Highway 21, along the shore of Lake Huron. We were reflecting on the number of ‘For Sale’ signs, and how some cottage owners are becoming nervous because of high water levels in the lake, and the ensuing shoreline erosion. We’ve heard stories of boat houses or stairs being washed away. Perhaps those listing their places for sale are wanting to move to more solid ground, a place that’s less sandy and shifting.

Life’s unpredictability can be a bit like that. Not long ago I was on a cruise ship many miles away from North America when we heard news of three other cruise ships being quarantined due to the COVID-19 virus. There’s a rumour cruise ships can be a bit like petri dishes when there are disease outbreaks – you can’t avoid contact, it makes those aboard more susceptible. We ended up not being quarantined ourselves thankfully, although management was careful to screen those boarding and lay on additional hand-sanitation stations. A news article this past week reported that COVID-19 appears to be more infectious than either SARS or MERS, although with a lower mortality rate, around 2% – but it likely affects more of the population overall. Folks in some Asian cities are understandably a bit panicky: life is fragile.

A longtime friend who for years attended the same Bible study – a woman who I’ve always viewed as positive and upbeat, pleasant to be around – is preparing herself for breast cancer surgery this coming Tuesday. We are thankful for the prospect of treatment and hope for a good outcome, but it’s another reminder that our health is not to be taken for granted; longevity is not guaranteed.

Then there are the emotional storms that sometimes rage in life and leave us feeling a little ‘beat up’. Friends fail us, partners prove forgetful or distant, family members misunderstand or criticize us: and we are left shaking our head. “How did that ever come about? I didn’t see that one coming!”

As Jesus comes to the conclusion of His great Sermon on the Mount, we see Him alluding to the storms of life and their effect. In the parable of the wise and foolish builders, it’s not a question of which one sailed through life without encountering difficulty: both were subject to similar troubles. V25 AND v27, “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house...”

What about you? Do you find yourself in the midst of one of life’s storms right now? Is it due to people, or circumstances? What’s making you feel ‘beat up’? Where is the wind pressuring? Maybe you’d like to come forward for prayer with a member of our Prayer Team after the service. Sometimes even just knowing another person cares and is praying for you in your bind can make a big difference.

Life Application Bible comments on v26, “Like a house of cards, the fool’s life crumbles. Most people do not deliberately seek to build on a false or inferior foundation; instead, they just don’t think about their life’s purpose. Many people are headed for destruction, not out of stubbornness but out of thoughtlessness. Part of our responsibility as believers is to help others stop and think about where their lives are headed and to point out the consequences of ignoring Christ’s message.”

Maybe the Lord arranged for you to be here this morning hearing this message to prompt you to think about just that: what foundation are you building your life upon? Is it one rugged enough to stand up to life’s storms? We want to avoid what happened to the foolish builder in v27, the house “fell with a great crash”. As we travel through life, the landscape is strewn with the wreckage of individual lives and households. Who do you know that’s been through a painful crash-and-burn? What’s Jesus teaching us that can help us avoid all that pain and damage?

THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS’ WORDS: TRANSFORMING TRUTH

Today’s passage asserts that Jesus’ teaching is connected to that unshakable foundation we need in our lives. V24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” THESE WORDS OF MINE – now that’s quite a claim! What is it about Jesus’ words that can make such a difference in our lives? He also said in Jn 6:63 “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” Way of Jesus saying #5, “I am learning the teachings of Jesus.”

But why bother with the Bible at all? Someone may object, “But how do we know the Bible is true?

I’ll lay out briefly five reasons: the witness of the apostles, of the church, of archeology and science, the authority of Jesus Himself, and Scripture’s own self-authentication.

First, the witness of the earliest eyewitnesses, the original apostles. These are the people who wrote (or whose collaborators wrote, in the case of Mark and Peter) the manuscripts behind the Bible translations we have today. When a police officer’s investigating an incident, who do they want to talk to most, whose account is most authoritative in court? The eyewitnesses, those who were there and saw with their own eyes what happened.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness...” God-breathed, inspired: God oversaw the writing of the manuscripts in such a way that the meaning of what He wanted to get across was communicated. Scripture is then our standard for correction and guidance in life.

The Apostle Peter touches on this topic. 2Peter 1:16,18,20-21 “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty...We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain...Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” It’s as if Peter were emphasizing, “We were right there! We saw it with our own eyes, we heard what was happening.” Further, those who write Scripture are carried along, ‘borne along’ like a sailing ship driven by the wind, by the Holy Spirit. It’s not ‘made up’. In 3:16 Peter adds about Paul’s epistles, “He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters.His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.” Thus even the apostle Peter elevates Paul’s writing to the status of ‘scripture’!

When our faith is challenged, I find it helpful to consider how the first eyewitnesses were martyred maintaining the factuality of what they proclaimed. If it were a conspiracy based on fiction, someone would have squealed! “People don’t die for what they know to be a lie.”

Second, there’s the testimony of the church down through the ages. The Westminster Confession of 1647 has this (in part) to say about the reliability of Scripture: “4.The authority of the holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the Author thereof; and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.5.We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverent esteem of the holy Scripture; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man’s salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet, notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit, bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.6.The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.”

You can see these Reformers, who were breaking new ground and willing to suffer for their convictions, had a very high view of Scripture. We’ll come back to some of what they say later.

Our own denomination, EMCC, puts it in a bit more modern terminology: “We believe that the Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy, and the only final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.The Bible, as originally written under the inspiration and supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit by human authors, is the Word of God, the supreme source of truth for Christian belief.The Bible reveals who God is, exposes who we are in light of His holiness, proclaims God’s merciful salvation and teaches and trains Christ’s followers how to grow in relationship with God and others.”

Note such terms as “inspired”, “infallible”, “entirelly trustworthy”, “final authority”, “supreme source of truth for Christian belief”. If you want to know God better, get to know your Bible! It’s a major means of hearing Him speak to you.

Third, there’s the evidence of archeology and scientific study. Nicky Gumbel of ALPHA fame does an excellent job in his little book Questions of Life showing how research has demonstrated the reliability of the New Testament compared to other well-accepted historic documents. There are over 5000 Greek manuscripts alone. Textual critics use these (and the variants) to get back to what was probably almost exactly the original version. Sir Frederick Kenyon, a leading scholar in this area, writes: “...the last foundation for any doubt that the Scriptures have come down to us substantially as they were written has now been removed.Both the authenticity and the general integrity of the books of the New Testament may be regarded as finally established.”

Some might object that minor variances in details bring into question the truthfulness of the accounts – such as, how many angels were actually at the empty tomb? – but criminologists would tell you such minor variances actually bolster the truthfulness of eyewitness accounts, because it shows the reports weren’t just copied.

Fourth, consider the authority of Jesus Himself – what was the Master’s attitude toward Scripture? He is Lord of the Sabbath; He is also Lord of Scripture, authoritative over it as well. At the end of today’s reading, Mt 7:28f “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught AS ONE WHO HAD AUTHORITY, and not as their teachers of the law.”(Recall the sayings earlier in the Sermon on the Mount, “You have heard it said...But I say to you...” - so we always interpret Scripture in the light of Jesus’ teachings.) Did Jesus have a high view of the Bible?

Towards the end of John 10, Jesus is in a heated argument with Jews who are ready to stone Him for blasphemy: His life is hanging by a thread, they’ve already picked up stones to finish the job, so He’d be choosing His words carefully. He quotes from Psalm 82 then adds, almost as a sidebar, Jn 10:35 “...and the Scripture cannot be broken...”

In John 17 Jesus is praying with His disciples for probably the last time before He is arrested. He says to the Father, Jn 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” God’s word is THE reference point, the benchmark, even for God’s Son Himself. Jesus vouches for God’s word as truth.

Note too how Jesus relies on Scripture at crucial moments. In Matthew 4 He’s being tempted repeatedly by Satan; how does He respond? By quoting memorized Scripture. Mt 4:4,7,10 “It is written...It is also written...It is written...”

One of Jesus’ sharpest rebukes to the religious authorities of His day was that they either minimized or did not even know Scripture. In Matthew 22 He’s being challenged by the Sadducees about the resurrection. Mt 22:29 “Jesus replied, ‘You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.’” Another time, in Mark 7 He’s criticized by the Pharisees and teachers of the law because the disciples were eating food with unwashed hands. He rebukes them, Mk7:8-9,13 “‘You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men...You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!...Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.” So He’s emphasizing how important it is to keep Scriptural truth a priority over our own practices and preferences.

At key moments, when His earthly future is hanging by a thread, Jesus stakes His life upon the reliability of Scripture. In Matthew 26 He’s being arrested, yet blocks an attempt by His followers to fend off the mob with a sword. Why? Mt 26:53f,56 “‘Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?...But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” Obviously this utter commitment to Scripture’s trajectory is too much for them: “Get me outta here!” Why would He yield His very life when He could have gotten away? So that Scripture’s prophecy would come true.

Obviously, even though Jesus is Lord of Scripture – the Bible is not to be a ‘paper pope’, we’re to interpret every passage in light of Jesus’ supreme revelation of God’s being and nature – the Son of Man still had an extremely high view of Scripture, relying on it from first to last in His earthly journey. He understood His life to be a fulfilment of Scripture. Yet He is Lord of all: the Bible is a witness, a pointer, to Jesus. 2Cor 1:20 “For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are yes.”

Fifth, there’s Scripture’s own self-authenticating. Pardon the big word; if that’s too much for you, maybe think of it as “Try it, you’ll like it”! Self-authenticating just means Scripture backs itself up. If that sounds a little circular in reasoning, it is, and for a reason. We run into a philosophical problem here: if Scripture is God’s word (written) and ultimately authoritative, what ‘more authoritative’ thing could there be to back it up? That would make that ‘other thing’ more authoritative than Scripture.

Deep conviction about the trustworthiness of the Bible comes in the reading of it, by faith, through the work of the Holy Spirit. We encounter it as God’s LIVING word, speaking straight into our lives, kind of like the Holy Spirit standing behind us reading it aloud to us as the Author Himself. Here’s a quote from John Piper’s book A Peculiar Glory: How the Christian Scriptures Reveal Their Complete Truthfulness (Crossway, 2016) in which he speaks of Reformer John Calvin’s experience...

“Two things came together for Calvin to give him a saving knowledge of God: Scripture itself and the inward persuasion of the Holy Spirit. Neither alone suffices to save. But how does this actually work? What does the Spirit do? The answer is not that the Spirit gives us added revelation to what is in Scripture, but that he awakens us, as from the dead, to see and taste the divine reality of God in Scripture, which AUTHENTICATES IT AS GOD’S OWN WORD. [Calvin] says, ‘Our heavenly Father, revealing his majesty [in Scripture], lifts reverence for Scripture beyond the realm of controversy.’ There’s the key for Calvin: the witness of God to Scripture is the immediate, unassailable, life-giving revelation to the mind of the majesty of God manifest in the Scriptures themselves.” (186)

In other words, as you read it, God Himself validates His word. His word is not like our mere human word: it’s living, active. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” James 1:25 “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it— he will be blessed in what he does.” The ‘perfect law’ that ‘gives freedom’ as we ‘look intently’ into it!

Peter kind of points to this ‘self-authenticating’ quality of Scripture, though in different language: 2Pet 1:19 “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to PAY ATTENTION TO IT, as to A LIGHT shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star RISES IN YOUR HEARTS.” As we read it, we become illuminated! Ps 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth – how? By simply speaking. God’s word is powerful, active, it creates the reality it refers to. Gen 1:3 “And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.” 1:6 “And God said...” 1:9 “And God said...” and so on, for each of the 6 days of creation.

Paul writes of this difference in quality between God’s word and our human words in 1Thess 2:13, “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which IS AT WORK in you who believe.” Or, ‘is set in operation’, it performs its work.

Remember Jesus’ interaction with a person who Jesus remarked had greater faith than anyone in Israel? It was the Roman centurion whose servant was sick and about to die, in Luke 7. Jesus was on His way to heal the servant when the centurion sent word He was unworthy to have Jesus come. But since he was a man under authority, with soldiers under him, he figured Jesus had the power to simply give the command and it would happen! Lk 7:7b “BUT SAY THE WORD, and my servant will be healed.” God’s word spoken carries with it the power for it to be performed. So that’s why we can say, as someone reads Scripture, they find it to be ‘self-authenticating’ – the Spirit’s voice penetrates to the division of soul and spirit, we sense our heart’s attitudes are being exposed and judged.

PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE: THE BLESSING OF OBEDIENCE

Back to our text for today...Jesus says the wise person isn’t JUST the one who “hears these words of mine” – the foolish person ALSO does that! (vv 24,26) What is it that distinguishes between the wise and foolish person? V26 “But everyone who hears these words of mine and DOES NOT PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” By contrast, the wise person hears AND puts Jesus’ words into practice (v24).

You can talk all day long about the excellence and infallibility of God’s word, but until you start applying it, putting it into practice, you’re missing the point – and liable to judgment.

James the brother of Jesus has a similar warning in Jas 1:22-25: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.DO WHAT IT SAYS.Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it— he will be blessed in what he does.” Be a DOER not just a hearer – and you will find blessing in obedience.

This echoes Jesus’ criticism of religious leaders, who knew what they should do but didn’t follow through. He told His followers in Mt 23:2f “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.So you must obey them and do everything they tell you.But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” What do we call someone who doesn’t practice what they preach? A hypocrite. One of the key criticisms of imperfect churchgoers by those out in society: they can spot the gap between our life and our lip. So do become familiar with Biblical teaching, but at the same time, be sure to put it into practice. Are you being obedient with what you already know? Why would God show you more if you’re not applying what you already have? That would simply be increasing your guilt.

In closing, one more admonition from the Apostle Peter, 1Pet 2:2f “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” There’s that ‘taste’ thing again – try the word, you’ll like it! Once you’ve tasted the pure milk of the word, by obedience let it help you ‘grow up in your salvation’. Through putting the word into practice, we grow up, become mature.

Aretta Loving, Wycliffe missionary, was washing her breakfast dishes when she saw Jimmy, the five-year-old neighbour, headed straight toward the back porch. She had just finished painting the back-porch handrails, and she was proud of her work. "Come around to the front door, Jimmy," she shouted. "There's wet paint on the porch rails." "I'll be careful," Jimmy replied, not turning from his path. "No, Jimmy! Don't come up the steps," Aretta shouted, knowing of Jimmy's tendency to mess things up. "I'll be careful," he said again, by now dangerously close to the steps. "Jimmy, stop!" Aretta shouted. "I don't want carefulness. I want obedience!" As the words burst from her mouth, she suddenly remembered Samuel's response to King Saul: To obey is better than sacrifice (1Sam 15:22). How would Jimmy respond, Aretta wondered. To her relief, he shouted back, "All right, Loving, I'll go around to the front door." He was the only one who called her by her last name like that, and it had endeared him to her from the beginning. As he turned around the house, Aretta thought to herself, "How often am I like Saul or like Jimmy, wanting to go my own way? I rationalize, 'I'll be careful, Lord' as I proceed with my own plans. But He doesn't want carefulness. He wants obedience.” Let’s pray.

“God’s Power to Counter Our Perversion” - March 8, 2020 Rom.1:16-27

TIME FOR A TIME CHANGE

Glad to see you’re all here bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on this Daylight Savings morning – you remembered last night your ‘clocks spring ahead’ and went to bed one hour earlier just to be ready and alert for this morning’s sermon. (Cough - or not)

Ah, the good we know we OUGHT to do but don’t always do it... Sin is so much like that: Paul spends a whole chapter on that dithering in Romans 7 – our behaviour doesn’t always match up with what we know would be God’s ideal for us. Something goes wrong inside.

Speaking of clocks, many years ago a famous preacher had a clock in his church that was well known for its inability to keep the time accurately. Sometimes too fast, sometimes too slow, it resisted all attempts to solve the problem. Finally, after its dubious fame became widespread, the preacher put a sign over the clock which said, “Don’t blame the hands – the trouble lies deeper.”

How true that is of people: the real trouble lies deeper than what shows on the surface!

In today’s passage from Romans 1, the Apostle Paul outlines the problem within us, why our operation doesn’t always match up with the Designer’s intention. The root of sin is our rebellion against our Maker. But he also hints at the cure, how the clock hands can be set right again – God’s power to save through the Good News of Jesus.

A LUCID LETTER IN FINE FORM

We plan to spend the next few weeks in the book of Romans, so a few words about it overall first. It was probably written about 57 A.D.on Paul’s third missionary journey from somewhere near Corinth, in Greece, to the mostly Gentile church in Rome in Italy, where he had not yet been. He was possibly on his way to deliver relief money that had been collected in the outlying mission churches to poverty-struck believers back in the church at Jerusalem.

The book of Romans stands out amongst the other epistles in its thoroughness and orderliness. In many of the other letters, Paul was writing in response to things that were happening at that particular location: fighting theological fires in Corinth, expressing a thank you (Philippians), extending a passionate plea on behalf of an escaped slave (Philemon), or rebuking believers who were being tempted by legalism (Galatians). But in this letter (or epistle) Paul seems to have been able to sit down, take his time, and set forth in a well thought out and systematic and clear manner a very readable and coherent summary of the Christian faith.

The first 15 verses are kind of like the letter’s address and some introductory pleasantries. Verses 1-7 are kind of like the address part, a ‘FROM / TO’ label as it were. You’ll notice Paul can hardly introduce himself without making it ultra clear exactly who he is and what he’s about, namely, the Good News about Jesus. “Set apart for the gospel of God – the gospel He promised beforehand...” And he goes right into Jesus’ mission and resurrection. Then again in v9 he refers to “God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of His Son...” That’s what Paul is all about, getting this message out there. He’s the kind of guy you’d think might even try to summarize the gospel and write it on the postage stamp, if he could!

So vv 8-14 convey general pleasantries about his awareness of the believers at Rome, how he’s praying for them, and his plans to visit them in the near future, if circumstances permit – v10 “by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.” Paul not only has something to share with them, he wants to give them a chance to build into his life. As an apostle he’s obliged to evangelize everywhere to all types of folks; v15 “That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.”

THE PREDOMINANCE OF GOD’S SELF-REVELATION

As Paul begins to unpack his orderly account of his main life-message, there’s a backbone of reasoning that ties this initial passage (vv16-27) together with logic-connectors such as “since” (v19), “for” (vv20&21), and “therefore” (v24). A starting point to make sense of it would be the predominance of God’s self-revelation in vv19-20.

A common objection to the Christian message is the query, “What about those who’ve never heard the gospel?” – as if God would be unfair to condemn those who’d never heard about Jesus Christ. But between here and chapter 3 Paul goes step by step through various groups of people – Gentiles, critical moralizers, and also the Jews – to show that EVERYBODY is accountable to God, we’ve all fallen short and sinned, and are worthy ultimately to be shut out from God’s presence: we are without excuse. God IS fair and righteous to do as He does. As Abraham framed the question back in Genesis 18:25 when divine visitors announced the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” God IS fair, he’s given everyone a chance, He’s not capricious or prejudiced in His actions.

What ought to have been evident to anyone is God’s excellence and praiseworthiness as deduced from what’s called ‘general revelation’, that is, by looking at the world around us. When your breath is caught by a crystal-clear starry night sky or the rosy hues of a picturesque sunrise or sunset, when you hear the first sounds of a bird in spring and realize they’ve been guided by their migratory instincts over thousands of miles and countless generations – and that there’s something inside you that appreciates that beauty rather than going blindly on your way without even noticing it – that’s the awesomeness of ‘general revelation’. When tourists stand mesmerized by the thundering power of Niagara Falls; when a university student peers into a microscope and is fascinated by the intricate design of the simplest microorganism...Nature points us to the majesty of the Creator!

Everyone has seen these pointers to God’s goodness and glory, so have no excuse for turning away. Rom 1:19 “since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.” God ‘made it plain’ to them: He’s blessed us with faculties of reason and conscience, even our capacity to raise the question of whether God is fair points to something He’s hard-wired within people. All cultures have some criteria of morality and law and order and consequences. We’ll see more emphasis on this inner gift of conscience and morality a bit later in 2:15 - “since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.”

But for now Paul’s emphasis is on the role the external world of creation plays: v20 “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities— his eternal power and divine nature— have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” It would be hard to stand and look at the world around us and not ask ourselves, “How did this all get here?” Any worldview worth its salt has to try to answer four basic questions: origin, destiny, meaning, and morality – “Where did we come from?” “Where are we going?” “What’s the purpose of life?” and “What’s right and wrong?”

As a person we know that, in terms of ‘where did we come from’, what we see around us did not originate with us. The more we understand about science, the more one is amazed with the intricacy of the mechanisms of life and the orderly scope of (what we call) ‘laws’ that govern even the orbits of largest bodies in solar systems. The anomaly of water and hydrogen bonding, so plants have effective radiators by capillary flow and ice rises to the top rather than sinking to the bottom. We know WE didn’t make that up! So, who did? Who set it all in motion?

Thoughtful observation of nature points us to One bigger than ourselves. We see Intelligent Design that reflects a vaster Intelligence than our own limited smarts. So Paul can say God’s eternal power (His ability to set up nuclear forces and Niagara Falls and that huge atomic furnace we call the Sun) and divine nature (intelligence, purpose, orderliness, beauty and glory) can indeed be understood - deduced, guessed at - from what has been made.

Other Biblical passages underscore this. Ps 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” What the seraphim in Isaiah’s vision were calling to each other in Isaiah 6:3 “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” How Paul approached non-Jewish audiences in Lystra in Acts 14:15,17 - “...the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them...he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” God ‘testifies’ about Himself through the good things we’ve experience in the natural order around us.

THE PROUD PROTEST OF HUMAN REBELLION

But how have we responded to these pointers embedded in creation and in our own constitution (conscience, sense of morality)? Like the stiff-necked Israelites in the Old Testament, we’ve repeatedly sinned and rejected God’s way and rebelled and gone our own way. Our ‘boastful pride’ has gotten the better of us: as 1John sums up classes of sin in 1Jn 2:16 - “For everything in the world— the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does— comes not from the Father but from the world.”

Succumbing to worldliness, our fallen carnal nature, has pulled us away from God, as vv21-23 in Romans 1 outline. V21A “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him...” We ‘knew God’ in the sense of knowing ‘about’ God from looking at the created order, but not in the sense of knowing Him relationally. We chose not to glorify Him or be appreciative or thank Him: in fact we thumbed our noses at Him, insisting on ‘doing our own thing’.

V22 “Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools...” Here there are strong hints of the Story of the Fall back in Genesis 3; how did the serpent tempt the woman? Gen 3:5 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” How did the woman find the fruit appealing? Gen 3:6 “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also DESIRABLE FOR GAINING WISDOM, she took some and ate it.” (As did Adam when she gave it to him.) NLT (Rom 3:22) “Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.”

We think we’re pretty hot stuff; we suppose we can outsmart God. We believe the serpent’s lie, we swallow it holus-bolus. But the Bible repeatedly views such ‘wisdom’ as foolishness. Ps 14:1 “The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.” (Paul actually cites this verse later in 3:12.)

When we start to ‘define’ God out of our world, our thinking starts to get twisted – what ought to be the central point of reference is missing, so we end skewing the map to put ourselves there instead. Rom 3:21B “...but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” The mind is our thought-processor; the heart (Biblically) is the seat of our decision-making, our willing and choosing – and that’s darkened, charred by the fire of our passion for independence and self-determination. Jesus listed many evils that come from the heart in Mark 7:20-23; v23 “All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’”

Bereft of the concept of God, our sinning souls still have a gnawing sense that we need to worship SOMETHING to have a meaningful sense of values and purpose, so we cast about for alternatives. We devise substitute ‘gods’ custom-crafted to reflect our own human passions projected onto the supernatural – which in turn provide an open door for genuine evil spirit-beings to inhabit. Rom 1:23 “and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.” Paul’s preaching sparked a riot in Acts 19 in Ephesus when the Way began to challenge the market for images of the locally-worshiped goddess Artemis.

Today we are still fascinated with images: often people seem tied to the images on their phones! To the user of pornography, their electronic screen can be the hollow shrine he or she worships, the idol that captivates them. Or maybe it’s the images of fashion, or body image (you’ve got to have that certain ‘look’), or seeing the latest and greatest technical gadget you simply ‘must have’. What images fascinate you most?

Turning away from God, there follows a sell-out, an exchange, we give ourselves away. V25 “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator— who is forever praised.Amen.” Created things – what our own hands have made, our own conceits and passions, what our superstars promote – oust our Creator from His rightful place in our lives.

John Stott comments that sin “is the attempt to get rid of God and, since that is impossible, the determination to live as though one had succeeded in doing so.”

This past week the White House released an image of Vice-President Mike Pence and newly appointed Coronavirus Task Force with heads bowed in prayer during a meeting. This drew scoffing from unbelievers. ChristianPost reports, “Hemant Mehta, who writes for Patheos.com’s ‘Friendly Atheist’ blog, wrote that “it’s not a joke when people say these Republicans are trying to stop a virus with prayer.”“What else did anyone expect?” Mehta asked. “Science? Reason? Something sensible? Of course not.If this virus truly becomes a pandemic, we’re at the mercy of people delusional enough to think their pleas to God will fix the problem.The same God who presumably created the virus, at least in their minds, will somehow make sure it hurts only a handful of Americans...and a ton of Chinese people.”

Ps 53:1 “The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."”

THE PENALTY OF GOD’S WRATH CONSIGNING US

So - we have the Creator’s majesty and glory revealed in all the earth; yet the human’s response of turning away to worship gods of our own design. How does the Creator respond to being rejected, snubbed? Rom 1:18 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness...” We believe the lie, we suppress the truth – this incurs God’s wrath. How? Paul’s not talking about fire and brimstone; he’s not talking about judgment on the Day Christ returns, or about eternal fire in hell. How does God express His wrath here-and-now, subtly?

Note in vv24,26,28 the little phrase, “God gave them over” - to sexual impurity (24), to shameful lusts (26), to a depraved mind (28). Essentially, in response to our rebellion, God’s saying presently, “Okay, have it YOUR way” – and abandons us to the path we have chosen, to experience the effects of worshipping whatever lesser god we’ve allowed to entrance us. As CS Lewis wrote, “The gates of hell are locked from the inside.”

So the subtle expression of God’s wrath here-and-now is this ‘giving over’ of us to the ravages of sin; He abandons the disobedient to the fetters of the natural course of sinful behaviour. The principle of ‘sowing and reaping’ in Galatians 6:7f comes into play: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.A man reaps what he sows.The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Colloquially the parallel expression might be, “You made your bed, you lie in it.” Thus in sin’s fallout we may encounter a tiny yet passive foretaste of God’s wrath at the Day of Judgment and on into eternity. Will we heed the blinking idiot light?

THE PERVERSION OF SIN’S DOWNWARD DARKENING

When we turn away from God, any self-control through the Holy Spirit is lost, and our baser sins tend to become more prominent and clamber to take over our lives. V21 “Their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened;” this leads to v23, exchanging the glory of the immortal God for images – which tend to be related to fertility gods and goddesses with associated promiscuous worship rituals. We start to become enslaved by our passions. V24 “Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.” Sex is one of the most potent passions because it involves the body’s own chemistry to produce exquisite fleeting pleasure meant to undergird marriage and bond with superglue the union between a husband and wife. Sin shunts this in distorted and destructive directions. Bodies are degraded.

V26 “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts.Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.” Men likewise in v27. Note the frame of reference is in the context of creation, how we are formed and made and designed, as Jesus highlighted in Mt 19:4f - “Haven’t you read...that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?” It’s not about what I define to be my personal preference or flavour that’s appealing to me –but what the Creator’s intention and design were for male and female.

THE POWER AND PUZZLE OF GOD’S RIGHT-WISING

In closing, we’re back to the beginning: v16, the Gospel is the power by which God can save people caught in sin’s clutches. Rom 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” The Gospel or literally ‘good news’ in the Greek is a ‘good spiel’, good message or proclamation that carries God’s actual power with it...Remember when we were talking about ‘why believe the Bible’ how God’s word is different than our human words because God’s word carries with it the power to bring into being that which it announces.

The Gospel is the power of God for SALVATION: deliverance, preservation, rescue – from this mess we’ve brought about through disobedience; and from God’s righteous judgment at the end of time.

How can we be saved? “It is the power of God for the salvation OF EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES...” Believing for Paul is more of an active thing than a static one; what are you trusting in? Whom are you leaning into? What are you resting your future and life-goals upon? Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God...” Rom 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Are you believing in Him? Are you trusting Him to be your Lord? Not just Saviour – but Lord, in control, directing your actions? That takes real trust. For Paul, genuine faith results in obedience (cf Rom 1:5).

V17 kind of summarizes Paul’s major themes in this book. Rom 1:17 “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."”

Sin has upset the apple-cart. God can rescue us, get the apple-cart back right-side-up and on track. This happens by faith from first to last, from start to finish. But this raises a problem, a real puzzle: How can a holy God forgive and make righteous miserable sinners that have shunned Him, rebelled against Him, and become ensnared in the mud and muck of their shameful lusts and degradation? God would not be just if He simply forgave all sin and ‘wrote it off’, would He? Doesn’t justice require evildoers to be punished? What happens to any sense of meaning and morality if all the bad guys get off the hook scot-free?

Paul will return to this knotty problem in chapter 3. There is no free lunch, morally speaking: SOMEBODY’S got to pay. As we see Jesus’ role in this, it can heighten our appreciation for the magnitude of what He accomplished at the cross on Good Friday, and the triumph of His resurrection at Easter.

POWER TO RIGHT-WISE THE CART – WITH COMPLICATIONS

If you’ve seen the movie Les Miserables, there’s a memorable scene where escaped fugitive Jean ValJean (who’s been living peaceably since his escape and encounter with a priest) is called to help someone pinned by a heavy horse-cart which has a wheel that’s come off. The ex-convict uses his near-superhuman strength to rescue the victim. However the detective who’s on the hunt for the escapee recognizes the former prisoner because of a similar incident once before a long time ago when Jean was incarcerated.

It’s a dilemma for Jean ValJean. Should he use his power to deliver the sufferer? If he does, he will become identified as the convict. If he doesn’t, the victim will die. If he does, it may mean HE himself will die.

Jesus, for love of us, intervened – He put His shoulder to the cross and saved us, even though it meant He became identified with our own sin. It pinned Him. It meant He would have to take our punishment, and be abandoned by God to torture. But He loves us and will rescue us today if we put our faith in Him. Let’s pray.

“Into the Creator’s Care” - Funeral of Jan Prehn - March 10, 2020 - Ps.23, 104; Jn. 10; Rom.8

DEPENDENCE

As we read Scripture, we are struck by how DEPENDENT living things are on their Maker. Psalm 104 emphasizes that many forms of livestock and wildlife depend on God for their food source. The beasts of the field; wild donkeys; the birds; cattle who eat grass and humans cultivating plants; yes, even roaring lions seek their food from God. When God opens His hand, they are satisfied with good things; but when God takes away their breath, they die and return to the dust. Yet God sends His Spirit and renews the face of the earth.

Psalm 23 pictures this more on the level of one who has direct management of livestock – a shepherd. “The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want” – in other words, God provides our needs. His rod of correction, and staff for hauling wayward sheep back to safety, comfort us: they show that we matter to God, our flourishing reflects back on His glory, His reputation.

My wife keeps some farmyard animals not to eat (being a vegetarian) but as pets. When I go out to the barn for the morning feeding, I am greeted by the sounds of a horse neighing, our single sheep bleating – they are keen for me to feed them! They acknowledge their dependence on me. The psalms remind us of our own dependence on God: physically we need Him, His oil to make our face shine, His bread to sustain our heart. And we are thankful for farmers like Jan who are part of that supply chain.

Jan went beyond simply sending products out the farm gate to being a contributor to the community. In particular he played a significant part in his involvement with Pine River Cheese. Over the years he engaged quite a number of employees, training them to be responsible workers. He modeled diligence for them, rising at 5 each morning to care for his herd. Through his hard work over the years the farm grew to be a noticeable contributor to the local economy.

DYING TO GIVE FULLNESS OF LIFE

One of Jesus’ most memorable figures of speech pictures Him as, of all things, a keeper of livestock – the Good Shepherd. He is not a thief or a robber that preys upon and takes advantage of the sheep. He is not a hired hand that cares only for the paycheque and doesn’t actually care about the animals. Jesus says His goal in coming is so we sheep may have life, and just in half measure, but have it to the fullest degree, have life abundantly.

Because Jesus is a good shepherd who really cares, there are risks involved. It’s not a cushy job: there is real danger. In fact for Jesus, we as sheep are in so much trouble, it’s going to cost Him His life to rescue us. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep: He eventually died on the cross, betrayed by one of His closest followers, to pay the price for our sins. He did it for love: the Bible tells us God demonstrates His own love toward us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

Jesus doesn’t just serve the sheep for performance’ sake, or out of sheer duty: He emphasizes that He knows His sheep and His sheep know Him – there’s a relationship, a shared experience, a journeying together, an appreciation of and accurate estimation of the other party. He knows those who are His intimately, the sheep listen to His voice.

When it comes to having life abundantly, Jan lived a very full life, even though he didn’t make it out of his sixth decade. He had a wide variety of interests. I understand he was a pilot. He was always looking at sailboats. He liked tinkering with modified mopeds in his younger years. He tried to infect others with his surplus energy due to his ‘coffee buzz’. He was always keen to invite somebody else over for a meal. Through his community involvements over the years, he developed a broad circle of contacts whose lives were enriched by knowing Jan.

There is a deeper aspect of a ‘full’ life, the spiritual one. In his final weeks, when I visited him in hospital, Jan welcomed Scripture reading and prayer, getting to know a little better the One who could guide Him into eternity through faith. And as we look at Jan’s life we can see him pouring himself into others – his children, yes, but also his employees. He made sacrifices to help them on their way, from things like buying them a proper set of tires for their vehicle to letting them have use of a car temporarily to bringing them coffee in the morning to covering the cost of gaffs when they made expensive mistakes. That’s grace, absorbing the effect of others’ faults. That’s very Christlike. Jesus laid down His life for our benefit, to cover over our sins.

One of the barnyard pets I help look after is a Calico sheep named ‘Calli’ - she’s currently expecting twins in April. Because we’re a very tiny operation, I let her out into the barn’s corridor to eat some extra grain ration out of a bowl. When it’s ready I call her to the door and she leaves her buddies the 2 Nubian goats in the pen and comes out to eat her food. When it’s done I call her again and she goes back in – usually... Jesus wants that kind of relation with us, where He calls and we respond. He lays down His life for us, so it warrants an intimate degree of relating.

DIFFICULTIES FACED WITH SECURITY AND BRAVELY

Life is not always smooth sailing. Another emphasis of Scripture is that God loves us and holds us securely even when we face difficulties and dangers. Cancer can be a very threatening diagnosis. For an extended period of time Jan struggled along with a broken hip, and at the end he never managed to get home and built up again enough to try chemo and radiation treatments. His life was cut short, relative to average lifespans in our country currently. Yet despite the pain and discomfort, Jan did not succumb to bitterness and spitefulness.

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he underscores that if God didn’t spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, He will graciously give us all things along with Him. He asks rhetorically, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?” He then asserts – “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” An unstoppable, inseparable love.

We can find the same degree of unconditional security in Jesus’ statements. Speaking of His ‘sheep’, He asserted, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”

So when we trust in Jesus as Lord, we have precious promises from His word that He can carry us through any difficulties life can throw at us, including accidents or relational upheavals or fatal illnesses. God’s ability to see us safely home is never in question: He is our Protector, our Keeper, our Good Shepherd opening the gate into enduring pasture and eternal life.

CLOSE THE GATE

Jesus said, “I am the gate for the sheep...Whoever enters through Me will be saved.” The chapter of our experience with Jan in this life has come to a close, but he has not disappeared from the view and care of our Heavenly Father.

As we wrap up this portion, here’s a poem some family members shared with me called “Close the Gate” by Nancy Kraayenhof...

For this one farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head,

Your time has been and struggles enough, put the tractor in the shed.

Years were not easy, many downright hard, but your faith in God transcended,

Put away your tools and sleep in peace. The fences have all been mended.

You raised a fine family, worked the land well and always followed the Son,

Hang up your shovel inside of the barn; your work here on earth is done.

A faith few possess led your journey through life, often a jagged and stony way,

The sun is setting, the cattle are all bedded, and here now is the end of your day.

Your love of God's soil has passed on to your kin; the stories flow like fine wine,

Wash off your work boots in the puddle left by blessed rain one final time.

You always believed that the good Lord would provide and He always had somehow,

Take off your gloves and put them down, no more sweat and worry for you now.

Your labor is done, your home now is heaven; no more must you wait,

Your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and we will close the gate.

“Caught by Conceit: Criticising Others, Contempt for God” - March 15, 2020 Rom.2:1-11

TO JUDGE OR NOT TO JUDGE?

Judgment – it’s a valuable skill. To have good judgment is to be better prepared for everyday life. The Bible recommends having good judgment. Ps 119:66 “Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands.” Proverbs 3:21 “My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight...” Jesus Himself tells us in John 7:24, “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”

Every day we make dozens of decisions that work out better if we exercise good judgment. Take Thursday, for example. When making plans, we begin by finding out certain variables. What’s the weather going to be like? Is it cold? High of 9. What about chance of rain? None in the forecast – partly cloudy. Hmm – is it a good day to take the motorcycle to work? Might be chilly, but I can dress more warmly. Is it safe? (Here some of you might question my appraisal!) Well, there was that rain a couple of days ago, which should have washed off the roads somewhat. My judgment gives me “green light” to take the bike to work. Yes, I made it there and back safely – an option some of you would likely NEVER have recommended! But it was SO springlike outside...

And so our days go, making decisions, judgment calls, most of which pan out but not always. Good judgment is indispensable and spares us much grief. Psalm 72 is a Messianic Psalm describing the godly king Israel hoped to see fulfilled one day in the Christ. Ps 72:2,4 “He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment...He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.”

Yet Scripture also warns us against exercising judgment in some cases. Take the first few verses of today’s lesson. Rom 2:1-3 “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?”

What gives? Is judgment a bad thing, or a good and beneficial thing as we just saw?

The word in Greek (krino) means to separate, pick out, approve, determine, be of opinion. It’s good to be able to pick out the good from the bad, to differentiate, to make determinations and choices. If we couldn’t make distinctions, life would become a hopeless muddle, and we wouldn’t be able to make a decision, we’d be paralyzed. Romans 12:2 talks about conforming no longer to this world’s pattern, but being transformed by our mind’s renewal; “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Good judgment is vital for approving God’s good will.

The catch is PASSING judgment on someone else, when we ourselves do the same things. That’s called hypocrisy, having a double standard – expecting more of another person than we would require of ourselves. Can’t we see the irony of that? We make excuses for ourselves about things that we criticize other people about. As the saying goes, there’s one finger pointing at them, but three other fingers pointing back at ourselves.

The classic verse on judging that you always hear thrown about comes from the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7:1, where Jesus enjoins us, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” However He’s obviously not meaning that we should never exercise judgment. In context, it’s about passing judgment on others using a double standard, requiring a higher quality from them than we require of ourselves. Mt 7:3-5 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

John Stott comments, “This is not a call to suspend our critical faculties or to renounce all criticism and rebuke of others as illegitimate; it is rather a prohibition of standing in judgment on other people and condemning them (which as human beings we have no right to do), especially when we fail to condemn ourselves. For this is the hypocrisy of the double standard, a high standard for other people and a comfortably low one for ourselves.”

Note Paul contrasts God’s judgment (v2) with that of “a mere man” (v3). A good question to ask ourselves whenever we’re tempted to pass judgment is, “What right have I to express an opinion about this other person’s behaviour?” Mind your boundaries! In Lk 12:13-14, “Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?"” That’s a very good question to ask – who made me this person’s judge?

What’s our relationship to them? Of course it’s the job of parents to instruct, correct, and rebuke their children. When John Wesley set up “classes” in Methodism it was so the members could exhort and encourage each other and help keep each other on track. Small groups (Life Groups) should do that – where there’s been trust and commitment and solidarity built over time. When we apply to become a member of a church, we’re asking to be held accountable, we submit ourselves to certain responsibilities and look to our pastors and elders to help guide us an reinforce good behaviour. But too often we’re quick to pass judgment on other people when it’s simply not our place to do so.

Here’s a teaching poem since it’s almost springtime:

A little seed lay on the ground,

And soon began to sprout.

"Now, which of all the flowers around,"

It mused, "shall I come out?

The lily's face is fair and proud,

But just a trifle cold;

The rose, I think, is rather loud,

And then, its fashion's old.

The violet is all very well,

But not a flower I'd choose;

Nor yet the Canterbury bell—

I never cared for blues."

And so it criticized each flower,

This supercilious seed,

Until it woke one summer morn,

And found itself—a weed. (!)

We can become very ‘weedy’ in our criticisms – wouldn’t you rather have people think of you as a beautiful flower and WANT to be around you?

KEEPING THE CRITICAL MORALIZER IN CHECK

And so the church becomes known as a building full of hypocrites, folks who suppose they’re a cut above the hoi polloi and jump to call out shortcomings in others while they try to cover up their own less-obvious faults. V2 “Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.” But our human judgment is based on limited observation and our own prejudices; it’s GOD who knows the whole story.

In the end, it’s the Lord’s divine judgment that will hold all people to account, not your or my policies. Rom 14:4,10,12f “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand...You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat...So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.”

Also 1Cor 4:5 “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes.He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.At that time each will receive his praise from God.”

In Romans 1-3 (you may recall from last week) the Apostle Paul is attempting to show how all people have fallen short and need God’s forgiveness; in chapter 1 he describes the Gentile masses, but later in chapter 2 (vv17on) he turns to the Jews who have the law but still broke it. In this in-between passage he seems to be addressing critical moralizers, Jew or Gentile, who perhaps haven’t been swept along by their baser passions (as portrayed in ch.1) but have been leading a more moral life. Yet the temptation if you can say ‘no’ to the more fleshly appetites (sex, drunkenness, gluttony) to become proud of your accomplishment, pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself: you’re doing so well, you hardly need God!

Yet we still “do the same things” (vv1,3) - maybe just not so obviously. We’re still comparing ourselves by other people rather than by God’s standard. We’re guilty of pride, looking down our noses at those struggling. Rom 2:5 “But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.” Stubborn; unrepentant - “I’m good enough without God’s help.” See also v8, “But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.” “Self-seeking”: AV ‘contentious’, intriguing for office, the desire to put oneself forward.

But if you succeed in living a basically moral life, it’s so easy to start to think less of others who don’t! We can succeed at self-control in the physical realm only to succumb to pride and conceit and stubbornness, less obvious pitfalls. We judge by appearances because, by those standards, we come up looking better than that other bloke who’s cheating on his wife. Jesus reserved a whole chapter of rebuke for the hypocrites of His day, the scribes and Pharisees: Mt 23:25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.”

Some people are so quick to jump to judgment, they would be negative about anything, even about well-respected church leaders. A man of Italian ancestry had always dreamed of visiting Italy and meeting the Pope. He saved his money and finally had enough to make the trip. Just before he was about to leave he went to the barbershop to get a haircut. The barber asked, "How are you going to Italy?" "I'm flying Alitalia Airlines." The barber said, "Forget it. They've got a terrible reputation; you'll be sorry.Where are you going to stay?" The man answered, "I'll be staying at the Hilton in Rome." The barber groaned, "Forget it.They've got terrible service. What are you going to do when you're in Rome?" The man replied, "I'm going to see the Pope." The barber laughed, "Forget it.You'll never see the Pope.You're a nobody.The Pope only sees important people.You're wasting your time!" Several weeks later the same man went back to the barbershop. The barber said, "So, I bet you never got to Italy." The man replied, "As a matter a fact, I did.I flew Alitalia and they were just wonderful to me.When I got to Rome, I stayed at the Hilton and they treated me like a king." "What did you do when you got there?" the barber asked. "I went to see the Pope." "Well," the barber said impatiently, "What happened?" "I knelt down and kissed the Pope's ring." "Wow!" the barber said, "You kissed the Pope's ring! What did he say?" "Well, the Pope looked down at me and said, 'Son, where did you get that terrible haircut?'"

CONTEMPT FOR GOD’S KINDNESS AND IMPARTIALITY

How we treat our neighbour tells a lot about our attitude toward God. Jesus in the Great Command linked together love for God and love for neighbour as inseparable (Mt 22:37-40). In the parable of the sheep and the goats He said, Mt 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” In 1John 4(12,20f) we find, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us...If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar.For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” There’s a mysterious linkage here between how we treat other people and what that reveals about our God-connectedness.

An aside: so if the coronavirus opens up an opportunity to serve your neighbour somehow in a way you normally wouldn’t, count that as an opportunity to serve the Lord!

Back to our passage. Paul asserts that passing judgment on others heaps contempt upon their Maker. Rom 2:4 “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” The Greek word translated ‘contempt’ can also mean ‘despise, think little or nothing of’. So if you look down your nose at others, you’re also looking down on, making as if it’s nothing, the RICHES of God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience. God has put that person there for you to love as a neighbour, not ridicule.

God has been merciful and kind toward you; He sent His Son to die as an atoning sacrifice so your sins could be forgiven and you put right with God. His kindness – not striking you instantly dead for your sin – is meant to lead you toward repentance, a “right-about face”, a turning away from sin and turning toward Jesus. His patience is to lead you to be reconciled with the Holy One. 2Cor 5:19 “that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.”

When we exercise prejudice based on external factors, hopping to pass judgment without knowing the full story, we are forgetting another of God’s qualities – impartiality. Rom 2:11 “For God does not show favoritism.” The word literally means “to take note of face”. See also Peter’s talk at the Roman centurion’s home in Acts 10:34f, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” We see it again in Eph 6:9, “And masters, treat your slaves in the same way.Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.” Quite a radical thought! The power differential between master and slave is swept away in Christ: they are both people, worthy of respect and fair treatment. So we need to avoid looking down on others, when we and they both will give account to God.

HORROR OR HONOUR?

Paul ends this section by setting forth two scenarios, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed (v5). For those who follow evil, v8 “there will be wrath and anger.There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil.” Revelation 20:11ff describes what’s called the “Great White Throne” judgment; v13B,15 “...each person was judged according to what he had done...If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

But Paul also describes a much better option, when God gives “to each person according to what he has done” (quoting Ps 62:12; Prov 24:12). V7 “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.” V10 “glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good...”

Note, this is not about salvation, but judgment. We are not saved by good works. In chapter 3 Paul maintains there is NO ONE who does good. But when we recognize this in ourselves and repent and in faith turn to Jesus, He can make us new, give us rebirth, a fresh start in His Holy Spirit – and that Spirit stirring in us draws us to seek glory, honour, peace, and immortality (lit.incorruption, not subject to decay).

PRAYING INSTEAD OF PASSING JUDGMENT

When tempted to be critical and pass judgment on someone, turn to the Lord and pray for them instead.

John Hyde (1865-1912) was a missionary to India who became so far-famed for his effective and powerful praying that he is known to history as Praying Hyde. He once told of the "most salutary" lesson the Lord ever taught him about prayer. It occurred while he was praying for a national pastor in India, a man who was both having— and causing— problems. Hyde began his prayer, "O God, Thou knowest this brother, how—" He was going to say "cold," when suddenly he was smitten in his spirit. A voice seemed to whisper sharply to him, "He that touches him touches the apple of my eye." A great horror swept over Hyde, and he felt he had been guilty before God of "accusing the brethren”. Falling to his knees, Hyde confessed his own sin, and he remembered the words of Paul, that we should think on things that are lovely and good. "Father," cried Hyde, "show me what things are lovely and of good report in my brother's life.” Like a flash, Hyde remembered the many sacrifices this pastor had made for the Lord, how he had given up all for Christ, how he had suffered deeply for Christ. He thought of the many years of difficult labour this man had invested in the kingdom and the wisdom with which he had resolved congregational conflict. Hyde remembered the man's devotion to his wife and family, and how he had provided a model to the church of godly husbanding. John Hyde spent his prayer time that day praising the Lord for this brother's faithfulness. Shortly afterward, Hyde journeyed into the plains to see this pastor, and he learned that the man had just received a great spiritual uplift, as if a personal revival had refreshed his heart like a springtime breeze. While Hyde had been praising, God had been blessing. Let’s pray.

"What Cure for this Sin-sick Planet?" - March 29, 2020 Rom. 3:9-22

A MORTAL SICKNESS AND DIVINE DISTANCING

Well, this is getting serious. Those who at first treated the coronavirus outbreak lightly are being forced to come to grips with the reality. As of Friday, Canada has over 4,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 39 deaths. On a global scale, things are even more sobering: over half a million cases and 26,000 deaths, with about a third of the world living under restrictions of some kind. Financial markets and businesses have been hard hit, with nonessential businesses closing and many people applying for emergency employment insurance. You just can’t ignore it any more.

It’s been a stressful couple of weeks in homes and workplaces. People that can work from home do so, which means a difference in routine and working conditions. Kids were at first happy to have “March break” (although many holiday plans got squashed) but are having to adjust to being at home for a much longer period. You find we can start to get on each other’s nerves when you’re constantly together 24/7! Spring cleaning has never been so zealously carried out.

As church staff, we have received much positive feedback on attempts to keep meeting virtually for worship and small groups. People get lonely and start missing the social contact. Phone calls and video chats become more precious, because we’ve been insolated.

In today’s Scripture passage from Romans 3, the Apostle Paul points out that our condition is dire, but not from any physical germ. Also that we are cut off severely, but not from other humans – from God! Yet there is also hope, a way to reconnect through trusting in the One God sent to reconcile us.

WHAT’S THE PERCENTAGE?

Following the unfolding COVID-19 crisis is enough to turn one into a news junkie – numbers and statistics crowd our brain. It’s still early to judge the true degree of risk to various age groups, but some percentages are available. What’s the mortality rate? For COVID in China, out of about 45000 confirmed cases, the fatality rate was 2.3% – but that ranged from 0.32% (age 20-49) to 1.3% for those in their 50s, 3.6% for those in their 60s, 8.0% in 70s, and 14.8% for those over 80.

Yet, there’s another mortality rate that’s not often talked about... 100 percent of people die eventually! (Except Enoch and Ezekiel, if you read your Old Testament... And then there’s Lazarus, who could give a statistician a nightmare.) The apostle’s emphasis in the first 3 chapters of Romans is that 100% of us are under sin; Gentiles sin apart from the Mosaic law, Jews sin under the law. V9B, “We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are ALL under sin.” Then from verses 10-18 follow a string of 14 indictments, accusatory charges drawn from various places in the Old Testament. Terms like “none” or “all” are used some 8 times to show the extent of human depravity and lostness. “There is no one righteous, not even one...All have turned away...There is no one who does good, not even one.”

It’s categorical: NO ONE is righteous, Paul is saying; we’ve all blown it, all messed up, all fallen short. And in our conscience we know this is correct, as it applies to us. Gentiles have contravened common law and their conscience; Jewish people have broken the Ten Commandments and dietary and ritual laws God gave them in their covenant. V10 “...Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin” – locked up, dominated, enslaved. Galatians 3:22 puts it, “the whole world is a prisoner to sin;” Romans 7:14 Paul confessed, “I am...sold as a SLAVE to sin.” Our sinful desires imprison us, there are chains we know in our choices that lead to negative consequences, but we find ourselves drawn in nonetheless.

Dr Martin Lloyd-Jones said, “The best man, the noblest, the most learned, the most philanthropic; the greatest idealist, the greatest thinker, say what you like – there has never been a man who can stand up to the test of the law.Drop your plumb-line, and he is not true to it.”

Imagine two men trying to escape from an erupting volcano. As the fiery molten rock gushed out of its gaping crater, they flee in the only direction open to them. All goes well until they come to a stream of hot smoking lava several meters across. Sizing up their situation, they realize that their only hope was to get over that wide barrier. One of the men is old; the other is healthy and young. With a running start, they each try to leap to safety. The first man, the older one, went only a few feet through the air before falling into the bubbling mass. Then the younger fellow has a go at it. With his greater strength and skill, he catapults himself much farther, but still misses the mark. Does it matter that he out-distanced his companion? No, he too perishes in the burning lava.

Sin is falling short of a standard, the glory of God (Rom 3:23). Though some may fall short of the standard by far more than others, all still fall short, nevertheless.

LOST IN OUR MIND, OUR MOUTH, OUR MEMBERS

And it’s not just that all PEOPLE are under sin; it’s extensive in quantity of people, but it’s also extensive throughout each person. In verses 10-18 Paul lists a string of 14 indictments against our character (10-12), our conversation (13f), and our conduct (15-17 - cf J MacArthur); or another way of putting it, our motives, our mouth, our members, and our mind.

Our MOTIVES – if the greatest command involves loving God, we’ve blown it royally. V10 we’re not righteous, we don’t have that goodness of essence that is fundamentally God’s. V11 we don’t understand, we don’t SEEK God - we choose other pursuits. V12 We’ve all turned away, turned aside, headed in the wrong direction; the verb was used of soldiers deserting their unit. We have become ‘worthless’, useless (NLT), unprofitable; the Hebrew term in the original quote means to go bad, become sour like milk. What’s your reaction to a mouthful of milk that’s gone off? You want to spit it out! Sin is just that repulsive to God, it’s abominable to Him.

John Stott notes, “The essence of sin is ungodliness.” We’re like those in Ps 54:3 - “...men without regard for God.” We’re like the wicked person in Ps 10:4 - “In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” Our motives are off, we’ve let other idols enchant us and take over chief spot of adoration in our heart. And so, we forget about God.

Patti got a chuckle at me the other day. I came downstairs quite concerned about location of our 11-year-old Australian Silkie dog named “Diva”, who needs regular bathroom breaks outside. I really thought the dog had been outside with her. When we called for her, we realized she had been upstairs with me all along – I had become so absorbed in my work I’d completely forgotten about her! When our focus shifts to human charms, we forget all about God.

Second, our MOUTH is infected. Vv13-14, “"Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."” Don’t ever get in the practice of lying or telling half-truths: if you always tell the truth, you will never become overwhelmed trying to remember what ‘version’ of reality you told whom.

A melon farmer’s crop of melons was disappearing fast from his field. Thieves were continually stealing the melons under the cover of night’s darkness. The farmer finally became desperat and in an attempt to save his crop from the vandals he decided to put up a sign. It had on it a skull and crossbones and the words, “ONE OF THESE MELONS IS POISONED” – only the farmer knew it was not true.

Sure enough, it worked, for a while – for two nights not a melon was missing. But after the third night the farmer noticed his sign had been altered. Someone had scratched out the word ‘one’ and replaced it so the sign now read: “TWO OF THESE MELONS ARE POISONED.” Scheming to save his whole crop through deception, he lost it all!

Third, our MEMBERS are infected – the motives of our hearts get worked out through our limbs. Vv15-16 “"Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways...” ‘Ruin’ can also mean to break in pieces; ‘misery’ can mean hardship, trouble, calamity – isn’t that what we’re experiencing right now with a global pandemic?

Fourth, our MIND is infected. Vv17-18 “"...and the way of peace they do not know." "There is no fear of God before their eyes."” In the current pandemic, it appears the Chinese authorities at first tried to suppress reports of a coronavirus outbreak, silencing doctors who knew the virus was spreading: political pressures prompted them to pretend everything was all right, when quicker response could have saved many lives. They wanted to look good rather than promote what would help people have peace.

To have ‘no fear of God before their eyes’ is to lack awe for God’s greatness and glory, and to lack appropriate dread of the results of violating God’s holy nature (J MacArthur). Prov 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

The early church learned to have appropriate fear of God through the incident with Ananias & Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11.

You may recall this couple had conspired to hold back some money they were giving to the church, acting like it was the full amount – and were struck dead on the spot!

So, to sum up this section, we are thoroughly infected - in our motives, our mouth, our members, and our mind. Not only do we not fear God, we are fundamentally anti-God, pro-self. John Stott writes, “Sin is the revolt of the self against God, the dethronement of God with a view to the enthronement of oneself. Ultimately, sin is self-deification, the reckless determination to occupy the throne which belongs to God alone.”

A few months ago Patti bought a Jersey heifer (named Honey Boo-boo because she was born Oct.31). This calf is now getting to be a good size, and we are training it to be led with a halter to go out to pasture every day. Sometimes it’s quite a struggle to get her to come, but she’s learning. A couple of times this week she strained so hard against the halter and leaned over to the point she rolled right over on her side! What a picture of human willfulness, stubbornness, and pride. We buck and strain against God’s leading, we have no ‘fear’ of God. He longs for us to partner willingly with Him instead. Psalm 32:9f says, “Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.”

LOCKED UP WITHOUT RECOURSE

We are “all under sin”, Paul asserts (v9); “there is no one who does good, not even one” (v12). 100% of us are guilty of rejecting God, and in our conduct and constitution as individuals we are also 100% contaminated with sin’s fallout. We are locked up under sin, locked away from a holy God.

With an upcoming real estate transaction, I had to get something to my lawyer’s office in Seaforth this past week. It was arranged beforehand by phone: I would stand outside the building to sign the documents for him to witness, and then I’d place the signed documents and key in a supplied envelope in the mail drop box outside his office. While we were talking back and forth on the phone through his office window the lawyer commented he felt like he was in prison, talking through the glass on a telephone! Strange thing coming from a lawyer – particularly when he’s the one on the inside.

V19 talks about us sinners being locked up before our heavenly Judge: “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.” Those ‘under the law’ being Jews who perhaps supposed they might be exempt from condemnation because they had received the special divine revelation of the Law and the Prophets. But Paul is adamant that both Jew and Gentile have fallen short. In comparison to the law’s perfect standard, its detailed requirements, every mouth is “silenced”; the whole world is accountable to God, NLT “is GUILTY before God”. The charge has been set forth, the evidence presented – any defense is short-circuited because the evidence is so overwhelming. There’s nothing more to be said, just wait for the pronouncement of “guilty” and sentencing.

We see the purpose of the law in bringing us to consciousness of our desperate straits, it shows us the starkness of our condition relative to the purity and goodness and holiness of God Himself. Yet it’s powerless to do anything concrete about saving us. V20 “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” NRSV through the law “comes knowledge of sin”. Law is like a mirror: it shows us our face is dirty, but it can’t do a thing to help us actually get cleaner. It helps us become conscious of sin, points it out in us, convicts us. Martin Luther wrote: “The principal point...of the law...is to make men not better but worse; that is to say, it sheweth unto them their sin, that by the knowledge thereof they may be humbled, terrified, bruised and broken, and by this means may be driven to seek grace, and so come to that blessed Seed” (i.e.Christ).

The law is useful in pointing us to what’s right, but it’s powerless to enforce compliance. This past week a 53-year-old woman in Corner Brook Newfoundland was arrested TWICE in two days for violating the province’s self-isolation orders. I’d have thought once would have been enough to get the point! “Just Stay Home.”

LINK-UP

Before the law alone, our condition is grim. We are locked up, imprisoned, silenced and guilty, made accountable to God. What a pitiable state if that were the end of the matter! But Good News starts to be sounded in vv21-22: “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”

A “righteousness from God”, v20 “declared righteous in His sight” – to share God’s own holy and just character, His purity, His innocence, His perfection – to have nothing between us and Him, to be at peace with Him rather than His enemy. That would be to LINK UP instead of being LOCKED UP.

We’ll talk more about this state of being connected and at peace with God in coming weeks, and how it works itself out in our spiritual life, our individual and corporate behaviour. But for now note (a) how it’s part of God’s plan from centuries before, and (b) how it is made possible.

(A) It’s part of God’s plan: V21 “to which the Law and the Prophets testify” - the phrase “the Law and the Prophets” is shorthand for the Hebrew Scriptures, the Jewish Old Testament. In other words, this wasn’t God’s ‘Plan B’, it didn’t take Him by surprise: Jesus Himself pointed back to OT prophecies He was fulfilling.

(B) It’s made possible through trusting in Jesus Christ. V22 “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” NLT “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.” Just as we “all” (100%) were convicted and guilty of sin, so now “all” (100%) have the opportunity to put their faith in Christ – no matter what your background, whether Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female – Jesus has thrown the gate wide open for all who will receive Him as Lord.

What’s your faith in? Times like these can be fearsome, when a deadly pestilence is on the prowl. It takes something pretty dramatic to send entire countries into lockdown. Scripture reminds us to keep trusting in the Lord (even while we heed the government’s direction to wash our hands often).

Faith is an essential element of life, but the faith must be in God. Sir Donald Malcolm Campbell, the British car- and boat-racer and holder of several world speed records, lost his life while racing a fast boat on one of the lakes of Scotland. The boat exploded and rapidly sank. The only thing that ever surfaced was a toy stuffed animal, Campbell’s ‘good luck charm’. It was powerless to help him in the final and fatal crisis of his life. Faith is only as good as its object is able.

A small boy in England was asked by a scientific team to be lowered down the side of a cliff to recover some important specimens. Though the scientists offered to pay him greatly, the boy said no. They tried to persuade him further and he finally consented, but only on one condition – that his father would be the one to hold the ropes by which he would be lowered.

Who’s holding your rope? Jesus is the One you can trust to not let you fall from His grip – have faith that He can carry you now and into eternity. Let’s pray.

"Trusting the God who Gives Life to the Dead" - Palm / Passion Sunday April 5, 2020 Rom. 4:16-25

FEARSOME FACTS, DEADLY DOUBT

In times of uncertainty, how good it is to find anchors, what we can count on as a ‘sure thing’. Romans 4:16 tells us about something that’s GUARANTEED to believers: 4:16 “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be GUARANTEED to all Abraham’s offspring...” A guarantee is a promise that someone will stand behind an item you buy, for example. If something goes wrong, you can take it back, they’ll honour their promise to make sure you get what you need.

It’s been another tumultuous week as the coronavirus continues its march around the planet. Global cases topped a million, with about a quarter of that in our neighbour to the south. Canada topped 10,000 cases, and Ontario has seen nearly 70 deaths (as of time of writing). A 65-bed nursing home in Bobcaygeon was hit hard, around 20 associated fatalities. New York’s situation seems dire. And then there’s the uncertainty about how to fend it off. Myths circulate on social media that aren’t really helpful. Can you trust the source? Is it a proven method? Should healthy people wear a mask, or not wear a mask? Even various states and countries differ in their approach to prevention, some not locking down. A 60-something-member chorale in Washington State that practiced March 10 following state guidelines ended up with two people dead and 45 ill, prompting some to postulate the virus could be spread in fine aerosol fashion rather than just bigger droplets. The stock market graph over recent months is starting to look like exaggerated “W’s”!

And in such times of stress and unpredictability, what do people turn to? TOILET PAPER!! “When the roll is called up yonder...”

The heroes of faith in Scripture faced challenging times, too: plagues – enemies – hostile governments – threats and imprisonment. Their realities were stark and frightening at times. Yet their faith kept them calm and trusting in their Rock despite the forces opposing them. Faith is like that: it looks past the immediate circumstances to the larger picture of God’s plan and call into eternal relationship. Heb 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Faith fails to flinch in the face of seemingly fearsome facts. As John Stott observes, “Faith always looks at the PROBLEMS in light of the PROMISES.”

In Romans 4, the Apostle Paul takes a bit of a sidebar to look at the Jewish patriarch, Abraham. Paul’s aim is to show that even Abraham, the father of the Hebrew nation, was deemed righteous in the sight of God by faith, apart from the works of the Mosaic Law.

Abraham and Sarah faced uncertainties in their lives, too. Abraham started off as an immigrant, a refugee of sorts. He wandered his whole life, hardly owning any real estate. He was basically a nomad. And toward the end of his life, Abraham had a significant problem: he had herds and wealth but no son who could be an heir and get the benefit of his father’s estate. Sarah and Abraham tried to come up with their own solution: using Sarah’s slave girl Hagar as a sort of surrogate, but God made clear that Hagar’s resulting son Ishmael was not to be Abraham’s main heir. God had promised to make Abraham into “a great nation” (Gen 12:2), that his offspring would be as countless as the stars (Gen 15:5) – but Sarah was past the age of childbearing, and they had no children. This would appear to be a slight problem!!

Rom 4:19 “Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead— since he was about a hundred years old— and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.” “As good as dead” – past it – worn out – impotent: sometimes it’s brutal to “face the facts”. Sudden layoffs this past month resulted in about an eighth of our country’s workforce suddenly applying for emergency EI support. What’s unpleasant or brutal for YOU right now in ‘facing the facts’? What will you do with it: use it as an excuse to walk away from God, OR to grow stronger in your faith as you see how the Lord works things out?

Today is Palm / Passion Sunday. In the hours leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus also had to ‘face the facts’ arrayed overwhelmingly against Him. Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, it was not too late to escape, to just drop it all and run for the hills; His soul was in anguish at the prospect of pain, suffering, betrayal, beating, and tortured death that awaited Him. He admitted to His closest disciples, Mt 26:38 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.Stay here and keep watch with me.” Can you relate to that a little bit? Jesus then pleaded with His Heavenly Father, Mt 26:39 “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.Yet not as I will, but as you will.” He entrusted His future into His Father’s sovereign wisdom.

A few minutes later, there was a rustling in the orchard and “a large crowd armed with swords and clubs” (Mt 26:47) surrounded Him. There had been other times in His ministry when people were about to stone Him that Jesus miraculously escaped. Would He do so again? No; He submitted to the plan God had designed for our salvation. He ordered one of His companions to put back the sword he’d used to cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus said, Mt 26:53f “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” Jesus trusted God’s plan in uncertain times, threatening times.

HOPE’S ANCHORS: GOD’S POWER AND PERSON

When you’re going through a crisis, you long for something reassuring to cling to. More reliable than the stock market. More certain than government programs. In Abraham’s case, he found that “something” in God’s POWER and God’s PERSON.

Note: ‘power’ alone is not enough – you may be impressed by the muscles of a bouncer at the nightclub, but if he’s not in favour of letting you in, if you’re not on good terms with him, it’s not going to get you very far! In fact you might be better off to stay away. So, power AND person – are they favourably disposed toward you? What’s their character, will they ‘be there’ for you when the crunch comes?

Let’s first of all look at POWER. Rom 4:21 “...being fully persuaded that God had POWER to do what he had promised.” Abraham had already seen God’s hand at work in his life. God had called him to leave the land of Haran. God kept him alive through famine, and prospered him in the land of Egypt: Gen 13:2 “Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.” When four kings defeated the kings where Abraham’s nephew Lot lived and carried everyone off as plunder, God helped Abraham take 318 of his own servants and defeat the 4 kings, retrieving his nephew and freeing all the other captives (Gen 14:16). Abraham had had a taste of God’s power to bless in a person’s life.

Note how Paul describes this powerful God at the end of Rom 4:17: “He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed— the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.” God is the God of resurrection power (gives life to the dead) and the God of power seen in creation (calls things that are not as though they were).

The author of the book of Hebrews points out Abraham got a glimpse of God’s resurrection power when Isaac was spared from being sacrificed. Heb 11:19 “Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.”

The disciples witnessed God’s mighty power at work raising the dead during Jesus’ lifetime: Jairus’ daughter (Mt 9:18ff); the son of the widow at Nain (Lk 7:11ff); Lazarus (John 11:1ff). Then the climax came when God (4:24) “raised Jesus our Lord from the dead”. That’s resurrection power.

But there’s also God’s power seen in creation. 4:17 “...the God who...calls things that are not as though they were.” NLT “creates new things out of nothing.” Scientists have done research and now accept the evidence for a “Big Bang” instead of steady-state approach to the universe: there was a definite beginning, which Scripture points to. (It was good to catch a free showing of Del Tackett’s documentary Is Genesis History? recently, in which he interviewed various scientists who outline evidence for God’s supernatural hand at work in creation.)

There is nothing stronger than God’s power – the power that backs His promises. Jeremiah the prophet prays in Jer 32:17 “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.Nothing is too hard for you.” And Paul writes to the church at Ephesus of God’s power at work in them as it was in Jesus, Eph 1:19f “and his incomparably great power for us who believe.That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms...”

But Abraham trusted not only in God’s POWER, but also God’s PERSON. What’s the character of the one who’s making the promise? Are they like ‘election promises’, that often evaporate once the party really gets into power?

Rom 4:21 “...being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” God’s promises spring from His covenant relationship with us, His plans and purposes for us, which flow from His essential character. What is God “like”, what’s His disposition?

A recurring theme in the Old Testament is summed up in Psalm 86:15, “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Not ‘stingy’ in love and faithfulness, but ‘abounding’!

In John 14, Philip wanted to know what God is like. Jn 14:8f “Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’ Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.’” Hebrews 1:3 says “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” So when we wonder what God’s essential character is like, all we have to do is look at Jesus — who loved us so much He went to the cross to purify us of our sins. And then of course there’s 1John’s simple assertion, “God is love.” (1Jn 4:8,16)

How much does God love you? He sent Jesus to take your place, to have your sin and punishment loaded onto Him, so that you might receive His righteousness, the “all-clear” of no longer being guilty in God’s sight. Rom 4:25 “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”

This is Palm/Passion Sunday: the ‘passion’ part refers to Jesus’ suffering for our sakes. Jesus loved you so much as to go through all that pain and suffering and alienation and torture, to empty Himself on your behalf. Php 2:7f [Jesus] “made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!”

John Stott notes, “Behind all promises likes the character of the person who makes them.” When someone with whom you have a history makes a promise they’re going to do something, you accept that promise at face value because you know they’ve been reliable in the past. The Bible is the record of God’s people’s dealings with Him, how He’s proved Himself reliable over and over again.

HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU, KID

Paul brings it all home in the last 3 verses of the chapter. He’s not just talking about Abraham in vague general terms: he’s saying the way Abraham found righteousness – by faith, simply trusting God, taking Him at His word – is the way WE can find righteousness [peace with God], too. Vv23-24 “The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness— for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” Written FOR US, for us... The pattern that applied to Abraham applies in your case, too. It’s not on the basis of works: you can’t EARN right standing before God – you’re mired in sin in your natural self. Righteousness is credited or ‘reckoned’ or ‘imputed’ solely by grace, as a gift, received by faith – you’ve got to trust God’s word on this one! You’ll never work hard enough or achieve enough merit to deserve forgiveness.

In many ways, our current trying circumstances (being locked up, battling infection) offer an OPPORTUNITY – (a) to be strengthened spiritually, (b) to give glory to God.

(A) An opportunity to be strengthened spiritually: It must have been very sobering for Abraham to “face the facts” that his body was “as good as dead”. But he didn’t let doubt and fear get the better of him. V19 “Without weakening in his faith”; v20 “Yet he did not waver through unbelief”. Abraham refused to become weak in faith, despite the obvious limitations of his physical condition, his lack of virility. Instead, what happened? V20B He “was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” He was strengthened in his faith, he ‘was made strong by his faith’ (BBE) – is this current crisis making you stronger because you’re leaning on God more?

Values are changing, or at least suspended. Someone was remarking the big box stores that normally draw crowds of shoppers - wide screen TVs, etc – are conspicuously empty. When you’re in a battle for health and survival, the accessories become secondary. So many outbreaks in nursing homes; so many coronavirus cases in even the 40-59 age group! When confronted by the possibility of death, it forces us to come to grips with the question, what matters most to us? That can open the door to stronger faith in our Maker and Redeemer.

Also it’s an opportunity to GIVE GLORY TO GOD. V20B NLT “In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.” How real Christians stand up in tough times makes God look good, appealing. “Make ‘em want what you’ve got.” The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control: what better conditions to be actively showing these qualities to our neighbours?

John Stott says Abraham “glorified God by letting God be God – trusting Him to be true to Himself as the God of creation and resurrection.” Our glorifying the Father is wrapped up with letting His essential character and nature (like we see in Jesus) become more obvious even through our trying circumstances.

John MacArthur notes that such response brings glory to God since believing God (trusting God) affirms His existence and character... When others can see us maintaining our faith in God despite things not all being rosy, it’s a strong statement about God being real, that God exists, He is not silent, He is actively ‘there for us’ sustaining us through our hardships.

HOW ARE YOU PACKING YOUR PARACHUTE?

On March 24 Bloomberg reported nearly a million Canadians applied for jobless claims the previous week, representing almost 5% of the labour force. That’s a lot of people! In 1970 Richard Nelson Bolles wrote the book What Color is Your Parachute? which has since sold over 10 million copies. At a business meeting in 1968 when someone told him that he and several co-workers were "bailing out" of a failing organization, Bolles was prompted to joke, "What color is your parachute?" – and the phrase has since stuck.

A lot of people are looking for a parachute in these times – locked up, isolated, out of work, bills to pay... Where can they find hope? And what is the church’s role in ‘loving our neighbour’?

Speaking of parachutes – World War II parachute packers had an unacceptable record: 19 out of 20 parachutes opened. The manager discovered that by allowing the packers the pleasure of testing their parachutes by jumping from a plane, quality rose to 100 percent.

Are you ready to jump? How firmly packed is your faith? These trying times are an opportunity to imitate Abraham, to not weaken but become strengthened in faith, and to glorify God. Let’s pray.

“Rejoicing in Hardship, through our Risen Saviour” - Easter Sunday April 12, 2020 Rom.5:1-11

COOPED UP IN CONDEMNATION

[video: chicken coop - stinks, but safe from enemies]

People are starting to get weary of being locked up due to the effort to “flatten the curve” of the coronavirus pandemic. We will tolerate being locked up / cooped up for a time, especially if it means being kept safe from nasty predators like coyotes or hawks or deadly viruses, but it can become claustrophobic after a while. We miss our freedom.

In the first 3 chapters of Romans, Paul showed how the whole human race is locked up in sin, guilty prisoners of our own bent desires: Jews, Gentiles, and critical moralizers who were proud of how they were doing in some aspects while overlooking their failures in other areas. The climax of his argument came in Rom 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...”

When we come to Romans 5, there are four terms Paul uses to sum up our reality apart from Christ: sinners; ungodly; enemies; and powerless. Not a very complimentary portrait that he’s painting!

“Sinners” - v8 “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We’ve missed the mark, wandered from the path, violated God’s law. People during the outbreak need to be careful to respect the laws about physical distancing and essential businesses OR they may get hit with a fine – how much more seriously ought we to take God’s laws!

We were “ungodly”, v6 - “Christ died for the ungodly.” The impious, those “destitute of reverential awe toward God.” Spiritual rebels, detesting divine authority, wanting to do our own thing.

We were “enemies”, v10 - “For if, when we were God’s enemies...” The word means hostile, hating, opposing another; we were hostile to God, and with regard to His sovereign holiness, we were enemies. John MacArthur notes, “God has declared Himself to be at war with every human being because of man’s sinful rebellion against Him and His laws.” As we read in Deuteronomy 32(21f), “They made me jealous by what is no god and angered me with their worthless idols...For a fire has been kindled by my wrath, one that burns to the realm of death below...” Psalm 7:11 “God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day.” And Eph 5:6, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.”

The chickens and turkeys have enemies that would love to eat them – hawks and coyotes. You don’t want God as your enemy! But that’s the situation with unrepentant sinners.

And, as if being sinners, ungodly, and God’s enemies wasn’t bad enough, we were “powerless” – v6, “when we were still powerless...” The word in the Greek means weak, sick, impotent, feeble. We were completely without strength when it comes to spiritual matters.

So, apart from Christ, we are cooped up, locked up in condemnation, fair and just targets of God’s wrath for breaking His commands. John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” And Col 1:21 “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.” Alienated, cut off, estranged – legitimate targets of divine judgment.

CONNECTED THROUGH CHRIST’S CRUCIFIXION

Today is Easter Sunday. When Jesus rose from the dead, it was exhibiting God’s stamp of approval on Jesus’ atoning sacrifice made on the cross on Good Friday. The stone was rolled away, not so Jesus could get out (after all, the disciples subsequently found him appearing inside locked rooms!), but to show to all people that Jesus’ death had accomplished salvation for those who would receive Him. Paul uses various terms to describe the reconnection this made possible – justified, peace, access, reconciliation. The enemy parties have been brought together.

“Justified” and “peace” - v1 “since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Also v9, “Since we have now been justified by His blood...” Here ‘blood’ means not just the actual fluid – it was a figure of speech for people in Bible times as a way of referring to a violent death. To be ‘justified’ means to be declared just or righteous in God’s sight, to be ‘put right’ in the relationship. Good Friday holds the key to the means by which this comes about. Rom 3:24-25 “...and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—” And so Jesus became the stand-in, the One who was punished in the stead of us sinners.

Paul talks about the ACCESS believers now have, a way cleared: v2 [Jesus] “through whom we have gained access by faith into the grace in which we now stand.” A better expression might be “introduction”, as in, you don’t just walk up to the Prime Minister and demand an audience without someone arranging it, giving you an introduction, the right to take some of his time. Jesus by His death and resurrection has arranged for us entry and attendance in the heavenly court; it’s grace “in which we now stand,” we don’t have to beat a speedy exit, but can marvel in the presence of the King. John Stott comments, “Justified believers enjoy a blessing far greater than a periodic approach to God or an occasional audience with the king.We are privileged to live in the temple and in the palace...Our relationship with God...is not sporadic but continuous, not precarious but secure.We do not fall in and out of grace like courtiers who may find themselves in and out of favour with their sovereign...” (A certain government official who seems to have a penchant for firing those who disagree with him comes to mind.) Thank God for the privilege of ACCESS!

Another term Paul uses is RECONCILED. Vv10-11 “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” It echoes a financial term, making change, exchanging coins for equal value; we speak of “reconciling” our chequebook or bank statement, making sure things add up and balance out. If someone doesn’t tally right at the till you feel “shortchanged”, you might complain it wasn’t fair. Thus it also refers to bringing together parties who were at odds. 2Cor 5:19 “...In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them...”

CAUGHT UP IN EXULTATION

To review where we’ve come from so far: we were Cooped Up in Condemnation; became Connected through Christ’s Crucifixion; now we are Caught Up in Exultation.

Several times in this passage, Paul uses the word “rejoice” or “exult” or “boast” or “glory”. If a vaccine were discovered for COVID-19 tomorrow, there would be much ‘rejoicing/exulting’ around the globe!

We find at the end of v2 one thing we can rejoice in. “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” What’s this mean? It can be taken a few ways.

A) We rejoice in the hope that Jesus is coming back and will take us to be with Him in glory. Mk 13.26 “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” This world’s woes prompt us to sigh and utter with John the writer of the Book of Revelation, “Maranatha – Come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev 22:20)

B) We also have hope of being ever-increasingly conformed to the likeness of Christ, coming to share His beauty and nature and glory. 1Jn 3:2 “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” 2Cor 3:18 “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” It’s not instantaneous, this transformation – it’s an ongoing process, as God’s Spirit shapes our life.

C) Paul also talks in chapter 8 about the “glorious freedom of the children of God” that this groaning, virus- and disease-riddled creation will one day be brought into (v21). He comments, Rom 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (NRSV “to us”)

We look forward to Jesus’ return, calling us to our eternal home, and the renewing of creation like birds heading back into the safety of the barn at nighttime... [VIDEO CLIP]

Maybe think of the barn as symbolic of heaven, our secureness in eternity. We are saved from God’s wrath – the punishment our sins and lack of reverence for God warranted – through Jesus. V9 “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” And did you know that security can begin right away, right here, right now in this life, through trusting in Jesus? He promised in John 5:24, “"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” HAS CROSSED OVER – perfect tense, it’s already happened, eternal life starts now!

Another place Paul talks about ‘rejoicing’ in something is found in v11: “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” Let us exult in God, let us rejoice in our loving Heavenly Father! Don’t just rejoice in the gifts, but the Giver. This passage mentions many positive things the Lord blesses us with: justification, peace, grace, hope, love, salvation – but let’s exult primarily in the GIVER. Rejoice ‘in God’.

What did Jesus say was the most important commandment? Love God with all your heart soul mind and strength (and your neighbour as yourself) - Luke 10:27. This passage reverberates with God’s love for us, the loving relationship He wants with us in return. 5:8 talks about the objective PROOF that God loves us: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” John Stott observes, “The unique majesty of God’s love lies in the combination of 3 factors, namely that when Christ died for us, God (a) was giving himself, (b) even to the horrors of a sin-bearing death on the cross, and ( C) doing so for his undeserving enemies.”

But it’s not just that God’s love is expressed OUT THERE in history, objectively: He sends it flooding into our being, subjectively, to be experienced and felt. Rom 5:5 “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” The relationship is key: don’t just want God for the gifts He gives, the emotional highs or warm fuzzies, but treasure the Giver Himself.

CHARACTER-CHISELED

There’s one more thing Paul says we can rejoice in – and it’s surprising – but very applicable to our current circumstances. It’s easy to be happy and pleasant and joyful in the good times. But what about when life is hard? When the people of Wuhan were under lockdown for almost 7 whole weeks?

The apostle maintains we can rejoice even in our sufferings. V3 “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings...” WHAT? Are you CRAZY? Rejoicing in our sufferings? Paul goes on to explain his rationale: vv3b-4 “...because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

The Bible is very realistic about the hardships we will experience in life, unlike the ‘prosperity gospel’ or ‘health-and-wealth gospel’ that’s taught by too many today. The Greek word (thlipsis) means pressure, like olives being squeezed in a press to extract the oil. (Where did Jesus pray? In Gethsemane, a grove of olive trees, which likely had a built-in olive press nearby.) Believers will have a mindset, an eternal frame of reference, that’s different from that of worldly culture. Our values and priorities will be different. And so we will be persecuted. Jesus told His followers in Jn 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.In this world you will have trouble.But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Likewise Paul and Barnabas told the early followers of The Way, Acts 14:22 “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God...”

Is life tough for you right now? Maybe it’s the restrictions due to coronavirus. Maybe it’s other factors that were there in the background but only brought to a head by what’s happening at present. Working from home throws new wrinkles into the mix and can be a cause of stress. Healthcare workers on the front lines are having to work long hours and take extra precautions which doesn’t make life easy. A record number of people are unemployed (approaching 25% in Alberta), businesses are feeling the pinch due to being temporarily shuttered or unable to accept walk-ins. In many countries, Christians might welcome such hardships, for there their homes and churches are being torched or they suffer physical beatings for their faith. Yet Paul says we can rejoice in our sufferings?

According to vv3-4, it’s those hardships that develop perseverance, [NRSV] endurance; and perseverance produces character. This is what the Lord’s after, what His goal for us is: developing character in us that honours Him, reflects His glory and goodness. The Greek word for “character” means ‘proven’ or ‘proof’, it was used in the business of testing the quality of metals, refining them. Would you rather be teamed up with an experienced veteran – or a raw recruit? Give me an experienced veteran anyday! You want someone to cover your back who’s already proven themselves in the line of fire.

[VISUAL] Consider sufferings like a chisel, this sharp pointy instrument. It’s used by a carver to chip away the excess, the unwanted parts, in order to produce a quality finished product, a piece of art [e.g.carved birds / maple syrup shack carving]. The Lord can use your sufferings to produce a sculpture resembling the excellent qualities of His Son. The process is not pleasant, but the end result is magnificent!

ENDURING LIFE’S HURRICANES

Easter focuses on the triumph Christ won over sin and the grave. The empty tomb came at a cost: His dedication to the Father, and love for humanity, to the point of laying down His life completely so that those who believe in Him might gain eternal life. And the Holy Spirit to give us new birth and strength to endure life’s buffets and trials day-to-day, with ever-increasing glory.

What gives you roots, what’s anchoring you right now through life’s hardships? Are you clinging to Jesus, crucified and risen, our Judge and our Hope?

Several years ago a man reported his observations of the effects of a hurricane on a southeastern Gulf Coast town. As he walked up and down the ravaged streets, he observed that the palm trees had been uprooted and flung about. Once tall and majestic, their root systems were too shallow to withstand the hurricane force winds. But as he proceeded, he came upon a lone oak tree. The leaves had been blown away and some of the smaller branches ripped off, but the roots had gone deep, and the tree held its position. And in due season it would again produce leaves.

So with us – if we are to endure in times of great stress and difficulty, we will obey the Spirit’s prompts to put down a depth of character that will sustain the blows of the trial. Sink those roots ever deeper into Jesus, while the love of God keeps pouring into your heart and causing you to rejoice in Him! Let’s pray.

“Jesus the Gate to Good Pasture” - April 26, 2020 Jn.10:1-10

THE ROBBER’S RAMPAGE

Beware the deadly robber...Our Lord Jesus said in John 10:1, “"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.” And in v10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy...”

It’s been a horrific week in Nova Scotia after a gunman using multiple vehicles killed 22 people and burned several homes. Such killing and destruction! Can this really be happening in rural Canada? What makes it particularly sinister is how the gunman used an RCMP-like uniform and replica of an RCMP cruiser, effectively disguising himself as he moved from place to place. Very deliberate; very intentional – very sick.

On the radio one man told of his brother going to take pictures of the fire nearby, then eventually going himself and in the dark with a flashlight finding his brother shot dead, with other shots being fired; so he went and hid in the woods in the freezing cold for 4 hours, concerned for his own father whom he’d left alone back at the house. Sheer terror! Evil is just so – evil. Something much more than naturalistic explanations must be involved; much more than a human simply dancing to the music of their DNA.

Meanwhile, on a broader scale, many nations continue in lockdown trying to ‘flatten the curve’ of the spread of the coronavirus. Globally as of Friday the Johns Hopkins University tracking website listed nearly 2.8 million confirmed cases worldwide, and close to 200,000 deaths. In Ontario, some 14,000 cases and 830 deaths, many of them in long-term care homes. After a while the numbers just seem to start to blur, you get so used to hearing them day after day. But each of those numbers represents a life, important to someone. COVID-19 is a killer and a thief, destroying health, pre-empting relationships.

When in your lifetime can you remember whole economies grinding to almost a standstill? When has the price of oil ever actually been in the negative like it was this past week?! (“I’ll pay you to take it off my hands so I don’t have to store it.”) Remarkable times. Chicken Little – the sky is not falling, but the ground sure seems to be shaking. Times that test one’s faith. Against COVID there is still no vaccine, no medicinal “wall” that can protect us other than our body’s own marvelously-designed immune system. We don masks and practice physical distancing, trying to create a barrier between us and the deadly bug – but wonder whether WE ourselves could become one of those mounting statistics.

Of course, morally-geared agents that we are, when something doesn’t go the way we like, we try to assign blame and responsibility to somebody else. There was the suggestion this week that Canada’s Hong Kong-born chief medical officer was somehow in league with China because of delay in her initial response, and back-tracking about wearing masks. (Probably such an extreme allegation says more about the person making it than about its perceived target!) Racism rears its ugly head. Like the prejudice that resulted in many harmless and innocent Japanese Canadians being needlessly sent to prison camps during WWII as a safeguard. Racism and hate can wall us in, close us off.

Evil was at work in Gabriel Wortman, the shooter; destruction is at work in the coronavirus. But not us, right? Yet Jesus warned it’s not just murderers who will be subject to judgment; Mt 5:22 “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment...Anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

It’s not just those on society’s fringe who can get off track and cause mayhem. The prophets in the Old Testament spoke out against Israel’s leaders – kings, priests, and prophets – because their corruption was hurting the people and leading the nation into punishment, namely, exile. Isaiah 56:10-12 “Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep.They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough.They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain."Come," each one cries, "let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better."” (Gonna kill another case of 24, or something like that – one country song I heard recently.) Hmm, any of that sound familiar? “Never have enough”; “turn to their own way”, seek our own gain. Sounds like they were just being ‘regular folks’ – but leadership demands more than just the lowest common denominator.

Likewise in Ezekiel’s time, the rulers were criticized by God’s prophet for failing to shepherd the citizen-sheep. Ezek 34:2,8 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?...As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock...” They took care of themselves (at the sheep’s expense) but failed to care for the flock. But isn’t that just ‘looking out for Number 1' as we say? Ezek 34:4 “You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured.You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost.You have ruled them harshly and brutally.” It seems God expected those in power to look out for the interests of those who had the LEAST power, and they weren’t doing that. When have WE been harsh or brutal in our words or actions? Do we strengthen the weak, or leave them to fend for themselves? By sarcasm or harsh criticism do we rob people of their self-respect and dignity? Do we ever go on an emotionally-prompted rampage?

THE WALL: HEMMED IN BY OUR PERVERSION

Larry Crabb is a Biblical counselor who sees significance and security as two of our deepest human needs. Here are a couple of quotes from him in his book Effective Biblical Counseling: “We are motivated to meet our needs for significance and security in ways we unconsciously believe will work.” (And) “By cutting God off (what a staggering concept of freedom—mere humans can cut God off from their lives), you cut off the only source of true significance and security.”

Security is HUGE in terms of basic felt needs. We long for safety from predators. We carefully construct our cyber- and screen-portaled cocoons. We feel threatened when we’re laid off and the paycheque is suddenly gone; when we land in the hospital unexpectedly; when someone close to us dies. We miss that wall of safety and security when it’s not there.

Jesus’ allegory in John 10 is set in your typical Palestinian sheepfold. This was often a wall made of stones large enough to contain several flocks, with only a single entrance. Sometimes the gatekeeper actually slept lying across the entrance to keep the predators out and the sheep in!

A big ring or square of stones with a single exit. We don’t like limits, we don’t want to feel hemmed in. Many have been chaffing at having to be off work and confined at home due to the lockdown. One protester south of the border put it something like this: “The government doesn’t control us! WE control the government – it’s our constitutional right.” There’s the spirit of American independence, the Boston Tea Party, in a nutshell. But let’s remember there is still governing to be done, it’s not anarchy! To quote Lincoln’s closing words in the Gettysburg Address – “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” There IS government OF the people, not just people controlling the government.

To be able to enjoy a ‘wall’ of security and order often involves submitting to government directive. (If you don’t think so, just try driving on the wrong side of the road sometime and tell me how it goes!) It may ‘irk’ our stubborn independent streak to submit, but it’s good and necessary. Paul commanded the early Christians in Romans 13:1-2,4a,6-7: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.The authorities that exist have been established by God.Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves...For he is God’s servant to do you good...This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”

Similarly, the apostle Peter wrote: 1Peter 2:17 “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” The ‘sword’ of government is there to ‘wall in’ wrongdoing, to set helpful limits, to protect the powerless.

In an ideal world filled with enlightened conscientious folk who always looked out for the other person’s best interests, we might not need so many laws. But we don’t live in such a world (as two world wars dashed the hopes of liberal optimism in the early 20^th century). Education has NOT made us ‘gooder and gooder’. In fact there’s danger that, since AI (Artificial Intelligence) is made in the image of humans, it could endanger us. The truth is (as the Bible tells us), Jer 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.Who can understand it?” We are morally SICK and there is no cure. We are all “under sin” as Paul put it in Romans 3 (remember from a few weeks back?) – under sin, walled in, enclosed by it. Rom 3:9f,18 “We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one...”"There is no fear of God before their eyes."”

Morally speaking, we are all ‘dead meat’ metaphorically speaking, ethically road kill; there’s a little Gabriel Wortman in all of us. Ephesians 2:1-3 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.”

We follow this world’s ways, we disobey just like the ruler of the air-kingdom, we get towed along by our sinful cravings. We’re walled in by sin. Is there no way out? Must we remain targets of holy wrath?

Here’s a headline from this past Tuesday, April 21: “Coronavirus: World risks 'biblical' famines due to pandemic - UN”. Apparently the head of the World Food Programme is warning that urgent action is needed to avoid a catastrophe: A report estimates that the number suffering from hunger could go from 135 million to more than 250 million. Times of tragedy and natural catastrophe ought to prompt us to re-evaluate, wake us up, shake us from our complacency.

In Luke 13 Jesus was told about some Galileans that the Roman governor Pilate had apparently murdered. He did not go into the politics of it or ponder whether they must have deserved this fate. Instead He remarked, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Then He uses the example of another natural tragedy, a tower collapsing. Lk 13:4-5 “Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them— do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Tragedy can prompt sober reflection and repentance, turning toward God, away from this world’s passing distractions.

A SINGLE DOOR, BUT MUCH PASTURE

In the case of the corrupt Old Testament rulers, God promised He Himself would step in to care for His sheep. Anticipating the Messiah / Christ: Isaiah 40:11 “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Or Ezekiel 34:16 “I will search for the lost and bring back the strays.I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy.I will shepherd the flock with justice.” In other words, the exact things the current leaders were failing to do!

And so we come in today’s passage to the third of Jesus’ seven “I AM” statements in John’s Gospel. Jn 10:7,9 “Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep...I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.He will come in and go out, and find pasture.”

We’ve talked about the wall, about being totally constricted, hemmed in by our sin and rebellion and disobedience. Jesus is THE GATE - the only way out! Does it sound egocentric and selfish, even proud for Him to be saying this? Not if it’s true! And He can only say it because He paid the price for it, He embraced the sacrificial fate that was prepared for Him from all eternity.

It’s totally in line with other striking claims Jesus made. Jn 5:23 “that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.” What? Proclaiming He was due honour just as God was?! Jn 14:6 (another of the “I AM” statements) “Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Again, the language of access, coming, being the way – out the gate of the sheepfold into freedom. Then in John 20 as Pastor Rob preached about last week, Thomas bowed down and worshipped the Risen Lord in Jn 20:28: “Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"” And Jesus accepted this tribute, not trying to correct him or rebuke Thomas for blasphemy.

Remember the price Jesus paid to become our Saviour: He predicted His crucifixion, and rose from the dead, a singular event in all history. No other religious leader has ever predicted his return from the dead and then carried it out! The earliest eyewitnesses maintained the factuality of these events as pointing to the singularity of Jesus being our Saviour, no other: Ac 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Breaking through the wall of sin took a once-for-all total dedication by a sinless individual, who was totally devoted to saving us. Jesus was following the pattern He taught His disciples in Mk 10:43-45, not ‘throwing their weight around’ like secular rulers commonly did: “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

There it is: He gave His life – to be your ransom, your GATE.

This passage has precious promises for those who long for a way out of this walled-in mire. First, that we can BE SAVED: 10:9a “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” (The ‘through Me’ is emphasized in the sentence construction.) Interestingly, the Greek word transliterates as SOS! Jesus is the One that can “Save Our Souls”, make us safe and sound, no longer objects of wrath. The security we truly hanker for. Romans 10:9f “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

Second, believing in Christ we obtain SAFETY AND SUPPLY. 10:9B “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.He will come in and go out, and find pasture.” ‘Coming in’ represents safety, entering Heaven’s gates, the eternal home He has gone ahead to prepare for us (Jn 14:2f). “Going out” could point to our newfound freedom as God’s children, ‘having the run of the place’; Romans 8:21 says “that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” ‘Bondage to decay’ – that’s coronavirus, pandemic, plague, famine of Biblical proportions – where we are right now; we long for freedom from that. And freedom from the bondage of soul Paul describes in Romans 7:23f, “but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” That’s that being ‘walled in’ by sin; Christ can free us from that, giving us new birth!

Jesus says those who enter through Him will “find pasture” - language reminiscent of the 23^rd Psalm (v2), “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” Sheep tend to lie down more readily when the food is abundant and the pasture is green. Ezekiel 34:14 God promises, “I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land.There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.” Not stingy or sparse!

Robertson comments on v9, “This phrase pictures the joy of the sheep in the pasture provided by the shepherd.” It means we can have Christ’s peace even if we do come down with the coronavirus.

Third and finally, Jesus promises LIFE to those who enter through Him, particularly life ETERNAL and EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANT. V10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Have it ‘over and above’, exceedingly abundantly, supremely – far above merely eking out an existence. There is a richness to it, overflowing, brimming with potential. And not just in this dimension, but ETERNALLY. Later in the same chapter, Jn 10:28 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” Eternal life doesn’t mean ‘after this life is over and on forever’ (though it includes that); eternal life begins NOW, when you receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour, it’s a relationship sparked by the Holy Spirit coming upon and inside you. Jesus giving LIFE is one of the main themes of John’s Gospel: Jn 1:4 “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” 1:12f “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” Born divinely into a new life connected to your Heavenly Father / Abba / Papa.

NO HURRY...IS THERE??

Once upon a time (so the story goes) Satan held a strategy session for subverting those who were close to salvation. He asked, “What shall we do?” A daring demon stood and shouted, “I have it! I know what we can do! We can tell people that there is no life after death, that they die like animals.” Satan’s face fell as he answered, “It will never work.People are not totally ignorant; even atheists admit of times when they sense a tomorrow after death.”

Another demon spoke up: “Here’s the solution! Let’s say there is no God or if there ever was, He is dead – because even if He started the universe, He has left it now.” Satan replied in dismay, “That won’t work either; most of them know there is a God, even though they don’t seek Him.”

Other ideas were presented, but none brought hope to Satan and his underlings. Finally, as they were about to give up, one demon leaped in glee, “I have it! A sure solution!” The other demons crowded around to hear the plan. “Go tell them that God is real and the Bible is God’s Word.” A gasp came from the audience as the demon continued, “And tell them that Jesus is God’s Son and frees people from sin.” The other demons were horror-stricken, thinking their associate had gone bananas, until with a smile he added: “Then tell them that this is not the best time to choose Christ.Help them make excuses for delaying their decision.Tell them there is no hurry!” The demons danced in delight, realizing a workable plan had been discovered.

// Shooting rampages and deadly pandemics are horrible; but they can have one positive side effect – they puncture the balloon of our prideful presumption that our life is going to go on and on uninterrupted without end. Like hearing of the tower that collapsed, realize NOW is the time to repent! Lest we likewise perish. Submit to God. Enter through Jesus the Gate, who brings us rich pasture. Let’s pray.

“The Beauty of a Life Spent Serving” - May 3, 2020 Jn.12:20-33

THE PURPOSE OF PLAYING – IN AN EMPTY STADIUM

Throughout life we’re always wrestling with this question of purpose – Why are we doing what we’re doing? Is it really worth the expense, the energy we devote to it? What are we hoping to gain by it? In John 12 we get a glimpse of why Jesus did what He did, what was motivating Him back of it all – and how He invites us to sample a similar approach in life, for lasting worthy outcomes.

In our free time, we tend to recreate – for various reasons: health, enjoyment, relaxation, and so forth. When I was younger, a popular local recreational sport was baseball. My beginnings in organized sports were humble: as an older child I played ball for the team based in Russeldale, a little hamlet on Hwy 23 a few kilometres from our home farm. We were not very good at playing baseball; in fact, there was one season where we didn’t win a single game all season! Must have been disappointing for our coach, Bob Ulch, who ran a nearby farm equipment dealership. Nevertheless he kept on coaching and practising with us and encouraging us.

By the time I graduated from high school, things had changed. Roy’s United Church had closed when I was 12, yet the local ball team in the neighbourhood called itself ‘Roy’s Boys’. The calibre of our play improved quite a bit, we actually put up some good competition. I have fond memories of the ball park on sultry summer nights at Cromarty: the bleachers filled up with local folk out for a night’s entertainment, cheering on their respective teams, the bright floodlights, the crack of the ball hitting the bat, the dashing about the field trying to score a run or get a double play with two out... Each player got their turn at a potential moment of glory: that electric moment filled with tension as the ball blasted from the pitcher’s hand and the batter’s skills were taxed tyring to belt it out over the fence (automatic home run).

What are YOUR favourite memories of playing local sports? Or was there some other activity at which you ‘shone’? Did you have any moments of glory? (Like hitting a homer with bases loaded.) At high school, those who progressed to win at regional events like WOSSA were treated with almost reverence because of their star accomplishment. Or you had your homecoming king and queen - very honoured. On the drama team, we had our time in the spotlight putting on plays for the community like “Bye Bye Birdie” or “Teahouse of the August Moon”. It was terrifying be up there on stage in front of all those people, afraid your brain would freeze and you’d forget your next line – yet it was also exhilarating, a thrill when it came off right and the gym was filled with applause.

The COVID crisis is changing things for some of our usual areas of stardom. The news this week featured some discussion of what the Major Leagues are planning to do for this year’s baseball season. It will be very strange if players end up playing their games before an empty stadium. There’s talk of the players not sitting in the dugout, but observing physical distancing by sitting over 6 feet apart in the empty seats of the stands. It just won’t be the same without the roar of the crowd, the cheers at good hits and plays, the rumble of disapproval at a questionable call. Where’s the glory in it all if there’s no spectators to remark upon it? Will it not seem just like your typical neighbourhood ball game, not much different than a pick-up game in a sandlot?

What the COVID crisis does for major league baseball, maybe it can be doing for the rest of us, in our respective spheres of activity. It sure is different not going through the normal routine of going in for work each day! Kind of offers us a chance to stop and re-evaluate, just why are we doing what we’re doing? What’s our end objective? Is there purpose in our existence – before life returns to normal and we just step back onto the same old treadmill.

WORLDVIEW COLLISIONS: POWER, PLEASURE, OR GLORY?

John 12:20ff says, “Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.” This represents a bit of a turning point in Jesus’ ministry focus: He had previously traveled outside Palestine (Judea and Galilee) – into Samaria, the TransJordan on the east side of the Jordan River, even up into the area around Mount Hermon in the north – but these God-fearing Greeks, possibly proselytes or converts to Judaism, represent a field even further away. Jesus had been focussing on ministry to the Jews, Abraham’s descendants. The coming of these Greek inquirers sort of represent you and me in a way – those in distant lands who had not yet witnessed Jesus’ ministry. Here’s a chance for Jesus’ ministry to ‘go global’ – maybe even ‘go viral’ as we would say these days! How will He respond? Will He seize the opportunity?

In v31 Jesus refers to “the prince of this world”. Maybe here there’s an echo of one of the early temptations at the very outset of His ministry: when Jesus was in the wilderness, Satan invited Him – Matthew 4:8f “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."” Interestingly, Jesus did not dispute that they were Satan’s to offer: but He did reject Satan’s terms. He had not come to be a miracle-working Messiah that would win any popularity contest. That’s not the purpose for which he had come.

Had these Greeks been there and witnessed Jesus’ “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem just previous to this? They seem to have been in town for the Jewish Passover festival; perhaps they were attracted by Judaism’s monotheism and moral principles, but were a bit put off by its sacrificial requirements, dietary laws, and ritual demands such as circumcision. Judaism had attracted a sizeable following in various cities of what were called “God-fearers”, religious folk from other backgrounds who nevertheless attended the synagogue services and were inquisitive about the Hebrew Scriptures and their promises.

It’s interesting to speculate just where these seekers were coming from in terms of their approach to life. Two of the largest schools of Hellenistic thought were Stoicism and Epicureanism. (Reference) The Stoics “held that the cosmos is governed by an over-arching fatalistic law, and we best achieve happiness when we resign ourselves to fate.” Their founder, Zeno, “had very simple living habits, eating food that didn’t require cooking, drinking mostly water, wearing thin clothes, and he was apparently insensible to rain, heat, and pain.” One gets the sense that he simply tried to ‘tough it out’. In ethics Stoics tried to live according to nature and its laws, including moral virtue and the laws of human society. One can imagine these Greeks finding Jesus’ moral teachings appealing to a point, though they would probably be startled by the degree to which Jesus pictured love of neighbour going (for instance, ‘turn the other cheek...walk the second mile’), and so on.

The second most popular school of thought was Epicureanism. The founder Epicurus “held that happiness is achieved through pleasure”. While Epicurus sought tranquility first of all through simple living, it perhaps opened the door to what the apostle Paul characterizes in 1Cor 15:32, “If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."” Party hearty! YOLO “You only live once” - so you might as well live it up! Grab all you can, while you can. As our own society wanders more from its Biblically-informed foundations, we find an increasing number of people living for the moment, living for pleasure, living for the weekend.

Do you resonate with one of those schools of thought? Do you tend more to ‘tough it out’ and ‘conform to social rules’ or to living it up, pursuing pleasure? What for you have been the clash points in aligning your life with the Way of Jesus?

After hearing the desire of the Greeks to have a private audience with Him, Jesus instead continues teaching His disciples. In just a few short days He would be dying for what He believed, so He proceeds to lay out for them one more time the governing principles and passion of His life, His own approach to meaningful living. And it’s a long way from Epicurean living for pleasure.

12:24f “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” Far from “grab all you can get while you can”, life seems to be about yielding up your life, allowing it to be planted so it can flower and produce seeds. Eternal life is obtained by hating one’s life in this world – loving God so much that you’re willing to let this life go, submit it to His purposes. Be neurotic about guarding your life selfishly, and you’ll lose it.

This is not just theoretical talk for Jesus; He is keenly aware that within a few short days He would be crucified (He had already predicted this a couple of times to His followers). Soon He will be paying with His life for what He believes. Rather than run away to Greece and spend the rest of His earthly life an itinerant healer and miracle-worker, Jesus is choosing to confront the powers-that-be in Jerusalem and submit to the full extent of their jealous hatred and torture. The hour of His separation from His Heavenly Father and torment on the cross is coming up quickly. 12:27f “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”

Did you notice the purpose clause there? “FOR THIS VERY REASON I came to this hour.” Jesus’ purpose in life is to give His life as a ransom buying back us sinners! Not living for pleasure; not even living for maintaining helpful social customs and mores like the Stoics believed: Jesus lived to glorify His Father. And what that meant in the immediate was going to Gethsemane to become the target bearing the world’s sin – target for the wrath of the very Heavenly Father whose love had entwined Him so deeply and profoundly since before the world was made.

WHAT JESUS WON: THE HOUR TO FLOWER

Some people idolize power, the controllers; others idolize pleasure, the consumers. But “This Hour” he’s talking about is neither the “Hour of Power” (apologies to Robert Schuller!) nor the “Hour of Pleasure” (as Epicureans might chase after). Instead it’s His ‘Hour to Flower’ (well, today is the first Sunday in May, after all!). Out our front window I can see beautiful flowers on our forsythia, buds on our Magnolia that will later burst into gorgeous array. Daffodils and hyacinths brighten the dark earth winter left behind. Jesus is demonstrating for us what it means to “plant” our life in a meaningful way such that it will become a display of beauty, glory even that honours God who created and designed us to show forth our unique qualities. The cross and empty tomb become locations where Jesus’ essence is manifest – what He came to earth for.

This passage highlights five effects the coming ‘hour’ would have regarding our Lord.

A) Jesus was GLORIFIED. V23 “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” Now at first it seems odd to think of a cross, where criminals were hung to die a painful death, lingering sometimes for days, as anything at all resembling a thing of beauty! But when you realize that this is the One through whom the world was created, expressing His love for lost sinners by becoming their holy substitute – and that the empty tomb depicts God’s power vanquishing the forces of evil, corruption, and death – packaged together, it’s an ‘hour’ of awesome beauty and glory.

B) Jesus became PROLIFIC. V24 “If [a kernel of wheat] dies, it produces many seeds.” Jesus became the founder of a major world religion; the Guardian reports, “According to 2015 figures, Christians form the biggest religious group by some margin, with 2.3 billion adherents or 31.2% of the total world population of 7.3 billion.” (Muslims are next at about 24%.) And this line of followers has extended down through the centuries and across continents. Discipleship is by its very nature reproductive: as the 6^th saying of the Way of Jesus reminds us, “I am helping someone and someone is helping me to be a reproducing follower of Jesus.” Reproducing – you are continuing this process of ‘producing many seeds’.

C) Jesus GLORIFIED THE FATHER’S NAME. V28 He asked, “‘Father, glorify Your name!’ Then a voice came from Heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.’” Unpacking the wonderfulness of God’s character – all His Name represents – is rightfully high on God’s agenda, because the universe is His showcase; it’s in coming to appreciate all His goodness and righteousness and lovingkindness and truth and beauty that we are blessed, and He is deservedly praised. Jesus’ obedience helps make God look good, attractive, desirable.

D) Jesus won VICTORY OVER SATAN. V31 “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.” Golgotha is the crucial cosmic battle in God’s defeat of the enemy of our souls; everything since is merely mopping-up operations. The universe is not dualistic. The Accuser’s days are numbered – a lake of fire awaits. Satan’s tyranny in our lives is released when we trust in Christ and confess Him in our words and actions. As Revelation 12:11 puts it, “They overcame him [the accuser] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

E) Jesus became a MOUNTED MAGNET. V32 (referring to His crucifixion) “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” This sort of Messiah is an enigmatic puzzle, intriguing – coming not on a war-horse but a donkey, a beast of burden; reigning not from a golden throne but from a rough wooden cross. It’s precisely because His power is manifested through His weakness, His pinned-ness, that He draws us in – unlike human emperors and despots that have to throw their weight around to obtain people’s cooperation and loyalty. It’s this incongruity in contrast to human types of coerced leadership that Paul highlights in 1Cor 1:22-24 “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

Jesus draws us to Himself, because we know we have blown it, we have our weaknesses, we are infected with the same spiritually-deadly virus that proved the downfall of Adam and Eve back in the Garden of Eden. To those who know they need a saviour, Jesus has magnetic appeal: strong but gentle, bleeding but healing, sharing our pain and acquainted with our griefs. Bruxy Cavey, Teaching Pastor at The Meeting House, remarked how if it were not for Jesus, he would likely be an atheist or agnostic: there’s too much pain in the world that undermines the concept of a good loving all-powerful God – apart from the uniqueness of Jesus; He understands our pain.

INCENTIVES TO SERVE THE CRUCIFIED ONE

God’s power to save us was released by Jesus’ obedience in submitting to the pain and alienation of the cross. At first Jesus’ call to us to follow Him to the cross, to lay down our lives daily, is anything but appealing! V25B “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” Our consumer lifestyle wants to “love life”; who would take the approach of “hating your life”??! But Jesus says that’s the only way we’ll keep it for eternal life.

As incentive, there are some promises in this passage for those who choose to follow the Master.

1) We will PRODUCE MANY SEEDS – the kernel of wheat that dies “produces many seeds” (v24). Your life will rub off on other lives, because the Holy Spirit inside you produces love and gentleness and kindness that can’t help but relate positively to other people.

2) Your LIFE WILL ENDURE. We don’t want our life to flash by without any lasting impact, to vanish without a trace. V25 “...the man who hates his life in this world will KEEP IT for eternal life.” If you want to hang onto your life, you’ve got to be prepared to give it away. Think of those in your life who have passed away but who still bring a warm remembrance in you because of the way they helped you out, took time for you, modeled how to live in a way that made a difference – a way that reflected the Saviour.

3) You will have FELLOWSHIP WITH THE SAVIOUR. This is the best reason of all, by far! Otherwise we’re loving God for His gifts rather than loving the Giver. V26A “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.” Jesus promised in John 14 He was going to prepare a place for us; there are many rooms in His Father’s house. Jn 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” Jesus is the kind of person who, when He was on earth, it was always just constantly amazing to be in His presence. That’s what we have to look forward to on the other side of the grave!

4) [last] You will have FAME BEFORE GOD. Yes, you heard me right! Did you know that was possible – incomparably great as God is? He says He will honour Jesus’ followers! Jn 12:26B “Whoever serves me must follow me...My Father will honor the one who serves me.” In the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25, we see a glimmer of what this might look like – when the master praises the good servants who invest wisely what’s been entrusted to them. One can probably extrapolate this to get a hint of a picture of how the Father might receive those who’ve followed His son faithfully. Mt 25:21 "His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.Come and share your master’s happiness!’”

LIVING GROUNDS FOR THE LORD’S PRAYER

In closing, here’s a piece by an unknown author riffing off the Lord’s Prayer and gathering up some of the threads about living with purpose we’ve seen in today’s passage.

I cannot say “our” if I live only for myself.

I cannot say “Father” if I do not endeavour each day to act like His child.

I cannot say “who art in heaven” if I am laying up no treasure there.

I cannot say “hallowed be thy name” if I am not striving for holiness.

I cannot say “thy Kingdom come” if I am not doing all in my power to hasten that wonderful event.

I cannot say “thy will be done” if I am disobedient to His Word.

I cannot say “on earth as it is in heaven” if I’ll not serve Him here and now.

I cannot say “give us this day our daily bread” if I am dishonest or am seeking things by subterfuge.

I cannot say “forgive us our debts” if I harbour a grudge against anyone.

I cannot say “lead us not into temptation” if I deliberately place myself in its path.

I cannot say “deliver us from evil” if I do not put on the whole armour of God.

I cannot say “thine is the kingdom” if I do not give the King the loyalty due him from a faithful subject.

I cannot attribute to him “the power” if I fear what men may do.

I cannot ascribe to Him “the glory” if I’m seeking honour only for myself, and I cannot say “forever” if the horizon of my life is bounded completely by time.

Let’s pray.

“Love Doesn’t Shirk the Dirty Work” - May 17, 2020 Jn.13:1-17(34f)

IF YOU THINK YOU KNOW IT ALL – JUMP!!

Pride can trip us up and get in the way of showing love to others. We may tend to put ourselves first, rather than giving preference to others. Jesus models for us a new standard: even though He was the very Son of God, He lowered Himself in many ways to the status of a servant in order to help us, because He loved us and knew our need.

Each of us probably has areas of strength: we may be good at a few things because our gifts are all different. I particularly enjoy geeky things like computers and software and spreadsheets. In some ways I know “just enough to be dangerous”, but it’s fun to be able to help people with technological problems. A few times lately even during lockdown I’ve been called on to use remote access to go on someone’s computer and help them sort something out. If I’m not careful, that could become an area of undue pride, thinking I’m better than other people. But the Bible warns us pride goes before a fall: KJV Prov 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

A pastor, a Boy Scout, and a computer expert were the only passengers on a small plane. The pilot came back to the cabin and announced that the plane was going down but there were only 3 parachutes and 4 people. The pilot added, “I should have one of the parachutes because I have a wife and 3 small children.” So he took one and jumped.

The computer whiz said, “I should have one of the parachutes because I am the smartest man in the world and everyone needs me.” So he grabbed a pack and jumped.

The pastor turned to the Boy Scout and with a sad smile said, “You are young and I have lived a rich life, so you take the remaining parachute, and I’ll go down with the plane.”

The Boy Scout replied, “Relax, Reverend, the smartest man in the world just picked up my knapsack and jumped out!” (!)

In today’s reading we find that pride plagued Jesus’ disciples, preventing them from showing care for others. Jesus helped Peter work through this and pushed past His own privilege to demonstrate how real love doesn’t shirk even the dirty work.

LIMITED TIME? LOVE TO THE LIMIT

What would you do if you knew you had a limited amount of time to live? (Actually, come to think of it, that’s true for all of us – we just don’t know how many days or weeks or years we have left!) What if you contracted COVID-19 so bad it became apparent you weren’t going to make it? How would you put your affairs in order, who would you most want contact with?

One of my favourite Christian apologists offering a defence for the faith is Ravi Zacharias. Just this month he received bad news that the sarcoma in his spine had metastasized and was so aggressive that medical treatment was no longer an option, so he was being discharged from the hospital to go home to Atlanta and spend his remaining days with his family. (Note he didn’t start planning one more university debate or church speaking engagement: he’s choosing to spend the time he’s got left with those he loves most, his immediate family.)

Sarah Davis, Ravi’s daughter and CEO of the ministry that bears his name, added in the announcement of the sad news: “We know that God has purposed and numbered each of our days, and only He knows how many more Ravi will experience on this earth...While we are full of so many emotions, we are also at peace, resting in the truth that God knows all and sees all and is sovereign and good. I think of the great joy my dad will have and I am comforted.” Even in the season of his earthly departure, Ravi’s faith is bearing witness to his Christian hope.

The last time I was preaching, we looked at John 12, just about a week before the Passover at which Jesus would be betrayed and crucified. He was already very conscious of His approaching death, noting in 12:23, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” By the time we get to John 13, the clock has ticked further, it’s just before the Passover Feast, John tells us. How will Christ choose to spend His quickly passing final hours on earth? Perform some great dramatic unforgettable public miracles? Challenge the religious leaders and cleanse the temple completely of corrupt religion? Call on legions of angels to chuck out the occupying pagan Roman army?

No; like Ravi going home to his family, Jesus holes up privately with His closest disciples, making it a priority to love them and teach them and impress upon them the core truths He wants them to remember. John 13:1 “It was just before the Passover Feast.Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.”

Hear the priority on LOVING here? Jesus “loves His own” in the world: that includes YOU if you’ve committed your life to Him and received Him in your life! It’s deep in God’s nature to love those who are His. Ps 86:15b the Lord God is “abounding in love and faithfulness”. Not many hours later Jesus would be demonstrating His love for His own by living out Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

But there are lots of ways to show love, and while Jesus was still alive (in His earthly un-glorified form), He chose another way to demonstrate His love for His followers. This would, as the verse says, “show them the full extent of His love” – show them love ‘to the uttermost’, ‘to the limit’, to perfection. How greatly He loves us!

So, what’s He do to show love for His disciples? Buy them the best roast beef for their meal? Etch a heart on the wall with an arrow through it and the words, “I love you”? Book the local flute, harp, and tambourine band? What’s going to be His big ‘send-off’ to those He’s closest to?

Nothing that extravagant! But an unforgettable act that would speak volumes, and stick with them the rest of their lives. V3 “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God...” [You can see John the author building up anticipation here, emphasizing the majesty of Christ’s power and person, creating an epic tension that expands our consciousness into Jesus’ eternal being and almightiness and God-ness! What follows next comes across as a real anticlimax.] “...so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

What?! Washing their dirty dusty sandaled feet? But that was usually servant’s work, not something suitable for the guest of honour! Apparently the basin and towel were right there, ready to be used, yet none of the disciples had lowered themselves to fill in for the missing serving staff.

These were the same disciples who had a habit of arguing amongst themselves who was the greatest. Back many months before in Capernaum in Mark 9:33bf, “When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.” Again, earlier this very same night they were celebrating the Passover together for the last time, Luke records in 22:24, “Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.”

Jesus’ simple action of washing their feet is speaking volumes, more than words could ever say, showing that love cares for the other’s basic needs, even if it means humbling oneself in the process. Jesus is demonstrating love by the most menial act of service. Love doesn’t shirk the dirty work! Jesus’ action is a wordless rebuke to their pride and selfishness and rivalry and refusal to take a lower place.

V3 reminds us Jesus knew the Father had put all things under His power, that He’d come from God and would soon be returning to God – yet with that frame of reference, the Mighty Eternal Son of God bound Himself with a mere towel and got down on His knees to wash and wipe our unsightly grubby (probably stinky!) feet. What a parallel to the ‘kenosis’ (emptying) passage of Philippians 2:6f - “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Love pours itself out for the other.

John Walton, son of the founder of Walmart, used his wealth to champion K-12 educational reform in the United States. (reference) He served as a combat medic with the Green Berets in Vietnam, winning a Silver Star for valour. Asked why he volunteered to serve thus, he said, “I figured if you’re going to do something, you should do it the best you can do.” He died in a plane crash in 2005 at the age of 58, with a fortune estimated at $18.2 billion. But such great wealth never seemed to affect him. Not long after a new charter school opened in San Diego, Walton made an unannounced visit, asking how he could be of service. The school’s founder didn’t recognize him, and told Walton that the bathrooms needed cleaning. Walton simply asked, “Where’s the mop?” The fourth-wealthiest person in America then spent 25 minutes swabbing the floors, happy to help.

WASHING THE WORST AND THE WILFUL

The context here is not just that Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion are looming large in His consciousness. There’s a very immediate factor present: those gathered for this very special last supper include Jesus’ betrayer! V2 “The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.” But Judas does not exit until v30; so Jesus’ own betrayer, the man who would play a crucial part in handing His Master over to the authorities for execution, is one of those whose feet Jesus washes!

What must that have been like, to wash Judas’ feet? What feelings must have been welling up in our Saviour, struggling within Him? How would you feel if you were doing this and it came to your enemy who had determined to kill you? Would you rather be giving him a knockout punch that would send him into the next county, than wash his feet? But somehow Jesus exercised grace and composure to include even His enemy in this demonstration.

Leviticus 19:18 commands, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.I am the LORD.” It doesn’t say, “only those neighbours you get along with”, or, “only those people who’ve never wronged you.” Love your neighbour – whoever they are, how ever they may have treated you.

Another person Jesus comes to in the washing line of the ‘dirty dozen’ is Peter – headstrong, impulsive, outspoken Peter. Peter’s issue is, first of all, he may be too proud or self-conscious to allow Jesus to wash his feet; then, when Christ pushes him on this, Peter swings the other way in allowing it but wanting to go overboard, while still dictating the terms on which he’d allow it. The interaction goes like this: Jn 13:6-10 “He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean.And you are clean, though not every one of you."”

Do we see ourselves reflected in Peter’s wilfulness? Does our ego get in the way of accepting all God has done for us? Is our pride resistant to receiving all that Jesus offers? We want to ‘do it ourselves’ so we have something to boast of? In our prayer requests, do we find ourselves dictating a do-it list to the Lord? We want answers to our prayers, but only on our terms, thank you very much. Jesus tells us unless He washes us, we have “no part” with Him. His Lordship demands our submission and co-operation.

It seems Peter later matured with the Holy Spirit’s help, for he would write to other leaders in the early church: 1Peter 5:3,5 “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers— not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;...not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock...Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older.All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."”

BLESSING IN FOLLOWING THE PATTERN

So the Lord Jesus completed the undesirable task of washing the feet of all 12 of His followers. When He was dressed again as usual, He drove home the point of His object lesson. He plays the authority card, rightly so, pointing out that if He their Lord and Teacher washed their feet, v14Bf “You also should wash one another’s feet.I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” Do we call Him our Lord? Our Teacher? Then we need to do as He has done. It’s that simple.

It’s not just imitation, repeating His pattern, in our own strength. He supplies the Holy Spirit to empower and equip us to carry it out. We can’t do it in our own strength! We turn away from reaching out to our Judases. We lose patience with our Peters and throw up our hands, walking away in disgust and frustration. It’s only in relinquishment, acknowledging to God we can’t do it on our own, that we need His help, in repentance that His Holy Spirit is released to guide us and strengthen us to do what’s not humanly possible.

He gives us His supply, through the Spirit; He also gives us a new standard. V34 “A new command I give you: Love one another...” One might object, “That’s not really new, that’s as old as the hills” - because way back in Leviticus 19(18) we’re told to love our neighbour. But read on and see to what extent Jesus’ followers are commanded to love one another: Jn 13:34bf “"A new command I give you: Love one another.As I have loved you, so you must love one another.By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."”

What’s so ‘new’ about the ‘new command’? The standard is to love AS He has loved us. Oh my! He died on the cross to save sinners...That’s asking a lot. That seems like it’s asking too much – to lay our lives down for the Judases and Peters and the Pharisees and the hypocrites and the thief who’s ridiculing us to the very end... And so we need to rely on the love the Father has for us. 1Jn 4:15f “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.God is love.Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”

He sets the standard: an example for us to imitate, a pattern for us to follow. Sometimes it seems like an impossible standard. But He also gives us the supply, His Holy Spirit, God living IN US so we know and rely on, fall back on, draw strength from the love God has for us.

About this ‘love one another’ thing – Robertson comments on v35, referring to Jerome, the ancient Catholic priest and theologian who died in the year 420: “Jerome (ad Galat.vi.10) says that in his extreme old age John repeated often this command of Jesus and justified it: ‘Because it is the Lord’s commandment; and if it be fulfilled it is enough.’” Jesus said if we loved one another, all people would know by that we are His disciples. Surveying the church landscape today with so many denominations and splinter groups and offshoots and variances – yes, “If it be fulfilled, it is enough.” Others around us might start saying like non-believers said of the early church: “See how these Christians love one another.”

‘WHAT A GREAT MAN YOU ARE’

Love doesn’t shirk the dirty work. Love gets down off its pedestal and pitches in to meet the deepest need of the other person, with the gifts and calling one has. As the Lord directs! We don’t presume to dictate the terms to God; we’re also not indispensable, we follow His leading.

One can’t be full of pride and still be a servant leader. Those in high political office are particularly tempted to become proud and think overly much of themselves.

Maybe alongside the self-emptying attitude of Jesus, we should have the humility recommended to Harry Truman: when he was thrust into the presidency at the death of Franklin D Roosevelt, Sam Rayburn gave him some fatherly advice: "From here on out you're going to have lots of people around you.They'll try to put a wall around you and cut you off from any ideas but theirs.They'll tell you what a great man you are, Harry," and he continued, "but you and I both know you ain't." Let’s pray.

“Direct Deposit: The Holy Spirit’s Witness, Work, & Wisdom” - Pentecost Sunday May 31, 2020 Jn.15:26f,16:5-15

TRAITORS: WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE WORLD?

Someone has described the Holy Spirit as “that still small voice that makes you feel still smaller”. While convicting of sin is just one aspect of the work of the Holy Spirit, it’s the starting point in turning wayward sinners back toward the cross, realizing we need a Saviour.

Jesus said in John 16:9 the Holy Spirit convicts the world “in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me”. At its root, sin is a failure to trust in God, a refusal to be committed and loyal to our Creator and Redeemer. Without faith we won’t get to first base in a relationship with God. John MacArthur notes that not believing in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God “is the only sin, ultimately, that damns people to hell.Though all men [sic] are depraved, cursed by their violation of God’s law and sinful by nature, what ultimately damns them to hell is their unwillingness to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.”

This past Wednesday saw a significant ruling made in the case of a high-profile international business executive. Meng Wanzhou is Chief Financial Officer of Huawei and daughter of its billionaire founder. She is charged with fraud in the United States for allegedly deceiving banks into a possible violation of American economic sanctions against Iran. On Wednesday a BC Supreme Court judge ruled that extradition proceedings against the accused should go ahead. The case is being watched rather nervously, because China has targeted Canadian canola and meat exports following her arrest, and imprisoned two Canadians that were living and working in China.

Fraud is serious because you’re basically lying to someone in order to take advantage of them. It’s treacherous, treasonous, you’re being a traitor to the relationship. There’s a fundamental breach of trust.

So conviction of sin as unbelief – failure or refusal to trust – is an essential part of the work of the Holy Spirit. In John 16:8, Jesus outlines 3 aspects of the Spirit’s work: “When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment...” When we wonder, “What’s wrong with the world?” these are key. GUILT is at the base of what’s wrong with the world. Yes, even though society is soaked in relativism and many people loathe absolutes, there IS still such a thing as real guilt! All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Rom 3:23). We have this nagging in our conscience, and we can never do enough to make up for our moral messes. Over the centuries people have constructed religious systems and sacrificed to various gods but the sin-stains remained, and our operational ‘bentness’ was unchanged – we kept on selfishly cheating and shortchanging others and became corrupt, even in our governing institutions. So a beginning task of God’s Spirit in drawing us to Himself is to convict us, prove us wrong, make us conscious of our faults prompting us to call out for help in desperation.

Jesus breaks down this guilt in regards to “sin and righteousness and judgment” (v8). We already talked about sin as unbelief in Jesus (v9). Failure to trust, rejection of the God to whom we owe everything, cobbling together intellectual superiority like the legalistic Pharisees whose hypocrisy Jesus verbally exposed. Their religiosity was a sham.

A little bit of sin plugs up the whole system. One tiny piece of dirt in the carburetor can keep the most powerful truck from climbing a mountain road. A rather small impurity – but all-important in making the ascent.

Recently I hauled the roto-tiller out of the shed to cultivate a flower garden Patti & I were re-planting (mostly Patti!). Checked the gas, set the choke, tried a few pulls – nothing doing. Took out the spark plug, cranked it – no spark. Tried a different spark plug that had recently been working in the push mower – no spark. Off to the handy repair service across the road! He concurred - no spark. Took it apart, installed a new set of points in the ignition system, and it’s been working fine since.

Without belief in Jesus we’re like that tiller motor – dead, spiritually speaking. The old system within has become corrupted. The Holy Spirit needs to come inside and install new “points” to bring us to life, to give us spiritual “spark”.

Second, Jesus says, the Counselor needs to convict the world in regard to righteousness. V10 “in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer...” Jesus is a walking definition of righteousness, He is the Righteous One (Ac 3:14; 7:52; 22:14). When He ascended to the Father, that living definition was no longer available for consultation on earth. He is our central reference point, we get our bearings from Him: without Jesus as our standard, selfishness sets in, governments become corrupt, families fall apart as faithfulness disintegrates. What’s wrong with the world? We’ve lost our moral bearings, the ‘new morality’ has spawned orphan delinquents. Jesus’ enemies used an unjust human tribunal to convict Him of blasphemy, but by His resurrection from the dead God vindicated Him, proved Jesus to be right after all.

This world’s concept of ‘righteousness’ will always be off-kilter. We’re always comparing ourselves on a human level, constructing conventions by which to prove to our neighbours we’re at least as good as they are – and pride blinds us to other faults. We need God’s brand of righteousness: Rom 3:21f “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”

When you look through green sunglasses, how does everything look? Everything’s green. If pink lenses, everything looks pink. When we believe in Jesus as our Saviour, God looks at us through the Lord Jesus Christ. He sees us in all the white holiness of His Son. Our sins are imputed to the account of Christ and His righteousness to our account.

Third, Jesus says the Holy Spirit convicts the world of guilt in regard to JUDGMENT. V11 “and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.” Jesus’ crucifixion seemed at first to be Satan’s triumph over God’s Son, but God turned it around by raising and exalting Jesus; Mt 28:18 “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’” Earlier Jesus stated in Jn 12:31, “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.” The Accuser has been defeated and is destined for the lake of burning sulfur (Rev 20:10).

What’s wrong with the world? Guilt, connected to sin, and righteousness, and judgment. Apart from God we are spiritual rebels, fundamentally off-base morally, attacking and competing with each other. We need the Helper’s conviction to wake us up and turn us around, open our eyes.

It’s been written that The Times once sent out an inquiry to famous authors, asking the question, “What’s wrong with the world today?” and GK Chesterton wrote back and responded simply, “Dear Sir, I am.Yours, G.K. Chesterton.”

TRANSMISSION: UNWARP YOUR WORLDVIEW

The Counselor convicts us of our treason and helps us get turned around, back on track. The Spirit next outfits us with a new attitude, a new mindset, a new approach to life – because He is the Spirit of Truth. It’s through the Holy Spirit that we become transformed through the renewing of our mind. Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will.” It’s through reading our Bibles - divinely-inspired God-breathed truth - that we can break free from the handcuffs of the world’s pattern and begin to understand God’s will, learn real wisdom.

Look closely at John 16:13f: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.” He guides us into all truth. He will tell you, declare to you the coming things – likely not just a calendar of future events, but all that God would show the apostles when they were prompted to right the materials that make up the New Testament. In 4:25 the same Greek word is translated “explain”, BBE “make clear”, today we might say “unpack”. The Holy Spirit is our interpreter as we read the Scripture He inspired: who better than to have the Author coaching you? V14, He glorifies Jesus by taking what belongs to Jesus and “making it known” to us, ‘make it clear’ (BBE).

I like how the Apostle Peter describes the process of inspiration in his second letter to the church, 2Pet 1:20f: “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” Scripture writers were not ‘making this stuff up’: God’s very Spirit was ‘carrying them along’, showing them vital truth as they wrote.

When we become a Christian, our worldview changes as we begin to let the Spirit’s truth through the Bible soak into us. Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias, who recently died of cancer, used to emphasize any worldview worth its salt had to answer 4 questions: origin, destiny, meaning, and morality; Where did we come from? Where are we going? What’s the meaning of life, its purpose, why are we here? And morality - what’s right and wrong? Culture is adrift without the truth of the Bible. Science can tell you some limited ‘how’s’ but not the ‘why’s’. Naturalism has nothing to say about morality – it boils down to, “If it feels good, do it” - regardless of consequences to others. The New Testament transmitted through the agency of the Holy Spirit is so essential in finding a positive, hopeful, meaningful worldview that we can live by!

Dr Doren Edwards, a surgeon in Tennessee, tells of a patient of his, Blanche Bennet, whose alcoholic husband had died. Her two children were giving her problems, finances were tight, and life was very hard. She wasn’t a Christian. One day she came to see Dr Edwards with physical problems, and he diagnosed cancer, with multiple organs involved. No treatment was available, and she was very bitter. Dr Edwards, a Christian and a Gideon, wanted to talk with her about the Lord, but she wouldn’t allow him to share his witness. She did, however, accept a small New Testament.

A few weeks later, the doctor learned from the newspaper obituary that she had died. He sent a card to the family, telling them he had donated Bibles in her memory to the Gideons. The woman’s daughter called him. She asked, “Could you please send us a Bible like the ones you donated in memory of our mother? We don’t have a Bible in our home.The last six days she was alive, her whole life changed.She was no longer bitter, she wasn’t afraid to die, and she said something about knowing Jesus.But she asked that her Bible be buried in her hand, and we couldn’t keep it.Would you please send us a Bible so that we can find what Mama found in that book?” Indeed Dr Edwards sent them a Bible, and afterwards the daughter, the son, and one sister have been saved as a result.

TESTIFY: WHO’S YOUR SUBJECT?

The Spirit turns us around so we’re no longer traitors. He transmits God’s truth to us, transforming our worldview. AND the Spirit empowers us to TESTIFY, to become witnesses for Jesus, sharing the wonders of who He is and what He’s done for us. See John 15:26f: [Jesus speaking] “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will TESTIFY about me.And you also must TESTIFY, for you have been with me from the beginning.”

At the end of the forty days after the resurrection, when Jesus was about to ascend to the Father, what were His parting words in Acts 1:8? “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” We do not just receive the Holy Spirit to get warm fuzzies, for some kind of emotional ‘high’ we can keep to ourselves; the Spirit’s power pushes us out beyond our comfort zones to care for other people enough to WITNESS to them, to testify, to tell how God has had mercy on us.

A little sidebar here... Somebody was asking me recently about the Trinity, God being three-in-one, a tri-unity. There are classic explanations in the creeds and catechisms, which are useful to a point: but eventually you’re dealing with the mystery of God, and our clumsy delimited human words fail us. There are analogies (3 states of water; leaves on a clover) but don’t push them to extremes. Best is to watch for the Trinity at work in Scripture, like at Jesus’ baptism. Note the allusions to the Trinity in today’s reading: V26 who sends the Counselor? Jesus sends Him from the Father, yet He ‘goes out from’ the Father. Then in 16:14 the Spirit brings glory to Jesus by taking from what is Jesus’ and sharing it with believers. V15 All that belongs to the Father ‘is mine’, Jesus says. They’re inseparable! There’s this ongoing sharing within the Trinity, there is community and loving right within Godself, from even before creation came into being.The Father says, “This is My Son, whom I love...listen to Him!” (Mt 17:5) Jesus sends the Spirit. The Spirit glorifies Jesus. They’re pointing to each other. So we are prompted to stop being selfish (pointing to ourselves) and point instead to the One who delivered us from sin and death... He becomes the SUBJECT of our sentences, the topic of our testimony.

“You also MUST TESTIFY.” Does that sound like an option? No, it’s a command, a ‘must’. If you’re like me, you may suddenly become weak-kneed and lock-jawed at the thought of testifying, but it’s meant to be kept simple. It doesn’t mean you have to try to unload a theological dictionary on someone! Use relevant questions. Keep it simple, what difference has Jesus made in your life? Be like the man born blind in John 9 whose vision Jesus healed. When the Pharisees pressed him to term Christ a sinner for healing on the sabbath, the man said: John 9:25 “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know.One thing I do know.I was blind but now I see!” What’s the ‘one thing’ you know for sure, how Jesus has impacted your life?

You never know what the ‘hook’ will be that catches the attention of a hungry soul. Yours might be the words God uses to convince them of their need of Him. Kenora-area Coel Forsyth was out doing a bit of bass fishing with his girlfriend this past week when he landed an 84-inch Lake Sturgeon... And he wasn’t even intending that, he was fishing for bass! Quote - “I was pretty taken aback.Definitely wasn't what I was expecting.Didn't really hit me what it was, until it was swimming along boatside, kind of like a freshwater whale.” I guess! A 7-foot-long fish!

Stop being intimidated about witnessing; just pray, and watch for God to open doors and use you. Some years back, theologian Norman Geisler wrote a candid article in which he admitted: “I have a confession to make. I was a director for a Christian youth organization for 3 years, a pastor for 9 years, a Bible college teacher for 6 years, and in all that time I did not witness for Jesus Christ. I scarcely ever share my faith one-to-one with other people.”

Geisler offered several reasons for this: He didn’t think he had the gift of evangelism. He felt instead his gift was that of teaching the Word to those already Christians. He had read a book about evangelism and God’s sovereignty that had turned away his zeal for personal evangelism. He had know someone who had practiced impersonal, cold-turkey evangelism, and Geisler had determined that ‘lifestyle’ evangelism was more desirable. But as a result, he lived a Christian life but seldom vocalized his witness to an unsaved person.

Eventually, Geisler became convicted by the words of a little song that said: “Lead me to some soul today, / O teach me, Lord, just what to say.” Those words became a sincere prayer for him, and his life began to change. One day, having prayed that prayer, he was approached by a girl from the college where he taught. She had spiritual needs in her life, and he was able to lead her to Christ. (She later went to South America as a missionary.)

Shortly afterward, Geisler volunteered to participate in a Monday night visitation program at his church. On his first outing, he found himself knocking on the door of a man who turned out to be an atheist. When the man came to the door, Geisler asked, “Do you mind if we ask you a very serious spiritual question?” After a long conversation and a couple of visits, the man prayed to receive Christ into his heart. (He is now a deacon in a church with his family committed to Christ as well.)

Now Geisler says: “The most rewarding experiences I’ve had in my Christian life have not come from teaching, pastoring, or ministering around the world.They have come from meeting with non-Christians and seeing one after another come to know Christ.”

FROM CHOOSE TO USE

To sum up: The Spirit convicts us of our guilt and turns us from treachery, rebelling against God. The Spirit of truth then transmits God’s wisdom to us, guiding us into all truth, transforming our worldview and thinking. And the Helper empowers us for witness to Jesus, moving us to testify of how God has had mercy on us.

A short little poem by JS Baxter puts it this way:

What God chooses, He cleanses.

What God cleanses, He molds.

What God molds, He fills.

What God fills, He uses.

...Dare to be used by the Lord today! He wants you to know the blessing of bringing His saving truth to another person. Let’s pray. (–> VIRTUAL COMMUNION)

“Partnership, Preciousness, Purpose in the Faith” - 40^th Anniversary - Sun. June 7, 2020 Philippians 1:3-18

PARTNERSHIP: SHARING IN GRACE (DESPITE RACE)

It’s our 40^th Anniversary! Huron Chapel has been officially organized and a part of the Missionary Church of Canada (subsequently EMCC) since April 20, 1980. Break out the black balloons! (Ha!) Actually 40 isn’t all that old for a congregation – we’re barely getting off the ground... Although apparently we’re already old enough to have had a daughter church born (Heartland in Clinton).

It began as a partnership, a shared vision to establish a ministry base in the village of Auburn. A vision that was caught by a few individuals and brought together people from many backgrounds and places through the years to share in mission and ministry together. Here are a few lines from our forthcoming updated ‘history’ which Pastor Phil worked hard on while he was serving us as interim...

“Who could have imagined that a little village in Southwestern Ontario would be the birthplace of a vibrant band of followers of Jesus. In the village of Auburn, God had put it on the heart of Dave Rolston, a member of the Christian Men’s Association, to purchase the little red church once the home of Presbyterian Church in Auburn. Dave Rolston and a number of other businessmen and pastors were responding to the promptings of the Spirit of God. They had a particular concern for the youth in this village that had a reputation for being a rough place.” So a group of individuals heeded that prompting and partnered together, raising $500 to buy the red church building.

Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi rings with the note of partnership. It is essentially a missionary’s “thank-you letter” to the folks back home supporting their mission. Php 4:18 “I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” The Philippians had been the first people in Greece to hear Paul preach after he received the vision of a man from Macedonia inviting him to come over and help (Ac 16:9). When they found out Paul had been brought into custody in Rome to await trial before the emperor, they took a collection and sent it to help him with expenses while he lived under house arrest.

Philippi as a city was rather unique. It was a prosperous Roman colony, meaning its citizens were also citizens of Rome. They prided themselves on being Romans, dressed like Romans, and often spoke Latin. Many in Philippi were retired soldiers who’d been given land in the area. Apparently there were not enough Jews (10 male leaders of households) to establish a synagogue. In fact Paul doesn’t use a single Old Testament quotation in this whole letter – most unusual for him!

All this to say – the people of Philippi were very different from Paul, who was born a Jew. There was a racial divide. Yet he was strongly bonded to them, as they shared in his mission, sending funds to help support him. Even though he was now in Rome, the capital of the empire, rather than in Philippi, they shared his vision to evangelize elsewhere. Like those of Huron Christian Men’s Association looking to reach out to Auburn.

Php 1:5 “because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now...” “Partnership” translates the Greek word koinonia, which can mean “fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation.” NRSV “Because of your SHARING in the gospel...” My wife said to me this week, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” (She was leading a handful from IODE and the town who planted 10,000 flowers in Canadian flag shape at the 5-points lights in Goderich Friday morning.) Paul valued the help of these people who were nevertheless racially unlike him.

Php 1:7B “...for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.” Later in 4:14, “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.” Koinonia - partnering together in common cause.

There has been a lot of racial tension this past week, following the death of George Floyd beneath the knee of a white police officer. Protests are warranted, not looting – yet that’s a sign of the anger and pain of people who feel oppressed and not heard. For once, they are demanding attention.

The early church was a very diverse bunch. The church can and ought to be an example of people from all kinds of different backgrounds and races partnering together. Consider the early church at Antioch in Acts 13:1 - “In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.” A variety of backgrounds and places; “Niger” means black, at least in complexion if not actually racially. In Revelation 7:9a John has the vision, “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.” A diverse group! Yet, joined in a common faith, trusting the Lamb.

The classic verse for Christians about race is Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” When we die to self in Christ by faith, our old superficial distinctives that we use to ward off others are stripped away. Paul describes to the church in Ephesus how becoming a Christian ought to break down the racial divide, through the blood of Jesus who died for all kinds of people. Eph 2:14-18 “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” If God no longer walls off either us OR ‘them’, who are we to erect barriers on a human level?

PRECIOUSNESS: JESUS’ OWN AFFECTION

It’s not like Paul just tolerated these Philippians who were so different from him...We get a real sense of closeness as we eavesdrop on this long-distance correspondence. V3 “I thank my God every time I remember you.” Is there someone YOU’RE so close to that you thank God every time you think of them?

V7A “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart...” AWWW! How touching! What a loving, caring way to describe their relationship! Actually the text is a bit ambiguous, it can also be read - NRSV “because you hold me in your heart.” Either way, they were close. And note especially v8, “God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” Can you tell Paul and this church were very close, emotionally?

“The affection of Christ Jesus” – one of the hard parts about stay-at-home emergency orders under COVID is missing the hugs and handshakes we used to get at church. This past week we visited someone in their home and were about to give the customary physical greetings when we thought better of it. Hmph! So many ways we let our brothers and sisters in Christ know we love them, care about them, are concerned about them...If touch is unavailable, at least we can still phone and connect online to some degree.

What stories do we have from Scripture to illustrate the affection of Jesus? Probably one of the best-loved images comes from the time people brought their children to be blessed by Jesus and the disciples interfered, shooing them away. But Mark tells us (10:14-16), “When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” What a tender image!

You can pick up some of this affectionate nature of Jesus from His stories. Take the shepherd going after the one lost sheep and bringing it home on his shoulders. Or how does the father receive the wayward son who finally returns after squandering the family fortune on immoral living? Lk 15:20B “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Insomuch as the father in the parable is a stand-in for our Heavenly Father receiving back repentant sinners, we begin to sense how much God would embrace those who’ve wandered away from Him.

Reading through the forthcoming history, and hearing people reminisce, one starts to get a sense how big an impact Pastor Jim Carne had on this congregation. There was a real warmth about him and his ministry. His heart extended on mission to other countries, including Haiti. It’s said, “Pastor Jim came from the Free Methodists and brought a strong caring ministry and a passion for missions that still has an impact today. He was known to roll up his sleeves and give a neighbour a hand: 'He was heading home after church and saw a neighbour roofing.Instead of chiding the neighbour, he took off his suit coat and joined him on the roof!'” Can we today be known for such caring, “the affection of Jesus”, that draws others who WANT to be part of a group like that?

PURPOSE: FLAWLESS, FRUITFUL, FURTHERING THE GOSPEL

Out of this partnership and preciousness flowing back and forth between Paul and the church at Philippi comes a PURPOSE: a drive to go further in the faith, form genuine Christian character and broaden the scope of outreach, so Jesus may keep on becoming known further afield. Note the two “thats” in vv9-10: “And this is my prayer: THAT your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, SO THAT you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ...” Out of love, that deep affection from Christ, there is issue – we don’t just wallow in warm sentimentality. What’s the goal, the purpose? Love overflows, abounds more and more, pours forth as if between two riverbanks: knowledge and depth of insight. We read God’s Word daily in our Quiet Times, we study it together in LifeGroups, we hear it preached and expounded on Sunday mornings; beyond that, maybe you’ve found some good podcasts that take you further in understanding God’s view and plan. That provides structure and direction for our passion, our fervency.

V10 “So that” (another purpose clause) “you may be able to discern what is best AND may BE pure and blameless until the day of Christ.” It’s not enough to just KNOW the truth (the discerning): it needs to be applied in how we live, our character formation, the choices we make, the walls and hedges we put up to guard our purity, so Satan doesn’t succeed in sullying our reputation and dragging us into destructive or abusive / exploitive habits. Note the emphasis on BEING, character, integrity, flawlessness. Have I done or said anything this past week that might cause the Lord to be embarrassed about me? Or am I more like Job, who was so righteous God could boast about him to the enemy? Job 1:8 “Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."” Make God proud, not embarrassed, by your conduct.

V11 (more purpose here) “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ— to the glory and praise of God.” Our chief end, according to the Westminster Confession, is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. “Fruit of righteousness” here can have the sense “the fruit righteousness produces”. It’s not static, it issues in righteous actions, there’s a DOING that flows out of our BEING. James 3:17f “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” It’s just springtime outside, sowing crops in the field and garden; but what “harvest of righteousness” are you seeing sprout up in your own life?

Huron Chapel’s history is a fruitful harvest budding forth from the faith and prayers and committed actions of those who initiated this work even more than 40 years ago. It is recalled: “Some of the 'old timers', folk who were young back in the early 60s and are still around Huron Chapel, will tell of the seeds of renewal that were being planted. A congregation in Goderich had arranged for Gospel meetings and a Gospel tent back in 1960 in which they were moved from being 'church going' but not really alive in Jesus to experiencing the 'new birth' through a personal trust in Jesus. The same Jesus, Who had promised that He would build this unstoppable movement, also promised that He could and would give new and abundant life to everyone who would trust and follow Him. Jesus described it like this, John 7:37f "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." This is the testimony of the many who have been part of the continually refreshed stream of new followers of Jesus, who have joined the Huron Chapel family. The Huron Chapel story is a story of men and women faithful to Jesus who were true to Jesus' mission. Years before the birth of Huron Chapel, for example, one good and godly man in his car with a 'rumble seat' would drive up and down the gravel roads packing his car full of children from the surrounding farms so that they could take part in the local Sunday School and service. There are remembrances of much prayer ascending to the Lord on behalf of the village. The launch of Sunday evening meetings extended those prayerful, faithful endeavours of those who had gone before.”

“His Mission is Our Mission” – or so our Mission Statement says. His Mission is that we make disciples of all nations - baptizing them, teaching them to obey all He commanded. This is the great purpose in which Paul’s whole life was swept up.

Repeatedly in this first chapter we hear of his unstoppable JOY: v4 “I always pray with joy;” v18 “Because of this I rejoice.Yes, and I will continue to rejoice...” Why? Because of the first half of 18, the clue to the purpose that’s driving Paul ever onward: Php 1:18 “But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice...” He just wants to get the word out, it’s truly GOOD news that ought to be broadcast far and wide.

It’s remarkable that Paul can be joyful considering his circumstances. We deduce this letter is being written while he’s under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial before the Emperor, accused by enemies who want to kill him. This man is a prisoner, in custody, likely chained to a Roman soldier 24/7. And he’s joyful!

Not only does he have Jewish enemies seeking to kill him, there are Judaizing Christians, legalists, that are preaching circumcision and dietary laws as necessary, and who have bad motives: v17 “The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.”

Not a small thing! He’s awaiting trial, he’s cooped up, his life is threatened, he’s being verbally attacked and slandered... Yet somehow Paul doesn’t take it personally. John MacArthur comments, “Paul’s joy was not tied to his circumstances or his critics.”

Mark that little phrase at the start of v18: “But what does it matter?” In Greek two tiny words; some versions, “What then?” or we might say, “So what?!” It’s not important to Paul that he’s locked up, it’s not important to him that others (and these profess to be believers!) are trying to stir up trouble for him, increase his suffering. Does he get bitter? Is he resentful? What enables Paul to minimize such huge factors? Why doesn’t he get in a snit and go off in a huff?

Because, compared to the main thing, these other issues are not important. V18 “THE IMPORTANT THING is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, CHRIST IS PREACHED.” That’s his purpose. That’s what helps him be tolerant, have thick skin, not get bent out of shape by the way others are treating him: this mega-purpose gives him perspective, his self esteem and significance is found in relation to Christ and his particular calling, not how others treat or mistreat him.

Not everything in Huron Chapel’s history is glorious. There has been conflict and hurt and testiness, I am sad to say. But Paul’s uber-vision of what Jesus was accomplishing through His servants helped him rise above the pettiness of others. Back to the phrase in v7, that partnering in Christ: “all of you share in God’s grace with me.” Can we become so conscious of Christ’s grace, the mercy that’s been shown to us, the urgency of letting other people know they can offload their guilt and shame, and discover hope and new life and meaning and an eternal home – can we once again become so swept up and preoccupied with THAT that we can truly be people of grace and love and forgiveness? That we can hold each other in our heart – imperfect as we are? Let’s pray.

“Our Attitude, Jesus’ Altitude” - Sun. June 28, 2020 Philippians 2:1-13

HOW HARD CAN IT BE TO JUST FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS?

Sometimes we need a little ‘attitude adjustment’. As lockdown goes on – if I’ve counted correctly, we’ve now had about 15 weeks – we can start to get on each other’s nerves. We can’t do this, can’t do that, can’t travel – could make a meme in the shape of a road sign that says, “CAUTION: You are now entering the GRUMPY phase of lockdown”! Our attitude can start to get a little frayed, worn at the edges.

Paul writes to the church at Philippi, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ...He humbled Himself and became obedient to death...As you have always obeyed...continue to work out your salvation...” (2:5,8,12) Our attitude can interfere with our obedience. New Living Translation puts 2:12, “You always followed my instructions when I was with you.” Obedience has to do with following instructions; how hard can that be? Isn’t it just like following a recipe, doing what’s laid out before you? But our attitude can get in the way.

Example 1: Over a week ago my wife asked me to plant a couple of packets of morning glory seeds. I found a plastic seed tray with cover, some dirt, and got right at it. I made 4 neat little rows. There were two packets each with about 12 morning glory seeds in each, so that made for 4 rows of 6 seeds each. I watered it, put the lid on, and we waited.

The result? [PHOTO] At last count we have about 9 seedlings out of the two dozen planted – not a very good emergence rate! After planting I happened to check the instructions on the back of the packet. It said for best germination results, soak the seeds overnight first; then plant in the soil in full sunlight. No I had not soaked them. Nor was it directly in the soil but in a tray instead. Maybe next time I should try following the instructions!

Example 2: A couple of weeks ago Patti and I ordered some solar-powered spotlights to light up her hair salon roadside sign at night. We researched lots of options and placed our order (through a large online company which shall remain nameless). This week they arrived. We excitedly opened the boxes, only to find – they had sent a model which was completely different from the one we ordered! We had received “pathway lights” instead of “spotlights” – all very nice but not at all what was needed for our purpose [PHOTOS]. Apparently someone at the warehouse picking out the order just couldn’t follow instructions – the model number on the box was completely different from what was on the order form!

These are simple examples, a bit frustrating, but not life-shattering. Yet when it comes to the more important matters in life, often we find it hard to follow God’s instructions. Obedience doesn’t come easily. What can we learn from Jesus’ own attitude that will make it easier for us to become obedient?

ATTITUDE FLOWS FROM CONNECTION

First, we find out from Philippians 2 that attitude flows from connection. Look at vv1-2: “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” It’s an if-then statement: IF we have encouragement and comfort and fellowship and tenderness and compassion from Christ and the Spirit, THEN our mindset will be united and loving. But it hinges on our connection to the Lord. V1 “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ” - literally, IN Christ; NLT, “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?” Any comfort from HIS love? Any fellowship / koinonia / partnership / sharing in the Spirit? The whole rest of the chapter flows from being connected to Jesus. And for that to happen, we need repentance.

Unless we become born again, we cannot obey God. To follow Biblical instruction is always going to seem like an uphill battle, because God’s ways are different than human ways. We need to repent, confess our sin, and trust in Jesus to be ‘born over again / born from above’. 1Cor 2:14 “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” As Jesus explained to Nicodemus, John 3:6f “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit...‘You must be born again.’”

Paul rebuked the church at Corinth for still being worldly – jealousy, quarreling, “acting like mere men” (1Cor 3:3). By contrast, he could also say, “We have the mind of Christ”! (1Cor 2:16) How? By confessing, repenting, submitting to Jesus as Lord, inviting His Spirit to take control. The Gospel insists a very real connection with God is made possible through faith in Jesus, He comes to dwell in us, His Spirit living in us gives life to our bodies and helps us set our minds on what He wants instead of being hostile to God, refusing to submit to God’s law (Rom 8:5-11).

A couple of corollaries here. First, don’t expect too much of non-Christians. There are some non-believers who live upright and moral lives - “good people” we might say - but we shouldn’t be surprised if they slip or disappoint us because they don’t have God’s Spirit within them to guide and strengthen them.

Second, Ought we to expect better of ourselves? What’s our excuse for bad behaviour if we profess to be Jesus-followers and have God’s Spirit living in us? Our standards and conduct ought to be at least as high as that of our nonbelieving neighbours. If obedience, being focused on God’s way, “thinking the one thing” being like-minded with other Christians depends on our actual lived connection with the Lord – what are we doing to nurture and maintain that connection? Do we set aside time to meditate on His word and pray daily? Are you feeding or starving your Holy Spirit-connection?

SELFISHNESS COMES NATURALLY

Another thing that emerges from these verses is that selfishness comes naturally and is groomed by the world system.

If someone cuts in on you while you’re driving and you lay on the horn, that’s called “road rage”. We naturally don’t like being bumped to the back of the line, for others to cut in or cut us off. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs peaked with “self-actualization”, it’s all about me becoming all I can be, maximizing my potential (on a human scale). Somebody hopping into line ahead of me isn’t going to help that happen.

We were in Kincardine, heading down to the beach for a take-out meal of sushi, but needing something to drink because we’d forgotten our water bottles, heading out the door in a rush when we found the Bulk Barn would be closing just about the time we got there. We got our drinks and approached the checkout line: half a dozen people were lined up for the main till, dutifully spaced out two metres apart on account of COVID. However one gentleman near the back of the line offered to let us go ahead of him because we had just a couple of items; how kind! We thanked him, then noticed there was also an ‘express’ till we could use because we had less than 8 items. All the same, it was very thoughtful on his part, letting us go ahead.

When was the last time someone let YOU cut in ahead of them, graciously? We sure appreciate it at the time, don’t we?

Unfortunately, selfishness comes to us so naturally Paul is compelled to warn the Philippians against it. Vv3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

We are born fallen, ever since the Garden of Eden. It comes naturally to us to be selfish, to look out for Number One. In fact the world system grooms us to be even more selfish. Think of popular advertising slogans. A classic one for me is McDonald’s “You Deserve a Break Today.”

A search pulled up a website listing these “Top 20 Campaign Slogans for Advertising”; as you listen, consider whether these sayings would have the effect of making us MORE or LESS selfish...

Nike – “Just Do It”

Apple – “Think Different”

L’Oreal – “Because You’re Worth It”

KFC – “It’s Finger Lickin’ Good”

Coco- Cola – “Share A Coke”

Dunkin’ Donuts – “America Runs On Dunkin”

Kit Kat – “Have A Break, Have A Kit Kat”

De Beers – “A Diamond Is Forever”

Panasonic – “A Better Life, A Better World”

Dollar Shave Club – “Shave Time. Shave Money”

Disney – “The Happiest Place On Earth”

Wendy’s – “Where’s The Beef”

Old Spice – “Smell Like A Man, Man”

Visa – “It’s Everywhere You Want To Be”

Jaguar – “Grace, Space, Pace”

Compass – “Let Us Guide You Home”

McDonald’s – “I’m Lovin’ It”

FedEx – “When There Is No Tomorrow”

Budweiser – “The King Of Beers”

Levis – “Quality Never Goes Out Of Style”

What would you say – isn’t the general gist of such slogans designed to cater to our selfish desires and appetites? The seller aims to entice the whims and hankerings of the potential buyer.

(And since Budweiser gets mention, here’s a bonus: what about the beer from a certain brewery in Quebec that in the mid-1960s was outselling every other beer in the province? Slogan - “Wouldn’t a Dow go good now?” Ha! But no prizes on grammar for that one!)

Back to our text. V3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition” – Galatians 5:20 lists ‘selfish ambition’ as part of the ‘acts of the sinful nature’ or ‘deeds of the flesh’ that are so contrary to the ‘fruit of the spirit’. A healthy work ethic is a good thing - Paul urged the Thessalonians to not be idle but work with their hands so they have something to share - but selfish ambition aims to get ahead at others’ expense. “Vain conceit” or empty self-focus becomes kind of a black hole relationally, sucking life out of others to feed one’s own ego. It’s counter-intuitive to “look not only to your own interests” (v4) – isn’t that what governments are expected to do, look out for national interests? So we get China and India battering each other with brutal weapons in a border clash in a remote disputed area. West Bank clashes. Russian hackers using ransomware against employees of big American companies working from home.

By contrast, Paul later in the same chapter praises his coworker Timothy, whose attitude is quite different than the norm. Php 2:20f “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” What about you? Is most of your time and attention taken up looking out for your own interests? What about Jesus’ interests, His purposes? Do you find it easy to count others actually BETTER than yourself? Is it an internal struggle to put down the remote or rearrange your plans in order to look to the interests of others?

OBEDIENCE REQUIRES HUMILITY

Next, we find Paul emphasizing that obedience requires humility – which is made possible by Christ’s astonishing, revolutionary grace. V5 tells us our attitude - our thinking, our mindset, our outlook - should be the same as that of Jesus...And how did He demonstrate His own attitude?

In verses 6-11 Paul seems to be using poetry, perhaps riffing off an existing very early Christian hymn that had become popular in the early church. This ancient poetry portrays Jesus laying aside His heavenly glory and authority to come to earth and become – crazily enough – the servant and Saviour of the very sinners who had rejected Him. Php 2:6-8 “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!”

In theological terms this is referred to as the “kenosis” passage: kenosis is a Greek term for “emptying”. Jesus was with God from before time began, before there was anything created; He is essentially “God” like the Almighty Father in His “God-ness”. Jesus is not a created being like an angel. The Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) shared a loving community before there was anything else. But then Jesus left all that behind to fulfill God’s purpose in providing a perfect atoning sacrifice by which sinners like you and me could be put right with Him, forgiven, and fitted to spend eternity with Him in heaven!

Jesus didn’t consider equality with God something to be grasped, clung to, held onto tightly or exploited. He gave up His divine privileges. John MacArthur points out 5 things Jesus did give up to come be our Saviour.

1) His heavenly glory (Jn 17:5)

2) Independent authority – during His Incarnation Christ completely submitted Himself to the will of His Father (Mt 26:39; Jn 5:30; Heb 5:8)

3) Divine prerogatives – Christ set aside the voluntary display of His divine attributes and submitted Himself to the Spirit’s direction (Mt 24:36; Jn 1:45-49)

4) Eternal riches (2Cor 8:9) – [He was essentially homeless! Dependent on the hospitality of others. He could even say, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” (Mt 8:20) Kind of like a refugee, huh?]

5) A favourable relationship with God – Christ experienced the Father’s wrath for human sin while on the cross. (Mt 27:46)

And so Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient - Not just to death, but to the most painful form of execution humans ever devised! God declared that to be hung on a tree was to be accursed, so Jews especially despised this Roman method of painful execution. But Jesus submitted to it, became obedient even to the limit of being snuffed out.

Vv9-11 Describe Jesus’ new ALTITUDE, how exALTed He is, now raised up and empowered totally. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

“Name” isn’t just an identifying label, but represents office, rank, who is pre-eminent. Jesus could say to the apostles just before His ascension, Mt 28:18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” That is SOME statement! There’s no contest – Jesus is IT! Big time. So every knee everywhere should bow, even in the land of the dead (“under the earth”), and every tongue confess He is who He says He is. The fundamental shortest Christian creed in a nutshell is “Jesus is Lord”. He is boss – not you, not me, not the POTUS, not our worst enemy; everybody will one day answer to Him. Have you submitted to Him, put yourself under His mighty name? Rom 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” 1Cor 12:3 “Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.”

That phrase is key: is Jesus Lord of your life? Have you exalted Him to the highest place in your consciousness, have you yielded control to Him? Does your tongue confess Him, acknowledge Him, admit the appropriateness of His station at the Father’s right hand? If it doesn’t now, it will be forced to concede that at some point after death, though it will be of no advantage to you then.

Why did God arrange it all this way? To help you deal with your sin-problem. Your Heavenly Father wanted a relationship with you so much that He sent His unique Son, the God-man, to take the punishment that should have been yours. See ‘purpose’ right through vv10-11, ‘that’ (to what end?) at the name every knee should bow and every tongue confess Jesus is Lord, TO the glory of God the Father. At the cross we behold the amazing depths and breadth of God’s merciful grace. Jesus became EMPTY so we might be FULL. “He stripped Himself of the insignia of majesty” (Lightfoot). “He did not count it a prize which must be clung to tenaciously...but was willing to lay aside His glory and make Himself a servant.”

That same Spirit that drew the highest to the lowest is the same Spirit that can energize our own humility, our submission to obey the Lord and carry out His will.

ALIGN YOUR PURPOSE WITH GOD’S

Last, as knees bow and tongues confess, our willing (intentionality, our volition) begins to steer and direct our acting (our behaviour, our goals, what we’re working to achieve). This is where the rubber hits the road – humility makes possible obedience; proper discernment translates into righteous action.

Php 2:12-13 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed— not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence— continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” It’s not about ‘works salvation’, having to earn our forgiveness by piling up good deeds (though some religions make it sound that way). Salvation is by grace, through faith; not by works, lest we should boast (Eph 2:8f). It’s Jesus who is Saviour, by what He did, not us. But He gives us a part to play in extending His Kingdom of love and grace and truth and righteousness, sharing the good news, each one telling another what God has done for us.

“Work out your salvation” - NLT “Work hard to show the results of your salvation.” How? With what attitude? “With fear and trembling”, NLT “Deep reverence and fear”. Does that characterize our worship services? Or are we told to keep things light and chipper, entertaining? If it’s just kept superficial, light and fluffy, we’re not letting the word do its deep surgical work. Lightfoot calls it “a nervous and trembling anxiety to do right.”

V13 ends where we began – with the connection so necessary to let God’s life become manifest in ours. “For [or, because - don’t overlook that!] it is God who works in you [what a promise! Incredible! God works in me??!] – God works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Get your train running on His tracks. Align your purposes with heaven’s ends. “It’s not all about you.”

MOVING INTO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD - WITH REFUGEES

Christ Jesus to save YOU and me emptied Himself, made Himself nothing, took on the form of a servant, humbled Himself and became obedient to death. Though He orginated in the palace and very throneroom of heaven, on earth He did not build a nice house, never owned a pickup truck, did not amass possessions. He came specifically to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mk 10:45). To do this He divested Himself of all divine privilege.

The Message translates John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” (For ‘dwelt among us’) On the World Refugee Sunday we remember those who are trying to find a new neighbourhood instead of one fraught with war and persecution or other danger they may be fleeing from.

If we have Jesus’ love motivating us, are we prepared to welcome them? To get to know them, support them in their transition, get familiar with their culture, sort of ‘move into their neighbourhood’ as it were?

A few years ago my son Keith and his wife Darcie and family moved out of their apartment in an Ottawa suburb and became live-in facilitators at Matthew House Ottawa. Its website describes its mission: “Matthew House Refugee Services (Ottawa) Inc was founded in January 2010 by a group of visionary volunteers and missionaries to help those refugee claimants in Ottawa who arrive with nothing. We wanted to serve the people from around the world, right here in our own city.” “In 2017, over 8000 refugee claimants came to Ontario!...Refugee claimants are coming to Canada because they are fleeing a dangerous situation back home. This could have to do with their religious or political views, their ethnicity, or sexual-orientation.Some come with enough funds to start over here.Some come with nothing.”

Since today we’re marking World Refugee Sunday, this week I had a brief interview with Keith looking back at some of the highlights of their time at Matthew House Ottawa… [CONCLUSION EXCERPT]

“Forgetting the Flesh, Pressing On for the Prize” - July 5, 2020 Philippians 3:1-14

FAULTY ANCHORS: PEDIGREE AND PERFORMANCE

In Philippians 3, the Apostle Paul cautions followers of Jesus against trusting in their own strength. V3 “For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh...”

Trusting in your own strength can lead to a letdown. Back in 1968 my folks decided to modify their aging farmhouse by tearing off the back woodshed, renovating the kitchen and adding a garage, entryway, and laundry room / mudroom for changing when they had come in from the barn. One day when the builders weren’t around, as an inquisitive 12-year-old I decided it would be fun to crawl around in the framing of the partly-built structure. All went well until I decided I could just sort of swing down from the trusses and land athletically on the plywood floor. Turns out my preteen biceps weren’t quite as strong as I thought. I landed heavily on my knees, with my forearms out to brace myself, while my head kept on going to make resounding contact with the floorboards. The skin on my forehead split open and blood started gushing out! My mother came quickly and set her rather dazed youngest son over under a tree until my semi-concussion cleared and we decided a bandage would do, no stitches required. For decades the small scar would remain marking the spot my head made contact. It was a close enough call for me, and a warning not to overestimate my abilities in the future!

In vv1-6 of chapter 3, Paul’s focus is helping the church to be aware what they’re putting their confidence in. What’s anchoring their life? What is it that they might boast about, rejoice in, or glory in? Is it their pedigree and their performance? If so, those things will fade away and let them down – there’s something far better to anchor our life in, to put ouf confidence in.

The issue arose because, as in the church at Galatia, legalistic Jews were on the prowl – considering themselves Christian – but teaching that people had to keep the Old Testament dietary and ceremonial laws. Yet the Apostle Peter had received a vision from the Lord not to call ‘unclean’ what God called ‘clean’ – it seemed the Lord was accepting even non-Jews who believed in Jesus to be saved, along with Jewish Christians. Quite apart from observing dietary laws and keeping traditional religious rituals.

In v2 there’s a stern warning to be on the alert for these Judaizers: “Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.” NRSV captures the force of the original with its 3-fold repetition of alarm: “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh!” D’ya think he views this as a serious threat?! “Dogs” is strong language – referring to hungry animals who prowled the streets looking for scraps – but it shows the low regard Paul had for these tricksters who would teach things contrary to the gospel. These he termed “cutters” / “mutilators” - like the misled Baal worshippers of Elijah’s time who gashed themselves in their religious frenzy of worship meant to catch the attention of their gods.

At our home on Hwy 21, we’ve had numerous encounters with coyotes who are keen to make a supper out of our livestock. You hear them howling in the woods, sense them prowling just out of sight to pick off some vulnerable bird or animal – they’ve earned a rather bad name for themselves where we are. I can imagine Paul feeling something similar for the ‘dogs’ who preyed on other people, trying to win them over back into the trap of legalistic religion. To the Galatians, Paul said such false teachers were trying to burden them “by a yoke of slavery” (Gal 5:1); to attempt to be justified by law is to “fall away from grace” (Gal 5:4). Paul states in Gal 5:10b, “The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.” As for motive, Gal 6:13b “...They want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh.” Each new legalistic Christian represented yet another little trophy in the Judaizer’s display cabinet.

For Paul, it boils down to one main issue: are we going to boast in Christ, or boast in the flesh? Note how he starts this section: Php 3:1a “Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord.” The term translated “rejoice” here means to be glad, rejoice exceedingly, “to boast with exultant joy.” Note one chapter later in Php 4:4 he repeats, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” If the Lord Jesus is our boast, our joy, our prize, we won’t get waylaid or distracted by lesser idols.

The contrast or juxtaposition is very noticeable in v3, “For it is we who are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh...” What’s he mean by ‘the flesh’? Be careful, because in v2 (‘mutilators of the flesh’) it’s directed toward the physical body, but here it’s something else, akin to other parts of the New Testament that are pointing to our sinful human nature. John MacArthur comments, “By flesh Paul is referring to man’s unredeemed humanness, his own ability and achievements apart from God.” What gives you confidence on a purely human level? What might you be tempted to mount on your “brag board”? What are the natural abilities you default to trusting in?

For example, Paul lists his own merits in vv4-6, how if he really wanted to he could prove to be more Jewish than the Judaizers! Vv4-6 “even though I, too, have reason for confidence in the flesh.If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.” Note by ‘flesh’ then he’s not talking about his physical body, but having ‘top marks’ for religion - circumcised on the right day not as an adult like Gentile converts; born a Jew; born of one of the elite tribes – Benjamin stayed loyal to the Davidic line when the 10 northern tribes rebelled – it was Benjamin that together with Judah formed the southern kingdom; Paul not only had Jewish parents who kept the Hebrew language even while raising their family in a foreign city; Paul was a Pharisee, the strictest sect that believed the whole Hebrew Bible unlike the Sadducees, and Paul was also the son of a Pharisee. Besides his pedigree or background, there’s also his performance. He persecuted the church, with zeal tracking down these supposed ‘heretics’ like a one-man vigilante band. He says he was ‘faultless’ in terms of legalistic righteousness – each day checking off mentally more than 300 laws the serious Jew was supposed to keep.

Legalistic religion tries to build its own bridge of self-made righteousness to get across the gulf of human sinfulness and connect with God. But its efforts and sacrifices will never be enough, it always falls short, you never quite make it. When it came to ticking off all the checkboxes, there was no one better at it than Paul: but the load of this works-righteousness was overwhelming.

Is there anything YOU’VE been secretly trusting in, putting your confidence in, patting yourself on the back about, as if “God owes you one”? Better confess it and re-evaluate what you’re inwardly boasting about – that’s to fall away from grace, and Christ can be of no help to those who rely on their own efforts.

RECOGNIZE THE TREASURE, RELINQUISH THE WRITE-OFF

We Canadians had some grace this year in that we didn’t have to file our income tax within the usual deadlines – there was an extension, a grace period. Painful as taxes can be, there can be an occasional upside – you get to “write off” some expenses. That doesn’t mean you get back all the money you spent on them, but at least some of that value can be applied against the gross profit you made in your business, reducing your net amount payable.

In this next section, verses 7-11, Paul resorts to some accounting-type terms to explain his new attitude, his revised valuation of things compared to what the circumcision party felt was important. Listen for “profit” and “loss” and “gain” in vv7-8: “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ...”

In an accounting ledger, or a chequebook register say, you might typically have at least 3 columns: Credit, Debit, and Balance. Under “credit” you put the positives, what’s in your favour. The “debits” are the take-aways, expenses, costs. Hopefully when you’ve done the adding and subtracting you’re left still with something in the “balance” column! Is your ‘net’ a ‘profit’ or a ‘loss’?

For the Judaizers, the circumcision party, all those things Paul had just listed (right race, right tribe, right sect, right performance) would all have gone in the “credit” column. But Paul through his conversion experience has discovered something so fantastic, so revolutionary, that it has completely turned his ‘accounting book’ upside down! The credits are now debits, the ‘profit’ he thought he was accumulating, the brownie points, the trophies in his case and certificates on his brag board, all pale in comparison to his new experience. NLT vv7f “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” What is it that’s the REAL treasure, of ‘surpassing greatness’? Knowing Jesus! Having a relationship with Him – not a ‘book knowledge’ or ‘head knowledge’, knowing facts about Him, but a lived experience through faith and the Holy Spirit. That didn’t come from keeping the law, wasn’t earned by works-obedience, observing endless dietary or ritual laws. Paul just had to trust Jesus to be who He said He was.

That turned Paul’s goals and values in life completely upside-down! V8b “...for who sake I have lost all things.I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” The term behind ‘rubbish’ can also mean dung, scraps, what’s flung to the dogs. Friday morning I unloaded a small trailer of it from the livestock pens into the manure pile – it had been sitting in the heat for several days, was rather ripe! THAT, Paul declares, is where I place all those things I used to be so proud of – my accomplishments and abilities – compared to the wonderful privilege of gaining Jesus as my Saviour. Paul considers them a “write-off” as it were – of no value anymore.

He’s trying to highlight the supreme value of Christ. Paul forsook all, as it were, traded it in for a better deal. Now he had no longer a righteousness of his own making that came from the law, but a true (v9) “righteousness that comes from God and is by faith”.

What’s important to Paul now? Competing with other graduates from the class of esteemed and well-known teacher Gamaliel? No, he’s given that up completely. We see his goal, his heartbeat, his fervent passion in vv10-11: “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

“I want to know Christ” - we already saw that in v8, an experiential living relationship. “And the power of His resurrection” – so far so good, who can’t use more strength? Later in 4:13 Paul would announce, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

But then we come to the third clause in Paul’s “wants” – “and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings...” WHAT? How could anyone possibly want that? Isn’t it crazy to be desirous of suffering?

Paul knows that suffering is coming – right back at the time of his conversion, Jesus had explained to Ananias about why He was calling Saul/Paul, Acts 9:16 “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” So he knows it’s coming. But likely his emphasis is on the first part – “the FELLOWSHIP of sharing in His sufferings” – the partnership, koinonia, having something in common. Paul knows Jesus can RELATE to what he’s having to endure, it’s part of what welds their relationship so closely. Beatings, imprisonments, stonings, shipwrecks – Jesus was using all of it to bring Paul closer to Himself, drawing Paul to rely on Christ for strength not his own resources. And so would come about the next clause, “becoming like Him in His death”: Paul was already living a cruciform lifestyle. When folks looked at Paul, they could see hints of Jesus; in how he reacted, they could see how Jesus would have reacted. Seeing his character change in this gracious way bolstered Paul’s assurance of heaven, eventually experiencing the resurrection from the dead.

Paul delves a little deeper into this “sharing Christ’s sufferings” aspect in Colossians 1:24, “Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” Paul took what was happening to him as an extension of Jesus’ own afflictions; and there was purpose to it – for the sake of the church, Christ’s body. Other people were being helped through his hardship: many more were hearing Good News because Paul bravely went to the hard places, the spots where he encountered enemies and resistance.

“UP PERISCOPE!” LIFT YOUR SIGHTS HIGHER

Anybody seen one of those submarine movies where the captain says “Up periscope!” and this big shaft with an optical piece on it would rise up and peek out above the surface of the water so he could look around? In vv12-14 Paul fills us in on what he’s got his own sights fixed on, the goal he’s pressing on towards despite all the sufferings and unexpected setbacks.

Note how relational it is! V12 “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” The phrase “take hold of” can mean “to make one’s own possession” – to call it, ‘mine’. We talk about this or that ‘grabbing’ us, absorbing all our attention; has Jesus ‘taken hold of’ you? Have you released all you have and are into His care and leading? Are there other idols vying for your attention, absorbing your interest?

Jesus in the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount said, Mt 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Someone has described purity as willing just ONE thing. Recall the glass of water in today’s children’s object lesson: the food colouring made the clear water green and impure. Is there anything polluting your spiritual life, getting in the way of your connection with God, making your vision cloudy and unclear? What’s your “one thing”? What’s your chief goal in life? Is it anything to do with Jesus and His Kingdom?

Paul discloses to us His “one thing” in vv13f: “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Forgetting what’s behind – to Paul it was all loss, write-off, he relinquished it all to Jesus, all those merits of which he was once so proud. He chose to “press on toward the goal” - the term for ‘goal’ here is skopos, from which we get ‘scope’ as in periscope, telescope, microscope – “the distant mark looked at”. What’s the one thing you have in view? What are you zoomed in on? Is it getting rich? Being comfortable? (One of our favourite Canadian buzzwords!) Suffering (such as Paul was familiar with) is NOT ‘comfortable’!! Are you focused solely on your career, becoming a faultless Pharisee of Pharisees? Paul was top of his class, but found that ladder was leaning against the wrong wall, and gave it all up. Are you training your eyes on becoming famous, making a name for yourself? As we saw last week in Php 2, God gave the Crucified One “the name that is above every name” (2:9).

No, Paul’s got his sights drilled in on a different goal altogether: 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” God’s upward call in Jesus. Once you make KNOWING JESUS top priority, getting your focus fixed solidly on Him, everything else will fall into place. If a certain goal doesn’t happen, probably it wasn’t necessary in the first place; maybe it’s for someone else in The Body to look after. Knowing Him brings peace, and puts everything else into perspective.

The author of the letter to the Hebrews counsels us to ‘set our sights’ / get our scope set this way, Heb 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The prize is worth it!

MOVING MOUNTAINS - IN FAITH

One person who knew the value of keeping His eyes on God who can do the impossible was RG LeTourneau. The website GiantsForGod.com tells his story...

“RG LeTourneau is perhaps the most inspiring Christian inventor, businessman and entrepreneur the world has ever seen. A sixth grade dropout, Robert Gilmore “RG” LeTourneau went on to become the leading earth moving machinery manufacturer of his day with plants on 4 continents, more than 300 patents to his name and major contributions to road construction and heavy equipment that forever changed the world. Most importantly, his contribution to the advancement of the Gospel ranks him among the greatest of Christian Businessmen of all time. Famous for living on 10% of his income and giving 90% to the spread of the Gospel, LeTourneau exemplified what a Christian businessman should be.

“RG LeTourneau dropped out of school and began working in an iron foundry at the age of 14, in the year 1901. Numerous tradesmen jobs later, he discovered a passion for machinery, initially as an auto mechanic, and later as the manufacturer of the largest earth moving equipment on the planet. At the age of 28, he returned from a period with the Navy serving our country in World War I to a car dealership, of which he was half owner, that was steeped in debt due to a partner who took to drinking. LeTourneau removed himself from the business with $5,000 in debt. The year was 1915. Ouch. Jobless and beyond broke, he jumped at the opportunity to level some land for a wealthy rancher. RG claimed that this experience was the most satisfying job he had ever held.

“LeTourneau slowly expanded to larger and larger land leveling contracts. He continually under-bid his competitors to win jobs and would scramble to invent machines to speed up the work and keep him from going broke...RG LeTourneau was among the first road construction contractors to introduce machinery to moving earth.

“The year was 1919 and as a Christian, he felt the tug to be doing more for God. He went to his pastor, Reverend Duvol, for advice. RG thought that anyone who was wholly committed to Christ had to become a pastor or a missionary to truly fulfill the great commission. After deep prayer with his pastor, RG LeTourneau was shocked to hear Rev.Duvol say the words that guided him for the rest of his life, “God needs businessmen too.” This was a revelation to RG. He immediately began to consider his business to be in partnership with God.”

[Interjecting: remember Paul, v10, “the sharing [partnering] in His sufferings”? We continue...]

“Still, RG LeTourneau was puzzled as to why God would choose him to be His businessman. Especially when, at the age of 40, in the year 1927, a big construction job went bad and put him $100,000 in debt. But as RG remarked later, after seeing what God could do to restore a business and a life, “He uses the weak to confound the mighty.” ...

“The following story highlights a miracle that God performed while RG faithfully served God, not man. The surety company that had backed RG LeTourneau on the construction job that posted the $100,000 loss was going to see to it that RG paid them back every penny owed. So on LeTourneau’s next job, the surety company demanded RG work on Sundays or else they would foreclose on his business, his house, everything. Since RG’s business partner was God, he gave the problem to God to solve. The owner of the surety company, Mr.Hall, boarded a train to officially shut LeTourneau down, but upon arrival to the job site the next day, something miraculous occurred. The surety man had a change of heart and allowed RG to continue.

“Although the job was completed without working on Sundays, RG was still deep in debt. He was able to buy some time with his creditors by committing to improve his financial reporting. The surety company installed an accountant named Mr.Frost to rein in the books. What Mr. Frost found was worse than he had originally expected.

“Meanwhile, RG had skipped his yearly missions pledge the year before so he was committed to making good with the Lord. He told Mr.Frost that he had pledged $5,000 to his church for missions. Mr.Frost couldn’t believe it. RG was so far behind, even thinking of donating to the Lord was out of the question. Mr. Frost didn’t realize who RG was partners in business with. Unbelievably, the business managed to stay afloat and the missions commitment was paid in full that year. Then, his business hit a breakthrough.

“For years, RG LeTourneau had sold the machinery he had built for himself when he got a little behind financially. Although he still considered himself, first and foremost, a road construction contractor, the selling of his earth moving equipment inventions had been a profitable sideline for him. RG’s attorney hinted at the idea of solving his financial woes by going full force into the manufacturing business rather than rolling the dice on the ups and downs of big construction jobs. RG then turned his complete focus to the manufacturing of his machinery inventions. After that, his financial woes were a thing of the past.”

One last quote by LeTourneau illustrates how firmly he saw God as his business partner: he maintained, “The question is not how much of my money I give to God, but rather how much of God’s money I keep for myself.” When we recognize Jesus is Lord and let Him be in charge, He changes our values and goals to be in tune with His. Let’s pray.

“Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us, dying for us, forgiving us, and taking hold of us. We want to keep in view the goal of an eternal relationship with You in heaven. Help us become more aware of how that starts right here and now. Turn our lives around, as you did so dramatically for Paul. Grant us strength for the hardships we will encounter here. Through them, we want to get to know You better and be transformed ever more closely into Your likeness. Mighty God, Precious Father, we ask these things in Jesus’ name; amen.”

“The Secret to Peace, Joy, and Contentment” - July 26, 2020 Philippians 4:4-19

THE ROBBER CALLED DISCONTENT

Today we’re going to learn from the Apostle Paul the secret to peace, joy, and contentment. It’s easy to be anxious, even about simple things like what we will eat or wear; “Is it going to rain today? Should I wear a coat?” It’s easy to become disgruntled and lose our joy when things don’t go our way. Someone said most people go around looking for an excuse to become offended! Such excuses abound if you’re looking for them – somebody says something unkind or unthoughtful, someone forgets to include you, somebody has a different point of view than you and is SO SURE they are absolutely right... It’s easy to not be contented. In fact the number one aim of the multi-billion-dollar advertising industry seems to be to get you to be discontented. “If only you buy our product, you’ll have it made.” Thus, the number of people in our culture at large that come across as absolutely full of peace, joy, and contentment, seems small.

Puritan preacher Jeremiah Burroughs observed, “What a foolish thing is this, that because I have not got what I want, I will not enjoy the comfort of what I have! There is a great deal of folly in a discontented heart.”

American founder Benjamin Franklin noted, “Content makes poor men rich. Discontent makes rich men poor.” So you can see that lack of contentment is a robber, a thief, stealing our satisfaction in life.

A week ago Friday (July 17) saw the death of one of the greatest evangelical writers of the latter 20^th century, Canadian-English theologian JI Packer, former prof at Regent College in Vancouver and editor of Christianity Today. His book Knowing God is a classic and well worth reading. On this subject of contentment, Packer pointed out how deadly envy can be – wanting what others have. JI Packer said, “[Envy is] one of the most cancerous and soul-destroying vices there is...It is terribly potent, for it feeds and is fed by pride, the taproot of our fallen nature.”

Billy Graham noted: “Envy can ruin reputations, split churches, and cause murders.Envy can shrink our circle of friends, ruin our business, and dwarf our souls...I have seen hundreds cursed by it.”

There’s an old Greek legend in which an athlete ran well but just came in second in the race. The winner received praise, and eventually a statue was erected in his honour. Well, this was just too much for the athlete who placed second. Envy ate away inside him. He resented the winner, and could think of little else. Eventually he decided to destroy the statue of the winner.

Night after night, he went to the statue under cover of darkness, chiseling away at the base to weaken the foundation. But one night as he chiseled in violent anger, he carelessly went too far: the heavy marble statue teetered on its base and crashed down on the disgruntled athlete. He died beneath the weight of the marble replica of the man he’d grown to hate...His own envy had destroyed him.

In Philippians 4, we find godly wisdom from the Apostle Paul to fight envy and discontent. There is a secret to peace, joy, and contentment. The secret involves 5 things: conscious connection; concerted concentration; copying the Christlike; caring community; and the Creator’s capacity.

1) CONSCIOUS CONNECTION

Are you starting to get used to wearing a mask yet? Do you find yourself looking at people a little harder because you’re not quite sure who they are? In the grocery store it seems that way, people have to really look at the parts of your face they can see trying to decide if you’re somebody they should know.

In a smaller rural community, one of the nice aspects is that we start to recognize people by the vehicle they drive. In fact sometimes we wave at them and are surprised when we find out it’s actually their spouse or another family member driving! But generally, over time and repeated viewings, we become identified with our vehicle.

When you read Paul’s letters, there’s a little phrase that pops up again and again, almost like his trademark of sorts: “in Christ”. It seems hard to catch this author ever really thinking of himself apart from his relationship to Jesus! Sort of like, around here, you ALWAYS see so-and-so driving around in their Explorer, or brown Ford pickup, or banged-up Mazda (yes I will get that fender fixed!), or what they affectionately call their “Rat”, or what-have-you. When you see them you expect to see them IN their vehicle. When we read Paul we expect to hear him talk about being IN Christ. For him it’s a conscious connection, he’s always identifying himself as being along-with His Saviour.

Back in 3:1 Paul wrote, “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!” He echoes this in 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always.I will say it again: Rejoice!” Did you notice that little phrase? “Rejoice in the Lord always.” V7 the peace of God “will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” V10 “I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me.” He doesn’t just “rejoice greatly” but it’s “rejoice greatly in the Lord”! He’s always moving about in his vehicle, the vehicle being Jesus, it’s difficult to find him not talking about being “in Christ”.

In the next verse, we’re to let our gentleness (our considerateness, being fair and mild, what Matthew Arnold calls “sweet reasonableness”) – we’re to let our gentleness be evident to all (in what context? Next phrase – ) “The Lord is near.” Yes He’s coming back soon; New Testament authors can speak of the Judge standing at the door...Jas 5:8f “You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!”

But can Paul also mean “The Lord is near” or “The Lord is at hand” in the sense of His Holy Spirit being right close by, monitoring us, protecting us, ready to step in and give a helping hand? If we make a practice of consciously keeping aware of the Lord’s presence in every situation, would that not predispose us to be more joyful, more forbearing of others, more considerate, more gentle (recalling it’s not up to us to set the record straight all the time)?

How does v6 propose a remedy for anxiety? “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Don’t let it fester and become worry-fodder, turning it over and over endlessly in your own mind: present it to God, lay it all out before Him. The verb tense is present imperative, “Stop being anxious.”

What’s v7 promise? “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The image is that of a military guard keeping us safe, sort of a “protective custody”. But to obtain this peace we have to turn things over to God’s sovereign control, be ready to leave it in His hands. If you are in fact ‘in Christ’, entrust the matter to Him. Romans 8:6 promises, “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace...” Can you let go and let God’s Spirit be in control? This is not an excuse to be irresponsible in the range of areas we’re given to manage, but for what’s beyond our power to address, give it over to God rather than let it feed your anxiety. Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” This peace that ‘rules’ is like an ‘umpire’, calling the shots in the game; are we prepared to respect the Lord’s sovereignty in this? Keep conscious of that connection.

It may seem a tall order to rejoice “always” as Paul says, but remember he’s writing this from lock-up himself, under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial before the mighty emperor Caesar which could result in death for him...Not what you’d call prime conditions for rejoicing! Jesus told His followers to rejoice and be glad when they’re persecuted “because great is your reward in heaven...” (Mt 5:12) We see Peter and John doing this in Acts 5:41, “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” See? It’s their conscious identification with Jesus, the Name, that turns the awfulness around.

2) CONCERTED CONCENTRATION

A second secret to having peace and contentment is Concerted Concentration. In v8 Paul lists several categories that can shape our thought life. 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things.” Consider these as a grid or filter to help determine what you’re going to allow into your thought-life (Jesus is Lord of that too, y’know!). Is this show I’m about to watch true and commendable and pure, or a bit off-colour? Is this project I’m about to devote some resources to right and just and admirable, or is it under-cutting someone else for my own benefit? Is that link I’m about to click on excellent and praiseworthy – or exploiting others, even indirectly, for catering to baser appetites that will leave me feeling ashamed? Did my comment on what that politician did actually edify or build anyone up, or was I just jumping on a popular bandwagon, throwing them under the bus so I can pat myself on the back for not failing in that particular very-public sense?

We’re not to let the world squeeze us into its mold when it comes to our thought-life, the categories we give our attention to. Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Concentrate on the virtues that please your Master.

3) COPY THE CHRISTLIKE

You may remember that back in 3:17 Paul rather boldly urged the church at Philippi to imitate the good things they had seen in him: 3:17 “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.” Paul was very conscious of trying to set a good example. He didn’t want to do anything that might weigh on his conscience: he could say in court before the Roman governor Felix, Acts 24:16 “So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” Can you say that? Can I? If we want to be able to urge someone to follow our example, we need to be acting according to our conscience.

So one aspect of peace, joy, and contentment is COPYING THE CHRISTLIKE. They’ve given you a pattern, set an example – all you have to do is do likewise! They did it - so can you. Who in your life would say is your mentor? Who are you allowing to disciple you, correct you, polish your rough edges?

The New Testament authors do emphasize faith in Jesus a lot, but they also emphasize obedience, putting our faith in to practice; James 2:17,26 “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead...As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” Jesus emphasized it’s not those who say “Lord, Lord” that enter the Kingdom, but those who do the Father’s will (Mt 7:21). We’re not to merely listen to the Word, according to James (1:22), but DO what it says. To another church, the one in Thessalonica, Paul could warn them against idleness by saying, 2Thess 3:7 “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.We were not idle when we were with you...” We can copy those who are Christlike.

4) CARING COMMUNITY

The letter to the Philippians is in some ways a missionary’s thank-you letter to their supporters back home. So another factor in Paul’s peace and contentment is this CARING COMMUNITY. In vv10-18 he writes about how they have renewed their concern for him; from the very first, when Paul set out from their region of Macedonia, they send him aid “again and again when I was in need” (16). Paul acknowledges their latest gift as a man named Epaphroditus searched him out all the way in Rome, under house arrest, and made good on delivering the funds they had sent for Paul: 4:18 “I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”

Paul didn’t operate in a vacuum. He was part of a community, spending time investing in lives in a location for months or years, then when he moved on to another mission field he kept in touch by writing letters back to previous churches, and the Philippians sent financial aid in order to support him. It’s not that Paul was totally dependent on it – he did practise his tent-making trading, working long hours into the night to support himself – but when churches sent gifts it freed him up to be able to devote more time to teaching and leading.

Verses 12 and 13 really get at the heart of this matter of learning to be content: v12 - “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Do you sense a build-up here, coming to a climax? Okay Paul, tell us your secret! Out with it! What is the secret of being content in every situation?

V13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” There’s that “connectedness” bit again – THROUGH HIM, in Christ (in other words), “who gives me strength”. Paul knows a tangible connection, a supply line, to Jesus – this sustains him whether he has food or not, whether he has ample or little. It’s not about the material ‘stuff’: it’s about the spiritual relationship he has, his walk day by day with the Lord, knowing Jesus’ presence in his life. So he could say in 1Timothy 6:6, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Fanny Crosby was a great writer of gospel songs that have inspired many. But did you know that Fanny herself was blinded when only 6 weeks old by a country doctor who thought he was treating her with eyedrops? Yet her indomitable attitude soon became evident. At just 8 years of age, she wrote this little poem:

Oh, what a happy child I am, Although I cannot see!

I am resolved that in this world Contented I will be.

Can we make that same resolution? To be content? Along with godliness, Paul defines that as “great gain”.

5) CREATOR’S CAPACITY

To review, we’ve seen the secret to peace, joy, and contentment involves – conscious connection with Jesus; concerted concentration on what’s true and noble and right and pure and so on; copying the Christlike – following another saint’s example; and caring community - accepting support from others moved to contribute to our needs. A fifth and final element is our CREATOR’S CAPACITY. Never forget that we serve a great God! One who works miracles, who has all the resources of the universe at His disposal.

Paul is very appreciative of this supporting church’s help over and over again, sending gifts that helped move his ministry forward. Yet he reminds them they can’t outgive God! As they have been contributing to Kingdom purposes, God will refurbish their reserves so they can keep on giving. 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” What a verse! Such a great promise! NLT “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” When we’re on-board with God’s program, He wants to get behind that and channel more resources through for His purposes, His glory. (Paul bursts spontaneously into a doxology in the next verse, as if he can’t help himself, he’s carried along by the magnificence of the way God works in His vast greatness and mysterious power.)

Jesus expressed something along the same lines when He said in Luke 12:31, “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” Is our direction, our focus right? Kingdom aims are the tracks down which the locomotive of God’s resources roll.

To the church at Corinth Paul said something similar, 2 Cor 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” His grace abounds; we will abound – but not in our selfish appetites! “Abound in every good work.” Think also of Proverbs 3:9f, “Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” It starts with honouring God.

Robertson comments, “God has an abundant treasure in glory and will repay the Philippians for what they have done for Paul.”

GIVEN STRENGTH FOR THE TASK

Paul’s connection with the Lord was the deep deep reservoir from which all his ministry poured forth, was resourced. He could affirm this phenomenal truth in 4:13, a verse SO worth memorizing: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” When we feel the truth of that, Him giving us strength, we can rest content no matter what the future may bring.

Paul Krause was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. He played sixteen years and had eighty-one career interceptions as a safety with the Minnesota Vikings. However, his greatest challenge in life did not occur on a football field but in his response to the automobile accident his wife of thirty-five years suffered on October 5, 1995. Pam Krause was in a coma for five years after suffering a brain stem injury and several broken bones on the left side of her body, including facial bones, ribs, pelvis, and vertebrae. Former Vikings teammate Wally Hilgenburg recently said, “I have gained so much more respect and admiration for Paul over the past two years for what Paul has done as a husband, father, and provider for Pam. He has proven himself a true Hall of Famer based on how he has handled everything.”

What’s his secret, you might ask? Krause credits his strength to his faith in God: [he says] “When the doctors tell you that they do not know if she will live...that is not giving you any hope. But I never thought she would die. That is my belief in God, hoping that he would give me strength through all of it.”

Let’s pray. Lord, we do want to be able to rejoice in you ALWAYS, even through accidents, even through persecution, even through pandemics and all the tests life brings our way. Thank you that through faith we can be “in Christ”, in Your Son, tapping into the supply of Your infinite resources and receiving Your mighty strength. Equip us, Lord, to be able to share with others like the Philippians sent aid to Paul again and again. So may we experience Your favour and become channels of Your blessing to the world, for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Jacob’s Wrestlings (1): The Trickster” - August 2, 2020 Gen.25:27-34,27:14-27

AS GOOD AS YOUR WORD

We appreciate it when someone is truthful with us – not twisting the facts, or holding something back, or outright lying to us. When they’re being honest with us, it shows respect, it builds our trust in them and strengthens the relationship. But lying is deceitful and erodes trust quickly, you feel you’ve been treated like dirt.

We’ve been hearing about ‘fake news’ lately; well, it’s been around a while. This ‘fake news’ happened in the late 1800s... Discovering that most people believe everything they hear and read, a young reporter in Connecticut decided to make a name for himself. His name was Louis Stone, and for nearly two decades, he fabricated stories throughout America about such freaks of nature as a tree that produced baked apples, a squirrel that brushed its master's shoes with its tail every morning, and a cow owned by two spinsters that was so modest she would not allow a man to milk her. Louis Stone, the reporter, was eventually exposed as the "Winsted Liar," and Winsted, Connecticut, became famous because of his notoriety.

Some of you will remember the comedians named the Smothers Brothers. Tommy Smothers once said, "The best thing about getting older is that you gain sincerity...Once you learn to fake that, there's nothing you can't do." (!)

Trustworthiness and honesty are vital ingredients of integrity: can people take us at our word? It goes back to the root qualities of God’s very nature: faithfulness is one of those key virtues of the Lord that make an anchor in our lives, it’s at the heart of our belief in God, that He is in fact believe-able, we can put our confidence in Him because He’s consistent not arbitrary or untruthful. Psalm 117 is the shortest Psalm in the Bible, celebrating 2 key qualities of God: what are they? Ps 117:2 “For great is his love toward us, and the FAITHFULNESS of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.” That’s the Hebrew word emeth: firmness, faithfulness, truth; sureness, reliability. When the Hebrew ex-slaves were about to enter the Promised Land, the Lord gave Balaam an oracle which said: Num 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” The entire Bible in a way is a book of precious promises, many already fulfilled, some still awaiting fulfilment at a time yet in the future. Jesus at His arrest was very conscious of proceeding so the Scriptures would be fulfilled (Mk 14:49).

By contrast, lying is forbidden, God commands us not to be untruthful. In the Ten Commandments, Ex 20:16: “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” God is more to the point in Lev 19:11: “Do not steal.Do not lie.Do not deceive one another.”

It’s particularly painful when someone lies to us that is close to us, a family member or close friend, someone that we thought we could count on. Judas the disciple would be a case in point: his betrayal of Jesus is so dastardly because he was a close associated, one of the Twelve, entrusted even with the group’s moneybag. Yet at a crucial moment he led Jesus’ enemies to their private location in the Garden of Gethsemane and betrayed his Master with the sign of a kiss – a KISS! A gesture that’s supposed to signify true affection.

In today’s passage, as we begin our new series on the life of Jacob the patriarch and forebear of the nation of Israel, we see some of these dynamics at work. It’s part of Jacob’s maturing and growth in godliness that in a way may be representative of those of us who are following Jesus.

LET’S MAKE A DEAL

Genesis 25(20) tells us Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah; their twins weren’t born til he was 60. That means for 20 years the couple were childless. Isaac prayed to the Lord for Rebekah on account of her barrenness, and God granted them children. But while they were still in the womb, the twins jostled each other so much that Rebekah inquired of the Lord about it. Genesis 25:23, “The LORD said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger."” Even before they were born, God foretold the one born last would end up being first!

When the twins were born, the first was reddish and very hairy, so he was named “Esau” (hairy) or also referred to as Edom (red). But as he was born, the second child, also a boy, had his hand around his brother’s heel – so they called him Jacob, meaning ‘he grasps the heel’ (figuratively, he deceives). So there’s the connotation of being “grabby”, grasping, taking what’s not really his, taking advantage, perhaps exploiting the situation. Do you know any ‘grabby’ people? Is there someone you’re conscious of avoiding because, whenever they come to see you, it’s usually to ‘hit you up’ for something? Are there times in your life when others have taken advantage of you, perhaps held onto something that wasn’t rightfully theirs? In Jacob’s name, there’s this ‘grasping’ or ‘grabby’ shading. It’s part of Jacob’s faith-journey to eventually grow out of this ‘grabbiness’ directed at helping himself, learning instead to hold on tight to God and trust God to lead.

Well, as the boys grew up, you couldn’t imagine two brothers who were more opposite. Esau loved to hunt; Jacob hung around the tents, probably helped his mom in the kitchen, learning to be an expert cook. Jacob had smooth skin while Esau seemed to be wearing a hairy rug. Isaac the father grew fond of Esau, while Jacob was his mother’s favourite.

To understand this story you’ve got to appreciate the custom of the time regarding “birthright” and “blessing”. Normally the “birthright” went to the oldest son in a family; basically it was a double portion of the inheritance – if there were 3 sons (for example) instead of dividing it 3 ways you’d divide the estate 4 ways, and the oldest would get 2/4 or a half, while the two other sons would received just a quarter. The “blessing” on the other hand was a verbal proclamation made by the father near death when he officially announced the oldest (usually) to be his successor, and made it official that that son would receive the extra portion of inheritance and be the clan leader and spiritually responsible (priest of sorts). Authorities have found examples in neighbouring cultures indicating this verbal pronouncement was accepted as legally binding, just the same as if by an oath made in court. You just didn’t go against the dying man’s decision and declaration.

Now, chapter 25 tells about a time in the boys’ lives when Esau didn’t have success out on the hunt. Extremely hungry, he came in and the aroma of a lentil stew Jacob happened to be cooking came wafting across his nostrils. It smelt SO good Esau decided he just HAD to have some of it. 25:30 “He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!”

Remember we talked about Jacob being the ‘grabby’ one? Well, his entrepreneurial skills and market savvy kicked into high gear. Supply and demand: you can see the wheels turning in Jacob’s calculating mind - low price elasticity, “He’s going to want that stew no matter how much I ask him to pay.” Jacob decided to ‘go for broke’. 25:31 “Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright."” Ravenous with hunger, Esau exaggerated the situation: his senses were riveted on that tasty red stew.

25:32 “"Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?"” ‘About to die’?! Now THAT’S got to be an overstatement! But salesman Jacob had his customer right where he wanted him. After making Esau swear an oath, Jacob ladeled up the lentil stew for him. The author of Genesis notes, 25:34B “So Esau despised his birthright.” He put short-term satisfaction ahead of long-term interests that were really much more significant. And Jacob was right there all set to capitalize on a golden opportunity.

COVERING UP COSTLY SUBTERFUGE

Now, what Jacob did in trading the stew for the birthright was not too terrible; it was basically good marketing. Yes he perhaps was exploiting his brother’s lack at a moment of weakness, but there wasn’t anything actually morally wrong about the deal he’d made. Shrewd but not crooked. Yet things eventually took a very shadowy turn.

Years later, Isaac was 137 years old and the twins would have been 77; Isaac had gone blind, and felt he was about to die (though in fact he lives another 43 years!). Nevertheless he decided it was time to set his affairs in order and officially confer the birthright on Esau (the boys maybe hadn’t let him in on their little arrangement) by pronouncing the deathbed ‘blessing’, which would make it binding. So in Genesis 27 he sends Esau off to hunt some tasty wild game – the sort Isaac had a liking for – and prepare a meal for the occasion.

Rebekah, Isaac’s wife and mother of the twins, overhears this and hatches a plan. It seems she has either forgotten or maybe doesn’t trust God’s promise from the time when both boys were struggling inside her womb, that the older would actually serve the younger. Rather than trusting and waiting for God to work things out, she decided to take matters into her own hands, and force things to happen in her own way. Are we like that? Have we become impatient waiting for the Lord to work it out in His own timing?

She shares her clever scheme with Jacob, her favourite son, who at 77 should have been able to make up his own mind as to what’s right by now! But he’s a compliant kid, and besides what she’s suggesting is to his own advantage. Basically the plan goes like this: while Esau’s hunting, Jacob would take some goats from the pen, butcher them, Rebekah would doctor it up just the way her husband likes, and Jacob would dress up pretending to be Esau so HE would receive the blessing (and associated privileges) instead of Esau. Nervy – bold – dodgy – time sensitive: but it might just work!

A side comment here, how tragic it is that this couple’s interests had become so divided that Rebekah and Isaac are now actually working in opposition to each other! C’mon, husbands and wives, get on the same page! Whatever happened to ‘one flesh’, marital unity, being ‘bone of my bones’? They had drifted so far apart, to the point of outright undermining each other.

Verses 11-12 record Jacob’s objection. However he does not object on the basis of principle: he objects on the basis he might get caught! Jacob seems to have absorbed his mother’s shrewdness, her determination to get her own way and see her own plans advance, regardless of the fallout for others. They are both well aware the path contemplated is morally wrong. 27:12 “What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing.”

Think about it – Isaac is old and blind. They are plotting to exploit his disability (not being able to see) in order to thwart his legitimate desire, bless his eldest son. Later in Lev 19, a few verses after the prohibition against lying, we read: Lev 19:14 “Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God.I am the LORD.” God states it in a way that identifies Himself with the interests of the handicapped – if we mess with them, we will have to answer to Him. It’s just plain mean and cruel (and counter-godly) to exploit the disabled.

Secular cultures can be cruel to the weakest among them. Evolution lauds the ‘survival of the fittest’. Our family lived in Brazzaville Congo for a couple of years back in the early 80's, when I served with Christian Blind Mission. Up the road there was a young blind girl, Solange, who the family kept in a dark corner of the living room, as if they were ashamed of her. We befriended her, bringing her to our place occasionally to play with our toddler-daughter Emily, and the neighbours were surprised: they hadn’t recalled ever seeing her outside the house before! Revering God leads us to treat other humans with care and respect, it ennobles the disadvantaged.

Well, Rebekah wins her son’s support for her evil plan, he becomes her willing accomplice. V13 “My son, let the curse fall on me.Just do as I say...” Hm, when’s another time in the ages when our curse fell on someone else? Jesus became a curse on our behalf at the cross. We start to see pointers in this story of Jesus identifying with us sinners, taking our place, bearing our shame for our wrongs.

The plan is hatched and executed, the timing is consummate. Goatskins make hairy Jacob’s exposed surfaces, his hands and the back of his neck. Father Isaac consumes hungrily enough the tasty meat. But something’s not quite right. Did Isaac notice it didn’t exactly taste like venison? But maybe his wife’s spices covered that up. Blind people become particularly reliant upon their hearing, so sounds are very important to them: and this son lacked Esau’s usual huskiness / he-man-ness. Isaac’s verification process forces Jacob into at least half a dozen lies or half-truths to cover up his real identity. These are in vv18-24.

“Who is it?” Isaac asks; “I am Esau your firstborn,” Jacob says. That’s Lie 1. He goes on, “I have done as you told me” – NOTHING OF THE SORT! – that’s Lie 2. “Eat some of my game so that you may give me your blessing” – it’s not ‘game’: that’s Lie 3.

Isaac probes, “How did you find it so quickly, my son?” Good point; hunting takes time and patience. Jacob can’t reveal he simply walked over to the goat pen, now can he? So he states, “The Lord your God gave me success.”

Huh.Lie 4.Bringing God into it now, are we? Jacob crosses a new threshold of evil deception – and the callous around his spirit grows a new layer. He’s appealing verbally to an authority he’s not submitting to by his immediate action. Note he says “your” God not “my” God: we won’t see Jacob appeal to the Lord as his own God until much later in life, 33:20 when he returns from far-off Haran.

Now comes the real test. Besides hearing, blind people rely heavily on touch. The way we taught blind people to weed gardens in Brazzaville was to identify two plants by touch (spacing, texture) then weed everything in between. Isaac beckons, “Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not.” Jacob goes closer to him – Lie 5 or deception 5. Although Isaac knows it’s Jacob’s voice he’s hearing, the hands with the goatskins are actually hairy like Esau’s.

One final time Isaac questions, v24 “"Are you really my son Esau?" he asked. "I am," he replied.” Lie 6. Jacob’s in so deep now there’s no backing out. After Isaac eats the food prepared, he asks Jacob to kiss him, which he does.

What irony! A kiss to seal the deal of subterfuge. On another occasion many centuries later, Judas would signify to Jesus’ enemies who the Master of the little band of disciples was. Lk 22:48 “...Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"” What answer can you give to a question like that? You’ve just emptied the gesture that’s supposed to be the most tender expression in human intimacy of its import; it’s uberly subversive, the epitome of backstabbing. Our Lord deserves better from us than that.

After all that – Rebekah’s nefarious plan achieves its goal: Isaac blesses Jacob instead of Esau. The patriarch bequeathed prosperity and prominence to the wrong kid. V29a “May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you.” Dominance is assured; Rebekah’s ‘favourite’ won out over her husband’s ‘favourite’.

But didn’t the win seem kind of hollow to Jacob as he heard the words his dad said meant for someone else? This wasn’t him! V27b “Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed.” It was just because Jacob was wearing Esau’s clothes. This blessing is for you BUT NOT REALLY YOU. You are standing in another’s place.

And what was the cost of the “successful” plan? Had they known the consequences, Rebekah and her son might never have pursued it. Life Application Bible points out the consequences of the deceit: 1) Jacob never saw his mother again; 2) his brother wanted to kill him; 3) he was deceived by his uncle, Laban; 4) his family became torn by strife; 5) Esau became the founder of an enemy nation; 6) Jacob was exiled from his family for years.

Sin has consequences – often that far outweigh any short-term gain brought about by the disobedience. And Rebekah was forgetting God’s decree years before that Jacob would have become the dominant twin anyway! (25:23) LAB comments: “Imagine how different his life would have been had he and his mother waited for God to work his way, in his time!”

CLOTHED WITH CHRIST, DEAD TO THE OLD SELF

As we read this Old Testament story through our New Testament lens, we may be struck by some parallels. Jacob was trying so hard to be “acceptable” to the father whose favour he did not have. It only worked when he literally covered himself with skins of animals that were sacrificed. At the cross we see that Jesus has become our holy substitute, the solution for our sins and falling short, the eraser for our shame, the One through Whom we can become acceptable to the Almighty Father of humankind. He came and stood in the place of us sinners, bearing our shame and punishment that He did not deserve. Through His blood our sins are ‘covered’, removed, so when God looks at us in Christ He sees Christ’s own righteousness. A sacrificial covenant meal is involved, the meaning of which points to Jesus’ substitution for sinners; Jesus attached these words and meanings to it – Matt 26:26f “Take and eat; this is My body...This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

The Apostle Paul urges the church at Rome to become other than they are through faith in Jesus, to “die” in a way to their old sinful selves, to become clothed not with goatskins but with Christ. Rom 13:11-14 “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and PUT ON THE ARMOUR OF LIGHT. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

Wow.Don’t even think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh, the sinful nature, the “old man”? That involves dying to self, consciously putting on Jesus (like a garment) to wear moment by moment. An end to drunkenness, debauchery, dissension; we might extend that – to lying, exploiting others like the mother and son in this story did, cheating a family member out of what was rightfully his. A death to the selfish drives that strive to put us ahead of others, grabbing from them, instead of waiting for God to bring about His promised blessings in His way.

Last month my grandson Kasher was baptized at the Christian & Missionary Alliance church they attend in Barrhead, AB. I’d like us to watch him sharing his testimony because he seemed to capture some of the essence of what Christian baptism is all about in terms of dying so Jesus can become Lord of our choices...[SHOW VIDEO]

Kasher ended with this: “God has told me that someday I will die for Him; I accept this even though it will be hard and kind of scary.I want to be baptized so that I can show the world that I died with Him and I went in the grave with Him and rose again with Him.”

I really hope he’s wrong about that ‘dying’ because of preaching part, though with the way the world is going, persecution is likely to become more prevalent here in the West. But even if we’re not called to die physically for the Lord, are we ready to die to selfish choices, to share in His death so we can experience His Holy Spirit’s leading and Jesus’ resurrection power? Let’s pray.

Lord, we come to you, aware of our many sins, that we don’t deserve Your blessing. Like Rebekah and Jacob we have schemed and plotted and connived, yet our plans backfire and we find ourselves further from You than ever. Have mercy on us. Forgive our sins; wash us in the flow from the cross of Jesus; let Your Holy Spirit move us to do what’s right, loving You foremost and loving one another, relinquishing our own grabbiness so our hands can be open to receive what You have for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Funeral of Hazel Elliott - August 5, 2020

“Did I make the grade?” Anyone who’s ever gone to school will have asked themselves that – when we have tests, when we do projects and hand in assignments, when it’s the end of the year and we hope to move on to the next level. We are always anxious until we see our results, know that we’ve been accepted and our work is satisfactory.

“Did I make the grade?” With the pandemic underway, it adds a new level of testing. We watch the results daily to see if our province kept down the number of cases. We compare our standing with that of other provinces to see if we’re doing as well as they are; we compare our country’s results with that of other countries, and maybe congratulate ourselves if our situation isn’t as bad as such-and-such a place. It’s natural for us to compare our standing, to mentally rate ourselves in relation to others.

“Did I make the grade?” There is a final test of utmost importance, one we can’t study for, one that no amount of cramming can prepare us for: that’s the passing from this life into the next. In Biblical terms, we’re hoping not for a report card but for our Lord’s commendation: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” ...“Did I make THAT grade??” How do we know? Ecclesiastes talks about God setting eternity in the human heart; we have this awareness of an existence outside this earthly one, and aspire to make the grade when the times to laugh on earth give way to the time to mourn.

The Bible acknowledges the value and significance of human work and effort. Eccles.3:12f “I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil— this is the gift of God.” Psalm 104 acknowledges (23) “People go out to their work, to their labour until evening” – yet evening comes; our breath is eventually taken away, and we “return to the dust” (29).

Part of our anxiety about whether we’ve worked hard enough or been good enough is because we want to be acceptable to God, the Almighty, to Whom we must one day give account and is our final Judge. But will our works ever add up to enough to gain us entry into His eternal Kingdom?

Hazel was a hard worker. She was already a schoolteacher at 17, and worked at a whole range of jobs besides that as the years progressed. Factory work, nursery business, lumberyard, hardware store, grocery cashier, market gardening, beekeeping – she had a wide range of talents and expertise. She was always good with numbers. Not to mention raising a family of 4 girls and living in some 39 different places – so many it makes your head spin! Not to mention supporting her husband through his struggle with Parkinson’s. Hazel worked hard, had high standards, and prodded on others to become more responsible. Not to mention her volunteer work in the UCW and leading 4H! Hazel was part of the post-WWII “Builder” generation that worked hard to contribute to society and help our nation progress to its status today.

Yet no matter how hard we work, the Bible reminds us that’s not how God keeps score, that’s not how He determines whether we’ve ‘made the grade’. The Jews asked Jesus, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus counselled them not to work for food that spoils – what we need daily to sustain this passing fleeting temporal life; instead He said to work for food that endures to eternal life. What’s that mean? He went on to explain, “The work of God is this: to BELIEVE in the one He has sent.” That’s faith, putting your trust in what the Lord says and has done rather than the merit of our own efforts to save us.

Jesus promises, “He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” He offers what’s truly satisfying, knowing Him, walking with Him daily in spiritual relationship. And at the end of this life, He promises not to lose of all those the Father has given him, but will raise them up at the last day. Only through Him will we ‘make the grade’ – because He finished the work, He paid our sin-debt by giving His life on the cross for us.

The Apostle Paul reflecting on this truth assured the early church it’s not about our works, but God’s work – in fact God works IN ALL THINGS for the good of those who love Him (Rom 8:28). So when we believe in Jesus we can have assurance that we ‘make the grade’. We don’t connect with God on the basis of our works but on the basis of His love. Because of the cross and resurrection of Jesus we can be convinced that nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus – not even trouble or hardship or danger or death itself can separate us, cause us to not ‘make the grade’ if we keep on believing in Him.

In making the grade through faith, we will find ourselves acceptable to Him, welcomed into an eternal home. I understand Hazel and Bill were ahead of the current awareness about racism (for example Black Lives Matter), in that they welcomed some South Africans into their community and even their home to share in Christmas celebrations. We as sinners were foreigners and enemies of heaven, but receiving Jesus we become welcome in God’s eternal home. May He be praised forever! Let’s pray.

“Jacob’s Wrestlings (3): Duped by Another Deceiver” - August 23, 2020 Gen.29:14-30 (chs.29-30)

FEAR OR SECURITY?

Security and significance are two very basic felt needs. When our security is threatened, we become afraid. There’s been a lot of fear circulating lately with all the news about COVID statistics and outbreaks and spikes; people we know may have had a close brush with the outbreak at Bayfield recently, for instance. After the week away for 3 of my kids and myself at daughter Emily’s north of Edmonton, my son forwarded us the news article about a prayer meeting near Fort St.John that resulted in some 29 cases, despite the organizers taking reasonable precautions. With September approaching, some parents are hesitant about their children returning to the classroom.

What things make YOU afraid? As for me, I recall being afraid about a year ago when a burn pile I was lighting caused burns to a good portion of my body; as I lay in the bathtub trying to cool down the areas affected, and then started shaking uncontrollably in shock, it was a pretty scary experience! More recently, I was driving my motorcycle when a car made a left turn and pulled out right in front of me – I’m pretty sure they didn’t see me – that’s frightening too.

Fear affects our health more than we may realize. In spite of what they say, ninety percent of the chronic patients who see today's physicians have one common symptom. Their trouble did not start with coughing or chest pain or hyperacidity. In ninety percent of the cases, the first symptom was fear. So writes an internist in a roundtable discussion on psychosomatic medicine. This is also the consensus of a growing body of specialists. Fear of losing a job, of old age, of being exposed – sooner or later such fear manifests itself as "a clinical symptom." Sometimes the fear is nothing more than a superficial anxiety; sometimes it is so deep-rooted that the patient denies its existence and makes the round of doctor to doctor, taking injections, hormones, tranquilizers, and tonics in an endless search for relief.

Ann Landers was receiving an average of ten thousand letters each month – nearly all of them from people with problems. She was asked if there was one predominant theme in the letters she receives. She said, "The one problem above all others seems to be fear. People are afraid of losing their health, their wealth, and their loved ones. People are afraid of life itself."

As we return to the story of Jacob, we find him fleeing from his brother Esau in fear. You may recall he had bargained to obtain the privilege of the birthright for a bowl of stew – a pretty shrewd deal! Then later he stole his older twin brother’s blessing by disguising himself before their blind father, and outright lying. This did not sit well with Esau who had been cheated. Genesis 27:41 “Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him.He said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob."” (Yes, that could be enough to make somebody afraid!)

Their mother Rebekah caught wind of this and advised her favourite son, Jacob, to high-tail it to her brother’s place far away in Haran, over 400 miles (640 km) to the north and east (that’s about from here to Cornwall or Gogama). He would have arrived there worn out, breathless, and with barely the clothes on his back – without much security at all. It caught Jacob at a pretty vulnerable period in his life.

Jacob had to learn to trust God rather than his own devices and deviousness. When you look at the dialogue between him and God at Bethel, where he had the dream of the staircase to heaven (28:12), there’s a marked contrast between God’s unconditional promise to be with and protect Jacob, and Jacob’s very conditional response to the Lord. It’s conditional in the sense of using an IF/THEN clause: Gen 28:20f “Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "IF God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s house, THEN the LORD will be my God...”

A SNEAKY SMILING UNCLE

You might recall Jacob’s name means “to grab by the heel” / to trip up / to deceive; a nickname might be ‘Grabby’. God arranges for this deceitful man to be dealt with by someone even craftier and trickier than himself. We’re commanded to love our neighbour as ourself; to observe the Golden Rule, to do to others as we would have them do to us. In bumping up against someone who has the same sinful tendencies as ourselves, we begin to get a picture of who we are, how the way we treat others comes across to them, we begin to feel the brunt of the pain we cause by our own selfishness.

At the outset of Genesis 29, Joseph arrives in Paddan Aram and meets some shepherds who know Laban his mother’s brother. He performs an impressive act of strength, rolling away the stone that protects the mouth of the well – perhaps motivated to show off a bit for the watching Rachel, one wonders?? (29:10) He is welcomed by Laban, and after staying there a month Laban inquires about wages (29:15). Now Jacob had his eye on Laban’s younger daughter Rachel, who was beautiful compared to the older sister Leah, who may have had pale eyes or some other eye condition that made her less attractive. Gen 29:18 “Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, "I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel."” However, that’s not exactly what happens...Crafty Laban pulls a ‘switch’ on the marriage night and in the dark gives Jacob Leah as his wife instead of Rachel. He explains it’s the custom for the older daughter to get married first, but he certainly wasn’t forthright about it with Jacob! Gen 29:23,25 “But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and Jacob lay with her...When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?"”

That’s got to be one of the most understated verses in the Bible – “When morning came, there was Leah!” SURPRISE!! Wouldn’t Jacob feel foolish! Whether it was the dark, or the veil, or some combination – he sure fell for it. How does it feel, Jacob? After pulling the wool over your blind again father’s eyes, now you’ve had it done to you! He protests, “Why have you deceived me?” The deceiver has been deceived, tasted some of his own medicine. Being tricked like that makes it so hard to ever trust someone again in a relationship. Is the lesson starting to register? Is pain driving the point home?

Laban does allow Jacob to take Rachel as his wife after the week is up – as long as Jacob agrees to serve another 7 years of labour, 14 total for Laban’s 2 daughters.

A second way in which Laban tricks Jacob emerges after the 14 years: Jacob agrees to provide labour in exhange for the specked and spottled animals; any ‘solid colour’ sheep or goats would obviously belong to Laban (30:32f). But as soon as they make the agreement, what does Laban do? Before Jacob can get the non-solid-coat animals, Laban secretly stacks the deck! Gen 30:35f “That same day he removed all the male goats that were streaked or spotted, and all the speckled or spotted female goats (all that had white on them) and all the dark-colored lambs, and he placed them in the care of his sons.Then he put a three-day journey between himself and Jacob, while Jacob continued to tend the rest of Laban’s flocks.” How would you like doing business with someone like that?!

And Laban continued to cheat Jacob on other occasions, always trying to alter the agreement to his advantage. Gen 31:7A [Jacob speaking to Leah and Rachel] “yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times...”

SUPERSTITION: MECHANICALLY TRYING TO STIFF-ARM GOD

There are examples of superstition and magic in this passage that are also symptomatic of people trying to coerce God, to manipulate Him into providing a preferred result rather than trusting Him to look after it. Today it might take the form of a lucky rabbit’s foot, or lucky horseshoe, or taking part in a seance, throwing salt over your shoulder, and so on. The Bible is against magical acts that run counter to acknowledging God’s sovereignty: He wants us to trust Him, not trust in superstition and astrology and the like.

Leah’s son Reuben finds some mandrakes in the field - these have fleshy forked roots that resemble the lower part of a human body and were thought to induce pregnancy when eaten. Rachel was trying to get pregnant by magical means, so made a deal with Leah so she could have the mandrakes. Leah got a night with Jacob out of the deal, so it actually backfired, because Leah became pregnant with a 5^th son instead of Rachel! (30:14-16)

In 30:27 Laban admits to Jacob, “I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you.” Divination is forbidden by the Lord later in Deuteronomy 18:10: “There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer.” Modern forms of divination would include fortune-telling, palm-reading, tarot cards, and reading tea leaves. NIV Study Bible explains divination was forbidden to Israel “because it reflected a pagan concept of the world controlled by evil forces, and therefore obviously not under the sovereign rule of the Lord.” Who’s in control? Who are we going to trust?

Superstition is also apparent when Jacob takes poplar, almond, and plane trees and strips bark on them to put in front of the watering troughs at breeding time, supposing this will help produce more speckled, streaked, and spotted offspring for the sheep and goats (30:37-39). It seems to work. But in chapter 31 Jacob gets more insight. When Laban tried to change the agreement so Jacob would only get speckled ones, strangely that’s what the mother animals produce. 31:9-13A “So God has taken away your father’s livestock and has given them to me.In breeding season I once had a dream in which I looked up and saw that the male goats mating with the flock were streaked, speckled or spotted.The angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob.’ I answered, ‘Here I am.’ And he said, ‘Look up and see that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted, for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me.” So, God was showing Jacob it wasn’t actually his superstitious methods that were responsible, but the Lord’s intervention.

Again, God wants us to trust in Him, rather than relay on means that honour lesser idols and other powers in the world.

LEARNING LEAH’S LESSON: TRUST IN GOD’S POWER

Jacob’s wives play a large part in his developing story. Their names aren’t exactly flattering – Leah means “cow” and Rachel means “ewe” – but then, Laban was a herdsman, so I suppose that can be understood. But even though Leah was not the attractive one of the two, we get a hint of a growing faith in the way she names her sons (she had 6 overall, and at least 1 daughter).

At first there’s a yearning for approval and appreciation from her husband, who made it quite obvious he loved Rachel more than her. Gen 29:32 “Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son.She named him Reuben, for she said, "It is because the LORD has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now."”

Next, v33 “She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "Because the LORD heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too." So she named him Simeon.” (See how much her longing is for her husband to love her?

Then v34, “Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." So he was named Levi.” In each of these names, we see some reference to her yearning for her husband’s affection.

But that changes with the fourth son. Gen 29:35 “She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, "This time I will praise the LORD." So she named him Judah.” It seems her focus is swinging to trust in God and keep Him in the forefront of her consciousness, being less dependent on her husband for approval. And of the twelve boys born to Jacob resulting in the 12 tribes of Israel, Judah becomes the princely tribe, the tribe of great King David, and the tribe from which the messiah would arrive (see Jesus’ genealogy in Lk 3:33).

We see a shift starting to take place in Jacob’s attitude. While at Bethel he responded very conditionally and tentatively to the Lord’s promises – and remember speaking to his father he said “The Lord your God gave me success” (27:20) – Jacob is starting to acknowledge the Lord’s role in his life. 31:5 “...the God of my father has been with me.” v7 “God has not allowed him to harm me.” v9 “So God has taken away your father’s livestock and has given them to me.”

Jacob entered Haran with barely the clothes on his back, likely apprehensive, fearful, feeling vulnerable, on the run from a murderous grudge-wielding brother. During his time in Haran, things change. 30:43 “In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys.” But his attitude was also beginning to shift away from his own scheming to trust in God to guide and provide – even if that guiding means heading back to confront his threat-breathing brother, as we’ll soon see.

Maturity comes as we learn to trust in God not our own strength. In Luke 8, synagogue ruler Jairus had come asking Jesus to heal his 12-year-old daughter, who was dying (8:42). On the way, a messengers cam with bad news. But note Jesus’ response: Lk 8:49f “While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler."Your daughter is dead," he said."Don’t bother the teacher any more." Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."” And Jesus raised her up!

Last week Pastor Rob talked about the Abrahamic covenant, and how that extends down through Isaac and Jacob and eventually to all those who believe in Jesus as Lord, both Jews and Gentiles. By faith in God we become ‘children of Abraham’ as it were, even if we’re not physically descended from him. Galatians 3:29 “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” And Gal 3:14 “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” BY FAITH – not fear! And we are blessed to share the blessing with others.

Paul talks specifically about Abraham’s faith in Romans 4; he’s focussing on a point at which Abraham’s physical ability was questionable because he was about a hundred years old. But like Jacob a bit later, Abraham was learning to trust in God not his own strength and ability. Rom 4:19-21 “Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead— since he was about a hundred years old— and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Hear those different faith-terms? Without weakening in his faith; didn’t waver through unbelief; was strengthened in his faith; being fully persuaded that God had power. Can you step forward into that degree of trusting?

FAITH ON THE ZIPLINE

When a father picks up his little daughter and tosses her all around in the air, she laughs and enjoys it, for she trusts – has faith in – her father. Even though she finds herself in unusual situations, like being upside down a metre above the floor with nothing supporting her – normally an uncomfortable circumstance – she does not fear, for she trusts her father. That’s the sort of faith we can have toward our Heavenly Father, too.

When Meredith and her children got ready to head back to their home near Calgary from our week at Emily’s north of Edmonton, they wanted to try the zipline one last time. Emily’s husband Trent had constructed a zipline that ran between 2 trees in their yard, starting about 4 metres up, so you had to climb a ladder to get to it. 4-year-old Eliana got up to the top of the ladder but then became afraid and wasn’t willing to grab onto the handle and jump away. So we made a compromise: I picked her up by her lower legs and held her high enough that she could grab the zipline handle partway down, then walked along holding her so she could get a bit of the feel of it.

When life throws us a zipline, we need to entrust ourselves to God’s ability to see us through. As the Lord promised Jacob at Bethel, Gen 28:15 “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go...” And as Jesus promised the disciples at His ascension, at the end of the Great Commission: Mt 28:20B “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Let’s pray.

“Jacob’s Wrestlings (4): Getting Real with the Master Wrestler” - August 30, 2020 Gen.32:7-12,22-32

ADJUSTING OUR PERSPECTIVE

Sometimes our perspective can use a little adjustment. While vacationing with family in Alberta a couple of weeks ago, I went golfing with my son Keith and son-in-law Trent at a local golf course in Barrhead. Truth be told, none of us are great golfers, as we probably play the game about once every couple of years! In the nine holes played, I only came out best in one hole, but at least I didn’t make divots that were too deep. Trent came at it from a different angle: he was happy because he thought that was the first game ever in which he didn’t lose a single golf ball! (Unfortunately I couldn’t say the same – but I think I found as many as I lost.)

Appreciating life has a lot to do with perspective. Three senior citizens were golfing together, and two of them griped endlessly. One said, “The fairways are too long.” The other whined, “The hills are too high.” Again, the first one moaned, “The bunkers are too deep.” Finally the third player piped up and countered, “At least we’re on the right side of the grass!”

As we continue our study of the life of Jacob, we find his perspective changing remarkably as the decades go on. Life Application Bible sums up Jacob’s life in four stages. First, he grabbed older brother Esau’s heel when the twins were born; later, he also grabbed Esau’s birthright as the firstborn, then also the blessing that their father Isaac intended to bestow upon Esau. In the second stage, Jacob the Grabber finds himself manipulated and deceived by his uncle Laban. Third, as we’ll see today, Jacob grabs onto God and won’t let go. Fourth, Jacob finds out what it is to be grabbed: God achieves a firm hold on him, such that near the end of his life he’s unwilling to go to Egypt unless he’s absolutely sure it’s what God wants.

In Genesis chapter 32 there are four sections in the development of events as Jacob has left Laban and is preparing to meet his brother Esau: panic; prayer; persistence; and perception. In the struggle and wrestling, we can learn with Jacob to develop perseverance and a new appreciation for God’s involvement in our life.

1) PANIC

We begin with panic. At the start of chapter 32, Jacob has just escaped from a tense encounter with Uncle Laban after fleeing with Laban’s two daughters, 12 grandsons, and all Jacob’s flocks and herds without giving notice or saying goodbye. Laban is not happy with Jacob’s decision to return to Canaan but the two manage to part peacefully with a sworn truce. But it’s “out of the frying pan, into the fire”: in verses 4-6 when Jacob sends advance notice to brother Esau down in the south at Seir that he’s returning, this is what the response is: Gen 32:6 “When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, "We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him."” 400 men! That’s a good sizable fighting force. Recall that when Jacob fled from home 20 years earlier, Esau was muttering threats about killing his brother after their father had died (27:41); their mother describes Esau’s mood as “fury” (27:44). And now he’s coming to meet Jacob and his wives and children with 400 warriors? This does not look good!

Jacob divides the company in a last-ditch effort to spare some. Gen 32:7-8 “In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well.He thought, "If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape."” To some degree this is still relying on human planning rather than God’s protection. He’s very rattle, v7 calls it “great fear and distress.”

While Jacob is panicked, the Lord has provided to him a very unique and special sign which should reassure him. Look back to 32:1-2: “Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is the camp of God!" So he named that place Mahanaim.” [‘two camps’] Jacob had dreamed about angels ascending and descending on stairs at Bethel when he was fleeing from Esau decades before (28:12). To meet angels on the way must have been so encouraging! Jacob is beginning to see beyond just this world to the spirit-world overlapping ours; becoming gifted with a prophet’s vision. Heaven’s inbreaking in the midst of our fearful circumstances.

2) PRAYER

Jacob may be scared to the max about meeting his potentially vengeful brother. But 32:9-12 contains a prayer which warrants close attention, and it shows an amazing degree of maturing has occurred in Grabby Jacob’s life. Let’s look at it closely; it may even be a model for us today. If you want a 4-letter code to help remember it, there’s WARP: Who, Abasement, Request, and Promise.

The W in WARP stands for Who: Jacob addresses his prayer to God this way in v9: “Then Jacob prayed, "O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper...’” Three times he’s calling on God’s name: twice referring to the connection his grandfather and father had with the Lord, but then it starts to get more personal. “LORD” (caps) stands for YHWH, God’s personal name of being, “I am that I am” (Ex 34:6; 33:19; cf Ex 6:2). The progression may point to the growth of Jacob’s faith: God is no longer just the God of his ancestors, but Jacob is starting to acknowledge God is his own Lord, too.

When we begin our prayers, do we pause and reflect on the name we use to address our prayer, and what it reflects about God’s majesty and mystery? Jesus began the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.” Pause and reflect on the greatness of the One you’re talking to, His gracious history with you and His church in the past.

WARP - W-A: A stands for Abasement. Jacob no longer thinks overly highly of himself, after having been deceived and out-cheated repeatedly by devious Uncle Laban. He approaches God with humility. 32:10 “I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups.” God has been kind and faithful to him, multiplying his numbers into so many children and animals; Jacob declares, “I am unworthy...I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan” – barely the clothes on his back, and now look at him! He feels humbled, unworthy, having no right to have been so blessed.

Likewise in the Lord’s pray we abase ourselves when we ask forgiveness for our faults. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” How does James in the New Testament describe what our attitude should be when we come to God in prayer? Jas 4:7-10 “Submit yourselves, then, to God.Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.Come near to God and he will come near to you.Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.Grieve, mourn and wail.Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” Sounds like ABASING ourselves, like Jacob did.

W-A-R-P: R is for Request. In v11 we find what Jacob’s asking for. Gen 32:11 “Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children.” Note how frank and honest he is! We’ve seen his acknowledgment of and reverence for God in the “Who”; his humility in the “Abasement”; here we see real honesty and vulnerability, being point-blank about his needs; and in the next phrase we’ll see he’s trusting God’s promises.

Comparing with the Lord’s Prayer, there’s “Give us this day our daily bread; forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” In short, Help! Or in Jacob’s words, “Save me, I pray...for I am afraid...”

When you come to God in prayer, don’t beat around the bush – be honest! There’s no hiding on God, no point in holding back, He is omniscient / all-knowing; Matt 6:8 “...for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Present your request, boldly. Ask! As Jesus urged us in Mt 7:7f, “"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

W-A-R-P: the “P” stands for PROMISES, which we plead as warrant or rationale, the basis upon which we make the request, what God’s said to us in the past that would apply to our present situation. Gen 32:12 “But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’” But You have said – Jacob goes back to the promise God made to him when he set up a stone for pillow, fleeing the country.

It’s like Nehemiah asking God to gather the scattered nation back from exile, as God instructed through Moses (Neh 1:8). Or Daniel pleading with God based on Jeremiah’s prophecy about 70 years being their time in exile (Dan 9:2; Jer 29:10). The Bible is a book full of promises for God’s people – mine it for those that apply to us today, for God’s nature and character and love for His children doesn’t change.

So that’s Jacob’s prayer, from the layout of which we can learn much: WARP - Who, Abasement, Request, Promise.

3) PERSISTENCE

In the next section, we find Jacob shows persistence. Too often when struggles come, we give up too early rather than hanging in there and toughing it out. We need to hold on and develop persistence.

Do you want some advice from The Great One? Now I’m not talking theology but hockey – ‘The Great One’ being Wayne Gretzky...Canada’s hockey hero reports the comment of an early coach who was frustrated with Gretzky’s lack of scoring. The coach told him, “You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” (Repeat) In other words, keep taking those shots – and that helped Wayne Gretzky on the path to greatness in his chosen sport. He persisted.

The night before meeting Esay, Jacob sent all his possessions and wives and children across the ford of the Jabbok River. He was left all alone there, wrestling with his ‘great fear and distress’, all his panic. But suddenly he wasn’t alone. Gen 32:24-28 “So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."The man asked him, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered.Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."”

First off, who was this mysterious man? Apparently “God” in some form – but was it Jesus or an angel? Hosea 12:3-4 says, “In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel; as a man he struggled with God.He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favour.He found him at Bethel and talked with him there...” Likewise, when Joshua is about to attack Jericho, he has an encounter with a man bearing a sword who claims to be “commander of the Lord’s army” (Joshua 5:13). So it seems to be an angel Jacob’s tussling with, representing God, speaking on God’s behalf.

One wonders if the angel could have overpowered Jacob if he’d really wanted to – after all, the angel dislocated or wrenched Jacob’s hip with a single touch! But remarkably, Jacob held on all night long. We can imagine him sweating and panting and uttering with gritted teeth as dawn is breaking, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

It’s an example, a reminder to us not to give up too quickly against daunting odds. Jesus told the story commending a persistent widow who kept on pounding on the door of an ungodly just until he finally relented and found out what she wanted (Luke 18:1,7). The Apostle Paul reminded the early church in several places to be persistent. Rom 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” It’s challenging to be patient when you’re afflicted, life hurts, others oppose you! Ephesians 6:18 “...be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” 1Thess 5:17 “pray continually...” We give up too soon; Jacob wrestled all night til daybreak.

By persistence, he overcame. The Lord acknowledged Jacob as His servant by changing his name. “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have OVERCOME.” The Bible promises that those who persist in faith in Jesus can become overcomers, too. 1John 2:28 “And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” Continue in Him – be persistent, don’t give up too soon. 1John 5:4-5 “for everyone born of God overcomes the world.This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

Jacob had a struggle, but became an overcomer; through relying on God, you can overcome in the face of your struggles, too! Even when that ‘overcoming’ means not prosperity but a cross. God’s touch brought Jacob a limp, interfering with him relying on his own strength exclusively.

Persistence pays off. According to singer and actor Will Smith, everything his father did, he did for a reason. Smith recalls: "Once Dad wanted my brother Harry and me to repair a sixteen-by-fourteen-foot wall in front of his business. We had to dig a six-foot-long trench and rebuild the structure. It took six months. Years later Dad explained why he'd given us that task. 'When a kid's growing up,' he said, 'he needs to see something that looks impossible to do, and then go out and do it. There are always going to be walls in life.' My father helped us get over one wall, so we would never be scared to take the first step and try to do the impossible." Will Smith’s dad was teaching them persistence.

4) PERCEPTION

The incident of Jacob wrestling closes with dawn breaking and the angel disappearing, presumably because it could be fatal had Jacob had a clear look at the face of his opponent. Even though the darkness hides his mentor / trainer, a new insight begins to dawn in Jacob as he realizes God is with him and will protect through the upcoming scary meeting with his brother and the small entourage of warriors. Gen 32:29-31 “Jacob said, "Please tell me your name." But he replied, "Why do you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared." The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.”

Peniel means “face of God”; Jacob had been privy to seeing God (or at least the angel His messenger) in person, face to face, yet he was not vapourized or neutralized on the spot. Jacob had seen the stairway reaching to heaven at Bethel and heard the Lord’s unconditional promise to be with him and bring him back (Gen 28:13-15). Jacob had seen the angels meet him after leaving Laban, hence the place name Mahanaim or “two camps”. Jacob had wrestled with the angel, hands-on, and held on to receive a blessing. Jacob’s perception was shifting to include God as part of the picture: in fact, the focus around which everything else was secondary. He now walked with a limp, no longer so strong in his own right – his 97 years catching up with him. He was ready to let God be God in his life.

This was accompanied by a sense of wonder at God’s power and grace. “I saw God face to face, and yet – my life was spared!” He felt totally unworthy of all the “kindness and faithfulness” God had shown him (v10).

Can we leave here with that same perception today? Awed by God’s goodness and grace? Amazed that Jesus would come to earth for us, preach Good News, cast out evil, suffer and die for our sins, and be raised to give us hope of life with Him forever? Isn’t it absolutely WONDERFUL?!

A HUMBLE DONKEY

In all this, we see a humbling happening to Jacob: he shifts from being grabby to being grabbed by God, holding on to the Lord. We likewise as recipients of Christ’s grace ought not to be throwing our weight around like this world’s rulers, but humbly serving others as the Lord may lead.

Corrie Ten Boom was once asked if it was difficult for her to remain humble. She replied, “When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on the back of a donkey, and everyone was waving palm branches and throwing garments on the road, and singing praises, do you think that for one moment it ever entered the head of that donkey that any of that was for him?” She continued, “If I can be the donkey on which Jesus Christ rides in His glory, I give Him all the praise and all the honour.” Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, thank You for working in Jacob’s life, through the fleeing and shepherding and fears and struggles, to the place where he found he could trust in You. Help us not to let go of you when trials come and life hurts or threatens. We want most of all to know Your blessing, to be Your vessels of grace to others, whether we be striding along or limping step by step, in the power and comfort of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Recognizing Real Gain – and Rubbish” - Philippians 3:1-11 Nov.8/20

CALL IN THE COUNT

It’s been a week of numbers. The US election on Tuesday did not have immediate results. Several states had mail-in ballots which took considerable time to open and count. Over 140 million ballots (as of Thursday) had to be dealt with before the answer would become clear who would be the next president.

A funny meme began circulating on social media: remember The Count from Sesame Street? He loves to count things, so would be great with numbers. A meme showed up on “Breaking News” saying: “Counting Expert Called In”!

If you think the ballot officials would be getting tired – do you realize YOU are counting all the time? We’re all counting on SOMETHING. We’re always weighing our options, valuing some things and discarding others, appraising what’s most important in life, considering some things more worthy of pursuit while we leave others to one side. What are YOU counting on? To what things do you ascribe worth and value? It comes down to a matter of worship (worth-ship)...We’re always subconsciously counting, tallying, esteeming, showing how much we value this or that.

This concept of COUNTING is central to our passage today from Philippians. In the previous chapter, the Apostle Paul talked about humility, and gave the example of Jesus who humbled Himself to be born as a human and give His life on the cross as a perfect sacrifice for our sin. When we humble ourselves and become obedient, we discover by faith in Christ that God’s power begins to work in us to carry out His plans.

In chapter 3 of Philippians, Paul delves more into his own approach to life, the values that drive him. Three times in verses 7-8 the word “count” is used in the King James Version; NIV translates it as “consider”...Php 3:7f “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ...” KJV “But what things were gain to me, those I COUNTED loss for Christ...I COUNT all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do COUNT them [but] dung, that I may win Christ...”

In this passage, Paul shares from his own background how he learned to DIScount his own family origins and accomplishments and status that he used to take pride in and be boastful of. And he warns us against becoming overconfident in our own religiosity or legalism. Having a relationship with Christ is what truly counts: following Him in faith and becoming like God’s own Son.

TOP OF THE HEAP – OF RUBBISH

There’s a saying, “Don’t be like the person who makes it to the top of the ladder just to find it’s leaning against the wrong wall.” In Paul’s time, some folks were troubling the early church by advocating a VERY wrong wall – that of works-righteousness. Paul uses some strong language that shows his disdain for them. Remember at these times, dogs weren’t cute furry well-groomed household pets, but mangy half-starved wild things that roamed the streets upsetting garbage cans (or whatever they had back then!) and fighting over meager scraps. John MacArthur describes them as “wild scavengers”, “such filthy animals”. Hear now vv2-3: “Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh...”

These were Judaizers who taught that Christians had to keep the Jewish dietary and ritual practices in order to be acceptable to God. Circumcision was a big issue in the early church, for it was a practice amongst Jews from way back in Abraham’s time. Paul terms these Jewish troublemakers “dogs”, evil-doers, “mutilators of the flesh”, literally ‘cutters’ or ‘hackers’. Paul described them thus to the church in Galatia: Gal 6:13 “Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh.”

We could call these legalistic fans of circumcision and other Jewish laws and traditions those who boast in RELIGION, ritual, going through all the right motions. But they were missing the point. Jesus told the Jews, Jn 6:29 “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” Works don’t save us; it’s Jesus’ work on the cross that purchases our forgiveness when we repent. After that, as Php 2:12 said, we ‘work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling’.

Next Paul takes aim at those who boast about their RAISING, their upbringing, their ‘having it all together’ as he once mistakenly thought he did. Php 3.4-5A “though I myself have reasons for such confidence.If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews...” Paul’s parents did all the “right” things religiously speaking and got him off to a good start. He was circumcised at a week old, as the Jewish law required. He was born in the right nation – Israel, the people blessed with God’s special revelation. He was born of a special tribe, Benjamin: son of Jacob’s beloved wife Rachel; Benjamin and Judah remained faithful when the northern Ten Tribes were exiled by Assyria; Benjamin warriors were famous for their fighting ability; Jerusalem the Holy City was located on the border of the tribal territory of Benjamin. He was “a Hebrew of Hebrews” – though he was raised in Tarsus, Paul’s parents lived as faithful Jews despite being surrounded by Gentiles, they had coached him well in Jewish teaching and culture. You might say Paul ‘chose his parents well’ – he had a lot going for him because of the way he was raised.

Praise God if you had good parents! But don’t become smug or boastful about it, or put down those who don’t come from such respectable origins.

To these blessed beginnings, Paul added another layer in which he could boast and take confidence, that of RADICALITY. He wasn’t just an ordinary Jew, he was a “Jew’s Jew”, pick of the crop, outstanding in his adherence to the requirements of the Jewish law and traditions. Php 3:5b-6 “in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.” Paul was driven, a passionate student, top of the class (perhaps a touch of being obsessive-compulsive, always having to ‘get it right’?). At Paul’s legal hearing before King Agrippa and the Roman Governor Festus, the governor exclaims about Paul’s “great learning” (Ac 26:24). The Pharisees were the strictest sect of Judaism and looked down on the laxer Sadducees who collaborated with the Romans. Paul handled the garments of those who stoned Stephen, the first Christian martyr; after this he started systematically and intentionally persecuting (what he perceived to be) this new cult. He personally sought and obtained authorization from the High Priest so he could go and arrest believers in Damascus and bring them for punishment to Jerusalem (Acts 9:2). They just didn’t come more radicalized and ‘on fire’ for his religion than Paul (‘Saul’ at that point).

What would ‘legalistic righteousness’ represent for us? How faithful we are in attending church? How many committees we serve on? “My parents attended here and sat in this pew!” How much money we put on the offering plate? How many hours we toil at teaching Sunday School, or VBS, or [you name it]? Those things may be good and valuable, but the moment we begin boasting about them or putting our confidence in what we’ve ‘done for the Lord’, we’re on slippery ground.

Paul had ‘checked all the boxes’, as it were. He wasn’t like those of the circumcision group that boasted in their Religion. He had all the right credentials from his Raising. He excelled beyond his peers at famous Prof Gamaliel’s class when it came to being a Radical in his Judaistic fervour. All these accomplishments put him at the top of the heap, religiously speaking; but that ladder was about to suddenly be inverted, tipped upside down.

REVERSAL OF VALUES: DIVINITY OR DUNG?

We already saw in verses 7-8 how Paul learned to COUNT (KJV) or ‘consider’ (NIV) everything as ‘loss for the sake of Christ’, ‘a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.” When he met the Lord Jesus person-to-person on the road to Damascus, God up-ended Paul’s entire value system. Everything he used to take pride in was of no help at all in getting him reconciled to his Maker. His life was revolutionized by meeting Jesus and realizing eternal life was Jesus’ gift to anyone who trusted in Him.

As the New Living Translation puts vv7-9a, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him.”

The Greek word translated “rubbish” (NIV) or “garbage” (NLT) actually goes farther than that; the translators were being rather polite! KJV has “dung”. The lexicon describes it as “any refuse, as the excrement of animals, off-scouring, rubbish, dregs.” Farm folk are very familiar with what’s being described here! It’s as if Paul’s saying he clambered to the top of the heap, only to find out it was a manure pile all along!!

Is that really how we view all our worldly accomplishments, our ‘churchianity’, whatever we are tempted to take pride in and become boastful about apart from Christ?

V8 “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.” Are we really prepared to give up all our trinkets, our trophies, our badges and accomplishments, our fine upbringing, our respectability in the community – are we ready to give all that up for Jesus?

Celecca Cutts of Nashville, while a 19-year-old nursing student in Florida, remembers sitting quietly in a church service. Her minister asked, “Will those of you who are willing to do anything necessary to lead others to Christ please raise your hands?” Celecca, concerned about her enfeebled testimony, cautiously lifted her hand. A few days later while returning from nursing school, Celecca saw another driver coming toward her, trying to pass an 18-wheeler on a hill. She swerved, slammed into the truck, and her car rolled over 3 times before careening down an embankment. For days afterward, Celecca hovered between coma and consciousness. Her mother sat by her bed, holding the girl’s shattered hand and praying. In the same semi-private room sat another mother by her diseased daughter, listening. By the time Celecca recovered, her mother had won both women to the Lord!

REAL RICHES: RIGHTEOUSNESS AND REJOICING IN CHRIST

Our passage began with Paul admonishing those at Philippi, v1a: “Finally, my brothers, REJOICE IN THE LORD!” - a theme he’ll pick up again in the famous 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” The word means to ‘rejoice exceedingly / be glad’. All we possess and achieve in this world will someday be taken away. But if we learn to treasure Jesus and rejoice in fellowship with Him, that we can keep always, whatever happens.

Ruth Bell Graham tells about Alexander Grigolia, who immigrated to America from Soviet Georgia, learned English, earned 3 (count ‘em!) doctoral degrees, and became a successful professor at the University of Pennsylvania. But despite his freedom and achievements, Professor Grigolia had a misery in his heart that he couldn’t dislodge.

One day while getting a shoeshine, he noticed that the bootblack went about his work with a sense of joy, scrubbing and buffing and smiling and talking. Finally Dr Grigolia couldn’t stand it any longer; he said with his customary accent, “What always you so happy?”

Looking up, the bootblack paused and replied, “Jesus.He love me.He died so God could forgive my badness.He makes me happy.”

The professor snapped his newspaper back in front of his face, and the bootblack resumed buffing Grigolia’s shoes. But the professor never escaped those words, and they brought him eventually to the Saviour. He later became a professor of anthropology at Wheaton College, and taught, among others, a young student named Billy Graham! So, let your joy be in the Lord – others will notice.

In vv9-10 Paul mentions twice a word that has become his new focus, that’s his goal instead of religiosity or capitalizing on fine upbringing or scholastic or cultic achievement. That word is “righteousness”. Php 3:9f “...be found in him, not having a RIGHTEOUSNESS of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ— the RIGHTEOUSNESS that comes from God and is by faith.I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death...”

Coming to be IN Christ brings its own kind of righteousness – not a respectability or status of one’s own manufacturing. The Holy Spirit begins shaping our live to resemble more and more Jesus’ own loving good and holy nature. The lexicon gives these synonyms for the word: “integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting.” That’s what’s driving Paul’s bus now, the goal he’s pursuing: being IN Christ and letting His righteousness permeate more and more of Paul’s character.

And that doesn’t happen by works or effort, but through faith. John MacArthur notes, “Faith is the confident, continuous confession of total dependence on and trust in Jesus Christ for the necessary requirement to enter God’s kingdom.And that requirement is the righteousness of Christ, which God imputes to every believer.” Or as the Way of Jesus sayings might put it, “I have begun to follow Jesus and am depending upon the Spirit of Jesus in my journey...I am learning to BE like Jesus in my attitudes, behaviour, and character.”

It’s to say with Paul, as NLT puts v10, “I want to know Christ and the mighty power that raised Him from the dead.I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death...” People’s New Testament comments on “conformed to His death” – “Not only do we take the form of His sufferings, but we sympathize with Him.If the obedience is from the heart, there is a partaking of His sufferings.”

Our culture is very comfort-craving and suffering-averse. Yet suffering is all around us and we’re wise to learn how to cope with it when it happens. When suffering happens, if we’re already ‘in Christ’, it becomes easier to see His grace and relating to us even through the hard times.

REPENTANCE: RE-COUNTING OUR LESS GLORIOUS MOMENTS

That rejoicing in the Lord and knowing Christ and having His righteousness comes throug faith in Him, trusting Him, accepting HIS appraisal of our situation, letting the Holy Spirit convict us of our past sins and the shoddiness of what we once took pride in.

In a vivid, autobiographical article in Moody Magazine, Charles Colson compares an incident in his past with Augustine's famous story about stealing pears for the sheer joy of stealing. Colson wrote, "Having been at the center of the biggest political upheaval of this century, I've had my sins—real and imagined—spread across front pages around the world, re-enacted in living color on movie and TV screens, and dissected in hundreds of books. As a result, I am often asked which of my Watergate deeds causes me the greatest remorse. "My invariable reply is, 'None.My deepest remorse is for the hidden sins of my heart, which are far worse.’ That response tends to puzzle or infuriate the media. But it is an honest answer...The sins for which I feel the greatest contrition are illustrated by an episode from thirty years ago.

"I was a new Marine lieutenant, proud and tough. My spit-shined shoes reflected the sun like two mirrors, matched in brilliance only by my polished gold bars. In the midst of Caribbean maneuvers, our battalion had landed on Vieques Island, a tiny satellite of Puerto Rico. Most of the mountainous land was a Navy protectorate used for landing and target practice, but on one end a clan of poverty-stricken souls endured the earsplitting shellings to eke out a living selling cold drinks to invading Marines. "We officers were instructed to buy nothing from these peddlers, who, though strictly forbidden to enter the military reservation, invariably did so. The order was given with a sly smile and wink—no one obeyed it.

"The second day in the field, I was leading my platoon of forty grimy, sweating riflemen up and over a craggy ridge when I spotted an old man leading a scrawny donkey that nearly collapsed under the load of two huge, ice-filled canvas sacks. We were panting, and our canteens were getting low, so I immediately routed my men toward the distant figure. When the men saw the elderly man and his loaded beast, they picked up speed, knowing I would blink at orders and permit them to buy cans of cold drinks. But when we were just a few yards from the grinning old man, I ordered my troops to halt. 'Sergeant,' I commanded, 'take this man prisoner.He is trespassing on government property.’ "The platoon sergeant, a veteran of a dozen or more Vieques landings, stared in disbelief. 'Go ahead,' I barked. The sergeant shook his head, swung about, and, with rifle at the ready, marched toward the old man, whose smile suddenly turned to stone. I then commanded my men to 'confiscate the contraband’. Cheering lustily, they did so. While the sergeant tossed cans of chilled fruit juice from the two bulging sacks, the old man squinted at me with doleful eyes. His sacks emptied, we released our 'prisoner’. Shoulders hunched, he rode away on his donkey.”

Colson reflects: “Technically, I had observed military law. Yet I had not given a fleeting thought to the fact that those satchels of juice might have represented the old man's life savings or that my order could mean an entire family might go hungry for months. Instead, I was smugly satisfied, believing that my men were grateful to me for getting them something cold to drink (which they would have happily purchased) and that I had proven I was tough (though my adversary was defenseless). As for the old man: Well, I thought, he got what he deserved for violating government property.

"Although I quickly forgot the incident, it vividly came to mind years later, after my conversion, as I sat in prison and read from Augustine's Confessions about stealing pears as a youth from a neighbor's tree. Augustine records that late one night he and a group of youngsters went out to 'shake down and rob this tree.We took great loads of fruit from it, not for our own eating but rather to throw it to the pigs.’ He then berated himself for the depth of sin this revealed: 'The fruit I gathered I threw away, devouring in it only iniquity.There was no other reason, but foul was the evil and I loved it.’”

Let’s pray. Holy God, You know all too well the perverseness of our hearts. We count as precious what the world holds dear, rather than seeing it as You do. We cling to our own background and achievements and try to endlessly bolster our self-confidence by menial efforts, when our whole scale for measuring is upside-down, backwards. You see our real need of a Saviour for the sins we are so conscious of. Have mercy on us. Help us walk in faith day by day with Jesus, learning His ways, His righteousness, being glad just to know Him and be found in Him. In His name we pray, Amen.

“The Mission of the Twelve – and Us Today” - Mt.9:35-10:1,5-23 Nov.15/20

ON A MISSION

Can you recall our church’s vision statement? “Loving Jesus, Serving Others Together.” An organization needs to be clear on what its vision or ‘mission’ is in order to move forward together. As we head into our Elections Meeting this Thursday, our gospel reading helps us look afresh at our mission, our vision – what we’re about – what Jesus wants us to be about.

As we look at today’s passage, there are three main categories. The MOTIVATION for the proclamation (the ‘why’); the MESSAGE of the proclamation (the ‘what’); and the MOCKERY of the proclamation – a caution about the ‘who’, that not everyone will welcome it.

THE MOTIVATION: MISERY AND MAGNITUDE

What ought to be motivating the church to be evangelistic? After all, it’s right there in our name and our denomination’s name, EVANGELICAL Missionary Church. In our reading we see a couple of motivators for the Twelve disciples, the MISERY of those around, and the MAGNITUDE of what’s at stake.

First, the MISERY of the masses. What motivated Jesus, anyway? Mt 9:36“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” The Greek word behind ‘compassion’ reflects being moved as if to one’s bowels, we might say ‘gut-wrenching’. What was it about the crowds that struck the Master? They were ‘harassed’ or troubled, and helpless or ‘thrown down’, like defenceless sheep.

About a week ago Patti & I travelled to Owen Sound to get a male sheep to be a mate to Calli, our female calico sheep. His name is “Rambo”. He seemed to adapt pretty well to being in the pen with the other sheep and goats. But then there was the first day I took him out to the pasture with the others, after taking our 4-year-old horse Jade out first. Yes Rambo had been in the pen right next to Jade so probably had some idea about this other creature. But when Rambo got out to the pasture, and looked up and saw this huge powerful animal just a few yards away – Rambo couldn’t take his eyes off Jade, he was mesmerized...“You’re leaving me out here without any protection right next to THAT?!” – And he just kind of stood there, big-eyed, and stared. Probably feeling a bit like a very small, helpless sheep.

21^st century culture is the most technologically connected one yet, with all our networks and devices, but it is simultaneously perhaps the most DISconnected one yet. After supper young people retreat to their rooms on their individual devices. We walk down the street tethered to our phones, not bothering to greet the person passing us. And now COVID has accentuated the isolation and aloneness much more. Seniors stay home to protect themselves, being deemed in a more ‘vulnerable’ category. We daresn’t hug or shake hands, so touch is minimized. Masks make it seem we’re hiding our face and stop us from communicating a smile. Businesses are struggling, franchises closing, some folks have to resort to EI or look for new jobs. It’s a challenging time.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health teaching hospital and one of the world's leading research centres in its field. Between May and September this year CAMH surveyed 1000 Canadians to understand the mental health and substance use impacts of COVID-19, and to track changes as the pandemic unfolds. Quick snapshot: [graphic] 21.1% experienced moderate to severe anxiety, up from 19.2% in the previous period. 25.5% engaged in binge drinking. 20.1% reported they felt lonely. And 21.2% said they felt depressed (up from 18.7%).

Yes, the sheep feel harassed and helpless, troubled and downcast. Are we moved about their state, as Jesus was affected down in His innards?

Another motivating factor to be proclaiming Good News is the MAGNITUDE of what’s at stake. See 10:14f “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.” In case you’ve forgotten, when Lot escaped with his daughters from those two cities overrun by pride and immorality in Genesis 19, the Lord rained down burning sulfur on the cities. Abraham from a distance viewed the destruction: Gen 19:28 “He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace.”

Yet Jesus is saying those who reject the words of His messengers will be worse off than Sodom and Gomorrah! The Apostle Paul writing to the Thessalonians explained that when Jesus comes it will be like ‘a thief in the night’, some will ‘suffer wrath’ (1Thess 5:2,9). 1Thess 5:3 “While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” Destruction and eternal condemnation are a very real possibility for some we know. What if what you have to share about Jesus could spare them that? Do we really believe it? Or have we bought into Pluralism’s lie that “all roads lead up the same mountain”? Even the other major religions of the world don’t believe that, they make exclusivistic claims. If that were true, the cross would be just one more option instead of absolutely necessary.

THE MESSAGE: MASTERY & MEMBERSHIP (NOT ‘ME’)

So there’s a bit about the Motivation for evangelism, the “why” (the misery of the masses, and the magnitude of what’s at stake). Next let’s look at the MESSAGE of proclamation: What’s Jesus actually presenting? And what should we be presenting to a lost world?

I see in this passage two principal things: His MASTERY, and from ME to MEMBERSHIP.

First, His MASTERY. In vv37f Jesus’ image for lost people changes from sheep to a harvest field. Have you noticed how much corn has come off already? The harvesters have been busy in Huron County!

Mt 9:37f “Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."” It’s an abundant harvest apparently: it just needs to be gathered in, lest it go to waste. But note here there is a LORD of the harvest. God’s in control. He’s not wringing His hands fretting about the outcome, or which side’s going to win.We need to be asking HIM to provide labourers to gather in the harvest.

Also note the specifics of what Jesus is proclaiming in His preaching. Mt 10:6-8 “Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.Freely you have received, freely give.” The Greek word for ‘preach’ here means to announce a proclamation the way a herald might call out an official announcement in the town square, or announce the arrival of a royal party. Proclaim what? “The kingdom of heaven is near,” at hand, right nearby. In fact after Jesus’ death and resurrection, it would be present, in effect; Mt 28:18 “Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” The King had been enthroned.

Do we really act in our Christian life as if Jesus is truly our King? Our Master? Is He actually in control, or are WE trying to call all the shots? The fundamental confession of a Christ-follower is that “Jesus is Lord” – Romans 10:9, “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” That’s the solid promise in God’s word. Are we accepting that, believing into it, acting like it’s true?

Is our message actually meaningful to those around? To those who haven’t grown up in the church, does it sound like we’re talking jargon or gibberish? Phrases like “Are you saved” or “Christ is Lord” may sound ‘canned’ and not be all that meaningful to the iPhone generation.

I was listening to a Carey Nieuwhof leadership podcast in which he was interviewing Gordon MacDonald, a leading pastor and author and one-time head of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He’s now 81 years old so provides some good perspective. But he said something that challenges rote Evangelical thinking...

“I think this period of time is going to change our theology.And just as has happened in Luther's day, in Saint Francis' day, in Patrick's Day, in Wesley's day, we're going to come out of this with a new way of saying the gospel.Billy Graham's way of saying the gospel doesn't work anymore.Bill Bright's doesn't work anymore.So get ready for something new.”

What’s that you say? Billy Graham’s and Bill Bright’s way of saying the gospel doesn’t work? The Four Spiritual Laws is falling on deaf ears? (See 4laws.com) But isn’t that the heart of the Christian faith? “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life,” and so forth?

(Don’t worry, I’m not going to spout heresy here!) That method of expressing the Good News worked back then, but it needs to be re-packaged for a new generation.

Carey Nieuwhof pressed Gordon MacDonald on this, mentioning Tim Keller had said if he were starting over he would frame everything around “identity”. MacDonald responded (I’m editing a bit here), “...We were talking about the value of the story of the gospel, and I, for one, have always been a storyteller and think everybody else should be.That the gospel transits across cultural lines through story form. Keller's comment about identity is probably right...For me, the key word would be COMMUNITY. That the Christian journey is not a journey alone. It's a journey in fellowship we lead. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Those last two or three words have been ignored by evangelicals for many, many years, because we've put our emphasis on the individual coming to Jesus. But if you read history, people came to Jesus in groups in those first years. A family came to Christ, a tribe or a village came to Christ...Much of Christianity is lived in concert with other people and we've put too much of an individual emphasis upon it.”

That’s one person’s response. How would you re-frame the gospel in a form your friends might hear better?

Is what we’re sharing truly “Good News” in that it addresses the issues and concerns modern and post-modern people have? Has our canned gospel been kind of gnostic, addressing the spiritual side of life but not having much to do with everyday life, common people’s problems and concerns, such as the environment, abuse, divisions in society? Is there a re-packaging we can do which will both keep the essence of the Biblical message but tell it in a way that hits on some of these other issues?

Look again at vv7-8 in Mt 10: “As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.Freely you have received, freely give.” Jesus apparently isn’t sending the Twelve out with simply a verbal message. It’s more than just words. Healing sick people – probably laying on hands and touching them, as Jesus tended to do. Raising the dead, cleansing lepers – the very hardest cases to cure back then. Driving out demons – sometimes actual exorcisms are needed. Sometimes people with mental illness or those who are stressed-out benefit from Christian counselling; genuine friendship; the community of going out for coffee; becoming a regular part of a small group, where other group members call them up from time to time and see how they’re doing.

The gospel is not just for our relationship with God; it’s salt for society, light for our relationships. The two greatest commands, “Love God totally” and “Love your neighbour as yourself” bind together the vertical and horizontal dimensions in life.

“Heal the sick” – a lot of western medicine unfortunately involves going to the doctor’s office, running some tests, and getting a prescription for some pills – without much attention to diet or other lifestyle and relationship issues that may be part of the problem. Is Jesus suggesting a more holistic approach? Does receiving Him come with implications for other lifestyle decisions that can impact our health? For example if we’re addicted to ‘comfort food’ due to low self-worth, or behave compulsively in response to past traumas over which we had no control?

Mt 10:12-13 is very intriguing in this regard: “As you enter the home, give it your greeting.If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.” ‘Let your PEACE rest on it’ / let it ‘return to you’ – what’s Jesus talking about here?

The Greek word would be reflecting the Hebrew word ‘shalom’ which is much broader than just peace in the sense of absence of conflict between 2 opposing parties. ‘Shalom’ is more holistic, touching many dimensions of a person’s life. John MacArthur describes it as “prosperity, well-being, or blessing”. Are you experiencing ‘shalom’ and wholeness in your private life? Your thought life? Your family relationships? Are you feeling accepted and valued in your community? Do you have hope and a future? If not – how might the Good News of Jesus enter in and adjust the control settings, take out the garbage of past failures and resentments, fill you with the Holy Spirit so you’re assured of God’s love and direction, empower you to take steps of reconciliation, apology, settling unfinished business in a positive way? What’s “the kingdom of heaven” translate into in each dimension when you get off the throne and let God be in control?

The proclamation of Jesus is about His MASTERY. It’s also about a new MEMBERSHIP, broadening us from “ME” focus to realize we’re MEMBERS of a much larger Body, the Body of Christ. As we let Jesus be in the driver’s seat, others will notice and begin to either support you in your new walk, or resist you, even oppose you. There’s a sorting-out that’s going to happen, including possible alienation by family members. But followers of Jesus become aware of God’s Spirit joining them together in Jesus’ name. V20 “for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” That’s a new birth! A new connectedness to God Himself, through the Holy Spirit, bringing love and joy and peace and so on into our lives, independent of what’s going on around us.

Mt 10:40 also alludes to this new MEMBERSHIP: “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.” That is, you receive God the Father when you receive Jesus; which the disciples experienced when the Spirit was poured out upon them at Pentecost in Acts 2.

There’s new MEMBERSHIP; a new sense of belonging. One of my favourite verses to put on a membership certificate is Mt 10:32, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.” Jesus will say, “She’s mine,” or “this one belongs to Me.” He will claim you, own you, acknowledge you before God Most High.

So, how are you going to re-package your proclamation? How can you re-tell the Good News about Jesus without resorting to canned jargon that would leave a seeker blinking in non-comprehension? And are you prepared to walk with them through a process, rather than just sharing a tract with them one time then never seeing them again? Where’s the relational side to your evangelism? As the saying goes, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Duffey Robbins notes, “It takes two things to catch fish: bait and patience.Whether we like it or not, fishing for people will always involve both (and it may occasionally require an all-nighter or two).That's the evangelistic task.On the other hand, no fisherman in his right mind continues to catch fish without giving some thought to how he will preserve them and keep them fresh.Otherwise, at the end of the day, all he has to show for his labor is a big boat filled with smelly, dead fish.”

THE MOCKERY OF THE PROCLAMATION

Jesus warns His followers that it’s not going to be smooth sailing once they align their lives with His Kingdom. Vv16-17 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. "Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.” They would be brought before governors and kings (18); arrested (19). There will be a sorting-out, a sifting of nuggets versus sand. Their membership in Jesus will cause others to walk away from them, even oppose them. Vv21-23a “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another.” Families divided? Parents handing over their children? Having to flee? Having ‘all men...hate you’ on account of Jesus’ name? Are we really that committed?

The cost of discipleship is high. It cuts even closer than natural family bonds. In vv38f Jesus introduces a new concept, the cross, which His listeners must have viewed as an instrument of violent traumatic death reserved for the worst criminals. Mt 10:38f “and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Ah, finding life! But we find it in losing ourselves for Him, being drawn into His expansive and challenging and marvelous Kingdom.

RE-PACKAGING THE PROCLAMATION

“His mission is our mission.” The challenge Jesus calls the Twelve Disciples to is still ours today, in some respects. How do we speak it afresh in a divided, COVID-threatened, fragmented 21^st century world? How do we announce the Peace / Shalom Jesus brings in a way others will hear?

Here’s an example from Time magazine about one brave person courageously pursuing their mission.

Everyone in Cabrini-Green (one of Chicago's toughest housing projects), it seems, knows sixty-three-year-old Brother Bill. He's hard to miss – he wears a flowing, sky-blue cassock made from hundreds of tattered denim patches. Brother Bill's mission is to bring peace to the troubled housing project. Fifty-three times, by his count, he has waded into gunfire in order to stop it; fifty-three times the gunfire has stopped, and fifty-three times he has emerged unscathed. He talks trigger-itching assailants into putting away their guns and going home to their families. He sits beside wounded gangsters who hope to die and persuades them to live. And he insists that there is nothing special about him or his accomplishments. He just says, "I'm an ordinary man on an extraordinary mission." He doesn't preach, he loves. One of his fans, a 22-year-old Vice Lord, says "I really think God sent him here."

Wow! ‘An ordinary man on an extraordinary mission.’ You’d have to be super-committed to your mission in order to wade into gunfire – not just once, or twice, but 53 times! (I wonder if it gets any easier each time??! Probably not. – I don’t think I want to find out!) But there are some parallels between what Brother Bill does and what Jesus called the Twelve to do on their first mission excursion. Brother Bill brings about peace. He also risks his all, puts his life on the line. And Brother Bill helps people find new reason to live.

You may be thinking, “Well I’m glad that’s HIS mission not mine!” Yet faith in the God who does the impossible draws us to discover how the Lord would use EACH of us to reach others with our unique and very personal gifts. It may be scary to step out and share about Jesus; if it weren’t scary, it probably wouldn’t require faith, totally depending on God. May the peace of Jesus come to a house near YOU as we continue as a congregation to discern together how the Lord is calling us to proclaim His Mastery and Shalom right here where we live. Let’s pray.

Thank You Father that in Jesus Your Kingdom has come amongst us, challenged us, convicted and converted us. Help us proclaim better and with more conviction His Peace to our friends and neighbours who are like those harassed and helpless sheep, in need of a Shepherd. Show us our part in gathering in this great harvest. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Will Your Hope Outlast His Coming?” - Nov.29/20 1^st in Advent, HOPE – Mk.13:24-37

CRUNCH TIME: WHEN EVERYTHING’S FALLING APART

It’s the First Sunday of Advent, the very beginning of a new year in the church calendar, with the 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas. 2020 has been a year like no other I can remember, and I suspect many of you will be glad to see it go! So much change and upheaval, cancellations and chaos due to COVID. It’s hard on the nerves, one hardly knows what to expect next! The isolation and abnormality assail one’s mental health.

It’s a bit like the time that Kevin, a very inventive guy, decided he wanted to see just how fast a bicycle could go before it went out of control. Kevin was always trying out new things. He pedaled as fast as he could and got the bike up to 50 kph. He was sure it could go twice as fast. So he asked his friend, Eric, who owned an old Mustang, if he could tie his bike to the bumper of his car to test his theory. His friend agreed.

So Kevin tied his bike to the back of the car and instructed Eric, "I'll ring my bell once if I want you to go faster, twice if I want you to maintain speed, and repeatedly if I want you to slow down." With that, off they went. Things were going pretty well with Eric slowly increasing his speed until he was doing well over 100 kph. Kevin and his bike were handling the speed just fine. Suddenly, a black Corvette pulled up beside them revving its engine. Eric forgot all about Kevin tied to the back of the Mustang and started racing the Corvette.

Down the road sat Constable Todd in his OPP cruiser. He heard the cars coming long before radar flashed 150 kilometers an hour. He called headquarters and said, "You guys aren't going to believe this, but there's a Corvette and a Mustang racing out here on Highway 4, and right behind them there's a guy on a bike ringing his bell and waving his arms like crazy trying to pass them!"

...Well, sometimes this year seems like we’re that guy on the bike – waving our arms and wanting it to just ‘stop’. There’s a lot of unusual pressures. Do we go out or stay home? Should we be wearing a mask or avoiding this location altogether? As we enter the holiday season, that brings a whole bunch of decisions – will we get together at all with family or just stay home?

Some of you are facing your own personal struggles – your health flared up, or that of a loved one. Some businesses are scrambling to cover for employees that can’t come in, or because of customers not coming in. There’s an air of uncertainty, not knowing what’s around the next bend. Maybe there’s changes in your position or a boss that seems to have unrealistic expectations.

Jeff, a laid-back sort of guy, was having trouble at work and was given thirty days to "shape up or ship out." When he was asked by a friend how he was dealing with that kind of pressure, Jeff said philosophically, "Hey, I used to come to work not knowing if I still had a job.Now I know I'll have one for at least thirty more days!"

Our Scripture text predicts a time of unprecedented change and upheaval at some time in the future. Yet it also reveals some things we CAN know about it that can give us hope when we’re tempted to be anxious or discouraged.

Mark 13:24-25 “But in those days, following that distress, ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’” Granted, Jesus is using apocalyptic language like what the Old Testament prophets used, which may be symbolic or literal. Joel 2:10 describes an invasion of an army of locusts in similar terms, in which case the darkening of the sun would have been due to a skyful of locusts. Some commentators have noted a nuclear eruption could cause thick clouds which would also cover the sun and plunge us into “nuclear winter”. Ezekiel 32:7 is another passage predicting judgment against Pharaoh that warns of cosmic upheaval: “When I snuff you out, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light.”

Could verse 25, “stars falling from the sky”, refer to nuclear warheads dropping from ICBMs? How else would people back in Bible times describe it? But the phrase “the heavenly bodies will be shaken” makes us stop and think. What we call “laws” (scientifically speaking) are merely ongoing phenomena that we really don’t have an explanation for why they are the way they are, other than that “God made it that way” – the law of gravity, the law of subatomic forces that keeps electrons whirling around a minuscule nucleus of protons and neutrons, how orbitals behave when excited, hydrogen bonding that gives water such special properties, Kepler’s laws of planetary motion, and so forth. What’s to keep everything from simply ‘flying apart’ if God suddenly gave the order to ‘unzip’?!

We do have the prophecy of 2Peter 3:10,12b - “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare...The day of God...will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.” Wow! To make way for a “new heaven and a new earth” that we ‘look forward to’ in keeping with His promise (v13).

In vv28-30 our Lord sounds very definite about these changes approaching: “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”

Some of us have heard it told that you can forecast what kind of a winter it’s going to be, for instance, by the bands on a wooly-bear caterpillar. Farmer’s Almanac lists some other supposed indicators of a cold harsh winter: Thicker-Than-Normal Onions or Corn Husks; Woodpeckers Sharing a Tree; The Early Departure of Geese and Ducks; The Early Migration of the Monarch Butterfly; Thick Hair on the Nape of a Cow's Neck (guess I’ll have to check our Jersey calf Honey Boo-Boo); Heavy and Numerous Fogs During August; pigs gathering sticks (!); Mice Chewing Furiously To Get Into Your Home (maybe have had some of that!); Unusual Abundance of Acorns; and so on. Jesus is saying, we rely on some of these natural signs, like tree buds about to burst into summer leaf – but we need to pay attention even more to signs relating to His coming Kingdom.

COMING: THE AUTHOR STEPS ON STAGE

There’s a saying, “When the playwright walks onto the stage, you know the play is done.” Christ Himself describes His appearing centuries later in v26: “"At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” He doesn’t use some magisterial title, but a humble reference to Himself who came before born of a woman, “Son of Man”.

He is COMING: that’s the meaning behind “Advent” – He came once at Christmas, born at Bethlehem, laid in a manger in a rough stable, fleeing hastily like any refugee to Egypt to escape slaughter by jealous Herod. He is COMING again! This time in “great power and glory” – in contrast to His first coming, so humbly and obscurely. “Coming in clouds” - as the angels told the disciples when He was lifted up before their very eyes and hidden by a cloud at His ascension in Acts 1:11, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

What else do we know about Jesus’ return, His parousia or 2^nd Coming? What are some of the key Bible passages that tell us the basics? Way back in the Old Testament, Daniel 12:1b-3 “There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then.But at that time your people— everyone whose name is found written in the book— will be delivered.Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”

There are a couple of passages in Paul’s letters to the church at Thessalonica. 1Thess 4:16f “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” And 2Thess 1:7-10 “...when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed...”

So the doctrine or teaching about Christ’s return is not an oddity or some far-off peculiar concept, but an event that ought to spur us on to obey God day-to-day, and to put our hope in Him rather than what this world offers.

Later today we are celebrating Communion, the Lord’s Supper. It’s designed to point us not only to His death on the cross for our sins, but His coming again for our salvation into eternity. In 1Corinthians 11 Paul gives the standard instructions for practising communion then concludes, 1Cor 11:26 “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” By our taking the Lord’s Supper, we are witnessing to those around we believe He is coming back! And that gives us HOPE.

COLLECTION: ANTICIPATING RE-GATHERING

Ask a younger person what’s the best thing about Christmas, and what are they likely to say? “Presents!” But ask an older person, and how will they respond? They’re more likely to say, “Just getting together and seeing my family.” As we mature, our focus tends to shift (or at least ought to shift) from “stuff” to relationships. Getting together for the holidays is precious, pretty special.

This past Wednesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that residents should only celebrate the holidays with their households this year as the COVID-19 pandemic continues; while people who live alone are allowed to join one other household so they don’t have to spend the holidays alone. That makes Christmas look much different. Meanwhile Canada’s chief public health officer Dr.Theresa Tam said, “It is safest for all of us to limit errands and outings to just the essentials, limit in-person activities to just our existing household members and keep up with key prevention practices...” There’s a new insistence to limit interaction so spread of the contagion is lessened.

Something in us resists (naturally) being told we can’t get together. Many have been protesting masks and distancing measures in some places. Yes vaccines are on the way – but probably not for some months yet. We want to get together with our loved ones at these special holiday times.

That’s another aspect of Jesus’ return – looking forward to an in-gathering of the saints. V27 “And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.” The “elect” will be gathered together, God’s chosen ones, those who have believed in Jesus as Lord and Saviour. When we commit our lives to Him and pledge our obedience, God empowers us to be born again, to receive His very Spirit within us as dearly loved children. And He will gather all those who are properly and actually ‘God’s children’ together at last. Communion, sharing in fellowship around a common table, is a tiny preview of that.

CONCRETE: WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO BANK ON?

In a COVID world fraught with change and upheaval and chaos, we all yearn for stability and security, things we can count on, we want to “get back to normal”, what’s known and familiar. But we’re not there yet. And likely when we do get there, even “normal” will look different than it ever did before. What can give us security when the world is in upheaval and it seems even the sky is caving in, the stars are about to fall?

To me, the ‘stand-out verse’ in this passage is verse 31. In a world that’s coming apart at the seams, in a cosmos where even the heavenly powers are unsettled, there is just one anchor that can steady us. Mk 13:31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Thank about the significance of that! Jesus’ words are even more permanent, more lasting, than anything material around us. Let’s say it again, and let it sink in: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Of course, this isn’t the only time Jesus ever made this point. Mt 5:18 “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Luke 16:17 expresses a similar thought. And one of my favourite verses on this subject is John 10:35 - Jesus is in heated debate with ‘the Jews’ (they have picked up stones and are about ready to stone Him and kill Him), yet Christ hangs His argument if not His fate on this very point, the authority of God’s word - “If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came— and the Scripture cannot be broken...” He banked on God’s word in Scripture.

Is it any wonder that Moses urged the Israelites to impress God’s commands on their children, to talk about them at home and when traveling, to write them on their doorframes and gates? (Deut 6:7f) Our families, the next generation, needs the assurance God’s word provides. Especially in such unsettled times as we are experiencing right now.

Psalm 1 compares the person who meditates on God’s law day and night to a tree planted by streams of water, that regularly yields fruit in season, whose leaf doesn’t wither when the scorching winds blow – because it has a deep inner source of replenishment. Something permanent and powerful to hang onto. To give us HOPE when all around seems crazy and overwhelming.

The Bible doesn’t give us a clear timeline for when Jesus is coming back; many of the signs of ‘distress’ He talks about, such as persecution, has happened before and keeps recurring. But there’s an intriguing passage in 2Thess 3:7-10a that talks about a ‘man of lawlessness’ that’s been prevented in the past from being exposed, but will emerge just before the Lord returns. 2Thess 2:7-10a “For the secret power of LAWLESSNESS is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.And then THE LAWLESS ONE will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of THE LAWLESS ONE will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.”

This year has seen an abundance of protests (some peaceful and legitimate, others uncontrolled and destructive); movements to “defund the police”; conspiracy theories, some followed not just by wild-eyed crazy people but actually friends and people we know; opposition to authority, whether over masking or distancing or lockdown measures. There seems to be a tangible increase in the degree of lawlessness, an inclination by the majority to “do your own thing” and not take any positions of judgment regarding what have traditionally been matters of morality. In such times, “rage” becomes the measure of what’s right; emotional volume trumps established ways.

The apostle says in this context of lawlessness and “every sort of evil”, “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” Do we ‘love the truth’? Are we anchored in the Lord’s word? Only it can help us stand steady as a well-rooted tree and bear fruit. How else are we going to know which end is “up”?

Ps 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

CARRY ON: KEEP WATCH BETWEEN THE WATCHES

Jesus closes this discourse with a word picture found only in Mark’s account. It’s drawn from everyday life, a person going away and leaving others in charge til they return. Vv34-37 “It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back— whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

That last part refers to the four ‘watches’ in the Roman system to divide up the hours of the night, from 6 pm to 6 am, so we might title this “keep watch between the watches”!

You may have heard of the slogan, “Keep Calm and Carry On.” It rose to prominence with a poster produced by the British government in 1939, designed to boost the public’s morale, as they were threatened with widely predicted mass air attacks on major cities. Today we face a different kind of “air attack” – not the Luftwaffe, but coronavirus. Can we “Keep Calm and Carry On”? Rather than yield to panic, anxiety, bickering, and lawlessness?

Our Master’s analogy is that of someone leaving their house and putting their servants in charge, “each with his/her assigned task”. What task has the Lord assigned YOU in His household, His vineyard? Are you being tempted to lose sight of that and get swept along with the general societal dis-ease? Yet it’s precisely in times of social unrest that Christian’s faithfulness, gentleness, patience, perseverance, and general goodness and love ought to stand out the most! “Make ‘em wonder what you’ve got.” How are you advancing Christ’s cause in your corner of the neighbourhood? Do those in your circles see you making a contribution to His Kingdom advancement in some way?

Sometimes the most simple things speak the loudest. Pure grace.

One night a traveling couple named Fred and Marlene Nichols had stopped at a service station when they were suddenly struck by a trucker who had lost control of his vehicle. They were both injured badly. As Fred lay there bleeding, unable to move, he felt a stranger's hand on his shoulder. When he looked up, he couldn't believe his eyes. It was Bobby Knight, basketball coach for the Indiana Hoosiers who has quite a reputation for being a tantrum-throwing hothead. Earlier that year Knight's team had won the NCAA championship. Knight was on his way to receive a coach-of-the-year award when he came upon the scene of the accident. Nichols said Knight took charge of the situation, offered words of comfort and hope, and even stayed with their belongings until the wreckers arrived. This story never made the headlines and was barely mentioned by the media.

How about that? He delayed going to receive an award, just to help out someone who’d been in an accident. Doing the right thing, loving one’s neighbour, mattered more than receiving an earthly prize.

COMMUNION: SHARING AS FAMILY AT HEAVEN’S TABLE

Today, as we prepare for our first communion of a new church year, I’d like to close with a piece by Andrew Blackwood summarizing 10 different meanings attached to the Lord’s Supper...

1.It is a memorial of Christ’s redeeming grace: “’This do in remembrance of Me.” Like the Passover out of which it grew, the Christian Supper teaches us to look upon the meaning of our redemption.

2.It is a symbol of Crist’s death for us sinners. “This is my body, which is broken for you”.

3.It is our mightiest means of grace.Grace is the sum of all that we know about God.It is the attraction of His goodness, supremely in the Cross.The means of grace, as we use the term, including the reading of the Bible, private prayer, public worship, and the Lord’s Supper.

4.It is a thanksgiving feast.Such is the literal meaning of that stately title, the Eucharist.In the Greek the original word means thanksgiving.

5.It is likewise a family meal.As such, it has among Christians the place which the Passover filled in the religious experience of the ancient Hebrews.The Passover was preeminently a family meal.

6.This family meal is at the same time the Holy Communion with the Church of all the ages, on earth, and in glory.This is no small part of what we mean when we stand to say in the Apostle’s Creed, “I believe…in the holy communion of saints.” The word “communion” literally refers to that which we have in common.Another word which means almost the same as communion is fellowship.

7.It is likewise a Sacrament.Theologically the word sacrament means an outward and visible sign of God’s inward and spiritual grace.

8.The Sacrament is also a Covenant of Grace: “This cup of the New Covenant in my blood…”

9.There is a sermon in the Supper, the most powerful and moving sermon in the history of the church: “Ye do show the Lord’s death till He come.” The verb translated “show” literally means to preach.

10.The Lord’s Supper is a symbol of Christian hope: “…till He comes.”

Let’s pray. Sovereign God, Thank You for the hope we have in Christ! We praise You for His promise that He will come again. We bless You for the sureness of Your Holy Word, for all Your precious promises in the Bible, for the direction and clarity it gives us for daily living. Help us to keep at our ‘assigned task’, whatever that may be. And to be found worthy to stand before You, at the last, when Jesus comes to be glorified in His saints. Show us ways to proclaim His death and share our hope with others. In His name we pray, Amen.

“Comfort in Calamity by His Coming” - Dec.6/20 2^nd in Advent, PEACE – Is.40:1-11

BEWARE THE COMFORTABLE PEW

We read in Isaiah 40:1, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” Life lately has been stressful and kinda crazy with the pandemic, quite out of the ordinary. My wife suggested I preach a sermon on “Comfort” so this Bible passage would seem to definitely accommodate that. What words do you associate with ‘comfort’? What gives you ‘comfort’?

“Comfort zone” – when people don’t perturb us or pressure us or challenge us or upset us.But if you always stick in your ‘comfort zone’, you might not grow much as an individual. Only allow people around you that always agree with you and that makes a poor team, it’s what’s known as an ‘echo chamber’ impoverished of diverse ideas.

“Comfort food” – we like our treats! Hot chocolate, chocolate chip cookies, dark chocolate bars, to name a few...Fast food tends to be a ‘comfort food’ for many people. But if you keep saying “supersize me” or hit the lineup at Timmie’s every day, you risk taking on the shape of a doughnut and endangering your long-term prospects for health. The advertisers have us all figured out, they’re only too happy to make pitches that appeal to our soft spots – but indulged in, that becomes dangerous.

“Comfortable Pew” – ah, now we’re getting closer to home in a church context. Stephen Bedard is a pastor who did a sermon citing the book “The Comfortable Pew” (for those who remember Pierre Berton and days long ago of Front Page Challenge). Bedard wrote:

“A number of years ago, there was a popular book by Pierre Berton called The Comfortable Pew. Berton was asked by a major denomination in the mid-1960s to write a report on the state of the church and the result was this book. It was a scathing report of the church as being completely irrelevant to society. When he calls the church a comfortable pew, it is meant as an insult and not a complement. He saw a church that was only interested in their own comfort and not committed to making a difference in the world...”

[Bedard concludes] “Berton’s report on the state of the church was not very optimistic. But he did offer a possibility for a change in the church and it might not be what we want. [quoting Pierre Berton]

‘But there seem to be two ways in which a truly Christian reformation could come about. It could come about through some terrifying persecution of the Christian Church – a persecution that would rid the Church of those of little faith, of the status-seekers and respectability-hunters, of the deadwood who enjoy the club atmosphere, of the ecclesiastical hangers-on and the comfort-searchers. Once the Church becomes the most uncomfortable institution in the community, only those who really matter will stick with it. At this point, one would expect the Church to come back to those basic principles of love, faith, and hope that have made martyrs out of men.’(p. 142-3)

[Bedard adds] “There is a tremendous amount of irony here. The way for us to have the comfort that Bible says is important is by losing the comfort that society says is important.”

Hmm...You mean we’re not to be primarily seeking our own comfort by coming to church? That a good sermon should “afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted”, as my father used to say? (Cf Finley Peter Dunne, 1893) Pierre Berton’s book was commissioned originally by the Anglican church, but could any of it be true of Huron Chapel? Are any of us here or watching today that fit Berton’s categories - “the status-seekers and respectability-hunters, of the deadwood who enjoy the club atmosphere, of the ecclesiastical hangers-on and the comfort-searchers”? If so, maybe we’re in the wrong place.

Isaiah’s message is not that we find comfort on a human plane; it’s reserved for those who are receptive to God’s proclamation of good tidings. In fact, until we see our human limitations for what they really are, until we see our need for divine intervention, neither Scripture nor the true Christian church have much to offer us.

YOUR WORST LIFE NOW

There is a sort of comfort some preachers try to offer by presenting what’s described in 2Ti 4:3: “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” Do you want to hear just what’s ‘comfortable’ in a sermon? Do you want your itching ears tickled?

There’s quite a market for it. In 2004 Pastor Joel Osteen published Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential. It ranked #1 on the New York Times Self Help Best Seller List, and has sold over 8 million copies. While it contains a few references to “God” and “Jesus”, it’s not really a Christian book, falling more into the “word of faith” or prosperity-gospel camp. Greg Gilbert offers a review on the 9marks.org website. He notes, “When you wring the book out, what you end up with is nothing more than the soggy old self-help pop-psychology that people have been lapping up for a generation—with the word “God” thrown in every once in a while for good measure...You cannot simply make reference to God, quote some Scripture, call what you’re saying “spiritual principles,” and pass it off as Christianity.That’s the kind of thing that will have people “enlarging their vision” and “choosing to be happy” all the way to hell.The really frightening thing is that...a good portion of [readers] have probably walked away thinking they have read the Christian gospel.They think they understand the message of the Bible, and it is me.My success.My self-esteem.My house.My car.My promotion. If that is what is passing for Christianity today, then the need for true gospel preachers is more than severe.Someone needs to tell these people—even if they are not inclined to hear; even if it’s over the heads of their own “pastors”—that the gospel is not about collaborating with God to make yourself successful.It is not about getting more stuff and being more prosperous. It is about God forgiving people for their sin through the death of his Son, bringing them to life from the spiritual dead, and conforming them to the image of Jesus Christ.Whether Joel Osteen preaches those truths in his church of thirty-thousand, I have no idea.But he certainly has not written about them.” (Update: Joel Osteen is senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston TX which Wikipedia says has weekly attendance of 52,000 and is one of the largest churches in the United States!)

So, apologies to Joel Osteen, but I’m titling this section “Your WORST Life Now” because it seems more in line with our passage from the prophet Isaiah. Just to set this passage in historical context: Isaiah probably lived in Jerusalem most of his life, and ministered from about 740 BC, through the fall of the Northern Kingdom to Assyria in 721 BC, was influential during the reign of King Hezekiah in Judah, and lived til at least 681 BC. Chapters 1-39 deal mostly with judgment on wicked Israel. Chapters 40-66 are significantly different in tone, and seem to address the nation prophetically much later. The Southern Kingdom was captured by Babylon in 586 BC and taken into exile, beginning to return under Cyrus of Persia about 539 BC. It’s like Daniel or the apostle John being projected far into the future to tell about things to come. Isaiah addressing return from exile is sort of him talking 150 years into the future! How many of us could accurately predict 150 DAYS into the future, let alone YEARS?! Such a remarkable gift!

So Isaiah is looking past the military attacks by Assyria and Babylon, past the painful long-drawn-out siege of 587 BC, past the exile predicted to last 70 years by Jeremiah, holding out hope and the prospect of eventual peace for his nation when they would eventually return to their homeland. Past some extremely discouraging and devastating times.

In contrast to Joel Osteen, Isaiah underscores three main points about “Your Worst Life Now” - namely: 1) Life is HARD; 2) Life is FRAGILE; and 3), Life is FLAWED.

First, Life is HARD. 40:2-4 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her HARD SERVICE has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has RECEIVED FROM THE LORD’S HAND double for all her sins. A voice of one calling: "In the DESERT prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the WILDERNESS a highway for our God. Every VALLEY shall be raised up, every MOUNTAIN AND HILL made low; the ROUGH GROUND shall become level, the RUGGED PLACES a plain.”

Jerusalem has put in ‘hard service’, received punishment ‘from the Lord’s hand’; her experience has been like a desert, a wilderness, complete with valleys and mountains and hills, the ground was rough, various places ‘rugged’.

What arid places have you been traversing lately? What mountains are you facing that seem immovable? Have you found your ‘service’ to the Lord ‘hard? Life under COVID has its peculiar challenges. Can’t do this, can’t go there, have to always put on a mask, can’t order that because it’s not in stock.

The Israelites going into exile would have had to travel hundreds of miles on foot through deserts and wilderness, and start all over again. Then to return to the Promised Land they would have had to again traverse wild country.

This past week Ontario hit some new ‘high’ counts for coronavirus, 1855 new cases in one day. Alberta has been ‘batting 1000' unfortunately consistently so sent out an SOS for 4 emergency field hospitals, two from the federal government and two from Canadian Red Cross. Not good to see ICU’s having to double-up.

The Jewish experience would have been traumatic. Some folks now find isolation stressful, their mental health is affected. I was thinking back to my parents’ lives and wondering how much low-grade trauma they endured during the Depression, seeing their buddies and comrades get killed during WWII, not to mention smaller things like grass fires out of control and the day the granary floor in the barn collapsed on top of the pigs. Just awful things, tragic. My youngest daughter announced she’s expecting another baby in June, for which we’re thankful, but in the meantime she’s lost 4 due to miscarriages. Life is hard.

Also, LIFE IS FRAGILE. Vv6-8a “A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them.Surely the people are grass.The grass withers and the flowers fall...” Note – repetition denotes emphasis: “Comfort, comfort” in v1 could be taken to mean “comfort greatly”. Here what’s repeated is “the grass withers and the flowers fall...” The older we get, the more transient and fleeting life seems: the clock spins faster and faster, one year follows the next – “Where did the summer go?” we ask, puzzled.

Having some money is nice but it won’t buy you health or happiness; in fact, more of it can compound your worries and anxieties. In the New Testament, James writes - Jas 1:10f “But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.” Our salvation is not in having more ‘stuff’! 1John 2:17 “The world and its desires pass away, BUT the man who does the will of God lives forever.”

Life is HARD; life is FRAGILE; and, life is FLAWED. I mean, all have SINNED and fall short of God’s glory (Rom 3:23). Back to Is 40:2, “...proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her SIN has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for ALL HER SINS.” Sin is not a popular topic, but it’s one the church needs to keep addressing. Societal culture would try to dismiss the concept of sin, because it only makes sense in relation to a God who ultimately judges. What is sin? Sin is lawlessness; all wrongdoing is sin (1Jn 3:4, 5:17). Romans 14:23 “But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.” When we try to step out of that faith-relationship with God, whenever we make us more at the expense of making Him less, trying to shove him down like closing up a jack-in-the-box, we’re sinning.

V2 “...her sin has been paid for...” – sin begs a payment, a putting-right. Sin has a cost: Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” That’s why the cross is so important, it’s where Jesus paid our penalty.

Sin warrants REPENTANCE. Here the language is “prepare the way for the Lord”, make the highway straight, level the rugged places, open up the path for the Lord. All four gospel writers refer to this passage to introduce the mission of John the Baptist, calling people to repent before Messiah comes on the scene.

Life is hard; life is fragile; life is flawed due to sin. It’s “Your Worst Life Now.” But, good news! Good tidings...

YOUR BEST SAVIOUR NIGH

The “comfort, comfort” God offers is not that of stroking a furry cat purring on a fleecy pillow. Comfort comes not from comfort food, or guarding our ‘comfort zone’, or defending our ‘comfortable pew’ - but from recognizing and acknowledging God’s rightful place in our lives. Isaiah points to four things here – God’s POWER, His GLORY, His MERCY, and God’s TENDERNESS.

God’s POWER: Assyrian and Babylonian empires may come and go, but the Lord has promised and has the ability to protect a remnant of His people and bring them back to Judea once the prophesied 70 years is accomplished, the land gets its Sabbath rest. V10a “See, the Sovereign LORD comes with POWER, and his arm RULES for him.” Do we really acknowledge the Lord as powerful, almighty, maker of heaven and earth? “Is His arm too short to save?” (Num 11:23; Is 59:1) Does the coronavirus make us quake in our boots when we say we believe in Him who calmed the storm, walked on water, and rose from the dead? He is described here as the SOVEREIGN Lord (Yhwh), the One who IS that He IS, who brings into being, makes things happen. He is ‘boss’, not me! Contrary to humanism, which makes the person the measure of all things.

Note v12 of Is 40, “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?” Maybe you can hold a teaspoon of water in the hollow of your hand – try it sometime! How about Lake Huron? How about an entire ocean?

God’s sovereignty is reflected in v7, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.” When the breath of the Lord blows, our life is over, like dandelion seeds being put to flight. Do we resent or resist God’s right to do this? Are we bitter about those He’s taken from us, rather than being thankful for the time we had with them?

The pagan world was always haunted by the unknowability of God. At best, men could but grope after his mystery. "It is hard," said Plato, "to investigate and to find the framer and the father of the universe. And, if one did find him, it would be impossible to express him in terms which all could understand." Aristotle spoke of God as the supreme cause, by all men dreamed of and by no man known. The ancient world did not doubt that there was a God or gods, but it believed that such gods as there might be were quite unknowable and only occasionally interested in mankind. In a world without Christ, God was a mystery and power, desirable but never known.

Second, Isaiah highlights God’s GLORY. V5 “And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it.For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” God says it – it will happen: namely, that His glory, the magnificence and beauty of His goodness, be displayed, made known. Advent points particularly to this in the coming of Jesus, the divine essence taking the form of a man, starting as a wee baby, with the express purpose of becoming our propitiating sacrifice. John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” It’s a beautiful glory laced with grace and truth.

God’s glory is seen in the deliverance from captivity in Babylon, seen by the Gentile nations, as the Jews made their way back to Jerusalem in response to the edict issued by Cyrus King of Persia. Is 52:10 “The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.” God’s glory is seen in the person of Jesus Christ: Heb 1:3a “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” God’s glory will be seen at Jesus’ return: Mt 24:30 “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn.They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.” And, surprisingly enough, God’s glory is seen in you and me who believe in Jesus! The ‘redeemed’ - 1Cor 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 2Cor 3:18 “And we, who with unveiled faces all REFLECT THE LORD’S GLORY, are being transformed INTO HIS LIKENESS WITH EVER-INCREASING GLORY, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” Meditate about the gracious wonder of that sometime!

“The mouth of the Lord has spoken” – this glory is especially beautiful and radiant because it’s revealed, communicated, made known. God’s not the god of the agnostics, hidden back behind some curtain: God communicates His wonderful goodness to us, both by His word spoken by prophets and apostles, and in the person of His Son. V8 “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Note the contrast! What are YOU banking your life on? Is 55:10f “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's "glory" is how we describe the sum effect of all of his attributes. Grace, truth, goodness, mercy, justice, knowledge, power, eternality—all that he is. Therefore, the glory of God is intrinsic, that is, it is as essential to God as light is to the sun, as blue is to the sky, as wet is to water. You don't make the sun light; it is light. You don't make the sky blue; it is blue. You don't make water wet; it is wet. In all of these cases, the attribute is intrinsic to the object. In contrast, a person's glory is granted to him/her. If you take a king and take off all his robes and crowns and give him only a rag to wear and leave him on the streets for a few weeks, when put next to a beggar you'll never know which is which. Because there is no intrinsic glory. The only glory a king has is when you give him a crown and a robe and sit him on his throne. He has no intrinsic glory. That's the point. The only glory that men have is granted to them. The glory that is God's is his in his essence. You can't de-glory God because glory is his nature. You can't touch his glory. It cannot be taken away. It cannot be added to. It's his being.

God’s Power; God’s Glory; God’s MERCY... Vv1,2 “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her...that her sin has been paid for...” Sin is deadly! Romans 6:23a “For the wages of sin is death...” The baby Jesus being laid in a rough feed trough foreshadows His humiliation being put to death as a condemned criminal on a rough wooden cross. As He breathed His last He exclaimed, “It is FINISHED!” (Jn 19:30) Literally, the same word that would be stamped on an invoice, “Paid in Full!”

A father was tucking in his six-year-old son for the night. The father asked him, "Son, when does Daddy love you the most? When you've been fighting with your sister and getting into a lot of trouble? Or when you've been real helpful to Mommy and real nice to everyone?" The son thought for a moment and then said, "Both times!" "Right," the father said, "and do you know why?" "Cause I'm your special guy," replied the boy. For that was his daddy's pet name for him, "Daddy's Special Guy." The boy knew his father loved him, no matter what, because he was "Daddy's Special Guy." God loves us the same way. He loves us unconditionally because we are his "special guys."

God’s mercy is not shown only in forgiveness of our sins, but in bringing us reward. V10b “See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.” As sinners we don’t deserve the least thing positive, but by His mercy we will give account before the judgment seat of Christ, and be rewarded accordingly; 1Cor 3:8 “The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour.” Faith trusts God to offset the hard parts and the strenuous parts requiring endurance. Heb 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists AND THAT HE REWARDS those who earnestly seek him.”

Last, and most surprising perhaps, we find this almighty powerful God exhibits TENDERNESS. V1 “Comfort, comfort” is emphatic as in “comfort greatly”. V2 “Speak TENDERLY to Jerusalem...” And note particularly the charming word picture in v11, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Not driving forcefully as if in a hurry, but leading gently; young ones in His arms, and what position? Carried “close to His heart”! Tending His flock “like a shepherd” – as Jesus declared Himself to be “The Good Shepherd” in John 10.

There are three “voices” mentioned in this passage, in verses 3, 6, and 9. The sum is that there are “good tidings” as v9 puts it – sort of an equivalent expression to our “good news”. What’s the thrust of these good tidings? V9 “Here is your God!” V10 “See, the Sovereign Lord COMES with power...” Advent is about Coming, our Lord has actually stepped into the scene with us. To encapsule it with a VBS theme, “Life is hard, but God is good.”

The hunters have been out this week, again. I close with a hunting reference – but it’s not what you might expect; it’s about God hunting US, in His tender mercy! It’s by CS Lewis, and the language is out of fashion so I’m updating a word... No animals were harmed in the making of this illustration!... Lewis recalls: “I never had the experience of looking for God. It was the other way round: He was the hunter (or so it seemed to me) and I was the deer. He stalked me like a [First Nations hunter], took unerring aim, and fired. And I am very thankful that this is how the first (conscious) meeting occurred. It forearms one against subsequent fears that the whole thing was only wish fulfillment. Something one didn't wish for can hardly be that.’ [C. S. Lewis, Christian Reflections (San Diego: Harcourt Brace, 1956), p. 169.]

Let’s pray. Loving and Holy God, thank You for tracking us sinners down, having us in Your sights, sending Your wonderful Son Jesus to die in our place so we could have fellowship with You and be powered by Your Holy Spirit forever. Be with us this Advent through the hard times, the scary times, the times when we’re tempted to forget you and go our own way. Draw us ever back with your cords of lovingkindness. May Your glory shine out through our cracks and draw others to Yourself, so they too may experience the peace that passes understanding. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“The Craftsman’s Caring” - Dec.9/20 Funeral of Dick Poore

Jer.18:1-8; Jn.14:1-6; Rom.4:19-25; 1Cor.3:8-15; Eph.2:3-10

Workmanship. God’s workmanship. The Apostle Paul reminds the church at Ephesus that though they were once dead in their transgressions and sins, God made them alive with Christ, by grace. He saved them by grace, through faith, because they trusted in Him; it was not by works. They didn’t earn it – that would be impossible, after offending an infinitely great and holy God. Nothing they did could get them back into right standing with their Creator; it couldn’t be earned by trying, or working harder, or giving up all they had. It was by grace, undeserved and free, on the basis of their simply believing the Good News. When they trusted in Jesus, God did what they could never do. Now, Paul writes, they are a real piece of work – a masterpiece, in fact! “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph 2:10)

They weren’t saved by their works, but had become God’s own piece of work: and from that would flow good works, which was God’s plan all along.

We have experienced glimpses of God’s goodness through Dick’s life, we have been blessed in a multitude of ways by knowing him. Dick gave of himself in many ways. The girls shared how he really loved his family; “He would do anything for us”; he’d urge them “call anytime”, he always was ready to help other people. And he had a very special relationship with his wife Grace while she was still alive. Other friends found Dick a positive influence in their lives, too; one would say, “He let me talk.” Just being supportive. Dick was always eager to help out with the Free Community Breakfasts our church at one time put on; he was keen to pitch in with the effort any way he could.

As we reflect back on Dick’s life and the ways we may have experienced God’s goodness and kindness through him, two areas seemed to stand out to me: his occupation, being a bank manager; and his hobby, woodworking.

As for banking, there is a financial term Scripture uses that describes how God attaches saving significance to our otherwise hopeless sinful life. In Romans 4 Paul’s talking about Abraham “facing the fact” that his body was as good as dead, reproductively speaking (after all, he was nearly 100 years old!). Today we are struggling to come to grips with the fact that Dick has passed away, all too quickly: the ‘months’ turned into ‘weeks’ then into ‘days’. Facing the fact his body was as good as dead, Abraham nevertheless believed God had power to do what He had promised, namely make him a great nation with lots of descendants. Scripture says this trust in God “was credited to him as righteousness”, NRSV “was reckoned to him as righteousness”. Paul the writer here is using an accounting term meaning “to reckon, count, compute, calculate, count over”.

We face the facts. God looks at our faith, our trusting Him to do the seemingly impossible – and tallies that to our account (as it were). Paul goes on to say God will ‘credit’ (or reckon or count) righteousness for us “when we believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead”. We might be prone to say God “cooks the books” in our favour, but really a legitimate price was paid – the holy and infinitely precious Son of God, Jesus, who died in our place and was raised to life for our justification, so we could be accounted “put right” in God’s eyes. We are accounted “righteous” through faith.

After retiring from banking, Dick turned his attention not to intoxicants or other not-so-worthwhile pursuits but something far more positive, woodworking. Meeting with the family in their house to prepare for this service, I was struck by the abundance of Dick’s handiwork that could be seen, both in individual pieces (such as carved bowls) and in all the wood finish around their place.

God sent the prophet Jeremiah to the house of a craftsman to study him working with a project; this wasn’t a woodworker, but a potter. As the potter spun the wheel, the pot he was working on was marred in his hands, so the potter re-worked it into something other than what he first intended. The Lord was showing Jeremiah that the people of Israel were like clay in His hand.

On one level, this illustration points to God’s sovereignty: our times are in His hands. That’s how Paul interprets it in Romans 9: “God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden...Who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?” (9:18,21)

We could wish Dick had rallied and come out of this last illness and lived longer. But it was not to be. In that sense, we need to humble ourselves and submit to God’s will rather than become resentful and bitter, which would do us no good anyway. In that sense we “face the facts”.

But looking again at Jeremiah, there is an element of human responsiveness that God emphasizes, not just His sovereignty: 18:7-8 “If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.” God responds when we heed Him: it’s a living relationship.

Dick was a careful craftsman. Sometimes it might have been nicer if the projects around the house had been finished off more speedily, but he wouldn’t hurry to the point of doing a sloppy job. Likewise, the Apostle Paul urges us to take care in how we are building our lives. 1Cor 3:10, “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.” Jesus has to be the foundation, Paul insists. But on that we can build with gold, silver, costly stones, or cheaper materials like wood, hay, or straw. The Day of judgment will test the quality of each person’s work. The Bible promises reward for those who have built in such a way that their work survives.

We all some day will stand before God’s judgment seat. How will we give account? Will our faith in Him be ‘reckoned / credited as righteousness’? Will our own works, done not in an attempt to try to earn heaven but as an outflow of His Spirit’s presence in our lives, stand the test of the fire, or be burned up?

One other image relating to the Craftsman’s Caring... It’s hard to sit inside the Poore household and not be struck by the beauty of all the woodworking and artistic pieces Dick fashioned. He has prepared a pleasant place for his offspring: though absent in body, his memory will be kept alive partly by their surroundings. Likewise, Jesus told His disciples just before His betrayal and crucifixion, “I am going...to prepare a place for you.” He said there were “many rooms” in His Father’s house; and the way to the Father is through Him. Further, He promised, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” That is our Christian hope – a loving relationship beyond this life, in our Heavenly Father’s eternal home.

I couldn’t think of many woodworking illustrations from the Bible – they tend more to do with pottery – but I’d like to close with a fictional story that nevertheless points to Scripture truth, at this season of Christmas and bereavement. It’s called “The Three Trees”.

Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up.The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: “I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I’ll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!” The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. “I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I’ll be the strongest ship in the world!” The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. “I don’t want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they’ll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world.”

Years passed. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain. The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, “This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me.” With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell. “Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest. I shall hold wonderful treasure!” the first tree said. The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, “This tree is strong. It is perfect for me.” With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell. “Now I shall sail mighty waters!” thought the second tree. “I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!” The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. “Any kind of tree will do for me,” he muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe, the third tree fell.

The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter’s shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feedbox for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, nor with treasure. She was coated with sawdust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals. The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead, the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail on an ocean, or even a river; instead, she was taken to a little lake. The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. “What happened?” the once tall tree wondered. “All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God...”

Many, many days and night passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feedbox. “I wish I could make a cradle for him,” her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and the sturdy wood. “This manger is beautiful,” she said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.

One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through with the wind and the rain. The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, “Peace.” The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun.And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the king of heaven and earth.

One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man’s hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth tremble with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God’s love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God.That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.

Today, as we remember Dick and celebrate his life and lay his remains to rest, we are thankful for our Saviour who was held in that manger, calmed the storm, and died on a cross so our sins could be forgiven and that we might receive a home with Him forever. We follow a Carpenter who did His best work on some rough wooden beams. Amen.

“Our Spirit Rejoices at God’s Surprising Choices” - Dec.13/20 3^rd in Advent, JOY– Lk.1:46-55

JOY? YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!

This third Sunday of Advent is traditionally associated with “Joy”. However 2020 seems to be a most unusual year due to the pandemic. Many people probably don’t feel much like rejoicing, what with having to wear masks and maintain social distancing, not going to concerts or theatre etc, and not even being able to get together for parties or with many family members. We’re tempted to mutter with Scrooge, “Bah, humbug!”

A meme on social media made me smile the other day. It shows two big letters standing on a lawn, “O-Y”, with something fallen to the left. The caption reads: “My neighbour’s J fell down but this way is better.#2020" OY! Can we try saying that all together? “OY!” Therapeutic and cathartic, gets it out of your system!

Yet even 2020 can remind us we have reasons for Joy, independent of our circumstances. This week approval of a vaccine for COVID was announced and people in Britain began getting vaccinated, with Canadians to follow in the near future. That’s a happy prospect! Joy is anchored in something that fluctuates less than circumstances; happiness is affected by circumstances, like other emotions. It’s been said: “Happiness is an emotion, and joy is an attitude.Emotions come and go, but attitudes come and GROW.”

Today we’re looking at Mary’s response to the news she had been chosen to give birth to God’s Son, the Messiah. Although at first that sounds like a wonderful privilege, there were harsh conditions attached to it that might give one second thought. Yet Mary’s faith in the Lord God gave her confidence He would work out the details, and with that confidence came unsuppressable joy.

MARY’S PRECARIOUS STATE

Luke 1:26f“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.” Where? Nazareth was a ‘nothing’ town, so much so that it was proverbial, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?!” (John 1:46 - Nathaniel) In a patriarchal society, a young single woman pledged to be married did not have high status. 1:48a [Mary says] “For He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.” NLT “took notice of His lowly servant girl.” You can sort of picture her in simple garb, maybe a patch on her skirt, bare feet, hair tied up in a bun at the back, barely old enough to be in her teens – nothing impressive. Mary and Joseph were covenanted to be wed, but it hadn’t happened yet; so for her to mysteriously become pregnant brought with it a lot of baggage, and significant cause for concern.

To be chosen for a miraculous birth was a huge problem. The penalty for adultery of a betrothed woman under the law of Moses was stoning – Mary could wind up dead! (Deut.22:23f) Moreover, Joseph had a reputation already as a righteous dude (Mt 1:19), so people would likely suspect Mary of being immoral with another man, cheating on her pledged husband – that would be especially despicable. Shameful. How would she ever explain what the truth was in a convincing way? Explain it to Joseph? Explain it to the community?

What’s more, consider what lay ahead for the earthly mother of our Saviour. 1:29 “Mary was greatly troubled at his [Gabriel’s] words...” She had right to be. This was an unplanned pregnancy, throwing all her dreams and plans awry. Little did Mary realize all that would transpire. The birth would happen in a strange distant town, not in a clean room but a stable complete with animals, flies, smells, and manure. Soon after the young family would become refugees, fleeing to Egypt for their lives, political enemies of the state with a price on their head. When they presented the child in the temple, Simeon would prophesy to Mary ominously, 2:35 “And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

At times as an adult their son would be alienated from his siblings, who refused to believe him. At times they even thought Jesus was crazy and went to take Him into care - Mark 3:21 “When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.’” (‘Bonkers, I tell ya!’) The religious leaders figured Jesus was possessed by demons, in league with the Devil. (Mk 3:22) And then there would be that whole bit about watching your eldest Son get tried and sentenced for crimes He didn’t do, then crucified mercilessly while all you could do was stand there and watch.

Who wants to sign up for an assignment like that? That’s really a tough one! ‘You might want to reconsider about taking this one on, Mary.’

Can you relate? Does it seem circumstances are ganging up on you in a way you didn’t plan or wish for? Is the job God seems to be calling you to do almost more than you can bear? Are you reaching your breaking point, ready to throw in the towel? Does the enthusiasm seem to be slowly draining out of what you thought God had geared you for?

Nevertheless, even though the future is full of unknowns and Mary doesn’t have a clue what she’s getting into, still she finds cause for joy! 1:46f “And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior...” Was she remembering Nehemiah 8:10, “the joy of the Lord is your strength”?

Mary’s unexpected joy is rooted in her confidence in God. She has a BIG view of God that dwarfs her potential problems.

GOD THE REVERSER OF FATE

When you look at the short song of praise from this lowly humble servant girl, it arrests you with its phenomenal view of God’s greatness and grace. It is truly revolutionary! If King Herod or the Roman governor caught wind of a mob declaring these things, it would be most unsettling, threatening to the powers-that-be!

Listen again to how revolutionary Vv49-52 are, in the mouth of a potential radical youth from the slums: “for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.”

John MacArthur comments, “The quality of Mary that shines most clearly through this passage is a deep sense of humility.”

Mary has no doubts about God’s POWER – He is “the Mighty One”, He has done “great things”, He “has performed mighty deeds with His arm” – phrases reminiscent of God’s miracles in the Old Testament: ten plagues in Egypt, crossing the Red Sea, bringing water from the rock, sustaining people with food from the sky in the wilderness for four decades, the defeat of Jericho, and so on. David slaying the giant, Elijah being caught up to heaven, Elisha raising a woman’s son back to life, rescuing Daniel from the lion’s den. Mary trusted God could do the impossible. As the angel Gabriel had reminded her in Lk 1:37, “For nothing is impossible with God."” – an attitude that carried through to her Son and, later, the twelve apostles.

“Holy is His name” – God is totally OTHER, beyond human scope. We are made in His image, but He is much much bigger than the strongest person on the planet.

“He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.He has brought down rulers from their thrones...He has sent the rich away empty...” What a subversive revolutionary God, upending and shattering accustomed human patterns of political power, control, and bondage.

Think back to Daniel’s time, when proud Nebuchadnezzar had to be taught a lesson. Dan 4:29f,33f “Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"”...“Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.”

What situation are you facing that you are tempted to give up about, because it seems things will never change? Are you feeling like you’re too small a cog in the wheel to make any difference? Are the ‘powers that be’ unresponsive to the point you seem stuck, caught in a downward spiral? Keep praying about it and trusting the Lord, Mary’s “Mighty One”, to be working behind the scened.

PROMISED MERCY WORTH THE WAIT

Mary’s subject shifts throughout this song, traditionally known as “The Magnificat”, from herself (vv46-49) to her God (50-53) to her people (54-55). She is an individual - “MY soul glorifies the Lord, MY spirit rejoices in God MY Saviour...All generations will call ME blessed...the Mighty One has done great things for ME.”

But in closing she locates herself within the stream of God’s covenant people down through the centuries, she sees herself as the latest instance of God’s saving work in action amongst His people. Vv54-55 “He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”

Mary seems to be recalling the Lord’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, hundreds of years earlier. To Abraham God said, Genesis 13:15-16 “All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.” Here “offspring” can be understood as “seed”. Also in Genesis 22:18, “...through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” God’s plan to bless humanity isn’t confined just to the Jews, the offspring of Abraham, but is to bless ALL NATIONS. Paul the Apostle singles out how instrumental Jesus is to the fulfilment of God’s plan: Galatians 3:16 “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ.” God was involving Mary in that process, making her a conduit of blessing through her special Son, the long-awaited “Seed”.

God her Saviour has HELPED His servant Israel, the offspring of Jacob. Jesus spoke of God’s Holy Spirit as the “Paraclete”, Helper / Comforter, from a word meaning one who comes alongside to help. Where are YOU needing help most right now in your activities, your projects, your relationships? In what way might you benefit from seeking the Lord’s assistance and guidance? Where are you ‘stumped’? Sometimes you need to let go of your pride, wanting to be in control, and admit to God you need His help.

Mary emphasizes that God’s MERCY is available to those who call on Him. V50 “His MERCY extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” V54 “...remembering to be MERCIFUL to Abraham and his descendants forever...” The Greek term here means “mercy, kindness, or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.”

God is great and mighty, powerful, an up-ender, deposing kings and scattering the proud, sending the rich away empty. But He is also a merciful God. The cross of Christ is proof that God will not exact the just payment He deserves from us sinners when we repent, come clean, and admit we need His Lordship and deliverance from the lusts and guilt and idols that entrap us.

Mary sings, “Remembering to be merciful...forever, even as He said to our fathers.” God’s lovingkindness and mercy are constant. One day C.H.Spurgeon was walking through the English countryside with a friend. As they strolled along, the famous preacher noticed a barn with a weather vane on its roof. At the top of the vane were these words: "GOD IS LOVE." Spurgeon remarked to his companion that he thought this was a rather inappropriate place for such a message. "Weather vanes are changeable," he said, "but God's love is constant.” "I don't agree with you about those words, Charles," replied his friend. "You misunderstood the meaning.That sign is indicating a truth: Regardless of which way the wind blows, God is love.”

Having experienced God’s mercy, we need to be careful to walk forward washed and clean and not revisiting the same paths that led us into trouble in the first place. In his book, How To Be Born Again, Billy Graham refers to a story that Corrie ten Boom used to tell of a little girl who broke one of her mother's treasured demitasse cups. The little girl came to her mother sobbing, "Oh, mama, I'm so sorry I broke your beautiful cup." The mother replied, "I know you're sorry, and I forgive you. Now don't cry any more." The mother then swept up the pieces of the broken cup and placed them in the trash can.

But the little girl enjoyed the guilty feeling. She went to the trash can, picked out the pieces of the cup, brought them to her mother and sobbed, "Mother, I'm so sorry I broke your pretty cup." This time her mother spoke firmly to her. "Take those pieces and put them back in the trash can and don't be silly enough to take them out again. I told you I forgave you so don't cry any more, and don't pick up the broken pieces any more."

Thank God for our Saviour’s amazing mercy! God is merciful and powerful. In Christ we have power to live new lives, free of former guilt and shame. He surprisingly chose Mary, a humble servant girl, to be the mother of the Messiah. All things are possible with God! His mercy extends to all those who fear Him, down the generations, to you here today. That is cause for lasting joy! Let’s pray.

“God’s Housing Project: Love’s Lodging” - Dec. 20/20 4^th in Advent, LOVE – 2 Samuel 7:1-11,16

LOVE’S INITIATIVE: RIGHT MOTIVE, WRONG METHOD

Advent looks forward to the Lord’s coming. Each year we celebrate Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem in the past, but we also look forward to His return in the future, for He rose from the dead after dying in our place, thus proving to be God’s unique Son with power.

Even though David’s parents came from Nazareth in Galilee, He was born in Bethlehem about 130 km or 80 miles to the south, to make a point: namely, that He was of the lineage and heritage of King David, who came from there. Our Scripture reading this week picks up the thread of the prophecy to King David that would reach down 10 centuries to enwrap Jesus in its implications. More than that, it reaches down 20 centuries further to have implications for us here, today!

Love takes initiative. We see that in David’s inclination, once he’s become established in his rule over Israel and Judah, to extend to the emblems pertaining to the worship of YHWH a degree of protection similar to that he’s come to enjoy. 2Samuel 7:1-3, “After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent." Nathan replied to the king, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you."”

Get the picture? David’s all comfortable in a finely built cedar palace. But he doesn’t stop at becoming preoccupied with his own comfort. He gets out of himself enough to start to give consideration to the housing of the most precious worship items, the Ark of the Covenant, the altar for sacrifices, the incense altar, and so on. These things are just housed in tents, literally “within curtains”. Kind of like, your old beater 4-door is in a nice new garage while the Rolls Royce is stuck outside barely wrapped in a tarp! The incongruity of it strikes David.

With our theme word this fourth Sunday of Advent being “love”, note LOVE’S PERCEPTION: it thinks about more than itself, it gets over itself, its concern stretches beyond its own comfort to others. From 1Cor 13(4ff), “Love...is kind...It is not self-seeking...It always protects...” Love is able to forget oneself enough to be truly concerned about the other. So it takes initiative.

While David’s impulse eventually gets re-directed, he is never rebuked by God for his initiative to protect the items at the heart of Israel’s worship. 1Kings 8:18 [Solomon recalls] “But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a temple for my Name, you did well to have this in your heart.” God approved of David’s concern.

Love takes initiative. Here’s a short 3-minute video from a Dutch pharmaceutical company that, without much dialogue, conveys powerfully the message that love gets out of itself, takes initiative, and makes an effort to express affection for those it’s directed towards...[“Take Care” from docmorris.de]

Love perceives and takes initiative, it stretches itself to put love into action towards the beloved.

However, David’s impulse to build a temple meets with a course correction from the Almighty. Through the prophet Nathan, God points out He’s been mobile from the very start, not lodged or restricted in one place. 2Sam 7:4-7 “That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying: "Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"’”

Folklore puts genies in bottles, but God cannot and will not be put in a box! Gods of pagan nations had their temples, but the God of Israel was not like those silent lifeless images. God is dynamic, not static; He moves about, and can be present to us wherever we are.

Sometimes if we’re not careful we can fall into this trap of putting God in a box, compartmentalizing Him, letting Him into a few areas and timeframes of our life but trying to keep Him out of others. It’s like having a certain number of boxes on a checklist and checking them off, the list of our religious obligations. “There, I went to church Sunday – check that one off the list! Said a prayer before I fell asleep – well, at least I think I finished it before I fell asleep! – check that off the list. Drove my kids to Sunday School – that’s all the religious education they need (who needs family devotions anyway?) – check that off the list.” Do we view such things as ‘gotta do’ religious obligations, to be checked off the list as quickly as possible so we can get on with the rest of life, what we really want to do? You’re limiting God, trying to squeeze or corral Him into tight-fitting boundaries, and it won’t work. God isn’t a tame cattlebeast but a powerful free lion.

God says to David, “I have not dwelt in a house...I have been moving from place to place...I have moved with all the Israelites...” We daresn’t try to box God in! What expectations about church or worship or personal devotions have you allowed to encroach around your spiritual life, that are hampering God’s free and sovereign movement? In what areas of your life have you said to Him, “Thus far You may come, and no further”? Don’t be surprised if the Lord begins to blow the walls off!

LOVE MOVES: BUILDING THE OTHER

In verses 8-11 the Lord turns the tables on David, and begins to describe how HE (the Lord) is going to build a house or dynasty or ‘name’ for David, rather than David build a house for Him. I find at least 7 things God says He’s done or going to do for David. Thus we see love builds the other up, moves in action upholding and strengthening the other.

V8 - 1) “I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel.” God raised David from humble origins, bottom of the social scale, being a shepherd.

V9 - 2) “I have been with you wherever you have gone.” God made David so successful over Israel’s enemies (including Philistine giants like Goliath) that he became very famous.

3) “I have cut off all your enemies from before you.” North, south, east, west – in all directions David’s enemies were defeated.

4) “Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth.” David is still honoured today. My oldest brother is named David!

V10 - 5) “I will provide a place for my people Israel...” The invaders that had taken towns and lands were driven back.

6) “...and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own...”

7) “and no longer be disturbed.Wicked people will not oppress them anymore...” This is the promise of future protection, such as David’s son Solomon enjoyed; David’s future descendants that ruled Judah governed until its overthrow by Babylon in 586 BC, hundreds of years later.

Love seeks to build the other person up, not tear them down or take advantage of them. Love is on the move, active, supporting and strengthening the other. 1Cor 13:4ff “Love is patient...it does not envy...it is not proud...[it] rejoices with the truth.It always protects...”

A thirty-six-year-old mother was discovered to be in the advanced stages of terminal cancer. One doctor advised her to spend her remaining days enjoying herself on a beach in Acapulco. A second physician offered her the hope of living two to four years with the grueling side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. She penned these words to her three small children: "I've chosen to try to survive for you.This has some horrible costs, including pain, loss of my good humour, and moods I won't be able to control.But I must try this, if only on the outside chance that I might live one minute longer. And that minute could be the one you might need me when no one else will do.For this I intend to struggle, tooth and nail, so help me God.”

THE LOVE-KINGDOM HAS LEGS!

Well, that’s all fine and good for King David and the people of Israel and Judah back then, but what’s it got to do with us here today?

Verses 11 and 16 make it clear God’s not looking just at the present nation, but into the future. David’s initiative was to build a house for God’s worship, but God instead is going to build an enduring house for David! 2Sam7:11b,16 “The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you...Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” Wow, now we’re talking a much longer timeframe!

Subsequent Old Testament prophets applied this to Israel’s hope for a Messiah, the Christ, a Saviour who would deliver them from their enemies much the same as King David had. Micah (roughly 720BC) 5:4 “He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.” Ezekiel (roughly 590BC) 37:26f “I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever.My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

Do you see there’s getting to be less emphasis on ‘place’ or geography, and more on relationship? A “with-ness”?

After Jesus is born, prophecy and the Holy Spirit’s inspiration begins to apply the promise made to David specifically to Jesus of Nazareth. When the angel Gabriel announces to Mary she’s going to become pregnant miraculously, God’s messenger states: Lk 1:32f “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” That “house” connection is being made particularly through Jesus!

The New Testament writers apply the prophecies directly to Jesus. Hebrews 1:8 [citing Psalm 45:6] “But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.’”

Usually when we use the word “kingdom” we think about a political entity, a region that can be outlined on a map, with particular geographic borders. When you’re inside those lines you’re IN the kingdom, but outside you’re NOT part of the kingdom. Like “UK / United Kingdom” - when you hit the North Sea or English Channel, you’ve left the territory.

But to talk about Christ’s Kingdom that way would be, in some ways, to again try to “put God in a box”. How do the New Testament Holy Spirit-inspired writers talk about the Kingdom? Mt 12:28 [Jesus says] “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you.” Lu 6:20 “Then he looked up at his disciples and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.’” Lk 13;18-21 “Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches." Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."”

Not static or fixed but dynamic, alive, growing! One more from Jesus - Lk 17:20f “Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you."” Not something you can point to or locate on a map, but something relational, a happening; we might say, “a space or relationship where God’s in-chargeness is evident”.

How did the apostles John and Peter put it? John in Rev 1:5b-6, “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and HAS MADE US TO BE A KINGDOM AND PRIESTS to serve his God and Father— to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” What’s the Kingdom here? US! Jesus-followers - we are “a kingdom and priests”. Is God in charge of your life? Then His Kingdom is present in you. Are you consciously serving Him as a priest? A ‘priest’ does not exist solely in reference to themselves, but in relationship to God and others, as a sort of mediator – of course Jesus is our great High Priest, but He calls us out of ourselves, cracking our cozy cocoons, to care for others, and love God with our entire being.

We see similar language in Peter’s first letter: 1Peter 2:5,9 “...You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ...You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Ah, it’s a spiritual house! We offers spiritual sacrifices, declaring God’s praises, being royal or kingly-connected priests.

In short, God’s vision is not just to establish David and his descendants as a royal dynasty, or to protect the Jewish people and give them a permanent homeland in Palestine: God’s vision reaches through David to Jesus the Messiah who would give His life to redeem sinners from all nations, Gentiles as well as Jews, to become their Lord and Saviour so we would live for Him and from Him to others moment by moment. The Kingdom of Christ becomes tangible on earth by His grace THROUGH US as we walk in dependent trusting obedience leaning on Him, listening to His Spirit.

LOVE AS HE LOVED US

The Apostle John in his letters has much to say about love, understood through a Christian lens. For instance, 1John 3:16-18: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

In enacting Christ’s love in our context, God’s Kingdom touches down. It’s not just a concept, not just a warm fuzzy feeling: it’s real and lived-out, that yeast or mustard seed alive and spreading out, touching others.

A man who had been the superintendent of a city rescue mission for forty years was asked why he had spent his life working with dirty, unkempt, profane, drunken derelicts. He said, "All I'm doing is giving back to others a little of the love God has shown to me." As a young man, he himself had been a drunkard who went into a mission for a bowl of chili. There he heard the preacher say that Christ could save sinners, and he stumbled forward to accept the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. Though his brain was addled by drink, he felt a weight lifted from his shoulders, and that day he became a changed person. A little later, seeking God's will for his life, he felt the Lord calling him to go back to the gutter and reach the people still wallowing there. The power of redeeming love enabled him to carry on his ministry for forty years. Let’s pray.

How vast, Lord, is height and depth and breadth of Your love for us and all the world! How unworthy we are to receive Your commissioning, and how ill-equipped we feel in our own resources to carry it out! We need You so much. We need more of Your love, for we confess the unloveliness of much of our sinful thoughts and motives. Help us get out of ourselves to discover the wonderful things Your Kingdom is waiting to do through us, touching others with Your power and kindness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Misfits Saved by the One Known By the Marks” - Christmas Eve Dec. 24/20 John 1:10-14,16,18 (Lk.2:1-20)

Hi everyone, and welcome to the sermon portion of our special “pandemic edition” Christmas Eve prerecorded service, with the theme “A Misfit Christmas”. Special thanks to our Worship Team for planning and arranging this, and to EVERYBODY from our church family who took time to send in Christmas greetings and songs and stories. I’ve been very blessed to get an advance peek at the submissions ahead of time. And again thanks to our AV Team for putting it all together, making it possible for us to worship simultaneously even if not all in the same room. This ONE TIME ‘there was no room for them’ - not at the inn, but at the church! Nevertheless as the Body of Christ we can worship together in the Spirit, wherever we are.

Christmas times and holiday times we usually expect to be together with those we love. When that can’t happen due to contagious bugs like coronavirus, it’s hard! The pandemic is preventing many from getting together as they normally would. That can make it very lonely and isolating for some. Hopefully as Jesus-followers we can make a special effort to care for any neighbours who may be feeling now, over the next few days.

God tells us in the Bible He is holy, eternal, almighty, a Spirit full of wisdom and mystery. God abhors the wicked, who cannot stand in His presence (Ps 11:5). So sin separates fallen human sinners, as we all started off, from a holy God, much the same way COVID is separating families this year from getting together. We are contaminated (spiritually speaking) by sin, infected by pride and lust, made detestable by our chasing after idols like greed and gluttony, envy and deceit. Compared to Holy God and His angels, we don’t belong in heaven. We’re misfits, rejects, unsuitable to even enter heaven’s gates. We deserve hell, eternally cut off from God’s love and light and glory.

The miracle at the heart of Christmas is that God took the initiative to bring us back together with Him by sending Jesus His Son so our sins could be forgiven. Just like COVID needs a vaccine to be prevented and overcome, sin needed a payment in order for things to be ‘set right’. Jesus came to die on the cross and make payment for all the wrong things we’d ever done. The nails of the cross marked Him, left permanent scars, that prove He paid the penalty that should have fallen upon us.

So you have this problem: on the one hand an eternal holy God dwelling in unapproachable light; on the other, fallen human sinners addicted to our passions, lacking even the taste or appreciation for holiness, preferring the darkness. Only a being infinitely holy and precious would be able to pay the cost for all the transgressions and rebellion and perverseness of humans, offence against an infinitely good God. Out of the mystery of God’s being 3-in-1, a Trinity, Jesus came to take on human flesh, identifying with us in our creatureliness, yet remaining perfectly obedient to the Father’s will and sinless, a worthy sacrifice.

Let’s read John 1:10-14,16,18: “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth...From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another...No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.”

These Bible verses tell us Jesus was somewhat of a “misfit”. V10 “the world did not recognize Him” – as if, ‘you don’t belong here!’ V11 “His own did not receive Him” - as if, ‘you’re not welcome here! We don’t know you, you’re not like us!”

Jesus certainly was a misfit when it came to the religious leaders’ expectations about the Messiah who it was hoped would deliver the Jewish people. When the Wise Men came to Jerusalem asking where the King of the Jews had been born whose star they had been following, King Herod was disturbed, yet the chief priests and teachers of the law knew Micah prophesied Israel’s ruler would be born in Bethlehem. However, Jesus was actually raised in Nazareth; the religious leaders supposed He’d lived His whole life in Galilee, so they figured He couldn’t be the Christ. When Nicodemus protested their prejudice, that they weren’t giving Jesus a fair hearing, they slammed him in John 7:52, “Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.” Jesus didn’t fit their expectations, He was a misfit (because they didn’t realize He was actually born in Bethlehem).

Another problem was that Jesus loved all the wrong people, He actually hung out with people the self-righteous folk looked down upon. Mt 9:10-11 “While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?"” ‘You’re in with the wrong crowd there!’ When it came to the ‘holy huddle’ (Pharisees strived to excel in their keeping all the religious rules and dietary laws), Jesus was a misfit.

But our Holy God seems to have a habit of choosing and using the misfits. For witnesses to Jesus’ birth, the angels appeared to lowly shepherds out keeping watch over their flocks in the fields. For witnesses to the resurrection, God chose women – whose story the disciples had a hard time believing. Shepherds and women were two categories of people whose testimony was inadmissible in court at that time: legally speaking, they were misfits.

Back in the Old Testament about 1000 years before Jesus was born, God sent the prophet Samuel to choose a successor to King Saul from the sons of Jesse, a farmer who lived near Bethlehem. Jesse brought his 7 oldest sons and presented them to the prophet, and some of them were pretty striking, but it wasn’t to be one of them. Samuel went down the list but it wasn’t any of them. He paused (probably with a puzzled expression) and asked Jesse, 1Sam 16:11 “‘Are these all the sons you have?’ ‘There is still the youngest,’ Jesse answered, ‘but he is tending the sheep.’” David was the ‘runt of the litter’ (so to speak) - the youngest, #8 son, overlooked – in that sense he was a ‘misfit’ - but that’s the one God chose to lead the nation. 2Sam 7:8b [God says] “I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel.” (As if to say - ‘You were a nobody, and I lifted you up to the top position of power!’) God chooses the misfits.

There’s a very familiar prophecy used all the time at Christmas that we don’t think much about. Micah foretold the Messiah would come from Bethlehem. Listen closely for the ‘misfit’ phrase: Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Though you are small, though you’re the least – you’re not amongst the more prominent: you might be overlooked, you’re a ‘misfit’ in power-terms.

Yet this is how God works. He delights to use those we wouldn’t normally expect, because that shows it’s HIS power and accomplishment not theirs, it brings HIM glory.

Mary Jesus’ mother sings, Lk 1:48a,52 “for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant...He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.”

Tax collectors were amongst the most despised people in first-century Palestine because they dared to collaborate with the hated Roman overlords – and profited from it. Yet we see in Mt 9:9, “As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” That despised man and Luke are the two men to whom we owe our accounts of Jesus’ birth, the Christmas story. Jesus calls and transforms the misfits.

Gamaliel’s keenest student Saul would have been voted by his classmates “most likely to stomp out errant cults and sects”. Saul was throwing Christians into jail and dragging them before the religious courts for punishment. But Jesus stopped him in his tracks on the road to Damascus and opened Saul’s eyes to become Paul, the dynamic evangelist to whom we owe much of the New Testament. Later Paul would write to his protege Timothy: 1Tim 1:15-16 “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners— of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”

On the scale of holiness, Saul/Paul was a misfit – ‘I am the worst’, he ranked right at the very bottom. But God chose this misfit so the wonderfulness of God’s patience and mercy would be obvious, highlighting the beauty of God’s glory.

The shepherds found a baby lying in a manger, wrapped in cloths, just as the angels had said they would. That baby was somehow at the same time both Son of Man and Son of God. At the end of His life, that baby would become marked with scars by the way He died, for your sins and mine. After His resurrection, to prove to His disciples it was really Him, He said: Lk 24:39 “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” The nail-marks proved He had suffered and borne the cost so we might be redeemed from being misfits, and made holy, sanctified through faith in His blood, thus put right with God.

My oldest daughter Emily married a man from Alberta; Trent’s sisters live in Spruce Grove, about 20 minutes west of Edmonton. Next town west is Stony Plain. Recently in the news, a man from Stony Plain did something remarkable. Derek Prue Sr had an eight-year-old son Derek Prue Jr, who had a large birthmark (sort of a brown spot) that covered a large portion of his torso [photo]. Derek Jr ‘was a little bit self conscious about it’ (in his father’s words). I myself have a small birthmark on the middle toe of my left foot, and I’ve always been a bit self-conscious about it, too; what would it be like to have such a large one? Would you feel a bit like a ‘misfit’ whenever you went swimming or played sports with your shirt off?

Recently Derek Jr was in for a big surprise. While he was playing in the pool at a hotel, his dad took off his shirt and revealed he had exactly the same markings on his own chest, too! Unbeknownst to his son, Derek Sr had gone to a tattoo artist and over 9 sittings, enduring about 30 hours of pain, the dad had been given a similar marking to his son. Derek Sr had to be frozen multiple times to be able to stand the pain.

What’s my point? (Not that we should or shouldn’t be getting tattoos!) The father identified with the son to the point of taking his mark on himself, through a very painful process. It brought them together in a very special kind of way. Derek Jr can be heard in a video captured by the family when Dad revealed his marking, “That’s cool!”

The only way a perfect and holy God could make relationship with us possible was to send Jesus in human form, as a little baby, who would become a ‘misfit’ like us, a friend of ‘misfits’, and at the end become marked for our sins. At Christmas, the baby in the manger is the Lord God Almighty identifying with us sinners, redeeming us. In the marks of Jesus the Crucified and Risen One we appreciate the pain and suffering He went through to bring us to Himself. Those marks are beautiful, His glory, the proof of forgiveness for us misfits! Let’s pray.

Thank you Lord for the miracle of Christmas – holy God becoming incarnate, taking on our nature, becoming like us to save us. Thank You that the manger points to the cross: that You Jesus love us so much as to die for us, in our place, making it possible for us to receive You into our lives and live with You forever. Like the shepherds, help us share widely the marvelous news of Your grace and goodness. In Christ’s name, Amen.