Thoughts from aSacredRebel following the SacredRebel
But I call upon God,
and the LORD will save me.
Evening and morning and at noon
I utter my complaint and moan,
and he will hear my voice.
He will redeem me unharmed
from the battle that I wage,
for many are arrayed against me.
(Psalm 55:16-18, NRSV)
I will call upon God who will always hear me.
He will always listen to my call Morning, Noon, or Night!
He will keep me unharmed even with the world raging battle against me!
I am safe in the hands of my Lord!
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:15-17, NRSV)
How many of us agree with Paul’s line here, that Christ came into the world to save sinner, or which I am the foremost!
Not that Paul is the foremost sinner, but I am.
Right we all think that we are the worst sinner that ever walked the face of the earth. And we read Paul’s words here and say, “Yes I am the worst!”
But here is what we miss, or over look, that even if we think we are the worst sinner, Christ died for us, and we received mercy so that, in us the worst sinner, Christ would be made known to the world through us. We would be an example to the patience and love of Christ.
So even if you are the worst, you are a beacon of hope to the world!
The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7-11, NRSV)
Why do you serve?
Do you do things so others will see you and give you credit?
Do you do things so others will see you and call you a good person?
When ever we do something we should do it as God is working in and through us and serve others, not for glory but so that God gets the glory.
At each baptism we do, there is the line as the candle is given to the parent/God-parent of the child, “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to our Father in heaven!”
Let you light shine, but so that God gets the glory!
Let Him be glorified!
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:13-14, NRSV)
Martin Luther wrote in On Christian Liberty “A Christian is perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all.”
You see we are free in Christ.
Yet this freedom is not something we should exploit. We are free to do as we see, but because of this freedom and the love that set us free, we are moved to serve all.
So that the law of loving your neighbor as yourself might be fulfilled!
A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. (Luke 22:24-27, NRSV)
Jesus gave us an example and lived here as one who should have been served, yet served those around Him.
He left the table, tied a cloth around His waist and washed the feet of the disciples.
He fed the multitudes.
He did what no king did before, or has since.
He showed us that serving others is the way to live.
So change the world!
For thus says the LORD:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
“Save, O LORD, your people,
the remnant of Israel.”
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
those with child and those in labor, together;
a great company, they shall return here.
With weeping they shall come,
and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.
(Jeremiah 31:7-9, NRSV)
Shout with a loud voice because God is going to ransom His chosen people from the ends of the earth and bring them together!
He will be with them and will water what needs water and feed what needs fed!
He will make certain we do not stumble and He will be with us!
God will bring the remnants together and we will be His people!
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:35-45, NRSV)
If you want to be first you will be last.
In the world people lord over others, and the more power we can get the better. So in the eyes of the world the more power you have the better and the more people you control makes you have more status.
But in God’s kingdom if you want to be first, you have to be last, and servant to all.
You see Jesus came to serve all people and to be an example to us on how to live our lives.
So if you are in a position of power, do not use it to lord over others, but follow His example to be a servant leader and show those who are under you a way to live and work and be.
Show the world that a life of service is not punishment, but is what God called us to, for by serving others, others will serve you.
Do not be afraid when some become rich,
when the wealth of their houses increases.
For when they die they will carry nothing away;
their wealth will not go down after them.
Though in their lifetime they count themselves happy
—for you are praised when you do well for yourself—
they will go to the company of their ancestors,
who will never again see the light.
Mortals cannot abide in their pomp;
they are like the animals that perish.
(Psalm 49:16-20, NRSV)
Do not seek to make more for yourself here unless that is to help further the kingdom of God.
And do not be jealous of others when their wealth increases, because no matter ow many toys you have, you can’t take them with you!
Do not count yourself happy because of your possessions, but count yourself happy that you are known by God and are chosen by Him to be His child!
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to observe your righteous ordinances.
I am severely afflicted;
give me life, O LORD, according to your word.
Accept my offerings of praise, O LORD,
and teach me your ordinances.
I hold my life in my hand continually,
but I do not forget your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me,
but I do not stray from your precepts.
Your decrees are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, to the end.
(Psalm 119:105-112, NRSV)
Have you ever stumbled in the dark?
Ran into a couch?
Or a chair?
Or an ottoman?
Stubbed your toe and probably said something you shouldn’t have…
It is hard to walk in the dark.
But just a single match will push the darkness away, and that is the word of God for our lives.
It is a light to guide our feet and to make our way clearer.
So light the light and allow His word to permeate your life!
Oh, how I love your law!
It is my meditation all day long.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is always with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your decrees are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.
I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
I do not turn away from your ordinances,
for you have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.
(Psalm 119:97-104, NRSV)
God’s word is sweet, sweeter than honey to my mouth.
Well sweets really aren’t my thing. I’m not a big chocolate fan, and I can really do without candy.
But bacon! Ohhh I love bacon.
So to me God’s word is like bacon!
It is that thing that is so sweet to taste and keeps me coming back for more, that thing I can’t get enough of.
That is what God’s word should be for us!
aSacredRebel