As the story of the life of Samuel continues, Israel faces a dark and difficult period. The priestly leadership of the past under Eli is no more after his death upon hearing of the loss of the Ark and the death of his sons. The Ark of the Covenant, although quickly returned by the Philistines is unable to be returned to its place in the Tabernacle until after the people have rid themselves of false gods. When the people are ready to repent, Samuel leads them in a collective act of worship and repentance at Mizpah. The neighboring Philistines interpret this gathering as a prelude to war and attack. God's people call upon Samuel to pray for deliverance, but the question on everyone's mind is: Has God forgiven us or are we about to receive the punishment for our sins at the hand of the enemy?
God, in his mercy, has already accepted their repentance and protects his people by "thundering" that day, driving the Philistine army away in panic. To commemorate this victory, Samuel places a memorial stone, "Ebenezer" (in Hebrew: "stone of help") to show how far the LORD was willing to go to help his people. The stone will serve as a reminder to this generation and a teaching tool for future generations to obey the LORD and rely upon his deliverance.
In our own society, we too must put away our false gods of money, power, fame, illicit sex, and a host of others in order to fully devote ourselves to God. We could also benefit from memorials of our own, celebrating what God has done through us and for us. After such victories, we too, like Samuel, must return to the everyday business of shepherding God's people and doing the work of the Lord.
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video
This blog serves as an outreach for Pastor Randy Powell of the First Baptist Church of Franklin, PA. Feel free to ask questions or send me an e-mail at pastorpowell@hotmail.com
Monday, February 18, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Lenten thoughts on peace among Christians
As we begin today the season of Lent we are reminded of the wide variety of Christian practice here in the United States. We are not separated from each other by region, race, education, or any other social factor that has throughout history driven wedges between the various churches of the Church. It wasn't always this way, America has a past where the type of church you attended meant a great deal more than the type of man/woman you were. As we have our racial past sins, we've been on the long road of moving beyond our past.
Nearly every day I work with a Christian volunteer, lay leader, or pastor from a non-Baptist church. My work with Mustard Seed Missions crosses boundaries all the time without even consciously thinking about them. We will soon join together in a community wide cross walk followed by an ecumenical tenebre worship service. We are still many, but we function more and more as one. In this we certainly please God whose son is the groom of the whole Church, no local version has a monopoly on the claim to being the Bride of Christ, nor does any continent spanning denomination.
That being said, most of us don't know about two experiments that took place in Eastern Europe prior to the Thirty Years War that offered hope of toleration and civil peace among Catholics, Lutherans, Reformed, and Orthodox Christians. That these experiments didn't survive into the modern world do not detract from the vision, honor, and courage of those who embarked upon a journey of hope in peace.
The first example comes from the nobility of Transylvania, a small principality that was wedged between hostile Ottoman Turks and the Hapsburg Holy Roman Emperor. Transylvania was home to a wide variety of Christian churches, as such these nobles were forced to find common ground with each other for their very survival. The result was and agreement in 1568 in the town of Torda that stated,
"ministers should everywhere preach and proclaim {the Gospel} according to their understanding of it, and if their community is willing to accept this, good; if not, however, no one should be compelled by force if their spirit is not at peace...no one is permitted to threaten to imprison or banish anyone because of their teaching, because faith is a gift from God." (from Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid McCulloch, page 640)
Likewise, the kingdom to the north, Poland-Lithuania was faced with choosing a new king after the death of Sigismund Augustus in 1572; they were also faced with Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, and Orthodox churches within their territory. When the nobility decided to ask Henri, Duke of Anjou to be their next king they required him to first sign a agreement that had been drawn up in Warsaw which stated,
"Since there is in our Commonwealth no little disagreement on the subject of religion, in order to prevent any such hurtful strife from beginning among our people on this account...we mutually promise for ourselves and our successors forever...that we who differ with regard to religion will keep the peace with one another, and will not for a different faith or a change of churches shed blood nor punish one another by confiscation of property, infamy, imprisonment or banishment, and will not in any way assist any magistrate or officer in such an act." (McCulloch, page 643)
As we begin the path of Lent, the road that leads to the Cross and the Empty Grave, let us remember those who tried (often in vain) to bring peace among Christians, to foster a sense of brotherhood among those who claim Jesus as their Lord. We should be rightly proud of our current level of brotherly love here in America, but we should rightly remember that we didn't walk this whole path on our own, there were visionaries in Transylvania and Poland-Lithuania hoping for peace five hundred years ago.
Nearly every day I work with a Christian volunteer, lay leader, or pastor from a non-Baptist church. My work with Mustard Seed Missions crosses boundaries all the time without even consciously thinking about them. We will soon join together in a community wide cross walk followed by an ecumenical tenebre worship service. We are still many, but we function more and more as one. In this we certainly please God whose son is the groom of the whole Church, no local version has a monopoly on the claim to being the Bride of Christ, nor does any continent spanning denomination.
That being said, most of us don't know about two experiments that took place in Eastern Europe prior to the Thirty Years War that offered hope of toleration and civil peace among Catholics, Lutherans, Reformed, and Orthodox Christians. That these experiments didn't survive into the modern world do not detract from the vision, honor, and courage of those who embarked upon a journey of hope in peace.
The first example comes from the nobility of Transylvania, a small principality that was wedged between hostile Ottoman Turks and the Hapsburg Holy Roman Emperor. Transylvania was home to a wide variety of Christian churches, as such these nobles were forced to find common ground with each other for their very survival. The result was and agreement in 1568 in the town of Torda that stated,
"ministers should everywhere preach and proclaim {the Gospel} according to their understanding of it, and if their community is willing to accept this, good; if not, however, no one should be compelled by force if their spirit is not at peace...no one is permitted to threaten to imprison or banish anyone because of their teaching, because faith is a gift from God." (from Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid McCulloch, page 640)
Likewise, the kingdom to the north, Poland-Lithuania was faced with choosing a new king after the death of Sigismund Augustus in 1572; they were also faced with Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, and Orthodox churches within their territory. When the nobility decided to ask Henri, Duke of Anjou to be their next king they required him to first sign a agreement that had been drawn up in Warsaw which stated,
"Since there is in our Commonwealth no little disagreement on the subject of religion, in order to prevent any such hurtful strife from beginning among our people on this account...we mutually promise for ourselves and our successors forever...that we who differ with regard to religion will keep the peace with one another, and will not for a different faith or a change of churches shed blood nor punish one another by confiscation of property, infamy, imprisonment or banishment, and will not in any way assist any magistrate or officer in such an act." (McCulloch, page 643)
As we begin the path of Lent, the road that leads to the Cross and the Empty Grave, let us remember those who tried (often in vain) to bring peace among Christians, to foster a sense of brotherhood among those who claim Jesus as their Lord. We should be rightly proud of our current level of brotherly love here in America, but we should rightly remember that we didn't walk this whole path on our own, there were visionaries in Transylvania and Poland-Lithuania hoping for peace five hundred years ago.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and Church transitions
The surprise announcement that Pope Benedict XVI will resign as Pope at the end of February was certainly a surprise, especially when you consider that it hasn't happened since Gregory XII in 1415. In the very near future the College of the Cardinals will convene to select the next Pope in a process that is repeated, albeit with less grandeur and prestige at stake, all over the world each year when churches large and small select someone to take the place of a previous leader.
There are several issues which can threaten a local church or even a whole denomination, change of leadership is one of the most regular and one of the most frightening. Questions often abound about how the new leader(s) will be able to measure up to the old. How will the current ministries of the church mesh with this new leader's vision? Will changes be coming, and will they be for the better?
The issues are relatively the same for the Catholic Church's one billion followers and the small rural church of twenty. Change, for better or worse, is often met with apprehension if not fear. A dynamic leader is difficult to replace (and take it from the perspective of a minister, difficult to follow as well). Sadly, many a church has been dealt a mortal blow due to the cliques that form around ex-pastors or the unwillingness of some in a congregation to accept that change is a necessary part of any healthy church.
So what can we rely upon to bolster us in times of change? The first great anchor for any church must be the Cornerstone of our faith, Jesus Christ. Whomever is chosen to lead us, by whichever selection process is used, he/she must affirm without any hesitation the sole headship of Jesus Christ and the absolute reliance upon his saving work upon the cross for our sins. Secondly, we rely upon the continuity of the Scriptures. The Word of God is the source of authority for us all regardless of the amount of authority a local leader or even denominational leader may or may not have at his/her disposal. Those in leadership change, the Word of God does not. Thirdly, we have tradition and the example of those who have gone before us to guide us. The world around us changes all the time, yet nothing is new under the sun (Solomon knew that 3,000 years ago); the challenges facing our churches today are the challenges that the Church has overcome before and will again. Why? Because Christ has promised us that the "gates of hell will not overcome it" (Matthew 16:18).
In the end, each local body, and each larger denominational grouping, must protect the legacy that has been handed down to us from those who have lived as salt and light in this world before us, and we must find new ways to bring the same unchangeable Gospel of Jesus Christ to a world that continues to be in need of God's forgiveness. We must choose our leaders wisely, and we must remember to support them in prayer.
Is it odd for a Baptist pastor to pray for the selection of the next Pope? It shouldn't be, our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are embarking upon a new chapter in the history of the Catholic Church; a journey we too have taken in the past and we too will do so again soon enough. The men and women who lead the Church on Earth are but servants of Lamb; we do his work for as long as we are blessed with the responsibility of shepherding his flock, and then we hand the staff on to another of God's shepherds.
There are several issues which can threaten a local church or even a whole denomination, change of leadership is one of the most regular and one of the most frightening. Questions often abound about how the new leader(s) will be able to measure up to the old. How will the current ministries of the church mesh with this new leader's vision? Will changes be coming, and will they be for the better?
The issues are relatively the same for the Catholic Church's one billion followers and the small rural church of twenty. Change, for better or worse, is often met with apprehension if not fear. A dynamic leader is difficult to replace (and take it from the perspective of a minister, difficult to follow as well). Sadly, many a church has been dealt a mortal blow due to the cliques that form around ex-pastors or the unwillingness of some in a congregation to accept that change is a necessary part of any healthy church.
So what can we rely upon to bolster us in times of change? The first great anchor for any church must be the Cornerstone of our faith, Jesus Christ. Whomever is chosen to lead us, by whichever selection process is used, he/she must affirm without any hesitation the sole headship of Jesus Christ and the absolute reliance upon his saving work upon the cross for our sins. Secondly, we rely upon the continuity of the Scriptures. The Word of God is the source of authority for us all regardless of the amount of authority a local leader or even denominational leader may or may not have at his/her disposal. Those in leadership change, the Word of God does not. Thirdly, we have tradition and the example of those who have gone before us to guide us. The world around us changes all the time, yet nothing is new under the sun (Solomon knew that 3,000 years ago); the challenges facing our churches today are the challenges that the Church has overcome before and will again. Why? Because Christ has promised us that the "gates of hell will not overcome it" (Matthew 16:18).
In the end, each local body, and each larger denominational grouping, must protect the legacy that has been handed down to us from those who have lived as salt and light in this world before us, and we must find new ways to bring the same unchangeable Gospel of Jesus Christ to a world that continues to be in need of God's forgiveness. We must choose our leaders wisely, and we must remember to support them in prayer.
Is it odd for a Baptist pastor to pray for the selection of the next Pope? It shouldn't be, our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are embarking upon a new chapter in the history of the Catholic Church; a journey we too have taken in the past and we too will do so again soon enough. The men and women who lead the Church on Earth are but servants of Lamb; we do his work for as long as we are blessed with the responsibility of shepherding his flock, and then we hand the staff on to another of God's shepherds.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Sermon Video: "Speak, your servant is listening" - 1 Samuel 3
The call of Samuel by the LORD is told in chapter 3 amidst the tribulation surrounding the wickedness and subsequent judgment of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phineas. While that unfortunate drama progresses, the LORD calls Samuel in the night to begin his road toward leading Israel as his prophet.
The advice that Eli gives to Samuel when he realizes that God is calling him is to say, "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening." That attitude of humble listening to the Word of God is one that we all can learn from. God may not speak to you with an audible voice, but his will is available to guide us through the Scriptures, prayer, and the wisdom of our fellow followers of Jesus. However, we will never hear what God is saying if we don't take the time to stop and listen.
The post script of God's call to Samuel is the observation that from this day forward he listened intently to God's word and consequently grew in stature and honor among the people. When the time comes for Samuel to lead the people, he'll be ready because he listened to God.
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video
The advice that Eli gives to Samuel when he realizes that God is calling him is to say, "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening." That attitude of humble listening to the Word of God is one that we all can learn from. God may not speak to you with an audible voice, but his will is available to guide us through the Scriptures, prayer, and the wisdom of our fellow followers of Jesus. However, we will never hear what God is saying if we don't take the time to stop and listen.
The post script of God's call to Samuel is the observation that from this day forward he listened intently to God's word and consequently grew in stature and honor among the people. When the time comes for Samuel to lead the people, he'll be ready because he listened to God.
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video
Monday, February 4, 2013
Sermon Video: A Firm Foundation - Luke 6:43-49
In the final portion of his sermon, Jesus draws two conclusions to his message of high moral standards. The first is that the things that people do in life are a reflection of the person they are. As he says, "good" people produce "good fruit" and "bad" people produce "bad fruit". The lack of a middle ground, a grey area, is on purpose. Jesus is not interested in making people feel better about themselves if they are falling short of the standard of God's holiness. Remember, Jesus said we must love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, give to those who will not give anything back, be merciful, and do not judge. Such things are far beyond the normal definition of "good", does anyone really think they would be declared a good person when standing before God?
The second conclusion is that anyone who hopes to live a life pleasing to God must do so by building upon a firm foundation. The building metaphor works both ways: those who build upon the solid rock (the teachings of Jesus and the person of Jesus) will not only build a structure with inhabiting, they will also withstand the inevitable storms in life. Conversely, those who try to build with Christ as their foundation will ultimately find that whatever they manage to build falls apart and eventually collapses.
We must product good fruit if we claim to follow Jesus, to simply talk a good game is not good enough; we must be like Christ. The only way we can possibly hope for such moral purity is to place our trust, hope, and faith upon the power that we have been offered through the Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth.
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video
The second conclusion is that anyone who hopes to live a life pleasing to God must do so by building upon a firm foundation. The building metaphor works both ways: those who build upon the solid rock (the teachings of Jesus and the person of Jesus) will not only build a structure with inhabiting, they will also withstand the inevitable storms in life. Conversely, those who try to build with Christ as their foundation will ultimately find that whatever they manage to build falls apart and eventually collapses.
We must product good fruit if we claim to follow Jesus, to simply talk a good game is not good enough; we must be like Christ. The only way we can possibly hope for such moral purity is to place our trust, hope, and faith upon the power that we have been offered through the Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth.
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video
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