Daniel 6:1-5

Daniel 6:1-5 

English Standard Version (ESV) 

  The world needs more Daniels.  

  There have always, and will always be, plenty of high officials and satraps, people who look at the success of others with hatred and jealously in their hearts, seeking any possible way to tear them down.  Too often, our leaders give them those reasons, in some ways validating the efforts of those who seek out the destruction of others.

  What we need are more Daniels -- more people who are faithful.  I don't expect anyone to be perfect.  I'm certainly in no position to guilt trip anyone.  But faithfulness, the daily effort to seek God and live out faith in everything one does, this is the goal we should strive towards.  The life's work of setting the Kingdom of God before your eyes and heart each and every morning and pursuing everything in light of that goal.  The opportunity to express one's love for God by selflessly serving others and using one's gifts to the fullest extent.  

  May we endeavor to be a people whose enemies struggle to find grounds for complaint due to our faithfulness.

Daniel 3:26-30

Daniel 3:26-30 

English Standard Version (ESV) 

  If I sit too close to our fire pit, my clothes will smell like fire for days.  Singe some hair, and you'll know it by the smell.  However, these three walk out of a roaring furnace hot enough to kill the people throwing them into it and they don't even smell of fire.  They are miraculously unharmed, and Nebuchadnezzar takes this all in and praises God.  Not too long ago, he was willing to kill anyone not worshiping a false idol.  All of a sudden, through this dramatic act, Nebuchadnezzar is willing to fight to the death for anyone who speaks against the one true God.

  Our lives are transformed by God.  Hearts can change, minds can change.  We hear stories about dramatic transformations that still go on today -- I was listening to an old speech by Ravi Zacharias earlier and he was talking about a dramatic transformation at a chaotic prison due to the influence of one faithful disciple.  We love to hear these stories, and some people I talk to feel somewhat envious for not having a dramatic story.

  To answer that, I point to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  The King here undergoes a dramatic transformation, but it's only after seeing the steadfast faithfulness of these three.  They quite simply trusted God in every situation, and through their witness, others were brought to believe in God.

  There's a place for everyone in the story.  God never gives up on anyone, and God uses each of us to tell a dramatic story of grace and love.

Sermon for June 28, 2020 -- Romans 10

Today's sermon is from Romans 10, reaching back to Deuteronomy 30.  It focuses on how our words matter.

 

Daniel 3:19-25

Daniel 3:19-25 

English Standard Version (ESV)

  Everything we see is not always the full picture.  This is certainly true today, especially in a world where videos are edited in order to support agendas and details are sometimes omitted. It takes work to determine the entire scope of events.

  King Nebuchadnezzar was accustomed to knowing everything he needed to know.  He was king, after all.  But he failed to grasp there was a greater power than himself.  Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego, through their humility and faith, were vehicles through which God demonstrated a greater power.

  Prayers are not always answered in the way we want.  Events in the world are often beyond our understanding.  We usually have big questions for God.  Just because we don't see or grasp how God is at work, let us work to have a faith that trusts that God is present and at work in the world around us and in our lives and relationships, and may we pray for the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of our hearts to better see the world and God's actions within it.

  

Daniel 3:16-18

Daniel 3:16-18 

English Standard Version (ESV) 

  To whom does your life belong?

  Every day, I claim my life as my own.  I fight against forces that might try and influence me otherwise.  I resist outside control on my life, and I am building towards my dreams and my goals.  My life is a result of the choices I make, and I will influence myself towards the life I want.  

  That's what we often tell ourselves.  That's very true for me on many days, if I'm being honest.  I don't think of my life as belonging to God, as a gift from God, as the blessed opportunity to honor God.  I think about my goals and what I want....  

  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego deliver one of the greatest lines in the entire Bible.  Nebuchadnezzar is going to throw them into a fire, but they so thoroughly trust God that they are not afraid.  Their lives belong to God, and their goal is not to maximize the time they have for themselves, but rather the amount of honor they give to God.  And so they choose to honor God even though it is a virtual certainty that such an act will cut their lives very, very short in a very, very painful manner. I love the way they phrase this -- God is able to save them, but even if God doesn't, they're still not going to serve a false god.  They refuse to betray their principals.  They will not compromise their worship of the eternal God in exchange for an extended opportunity to work towards their goals.  It's not worth it to them.  Even if God doesn't save them, even if all that this means is a painful death for them, they're still ready to make the choice, because they have such a complete trust of God.  They know that God is on the throne, that God dwells in the heights of heavens, and just because God doesn't choose  to intervene in their situation, God is no less worthy of devotion and acclaim and worship.  

  We don't always understand  why God doesn't intervene.  For every story like this one where God dramatically intervenes, there are thousands of others where the miracle has not come, where the fire consumed, where the cancer didn't go away, where the disease didn't weaken, where the relationship remained broken, where the addiction didn't let go, where the children didn't come home, where the job didn't come through, where the pain didn't recede.  These are heartbreaking situations, reminders of the brokenness in society and in our homes and in our bodies and in our relationships and in our lives.  These are not evidence that God doesn't notice or care -- it's evidence that we don't see the full tapestry of grace that God is weaving, that we don't know the full story.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego -- they trusted in the God who sees the full story, who hung the stars in the sky and still cares for us individually.  Because they trusted, they knew that God had knit them together in their mothers' wombs, and if God does that, this God will not abandon them, even if it seems like death is about to prevail.  With a God like that on your side, why fear a king?  What can Nebuchadnezzar do against such a God?  Whose side would you rather bet on?

  So once again, to whom does your life belong?  And how does your life reflect that?

Daniel 3:13-15

Daniel 3:13-15

English Standard Version (ESV) 

  Jesus tells us in Matthew 10 not to fear the one who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul -- In Jesus, we are joined in his resurrection, although there is a great leap of faith necessary to get over that fear of death!  

  There is fear everywhere these days.  Many news networks major in fear.  Fear is available to all, spread freely.  No matter where you turn, there is likely a reason to fear.  I saw a notice yesterday that said there are hand sanitizers that are compromised and should be avoided -- even the stuff that's supposed to keep us safe can be a reason to fear!  Sometimes you just can't win...

  While there are plenty of fearful things in the world, fear is a choice.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had reason to fear -- they were about to be thrown into a fiery furnace for worshiping God.  It's a fearful situation, but they were not afraid.  They were confident in God's power, and they lived with integrity.  Trusting God in the face of fearful circumstances gave them the ability to remain faithful.

  We, too, can choose to trust in the face of fear.  We don't have to ignore fear, but we don't have to give in to it -- as a people who trust in the eternal kingdom of God and believe we are joined in God's victory over sin and death through grace, we can face our challenges with the full knowledge that the light of eternity awaits, and the challenges in this world are but passing shadows that will fade when compared to the light and love of God.

Daniel 3:8-12

Daniel 3:8-12 

English Standard Version (ESV)

  It's occasionally tempting to withdraw from the world, to find a quiet monastery and spend my days there, leaving behind so many of the conflicts of the world.  To be in the world means you're always coming up against differing values, some that challenge us, some that confront us.  It can be exhausting, but it's also an opportunity -- in every conflict, we have the opportunity to state what our values are.  As a people of faith, we live out what we believe, each and every day.  What does your life say about what you value?  When you find yourself in conflict, how do you choose what voice to follow?  Sometimes this will ask a lot of you.  The temptation to withdraw, to find a quiet way around, will always be there.  But the call to live out what you believe will also be there, and sometimes, when your values and the world's values come in the greatest conflict, you'll discover the greatest opportunity to make a statement about what you believe and why it matters.

  Shadrach, Mechach, and Abednego had been appointed over the affairs of Babylon.  They had a lot of responsibility, so they were clearly handling themselves well in a messy situation.  I'm guessing they were constantly trying to figure out where to draw the line and where they were comfortable following the predominant culture.  Here, though, at the worship of a false god -- they drew the line there, and they would go no further.

  Their principled stand has been recorded in the pages of history and made a bold statement to a number of people.  Where are places in your life, in our society, where you are called to do the same?

Daniel 1:12-16

Daniel 1:12-16 

English Standard Version (ESV) 

  So Rachel had the kids fill out a brief survey for Fathers' Day, and there is a line on there about what they think my favorite food is.  Each of them said vegetables.  I don't think I would have expected that to be true 10 years ago!

  Daniel and his friends have been taken prisoner, and they refuse to eat food offered to false gods.  Instead, they propose a trial, where they will eat only vegetables for ten days.  The king expected them to be weaker than all the others, but instead they were stronger and better.  The lesson?  Eat more vegetables, I suppose.

  Also, never presume that we know exactly how God will work.  God is often doing the unexpected and unusual, working in sometimes strange ways to advance the Gospel.  God doesn't give up, and though resistance often surfaces, God continues forward, demonstrating the strength of God cannot be thwarted.  God is for you, so if we continue to show up, we can trust that God is at work, even in circumstances that may see unusual or unexpected.

A sermon on Romans 8 -- June 21, 2020

Books of the Bible in Five Minutes: Judges

Micah 6:6-8

Micah 6:6-8

English Standard Version (ESV) 

  It's the question we're all asking -- what can we bring to the Lord?  As we grow in faith, we should be growing in knowledge -- which makes us even more aware of how much God has done for us.  As we learn about God's perfection and our own sinfulness, we realize how great and awesome God is, and how sinfully and selfishly we have acted.  Our knowledge of our debt becomes even greater. 

  The joyous news of Christianity is that as our knowledge of our debt grows, so, too, does our awareness that no material item or gift can possibly repay God.  It's impossible.  And God doesn't want us to repay.  The price has been paid, so God has no need to collect.  What we can do is live in gratitude of the gift, allowing the joy of what God has done guide our thoughts, words, and actions.  How we treat ourselves and one another is our response to God.

  Spend some time this weekend thinking about all that God has done for you, and then take some time to think about things you'd like to do in response.  How can you show love for your community?  How can you work to bring justice to your town, to your neighborhood?  How can you humbly serve those around you?  You have tremendous gifts, and there are countless small ways you can share them with others, to spread the love of God and the light in the darkness.  Be a part of spreading hope and joy in the world -- we need it more than ever.

John 6:66-69

John 6:66-69

English Standard Version (ESV) 

  Jesus' words aren't always easy, but as Peter says, he alone has the words of eternal life.  The benefits of following Christ are eternal, and because God is love, we can trust the words of Christ, even when they're challenging.

  So don't be afraid to read the words of Christ, and pause at the challenges.  Think about the ways your faith is calling you to grow, to be transformed by the renewing of your minds.  God is at work in you, and the goal is not to leave you where you are, but to grow you up in faith.  

  Think of a place for you to grow in faith.  Lean into that.  Focus on it for the next week or two -- give God space to work in your life.  Where do you need to grow?  It's not easy, but it's important, vital work.

Ephesians 6:10-20

Ephesians 6:10-20 

English Standard Version (ESV)

  My primary thought is this:  the whole armor of God looks very, very different than the armor of the world.  Look to Jesus' life -- as the One who was draped more fully with the armor of God than anyone else, his life was so unexpected that the faith leaders of the day had him killed, and yet he won the battle!  He emerged victorious, and it is He that we worship to this day, not the ones who sought the armor of the world to have him killed.

  So when we clothe ourselves with the armor of God, we are fighting a different battle.  We don't need to look like a victorious army in this world does -- we can selflessly serve and humbly listen and sacrifice ourselves, because the tools we use to resist the devil aren't the same tools the army might use.  We act differently.  Our lives should look different.  We make different choices, because we have different values.  We rely on prayer and supplication and trust in God to carry us forward, and God will never, ever disappoint us.  In the long run, we are on the victorious side, and our confidence in God allows us to rely primarily on God's Kingdom, not our own.

Job 39:19-25

Job 39:19-25 

English Standard Version (ESV) 

  In God's reply to Job's questions, the reader can sense the delight God takes in creation.  Creation isn't an accident, or some hastily thrown together ingredients.  This isn't an image of God as a clockmaker who sets things in motion and then steps back to see what happens. No, rather we have an image of a God who cares deeply for creation and finds joy in the creatures that have been made.  

  And if God cares this much for the horse, and we know God clothes the flowers of the field, how much more does God care for you?  Remember how deeply loved you are.  Today, as you go about your day, notice something beautiful in creation.  Watch the leaves play in the breeze, or the squirrels run about, or the flowers show beauty to the world.  Be in awe of the intent with which God has created, and then remember that God cares enough for you to send God's only Son into the world so that you might be saved.

  All that God has done, God does with great purpose, and that purpose is born out of a great love.  This side of heaven, we will never fully understand that love, but we can try and bask in moments of wonder here on earth.

Job 38:1-7

Job 38:1-7 

English Standard Version (ESV)

  When I think of how many questions I often have, I think of God, answering Job out of a whirlwind not with answers, but with questions, with a reminder, that there is much we do not know on this side of heaven.  God is the one who has crafted the earth, who has laid the foundation and taught those stars their song.  I am much smaller then this, but I also know that this God cares for me -- that I am the lost sheep, and the Good Shepherd searches for me.  Combine our knowledge of God's sovereignty with the awareness of God's unique love that we see in the Gospels, and know that you are loved by the most powerful being in existence.  Though we may not fully understand the hows and the whys, we can trust in the goodness of God.

Sermon for June 14, 2020 on Romans 7

Today's sermon is from Romans 7 and is focused on the problem of sin.

Titus 1:1-4

Titus 1:1-4

English Standard Version (ESV) 

  After Paul met Christ on the road to Damascus, he knew who he was living for, and he knew his hope.  The remainder of his life was the unfolding of that purpose -- to declare the Gospel and to share his hope in Jesus Christ.  Everything he did was based on these things.

  So the question falls to us

  1 -- For whose sake are we living?  Are we building up our own Kingdom?  Or are we living for the sake of Christ's church, looking for options to serve.  There is so much that is unknown about the future, and there is currently so much uncertainty in the world, and all of this can make us want to save, to protect, to shelter.  We plan for every contingency, and we think about how to get and protect resources for ourselves.  It's the natural human tendency, and I've spent a lot of time thinking about these things lately.  The uncertainty makes me want to have a plan for every possibility -- if I'm honest with myself, I'm trying to shore up the walls on my own Kingdom, which will eventually topple, no matter what.  To step out of my Kingdom and invest my limited resources in God's Kingdom requires such a huge amount of trust, and it's hard.  It's faithful, but it's challenging.  But if I'm really living for God's Kingdom, for the sake of the faith of God's elect, I've got to be willing to put my resources on the line, right?  To risk, to serve, to love.

  2 -- What is your hope?  Paul is clear about his hope in eternal life.  This clear hope allowed him to ignore the threats to his own life, because he knew this life was just a beginning -- it's the prologue to the real story.  And when you're reading a book, you often skip over the prologue, because the best part of the story is still to come.  Paul's hope allowed him to go boldly without fear.  What is your hope, and how does it change your life?

Ruth 1:16-17

Ruth 1:16-17 

English Standard Version (ESV)

  The book of Ruth is beautiful in a number of ways.  What I love most about it is the way that people from different places find themselves together, and the devotion they have is striking.  Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, moved to Moab with her husband and sons, all of whom died, leaving her with two Moabite women.  Naomi was returning home and gave both women the chance to return to their homes and start over.  One does, but Ruth remains devoted to her mother-in-law, telling her that she will follow her wherever she will go, and she will worship whomever Naomi worships.  She doesn't have -- she chooses to.

  Wouldn't it be great if we had this type of devotion to one another?  We don't have to in today's culture -- it's easy to stay within our own lives, to not stray into unknown places.  It's too easy to miss out on building relationships with people different than we are.  It requires an active choice.  Ruth made that choice.  We, also, need to make that choice, to build relationships with people, to devote ourselves to people different than ourselves, who have walked a different path and see the world from a different angle.  It's easy to be insulated.  That's certainly the most comfortable route.  

  But what's it look like to make ourselves uncomfortable?  I think of Jesus, walking towards the Gerasene demoniac -- walking towards anyone labeled as a demoniac feels uncomfortable, right?  Or Jesus going up to lepers.  What about Peter in jail, staying there for the sake of the jailer?  How's that for comfort?  

  Following Christ where he leads is not always easy or comfortable.  We're called to love and serve one another.  Everyone you meet is someone you can serve, and they all have something to teach you.  May we approach one another with the attitude of Ruth, devoting ourselves to serving.  May we pray for Christ to bring people into our lives to teach us about service, to teach us about how diverse and beautiful the Gospel is.  May we look for ways, for authors, for public figures, for leader, to diversify our relationships that we may  serve in new ways, and the Gospel may spread, one person, one relationship at a time.

2 Corinthians 1:19-22

2 Corinthians 1:19-22 

English Standard Version (ESV) 

  Sometimes, we all need to be reminded of core truth of the Gospel, that in Jesus Christ, the truest of all stories comes true -- that you, the beloved child of God, are benevolently rescued from mortal peril by the strongest force in the universe who does this not because you have earned it, but because God loves you.  Upon your rescue, hope and joy are offered to you, although there will be things in life that threaten to obscure your vision of them.  While life is often distracting you from the objects of your hope and joy, God is never distracted from you.  You are never forgotten, never forsaken, never alone.  All the promises of God have found their yes in Christ, and because God is completely good, we can trust those promises.  

  Remember that today.  God is for you.

If you have a second today, please stop and pray for Chuck's family, as well as for my Uncle Paul.  

Joshua 24:14-15

Joshua 24:14-15 

English Standard Version (ESV)

  Unfortunately, I'm not in control of a number of things today.  I cannot control what kind of mood my children will have when they wake up.  I cannot control the weather.  I cannot control how clients respond at work.  I cannot control global politics or many of the events happening on a large scale -- I can contribute, I can do my small part, but I have very little control.  Much of what other people do, I cannot control, and neither can you.

  However, we have a choice in how we respond  to the world.  We have a choice in how we respond to individuals and circumstances and outside actions -- we can respond faithfully, or we can lash out.  There are many people in the world, on every side of every issue, who see everything as a threat and respond in fear.  In Christ, however, we can be confidant rather than fearful, trusting that the God who claimed us in the waters of baptism and freely chooses to be for us, even when we were enemies of God, has prepared a place for us and will allow nothing to come between us.  We can choose, every day, to serve God, and trust that in doing our faithful part, we are making the wiser choice.

Nehemiah 1:1-4

Nehemiah 1:1-4 

English Standard Version (ESV) 

  When in doubt, turn to Nehemiah.  There's always wisdom in this book that guides me.  Here, Nehemiah has heard of the devastation of his homeland, and his first response is to sit down and weep for days, fasting and praying.  

  There is much that is wrong in this world and in this country.  There is pain written on the streets of our towns.  Pain cries out in a loud chorus, demanding a future that can be written with hope and not fear.  Our first response is to listen to the pain, to hear it, and to sit and weep for the brokenness that exists in our society.  No matter your station, we can mourn for the things that are broken, we can sit and we can pray for ourselves and for our brothers and sisters. 

  Nehemiah is a bold leader who goes into a situation and demands change, and he leads by example.  But first, he sits and prays, orienting himself to God, ensuring he has heard and understands the situation.  Only then does he go.  

  So may we sit and pray as a nation, as a people, as a church.  May we weep where there is pain, and may we mourn where there is loss.  Having oriented ourselves properly, hearing what needs to be heard and listening where we need to listen, then we will be ready to move forward.

A sermon on Romans 6 -- June 7, 2020

Today's sermon is based on Romans 6

 

Books of the Bible in Five Minutes: Joshua

1 Peter 1:3-9

1 Peter 1:3-9 

English Standard Version (ESV) 

  I could read this passage again and again and again.  You have a living hope that is imperishable and undefiled -- no matter what happens in this world or in this life, your hope cannot be taken from you.  We endure various trials now and again, but these are not the end of us.  No, we rejoice with inexpressable joy, for God is with us, and our souls have been saved.

  Friends, no matter what goes on outside your windows, or even within your walls, Christ has saved you and will guard that salvation for all of time.  Rest easy, lay down those burdens, and exhale -- God has handled the threats that stalk you in the middle of the night and whatever terror may loom.  Whatever shadows may come across your path, the light that shines in the darkness will never cease, and one day, that light will envelop us until that is all that is left.  Praise be to God!

Hebrews 13:25

Hebrews 13:25 

English Standard Version (ESV) 

  Grace, friends.

  Grace to loved ones as we support them in 2020, the year in which the world seems divided as to which particular way to tear itself apart.  Grace to loved ones as you are separated, using phones and zoom and various other means of reaching out to support them, offering grace for gatherings that did not happen and birthdays that will be celebrated as half-birthdays.

  Grace to strangers as we pass.  Lord, how we need this grace.  We need to extend it, to remind others that we are one community, dependent upon each other, learning from each other, working together to be the body of Christ.  We need to receive it, to be reminded that we are welcomed with all of our flaws, all of our warts, all of our imperfections.  We need not be perfect - there is grace for that.

  Grace to ourselves.  You are likely, in some way, shape, or form, busy.  You are busy with work or children or family or household things or job searching or doctor seeking or something else.  You are busy, and things will fall through the cracks.   You cannot hold the world up on its own.  You are imperfect.  Fortunately, there is grace for that.  There is grace that you do not earn but just receive -- God holds the world up, holds me up, holds you up.  There is grace, and each of us can receive a lifetime's worth -- all we have to do is open our lives, open our hearts, and let grace be with us, each of us, all of us.

Hebrews 13:18-21

Hebrews 13:18-21

English Standard Version (ESV)

  I desire to eat copious amounts of ice cream.  As a result, when there is ice cream in the house, my actions follow my desires.  Also, when I grocery shop.  I have yet to make one trip to the grocery store that didn't involve me at least walking halfway down the frozen food aisle to check out the ice cream sales.  I know my weakness, and I embrace it.  I can't even eat most ice creams any more because of how I feel afterwards and I still crave it.

  As Christians, I doubt we think about our desires much.  They control so much of what we do -- and yet we often don't think about crafting the discipline to resist or control them.  We allow them to control us.  We've seen how weakness to desires at the wrong moment can wreck marriages and careers.  In many smaller ways, our desires shape our days, which become our weeks, which turn into months and years and our lives.  So here, the writer is asking for people to pray that they have the desire to act honorably.  When the opportunity presents itself, that desire will turn into honorable action, and that glorifies God.

  So friends, spend some time thinking about your desires.  Pray for good desires, for honorable desires, for desires that elevate your friends and neighbors and community members.  Pray for desires to serve and to love.  Pray for desires to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed.  Pray for these desires, for if we do this consistently, those honorable desires will lead us into honorable lives.  

  

Hebrews 13:5-8

Hebrews 13:5-8 

English Standard Version (ESV) 

  Scripture does a fantastic job of consistently trying to open our eyes to how dangerous money can be.  Scripture doesn't tell us that we can't have it -- just warning us of its power, so whether we have a little or a lot, we know of its potential.  Here, the writer is encouraging us to let God alone be our ultimate source of strength and comfort.  God alone will never leave nor forsake us, from now through eternity.  Jesus Christ doesn't change, and the good news is that Christ is for you -- remember, he is the 'yes' to all of God's promises.  Because God has declared his love and devotion to us, we can be bold in the face of life's challenges.  

  Knowing that God will never leave you, knowing that your eternity is safe in God's hands, how will you act today?  Will you stand tall in the face of all the world's challenges, the violence and injustice and racism and hatred and division, and speak a word of truth and peace?  Will you boldly pray for unity and wisdom, for reconciliation and love and grace to win the day?  Will you pray for revival, that the church might proclaim a way forward for all people?  You need not fear.  So without fear, what will you do?

Hebrews 12:28-13:2

Hebrews 12:28-13:2

English Standard Version (ESV) 

  With so much going on in the world right now, we can rejoice that God's Kingdom is not shaken.  It exists unchanging and stable, unbuffeted by the winds that are rocking so much of what we do know.  There is turbulence caused by disease and racism and countless other reminders of the sin that will one day be destroyed.  Confidant in God's ability to ultimately triumph, we can worship with hope.  

  And then, because we don't have to be afraid, we can go forward in love, showing hospitality to all, even the stranger.  As the writer says, we may just be entertaining angels.  How much richer would the world be if we treated every person we met as though they were an angel....