Good afternoon brothers and sisters,
As we think this week about honesty and communication, this passage and those that follow in Acts are helpful. When the church isn't sure what to do about something we're called to pray and discuss with each other the best way to proceed. We find wisdom together as we seek God's guidance. In the case of our story, there was controversy in the church about whether Gentiles needed to become Jewish to be part of the church. As we seek to be faithful to God we are always discerning how to balance God's call to obedience with God's call to everyone.
God bless,
Sam
Acts 15:1-5
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.” 2And 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.
3So 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. 4When 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. 5But 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.”
Showing posts with label obedience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obedience. Show all posts
Friday, May 30, 2014
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
further down the path
Good morning friends,
Today we see Paul speaking again to the Jewish leaders. It's interesting to see how he continues to see that he has a responsibility to honor the leadership in that community, despite sometimes having to go against them. We also see Paul being quite astute here. He sees that the leadership is divided because some are Pharisees and some Sadduccees. He exploits this division by talking about how his Christian faith comes from his background as a Pharisee. That leads some Pharisees to support Paul. The final thing that captures my attention in this passage is God's vision for Paul that he is doing the right thing and will also be God's witness in Rome. Wherever we go, may we be faithful witnesses today.
God bless,
Sam
Today we see Paul speaking again to the Jewish leaders. It's interesting to see how he continues to see that he has a responsibility to honor the leadership in that community, despite sometimes having to go against them. We also see Paul being quite astute here. He sees that the leadership is divided because some are Pharisees and some Sadduccees. He exploits this division by talking about how his Christian faith comes from his background as a Pharisee. That leads some Pharisees to support Paul. The final thing that captures my attention in this passage is God's vision for Paul that he is doing the right thing and will also be God's witness in Rome. Wherever we go, may we be faithful witnesses today.
God bless,
Sam
Acts
22:30-23:11
30Since he wanted
to find out what Paul was being accused of by the Jews, the next day he
released him and ordered the chief priests and the entire council to meet. He
brought Paul down and had him stand before them. While Paul was looking
intently at the council he said, ‘Brothers, up to this day
I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God.’ 2Then the
high priest Ananias ordered those standing near him to strike him on the mouth.
3At this Paul said to him, ‘God will strike you, you whitewashed
wall! Are you sitting there to judge me according to the law, and yet in
violation of the law you order me to be struck?’ 4Those standing
nearby said, ‘Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?’ 5And Paul
said, ‘I did not realize, brothers, that he was high priest; for it is written,
“You shall not speak evil of a leader of your people.” ’
6 When Paul noticed that some
were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, ‘Brothers,
I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the
resurrection of the dead.’ 7When
he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and
the assembly was divided. 8(The Sadducees say that there is no
resurrection, or angel, or spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.)
9Then a great
clamour arose, and certain scribes of the Pharisees’ group stood up and
contended, ‘We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel
has spoken to him?’ 10When the dissension became violent, the
tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to
go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks. 11 That night
the Lord stood near him and said, ‘Keep up your courage! For just as you have
testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.’
Thursday, June 6, 2013
preaching boldly
Good morning friends,
Tuesday we read about how Peter and John healed a man in Christ's name and then proceeded to preach to the crowd about Jesus. Today we see what happens next in the story.
May God give you boldness in your faith today,
Sam
Tuesday we read about how Peter and John healed a man in Christ's name and then proceeded to preach to the crowd about Jesus. Today we see what happens next in the story.
May God give you boldness in your faith today,
Sam
Acts 4:1-20, 23-24, 29-31
While Peter and John were speaking to
the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to
them, 2much annoyed because they were teaching the people and
proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. 3So
they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was
already evening. 4But many of those who heard the word believed; and
they numbered about five thousand.
5The next day their rulers,
elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6with Annas the high
priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly
family. 7When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they
inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy
Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are
questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are
asked how this man has been healed, 10let it be known to all of you,
and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good
health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God
raised from the dead. 11This Jesus is ‘the stone that was rejected
by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’ 12There is
salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among
mortals by which we must be saved.”
13Now when they saw the boldness
of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they
were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. 14When they
saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in
opposition. 15So they ordered them to leave the council while they
discussed the matter with one another.
16They said, “What will we do with
them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has
been done through them; we cannot deny it. 17But to keep it from
spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone
in this name.” 18So they called them and ordered them not to speak
or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered
them, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God,
you must judge; 20for we cannot keep from speaking about what we
have seen and heard.”
23After they were released, they
went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had
said to them. 24When they heard it, they raised their voices
together to God and said, “…29And now, Lord, look at their threats,
and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30while
you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through
the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31When they had prayed, the
place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled
with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.
Friday, March 15, 2013
politics and forgiveness
Good morning brothers and sisters,
It's interesting that our reading for today is about obeying the emperor, since March 15th was the day Julius Caesar was assassinated. The reading itself is challenging because it seems to be a total capitulation to worldly power as it is. Peter, Paul and other early Christian leaders didn't feel called to change the structures of power in the world because they believed the world as we know it was moving quickly to an end. Their guidance is wise in that there are things we can't change, and even the things that are wrong provide an opportunity to live and show our faith.
At the same time, we need to take Peter's language of obedience with a grain of salt. When Peter was ordered by religious leaders to stop preaching Christ, he refused to obey. When he wrote his letters the Roman Empire didn't consistently persecute Christians, but when they did outlaw Christianity, he certainly disobeyed that order as well. Living in some form of democracy as we do, our relationship to power is different too. We make the laws, which means we need to bring our faithful sense of justice and creating a better society to our political responsibilities.
Enough of that. The real reason I included this passage is the end, which focuses on forgiveness. We owe our lives to Jesus who forgives us at great cost. Now we are free to live our lives for the sake of righteousness, trusting in God's love and struggling to make that love real for everyone.
God bless,
Sam
It's interesting that our reading for today is about obeying the emperor, since March 15th was the day Julius Caesar was assassinated. The reading itself is challenging because it seems to be a total capitulation to worldly power as it is. Peter, Paul and other early Christian leaders didn't feel called to change the structures of power in the world because they believed the world as we know it was moving quickly to an end. Their guidance is wise in that there are things we can't change, and even the things that are wrong provide an opportunity to live and show our faith.
At the same time, we need to take Peter's language of obedience with a grain of salt. When Peter was ordered by religious leaders to stop preaching Christ, he refused to obey. When he wrote his letters the Roman Empire didn't consistently persecute Christians, but when they did outlaw Christianity, he certainly disobeyed that order as well. Living in some form of democracy as we do, our relationship to power is different too. We make the laws, which means we need to bring our faithful sense of justice and creating a better society to our political responsibilities.
Enough of that. The real reason I included this passage is the end, which focuses on forgiveness. We owe our lives to Jesus who forgives us at great cost. Now we are free to live our lives for the sake of righteousness, trusting in God's love and struggling to make that love real for everyone.
God bless,
Sam
1 Peter 2:13-25
13For the Lord’s sake accept the authority of
every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, 14or of
governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who
do right. 15For it is God’s will that by doing right you should
silence the ignorance of the foolish. 16As servants of God, live as
free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. 17Honor
everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
18Slaves, accept the authority of your masters
with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who
are harsh. 19For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you
endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20If you endure when you are
beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do
right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval.
21For to this you
have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example,
so that you should follow in his steps. 22“He committed no sin, and
no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23When he was abused, he did not
return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself
to the one who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body
on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his
wounds you have been healed. 25For you were going astray like sheep,
but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
obedience is better than sacrifice
Good evening/morning brothers and sisters,
We read yesterday how Saul and the Israelite army did not totally destroy the Amalekites, but took the best animals. When confronted with this, Saul claims the intention all along was to sacrifice them to God. It's hard to say if he's being honest here. In any case, Samuel claims that sacrifice isn't the most important thing to God; obedience is. In a similar way, all the worship in the world is not as important as following God's calling in our lives. We need to walk the walk and talk the talk.
Blessings,
Sam
We read yesterday how Saul and the Israelite army did not totally destroy the Amalekites, but took the best animals. When confronted with this, Saul claims the intention all along was to sacrifice them to God. It's hard to say if he's being honest here. In any case, Samuel claims that sacrifice isn't the most important thing to God; obedience is. In a similar way, all the worship in the world is not as important as following God's calling in our lives. We need to walk the walk and talk the talk.
Blessings,
Sam
1 Samuel 15:13-23
13When Samuel came to Saul, Saul said to him, “May you be blessed by the Lord; I have carried out the command of the Lord.” 14But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears, and the lowing of cattle that I hear?” 15Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the cattle, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; but the rest we have utterly destroyed.”
16Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! I will tell you what the Lord said to me last night.” He replied, “Speak.” 17Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. 18And the Lord sent you on a mission, and said, ‘Go, utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ 19Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?”
20Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21But from the spoil the people took sheep and cattle, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” 22And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. 23For rebellion is no less a sin than divination, and stubbornness is like iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Saul's fall
Good morning friends,
We've read a bit about the good beginnings of Saul's reign, now we read about how things began to unravel. Remember that the first job of Israel's King is obedience to God. I always feel sorry for Saul in this story because he seems to be trying to do the right thing, but doesn't quite get it right. In this case Samuel, the chief prophet of the land, instructed Saul to wait for him to come to his camp and offer the sacrifice before he went to fight the Philistines. Instead, Saul became scared that his people would leave and didn't wait for Samuel. Fear is a powerful force and it's easy to give in to it. As people of faith we are called to see the world and its risks realistically and follow God's calling in spite of our fear.
God bless,
Sam
We've read a bit about the good beginnings of Saul's reign, now we read about how things began to unravel. Remember that the first job of Israel's King is obedience to God. I always feel sorry for Saul in this story because he seems to be trying to do the right thing, but doesn't quite get it right. In this case Samuel, the chief prophet of the land, instructed Saul to wait for him to come to his camp and offer the sacrifice before he went to fight the Philistines. Instead, Saul became scared that his people would leave and didn't wait for Samuel. Fear is a powerful force and it's easy to give in to it. As people of faith we are called to see the world and its risks realistically and follow God's calling in spite of our fear.
God bless,
Sam
1 Samuel 13:1-14
Saul was...years old when he began to reign; and he reigned...and two years over Israel. 2Saul chose three thousand out of Israel; two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin; the rest of the people he sent home to their tents. 3Jonathan defeated the garrison of the Philistines that was at Geba; and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!” 4When all Israel heard that Saul had defeated the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become odious to the Philistines, the people were called out to join Saul at Gilgal.
5The Philistines mustered to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude; they came up and encamped at Michmash, to the east of Beth-aven. 6When the Israelites saw that they were in distress (for the troops were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns. 7Some Hebrews crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
8He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people began to slip away from Saul. 9So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the offerings of well-being.” And he offered the burnt offering. 10As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived; and Saul went out to meet him and salute him. 11Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul replied, “When I saw that the people were slipping away from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines were mustering at Michmash, 12I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down upon me at Gilgal, and I have not entreated the favor of the Lord’; so I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.”
13Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which he commanded you. The Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever, 14but now your kingdom will not continue; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart; and the Lord has appointed him to be ruler over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
Thursday, May 5, 2011
honorable and obedient
Good morning friends,
It's good to be home and it was great to be away with other pastors. Thanks to you, Laurelton, for providing the opportunity for me to be refreshed and challenged. Today's reading has two main points to make and the second is, well, secondary. The main point is that those of us who have come to trust in Jesus are called to a special mission, to share God's love with others. Our identity comes from our experience of God's love and is for others, not just for us. The main way we share that is by living "honorably" and lovingly.
The second point, which follows from the first, is that we should follow those in authority. That obedience to rulers is part of living in a way that shows love and faith. It's clearly not a blind obedience either, since Peter and the early church as a whole often had to disobey those in authority to stay faithful to God. So we are called to live faith in all we do.
Blessings as you do that,
Sam
1 Peter 2:9-18
9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. 12Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge.
13For the Lord’s sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, 14or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. 15For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. 16As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. 17Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 18Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh.
It's good to be home and it was great to be away with other pastors. Thanks to you, Laurelton, for providing the opportunity for me to be refreshed and challenged. Today's reading has two main points to make and the second is, well, secondary. The main point is that those of us who have come to trust in Jesus are called to a special mission, to share God's love with others. Our identity comes from our experience of God's love and is for others, not just for us. The main way we share that is by living "honorably" and lovingly.
The second point, which follows from the first, is that we should follow those in authority. That obedience to rulers is part of living in a way that shows love and faith. It's clearly not a blind obedience either, since Peter and the early church as a whole often had to disobey those in authority to stay faithful to God. So we are called to live faith in all we do.
Blessings as you do that,
Sam
1 Peter 2:9-18
9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. 12Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge.
13For the Lord’s sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, 14or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. 15For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. 16As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. 17Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 18Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
slavery and freedom
Good morning brothers and sisters,
Paul continues his discussion of leaving sin behind through our relationship with Christ. Here instead of making an analogy with death he talks about slavery and freedom. Once we were slaves to sin because we did "what sin told us to." By following sin's orders we got more and more deeply tied to sin, which leads to death. Now instead of sin we belong to God through Jesus Christ. That means as we follow Jesus we grow in faith and holiness, which leads to true life. Trading sin for God sounds like a great deal to me.
Blessings on your day,
Sam
Romans 6:13-23
13No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. 14For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. 15What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, 18and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
19I am speaking in human terms because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification. 20When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21So what advantage did you then get from the things of which you now are ashamed? The end of those things is death. 22But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul continues his discussion of leaving sin behind through our relationship with Christ. Here instead of making an analogy with death he talks about slavery and freedom. Once we were slaves to sin because we did "what sin told us to." By following sin's orders we got more and more deeply tied to sin, which leads to death. Now instead of sin we belong to God through Jesus Christ. That means as we follow Jesus we grow in faith and holiness, which leads to true life. Trading sin for God sounds like a great deal to me.
Blessings on your day,
Sam
Romans 6:13-23
13No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. 14For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. 15What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, 18and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
19I am speaking in human terms because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification. 20When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21So what advantage did you then get from the things of which you now are ashamed? The end of those things is death. 22But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
who is faithful
Good morning friends,
Happy St. Patrick's Day. Our reading today continues Paul's critique of members of the Jewish community who fail to follow God's law. His point is that we are not right with God because of our religion, but because of our faithfulness. In his time, Jews looked down on gentiles and were proud of their relationship with God. Paul warns them not to count on their traditions if they weren't doing the right things. Those of us who are active in the church now always need to remember this warning too. Being part of the church or synagogue isn't what God cares about, though he does love the church and his people Israel. Instead, God wants us to love him and love others. When people outside the church do the right things, God is pleased. When God's special people do the wrong things; God is disappointed. We're not there yet, but the good news is that God forgives us and calls us again to live a life worthy of our calling.
blessings on your discipleship today,
Sam
Romans 2:17-29
17But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relation to God 18and know his will and determine what is best because you are instructed in the law, 19and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, 21you, then, that teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22You that forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You that boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
25Circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26So, if those who are uncircumcised keep the requirements of the law, will not their uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the law will condemn you that have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical. 29Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart—it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God.
Happy St. Patrick's Day. Our reading today continues Paul's critique of members of the Jewish community who fail to follow God's law. His point is that we are not right with God because of our religion, but because of our faithfulness. In his time, Jews looked down on gentiles and were proud of their relationship with God. Paul warns them not to count on their traditions if they weren't doing the right things. Those of us who are active in the church now always need to remember this warning too. Being part of the church or synagogue isn't what God cares about, though he does love the church and his people Israel. Instead, God wants us to love him and love others. When people outside the church do the right things, God is pleased. When God's special people do the wrong things; God is disappointed. We're not there yet, but the good news is that God forgives us and calls us again to live a life worthy of our calling.
blessings on your discipleship today,
Sam
Romans 2:17-29
17But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relation to God 18and know his will and determine what is best because you are instructed in the law, 19and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, 21you, then, that teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22You that forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You that boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
25Circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26So, if those who are uncircumcised keep the requirements of the law, will not their uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the law will condemn you that have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical. 29Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart—it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God.
Monday, January 31, 2011
slavery and freedom
Good morning friends,
In today's reading Paul urges Christians not to worry about their worldly condition but instead to focus on following Christ. He's right to counsel us to focus on Christ and to remind us that whatever our condition, we can use it for ministry. At the same time Christians are also sometimes called to seek to change their condition and that of the world around us. I think about Christians who advocated for the abolition of slavery or for civil rights. I think about Christians helping to lead people out of the slavery of substance abuse or domestic violence. I also think about Christians seeking an education to further their skills and change their position. All these things express the Christian calling as long as we keep our focus on following Jesus.
It's easy to get so caught up in education or work that we forget those things are part of our discipleship rather than discipleship being a separate part of our lives. Paul's closing advice here is particularly powerful: if we are slaves we are still free in Christ, and if we are free we are still slaves to Christ. "You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters." To that we might add, "Do not become slaves of success, or wealth or popularity or anything else."
May God bless you in your freedom and discipleship today,
Sam
1 Corinthians 7:17-24
17However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. 18Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the commandments of God is everything. 20Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called. 21Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever. 22For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave of Christ. 23You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters. 24In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God.
In today's reading Paul urges Christians not to worry about their worldly condition but instead to focus on following Christ. He's right to counsel us to focus on Christ and to remind us that whatever our condition, we can use it for ministry. At the same time Christians are also sometimes called to seek to change their condition and that of the world around us. I think about Christians who advocated for the abolition of slavery or for civil rights. I think about Christians helping to lead people out of the slavery of substance abuse or domestic violence. I also think about Christians seeking an education to further their skills and change their position. All these things express the Christian calling as long as we keep our focus on following Jesus.
It's easy to get so caught up in education or work that we forget those things are part of our discipleship rather than discipleship being a separate part of our lives. Paul's closing advice here is particularly powerful: if we are slaves we are still free in Christ, and if we are free we are still slaves to Christ. "You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters." To that we might add, "Do not become slaves of success, or wealth or popularity or anything else."
May God bless you in your freedom and discipleship today,
Sam
1 Corinthians 7:17-24
17However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. 18Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the commandments of God is everything. 20Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called. 21Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever. 22For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave of Christ. 23You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters. 24In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God.
Friday, July 30, 2010
killing the prophets
Good morning friends,
While hearing Jesus criticize the Pharisees for their focus on the details of the Law while missing the point, a lawyer complains that Jesus is insulting lawyers as well when he says things like that. (When Luke talks about lawyers here he's talking about experts in the Law of Moses, not secular lawyers.) Jesus responds by making it clear that the "insult" the lawyer complains about isn't by accident. His woes against the lawyers center on the idea that they use the law to make following God harder instead of easier; they keep people out instead of helping them to know God.
Jesus mentions here a tradition he talks about a few times, that the people kill the prophets God sends to call them back to righteousness. He mentions specifically Abel from way back in the beginning who was killed by his brother for bringing God a better offering. He also mentions Zechariah "who perished between the altar and the sanctuary." Zechariah was a priest who served in Judah in the 800's. His ministry was a time of turning away from God to idol worship, and he warned the people to turn back to God. For this ministry he was stoned to death. (The story is in 2 Chronicles 24.) It's hard to listen to voices that tell us we're doing the wrong thing, but often God sends those voices to help us. I pray that we would listen well to criticism and seek to hear what God might be trying to say to us.
Luke 11:45-54
45One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us too.” 46And he said, “Woe also to you lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them. 47Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. 48So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors; for they killed them, and you build their tombs. 49Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ 50so that this generation may be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, 51from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against this generation.
52Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.” 53When he went outside, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile toward him and to cross-examine him about many things, 54lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.
While hearing Jesus criticize the Pharisees for their focus on the details of the Law while missing the point, a lawyer complains that Jesus is insulting lawyers as well when he says things like that. (When Luke talks about lawyers here he's talking about experts in the Law of Moses, not secular lawyers.) Jesus responds by making it clear that the "insult" the lawyer complains about isn't by accident. His woes against the lawyers center on the idea that they use the law to make following God harder instead of easier; they keep people out instead of helping them to know God.
Jesus mentions here a tradition he talks about a few times, that the people kill the prophets God sends to call them back to righteousness. He mentions specifically Abel from way back in the beginning who was killed by his brother for bringing God a better offering. He also mentions Zechariah "who perished between the altar and the sanctuary." Zechariah was a priest who served in Judah in the 800's. His ministry was a time of turning away from God to idol worship, and he warned the people to turn back to God. For this ministry he was stoned to death. (The story is in 2 Chronicles 24.) It's hard to listen to voices that tell us we're doing the wrong thing, but often God sends those voices to help us. I pray that we would listen well to criticism and seek to hear what God might be trying to say to us.
Luke 11:45-54
45One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us too.” 46And he said, “Woe also to you lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them. 47Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. 48So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors; for they killed them, and you build their tombs. 49Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ 50so that this generation may be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, 51from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against this generation.
52Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.” 53When he went outside, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile toward him and to cross-examine him about many things, 54lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
call and response
Good morning friends,
When Elijah hears the sound of shear silence he wraps his face in a cloak. He does this as a sign of reverence because he recognizes God's presence in the silence in a way God wasn't in the wind, earthquake or fire that came before. It's also a very practical gesture; people believed that one couldn't see God and live and Elijah is protecting himself. God's commission to Elijah is to anoint two kings and a new prophet, which doesn't seem like an inherently spiritual job, especially since one is the king of Aram (Syria). At the same time, the prophetic role is political as well as spiritual; the point is making God's will clear in the world, and that includes the political world.
He is to anoint his successor, Elisha. We haven't heard of Elisha before this, so we can imagine that Elisha is surprised to have this prophet appear at his field and throw a cloak over him. Whether he is surprised or not he says goodbye to his family, sacrifices his oxen, and takes on his new role as Elijah's servant and apprentice. What does Elisha's acceptance of this new adventure say to you today?
God bless,
Sam
1 Kings 19:13-21
13When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”
15Then the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. 16Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. 17Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. 18Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
19So he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. 20He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” Then Elijah said to him, “Go back again; for what have I done to you?” 21He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.
When Elijah hears the sound of shear silence he wraps his face in a cloak. He does this as a sign of reverence because he recognizes God's presence in the silence in a way God wasn't in the wind, earthquake or fire that came before. It's also a very practical gesture; people believed that one couldn't see God and live and Elijah is protecting himself. God's commission to Elijah is to anoint two kings and a new prophet, which doesn't seem like an inherently spiritual job, especially since one is the king of Aram (Syria). At the same time, the prophetic role is political as well as spiritual; the point is making God's will clear in the world, and that includes the political world.
He is to anoint his successor, Elisha. We haven't heard of Elisha before this, so we can imagine that Elisha is surprised to have this prophet appear at his field and throw a cloak over him. Whether he is surprised or not he says goodbye to his family, sacrifices his oxen, and takes on his new role as Elijah's servant and apprentice. What does Elisha's acceptance of this new adventure say to you today?
God bless,
Sam
1 Kings 19:13-21
13When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”
15Then the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. 16Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. 17Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. 18Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
19So he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. 20He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” Then Elijah said to him, “Go back again; for what have I done to you?” 21He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.
Monday, April 12, 2010
release and resistance
Good morning brothers and sisters,
In yesterday's reading Paul and the others were arrested, beaten and imprisoned for their ministry, in particular for casting a spirit out of a slave. Their imprisonment led the jailer to faith. Now the authorities decide to release them from prison, but Paul isn't going to make it easy on them. Instead he tells them he is a Roman citizen, which worries them since they haven't observed his rights. We will see Paul using his rights as a Roman citizen several times in Acts.
For the most part in Acts Rome isn't the oppressor, but a mostly neutral outside power. Most of the opposition to the apostles comes from religious leaders and both sides of the conflict at times try to use Roman power to their advantage. We also see that, even though at times the apostles defy the rules and human rulers to proclaim the gospel, they also generally obey the law. When asked to leave Philippi, the apostles do. The blend of courage, defiance, obedience and strategic thinking the early church used to spread the message can teach us a lot about adapting to different situations while remaining true to our faith and seeking opportunities to share.
Blessings on the new week,
Sam
Acts 16:35-40
35When morning came, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36And the jailer reported the message to Paul, saying, “The magistrates sent word to let you go; therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37But Paul replied, “They have beaten us in public, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they going to discharge us in secret? Certainly not! Let them come and take us out themselves.”
38The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens; 39so they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40After leaving the prison they went to Lydia’s home; and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers and sisters there, they departed.
In yesterday's reading Paul and the others were arrested, beaten and imprisoned for their ministry, in particular for casting a spirit out of a slave. Their imprisonment led the jailer to faith. Now the authorities decide to release them from prison, but Paul isn't going to make it easy on them. Instead he tells them he is a Roman citizen, which worries them since they haven't observed his rights. We will see Paul using his rights as a Roman citizen several times in Acts.
For the most part in Acts Rome isn't the oppressor, but a mostly neutral outside power. Most of the opposition to the apostles comes from religious leaders and both sides of the conflict at times try to use Roman power to their advantage. We also see that, even though at times the apostles defy the rules and human rulers to proclaim the gospel, they also generally obey the law. When asked to leave Philippi, the apostles do. The blend of courage, defiance, obedience and strategic thinking the early church used to spread the message can teach us a lot about adapting to different situations while remaining true to our faith and seeking opportunities to share.
Blessings on the new week,
Sam
Acts 16:35-40
35When morning came, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36And the jailer reported the message to Paul, saying, “The magistrates sent word to let you go; therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37But Paul replied, “They have beaten us in public, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they going to discharge us in secret? Certainly not! Let them come and take us out themselves.”
38The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens; 39so they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40After leaving the prison they went to Lydia’s home; and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers and sisters there, they departed.
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