"For my thoughts are not your thoughts..." Isaiah 55:8

There are a lot of verses in the Bible that people quote without really understanding whether or not they apply to the situation at hand.  Christians often quote Isaiah's words about the will of God when talking about tragic situations like cancer, a house fire, a hurricane, or simply some loss or failure that doesn't make any sense to us.  In that vein, this verse is much like Romans 8:28-29, a verse that when taken out of context doesn't necessary lead us into error, per se, but certainly takes us away from the point that the writer, and thus God, are trying to make.
In Isaiah 55, God is expressing his willingness to not only save and restore Israel after the upcoming judgment falls upon them, but surprisingly he plans to include the nations that haven't even heard his name yet in his redemption.  In verses 6-7 God explains that he is near and easily found by anyone who is willing to repent by turning from their wickedness.  It is at this moment that God says, "my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways."  He certainly isn't talking about understanding or coping with tragedy or misfortune, but instead about how God's love and mercy for sinners is beyond our understanding.
The people of God have a long running tendency to exclude those they don't like or aren't comfortable with from the reach of God's mercy.  This began with the people of Israel and continue in the history of the Church.  From Moses to Jesus it was the Jews who were reluctant to extend God's grace to the Gentiles, once the Gentiles took over the Church they turned the tables and ensured that the Jews were no longer welcome, and later on added in other undesirable such as the American Indians, African slaves, and other groups.  It took generations of dedicated work by missionaries and reformers to fight back against this latent racism, to purge the Church of a willingness to forget about those who had not yet been given a chance to accept the call of God to repent.
This same line of reasoning applies to God's willingness to forgive repentant sinners that have either fallen too far in our view, or who have committed sins that we find more repugnant than the ones we've been guilty of.  At times this manifests itself in a reluctance to forgive those whose crimes against God seem somehow more grave than our own, at other times it shows up as a reluctance to allow our social club feeling of Church to be distracted by the likes of such sinners as drunkards, drug users, prostitutes, gamblers, or those with sexual perversions.  Are the sins of vanity, greed, or good ol' heterosexual fornication somehow a better class of sin?  Are those who have already received God's forgiveness somehow superior to those who are about to?
Why are God's "thoughts" and "ways" not our own?  Because we have not yet allowed the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to eradicate the self-righteousness from our own thoughts and attitudes to the extent that we  begin to see what God see when he looks upon a Lost sinner, a child of God who needs to come home.  That God's "thoughts" and "ways" are not our own is a good thing, a merciful, loving thing, thanks be to God.

Sermon Video: "Everyone who believes is justified" - Acts 13:13-39

As the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas continues, the team leaves Cyprus and sails to Perga on their way to Pisidian Antioch.  It is at this juncture that John Mark, Barnabas' cousin, leaves the expedition and returns to Jerusalem.  Why did Mark leave?  In the end, any answer is just a guess as the text tells us nothing, but it does remind us that the journey was a difficult one and that those making it were ordinary people like us with real problems and limitations.
At Pisidian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas enter the local synagogue where they are invited to speak.  Paul's message begins with a recap of God's provision for the people of Israel under the Covenant from Abraham to David.  Next Paul speaks of the prophetic ministry of John the Baptist who proclaimed the coming of God's Messiah, the Savior Jesus.  Paul briefly explains that Jesus was rejected by his own people, just as the prophets of old whose rejection the Scriptures mourn, and put to death without cause.  However, God vindicated his Son Jesus by raising him from the dead, a miracle that many witnessed.  After this, Paul cites examples of prophetic predictions about Jesus from the Scriptures as further proof of Jesus' validity.
The conclusion of Paul's message is both simple and timeless: forgiveness of sins and justification before God are available through Jesus.  What's the big deal about forgiveness, isn't it available through the Law?  Sadly, no, the Law can cover guilt and hold back the wrath of God, but as the book of Hebrews will later make crystal clear, it can never take away sins.  Sin no only separates man from God, it also corrupts, ruins, and destroys our minds, hearts, and souls.  If we cannot find forgiveness for our sins, we are doomed.  If God has forgiven us in Jesus, we cannot fail.  Likewise, justification, the salvation of man from the guilty verdict hanging over our heads is also available through Jesus.  Instead of the just punishment for our sins falling upon us, it has been redirected to the only one who could accept it, the perfect and sinless Son of God. 
The song "In Christ Alone" has a great line that reflects the truth of Paul's message here: "no guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me".  It is a message of hope, a message of reconciliation, the very core and essence of the Gospel that we have been commanded to take to the ends of the earth.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video: "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me" - John 13:3-15

As the Last Supper looms, Jesus takes a moment to teach his disciples a lesson about humility, not a lesson of words, but a lesson by example.  Because Jesus knew who he was, what his mission was, and that his reunion with the Father awaited, Jesus was able to lay aside his rightful kingship and take on the actions of a servant.  When Peter objects to having his feet washed, Jesus assures him that all who follow him must imitate his servant's heart.  Along the same lines, all who would approach God must do so in humble repentance, washed clean by the blood of the Lamb.
Jesus, by washing his disciples' feet, shows us that we must do likewise; it is in service to others that we will find peace.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video: "Do not judge" Luke 6:37-42

As Jesus' sermon continues, the ideas of "do to others" and "be merciful" are further developed by adding to them "do not judge", "do not condemn", and "forgive".  The call continues for followers of Jesus Christ to live a higher moral standard.  Why must we not judge, because we ourselves do not want to be judged?  Why must we not condemn, because God is merciful and so must we be.  Forgiveness offers the path to doing away with judgmental and condemnatory attitudes, when we learn to forgive as God forgives we no longer feel the need to elevate ourselves by bring others down. 
Jesus continues by explaining that the blind cannot lead the blind, we must follow the example of our teacher (himself) and learn from those who have become like him.  The final analogy, of the man with a plank in his eye trying to remove the speck in the eye of another shows the absurdity of those who have their own moral failings trying to correct those same failings in others.  Yes, we must help others in their efforts to be Christ-like, but we should do so by first examining ourselves that we may offer help from a position of victory over sin.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

To Judge or not to Judge, that is the question.

Please don't judge me for borrowing Shakespeare's phraseology from Hamlet, that would make the rest of this post difficult to read.  The text that I'm going to be preaching this Sunday is Luke 6:37-42; it begins with the phrase, "Do not judge".  In the passage Jesus is warning us that the same way in which we judge, condemn, and/or forgive others will be the measure with which we ourselves are evaluated by God.  That certainly is consistent with the teaching back in vs. 31 "do to others as you would have them do to you".  Later in the passage Jesus explains that if we are trying to help others by pointing out to them the flaws in their own character (clearly something that needs to be done in humility) we must first remove the flaws in our own if we have any hope of seeing clearly.
As I write the sermon, I can't help but think about all of the judgments that I need to make each week to do my job.  As a committee member for Mustard Seed Missions, we evaluate need/resources each week as new people are brought to our attention.  How do we decide who we help and who we do not?  As the pastor of this church I need to evaluate calls for assistance that we get every week, how do I decide who to help and who to not, and to what extent?  I certainly also have to watch over this flock, to keep an eye out for troublesome behavior in this congregation and try to stamp it out for the benefit of the whole.  Along those same lines, I need to be on the look-out for false doctrines and harmful ideas lest they take root amongst us and do harm to God's people.
It seems as if my job requires me to be a judge over a great many things and people, yet Jesus' words have to apply to me just like everyone else.  In the end it all comes down to attitudes and the intentions behind our actions.  Do I have the best interest of others and the needs of the community to heart?  Are my decisions self-sacrificial or self-aggrandizing?  The same questions apply to us all in the myriad of decisions (judgements) we must make each day as spouses, parents, consumers, voters, and members of the organizations we belong to.  To remove ourselves from the equation (to not judge at all) would simply hand the decision over to those who have selfish goals in mind.  To sit in judgment gleefully would be an affront to God and the speedy road to our own destruction.
Do you and I have to judge things in life?  Of course, but we have no reason to be judgmental.  Do we have to condemn evil and work towards its destruction?  Certainly, but we have no reason to not hope for sinners to repent.  Do we have forgive others?  That is the most crucial question of all; if we fail to forgive, what hope have we when our own mistakes are brought into the light of day?  Forgive, be merciful, and remember the embrace of your Heavenly Father when you finally returned home.

Sermon Video: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick" - Luke 5:27-32

Jesus once again does the unexpected when he calls the tax collector Levi (Matthew) to be his disciple. In 1st Century Judea tax collectors were especially hated as Roman collaborators, and as such were grouped with other "sinners" such as prostitutes. Jesus, however, sees in Levi a sinner in need of repentance, not a lost cause outcast. When the Pharisees complain that Jesus has agreed to eat with tax collectors and "sinners", he responds by telling them that, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick". In other words, God is concerned with the lost, with sinners who need to be healed; rather than hating them, God holds out a hand in hope that they will repent. As Jesus concludes, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Why does God care about each lost soul? Because he made each one, each person has value in his sight, and each person can be washed clean by the blood of the lamb.


Do we value every lost sinner, or have we become heartless like the Pharisees? Those who follow Jesus must welcome amongst them any who are willing to kneel at the foot of the cross.   To watch the video, click on the link below: Sermon Video

Sermon Video: "Friend, your sins are forgiven" - Luke 5:17-26

As Jesus once again heals the sick while he is teaching he is faced with a paralyzed man lowered through the roof by his friends.  Upon seeing their faith (the plural is intentional), Jesus tells him, "Friend, your sins are forgiven".  The religious leaders are rightly offended by Jesus' usurpation of God's sole right to forgive sins, and wonder who he really thinks he is.  To back up his claim, Jesus does the easier task, he heals the man of his paralysis.  Only God can forgive, Jesus, declaring himself to be the Son of Man (acc. to Daniel's prophecy), has just laid claim to being God...This episode beautifully illustrates how we can help those in need find faith and forgiveness, as we ourselves did at the foot of the cross.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video: "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." - Luke 5:12-14

What would it be like to live in complete isolation, to be an oucast whom all consider to be cursed by God?  What hope would there be?  In the Gospel of Luke, a man with leprosy falls at Jesus' feet and begs for healing.  The social stigma of his disease was far worse than the physical symptoms, by asking Jesus to make him "clean" the man is in essence asking for God's forgiveness.  Jesus does the remarkable; he reaches out and touches this "untouchable" man to let him know that he is indeed willing to make him clean.  By his mercy Jesus demonstrates the path to healing and forgiveness for us all, and encourages us to offer that same healing to whomever the outcasts of our society are, we too must reach out and touch them with God's love.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video, "Go away from me Lord, I am a sinful man!" - Luke 5:1-11

When Jesus chooses Simon's boat as a platform from which to teach the people, he encounters a hard-working fisherman who had no anticipation that God would that very day offer him freedom from his sins.  Following the miraculous catch of fish, Simon asks Jesus from his knees to go away from him because he considered himself unworthy of God's forgiveness.  What makes someone turn away from God's offer of grace in despair?  What do some people think they're beyond hope, and what can we do about it?  Jesus' answer to Simon provides our direction, "Don't be afraid.  From now on you'll fish for men."  Jesus answered with love and confidence because he knew the transforming power of his Father's grace, we too can offer love, acceptance, and hope to those who despair in our world.  We can share the Gospel of forgiveness and reconciliation, because all of Jesus' followers have been called to be fishers of men.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video: Peter's Message, Part II - Acts 2:32-41

In the conclusion of his Pentecost message, Peter stresses the fact of the resurrection, the cooperation of the Trinity, and concludes by declaring that God has made Jesus "both Lord and Christ".  The response of the audience is dismay (rather than defiance) as they realize their guilt.  Peter tells them that they must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus, but that if they do, they too will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  In the end, three thousand people choose to believe the Gospel.  This message has been passed down for two thousand years, but holds true to this day.  Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

More Grace?

An interesting question was raised at last night's Bible study (Hebrew 11).  We were talking about how all of the saints of the Old Covenant had lived by faith, as we do today, and that our faith is a response to the grace of God.  If God did not offer us grace, we would not be able to respond in faith {What would we respond to without God's offer of forgiveness?}.  The question was asked, if some people don't respond, why doesn't God just give them more grace until they do?  The question gets to the heart of the relationship between a holy omnipotent God and his fallen freewill creation.
How much grace is enough?  Do we have the right to ask God for more grace? {Grace being an undeserved gift, it seems rather cheeky of us to ask God for more, but when those who refuse God's call are our own relatives or friends our desperation is certainly understandable}
I'm not a full T.U.L.I.P. Calvinist (you can look it up if you want) because I don't believe in Irresistible Grace (or Limited Atonement).  When reading the Bible I see a lot of people to whom God holds out his hands in hope only to see them refuse to accept him.  As God says of his chosen people in Isaiah, "All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people" (Isaiah 65:2a).  Time and time again the Lord pleads with his people to repent and return to him.  He sends them prophets to warn them, he shows them miracles as proof, he tries tough love by judging their sins; often to no avail.  It seems clear that God wants everyone to repent and be saved but it blocked by our willful rebellion which refuses to admit our own wrongs or seek help from above.
In the end, God will decide who receives one chance at salvation, and who receives many.  It is not for me to say that anyone is beyond redemption or that it is too late for anyone on this side of the grave.  I simply know that God wants us to receive Jesus Christ, to be cleansed of our sins, and to once again have fellowship with our heavenly father.  Peter wrote about God's patience (he would certainly know having needed it on many occasions), "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (II Peter 3:9).
Any Bible study that leads us to contemplate the depth of God's love and mercy is time well spent.

Sermon Video: The Reluctant Prophet, Part 2 - Jonah 3-4

After having learned that he cannot run away from the will of God, Jonah proceeds to Ninevah to deliver God's message.  To the shock of all, the Ninevites actually believe God and repent.  In response, God relents and does not send the judgment he had threatened.  Jonah, however, is very angry at this outcome because he wanted his enemies to be destroyed not forgiven.  God uses and object lesson to try to show Jonah the value of each human life and God's desire to forgive any who will repent, but Jonah's own heart is clouded by his hatred.  In the end, as Christians, we have no enemies, only those with whom we can share God's grace.  If Christ didn't die for them also, he didn't die for you either.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video: "To seek and to save the lost" - Luke 19:1-10

As Jesus walks toward Jerusalem to face the cross he is confronted by an odd sight; a grown man sitting in a tree looking at him.  The man, Zacchaeus, was a hated tax collector, but Jesus chose to invite himself over to Zacchaeus' house for dinner that day.  Why?  Because Jesus' mission, and our mission too, is to seek and save the lost.  God's message is heard by those who know they're in need of salvation.  It wasn't a popular move, but Jesus, this time, like always, shared his grace and mercy with those in need.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

SermonVideo: Joseph's Family Reunion - Genesis 45-46

After 22 long years apart, Joseph finally has the opportunity to be reunited with his brothers and his father.  This was possible because Joseph had forgiven his brothers and trusted God's control over his life despite the hardships he had faced.  As a result, seventy members of his extended family were saved from the famine and a final tearful reunion of Jacob and Joseph occurs.  The faithfulness of one son, because of God's grace, outweighed the sinfulness of ten sons.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video: Joseph: Revenge? - Genesis 42 thru 44

After everything his brothers put him through, Joseph looks across the room to see those same ten men standing before him.  The table have entirely turned as they are entirely within his power.  How will Joseph respond to the chance to take revenge?  The answer will come from what Joseph did with all of the sorrow, anger, bitterness and regret that 13 years of slavery and prison gave him.  Did he nurture it, and allow it to grow, or did he deal with it and put it aside?  Before he decides what to do, Joseph tests his brothers to see if they have changed.  Are they still selfish and self-centered, or has the guilt of their past actions moved them to repentance?  In the end, Joseph's brothers prove themselves worthy of forgiveness, but will Joseph embrace them or take his revenge?
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video: "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance" - Luke 3:7-14

When the crowds began to come out to the Jordan to John to be baptized he responded with dire words, calling them a "brood of vipers".  Why would John respond harshly to those seeking to repent?  The answer lies in the covenant that God's people had broken by wandering away in disobedience.  John doesn't criticize new believers, nor should we, his message is for those within Israel (and the message is the same today for the Church) who already know God's grace but fail to act upon it.  What should we do to confirm our repentance?  We must produce fruit through acts of kindness in service to others, only then will the genuine nature of our repentence be confirmed.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video: "a baptism of repentance" - Luke 3:2-6

How do you go about preparing the world for the coming of the Messiah?  If you were John the Baptist, charged with this very mission, what would you do?  John's answer is to preach "a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins".  In other words, John knew that God's people needed to repent of their sins, turn their lives around, and start following God once more.  If they did that, Jesus' message would be heard.  The same hold true for us today, when we humble ourselves, confess our sins, and begin serving the Lord we open our eyes to see God's salvation and our ears to hear his Word.  When we do that, God can work mighty deeds through his people.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video, "Alive with Christ" - Colossians 2:11-17

Paul expains that our Spiritual baptism with Christ enables us to receive new life when we were dead in our sins. It also allows God to forgive us, destroys the written law which convicted us, and allows us to live a life free of legalistic attitudes. We must all die with Christ, and be raised with him to new life.


To watch the sermon video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

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!

Standing behind the Pulpit

An unexpected thing happened to me this past Sunday.  I was sitting up in the front of the church, during the opening prayer, scripture, and songs, when I began to feel the need to say something.  I knew that my sermon was approaching soon, and I didn't feel that I could go forward with preaching the Word of God until I had cleared something up.  There was a problem between myself and one of my congregation, something that I had apologized for in person earlier, but something that was known to others as well.  Rather than allow some to wonder how I felt, or to hear about my actions secondhand, I decided to step in front of the alter and talk to my congregation directly.  Now before anyone gets any ideas; the problem revolved around a careless comment made on an earlier date, the kind of thing we all do from time to time, but a problem because of my unique role in shepherding this church. 
In the end, the short comment that I was intending to deliver evolved into about a ten minute rambling discussion of the ups and downs that we've seen as a church in my years there, as well as my hopes and fears for our future.  At one point, one of my senior saints decided to chime in with, "stop beating yourself up and start preaching".
It was a different sort of experience; I've known for years that my conscience becomes more keen when I'm going to be serving Communion, anything that has been lingering between myself and God gets cleared up, but this was the first time that I've felt the need to wait before giving my Sunday sermon.  It's a powerful thing to stand in front of others and tell them what the Word of God says, certainly not something to be taken lightly...