Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Tomorrow we continue on our journey through St. Paul's letter to the Church meeting in Rome. At the beginning of chapter 9, St. Paul struggles with the challenge of telling the truth, out of love, for people who do not wish to hear it. He is lamenting over the unbelief of his Jewish brethren. He states:
1 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
I remember a movie a few years back titled "A Few Good Men" when Tom Cruise, a JAG officer, is asking the Colonel Jessup (Jack Nicholson) in charge of the United States military base in Cuba, about his behavior. He demands to hear the truth while the Colonel states "you can't handle the truth!" (check it out, if you can handle the anger and language, @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hGvQtumNAY )
I think in some ways, with all of the "relative truth" and "political correctness" in our society we want to believe that we can't handle the truth and look the other way when the opportunity to share the Truth of Christ comes our way. I know in my own life I have had opportunities to share, as St. Paul is doing with his fellow Jewish family, relatives and friends, and instead of sharing the truth; even if it caused me "great sorrow and unceasing anguish" I have changed the subject! I have noticed that the Holy Spirit has grown the desire in me to find the "person of peace" who is open to the truth and share it. Jesus told his disciples, as he sent them out with the TRUTH, to find these people in Matthew 10:11 “Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
Tomorrow we will look at the importance of telling the truth in love and looking for the "person of peace" so that we can bring truth to the nations!
It is true for us that with the Debt Limit Crisis and politics in general, truth seems to be a matter of perspective. Truth seems to depends on who asks the question, the words used and the context and way it is asked. We are fortunate that the Lord Jesus has given us HIS WORD to keep us grounded on the TRUTH as the Jesus' Disciples said when challenged with the idea of Jesus as the "Bread of Life" in John 6:66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” May we believe and know the TRUTH and the Holy one of God each day and tell the truth! Jesus also prayed in HIS high priestly prayer on the night HE was betrayed in John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
See you tomorrow as we worship the HOLY ONE OF GOD!
Reminder we will have the time of sharing each week following the worship after the Lord's Supper! Please ask the Lord if HE has something for you to share. Check the announcements on our website at www.crossandres.org.
Please remember all of our Church family is invited to our daughter Sarah's wedding next Saturday at St. Luke Lutheran Church at 1:00pm. If you have missed the invitation, please join us for this wonderful celebration of the gift of marriage between Josh and Sarah!
Love in Christ,
Pastor Bryan
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
July 24, 2011 "Belong: More than Conquerors!" Pentecost 6
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Tomorrow we will share in the worship of our amazing Lord and hear the Word of God from Matthew's gospel and Romans 8. In Romans 8, St. Paul writes: "37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." These words are often heard at Christian Funerals. This is a very comforting passage of Holy Scripture for us each day!
Earlier in Romans 8 we hear "28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. The point of this is not that God automatically predestines some for heaven and some for hell through election (as our calvinist brothers and sisters believe) but that as Jesus said in John 12:32 "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” He, God in Christ, will draw everyone to himself. Does this mean therefore everyone has to go to heaven? No, it means that our Lord, through the Holy Spirit draws, calls, gathers, justifies, sanctifies and glorifies! We hear this in Luther's explanation to the 3rd Article of the Apostles' Creed:
If people do not respond to the call then they are not justified, even though Christ died for all sins, once and for all! But God is faithful and will call, justify, glorify those who receive this free gift of grace! St. Paul wants us to know who we are when we receive the gifts that the Lord offers to us, as the Creed states: our adoption as children of God, our redemption in Christ and Sanctification by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is what makes us more than conquerors and what makes Satan tremble when we live by the Spirit and know to whom we belong and what it means.
We are going to change a few things in worship tomorrow. Because we love to hear from the Word of God, prophecies and testimonies, sharing what the Lord has done and is doing, we are going to add a sharing time in the service each week. We are going to begin with our worship and prayer time as we normally do. We have the Gospel reading and then Children's message. We will read the text from Romans 8 which I will share from. After the Sermon we will share the peace and then confess our sins and enter into the Lord's supper. We will have the Lord's Supper and while we offer prayers during the worship time following the distribution, while we pray for people, healing etc... we will also offer time after the worship for people to share at the microphone at the side. An Elder will stand on the pulpit side at the front and everyone who wishes to share may come up and we will have sharing time every week. This will allow us to have "God-sightings" and other sharing on a regular basis! The Elders will be responsible for assisting the people who feel led to share by helping them in keeping good order and time. The Elder's and I believe this will facilitate an even greater appreciation for what we know the Lord is doing in the midst of his family here at Cross and Resurrection!
I look forward to worship tomorrow, giving our Lord all praise and honor!
Love in Christ Jesus our Risen Lord and Savior,
Pastor Bryan
Tomorrow we will share in the worship of our amazing Lord and hear the Word of God from Matthew's gospel and Romans 8. In Romans 8, St. Paul writes: "37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." These words are often heard at Christian Funerals. This is a very comforting passage of Holy Scripture for us each day!
Earlier in Romans 8 we hear "28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. The point of this is not that God automatically predestines some for heaven and some for hell through election (as our calvinist brothers and sisters believe) but that as Jesus said in John 12:32 "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” He, God in Christ, will draw everyone to himself. Does this mean therefore everyone has to go to heaven? No, it means that our Lord, through the Holy Spirit draws, calls, gathers, justifies, sanctifies and glorifies! We hear this in Luther's explanation to the 3rd Article of the Apostles' Creed:
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true.
If people do not respond to the call then they are not justified, even though Christ died for all sins, once and for all! But God is faithful and will call, justify, glorify those who receive this free gift of grace! St. Paul wants us to know who we are when we receive the gifts that the Lord offers to us, as the Creed states: our adoption as children of God, our redemption in Christ and Sanctification by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is what makes us more than conquerors and what makes Satan tremble when we live by the Spirit and know to whom we belong and what it means.
We are going to change a few things in worship tomorrow. Because we love to hear from the Word of God, prophecies and testimonies, sharing what the Lord has done and is doing, we are going to add a sharing time in the service each week. We are going to begin with our worship and prayer time as we normally do. We have the Gospel reading and then Children's message. We will read the text from Romans 8 which I will share from. After the Sermon we will share the peace and then confess our sins and enter into the Lord's supper. We will have the Lord's Supper and while we offer prayers during the worship time following the distribution, while we pray for people, healing etc... we will also offer time after the worship for people to share at the microphone at the side. An Elder will stand on the pulpit side at the front and everyone who wishes to share may come up and we will have sharing time every week. This will allow us to have "God-sightings" and other sharing on a regular basis! The Elders will be responsible for assisting the people who feel led to share by helping them in keeping good order and time. The Elder's and I believe this will facilitate an even greater appreciation for what we know the Lord is doing in the midst of his family here at Cross and Resurrection!
I look forward to worship tomorrow, giving our Lord all praise and honor!
Love in Christ Jesus our Risen Lord and Savior,
Pastor Bryan
Saturday, July 16, 2011
July 17, 2011 "One TRULY Sent: Belong as Children of God"
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Sunday is the 5th Sunday after Pentecost, in this "teaching season" of the church year. This week we continue to look at what it means to "be one truly sent by God" specifically looking at Romans 8 where St. Paul states in verse 19: "the creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed." This refers to the end of time but we as "Children of God" are able to share what has been revealed to us in Holy Scripture. We therefore are talking about what it means to be the "Children of God" revealing to the world what our Lord has done, is doing and will do. Our Old Testament lesson from Isaiah 44:8 where Isaiah quotes the God of the universe saying to us: "Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” We have the privilege of being His witnesses. The Gospel lesson are the very words of Jesus when he declares in Matthew 13:43 "then the righteous (us) will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father. He who has ears, let him hear!" We are going to make the sermon time a "God-sighting" time. I am asking everyone to prayerfully consider as you have experienced God, as His child, over the last few months doing amazing things that you would feel comfortable sharing with us. My sermon will be short and we will have the time to share! Also we are going to move the prayers to after Holy Communion, during our worship time to experience the intimacy of the "real presence" of Christ and pray, praise and give thanks during this time of worship. We are hoping to set up a training time to have more prophetic words in worship and this will better facilitate this experience of the Holy Spirit moving in the midst of Christ's body, the Children of God, in worship together. Holy communion is an "altar call" of sorts when we come to the Lord to know with all of our senses the forgiveness of sins and the power to live as Children of God!
See you on tomorrow!
Thanks in advance to those who help lead the worship and serve every week! If you want to share on Sunday please let me know!
Love in Christ,
Pastor
This Sunday is the 5th Sunday after Pentecost, in this "teaching season" of the church year. This week we continue to look at what it means to "be one truly sent by God" specifically looking at Romans 8 where St. Paul states in verse 19: "the creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed." This refers to the end of time but we as "Children of God" are able to share what has been revealed to us in Holy Scripture. We therefore are talking about what it means to be the "Children of God" revealing to the world what our Lord has done, is doing and will do. Our Old Testament lesson from Isaiah 44:8 where Isaiah quotes the God of the universe saying to us: "Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” We have the privilege of being His witnesses. The Gospel lesson are the very words of Jesus when he declares in Matthew 13:43 "then the righteous (us) will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father. He who has ears, let him hear!" We are going to make the sermon time a "God-sighting" time. I am asking everyone to prayerfully consider as you have experienced God, as His child, over the last few months doing amazing things that you would feel comfortable sharing with us. My sermon will be short and we will have the time to share! Also we are going to move the prayers to after Holy Communion, during our worship time to experience the intimacy of the "real presence" of Christ and pray, praise and give thanks during this time of worship. We are hoping to set up a training time to have more prophetic words in worship and this will better facilitate this experience of the Holy Spirit moving in the midst of Christ's body, the Children of God, in worship together. Holy communion is an "altar call" of sorts when we come to the Lord to know with all of our senses the forgiveness of sins and the power to live as Children of God!
See you on tomorrow!
Thanks in advance to those who help lead the worship and serve every week! If you want to share on Sunday please let me know!
Love in Christ,
Pastor
Saturday, July 9, 2011
July 10th, 2011: Fourth Sunday after Pentecost "Heirs of God and Co-heirs with Christ"
This week we continue our journey of discovery into what it means "being one truly sent" which we first heard from the prophet Jeremiah. We will hear from Isaiah 55 about the power of God's Word as it is goes forth! We will hear Jesus sharing in the Matthew 13 about the seeds and the soil, those who received the Word. We will be looking specifically at our identity as ones who are truly sent in Romans 8. In Romans 8 St. Paul tells us of the importance in living by the Spirit and knowing we are Children of God and "heirs!" It is important to understand the way the Roman world looked at adoption and being heirs! Tomorrow we will look at the tremendous gift it was to be an "heir!" It also came with responsibilities especially if your "Co-Heir" was Christ!
Let us understand who we are as Children of God in Christ Jesus and recognize the privilege, power and responsibility we have a free people and slaves to righteousness. It is awesome to know to whom we belong and relationship our Lord wants to have with us!
Let us understand who we are as Children of God in Christ Jesus and recognize the privilege, power and responsibility we have a free people and slaves to righteousness. It is awesome to know to whom we belong and relationship our Lord wants to have with us!
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