mercy

So that you may not claim to be wiser than you are, brothers and sisters, I want you to understand this mystery: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved; as it is written, “Out of Zion will come the Deliverer; he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.” “And this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” As regards the gospel they are enemies of God for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved, for the sake of their ancestors; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all. O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him, to receive a gift in return?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:25-36, NRSV)

Why are you a part of the covenant?

Is it your birth right?

Did you do the right things to be included?

Israel is included even though they are an enemy of God according to the gospel, but according to the election of God, they are chosen. And we who are not a part of Israel are included because of the gospel, and the election of God.

You see it is all based on mercy. God’s mercy freely given to those whom He chooses and those whom He chooses will choose to follow Him.

So rely on God’s mercy and know it is not of your own doing that you are chosen!

All are welcome…

Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to discuss this question with the apostles and the elders. So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the believers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses.” The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “My brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers. And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us. Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written, ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I will set it up, so that all other peoples may seek the Lord— even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called. Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things known from long ago.’ Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood. For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.” (Acts 15:1-21, NRSV)

Who is welcome to be a part of the fellowship?

Certain individuals said, that “unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” But others said the Holy Spirit was present and that the foreskin doesn’t matter.

So who is welcome in your place of worship?

At the first congregation, I was pastor at, the pastor before me had a statement which I believe he adapted from another congregation for the congregation he was serving then. I read the statement and I agreed with it. Now I still have this statement and I take it with me to every congregation I go to. Now everyone in all of my congregations do not agree with the statement I am sure, and the only one it was officially a statement of the congregation was my first call, Hosanna Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, OH.

I include it here because I believe this is the statement the early church was getting to in the acceptance by those of the covenant from old of those newly accepted by the Spirit who did not have the physical sign of circumcision.

We at Hosanna proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and the new life he brings. We welcome all to join with us in our journey of faith.

May God give us the grace to welcome and forgive one another as Christ has welcomed and forgiven us. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son to die for it.” (John 3:16)

We want it to be known that “we are justified by the grace of God, which is a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 3:20)

We want it to be known that those of different nationality, ethnicity, culture and heritage are welcome here.

We want it to be known that those who suffer from addiction to drugs and alcohol (whether they are recovering or not) and their families are welcome here.

We want it to be known that women and children are welcome here and that they will not be harassed or abused.

We want it to be known that in this congregation you can bring children to worship and, even if they cry during the entire service, they are welcome here.

We want it to be known that those who are single by choice, by divorce, or through the death of a spouse are welcome here.

We want it to be known that if you are promiscuous, have had an abortion, or have fathered children and taken no responsibility for them, you are welcome here.

We want it to be known that gossips, cheats, liars, and their families are welcome here.

We want it to be known that those who are disobedient to their parents and who have family problems are welcome here.

We want it to be known that gays, lesbians, and members of their families are welcome here.

We want it to be known that we offer hope to the hurting, refreshment to the ones who are tired, encouragement to those who are overworked in busy lives and renewal to the people who are “burned out.”

We want it to be known that we take seriously the apostle Paul’s statement, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) The young and the old, the rich and the poor, all of the broken are welcome here.

We offer welcome here because we believe that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly,” (Romans 5:8) that is, us. Christ did not die for us after we showed signs of “getting it all together.” Christ loved us and still loves us while we are yet sinners. Sinners are welcome here, sinners like you and me and our neighbors. Let us not condemn the world, but let us proclaim God’s forgiveness and grace to a broken and hurting world.

We want it to be known that, since we are a sinful people, we will not always be as quick to welcome as we should. Let us be quick to admit our sin and seek forgiveness.

We want it to be known that we do not think that we have all of the answers. We are merely travelers on the journey. We invite you to join us as fellow travelers in the journey. You are welcome and are invited to join us as we seek God’s grace together.

Sincerely,

Hosanna Lutheran Church

open door

But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. Then they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the city. The next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. After they had proclaimed the good news to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, then on to Iconium and Antioch. There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.” And after they had appointed elders for them in each church, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe. Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had completed. When they arrived, they called the church together and related all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles. And they stayed there with the disciples for some time. (Acts 14:19-28, NRSV)

God had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles!

God has made a way for everyone to be included and to know they are welcome!

Through the crowds stoning Paul and thinking he is dead, and he rising up and continuing what God had called him to. And because of this, a door is opened for all to come to the mercy of God…

Are you ready to do what God has called you to?

 

Gathered

Thus says the Lord: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. Happy is the mortal who does this, the one who holds it fast, who keeps the sabbath, not profaning it, and refrains from doing any evil. Do not let the foreigner joined to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely separate me from his people”; and do not let the eunuch say, “I am just a dry tree.” For thus says the Lord: To the eunuchs who keep my sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, I will give, in my house and within my walls, a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered. (Isaiah 56:1-8, NRSV)

All who believe and follow after me will be gathered together and they will not be cut off. It doesn’t matter if they are part of the children of Israel or an outsider, a foreigner, a eunuch, or whatever. If they believe and follow after my decrees, then they are included.

So know if you believe and follow you will not be cut off!

Healing for all

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy.Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, ‘If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.’ So Naaman went in and told his lord just what the girl from the land of Israel had said. And the king of Aram said, ‘Go then, and I will send along a letter to the king of Israel.’ He went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of garments. He brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, ‘When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you my servant Naaman, that you may cure him of his leprosy.’ When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, ‘Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me.’ But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, ‘Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel.’ So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.’ But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, ‘I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?’ He turned and went away in a rage. But his servants approached and said to him, ‘Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, “Wash, and be clean”?’ So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean. (2 Kings 5:1-14, NRSV)

This is an interesting story of a foreigner who is cleansed by God but is upset at the method of the cleansing.

Are not Abana and Pharpar rivers better than all the waters of Israel? Really? You have a skin disease and a prophet has given you the cure, by going and washing in a river 7 times and it will be gone but you need to complain about the river the prophet sent you to!

This story shows the over arching love of God for all of His creation!

the dogs

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly. (Matthew 15:21-28, NRSV)

What was Jesus saying?

We need to remember here that in this region of the world at Jesus’ time dogs were mostly wild scavengers, and a Canaanite was a Gentile and an outsider living in a mostly Jewish area. However, the term that Jesus uses for dog is one that is more a term for a domesticated pet you would have affection for. Does that make it right? Maybe, maybe not, but Jesus came to the lost sheep of Israel to call them back, and it was not yet time for the gentiles to be included. But When Jesus sees the faith of this woman who has made her home among the lost sheep, Jesus “throws her a bone” (pun intended). He saw in her the faith he wanted to see in the lost sheep.

Does He see that faith in you?

Peace

Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin. You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation towards us. Will you be angry with us for ever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, so that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps. (Psalm 85, NRSV)

God will bring peace in His time. Let us all pray this psalm so that God’s time would make more sense to us.

Let your peace come o Lord!

Who can be saved?

Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that ‘the person who does these things will live by them.’ But the righteousness that comes from faith says, ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?” ’ (that is, to bring Christ down) ‘or “Who will descend into the abyss?” ’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ (Romans 10:5-15, NRSV)

Who can be saved?

The person who keeps the law?

The person who loves all?

The white person?

The black person?

The Asian person?

The ______ person?

The straight person?

the homosexual person?

This simply says if you confess (say) that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart the promises, you are saved. Doesn’t matter anything else. If you believe in your heart and say that, then all is done for you.

Everyone can be saved. Just believe the promises and tell the world!

Flood

In the six-hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. The rain fell on the earth for forty days and forty nights. On the very same day Noah with his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons, entered the ark, they and every wild animal of every kind, and all domestic animals of every kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every bird of every kind—every bird, every winged creature. They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in. The flood continued for forty days on the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. The waters swelled and increased greatly on the earth; and the ark floated on the face of the waters. The waters swelled so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered; the waters swelled above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep. And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, domestic animals, wild animals, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all human beings; everything on dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, human beings and animals and creeping things and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those that were with him in the ark. And the waters swelled on the earth for one hundred and fifty days. But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and all the domestic animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided; the fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, and the waters gradually receded from the earth. At the end of one hundred and fifty days the waters had abated; and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The waters continued to abate until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains appeared. (Genesis 7:11–8:5, NRSV)

We think of the Noah and the flood story as a great children’s story. But remember the world was fully populated, not as high as today, but the only people who survived were Noah, his wife, and the sons and their wives and the animals. Everyone else did not survive…

Noah followed after God, and the promise of love followed through Noah.  And God remembered them and stopped the rain and let the boat find land…

God is good to His promises.

little faith

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A gale arose on the lake, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’ (Matthew 8:23-27, NRSV)

If Jesus is asleep is anything really going to happen to them? Plus if he is able to sleep, how bad can the storm be any how?

We always seem to see the waves as bigger than they are. Problems seem over whelming, but if we can let Jesus walk with us through life, our problems will be under control. Not that we won’t have problems or waves anymore, Jesus never said that He would take the storm away, but that He would be with us through the storm.

So let Him calm you and the waves… and have a little faith in Him!