Mar 13

Impending Judgement and One More Chance

Luke 13:1-9, 31-35

“Was 9/11 God’s judgment against America?  Pat Robertson and the late Jerry Falwell said so.  They blamed God’s wrath on abortion and promiscuity, and they were promptly skewered by the media—as much for raising the uncomfortable topic of divine judgment as for using the occasion to deplore America’s sexual excesses.”  (Article from Christianity Today)

A tower falling and killing many people in Jesus’ day, as well as in our recent history, prompted people to claim the judgment of God was falling.  Tele-evangelists and other headline grabbers are quick to point to something as “God’s Judgment for _______.”  From the spectrum of Fundamentalist to Liberation Theology, tragic events in the lives of people, regions, and nations have been claimed as being God’s judgement.

I think these self-styled prophets do not heed the passage for us this Sunday.  Jesus asks, “Were these people killed any worse than you?”  The answer is “no.”  Yet, we know that God is moving in time and history to bring his reconciliation of all things and justice for all the wronged and abused.  For me, the most evident sign of God’s Judgment falling on a nation was the American Civil War.  Over 600,000, mostly white, voting aged men, were casualties of this conflict.  In the Confederacy, there was a rising awareness that this was the judgment of God on slavery during the last years of the war.  When the judgment of God falls, there is little doubt where it is coming from.

Jesus uses these current events to teach us that God’s judgment should not be taken lightly, or as something that will happen to others.  But the awareness of the coming day of judgement should compel us to change (repent) and produce fruits of righteous living.  Just because God has given us another chance today to repent, does not mean that we will have that chance tomorrow.  This should bring a seriousness and sense of urgency to our time of Lenten repentance and spiritual restoration.

Pastor Greg

Mar 04

Right Answer, Wrong Question

Luke 10:25-37

“Who are we responsible for?” is one of the repeating questions asked in the human experience.  It is an abstract, but important, question that we have to wrestle with.  Many people engage in such a quest whether they have religious interests or not.  Most of us sense that power and possessions are really meaningless life goals.  Surely there is something more.

In this passage a theist asks Jesus how one can inherit eternal life. This Jewish lawyer knows that God exists and that he is accountable to that God, so his question is particularly focused: “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  If God exists, then the goal of life must be related to his purpose for us.  To ask this question of the Son of God is the right person.  The Lawyer knew what the answer should be, and when Jesus affirms that he got the answer right, he asks the wrong question, “Who is my neighbor?”

Luke comments that the Lawyer asks this question because he needed to justify himself.  So, he had the correct answer but then reveals his wrong heart.  Something was lacking.  He needed to limit who he needed to love; he needed an excuse to limit his love. 

How often do we comb through our excuses to find a good limit for our obedience to God?  And in seeking how to limit our responsibly to love, we are in effect limiting our love for God. 

Yes, eternal life is the gift of God to those that believe in Jesus Christ (John 3:16).  Then as we come to the nature of living this gift from God, we are confronted with the expectation of conformity to the nature and will of God.  This Lawyer wanted to escape his responsibility, how often is that our question too?

Pastor Greg

Feb 25

And all were astonished at the majesty of God

Luke 9:28-45

I listened to a British comedian discussing his conversion from hedonism to Christianity and he noted what he though about “church” before he was introduced to Jesus Christ.  He noted that the American church has too much of a carnival atmosphere.  I had to think about what he said.  And I see what he means.  American church is for the consumers, the media, and the “bang-for-the-buck.”  Media is a helpful tool, but we must ask, “what are we driven by, or striving for.”

The Transfiguration of Jesus in our text this week is an impressive show, with a great accompanying cast, Moses and Elijah.  It was so thrilling that the disciples wanted to camp out for the next showing.  Until the Voice from Heaven centered the aim of the event on Jesus, the Beloved Son of God. 

They returned to earth, and there were people in need of the Son of God clamoring for him.  When the compassion of Jesus worked in their calamity, then they saw the glory of God.  Maybe our emphasis it too much on the show, and not so much the compassion of Jesus.  It is only when the compassion of Jesus works, and that is often through spiritual discipline, that the glory of God breaks out.

As we look ahead to Lent, beginning on Wednesday, let us take this story as our challenge to do what it takes to allow the compassion of Jesus to minister to people in the midst of their calamity.  Then maybe, just maybe, they will not see us as impressive people, but see the glory of God.

Pastor Greg

Feb 19

On Being Proud that I Sin Less

Luke 7:36-50

We have two characters in contrast in this week’s text.  One, referred in the gossipy way, “a sinful woman.”  The other a man named Simon who was a member to the sect of Pharisees.  Both wanted to see Jesus.  Simon invited Jesus to his house for dinner.  The unnamed woman snuck in uninvited.  Simon continues the gossip about the woman and Jesus.  If Jesus was a prophet, as they acclaimed in 6:16, he would have nothing to do with “that kind of a woman.”  Both Simon and the woman knew they needed God’s forgiveness; the woman a great deal, Simon not so much.

The woman’s sin is not identified, but our gossipy minds immediately think “prostitute.”  We often identify those with sins that we look down on as “the worst kind.”  And since we would not engage in that sin, we are much better than them.

Forgiveness is a great leveler.  There’s an old saying, “the ground at the Cross is level.”  In other words, we all come to the Cross on the same level.  But often we cast a sideways glance at others, and with our gossipy minds judge them as the worst sinner in town. 

Thank God that you or I have not participated in certain, vile sins.  But that does not mean that we do not need the same level of forgiveness as others.  Forgiveness is not a quantity to measure out.  It is something that God gives out freely, fully, and completely to all who seek him.  So, we need to put out of our gossipy minds the idea that others need more forgiven than me.  Instead, we need to rejoice that Christ receives all, and offers complete forgiveness to all.

Pastor Greg

Faith and Fellowship kickoff!!

June 1, 2025 Immediately after Traditional Worship (11:30 ish)

The Search committee is  beginning the process to get the Congregations input as to what we need and want in a new pastor.
(in anticipation of Greg’s retirement, Summer of 2026).

Pizza, salad and beverages will be provided. Bringing a dessert to share is optional. Everyone is welcome to come whether they want to eat or not but please share your ideas.

If you cannot attend you can also email your comments/suggestions to:

[email protected]