What's So Great About Pentecost?

It’s Pentecost; we know that because the calendar says so and we keep repeating it all morning. But what does that mean beyond history, tradition or opinion; what does it mean for everyone sitting here right now?

Here’s how I’d like to answer that question. First, we’ll read the text and then we’ll look at it to see what Luke has to tell us – from his point of view. Finally we’ll draw some conclusions.

So, bearing in mind that we read the first part of the story already – the tongues of fire and whatnot. Here’s the next section; the one we’ll focus on.

¹⁴ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. ¹⁵ These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! ¹⁶ No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

¹⁷    “ ‘In the last days, God says,

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

your young men will see visions,

your old men will dream dreams.

¹⁸    Even on my servants, both men and women,

I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

and they will prophesy.

¹⁹    I will show wonders in the heaven above

and signs on the earth below,

blood and fire and billows of smoke.

²⁰    The sun will be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood

before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

²¹    And everyone who calls

on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Peter preaches his first sermon and in fine style quoting a prophet to give the whole thing a foundation.

It’s been quite a day. The disciples have been speaking in tongues; everyone has been hearing the gospel in their own language (2.11). Everyone wants to know what it means. By the Spirit, Peter makes the connection with Joel.

Joel’s prophecy was written about 400 years before this event took place. That probably doesn’t mean much. Try imagining North America back then: Jamestown Virginia was established as the first settlement here. In Holland the Cannons of Dort weren’t written yet; the Dutch East India Company was just founded, but not the Hudson’s Bay Company in Canada. The point: When Peter quotes Joel he’s touching on a longing that goes back a long time. Even more than 400 years. The longing to see the Spirit of God freely available to all; the longing to see God set things right and bring judgment. They called it the Messianic Age. A time of witnessing to the reality of Yahweh, God leading up to the final judgment. We often call it the Last Days – same thing.

So verses 17-18 announce that the day has come, came 2000 odd years ago with Jesus’ resurrection. The Messianic Age or Last Days have begun. It is the time of prophecy, visions and dreams in which the first disciples lived and so do we. Receiving the Spirit is the sign and mark of membership in the people of God.  The mark of true faith. When the Spirit is given men, women, young and old are given the gift of speaking the truth about God in ways their audience can understand. Just like the disciples were doing in the moment.

Our present time is marked by the presence of the Spirit. The dreams, visions, and prophecies serve to prove the presence of the Spirit and to draw the individual into a direct experience with God. Remember, in the old system the people needed priests to approach and experience God. No longer the case; God is doing something new. Something even bigger than Joel imagined.  The Spirit’s outpouring on Israel was expected, but as we know from the book of Acts, God’s gift is poured out on the Gentiles as well.

Verses 19-20 then go on to the second part of Joel’s prophecy. And this part deals with what has not happened yet, but will happen on the day of God’s choosing. Following the period of witness comes the final Word by God on sin and righteousness. The language is descriptive but not literal. All over the Bible fire and billows of smoke are standard ways to talk about God’s near Presence. Think of Abraham and the Covenant, Exodus and the Mountain, think of God leading his people in columns of fire and smoke.

And blood: think of the first plague on Egypt: the Water turned to blood; think of Ezekiel 32.6, again speaking to Egypt, “I will drench the land with your flowing blood all the way to the mountains, and the ravines will be filled with your flesh.

Certainly not literal, but very descriptive, very clear, very terrifying. In the bible, blood always refers to judgment for sin. And the moon and sun? As elsewhere in Joel, the darkening of the sky represents the undoing of creation (cf. 2:2, 10). God redeeming is from the very foundations laid in Genesis 1.14-19. The groaning of Creation.

For Joel the day of the Lord was not just about judgment or salvation; it was all about the coming of God to deal with people. For some this means life; for others it means death (2 Cor 2:14-16)[1].

Verse 21 is the first line of the last part of Joel’s prophecy.

And everyone who calls

on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Peter stops there because the connections are made. Jesus has defined history. God’s grace and human responsibility.

These are the last days. The time from Adam to Jesus is over; the time between Jesus first and second coming is now. We are living in the time of Jesus rule from heaven. The Day of Pentecost announces the out pouring of the Spirit in power and judgment; God is near to grant life or pronounce death.  Small wonder from day one the church urgently spread the news of Jesus.

God is near; Jesus is coming back; time is short.

I frequently wonder if I have the same passion. I wonder do I rely too much on the notion that God will assemble his people and needs no real help. God is in total control after all. But then, why do we have so much of the New Testament that urges action, speaking out and self-sacrificial love in Jesus’ name? Check the New Testament letters, there are two basic themes: 1 – share the good news; 2 – live pure lives showing gratitude to the one who saves.

Do you ever wonder those things?

I think we should; truly I do.

As far as the early Christians were concerned, the pouring out of the Spirit established that the end of the ages had come. If the Spirit had come down, it was only a matter of time before the fire would come down too.

What about today?

If we wish to be a Biblical community, then the starting place has to be the Day of Pentecost and not 17^th century debates on predestination. Disciples of Jesus believe God is sovereign, but they also believe that they have been blessed to receive the Spirit in order to be a blessing in the world. Helping people to “Call upon the name of the Lord.” Not a desperate prayer in a crisis, but true faith built upon God’s saving work and call, a person’s true confession, repentance and passion to share Jesus with others.

What is the message of Pentecost for believers living 2000 years after the fact? Well, because the text clearly tells us that we are living in the time of witness; because the reality of Jesus’ return is guaranteed; because no one knows about that day or hour, of His return. Because of all that, who do you know who needs to hear about the God who loves and saves?

Who needs to turn from folly and foolishness?

Who needs to repent secret sins and embrace the life the Father gives?

Who needs to take responsibility for the hurt or harm they cause others through their lifestyle or business practices?

Who needs healing from that harm?

Who do we love enough to try sparing them from the fire?

Implying of course we believe there will be fire that will either purify or destroy.

Pentecost has given believers much to consider over the years. Is the quality of my life reflecting the presence of God’s Spirit in me?

The Lord asks not perfection but passion. Passion for His Son and the Life He died to give.

Are we bold to ask that question and to obey the answer the Spirit gives?

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[1] ¹⁴ But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. ¹⁵ For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. ¹⁶ To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?

The Weak and the Strong Part Deus - United in Faith?

The Weak And The Strong Deux

Last week we began the final section of Paul`s letter to the Romans. This week, we`ll finish things off.

Our exploration of Paul`s letter to the Church in Rome has been worth the time and effort. Let’s do a quick review to set things up for today.

The first great theme is that no matter a person’s background– with or without the advantage of being Jewish – all have sinned and fallen short of God`s glory. Or, in a world where good enough is good enough - no one is good enough to find their true humanity without God. Regardless, God’s promise to Abraham is fulfilled. Those with the law – the Jews and those without – everyone else – have been united in Christ. So in response, God`s people give themselves to the Lord and each other fulfilling the Law of Christ.

Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” ^{Matt 22.37-39}

In a sense it’s the only law we have left and everything else flows from it.

A couple of weeks ago I touched on this and may have left something unclear. The point was, the best choice a girl could make is to love themselves. On its own that sentence is of course false and dangerous. It would be better said, for the believing girl, the best choice they can make after loving God is to love themselves in such a way that gives God glory. That gives God his due as Creator, care taker and the one who makes life new.

To be clear life without putting God first results in love self that is vain, self-centered, self-absorbed, insecure and usually self-destructive. It also involves a love for others that is limited by social position, rave, culture and hero worship. And finally, life without accepting God involves a distorted love for the planet, which includes treating animals better than people and making things to worship out of metal or stone. We often call these three Narcissism, Humanism and Environmentalism. Genuine concerns corrupted; the only options available for those who reject God. To check this, just read Romans 1-3.

But with God something else is possible. Something God wants for his children: A clear minded approach to life and the world. Romans 4-16 teaches by principle and example that with God first: love of self becomes godly selflessness; Love of neighbor becomes Christ centered authentic community; Love of the planet becomes Christian stewardship.

So we come to today`s text; we’ll work through it by verses. It`s the last in a long line of how to do life together in a Christ centered way. Or as Jesus would say, here`s another way to look at loving your neighbour as yourself.

Verses one and two make this clear:

¹ We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. ² Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

A couple things to comment on. Verse 1 calls to mind strong and weak from chapter 14. That`s what`s being referred to here. Chapter 14 is about Jewish dietary laws and special day observances: the Jewish distinctives keeping Jewish and non-Jewish believers apart. As we said then, the strong walk by faith without the training wheels of tradition while the weak walk by faith with training wheels still on.

Verse 2 Simply repeats the conclusion of chapter 14. ⁷ For none of us lives or dies to himself alone. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. That is, sincere devotion to Christ and unity on non-disputable matters is the key.

Which should be a relief because when verse 2 is taken out of context, it causes huge problems.

Has it ever happened to you that someone has played the God card to justify a personal opinion?

I grew up in a time when dancing was forbidden.

In fact I was told plainly that rock and roll music leads directly to sex.

We know there are believers who know exactly how Sunday ought to be observed.

We know there are believers who are convinced that not drinking any is proof positive of true devotion to Christ.

We know there are believers who are convinced that only some instruments are legitimate for worship. Did you know in some churches they use no musical instruments at all?

And the God card is the one that silences and judges. Typically someone says, it’s this way because God told me so. Ends all argument, settles nothing.

Frankly verse 2 has been used that way and it shouldn`t be. It has little to do with ethics and much more to do with agreeing to remain unified in spite of taste, customs and changing traditions.

Verses 3-4 bear that out:

³ For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”^{(Psalm 69.9) 4} For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Verse 3 quotes Psalm 69 reminding us that `many of the leaders and people of Jesus time did not understand his devotion to the Father. He expressed it in such a way that traditions and structures were threatened.

Verse 4 reminds us that those who walked by faith frequently were misunderstood, imperfect and yet had endurance and encouragement in faith.

I love the list in Hebrews 11. Turn to it if you like. I`m going to skim it. These folks are mentioned for their endurance in faith.

¹ Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ² This is what the ancients were commended for.

The first two are the golden boys not living long enough for us to know their failings.

⁴ By faith

      Abel

      Enoch

The rest of the list, however, is a brilliant reminder and comfort that in spite of failure God loves his children; mixed motives and actions do not deny faith.

⁷ By faith

      Noah

      Abraham

      Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

      Jacob

      Joseph

      Moses’ parents

      Moses

      The people

      Rahab

      Gideon

      Barak

      Samson

      Jephthah

      David

      Samuel

³⁹ These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. ⁴⁰ God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

These men and women endured and recognized each other as the one people of God. Sure they fought and even divided the kingdom, but their common identity never stopped. Why? because they also received encouragement by way of per God’s faithfulness and kept promises. This is why we have the OT, by the way. Why it`s vital – a matter of life and death to know it and the stories in it. We could say that the main point of the OT is that God keeps his promises. Seen most powerfully in Jesus` coming.

In Romans Paul hammers away on having a confident and humble faith in Christ. Behaviour matters but getting caught up in customs, times and opinions to prove faithfulness is dangerous.

Instead this is the heart of the passage, verse 5 and 6.

⁵ May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, ⁶ so that with one heart and mouth you all may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

May the God `who gives. . . that`s a prayer wish. That believers in Christ receive the same endurance and the same encouragement as all those who have gone before. The same unity so that all God`s people together with one mouth may give God glory!

Verses 7-9 explains how this comes about.

⁷ Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. ⁸ For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs ⁹ so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;

I will sing hymns to your name.” ^{(2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49)}

Accept one another when there is a difference of opinion in disputable matters.

Accept one another when there is a difference in how devotion to the Lord is expressed.

In a certain sense slow down and in obedience to Christ seek to

            learn from each other ask questions instead of having answers ready

            bless each other: listen, help, encourage and pray for each other

            rely on the Spirit not the Law to know what freedom in Christ really is

            know the Bible, to know what deserves an argument and what doesn’t

In an important sense allow this passage to remind us all that Christ is the bridge built on the Jews over to the gentiles just as God had always planned. What God has joined let no one separate.

Our time and place in God`s family is recent by comparison to those who are our spiritual forefathers: The Jews. Paul is urging, let not God`s work be in vain. Hold on to the essentials of faith and be gracious about the rest. Hold onto Father God and Jesus the Son of God, Son of Man. Hold onto the Cross and the resurrection with all they involve. Hold onto the reality of the Spirit, new life and pardon for sin. Hold onto each other as sisters and brothers beloved children of God most high. Hold onto the very real calling of being the welcoming party of Christ in a hostile world.

And, ¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Who's the Boss? Hint - trick question.

A long time ago, when I was married for just a few years, I had a conversation with someone I worked with. It was a summer day, warm and somehow we got into a discussion about marriage. She had heard about something Christians talk about a lot and wanted my take. The topic was headship. She had no direct experience with the Bible but knew one verse: “wives should submit to their husbands in everything.”  And she wondered about how she’d seen that work in her world.  She talked about men who were if not clearly then certainly borderline abusive both physically and verbally. I countered with stories of manipulative women who shredded their husbands in public and humiliated them behind closed doors demanding all manner of things for sex.

I tried to explain what that verse really meant. We talked about complimentary partnership and mutual love and aspects and how family decision making is best done. But in the end, as in most cases, she wanted the bottom line, so to speak. Is there a ‘boss’ in the marriage relationship? So I told her what I understood the bottom line to be. At least as I understood it then. She disagreed and we left it at that. Different strokes and so on.

Now years later, I still reflect on that conversation and the text that prompted it: Ephesians 5.21-33. I reflect on it because I fear that for much of my life I’ve been uncomfortable with how I’ve understood it and how I’ve seen couple after couple misapply it. Headship is real and biblical, but that never protects a good idea from abuse. So, when asked me to speak on this text, I quickly agree, It gives me one more chance to think it through.

Make no mistake; this is a beautiful passage of scripture. It describes the mutual nature of love within marriage through two very different expressions, which taken together form a proper foundation to build on.

Let me point out a few things in the passage that can help all of us understand and apply these words helpfully.

First, it’s important to keep verses 21-24 and 25-27together. Each set of verses form single sentences. So an italicized phrase between 21 and 22 is out of place.

Verses 21-24 describe mutual love between a man and a woman with the emphasis on how women can model love for her husband as the church loves Christ. Verses 25-27 explain how husbands ought to show love for their wives. Just as Christ does for the church. Together we see that in marriage love is mutual. Wives are asked to willingly accept the leadership of her husband and husbands are to love self-sacrificially.

Verses 28-32 confirm this by alluding to and quoting from Genesis and the first marriage. The delight Adam had in realizing that with Eve he is with ‘the one.’ The only one who can partner fully with him in life. She is the same: Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, he calls out! And yet different; the man was alone unable to succeed in life without the gifts and abilities that came along with his life partner. And for her part Eve is only able to be successful as she willingly comes alongside of her husband. As the helper, there is no sense that the woman is a lesser person because her role differs. The helper is the indispensable “partner” needed to live the fullness of marriage.

This is God’s intention for marriage before and after the fall. Marriage is a balanced relationship between the man and the woman: two persons, equal in status as God’s children. Two who live in a delicate one-to-one relationship in which one is the leader of the other. A delicate balance that married couples will spend their lives understanding and working on.

Verse 33 is the summary: “Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. “

The key word for husbands is to love - agape: to have love for someone based on sincere appreciation and high regard—‘to love, to regard with affection, loving concern.^’  As you, husbands, love yourself. However a man treats his wife will come back as equal treatment from her.

The key word for wives is respect, Phobeo: to have such awe or respect for a person as show great reverence for, to show great respect for.’ As ‘to stand with one’s heart in one’s throat’ or ‘to be in someone’s presence with one’s heart beating fast.’ And yes while respect is earned, it must also be freely given first.

So clearly, neither the husband nor wife can demand such an attitude from the other.

So by now, some questions might be forming in your minds. Questions like – but isn’t that rather complicated? Can’t we just say the man is the head of the house and leave it at that?

My best answer is maybe. Doesn’t it all depend on what being the head means?

I wonder, isn’t it true that some marriages are better described as power struggles than partnerships? Isn’t it true that abuse goes on in homes between wife and husband? Isn’t it true that submission is used like a weapon and the reaction is manipulation? Does any of that sound normal, good or in agreement of what this text explains?

For those who are married, isn’t it important that we do the hard work of establishing our marriages on truth rather than misunderstanding?

Might a better question would be: How can we, in light of the fall, in the realization that every man and woman has a bent toward controlling the other in marriage, how can married couples live in mutual love that benefits both and is a safe place to nurture children?

Let’s begin by addressing that question to husbands.

Husbands out there, does your wife know and believe that you cherish her above yourself? Is she the priority and does she have full and complete access to your life – thoughts, dreams, emotions - so that she can help you achieve the family goals? When she speaks do you take her seriously? Wives have a different point of view – it usually pays to be slow to speak quick to listen.

Does she know that you love her just because and not for anything she does; simply because God has brought you together? Is she is bone of your bone and flesh of your flesh? Are you better together? Does your wife have your appreciation regardless of any flaw or mistake? Does she believe she has your affection beyond the farm or business, your concern? Is your wife confident that even if you from time to time speak careless words out of anger or frustration that you realize your sin and will repent seeking her forgiveness?

Does your wife see your leadership as beneficial to the family? Does she see you walking with Christ? Just as the head of woman is man so Christ is the head of man. Is Jesus your Lord in all aspects of life and can your wife tell? Do you lead your family to church each Sunday to be encouraged by the word and enfolded by God’s people in life-giving community? Re-read the passage; men, we have the responsibility to lead our families the same way Jesus leads the church. In humility and strength, in service and in courage protecting our wives and children from whatever harm may come their way. The calling of leadership is difficult.

That’s lots to live up to. No worries, no husband will never get it completely right, but don’t let that slow your passion. Be for your wife the best husband you can. Love her, cherish her and help her see Christ in you.  Continue to read, pray and worship together. You know her past hurts, her fears; you also know her joys and passions. Help her to grow in faith and grace, nurture her dreams that she can throw off the past and embrace life together with you.

And wives, for most of you, I suspect there was a time when your respect for your husband was ’ As ‘to stand with one’s heart in one’s throat’ or ‘to be in his presence one’s heart beating fast.’ I hope that’s still the case. But if not, isn’t it time to ask why not? Willing submission is hard work. Men are not hobby projects to change. We don’t respond well to nagging or manipulation. Men want to work with not for their wives. Men usually have a hard time with expressing emotions the way you do, don’t make us, it won’t work. Help us by listening and accepting that anger is an emotion we will express along with joy and affection. Let us think out loud without critique or judgment. If you want our thoughts, you’ll hear all or nothing, learn to be patience. Quick to listen, slow to speak. Oh and don’t lie to us. We’ve been told to be strong and independent too often already. We’ve been told that your submission starts in the kitchen and ends in the bedroom. Don’t give the lie more power. Come along side us as Eve did Adam; most men will respond with the same enthusiasm. Be your husband’s loudest cheerleader. He really can do anything if he believes he has your respect and admiration. Never belittle him and never step in where he must act.

That’s lots to live up to. No worries, no wife will never get it completely right either, but don’t let that slow your passion. Be for your husband the best wife you can. Love him cherish him, support him. You know his past hurts, his fears; you also know his joys and passions. Help him to grow in faith and grace; help him be ready to face each new day with courage.

On your wedding day you begin a journey. And along the way you will make mistakes, hurt each other and yourselves. That’s unavoidable. Of course what’s also unavoidable is the continual opportunity to get up and try again, and again. Take those opportunities and make the most of them. Learn from them and each other. May it be true of you that two have become one in all the ways God intended. Walking together, keeping in step with each other and the Lord. Sharing life together as partners, lovers, friends. So committed and on the same page that headship and submission are a blessing and who’s the boss is never comes up.

Ascension Day Matters?

Message: He Has Risen, Again!

I’d like to tell you a story about Psalm 47 and the man who wrote it.

It all started after Moses had just led Israel out of Egypt into the wilderness. That great time of purification and discipleship when God taught the people who he was and how to worship. Moses was given the task of organizing the nation and to one of the 12 tribes fell the task of caring for the Tent of Meeting, later the temple. And of the three clans of Levites the task of serving at the Tent fell on the clan of Kohath. And this is when things got complicated.

Kohath had 5 sons. The oldest, Amram decided to marry his aunt – I know – and the second oldest Izhar also got married. They both had kids.

Amram’s kids were Moses, Aaron and Miriam while the other Izhar’s oldest was a man named Korah. Cousins, they both had roles in the Tent of Meeting, but as you may know Moses got the primary leadership, Aaron the priesthood and Miriam was in charge or women’s ministry. And Korah? Well, his family was responsible for care for “the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain, and everything related to their use. (Nu 3.31-32).  Certainly important work, but as we shall see he didn’t like it much. The fact that his Eleazar, Aaron’s son, was his boss didn’t help either.

Korah had an attitude. He didn’t see his calling as important enough. His cousins got the best jobs and life made was unfair. It was as if a veil covered his eyes and he couldn’t see the good thing he’d been given. And in fact that’s exactly what was going on.

One day cousin Moses came down from a meeting with the Almighty and his face shone so brightly with Glory that Moses put a covering on his face. Something to dim the brilliance so that people could look at him. The people needed a veil to protect them from God; the brilliance Moses reflected couldn’t be looked at. The Apostle Paul even comments on this in 2 Corinthians 3.

We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. ¹⁴ But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. ¹⁵ Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. ¹⁶ But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

So, as I said, Korah appreciated none of this. So much so that by Numbers 15 he’s made up his mind about a few things. He no longer accepts Moses leadership; he no longer respects Aaron’s role as priest, which means he believes God made a mistake appointing Aaron in the first place. He thinks God is too ridged and doesn’t understand that a little sin say gathering firewood on the Sabbath is just as dangerous as making an idol in the shape of a golden calf. Korah doesn’t understand that God is holy. The veil covers his eyes and his heart.

Frustrated, angry, jealous he starts a rebellion; challenging Moses and Aaron’s leadership he defies God himself. The verdict is swift and immediate. God acts to remove sin from the camp. Korah, 250 leading men in the camp, their wives, children, animals and possessions all fall into a sinkhole. Never to breathe again.

Korah dead and gone.

So how do we get a song, a psalm written hundreds of years after his death authored by “The Sons of Korah”?

And what difference does it make?

Here’s how I understand the puzzle.

First, it seems clear that not everyone in his family died that terrible day. Numbers 26.11 makes that clear and 1 Chronicles 6 tells us that David made them Temple attendants, singers, gatekeepers and bakers of the ritual bread. But the most important bit we find out is that when King Jehoshaphat defeats the armies of Moab and Amon, it The Sons of Korah who lead the cheer. They are the ultimate worship team fully devoted to God, secure and joyful in their calling: at peace.

That you must admit is a far cry from their ancestor, isn’t it?

Never be fooled by the reason why family histories appear in the Bible or a sub-title in a psalm. These details matter.

The Bible, especially the Old Testament is more about teaching through stories than any other way. But while the Bible is filled with stories, they are have the same plot. Korah’s story is one such example. He is given a calling and place by God; he rebels against God; and wants to be a Priest on his own terms. This causes personal disaster and the ripples spread to his family, friends and followers.

Doesn’t that sound just like Cain’s story? Like King Saul’s? Like Gehazi the servant of Elisha?

The veil is dark over their eyes; they cannot or will not see the truth. Their lives are filled with pain and wandering.

But something happens to the remnant every time right?

Somehow the veil is lifted and Seth is the new Able, willing to call upon the name of the Lord; Somehow Saul’s remaining son is treated with grace and mercy by David. Somehow the Syrian general sees, believes and is healed of more than leprosy. Somehow the veil is lifted and Korah’s remaining family sees the truth and understands God’s goodness. The veil is taken away and the sons of Korah become God’s most skilled praise team.

The Old Testament is filled with these stories. I frequently wonder just how many were given that experience - the veil taken away, eyes of the heart opened to the reality of God in grace and glory? How many had to wait lingering in the grave for Christ to come?

It seems in this that our forefathers in faith had it harder than we who live since Jesus’ ascension. No doubt we live the same story. No doubt our reality is born in sin, prone to rebellion. The veil is firmly in place. But because Jesus ascended we have the Spirit; we have what so many of our forefathers had to wait for. Because of Jesus anyone can approach the Father and be assured that their prayer is heard. There is no longer a need for a priest; the veil has been removed.

¹⁶ Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Through Jesus’ resurrection and ascension the Spirit will come, has come, the veil has been removed. Now, as never before, those who believe can see things more clearly all the time. Those with unveiled faces see that every baby is conceived by a miracle; every new calf, lamb or foal the same. They see the miracle in planting and harvesting.

The miracle of inserting a pacemaker, or reattaching ligaments in a knee joint.

They know the miracle of making a living and enjoying work.

The miracle of human love and kindness.

The miracle of God’s love for a broken world and God’s yearning for it to be whole.

The joy of being involved in that amazing project.

In that way:

Though there is still much crime and violence there could, should be more. Those with unveiled faces see the miracle of crime being restrained.

Though there is still much sickness and death; they see the miracle of healing and know that death has lost its sting!

Though there is still much brokenness; they experience the miracle of forgiveness, even reconciliation.

They, we, see these things because by Ascending Jesus makes these glimpses and realities of the Kingdom visible. In Christ and by the Spirit believers accept their callings and join the choir as describes in Revelation 4, worshipping and praising our God who loves, who rules and who sustains Creation.

Because of the Ascension, we’ve been invited backstage to see how things really are. Because of the Ascension, believers can live with confident boldness born out of gratitude.

Christ has ascended – King over all Creation. Ruling today, his fingerprints appear all over the earth. Just as we read in Psalm 47.

God has ascended

    the King of all the earth;

sing to him a psalm of praise.

H is for Held by God?

I have my grandfather’s clock. It probably looks familiar to most of you. I understand they are fairly common in Holland. As many of you know my Opa Delleman was a pastor and this clock was given to him by a profession of faith class in 1927. Used at the time, I have no idea how old it is. And I don’t care either. What I do care about is that it connects me to him. I also care deeply that it runs. We had it cleaned and running when I got it 15 years ago; then it stopped, so we had it cleaned again and then it stopped for a long time. And then, out of nowhere, it started up again. I tapped the pendulum and it just kept going. It keeps perfect time.

So there are two things I care about that will get stressed this morning: being connected and being mindful of the time.

Timely stuff as we’re sharing our last in five messages surrounding the word FAITH. If you remember the letters stand for:

Fallen humanity,

Adopted by God,

Intentionally atoned for,

Transformed by the Spirit, and

Held by God.

In other times and places the letters would spell TULIP known also as the Cannons of Dort. That is the conclusions of a meeting that took place about 400 years ago.

So today is, “Held By God,” or perseverance of the Saints, or Eternal Security. The last two may sound more familiar, but honestly, I like ‘Held by God’ better. It seems to me it describes things more accurately. Because as we well know the faith we’re talking about is a gift; we can’t beg, borrow or buy it. And the Faithfulness we’re talking about is God’s not ours. Let’s be honest, God’s grip on us is far stronger than our grip on God. It’s God who calls and connects his children to the living Vine – Jesus. It’s God who holds us in the palm of the Father’s hand so securely that no one can snatch us out. It’s God’s Spirit who journeys with us along the way.

And while all those promises are true come as such blessings, there is a risk for us if we misunderstand this point. God’s grip on us is greater than our grip on him. Let’s explore that by looking at the text for today.

I call these verses, Romans 8.35-39: ‘The Scope of God’s Faithfulness.’

               

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” (Psalm 44)

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, 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.

Now let’s look at it arranged slightly different:

Note with me how vs 35 asks and vs 37 answers a very bold question. In counseling I always tell people to avoid words like always and never. Those words usually get us into trouble. You always . . . You never . . . .   But here I like it. No exceptions, God holds his children always.

And also note that it’s within this security that trouble comes: “hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword.” Likening us to sheep in the slaughter house line up, disciples of Jesus have and will suffer, but no matter what, In spite of the enemy’s best efforts we prevail completely.

And then verse 38 where nothing in all of Creation – not physical things or spiritual things – can separate us from Christ. And I pause here again to point out that in Paul’s world as with our own spirituality is big. Mix and match religion is a hobby of many, many people. Most like and only want a loving God. They reject a just God or a God who call for obedience.

And then there are those who teach about guardian angels. Did you wonder why angels are mentioned along with demons? Not for contrast but as a warning.

In both ways Satan is trying to replace or undermine Jesus. Other spiritualties do not replace Jesus; Guardian angels do not replace Jesus. Why go for a middleman when the boss’ door is always open?

                                               

Jesus and Jesus alone is God to the glory of the Father. That’s whose holding us. So just to be clear, God’s Promise to You,

Because of Jesus,

By the Spirit,

No matter what,

you are the Father’s children in community.

Yes that’s right; Note all the us’s and we’s in these verses. God’s promise is to his people: individuals in community. Connected to the Saviour AND each other.

But this is not the whole of it yet. Let’s take a look at why God chooses to hold us tightly in his hand. Anika read it earlier and yes, here we go with pre-destination. The youth had a lively discussion on this last week.

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.

It seems to me from what I’ve been taught and experienced firsthand is that Predestination is typically understood in one of two or three ways.

The first goes something like this: God knows what ever human will do in their life before hand and God knows who will and who will not believe and therefore those who will respond to his call are the only ones to get an invitation to start with.

The second is more severe. In this understanding God simply chooses some for salvation and others for damnation. This scenario, by divine decree, has the person brought forcibly into one or the other destinations.

Now, while I agree and believe that God is sovereign and has the right to do as God will, I wonder. Is that what Paul meant? Or, do we read the Bible in light of tradition missing something? It seems the plain meaning goes more like this. While God does know the future, it does not necessarily mean God is controlling our every choice. If God did then what kind of God is that? One who causes marriages to explode, wars to erupt and atomic bombs? Yeah, I don’t think so.

Besides, why else say, ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him?’ Let’s face it, life is a journey of exploration and mistakes where the results of sin can be a wonderful teacher. And that is what God chooses for us.

Another thing, Paul could have said some are predestined for heaven and others for hell, if that is what he really meant. So let’s be careful with what the text says. And get the full picture because these two ways of looking at predestination often leave something out. The point of it all.

Verse 29 says those, a group, are predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son. That is what Christians are corporately chosen for. Collectively predestined to be conformed to him over time.

Which certainly explains the need for community. If being conformed to his likeness means growing in faith, learning to reject sin and so on, then we need each other to support, encourage and correct each other. Satan and the world will only try to turn us away from Christ. And, if suffering is a part of it, then we certainly need safe places to stand strong together and heal after doing battle. And one more, if God is interested in all believers as one body, group, people that are to be conformed to the likeness of his son, then there is no room for division. Rather, we are called to function as one people over space and time. Because if anyone gets left behind, if anyone is rejected then the entire body suffers. The Spirit through Paul is encouraging those who believe that they are better together because God is for them as they learn, suffer, grow and mature together.

So predestined to be held by God is awesome, the reality is authentic community, spiritual maturity, confidence and unfailing love.

And now the Risk. Remember that? I mentioned it about a thousand words ago. A misunderstanding of predestination or of being held by God eternally can produce a few negative results.

One: some believe that baptism and profession of faith are the end of spiritual growth and maturity. There is no need for Christian community, accountability or discipline. Bible reading and study becomes self-help and important texts like, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Are reduced to a sense that we have God’s permission and support to do whatever we want. The text is about prevailing in times of trouble and persecution, not making a fortune by being a workaholic or some other worldly pursuit.

Another risk is that a certain smugness can overcome people. It sounds like, I’m saved, sucks to be you. Too bad the world has issues, none of my concern. Evangelism, why? God saves whom he will. Not my deal. And so on.

Third and last, the sad truth is without a clear understanding and a heart of gratitude, the result is spiritual immaturity. And that is a great waste. A waste of gifts, abilities and time. People like this are short changing themselves missing out on the true pleasures of life. Settling instead for a so called ticket to heaven and a miserable striving after the wind in the meantime.

Maybe it’s time to think it through. Has your heart clock quit running and needs a push to engage or reengage in the life Christ offers? Maybe it’s time to say yes when a ministry opportunity comes along or the next profession of faith class. Maybe it’s time to seek out a sister or brother and become reconciled. Maybe it’s time to consider the stakes as someone once famously said:

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life. (Dt. 30.19-20)

Go for the Gold?

Get Wisdom: Go beyond the Gold!

Opening Illustration: The Paper Bag Princess

So GEMS, what are you looking for?

At the beginning of the story the princess thought outward appearance mattered more than anything else. Didn’t she? Many of us start out that way also, but by the end of the story, she’d learned different. She learned the prince was a bum. A boy who just liked pretty clothes, and clean skin. We sometimes say he was all about appearances. Looks, money, stuff and getting what he wants. Obviously he didn’t really care about her or her hard work to set him free.

So is the moral of that story: Don’t marry a bum? Or is there an even deeper message?

Sure, when the time comes, find a man who is worthy:

Someone who will love you for you, someone who will respect you and encourage you, someone who will put your needs first.

But since none of you are even close to finding such a man yet, let’s talk about what comes first.

How can a girl/woman be wise? Not just in finding a man – if that’s what you one day want, but how to be wise in all of life.

Your theme verses for the year comes from the book of Proverbs. It’s a book of wise sayings that were written for young people. The authors of the book wanted to teach girls and boys how to be wise in the world and where true wisdom comes from. So, most of the proverbs are easy to understand, but hard to do.

For instance, take this one:

How  much  better  to  get  wisdom  than  gold,  to  choose  understanding  rather  than  silver!  The  highway  of  the  upright  avoids  evil;  he  who  guards  his  way  guards  his  life. Proverbs 16:16-17

It teaches that wisdom is better than money or things and that gaining wisdom means walking away from bad choices.

Like I said, easy to understand hard to do, why? Because in our world, money is so important and most of the people we know have to earn it. And that makes sense, right? We need money for food, a house and clothes. School tuition and gas for the car. The problem many people get into is in trying to decide how much money is enough and what am I willing to do to get some?

So, sometimes bad choices are made by people who forget that there are more important things in life than money. For girls, other bad choices often have to do with trying to use looks to get what they want. People will tell you that you have to be thin or do certain things or wear certain kinds of make-up or dress in certain clothes in order to be popular. Not true.

The most beautiful girl in the world is one who loves herself. And that’s the best choice to make because it avoids evil and wasted time, not to mention wasted money.

And that’s why we’re talking about it now so that you have a good start in life. Those of us who are older often think, if only I had known some things sooner, I wouldn’t have done what I did when I was younger. That’s the goal of learning proverbs and seeking wisdom. To have courage to make good choices when we’re young so that life is better when we’re older.

So let’s talk about how to get wisdom. It starts with a knowledge of God. The reason is because while knowing lots is good, knowing how to use it is better. Take medicine for instance. We use atomic energy to help cure cancer, right? Radiation treatments. And that took years and lots of very smart people to figure out. That’s a wise use of knowledge. But people also used atomic energy to destroy two cities and hundreds of thousands of people. That wasn’t wise. How do we know? Well because God is a healer and wants us to love our neighbor as ourselves – not kill them!

So to make wise decisions, people need to know who God is and how God does things. That’s what I mean by a knowledge of God.  

Just like it says in this proverb:

 “The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom,  and  knowledge  of  the  Holy  One  is  understanding.” Proverbs 9.10

The “Fear of the Lord” Is the beginning. But what does that mean? To be afraid of God, scared of God?

In this case fear means worshipping, adoring and having awesome respect for God. Loving God and standing amazed that we have the undeserved, unearned privilege of calling God, Abba Father.

Fear also means fearing – fearing to be out of His presence – fear of being banished! Recognizing that God is a righteous and Holy God and that He cannot allow darkness or sin in His presence ever. So if there is unrepentant sin in our lives, we will not be able to be in His presence.

It’s like the air we breathe. I’m not afraid of it. There’s lots of oxygen to keep me alive, nitrogen and the other gasses we all need. But, I am afraid of not having air to breathe. Like being underwater too long. I fear that; I fear having my air run out so I make sure I don’t go down too deep. Which is like not going so far from the path or making so many bad choices that the only way to come back is for God to give me discipline.

“My child, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

⁶     because the Lord disciplines those he loves,

and he punishes everyone he accepts as a child.”

Guess what? That’s another proverb – Proverbs 3.11-12

So, who likes discipline?

Instead, the proverbs teach us to develop our love and respect – reverence for God.

How? You do it daily. You grow your relationship with Him through prayer and Bible study. These are two very important ways to get to know God better. The other we can add is learning to see God in the everyday things like creation, music, art, school or work.

As we get to know Him better, we feel closer to Him and worship Him more fully. When we are connecting with Him daily we are more trusting and want to follow His ways more – to do what Proverbs teaches us to do – to act wisely.

And here is something very important. Some people think learning about God can wait. Or that they are protected by baptism as if it was magic. That somehow God has to keep us safe, just because. The truth is that until we rightly fear God and have a deep desire to follow Him, we won’t much care about seeking wisdom. We will just want to do our own thing which is exactly the advice the world gives to us. And for some that will be a sad life; for some that will mean marrying a bum.

So if you want wisdom and are willing to love God the way he deserves. If you are willing to read and pray and choose the right way, here are some ways to grow in wisdom:

1. Make wise choices with words.

Reckless  words  pierce  like  a  sword,  but  the  tongue  of  the  wise  brings  healing.  Proverbs 12:18

That means name calling and gossip hurts. Instead use words to help, encourage and protect others.

2. Make wise choices in relationships.

A  friend  is  always  loyal,  and  a  brother  is  born  to  help  in  time  of  need. Proverbs 17:17

Everyone needs a good friend – be a good friend by keeping the things people tell you in private, private. Stand up for your friends and help them make good choices. Also, remember that your brothers and sisters know you best of all. Be a sister – or brother – that your family can count on. Sisters and brothers are God’s gift.

3. Make wise choices about integrity.

The  man  (woman)  of  integrity  walks  securely,  but  he  (she)  who  takes  crooked  paths  will  be  found  out. Proverbs 10:9

That means be honest; do not steal, tell lies or try to fool people by acting one way while hiding parts of your life. Like having two groups of friends and being “good” with one group and being different with another.

4. Making wise choices about work.

She  sets  about  her  work  vigorously;  her  arms  are  strong  for  her  tasks.   Proverbs 31:17

Do your chores without complaining and work hard at them. It will teach you to do well at school and work later in life. And here is something I learned as a parent. We had a kid who would spend more time and energy complaining about a chore than the time it would take to do it. That doesn’t make sense. Just do it and be grateful for all you have that God through your parents provide.

5. Make wise choices with money.

Honor the LORD with your wealth.   Proverbs 3:9

That means learn to give money away. Some of your allowance or babysitting money or part time money. People seeking wisdom know that all money comes from God and giving some back helps people remember that.

One of the best prayers in the bible is this:

Give  me  neither  poverty  nor  riches,  but  give  me  only my  daily  bread.  Otherwise  I  may  have  too  much  and  disown  you  and  say,  “Who  is  the  Lord?”  Or,  I  may  become  poor  and  steal,  and  so  dishonor  the  name  of  my  God.     Proverbs 30:8S9

Conclusion

That’s enough examples for today. Reading the Bible and praying to understand what you read will show many more ways to become wise.  Along with that, GEMS and Cadets for that matter, keep coming to your groups and learning from your leaders. Adults, join a Bible study or start one. The Spirit teaches us best when we get together in groups like this and in our homes.

It will take discipline to apply wisdom to our lives on a daily basis. But if we discipline ourselves and       apply these truths to our lives, the satisfying lives we long to live will be ours. Our lives will work! To God’s glory, Amen.