This Sunday we celebrate the Second Sunday of Pentecost. As we begin the teaching season of the church we turn to the readings from the
Gospel of Mark and hear in Mark 3 how Jesus' family and others think he
is crazy. They say "He is out of His Mind," of course his critics, the
teachers of the law, jump in and add "He is possessed by Beelzebub! By
the prince of demons He is driving out demons."
Have you ever felt that when you are following Christ in a very committed way people think you are "out of your mind?"
I have dealt with this over the years with friends who think that, when
I had opportunities to make money and get a "real job," as one friend
from my High School days put it, I stayed in the ministry. When I share with others about how we want the gifts of
the Holy Spirit spoken of in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 to
manifest and be evident in our church family I have some pastors say
heretical things like: "they are not for today," or "the gifts were only
for the office of public ministry," or "these gifts ended when the canon
of Holy Scripture was closed" etc..... I think it has become more and
more evident to me the need for us to do really believe what the
Disciples said in Acts 4 when they astonished the Jewish ruling council
(Sanhedrin) and they were told to stop saying the truth. The Apostles said in Acts 4: 18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
I
guess it is time for us to determine if we will give in to the world,
and what is politically correct, or serve God rather than man? I would
rather be accused of being "out of my mind" than give into a philosophy
that gains applause but leads me to compromise on essentials. The words
of Jesus come to mind in Mark 8: 36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
As we prepare to worship our Lord this Sunday may we be ready to do what we hear the Lord say in HIS WORD and be forgiven, set free and empowered by HIS SACRAMENTS to move forward with HIS PLANS AND HIS WAYS AND HIS WILL NOT OURS!
God richly Bless you this week as you serve our living God!
Love in Christ Jesus our Risen and Ruling Savior and Lord,
Pastor Bryan
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