Truth and Commands

 

Truth and Commands

2 John

I began with you all here at the Thurston church on June 26. Not long after, we started in 1 John and we have worked our way through that letter. Now we move into 2 John, 3 John and Jude. 

 

It's not clear who the author is exactly. These 2nd and 3rd letters get attributed to John on the basis of language and sound. It sounds like John. It sounds like things he would say. Because of the time frame, it might very well be written by one of his own disciples who knows his teaching style and has written in John's words. The same could be said of John's Gospel, which has phrases in it that John would not serious use when referring to himself. "the disciple whom Jesus loved" Whatever the semantics here, it is John's handiwork, whether through actual lettering or through inspiration. 

Truth Matters

John was present through much of the Gospel record that bears his own name. Unlike Matthew, Mark and Luke, which seems to be written from afar or on second hand knowledge. Even Matthew's account, and he having been an actual disciple, seems as times to be written from an edge that records history while not putting himself in the actual record. With John's words, we see someone who was right there through the entire account. Very little, except some of the gospel right at the beginning, seems to have that second account nature. John was there. He saw it. He heard it. It is truth. 

John's audience here seems to be a woman and her children. "To the lady chosen by God" There has been much speculation as to who John is actual speaking to in this letter. After much thinking and background work, it occurs to me that for all the similarities we have considered between John and the other writers at this time, especially Paul, who has feverishly penned much of the New Testament instruction we have, that the lady referred to his John's letter might simply be the church itself. To the lady chosen by God and to her children The letter here isn't written to anyone in-particular. It is written to the church and the people following Jesus. Our Lord has always referred to his people, his family, as children. Jesus likened those who walk with the Lord as His children. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. All themes and words that John would have used in his Gospel and seems to find there way right into the opening here. 

John was always close to Jesus. We find him in the inner circle of three who seemed to be with our Savior all the time. John is sitting right next to Jesus at the Last Supper. It is that same closeness that John seems to want for everyone who reads his words. John knows what that life is all about. He has breathed it and lived with it. It would be natural for him to want to share that with those who come along and seek to follow in the truth. Everything that John has discovered and experienced it truth connected to Jesus. Jesus is truth. That is a reality we find hard to share with a world seeking truth in so many other places. For John's audience, they have to be seeing the offerings of what the world would call truth all around them. The temples. The government. The temptation to leave the struggle of holding onto to Jesus behind. For John, there is nothing else to do but hold on to Jesus. All else has been left behind already. The truth is that there is no life without Jesus in the picture. 

Reaffirming the Truth

We talked about repetition in John's first letter. We need to see and appreciate that we will hear similar or the exact same themes over and over again as we go through the scriptures. Sometimes we might read the exact same wording from one book or letter into another. Jesus spoke at length with his disciples about this joy he had. The latter chapters of John's Gospel show us how Jesus handled heading tot he cross. He could have been over come with sorrow. He could have just shut down with grief about having to give up his life. But, he doesn't. Jesus uses the final moments to continue to teach and share. "My joy I give to you" Jesus was most joyful when he was about His Father's business. Right from the start we see and have record of Jesus being about what his Father wanted when he separated himself from Joseph and Mary on that trip to the temple. Looking for him everywhere, they find his in the Temple, asking questions and creating discussion. What else should we find ourselves doing? If we are hear to follow in the footsteps of our Savior and do what He was doing, then maybe that is what it takes to love one another. 

Our church has a great thing going with these Tuesday and Thursday lunches. More important than the food itself being shared, it is the sense of community that it brings to those involved. The command we hear from John's words in this second letter is a reaffirmation that we follow and love one another. Loving people is what Jesus wanted. If putting some food in someone else's hands help us get the message across about God's Love, then we do that. There are many different vehicles we could use to get to that destination. There are many different ways to get ourselves involved in the ways of showing God's Love to other people. Let your imagination run wild in that department. Do whatever you have to in order to share God's Love with a world that needs to hear about it. 

Truth and Deception

John's chief goal through out his writing has been to keep his readers on task with following Jesus despite what they are hearing from the world around them. There are so many ways and teaching they could follow. In 2022, we see and hear much about other means of saving ourselves, bettering our hearts and minds through the means of DIY methods. Steven Curtis Chapman gave us some heart felt truth in a song he presented back in 1997. The words will forever speak. 

I have come to this ocean
And the waves of fear are starting to grow
The doubts and questions are rising with the tide
So I'm clinging to the one sure thing I know

 

I will hold on to the hand of my Savior
And I will hold on with all my might
I will hold loosely to things that are fleeting
And hold on to Jesus, I will hold on to Jesus for life

 

I've tried to hold many treasures
They just keep slipping through my fingers like sand
But there's one treasure that means more than breath itself
So I'm clinging to it with everything I am

 

I will hold on to the hand of my Savior
And I will hold on with all my might
I will hold loosely to things that are fleeting
And hold on to Jesus, I will hold on to Jesus for life

 

Like a child holding on to a promise
I will cling to His word and believe
As I press on to take hold of that
For which Christ Jesus took hold of me

 

So I will hold on to the hand of my Savior
And I will hold on with all my might
I will hold loosely to things that are fleeting
And hold on to Jesus for life
I will hold on to Jesus for life
I'll hold on to Jesus, I will hold on to Jesus for life
Hold on for life

 

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: James Isaac Elliott / Steven Curtis Chapman

Hold on to Jesus lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol Christian Music Group, Capitol CMG Publishing

 

Let Jesus be your all is all.
Hold on to Him no matter what.

Emotional Support Paid For By The Following

 

Emotional Support Paid For By The Following

1 John 5.13-21

Sometimes I like to just be a little silly or goofy with my sermon title.

How many time have you heard it at the conclusion of a program on television. "something something support for the [insert 80's sitcom title here] Show, paid for by the following". Then, all the products and people who helped or gave their financial backing to the show are spoken about and we are encouraged to go by products and items pertaining to those backers of the show. I'm sure you've seen it before. 

Many of our letters by Paul and others usually wind up with some salutations and well wishes to those in the community in which they are writing. While Paul would usually call on some people by name, John tries to simply stay on point with what he has been writing about this whole time. The effect is nearly the same as we are encouraged to keep out focus on the Lord Jesus. 

To Proud To Ask

How easily do you ask for things? Asking for help is something we start learning at kindergarten and beforehand. Sometimes, we find out we haven't learned much by the time we get to adulthood. Asking is a contrary trait for many. As red blooded, blue collar, American people we are taught early to stand on our own two feet. Many of us grow up being told we need to take care of ourselves and not accept any handout from anyone. its one thing to teach people they need to ask for help. There is a step before that where little people simply need to be taught to ask at all. Many a teacher will confirm for you that those little ones they are instructing have no concept of raising a hand, taking a turn, waiting to be called on. If they want something, they want it now and you need to listen. 

And, it is amazing how little we actually learn and retain as we go through life.

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What was it Jesus taught his followers about asking? John was present for all of that teaching. It is the very basis for what he shares and sends on with his own readers and disciples. Jesus likened a person asking of God to that of a person beating on the door of their neighbor late at night, in need of help. The person knocks and knocks. Persistence. It is key if we are to get where we are going. 

In his final talk with the disciples before heading to Calvary, Jesus shares that they should ask for whatever they need, in His name, and they will receive it. It is a special piece of information that truly does not get used enough. The American Christian is taught that we need to stand on our two feet, support ourselves, have no need for someone else to take care of us. Christianity teaches an opposing approach. Be dependent of God for all things. If you have the strength to get up in the morning and go to work, thank God for that. If you have good health and are able to get through the day, better put God first and make sure He knows it. If you have a nice house and a family around you, don't praise yourself for all you have. Make sure you praise the Lord and give Him the due accolades for all you have in your life.Nothing that we have is ours because we did it all ourselves. If we have anything at all, it is because God has blessed us and allowed us to be where we are. God needs to be praised and honored in the midst of this life. And, we learn that truth if we have been in the habit of asking for what we need. 

Sin and Life and Death

Sin is a sticky, messy problem. Just about any teacher will tell you that kids are messy. If you have had the pleasure of raising children in this world, then you already know that bit of truth. God has been raising children for several millennia now and He has seen his fair share of messes. When we were kids, my dad had a saying that stuck with me through the years. When we were little and wanting more milk or something to drink while at the table, dad felt it was he or mom's responsibility to get that for us. His explanation was simple. "If I spill the milk, I have to clean it up. If you spill the milk, I still have to clean it up. So, just let me pour it OK? Because you're probably going to make a mess." How do we handle our own messes? How do we handle other people's messes? The back drop here is truly about how we would like people to treat us should our own sins be out in the open for all to see. There are sins that lead to death. Sometimes they do. It's heart breaking. At that point, John seems to be saying that there is little to nothing we can do about that. Once a person has passed to the other side, they are in God's hands. We need to leave them with God. However, there are sins that do not lead to death and we have the immaculate chance to restore, show mercy, imply forgiveness, redirect and instruct. We should take the chance. We should pour the milk for them, if need be. Help them with their messes. Clean things up fro them if we have to. Because that's what we would want someone to do for us. 

Mercy is an indispensable grace that needs the cap broken off the bottle and poured all over the place. It only finds it way out to people's lives if we share it.  maybe we haven't experienced enough grace in our own lives if we are unwilling to share with and restore others who find themselves in dire circumstances. Our sins can be a snare that leads us to crippling places where we become bitter and resentful. If grace is to abound, if we are to learn the truth about asking God and receiving all we need, then we need to learn that God has all we could ever want at his finger tips. And, what we truly need above all else is His Love. 

Leave It All Behind

Again, we find that translation doesn't always work smoothly. Sin is a big, broad subject. Is John talking about sin in that broad context or is he focusing on something in particular. Many commentators on the scriptures will say that the subject of apostasy is on the forefront of much of the New Testament writers minds. John certainly has touched upon that in his writing. For us to turn away from the confession that Jesus is the Christ, to deny that we have said that Jesus is Lord, is truly a sin. 

It's not easy to stay away from sin when the world around us is telling us that following Jesus is ridiculous. In the case of these first century followers, it might even cost them their lives. There is a government that won't stand for the propagation of a Savior who is proclaimed as God over all. Caesar is said to be Lord of all. To suggest something different could be deadly. But, we know that God will take care of us. We sing about what we believe. We share that each week with what we bring from our hymnals. Lets us focus on what we believe and trust in as we close up this service today. 

Living Faith

 

Living Faith

1 John 5.1-12

Do we really understand the area we about to dip out toes into this morning? Faith is something we can be certain about. We cannot, however, see it. It is tangible in that we reach out to make contact with God. Yet, we can't see God and more than we can actually see faith. Merriam-Webster is going to help us make sense of it all as we take a look at the word. Maybe we can understand better what we are living into as we become people who are following Jesus.

I Don't Believe God Exists

It started simply enough. "I don't believe God exists" Mike the barber said in a matter of fact way. Bill went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation, telling stories as usual. They talked about politics and the elections, the state of the economy, their families and kids.

"That's Right, God Doesn't Exist."

When they eventually touched on the subject of God, Mike said: 'I don't believe that God exists.'

"Why do you say that?" asked Bill.

"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me Bill, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things."

Bill thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. Mike finished his barbering job and Bill left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt.

Bill  turned back and entered the barbershop again and he said to Mike, the barber:
"You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that?' asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"

"No!"  Bill exclaimed. "'Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me."

"Exactly!' Bill affirmed. And, with a wink and a nod he left Mike to contemplate the deeper implications of their conversation.

 What is faith? Maybe we need some clarity as to what we are talking about. Merriam-Webster usually has some good idea to help clear up our muddy water.

We cannot see it. But, it is possessive. My Faith. I can hang on to it. Yet, sometimes we lose it. When lose something we cannot see or touch it can be that much harder to get a hold of it again. But, knowing it is ours can help us in that area. Knowing that faith something we use or put into action can help us understand the possession of it as well.

Thinking about faith as an action word is probably not something that many of us have contemplated. We know what we believe. Some of us can maybe articulate why we believe what we do. Many of us have strong opinions about issues or politics or things going on in our world. How about your faith? Can you show what you believe in? Can you speak to what you trust? Better yet, can you speak to what you put your belief and trust in?

Note that transitive nature in the word. Faith can be spread around. If you have faith and the person at the other end of the pew has faith, how can you affect that nature of those around you with your faith? How can you put that faith into action so others can find faith as well?

Do You Carry Your Umbrella?

Would you carry your umbrella in a drought?  As a drought continued for what seemed an eternity, a small community of farmers was in a quandary as to what to do. Rain was important to keep their crops healthy and sustain the townspeople's way of life.  As the problem became more acute, a local pastor called a prayer meeting to ask for rain.

Many people arrived at the church to pray for the needed rain. The pastor greeted most of them as they filed in. As he walked to the front of the church to officially begin the meeting he noticed most people were chatting across the aisles and socializing with friends.

When he reached the front his thoughts were on quieting the attendees and starting the meeting.

His eyes scanned the crowd as he asked for quiet. He noticed an eleven year-old girl sitting quietly in the front row. Her face was beaming with excitement. Next to her, open and ready for use, was a very colorful and extremely large umbrella, much bigger than her in fact.

The little girl's beauty and innocence made the pastor smile as he realized how much faith she possessed. No one else in the congregation had brought an umbrella.

All came to pray for rain. But the little girl had come expecting God to answer.

Sometimes it's helpful to hear what other words have to say. That synonym relationship between words helps us in our understanding. Seeing these four words above may cause us to contemplate how exactly we are using our faith and what we are doing with it. I hope you'll take the time to look up each word in the chart above and see what they mean. Each word can cause us to ask some questions about our faith. 

The third line of definition for the word belief poses some interesting thought. 

That's right where John has his audience in this passage today. He and the other disciples have first hand evidence. They were there. The fact of the matter is anyone who has asked Jesus to come into their heart and life has first hand evidence. At some point there needed to be a place and time where the conviction of our sins came down on our shoulders and we knew we needed forgiveness above all else. 

Our faith is directly connected to that forgiveness. Looking back up to the fragment on the word faith, we see the second line broken into an a and b part. 

For John and the others, there was proof. They saw it with their own eyes. They touched it with their own hands. The proof we have to offer our audiences two thousand years later has to do with things they cannot see. Forgiveness cannot be seen. Until we give it to someone who desperately needs it. Love isn't a tangible item until someone knows that there is person in their world who loves them. This is how we make out faith an action word. We put it into ways of sharing our life with other people. 

The last two words tie into this Sunday in a special way. 

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 One More Step

Its the first Sunday of the month here. It's a communion Sunday.
We approach the table with faith. For some, maybe its just a ritual. We always this. We take some bread. We drink a small cup. And we go sit down. Maybe, for some, it means a bit more. It's a moment to remember. That's what Jesus wanted it to be. "Do this in remembrance of me." It is in the remembering that our faith is made sturdy. If we plant some seeds and then never tend to those early drops in the soils of our hearts, how will they grow? Remembering is how we tend the soil. Cultivating it. Sometime we lose our faith when the soil is left alone. The weeds grow up. They choke the life right out of everything around it. We need to take the time to work the soil. Get our hands right down in their and help those seeds to grow. Take care of it. Watering it. Fertilizing it. Making sure it stays alive. Not just assuming it will grow. But, making sure that it does. 

Victory is the sure reward.

Living in Peace

 

Living In Peace

1 John 4.1-6

I had originally intended to deliver this message on September 11th as we remembered those events of that terrible day. My original thought was to tie in some idea of how world religions tolerate each other and how sometimes things are not always tolerable. Living in peace with one another is a tricky piece of life that cannot be easily done without some careful patience and consideration of other people's points of view. Lets wade into the water.

Jesus Is Real

Some people take baby steps. I like to just jump right in. There really shouldn't be an reason for us in a Christina church to take it easy with the subject of Jesus, like we need to edge our way into the water and let ourselves warm up to the subject matter. Jesus is Real! There. We've said it. And, we mean it. there is no getting around the fact that God sent his one and only son into this world. God so loved the world that Jesus came in the form of a tiny baby and grew up here in order to show everyone the way to follow and learn about who God is. John and the apostles dealt with it first and the problem still exists to this day. There will be those who cannot grasp or comprehend that God has revealed himself in this way. There will be those who preach some other message or teach some other understanding about God. It is a pretty plain cut and simple approach. John makes it clear that if we are speaking with someone and they cannot accept the truth about Jesus, then the spirit of God is not in them. If they can hear and understand what we are saying about Christ, then they know who he is and the spirit of God is upon them. We've talked about the antichrist before. The prevail context here still suggests that John is not referring to a specific person but more intentionally speaks about a spirit. There will be a certain influence over people that will not allow them to accept the message of who Christ is. Here is where our work is the hardest. We need to help other people see that forgiveness and mercy and salvation is something they can only find in Christ. Getting their spiritual eyes to see that, however, is more than a challenge. 

Back Through History

Just in case we have in mind that this is some new thing we are dealing with, let us take a moment to research what the scriptures have to say about that. Did the people listen why Jesus was there preaching and teaching? No, they did not. Why do you think he wound up crucified and a cross? Jesus presented himself as God. His mere presence put him in opposition to man's rule over himself. Governmentally, Caesar and Rome thought they were in power. Religiously, the Jews loved their interpretation of scripture and control over the people more than a relationship with God. Socially, the people didn't know who to follow and wound up shouting for Christ to be crucified. One aspect off living in peace is how we handle that aspect of life on a personal level. Knowing that the world around us won't listen can cause us to feel anxious or angry or sad. We could lash out and make our lives and the lives of those around us a harsh place to exist. Or, we can accept it. 

I am taken back to the Old Testament as I stop to think about that. Isaiah 6 is a place I have come to many times. But, maybe we miss the underlying story here. We see the prophet come to the Temple. He has a vision. He actually sees God. There are angels flying around. Isaiah considers himself unworthy to be there. His lips are touched with a hot coal, signifying that his words and presence before God are accepted. It is an energizing moment. I am invigorated as I read it. We want to think that we have the power to accomplish anything with God on our side. Lets take a look at it.

What is really interesting to me is what exactly God tells Isaiah to go and tell the people.

He doesn't send him with a message that will somehow bring success to all of the matter. Sometime back I was exploring other options denominationally and wondered if I should change church groups. I approached one of sister groups in The Wesleyan Church, a smaller denomination that also roots themselves in the history and teachings of John Wesley. There main office is up in Dublin and I went up there to have a discussion with them about crossing over. The one thing that didn't settle well with me was there outlook on success. Their District Superintendent was rather frank and straightforward about it as well. he explained that success was what they were concerned about. If you aren't having success numerically in your church growth them something was wrong. I just couldn't get that mindset to settle in my soul. Are we in this for the success of it? Is that how we gauge whether what we are doing is the right thing to do? 

God is straightforward with Isaiah. God already knows that the people aren't going to listen. As he tells Isaiah to just out and tell them exactly that. 

Even though God knows many will not listen, he still sends people to speak with them. He could just give up and leave it all behind. But, he doesn't he continues to work with us. He hopes our hearts will listen and be enlightened. God gives us all he has in the form of his Son. And, he wants us to be like Him. 

Living in Peace (When Peace Isn't Possible)

How can we live in peace when it looks like there is no peace to find?

Our brothers and sisters in the faith find this reality everyday in some parts of the world. Depending on the news source, you might see someone with a gun to the head as a person of a different religion seeks to take a life in the name of their God. I have seen a whole line up in a news report. People giving their live for their faith in Jesus Christ at the hands of terrorists. How do we live in peace when a world such this one cannot let us be the people of God we want to be?

We take for granted the freedoms we have here in this country. The United States of America, for the most part, has been a peaceful place to reside. When our own people are not getting upset with each other or some political issue and then taking to the street to burn their own towns to the ground, it can be peaceful. The real question to ask or ponder is - how can we live in peace when people don't want to do so? All we can do is accept the fact that some people will not listen. If they do harm to us, we endure the out lash for the sake of Christ. This is the cross we bear. We accept the fact that they will not hear. We allow them to have eyes that cannot see. We want them to see and hear, but many time they simply will not. That has to be OK. Let God handle them. Leave them in God's hands. 

And be at peace.

More Lovers, More Haters

 

More Lovers, More Haters

1 John 3.11-24

As we have previously covered, the Bible likes to repeat itself. Sometimes that repetition comes very soon after just hearing something about the very matter it is repeating. John just spoke about the subjects of love and hatred in the previous chapter. That was a couple of weeks ago for us. Now, he returns to those subjects having elaborated on other points of interest. Sometimes its worth taking another look at a subject after having added to the discourse. Lets see what John is talking about as we delve into more love and more hate. 

The Message Is Still The Same

When Solomon uttered words like "there is nothing new under the sun" he meant it. Every word of it. When people come along and claim they have something new to present about God, I shudder. I also tend to still have that look that a teenager pulls out when their father is trying to explain something to them and they really don't want to listen. You probably know exactly what I'm talking about. (I've seen that face plenty on Sunday morning.) Maybe you have done it yourself. But, unlike the unruly teenager, we as Christians should be encouraged and invigorated by the subject of God's Love. And, yet, I can still recall hearing the teenage cry from answering the question "What did you learn in Sunday School today?" To which comes the words of drudgery, "God", "Love", or "Jesus!" (You have to say them with that teenager spat of boredom and misery at having to learn something. No, there is nothing new to learn about God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever, says the writer of Hebrews. And, love is no new subject we need to learn about. But, if it is something you have not taken the time to learn about, then it might seem new to you, personally. John was present when Jesus gave his famous presentation on Love that we read from John 13. The moment would have stood out to all of them because of how it was presented. Maybe all of them about the table had grown up remembering the Passover. Taking of the elements around the meal that night. Maybe some of them had been to a meal where their feet had been washed by some peasant or servant. However, the subjects that were presented that evening were words that sunk in and dug in. Jesus is clear and emphatic about his death and resurrection. He has repeated himself many times over those three and a half years. Now, it is post Pentecost and all they saw and heard has become very real for them. How are the to love people in a world that did that to their Savior and Lord? Spikes through his hands and feet. Bleeding in front of a live audience. Giving his all so that others might know forgiveness. We are still living in a world that demands its own way and wants its our pleasures to be satisfied. Regardless of the love and forgiveness that is being extended to it. We are are encouraged to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, putting our own necks on the line to share in a historical line of making disciples. Maybe we'll figure it out before He comes back. 

Motive Matters

John raises an interesting question as we roll through this section. In an effort to clearly show the differences between what love and hate actually are, he uses the example of Cain and what happened with his brother Abel. He doesn't just state what Cain did and point tot it to say that what he did was wrong. He actually asks the question, "And, why did he do it?" You might be sitting there asking yourself, "What does that matter?" He murdered his brother and that's what he did wrong. What further examination is needed? Well, it is needed and here we see why. What if our lives were treated like a court case? Have you been to or watched a court case unfold? One of the most important aspects of any case is answer the why of motive. If we can't define or understand the motive behind the why a person does what they did/do, then it's rather hard to pin the crime on that person. If we can't prove motive or intent, then it becomes rather tough to actually say that person did what they did. Maybe somebody else did it. Actually, when it comes to our own personal judgement day and we stand in front of the Lord, the same questions will be asked. The whys, the whats, the hows, the whens. Any good preacher should be familiar with this process. We call it exegesis. It's how we examine the scripture and break it down to see what's there before we try to expound upon it. Especially because we come from a Wesleyan background, we have learned to ask a lot of questions. We put the whys and hows front and center and attempt to answer those questions as we try to figure out what we are going to say in front of a group of people on a Sunday morning. It is an important part of the process if we want to know what God has to say. 

There is a reason for repeating the subject matter as John enters this section. Previously, he was speaking about love and the world and knowing the difference between the two. Now, he is truly speaking to believers in the faith. the Greek word here for brothers and sisters is adelphoi - which brings in both men and women as a part of the subject matter. We have a time with this even in our modern world. In the time these scriptures were being written, the idea of a woman standing to speak and have something to teach would not have been looked upon favorably. Paul really gets to the meat of the matter in his letter to the Corinthians trying to show them the letter of the law on the subject. You might recall him stating that women should be silent or not speak. Bringing in the entire family of God, all believers, men and women, is just the door John needs to lead his readers into an area where there might be some hatred to deal with in the faith community. Even if we take Paul literally and follow his suggestion about how women are to act or be in a worship service, does that mean we treat them literally like pieces of trash? You all had a dandy of preacher and teacher here for sixteen years in the person of Rebeka Maples. I could throw it back to her and dozen others who have stood the test of being someone how can share the biblical message clearly and plainly. Did not the prophet Joel say that the Spirit would be poured out on both men and women, brothers and sisters, in the faith? That "your sons and daughters" would prophecy? maybe we give those females a chance to share what is on their hearts and minds and see if they have what it takes to present Jesus Christ in all his glory. 

Greater

If you haven't seen this football movie about a boy from Arkansas, you really need to find it and give it a watch. Brandon Burlsworth is a young boy who grows up with an alcoholic father and not much of an affinity for sports. His mom basically lets him sit in front of the TV most days eating whatever sugar coated cereal he wants and whatever snacks he wants her to bring to him. As he enters into the high school life, he finds his way into the world of football which turns his world upside down. The kid who just sat in front of the TV all day is fading away and young man who is willing to work for what he wants is starting to emerge. Its a strange faith movie that present that subject in plain ways while not diverging from the starkness of the world we live in. Brandon seems to be confronted by the idea that he is never good enough. And, he strives to be greater. John would confront that idea in all of his readers who might just be struggling with the notion that they themselves are not good enough. Sometimes our own hearts condemn us. Maybe we have a hard time forgiving our own shortcomings. Maybe guilt and shame ride our shoulders like a monkey on our back or a heavy load slung over our body. John would reassure his audience that God's love is greater. 

What can you do this coming week to hang on to the name of Jesus? There are a million ways the world, the devil and our own doubts attack us and try to get us to give up on the name and person of Jesus Christ. Battle back! We are on the front lines. Here is the battle ground. Don't lie down and give up. Don't shrink away from the fight. Rise up! Believe in the name of Jesus. Not just believe that he exists. James would say that the devil believes that God exists. And, he trembles. We are encourged to believe and trust and stand up in confidence. We can approach God and be in his presence. 

Live in Love today and be the people God wants you to be.

Raining Cats and Dogs

 

Raining Cats and Dogs

1 John 3.1-10

As we enter the third chapter of John's letter, I was thinking about how much we have covered already and here comes some more. It never stops. The Bible is an endless discourse of thought and explanation of the Christian life. That's what it might feel like when it seems to endless rain outside. We have had our fair share and then some of the rain this summer in Ohio. I plan my sermon titles and worship information for several weeks ahead. At the time, I was wondering what it might be like if it actually rained when I put that sermon title on for August 28. Then, this past week I noticed the forecast and thought "What if it doesn't rain?" Oh well, The inspiration of the message can still work. I had thought about including "There Will Be Showers of Blessings" in our hymns today, but that kind of silly when its not raining out there. We have much to cover today as we are in another spot where John's thoughts from the previous chapter seem to carry into the next. 

Ocean of Love

The subject of Love is front and center as we enter the third chapter. I often will encourage people who want to get married to read the book "The 5 Love Languages" by Dr Gary Chapman. Inside we find a good explanation of what it means to actually love someone while learning the ways in which your spouse is actually speaking to you. Dr Chapman does an excellent work here showing us that people actually do "speak" a language of love in what they do and how they act. John is saying to us that God has lavished his Love on us. God speaks to us in modes of love. The sharing of his Son with the whole world is the ultimate expression of what it means to share Love. I tried to express the importance of understanding that our translation process from Greek and Hebrew might leave us with some gaps. It is actually an incredibly difficult process trying to move the thoughts and feelings of one language into another. A simple search on Google will show that there are multiple ways to express the language of Love in Hebrew or Greek. Where as, we have the word LOVE in English. You might find a site out there explaining that there are 8 different ways to express the phrase "I Love You" in Hebrew. I had learned in our Course of Study classes during Hebrew Bible that there were as many as 16 ways to use the word LOVE in Hebrew. While we simply have the word LOVE in our English language. I say all of this to convey the idea that we have much to learn about Love. It is not a simple matter. 

Just one simple verse from John's Gospel has so much to say to us.

God loves us so much that He would give up everything He had. Think about your own children. Would you make such a sacrifice on your own accord for the well being of everyone around you? Only one other person seems to have been asked in the biblical concourse. Abram is asked to give up Isaac in a moment of worship. He is willing. He doesn't understand the why or the what of the matter. He is simply willing to do what God asks in the moment. There is so much that the world doesn't understand concerning God's Love for us. That is why so many reject or don't want anything to do with this. If we could figure out a way to communicate that Love in ways the world could hear us and perceive the dire need for Jesus. it could make all the difference. Maybe we could do better in that area.

Clean It Up

How many Methodists actually have a grip on the matters of purification and sanctification? There numbers actually astoundingly low. I can recall being at my wife's home church of New Zion out on the western edge of Baltimore, OH. I was asked to lead the Adult Sunday School class one week and I took the opportunity to delve into the subject of sanctification. Upon asking all that were gathered if any of them had any idea what this word meant or had even heard it before, only one raised their hand and said they thought they had heard it - once. Sad. For a denomination who looks to a man like John Wesley as it's founding father it truly sad that more people do not truly grasp to need to understand this word. 

The Apostle John uses this moment speaking about Love to more right into the need for purifying ourselves from sin. Having spent time in two major denominations - the Church of the Nazarene and the United Methodist Church, it is really decisive that we spend a moment here on the words surrounding this topic. What is sanctification? What does it mean to purify oneself from sin? At the heart of our human lives is truly the matter of authority. Who tells you what to do? Who has control of your life? If we are looking at it the subject from the standpoint of being a good American, then we want the government to butt out of our affairs and leave us alone. We want to stand on our own two feet and do our own thing our own way. Freedom is just exactly that. That is probably how most people would define it. However, in the Christian life, we are taught that we need to be dependent upon God. We need to lean on Him. Trust in Him. In this matter of sanctification, we find our purification from sin in the moment we turn our lives over to Him. We are here to follow the example of Jesus Christ. The Son turned his life over to the Father and followed His will. Our will, our decision making process, needs to be in God's hands. One thing we do early on is ask Jesus to come into our live. We ask him to forgive us for our sins. That's how this life begins. There is another step that needs to be taken. And, that is the matter of turning our lives over to Him. This matter of authority comes down to us giving God control of our hearts and lives. We find our way to purity when we give this sinful self over to someone who is Holy. God is Holy. And we need His authority to rule us and lead us so we make good decisions. That is how we live this life for Jesus. 

It Never Ends

Here it comes again as John comes back to the idea that there are those in the midst of their community who would teach something different. It's never going to go away. And it never has. As long as there are human being roaming the earth, there will always be those who do not listen to the message of forgiveness and sanctification in Jesus Christ. There will always be those who seek to teach something else that doesn't add up to following God in His Love expressed in the form of Jesus giving his life on the cross. It boggles the mind. And, yet, if we are honest about it; if we have truly entered into this life through the asking for Jesus to enter, then we know that there are two sides to this. We have to humble ourselves and comes to a place where we realize that we need this forgiveness.We have to take that next step and humble ourselves again as we turn this life over to Him. We need his authority over us. We need Him to lead us and guide us. 

John would straight up compare the matter of not following God is his holiness and righteousness to that of following in the ways of the devil. Here is some good resource material. Go to Google and type in "explaining the devil Christianity" and see what comes up. I really should come back and give this a whole message all to itself. Maybe we will do that. According to our historical sources, the devil rebelled a long time ago. He is present in the Garden during that opening moment. He uses the idea of knowledge and truth against the first human beings to get them to do what they want and rebel against God. 

How can we make sure that we are not following in those footsteps? How can we make sure we are walking with Jesus? Making sure that what we are doing is being done in Love is a good place to start. This week, take the time to slow things down in your mind. Put your actions and your words up next to the person of God and His Love. Let Him lead the way. Let God direct your thoughts. It might make all the difference. 

Queen of Denial

 

Queen of Denial

1 John 2.18-29

The background and history behind a passage of scripture is truly what brings any passage to light and makes it preach-able. Putting together a message really isn't that hard if we are simply listening to the context in and around any piece of scripture. We have already heard much about the world of these early believers in Jesus Christ. This week as we finish up chapter 2 of 1 John, we see more of what the Apostle John and others are dealing with as they seek to educate, encourage and keep the early church together and following the Lord.

When Will He Return?

In much of the writings within the New Testament, these epistles quite frequently refer to the Lord as "returning quickly", "soon and very soon", or as this week's scripture would put it "this is the last hour". When Jesus said he would return and take his followers to where he is (John 14) it was quite literal for all of them to think that the Lord would return very soon. Paul had to deal with this mindset quite literally when speaking to the Thessalonians, who took the message to heart so frankly that it was noted that believers in this early church would go up into the mountains in order to be as close to heaven as possible. Here they would sit and wait for the Lord to return hoping they would be among the first to see the Lord and be in his presence. That is how real the entire matter was for them. We out call people in our current, modern setting out for being too fundamental on their beliefs citing early church history as their ground work for why they do the things they do. What do we do with this information about the early church itself? Where would they come up with this notion that what they needed to do was go up into the mountains in order to be the first ones to see Jesus. Leaving behind all work and family in some cases, or maybe their entire family would abandon society and head up into the heights in order to be ready for The Return. Human beings really come up with some mind boggling notions of what it means to be following God. 

Keeping The Focus

We need to spend some time centering ourselves on the backdrop of what John is trying to say here and the focus has to do with denying who Jesus Christ is as Lord and Savior. This is a broad subject that reaches through not just the community of unbelievers, but also into the church itself where holding onto that belief in Jesus is of utmost importance. On every side, these early believers are bombarded with a message of distraction and fear and misguided theology. It is not easy to simply hang on to the faith about this Messiah who claims to want to take us to where he is. 

Emperor Domitian, the self-proclaimed “Lord and God” and ruthless dictator, reigned from AD 81 to 96. He was the son of Emperor Vespasian and the brother of Titus, the conquerors of Jerusalem in AD 70. Late in life, Domitian become very superstitious. In fact, on the day before he was murdered, he consulted an astrologer. During this time he also consulted Apollo, the god of music and poetry, as well as light, truth and prophecy! Commemorating his superstition, the emperor minted coins depicting Apollo on one side and a raven, associated with prophecy, on the other. This the world that early church find itself in. A temple to a Greek/Roman god might be right across the street from where the church is located. In many of the archeological films you might come across when researching New Testament material, it quite often is the case to uncover a building with religious markings that would suggest that early believers worshiped there. And, right across the street, there would be a temple to Zeus or Apollo or Athena. It would be common practice for some to worship in said temple and then come across the street to the church afterwards. Maybe people felt they needed to check all the bases and make sure they didn't miss out on any of gods on display. Maybe some did it for social interactions. And, yet, from the tone in John's letter, it seems quite certain that many are simply on the fence about what their own decision is about this Jesus. 

John would call anyone delivering a different message than the one they are presenting, an antichrist.

click to enlarge

While it has been suggested historically that there would be someone who would come and oppose the person Jesus, quite literally, when approaching the word we should hear John speaking to the matter in a more general way. John is not trying to make reference to any specific person. He is speaking to a mindset of denying who Jesus is. Anyone who would say that Jesus is not who he says he is is in opposition and is referred to as simply, an anti-christ. John is also saying that there are some who had gone out from their own fold. The message they are delivering shows that they never really belonged to the church in the first place. If they had, then the message they would have been delivering would have kept itself true to the person of Jesus. "The proof is in the pudding" is an old adage that works here. One taste of this "other" message and you know its not the "real stuff". So it is with the message about Jesus. John is writing to a society that has people proclaiming high knowledge and understanding about God. Those in that arena would also claim they have so sin, which is not in keeping with what we know about our own nature and the very center of the message that the Christian faith delivers. Then, the early church also finds itself in the face of a Roman empire with a Caesar who claims Lordship over everyone. How is a person supposed to hang on to their faith and stay true to Jesus Christ with all of this opposing their conscience? 

The Apostle John is maybe one of the best at giving encouragement. What he tells his audience is that they have everything they need right there in their midst. They have the anointing of God on them that will teach them everything they need to know. John hearkens them back to "the beginning" to remember how their faith journey began. Those early moments when our faith begins to grow and take off can be what makes or breaks our development in following Jesus. If there is not a moment in your life where you can mark the beginning of that journey, then you might have a time figuring out of you have Jesus in your life at all. For John and the apostles, they know they can look back to those three and half years they spent following Christ. They know where the beginning is for them. And, they also know where they are headed. 

Lost In Translation

Here would be a good place to bring up the matter of what exactly gets put into our English translation of the scripture. When John says here that "you do not need any one to teach you", what do he truly mean here? Lets keep in step with the context. John is speaking about the fact there there are those out in the social community that would try to lead them astray. We've covered what it is they are presenting. John is trying to convey that his audience already knows what they need to know about Jesus. No one else needs to come along and teach them something else about God. They know what they need to know already. And, yet, simple everyday life would show us that we do need people to lead us and teach us and guide us as we walk along. Here comes that fundamental viewpoint that needs addressing again. The setup of the Thurston sanctuary leads my mind to wander back to another sanctuary I worshiped in long ago. Just as we have this outer row of pews lining the outer wall here, the Apostolic church I enjoyed a week of Revival services in way back in 1995 was setup much the same way. If you know anything about worship in that type of setting, you know it can get very vocal with testimonies and speaking out. Might hear some tongues being shared. Lots of free-wheeling types who get emotional and shouting. It is quite an experience. 

I recall the worship leader calling for testimonies in the midst of the service. I seem to remember his suggesting "I don't want to hear about your tired feet and back. I don't want to hear anything about how many quarts of green beans you canned today 'with the Lord's help'. I want to some real, true words about what God has done for you." Being put on the spot like that was a bot unusual for an Apostolic-Pentecostal-Charismatic community who is used to maybe doing whatever they like in a service. The testimonies came a bit slow at first with the congregation being put in check and having to think before they spoke. Of course that didn't stop the most egregious, entertaining testimonies from making their way to the floor. Like I said, things can get a bit emotional in that kind of setting. After some well placed words about what God has done from several of the people in attendance, then the tongue speaking got going. a couple ladies stood up and shared words with no translator leaving the congregation wondering what the point was (at least that's where I was in the moment). Then, the guy I will never forget. He is in the front row on the front pew. He stands to speak. He instantly has this motion to his head and walk like he is in a trance and not in control of himself. After rambling in some unintelligible words, he begins to site his "I don't believe" statements. 

"I don't believe in this..."
"I don't believe in that..."
"I don't believe in women having short hair."
"I don't believe in abortion..."
"I don't believe in going to school to learn how to preach..."

All the while getting his chicken walk going what he babbled and cited his statements. Then, he snaps out of it! His eyes return to normal and he just slowly sits down in the front pew again. To be there in the moment... It kind of leaves one speechless concerning the ridiculousness of it all. And then from the back came this frank, dry, almost sarcastic voice after the man sat down. "Oh yea. You got it. Sure." 

When John speaks about his audience having the anointing on them and that they don't need for anyone to teach them, this is NOT what he means. He does not mean that we are free to just do whatever we want to do and handle ourselves in any careless manner we want concerning our worship. We do need people to teach us and instruct us. I am a proud graduate and student of two great colleges right here in Ohio. I have had some really great instructors who have spent some years behind the pulpit and serving churches who, in turn, has much wisdom and knowledge to pass along to the ones coming up. I don't know where I would be without them. Their help and encouragement have been priceless.

Standing Firm

 John talks about being confident and unashamed. It is easy to put that kind of thinking right into what we sing from our hymnals. Can you pick up a songbook and turn to a hymn and sing it like you mean it? Or, it is some hum-drum thing to sing one of these classic songs. Faith in Jesus should be something we can be excited about. The song we have lined up here this morning one you can sing with all your voice. Be encouraged and centered in the fact that God loves you today. Sing about that will all that you have. 

Blessings to you.

Quit Repeating Yourself

 

Quit Repeating Yourself

1 John 2.12-17

Had a lady several years ago in the Fairview congregation who seemed offended at the idea that so many words repeated themselves through the Scriptures. "What do you think we are dumb or something?" She was bothered by the repetition of phrases and chorus in places like the Psalms and historical events. For her, the use of the same words over and over implied that she was being lumped into a group of people who hard a hard time learning or understanding things. She felt she was very competent in learning and didn't need any reminders of what she needed Maybe you've felt the same way. Maybe you grew up with a brother or sister who loved to repeat things. "Copycat" was always an annoying game to play from the backseat. Not only did it drive your brother or sister nuts, but mom and dad had to put up with the mayhem while driving. "Quit repeating yourself" in some sassy tone would be heard over and over again until a parent threatened to pull over and stop the car. Maybe you brought a child up who loved to listen to the same song over and over again until they wore it out. Literally, sometimes. In the age of records and tapes, it was very easy to wind up scratching a vinyl or breaking a cassette. CDs did last longer, but eventually could scratch themselves. In this digital age of streaming media you listen to the same some over and over again with the simple click of a mouse or tap of a button on your phone. At the short of it, repetition can be a problem when approached the wrong way. The long of it is that repetition is necessary and even beneficial when we are in the process of learning. 

Say It Again

The importance of repetition cannot be understated. In fact, it should be repeated that repetition is an essential learning aid. It allows a conscious skill to transfer into one’s subconscious, freeing up working memory and allowing for further skills learning (“The Power of Repetition”, 2016).

A key thing to remember about repetition is that perfect practice is what makes perfect — not just practice. Performing tasks repetitively and correctly is what helps the skills learned from those tasks set in (“The Power of Repetition”, 2016).

And while yes, repetition may seem boring, the old adage “practice makes perfect” shows how beneficial this training method can be—especially in the fitness world. A repetition training program benefits your mind and body in a variety of ways. If you’ve ever worked out with a personal trainer or taken a exercise class, then you’re already familiar with sets and repetitions. A repetition, or “rep,” is one complete exercise movement while a “set” is a group of consecutive reps. So, three sets of fifteen reps looks like 15 bicep curls, rest for 30 seconds, 15 bicep curls, rest for 30 seconds, 15 bicep curls. 

Some additional benefits of repetition when it comes to physical improvements:

Heightens Concentration
Take time to truly focus on what you’re doing—no more going through the motions. Be slow and precise as you work your way through each set or interval.

Improves Motor Skills
Performing the same exercise repeatedly allows you to fine tune your movements and master the basics. Repetition of a specific movement invokes muscle memory. In the same vein, you can train for a specific sport or goal by monitoring your weights and repetition in relation to your tennis swing, layup form, or swim stroke.

Optimizes Performance Tracking
Over time, as you repeat, your performance during each set will improve. Track your progression to see how your body completes each movement throughout the week and measure your time, fatigue, and weight to see improvements. 

Aids Understanding of Your Body
Some workouts are better than others. By following a repetition training program, you will easily be able to identify when you’re in a mental slump versus when you’re actually having a bad training day. Listen to your body; know when you need to rest and when you can push harder.

This idea of repeating what we are doing to gain more have a better outlook is one that doesn't escape a person, like your local farmer. In your farm’s case, the repetition needs to happen in your fields, within nutrition and feeding, and while executing transition cow and reproductive protocols. In each of these areas, there have been found several situations where nickels, dimes, and quarters in margin per hundredweight are uncovered. Beginning with your acres at the start of the season or the fall prior, soil sampling and analyses give you and your agronomist an idea of what fertility boost your soil needs to deliver on both yield and quality the following season. The interaction between fertility and quality will be better understood in the months and years to come; however, fertility recommendations to optimize yield are more. John Goeser from the University of Wisconsin-Madison would suggest that After crops are in storage, many often rely upon a single nutrition analysis to make a decision or gauge the entire crop’s quality. In this case, with hundreds to thousands of tons in the silo, using a single forage analysis is like stepping up to the weight bar and doing a single repetition and expecting to be strong. Working with forward-thinking dairies that sample their forages up to several times per week, we’re learning that forages are far more variable than we’ve understood in the past 20 years.

One More Time

The reality is that repetition has been a key tool used by writers and thinkers for thousands of years. Perhaps the most famous example in the past century was the "I Have a Dream" speech from Martin Luther King, Jr. Look at this excerpt to see what I mean: 

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!  

Today, repetition is more popular than ever thanks to the rise of marketing campaigns. When I say "I'm lovin' it" or "Just do ​it," for example, you know exactly what I mean. (Nike and McDonald's know exactly what they are doing.) We refer to this as branding or advertising, but it's really just a concentrated form of repetition. Hearing the same thing over and over helps you remember it and can build associations with a product or idea.

 More Of The Same

John actually creates his own little sonnet here focusing on people in all age groups with this repetitive lineup. I thought for sure he had to be referencing some Old Testament wording, but there's no footnotes about that. This is purely inspiration based on speaking to people in many stages of their spiritual development. The older men, the fathers, would have been raised in such a way as to learn and remember what they needed to know about God. The young men and children would be on their way being educated about what it meant to walk in the faith. 

Hearing that they are strong and dedicated and forgiven and then hearing it again is a good way to embed those themes into their minds and make sure they remember. Our girls who played piano this morning all did wonderfully. How long did they all practice to get to this point? How many times did they work with that piece that was played today? Any musician knows the importance of repeating the process of notes and fingers and keys and chords until it becomes muscle memory. The same goes for the spiritual as well. We study and learn and repeat the scripture readings over months and years. How many of you follow a yearly guide thru the Bible. And, next year, you start over. And, you repeat the process. The next time around we hear something we missed the last time. Hopefully we retain more and remember what we need to help us stay in the light and follow our Lord. 

The power of repetition