First Haiti, now Chile. Experts on the news are debating whether world-wide seismic activity is increasing. We see images of great suffering as thousands are displaced, homeless or dead. Jesus said, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains" (Matthew 24:7-8).
There's no denying that our world is in turmoil. Economic foundations that once were strong are now crumbling. Wars and terror continue to rage. Natural disasters seem to strike with great frequency. What are we to make of it all? Is this the beginning of the end? Are these the birth pains that will bring about the consummation of this age and the advent of the age to come?
Well, yes and no. Yes, these are signs of the coming end of this world. Jesus said these types of things would happen in the days leading up to His return and the final judgment. When wars break out or the earth trembles, we are supposed to be reminded of Jesus' words, that this broken world must experience birth pains in anticipation of the new creation.
But then again, no, the events we are witnessing around our world are not signs that enable us to pinpoint the date of Jesus' return. He may return tomorrow, just as God could have chosen to send Him back a thousand years ago. What we are witnessing in the news is just what people have witnessed for two thousand years (really much longer than that): a sin-broken world groaning for redemption. We may see it all in real-time through the relentless stream of live media, but suffering in our world is nothing new.
Jesus told us wars and earthquakes are signs that He will return, that God won't abandon His people in His creation, no matter how corrupt we become in our sinfulness. And we are to live with the expectation and hope that Jesus will return in our lifetime, to live as though "it is near, right at the door" (Matthew 24:33). And yet we are also to carry on with the mission Jesus gave us, to continuing sharing the good news and loving people in Jesus' name.
So, as we witness suffering in Haiti and Chile, in Afghanistan and Sudan, we should rejoice in the good news that one day Jesus will return and put all things right. But we should also mourn with those who suffer and show them love just as Jesus has shown us love.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Meeting Jesus at the Table
(First, let me apologize for not posting to my blog for the past several weeks. I appreciate those of you who take the time to read my thoughts here, and I will try to be more consistent in the future.)
This Sunday, as we worship our Lord, we will share in the Communion meal. Before serving the elements, I always say something like, "This is the table of our Lord Jesus Christ." It's important for us to remember that Jesus invites us to the meal that reminds us of His redeeming death. While the meal is about His death, we also can't help but celebrate His resurrection, believing that His living Spirit is with us as we worship and share the meal. We also hear the words of scripture, Jesus' own invitation to us: "This is my body that is for you" and "Do this in remembrance of Me." This is His personal invitation to all who know Him as Lord and Savior to remember Him in the breaking of bread.
The other reason I always remind the congregation that the Communion table belongs to Jesus is that we believe all of His followers are welcome at the table. It isn't up to me or our church leadership or our denomination to invite some and reject others. It's Jesus' table, and He invites all who know Him to join in the meal.
The theology of the Lord's Supper, unfortunately, divides the Kingdom. Churches differ on the how the elements should be treated, who can participate, what happens during the blessing of the elements, and the spiritual meaning of the whole affair. It's sad to see these divisions over such a beautiful moment in our lives of faith.
Of course, I believe my theology and the Covenant's practice of Communion is right and best (otherwise I wouldn't be a Covenant pastor), but even so, I don't want a dogmatic biblical interpretation to overshadow the beauty of the meal. This is the moment we celebrate and enter into Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. This is the moment we remember - as best as our human minds can - that God's own Son died to set us free. Insomuch as we can't fully fathom the depths of God's love or the glory of His grace poured over own lives, we also can't fully appreciate the spiritual meaning of our "participation" in the body and blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16). Still, we rejoice that God considers us worthy to enjoy the meal!
This Sunday, as we worship our Lord, we will share in the Communion meal. Before serving the elements, I always say something like, "This is the table of our Lord Jesus Christ." It's important for us to remember that Jesus invites us to the meal that reminds us of His redeeming death. While the meal is about His death, we also can't help but celebrate His resurrection, believing that His living Spirit is with us as we worship and share the meal. We also hear the words of scripture, Jesus' own invitation to us: "This is my body that is for you" and "Do this in remembrance of Me." This is His personal invitation to all who know Him as Lord and Savior to remember Him in the breaking of bread.
The other reason I always remind the congregation that the Communion table belongs to Jesus is that we believe all of His followers are welcome at the table. It isn't up to me or our church leadership or our denomination to invite some and reject others. It's Jesus' table, and He invites all who know Him to join in the meal.
The theology of the Lord's Supper, unfortunately, divides the Kingdom. Churches differ on the how the elements should be treated, who can participate, what happens during the blessing of the elements, and the spiritual meaning of the whole affair. It's sad to see these divisions over such a beautiful moment in our lives of faith.
Of course, I believe my theology and the Covenant's practice of Communion is right and best (otherwise I wouldn't be a Covenant pastor), but even so, I don't want a dogmatic biblical interpretation to overshadow the beauty of the meal. This is the moment we celebrate and enter into Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. This is the moment we remember - as best as our human minds can - that God's own Son died to set us free. Insomuch as we can't fully fathom the depths of God's love or the glory of His grace poured over own lives, we also can't fully appreciate the spiritual meaning of our "participation" in the body and blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16). Still, we rejoice that God considers us worthy to enjoy the meal!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Time to Give Thanks
I happened to be in the grocery store a few days ago (never a fun time for me) and noticed a giant freezer bin full of turkeys. Thanksgiving must be coming.
While there's never a wrong time to give thanks to God, we are blessed to have a day set apart in our personal as well as national schedules for returning thanks. We are a blessed people. Even with a lousy economy and international unrest, God continually showers us with love, grace and daily sustenance. So, let's give thanks!Our church will gather Tuesday evening, November 24th, at 7 p.m. for a Thanksgiving Service. Along with hymns of praise and prayers of thanks, we will also hear one of our brothers give testimony to God's amazing work in his life. Many of you know Juan Carlos Montoya was seriously injured in a workplace accident last spring. In the days following his fall, doctors feared Juan may not survive; if he did, he would never regain the life he had lived with his wife and children. God had other plans for Juan! His story of healing and renewal is truly worth hearing.
I hope you will join us on the 24th and that you and your family enjoy a wonderful celebration of God's abundant blessings on Thanksgiving.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Worship Concert, Nov. 22
You probably haven't heard of Jennifer Shaw. Yet.
She will perform a worship concert at ECC on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. What an amazing opportunity this is for our church and community to be blessed by Jennifer's music and ministry. Jennifer is music director at Faith Covenant Church in Westerville, Ohio and is a classically-trained Christian recording artist with a fast growing audience. She has produced five CDs of worship music and will soon release another that will include "Your Great Name," a song that recently cracked the top 5 on the national worship chart.
Listen to Jennifer tell her own story:
Visit her website: www.jennifershawmusic.com.
Jennifer's concert will be an exciting event for ECC and a great opportunity to invite family, friends and neighbors to our church. You don't need to buy a ticket, but don't let that stop you from coming! (We will collect a free-will offering that evening for Jennifer.)
She will perform a worship concert at ECC on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. What an amazing opportunity this is for our church and community to be blessed by Jennifer's music and ministry. Jennifer is music director at Faith Covenant Church in Westerville, Ohio and is a classically-trained Christian recording artist with a fast growing audience. She has produced five CDs of worship music and will soon release another that will include "Your Great Name," a song that recently cracked the top 5 on the national worship chart.
Listen to Jennifer tell her own story:
Visit her website: www.jennifershawmusic.com.
Jennifer's concert will be an exciting event for ECC and a great opportunity to invite family, friends and neighbors to our church. You don't need to buy a ticket, but don't let that stop you from coming! (We will collect a free-will offering that evening for Jennifer.)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
New Clothes
Do you ever find that it’s hard to watch the news? There’s so much bad news about bad people doing bad things. In fact, if all you knew about the world was what you learned by watching the evening news, you probably wouldn’t ever leave your house again!
Of course, the Bible teaches that we are all sinners, that we all do bad things; we all hurt people and hurt God and live as though God weren’t there or just didn’t matter.
But in Christ, God calls us to a new life, a different kind of life. He calls us to a life that honors Him and loves other people. Colossians 3:12-14 is a beautiful image of this new life:
The world is full of bad things. Sometimes we run into bad people. But we are called to be different. We are called by Jesus to be compassionate, not selfish; to be kind, not rude; to be humble, not arrogant; to be gentle, not rough; to be patient, not greedy.
And we are called to make a difference in the lives of others. Jesus asks us to help others learn how to honor God by the example we set. I hope we all clothe ourselves with love each day.
Of course, the Bible teaches that we are all sinners, that we all do bad things; we all hurt people and hurt God and live as though God weren’t there or just didn’t matter.
But in Christ, God calls us to a new life, a different kind of life. He calls us to a life that honors Him and loves other people. Colossians 3:12-14 is a beautiful image of this new life:Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity (NIV).
And we are called to make a difference in the lives of others. Jesus asks us to help others learn how to honor God by the example we set. I hope we all clothe ourselves with love each day.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Finding Joy
Last fall I shared a short message from Isaiah 35 during a Praise Night event. The words I shared touched at least one heart, and I was asked a few days ago to send this person a copy of what I said that evening. Maybe these words will be meaningful to others as well, so here is an edited version of that message.
Isn’t it good to be in God’s presence and to lift our voices to Him, to feel His love and return love to Him. We belong to a good God. He meets us in this place and walks with us everywhere we go. He is always near, and He always works to restore, renew and redeem.
We’re going to look at a beautiful passage in Isaiah this evening. It was written to people who were hurting, lost and afraid. They needed words of comfort and hope. These words speak to our hearts too. Whatever burdens you carry, whatever you need this evening, God is here, ready to renew and redeem.
I want us to focus just for a few minutes on 2 images from Isaiah 35. The first comes in v. 4a: “Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come.’” We all feel weak and afraid at times. Life is full of fearful things, full of things that threaten and sometime hurt us. Jesus made us many wonderful promises. Some of His promises, though, we would like to forget, like John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble.” We all know that’s true.
But then Jesus said: “But take heart! I have overcome the world!” That just was God spoke through Isaiah, “Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come.’” How do those words impact your heart this evening? Let the Lord’s assurance fill your mind and soul.
The second image to focus on comes in v. 10c: “Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” Joy replaces sorrow. This is an image of entering Zion, coming into God’s kingdom. For us, it’s the promise of eternity and the joy we will feel in God’s glorious presence. It reminds us of God’s promise in Rev. 21:4: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
God knows our sorrow. He knows life isn’t the way it’s suppose to be. God created this world good and pure. He created a place to know and enjoy Him forever. But the world we know today is broken, and that brokenness fills us with sorrow. Now, we have live with broken promises, broken relationships and broken dreams.
Here’s the good news: God isn’t about to leave us in sorrow! He has better plans for us, plans that Jesus makes real in our lives. One day we will enter Zion. One day these words will be spoken of us: “Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” For now, we get a taste of God’s glory as we worship, as we open our hearts and step for a moment into that place of joy. That’s why we are here tonight!
Isn’t it good to be in God’s presence and to lift our voices to Him, to feel His love and return love to Him. We belong to a good God. He meets us in this place and walks with us everywhere we go. He is always near, and He always works to restore, renew and redeem.
We’re going to look at a beautiful passage in Isaiah this evening. It was written to people who were hurting, lost and afraid. They needed words of comfort and hope. These words speak to our hearts too. Whatever burdens you carry, whatever you need this evening, God is here, ready to renew and redeem.
I want us to focus just for a few minutes on 2 images from Isaiah 35. The first comes in v. 4a: “Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come.’” We all feel weak and afraid at times. Life is full of fearful things, full of things that threaten and sometime hurt us. Jesus made us many wonderful promises. Some of His promises, though, we would like to forget, like John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble.” We all know that’s true.
But then Jesus said: “But take heart! I have overcome the world!” That just was God spoke through Isaiah, “Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come.’” How do those words impact your heart this evening? Let the Lord’s assurance fill your mind and soul.
The second image to focus on comes in v. 10c: “Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” Joy replaces sorrow. This is an image of entering Zion, coming into God’s kingdom. For us, it’s the promise of eternity and the joy we will feel in God’s glorious presence. It reminds us of God’s promise in Rev. 21:4: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
God knows our sorrow. He knows life isn’t the way it’s suppose to be. God created this world good and pure. He created a place to know and enjoy Him forever. But the world we know today is broken, and that brokenness fills us with sorrow. Now, we have live with broken promises, broken relationships and broken dreams.
Here’s the good news: God isn’t about to leave us in sorrow! He has better plans for us, plans that Jesus makes real in our lives. One day we will enter Zion. One day these words will be spoken of us: “Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” For now, we get a taste of God’s glory as we worship, as we open our hearts and step for a moment into that place of joy. That’s why we are here tonight!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Planting Seeds
The first Senior Drop-In of the fall is today. This wonderful ministry draws seniors from our church and from the community. Many are followers of Jesus, while others are not yet believers. It is a colorful, joyful group who loves one another's company and the good food provided by our talented and devoted volunteers.
Each Thursday I share a brief devotional before praying over the meal. Today I plan to share from Mark 4:26-29. Jesus said these words (from the NIV):
"This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
We share God's word with people because we believe, based on God's own promise and the experience of our lives, that His word makes a different. When it is planted in our hearts, even into unbelieving or callous hearts, it does take root, grow and produce a good harvest. Reading, hearing and trying to live according to scripture is the most basic and effective spiritual discipline we can practice. I pray that each of you sets aside time to scatter the seeds of God's truth in your heart.
Each Thursday I share a brief devotional before praying over the meal. Today I plan to share from Mark 4:26-29. Jesus said these words (from the NIV):
"This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
We share God's word with people because we believe, based on God's own promise and the experience of our lives, that His word makes a different. When it is planted in our hearts, even into unbelieving or callous hearts, it does take root, grow and produce a good harvest. Reading, hearing and trying to live according to scripture is the most basic and effective spiritual discipline we can practice. I pray that each of you sets aside time to scatter the seeds of God's truth in your heart.
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