Preaching the Gospel

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, 3and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. 8Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. 13I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory. (Ephesians 3:1-13, NRSV)

Paul thought he was the chief of sinners and the least saint in the church. He thought he had done too much wrong to be in the light of Christ, yet Paul was the most prolific speaker of the gospel in his time. He helped gather congregations all over the known world and helped people hear the great news of how much God loved them. Because God could love Paul, God could love anyone.

And God will use all of us to tell the world about God’s love. God will speak through each of our lives to tell of the wonderful love that Christ brought for all of us.

Allow God to speak through your life and let God’s light shine so the darkness ios expelled and God’s love is made known.

Christ is our Peace

11So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision” —a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— 12remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. 15He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God. (Ephesians 2:11-22, NRSV)

God made a way for all of us to be included, not just those who are the chosen people by birth, but all of us. We who were once without hope, now have hope.

God made a way for all of us to obtain salvation and to be a part of the covenant.

So know no one is too far gone for God to reach down and pick them up and make them a part of the promise. You have never gone too far for God to reach you.

Grace through Faith

You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,7so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. (Ephesians 2:1-10, NRSV)

We were not saved by anything we have done. This passage clearly states twice that we are saved by grace. By the gift of God. When we were dead in sin and far from God, we were lifted up out of the mire through the faithfulness of Jesus.

We are saved by grace, and that is the gift of God so none of us can boast that we did it.

But it doesn’t stop there, and just because we can not do anything to earn that grace does not mean there isn’t anything for us to do. Verse 10 clearly states that we were lifted out of the mire to do good works, works God had prepared for us in advance of the grace to show God’s love to the world.

So thank God you do not have to earn your salvation, but go into the world and share God’s love because of your salvation!

A Prayer for the Church

15I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:15–23, NRSV)

There are probably not words that are said more often, and not done then I’ll pray for you.

Have you ever said, “I’ll pray for you.” and then never prayed for the person?

The author of Ephesians says that they do not cease giving thanks for the people of the church of Ephesus in prayer. The author prays that God will enliven their spirits and give them wisdom and revelation, that their eyes would be opened. And they would be closer to God and be His agents in the world.

But we tell people, I’ll pray for you, and do we? Do we understand the power of prayer or what it is if we say we will do it but we don’t?

And why do we wait? When someone asks for prayer, just do it with them right there right then. We are so worried about the words and what others will think but think of the witness! And just say, “dear Jesus, you know what ____ needs right now. Be with them in this time and give them peace.” Keep it simple, and just show the world the power of prayer.

Blessed by Christ

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:1-14, NRSV)

We have been destined for adoption by God.

Meaning we were not part, but God made us part of the promise. We have been brought into the family and not just included, but made a part of the family.

Jesus has cleansed us of our wrongdoing and made us able to stand before God.

We are His because He made us His.

Remember you are blessed!

The Prodigal Son

11Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.25“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’” (Luke 15:11-32, NRSV)

I love this chapter of Luke. It is the chapter of Lost things. Or things that run away. But the first two stories are about a sheep, which can run away, and a coin, which really can not on its own decide to run away.

So is this story above actually about the son?

Just like the first story about the sheep and the second about the coin.

No, the first story starts, “there was a shepherd who had 100 sheep…” and the second story starts,  “there was a woman who had 10 coins…”

The first story is about the shepherd and the second story is about the woman, and the story above while it has the son who went away in it, is not about the son, but someone else. You see the story begins, “there was a man who had 2 sons…” The story is about the man.

The man who dishonors himself by allowing his youngest son to say he is dead to him and gives him his share of the estate. The money he would have gotten when his father was actually dead. And how the father dishonored himself even more by running to the younger son upon his return and giving him the ring of the household, one of the father’s own robes and sandals which said he was a member of the family and not a slave of the household. A story about a man who dishonors himself again by leaving the party when the older son was throwing a fit. This is the story of a man who would do anything for his children. This is the story of a Father who would give up His only Son so that all might be with Him.

This is a story of how much God loves you and will give to be with you.

God is running after you. Let God Love You.

Apostles’ Creed Article 3

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. (Acts 2:1-18, NRSV)

At the weekly Bible study, I attend where we look at the upcoming Sunday’s text someone at the study asked me if I believed that this actually happened. I said yes I believe it happened, and they proceeded to say well I guess it really doesn’t matter if it actually happened or not.

And in some sense, it doesn’t matter if it happened exactly like this. The point is that the good news of the story of Jesus and the giving of the Holy Spirit are too good to keep to our selves, and we have to share it with everyone. Meaning we have to overcome language and communication barriers that prevent that. And I believe that God will overcome these for us if we allow Him.

So the disciples were speaking in their own tongue but everyone heard it in their own tongue. Miracle. And God still does it.

Believe it. And speak it. Share the good news with everyone!

Are you practicing?

It is that time of year that parents rejoice and some youth don’t like. It is back to school.

As if learning is something we only do from Kindergarten through college graduation! If that were only true, the only time we stop learning is when we are dead! And even then I bet we will learn something in the great wonderful eternity we get to spend with God.

So back to school and back to learning new things, deepening our faith and growing closer to God.

The book Frog’s Without Legs Can’t Hear, Nurturing Disciples in Home and Congregation starts by asking, “Are we forming faith?”

And that is a great question to always be asking our selves, as faith formation is a process that never ends.

In the book, there is a story about a woman who was in a coffee shop wearing a cross and the young person waiting on her told her he liked her cross and then asked her if she was practicing?

And that is a great question.

You see faith is something we are given by God but is something we are constantly learning about and forming and growing into. And faith is something more than just a belief. It is something that needs to be practiced. Faith is something that if it becomes stagnate will die. It has to move and grow and change with the times and fill in the spaces between us and God and the world around us so that we can all be connected to God. Faith is not something that stays the same but is a living part of us that changes over time.

St. Francis of Assisi is attributed with saying, but didn’t actually say, but really meant something to the effect, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.” You see our lives should be lived in such a way that the good news of Jesus just flows out of everything we do.

So is your life forming faith?

And are you practicing?

A Miraculous Healing During Worship

7On the first day of the week, when we met to break bread, Paul was holding a discussion with them; since he intended to leave the next day, he continued speaking until midnight. 8There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were meeting. 9A young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, began to sink off into a deep sleep while Paul talked still longer. Overcome by sleep, he fell to the ground three floors below and was picked up dead. 10But Paul went down, and bending over him took him in his arms, and said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11Then Paul went upstairs, and after he had broken bread and eaten, he continued to converse with them until dawn; then he left.12Meanwhile they had taken the boy away alive and were not a little comforted. (Acts 20:7-12, NRSV)

Paul was talking so long that a young man fell asleep in the window and fell to his death! That is definitely one thing I have never done, not put someone to sleep, but had them fall to their death!

I am sure someone has fallen asleep while I was speaking though. But can you imagine someone talking about the gospel for that long?

Someone so enthralled with Jesus that they want to talk about Him and the good news for hours upon end?

Think of the subjects you can do this on, and then I wonder if Jesus is one of them and if He isn’t how can we change that?

Jesus should be the most enthralling topic you know so you want to talk about Him all the time.

Can you?

Sabbath Preaching in Corinth

After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3and, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked together—by trade they were tentmakers. 4Every sabbath he would argue in the synagogue and would try to convince Jews and Greeks. 5When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with proclaiming the word, testifying to the Jews that the Messiah was Jesus. 6When they opposed and reviled him, in protest he shook the dust from his clothes and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7Then he left the synagogue and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God; his house was next door to the synagogue. 8Crispus, the official of the synagogue, became a believer in the Lord, together with all his household; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul became believers and were baptized. 9One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent;10for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you, for there are many in this city who are my people.” 11He stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (Acts 18:1-11, NRSV)

Do not be afraid to speak and do not be silent!

God wants us to share the good news, the wonderful news that Jesus came and lived among us and was killed because he opposed the authorities and loved all people. And he rose from the dead and went back to be with the Father and made a way for all of us to be with God.

We should share this with everyone, and if they won’t listen, then shake the dust off your feet and move on to tell others, but don’t be silent, tell the word about God’s love.

Speak the truth in love and share the Good News of Jesus Christ!