Aug 06

Our Goal is Maturity—The Full Statue of Christ

Ephesians 4

Too often we get our clues from the World (Gentiles), and the celebration of diversity becomes an immature acting out of out attention seeking self.  Like an immature child constantly calling, “Mommie, look at me!”  When we get our direction from the Scriptures, like here in Ephesians 4, we see that mature inclusion is building each other up in love.

Love seeks not its own, is not boastful (1 Corinthians 13).  Of course, love tolerates and accepts the immature and patiently brings them into the full love of Christ.  Love does not keep the other stuck identifying only their exclusion, consumed in hurts, anger, and pain.  Love brings healing and strengthens the other so that they con go onto the fullness of Christ.

Love is not indulging.  Love is building up, equipping them to find their place in the body, and helping them to find fulfillment in the service of Christ and Christ’s body.

Love brings each to the place where we are no more children, stuck in our childish behavior, but building the other up.  Love teaches us to prefer one another and care for one another.  You cannot love if you only think about yourself, you love when you but the other’s needs above your own. 

Does our celebration of inclusion and diversity look like Christ, or the world?  Do we get our clues from society or from the Spirit working within us? 

Pastor Greg

Next week is the church picnic, celebration 203 years as a congregation.  I will be leading in a special worship service at the Barn on the topic of Baptism.  Wear sturdy shoes and comfortable clothes for we will be walking down to the creek.  We will have time for testimonies about your baptism, or significant time of spiritual decision in your life.  For two thousand years the church has gathered at the water to celebrate our inclusion in Christ. 

Jun 28

God: The Great Inverter, Reverser, Equalizer

Psalm 30
“You have turned my mourning into dancing;”

I marvel at how many times in the Scriptures God is up-ending the human order of things.  From Esau and Jacob, the elder will serve the younger; to Jesus in the Beatitudes, the meek will inherit the earth.  Paul sums it up in I Corinthians 1: 25 “For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.”

This week’s text is a testimony of the Psalmist’s deliverance brought by God in response to his prayers.  His testimony is that God’s deliverance is not just removing the danger or disease, but it is the great reversal of the ways of life.  His mourning was turned to dancing, and his sackcloth was turned to joy!  God is not stingy with his blessings.  God is generous in his answering our prayers and working in our lives.

Praise and thanksgiving are the responses to God being our helper.  I think we often do not see how is able to change things.  He is gracious, even over abundant with his grace, that we are not just aided, we are transformed by calling out to God and trusting him in all our troubles.

Pastor Greg

Jun 28

Do You Get Tired in Worship?

Psalm 150

The question is not, “do you get tired OF worship?” but “in” worship?  We I read Psalm 150, I feel exhausted.  All the praising, the music, the sounds, the exuberance leaves me out of breath.  This worship is not contrived, or a manipulation, it is the out flow of the praise of God from his people.

This praise is an out flow of who the Lord is, his exalted place, his wonders of creation, his mighty acts of deliverance, and just because he is fantastic.  In the Gospel reading this week, the woman at the well wants to overcomplicate worship.  Jesus simply responds that God is Spirit, and those that want to worship him must worship him in spirit and truth. 

This Psalm also invites all things with breath to praise the Lord.  This shows the inclusiveness of praise and worship.  The Psalmist enjoins all the living to praise God, and does not exclude any one. 

Pastor Greg

Jun 26

Green Pastures and Dark Valleys

Psalm 23

Yes, this is the best-known passage of Scripture.  When I conduct a funeral for a family not familiar with the Bible, they always ask for “The Lord is my shepherd.”  Those of us who are so familiar with this Psalm we can recite it from the King James Version, sometimes need to look at this Psalm with different perspective.  Too often we assume that this Psalm is about going to heaven when I die.

Yes, we love the green pastures, the still waters, and dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.  Here David is not in a pie-in-the-sky by-and-by mindset, but he is recounting the security he feels as he is protected by God.  The dark valley, the desert journey, and being face to face with his enemies are times where David boldly claims the protection of God.  And by example, invites us all into that protection and comfort of my shepherd.

This is a Psalm of comfort.  It is not just for the time of death.  It is an assurance of the Lord’s comforting rod and staff, and the Lord’s lifting us above our enemies.  The comfort from this Psalm keeps us on the paths of righteousness that leads us to the House of the Lord.

Pastor Greg