Thursday, March 31, 2011

Play Ball!

Today is that quintessential American day, the opening day of Baseball.  In the tradition of the fans of generations past, most true-believers think that there team has a chance this year.  Well, maybe not in Cub fans, but just about everybody else.  There's something special about being able to start over fresh each year.  No matter how well, or how poorly, last year went, this year starts from scratch.  In life, most of us could use a fresh start from time to time.  Perhaps our career needs a restart, perhaps our finances, or perhaps it is our relationships that need to be revamped and renewed. 
In keeping with my firm belief that God must love baseball (you did see "Field of Dreams", right?), the Covenant that he made with the people of Israel contained this concept of starting over.  Every fiftieth year was a Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25), a year when all property reverted to its original owner and all slaves were given their freedom.  The purpose of the Law was to give those who had fallen on hard times a second chance.  No family would be down and out forever, and nobody's wealth could grow to great at the expense of his neighbors.  This may not make economic sense in the modern economy, but it certainly makes spiritual sense.  We've all spent time heading down road that lead to nowhere, and we've all done serious damage to relationships that mean a lot to us.  As Easter approaches, consider the opportunities that you have to reconcile to those whom you've hurt, and take the God-honored step of going to those who have hurt you and letting you know that you've forgiven them.  What grudge is worth holding on to year after year, what offense is worth the destruction that it does to our own souls when we cling to it?
Our God is the God of second chances, he gave one to Moses, David, Rahab, Ruth, Elijah, Johanh, Peter and Paul, just to name a few.  Why not imitate our heavenly father and be the people of second chances?  A new season offers new hope, and a new chance.  Go Tigers!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Sermon Video: John 9:13-25 "I was blind but now I see!"

What is the response to Jesus healing a man born blind?  Wonder?  Gratitude?  No, controversy.  The healing took place on the Sabbath when "work" was forbidden.  What kind of man heals with the power of God on the Sabbath?  The healed man's famous response to being questioned on the matter, "One thing I do know, I was blind but now I see!"

To watch the video, click on the links below:
Sermon Video Part 1
Sermon Video Part 2

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

We are indeed all mortals...Isaiah 40:7-8

"The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the LORD blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever.”

I came across this text today, quoted by Peter in I Peter 1:24-25, and it reminded me of conversations I've had in the last 24 hours with my mother and my mother-in-law about two of our relatives whose health is failing and for whom we've been praying.  We have a rather long life expectancy in America, but in the view of eternity, our time here is short.  What do we make of this?  Do we shout "carpe diem" and try to live each day like it is our last, or do we plan long-term and try to leave something behind that will last when we're gone?  The answer is both.  We must strive to make each day count, but we must also be wise builders who invest in the future and who take our responsibility seriously as members of the body of Christ.  God's Church will continue long after we're gone, his Word will endure forever.  God willing, the sacrifices we make for his kingdom will be enjoyed by the next generation.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Sermon Video: John 9:1-12, the Sin of the Man Born Blind

Why was this man born blind?  Jesus' answer to his disciples question shows us that we cannot view all suffering as a punishment for sin.  Sin causes suffering, but not all suffering is from sin.  God wants us to help the less fortunate, not blame them.  Jesus offers light in the darkness and truth for those who seek him.

To watch the sermon, click on the links below
Sermon Video Part 1
Sermon Video Part 2

Monday, March 14, 2011

When the Oceans Rise...

We sang an iworship song in church this week entitled, "Still", that has a line in its chorus "When the Oceans rise, and thunder roars, I will soar with you, above the storm"...In light of the tragedy unfolding this past week in Japan, those words seemed especially poignant.  As we sang the song, the thought occurred to me that whatever the particular storm may be that we're facing (in this case; a literal wave in Japan), the time to prepare to stand firm through it is well BEFORE the storm clouds darken the horizon.  I know the metaphor may be stretched a bit here, but we all will face a variety of storms in life, and none of us knows ahead of time how we will react to tragedy.  How then do we prepare?  As Jesus explained in the Gospel of Matthew: the wise man builds his house upon the rock (7:24-29).  The only sure foundation any of us can have to face the inevitable trials and tribulations of life is to plant our feet firmly on the hope we have in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  When we have placed our trust in God, not even the loss of our own lives will conquer us. 
As always, our thoughts and prayers are with those suffering in our world.

Sermon Video: Psalm 19:7-11, "the Law of the LORD revives the soul"

This message explores the perfection and purpose of the moral
code of God revealed in the Law. Not only is God's law a guide to
right living, but the path to wisdom and joy as well.
 
to watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video Part 1
Sermon Video Part 2

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Sermon Video: Colossians 1:23 "continue in your faith"

This sermon explores the need of the individual Christian, as well as of the local church, to maintain and defend faith.  Faith must be nurtured, discipline pursued.  Also, the historic essence of the Gospel message must continue to be our central focus.

To watch the video, click on the link below:

Sermon Video: Part 1
Sermon Video: Part 2

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Justice Delayed...

The trial for the two men accused of killing Donald Dietz (my dad's neighbor) is finally beginning; the murder occured in Sept. of 2007; it has been almost four years...I know that the wheels of justice grind slowly, but this is fairly pathetic...it reminds me that we often have to wait until our lives here are over to know the justice of God that is missing in our lives.  It would be so much easier, we think, if God was sitting at his computer, hitting the "smite" key anytime somebody stepped out of line (ok, I stole that idea from a classic Far Side comic); at least then we'd know that justice does indeed prevail...It would be more satisfying perhaps, but would it be better?  Why does God wait so long?  II Peter 3:9 reminds us that, "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."  We may want God to avenge us now, to put the bullies and the jerks in this world in their place.  God's reply to us: "my child, I waited for you to repent, why shouldn't I do the same for my other children?"  I guess God really does know what he is doing...as for Donald and his family, hopefully they will at least receive the small comfort of knowing that human justice does eventually come about from time to time.

Sermon Video: John 8:31-36 "the truth will set you free"

"you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free"
Are we really free, or are even Americans slaves? Jesus said that anyone who sins is a slave to sin. He also offered us all freedom is we choose to believe in and follow him. There is Hope, you can be free!
 
Click on the link below to watch the sermon:
Part One - Sermon Video - John 8:31-36
Part Two - Sermon Video - John 8:31-36