Confused

After eating, he regained his strength. He stayed with the disciples in Damascus for several days. Right away, he began to preach about Jesus in the synagogues. “He is God’s Son,” he declared. Everyone who heard him was baffled. They questioned each other, “Isn’t he the one who was wreaking havoc among those in Jerusalem who called on this name? Hadn’t he come here to take those same people as prisoners to the chief priests?” But Saul grew stronger and stronger. He confused the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. After this had gone on for some time, the Jews hatched a plot to kill Saul. However, he found out about their scheme. They were keeping watch at the city gates around the clock so they could assassinate him. But his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the city wall. When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him. They didn’t believe he was really a disciple. Then Barnabas brought Saul to the apostles and told them the story about how Saul saw the Lord on the way and that the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them about the confidence with which Saul had preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus. After this, Saul moved freely among the disciples in Jerusalem and was speaking with confidence in the name of the Lord. He got into debates with the Greek-speaking Jews as well, but they tried to kill him. When the family of believers learned about this, they escorted him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. God strengthened the church, and its life was marked by reverence for the Lord. Encouraged by the Holy Spirit, the church continued to grow in numbers. (Acts 9:19b-31, CEB)

Have you ever heard the story about the person going to heaven and everyone was staring at them. They saw people they did not expect to see but everyone looked at them in wonder. They finally asked, “Why is everyone staring at me?” The response came, “No one expected you to be here.”

We are confused when we see someone acting in a way we don’t remember or expect. We think we know people and that they will never change.

Saul was met by Jesus and was changed. Saul no longer was looking to stop followers of the way, but now was a follower of the way. The disciples may not have heard of his transformation and that is why they were hesitant. But we always need to be open to God changing lives and people changing.

We all change as we grow deeper in our faith and love of God and are moved to love the world more like Jesus.

Be open to people changing.

God changed you. God can change others.

Loving People. Loving God.

Love like Peter…

Later, Jesus himself appeared again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This is how it happened: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two other disciples were together. Simon Peter told them, “I’m going fishing.” They said, “We’ll go with you.” They set out in a boat, but throughout the night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn’t realize it was Jesus. Jesus called to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” He said, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” So they did, and there were so many fish that they couldn’t haul in the net. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they weren’t far from shore, only about one hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire there, with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you’ve just caught.” Simon Peter got up and pulled the net to shore. It was full of large fish, one hundred fifty-three of them. Yet the net hadn’t torn, even with so many fish. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples could bring themselves to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” He asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was sad that Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” He replied, “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. I assure you that when you were younger you tied your own belt and walked around wherever you wanted. When you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and another will tie your belt and lead you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to show the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. After saying this, Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me.” (John 21:1-19, CEB)

Here is the restoration of Simon Peter. Remember at the High Priest’s home Peter denied he knew Jesus three times. So here Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him.

But it really goes deeper than that. In English we have one word for love. Love covers all the different types of love. Romantic, friendship, unconditional. They all fall under the word love. But Greek has four different words for love. Eros, which is erotic love, not used in the New Testament. Storge which is familial love. Philos which is brotherly love. (Fun fact Philadelphia is the city of Brotherly Love and that is literally what Philadelphia means in Greek, Philo – Brotherly Love and Adelpho – city.) and the last word for love in the Greek if Agape – unconditional love. John 3:16 for God so Agaped the world. Unconditionally loved…

So in our text here what are the love words used?

Jesus asks Peter. Peter do you agape me? Peter replies yes Lord I philo you.

The second time Jesus asks, Peter do you agape me? Yes Lord you know I philo you.

The third time Jesus asks, Peter do you philo me? Yes lord you know I philo you.

Jesus asks if Peter loves him unconditionally but Peter can only reply he loves Jesus as a brother.

How do we love Jesus?

Know Jesus’ love is not dependent on ours for him.

Love like Jesus. And when you can’t do that, love like Peter.

Loving People. Loving God.

Who do you invite?

Then Jesus said to the person who had invited him, “When you host a lunch or dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers and sisters, your relatives, or rich neighbors. If you do, they will invite you in return and that will be your reward. Instead, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind. And you will be blessed because they can’t repay you. Instead, you will be repaid when the just are resurrected.” (Luke 14:12-14, CEB)

When you have a dinner do you invite the people that can invite you back or those who no one else would invite?

We are supposed to give to those in need, the last, least, lost, and little, the ones everyone else ignores, but God sees and loves.

We do not need to be repaid here. For us showing love is what we are called to do.

So love and do not worry about receiving. For in giving, you shall receive.

Loving People. Loving God.

250502

After this I looked and there was a door that had been opened in heaven. The first voice that I had heard, which sounded like a trumpet, said to me, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in a Spirit-inspired trance and I saw a throne in heaven, and someone was seated on the throne. The one seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and surrounding the throne was a rainbow that looked like an emerald. Twenty-four thrones, with twenty-four elders seated upon them, surrounded the throne. The elders were dressed in white clothing and had gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came lightning, voices, and thunder. In front of the throne were seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God. Something like a glass sea, like crystal, was in front of the throne. In the center, by the throne, were four living creatures encircling the throne. These creatures were covered with eyes on the front and on the back. The first living creature was like a lion. The second living creature was like an ox. The third living creature had a face like a human being. And the fourth living creature was like an eagle in flight. Each of the four living creatures had six wings, and each was covered all around and on the inside with eyes. They never rest day or night, but keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is coming.” Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, who lives forever and always, the twenty-four elders fall before the one seated on the throne. They worship the one who lives forever and always. They throw down their crowns before the throne and say, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, because you created all things. It is by your will that they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:1-11, CEB)

I was in a spirit inspired trance? And the seven torches are the seven spirits of God?

The four living creatures were covered with eyes on their front and their backs.

A Lion covered in eyes.
An Ox covered in eyes.
A Human face covered in eyes.
An Eagle flying covered in eyes.

Is this supposed to bring me joy or peace, because this gives me the Willy’s and really creeps me out.

This is a vision of heaven, in a spirit inspired trance.

I honestly am not sure what to make of this. And I think anyone who thinks they completely understand this vision is making it fit into their world vision and not living in the reality of a spirit inspired trance.

Know we do not have to completely understand all of scripture to let it point us to who God is calling us to be in the world.

Love like Jesus.

Loving People. Loving God.

lukewarm

“Write this to the angel of the church in Laodicea:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your works. You are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I’m about to spit you out of my mouth. After all, you say, ‘I’m rich, and I’ve grown wealthy, and I don’t need a thing.’ You don’t realize that you are miserable, pathetic, poor, blind, and naked. My advice is that you buy gold from me that has been purified by fire so that you may be rich, and white clothing to wear so that your nakedness won’t be shamefully exposed, and ointment to put on your eyes so that you may see. I correct and discipline those whom I love. So be earnest and change your hearts and lives. Look! I’m standing at the door and knocking. If any hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to be with them, and will have dinner with them, and they will have dinner with me. As for those who emerge victorious, I will allow them to sit with me on my throne, just as I emerged victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” (Revelation 3:14-22, CEB)

You think you have all the answers and know the right things to say and force everyone else to follow your ways and do things the way you think they should be done. You are Lukewarm and causing issues.

You got just enough understanding of how God calls us to live to think you know it all.

But your hearts are not changed and you are not actually loving like God asked you to, you are keeping the status quo in place.

Love radically and change the world. Do not keep normal in place.

Love like Jesus. Do not be lukewarm.

Loving People. Loving God.

fear

“I tell you, my friends, don’t be terrified by those who can kill the body but after that can do nothing more. I’ll show you whom you should fear: fear the one who, after you have been killed, has the authority to throw you into hell. Indeed, I tell you, that’s the one you should fear. Aren’t five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them is overlooked by God. Even the hairs on your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before humans, the Human One will acknowledge before God’s angels. But the one who rejects me before others will be rejected before God’s angels. Anyone who speaks a word against the Human One will be forgiven, but whoever insults the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven. When they bring you before the synagogues, rulers, and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what you should say. The Holy Spirit will tell you at that very moment what you must say.” (Luke 12:4-12, CEB)

Jesus tells us to fear God here. And I find that troubling. And the word in the original language is fear. One of the figurative extensions of the word is “to have profound reverence and respect for deity, with the implication of awe bordering on fear — ‘to reverence, to worship.’” God is a loving God who is patient to wait for all to see and understand the love, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Why would we fear this?

If it is awe or reverence, then that is different. Because God loves all of us and doesn’t want any to perish.

Reverence God and love all of creation.

Loving People. Loving God.

suffer

“Write this to the angel of the church in Smyrna:
These are the words of the one who is the first and the last, who died and came back to life: I know your hardship and poverty (though you are actually rich). I also know the hurtful things that have been spoken about you by those who say they are Jews (though they are not, but are really Satan’s synagogue). Don’t be afraid of what you are going to suffer. Look! The devil is going to throw some of you into prison in order to test you. You will suffer hardship for ten days. Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Those who emerge victorious won’t be hurt by the second death. (Revelation 2:8-11, CEB)

Do not be afraid of what you are going to suffer. People will say all sorts of things about you as you stand up for what God has called you to stand for. But you will emerge victorious. And those who emerge victorious won’t be hurt by the second death.

We might suffer for our faith, but death is not the end; it is a step to eternity with God. Know God is always with you.

Love like Jesus and always speak truth.

Loving People. Loving God.

Alive!

I, John, your brother who shares with you in the hardship, kingdom, and endurance that we have in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and my witness about Jesus. I was in a Spirit-inspired trance on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice that sounded like a trumpet. It said, “Write down on a scroll whatever you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” I turned to see who was speaking to me, and when I turned, I saw seven oil lamps burning on top of seven gold stands. In the middle of the lampstands I saw someone who looked like the Human One. He wore a robe that stretched down to his feet, and he had a gold sash around his chest. His head and hair were white as white wool—like snow—and his eyes were like a fiery flame. His feet were like fine brass that has been purified in a furnace, and his voice sounded like rushing water. He held seven stars in his right hand, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword. His appearance was like the sun shining with all its power. When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. But he put his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, but look! Now I’m alive forever and always. I have the keys of Death and the Grave. So write down what you have seen, both the scene now before you and the things that are about to unfold after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands, here is what they mean: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:9-20, CEB)

The figure that greets John in the vision says he was dead but now is alive forever!

We have eternal life through Jesus, who came to show us how to love and how to live, and has made a place for us in all of eternity.

This vision is one of Hope, and the hope starts right here. Death is not the end; it is a step, for Jesus and for all of us.

Hope! Because he is alive, now and forever!

Loving People. Loving God.

disbelief!

It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.” Thomas, the one called Didymus, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.” After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!” Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.” Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name (John 20:19-31, CEB)

Finally, a translation that gets it closer to what the original language said. (Notice I didn’t say right, because we are still dealing with stories written a really long time ago in a language that is dead.)

This passage has been known as the doubting Thomas passage, which gives Thomas a bad rap. The passage usually has Jesus saying to Thomas, “Do not doubt but believe.” Theissues with this is the original langauage is ἄπιστος ἀλλὰ πιστός. In the original language, placing an α in front of a word was the same as in English putting an un in front of a word. And πιστός means faith, belief, trust. So if we say Jesus said, “Do not doubt, but believe.” We are saying doubt is the opposite of faith or belief. Which I do not think doubt is the opposite of faith, that is certainty. But the translation above says, “No more disbelief. Believe!”
Do not be unbelieving but believing!
Do not be untrusting but trusting!
Do not be unfaithful but faithful!

Believe in the promises. Jesus told us, God is faithful!

Loving People. Loving God.

Doubt

While they were saying these things, Jesus himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” They were terrified and afraid. They thought they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you startled? Why are doubts arising in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet. It’s really me! Touch me and see, for a ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones like you see I have.” As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. (Luke 24:36-40, CEB)

Why do you think I may not be real is what Jesus said to them, which is translated, why are doubts arising in your hearts. The word there means “to think that something may not be true or certain — ‘to doubt, to be uncertain about, doubt.’”

Why do we doubt the promises God gives us? We can not see them or prove them, but isn’t that what faith is? Belief in something I can not prove is faith. And doubt is not the opposite of faith; certainty is.

Doubt pushes me to discover and learn. Certainty tells me what is true and not and leaves no room for faith.

The disciples were certain Jesus was dead and could not be standing in front of them, but faith said he was there.

Do not be certain, live in faith.

Loving People. Loving God.