The writer of the book of Hebrews was a great stylist. He knew how to work allusion and metaphor. His vivid references to Old Testament imagery and characters makes a pivotal turn as he moves from chapter eleven into twelve. Chapter eleven is that seeming homage to the great hall of faith: from Abel through Abraham, Moses, and finally David. We may be tempted to stop there and admire these great men of faith, “who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.” (Heb 11:33-34) Yet chapter twelve makes it clear that the author of Hebrews was leading up to someone greater than these faithful, someone to whom is the object of our faith.

Chapter twelve begins with placing the Old Testament faithful in a stadium; they are watching a footrace. The word used for these spectators is an old, poetic term that can mean cloud or mist, or even mass or heap. I like to think of it as a misty mass. Because this crowd of onlookers is cheering us on from the misty past, we are encouraged to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Heb 12:1)

In order to run well — to finish — we are given three critical race tactics. First, “lay aside every weight.” (Heb 12:1) We are not in training so, it is time to take off the ankle weights. This is the actual race. It is not an event for which we are preparing; the starting gun has already fired. Quit standing around. What is holding you down? Lay it aside. Run!

Second, lay aside that clinging sin. (Heb 12:1) You do not run in your sweats or your warm-up suit. And you cannot run the race well with clinging sin. Lay it aside and stretch out your stride.

Third, realize where you are running. The only way you will possibly finish the race is if you know where you are running. When the starter’s pistol fires, you need to be headed in the right direction. Later in the race, when you are fatigued, you need to know where the finish line is so you can press on toward the end of the race. (Phil 3:14) Nothing is more humiliating, even for the cloud of spectators, than for a runner to drop out of the race. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was tempted to drop out of the race but he pressed on toward his goal. Thanks be to God!

If Jesus had not kept the finish line in mind, he would never have been able to say, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) It is the same with us; we will not likely finish without keeping the goal in sight. So what is that goal, that finish line? Is it the end of this life? Is it heaven? Is it some reward, a trophy or a ribbon? In fact, for the Christian the reward is simply the finish line, to have run the race well enough to actually finish — no matter how long the race takes or how tired you are. But how does one know she has finished the race? How does one know she is even running the right race at all? It is all about the Finish Line. You are in the right race if you are running toward the correct goal. And you could die today and have finished well… if you are running toward the Goal.

The Finish Line is Jesus. If you are “looking to Jesus” (Heb 12:2) while you run, you will always have the Goal in sight. Our goal is not a nice sentiment on a tombstone, or a fine eulogy, or extra reward in heaven. Jesus is our goal. He is the Finish Line of this race called life. He began the race and ran it to the end. He is not on the prize rostrum, wearing his medal and waving at the crowd. Since he finished his race two thousand years ago, Jesus has been waiting at the finish line for you to cross. He too is in that great cloud of witnesses, but he is not in the stands. He is at the finish line, cheering you on. Run to me! Keep going! Finish!

And when you have crossed the line, running into the waiting arms of your Lord, you will be at the Father’s side with Jesus, the object of your faith, the author and finisher of your faith (Heb 12:2, KJV), your prize.

Antonio Ciseri's “Behold the Man”

Ironically, Good Friday is the day Christians remember the passion of Jesus. It was on this day that he was beaten and crucified and laid in the tomb. Despite the darkness and the sadness of Jesus’ death, it is a very good day indeed. It makes us realize with cruel clarity how much God loved us — that he gave his only begotten Son to die for us. (John 3:16) Christians believe that the only way to be right with God is through his Son who died for them on Good Friday. (John 14:6) The only good man who ever lived was killed on a cross to pay for the price of your sins. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” (1 Pet 3:18)

Without Jesus’ death on that dark day so long ago, the world would be even darker than it sometimes seems, and eternity would be darker still. Though we commemorate the death of the Savior today, we celebrate that his death brought the light of hope into the darkness. That is why we will rise early on Easter morning and welcome him in church cemeteries and sanctuaries. The Light of the World has stepped down into this darkness and the darkness has not overcome it! (John 1:5) Though it seems the darkest hour in history, a now empty cross shines with the hope of God’s promise and presence. And our hope is not disappointed. (Rom 5:5; )

"Christ Washing Peter's Feet" by Ford Madox Brown

The worldwide Church celebrates Maundy Thursday this evening. It is a day that commemorates the last meal that Jesus had with his disciples, and the new commandment or mandate (mandatum novum, from which we got the now archaic word “Maundy”) he gave them: “love one another.” After what he knew would be his last meal with his disciples, Jesus demonstrated this love by washing their feet, including the feet of the very man who would disown him. Therefore, the Thursday before Easter is an occasion for Communion and Foot Washing services.

Maundy Thursday (or as it is called in so many churches today, Holy Thursday) is a good day for us. It is a day for “getting right” with God so that one is better prepared for Good Friday and Easter. Like Peter long ago, recoil at the notion of Jesus bathing a sinner like you. After all, like Peter, you will disown Jesus too. Jesus knows this and washes you just the same. Like Peter long ago, let Jesus cleanse you fully this day. “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.” (John 13:10)

You will not need flash cards and you will not need to take tests. You will however, learn The Lord’s Prayer in the language of the New Testament, Koine Greek. You will also learn part of John 1 and Revelation 1. Along the way, you will learn the Greek alphabet, many Greek words, how to spot common characteristics of Greek words, and…you will discover if you want to go even further with the language.

Imagine, being able to read the Bible of the early church by reading the actual New Testament and Old Testament (Septuagint) instead of an English translation.

Classes will begin Sunday, January 8th, from 4 to 6pm in my home in Graham, NC. The atmosphere will be relaxed, fun, and inspirational.

This is not only open to folks from my church. You may take part too. Let me know if you plan to be there.

When I was a boy, we always had Christmas morning at home with just my immediate family — mom, dad, my three sisters, and me. But on Christmas Eve…oh! on Christmas Eve, that is when Christmas really happened.

At 5 o’clock or so, we would gather at Grandma and Grandpa Ryman’s house for dinner. The whole Ryman family as there: Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Thelma and Uncle Richard and Jim and Lori, Ben and Doris Dace (friends of the family), and the six of us. Before the dishes were done and certainly before presents were opened, we packed up the cars (including Grandpa’s Rambler), usually in the snow, and headed off to Calvary Lutheran Church in Springfield, Ohio. Aunt Thelma’s family went to First Lutheran and we went to St. Luke’s, but Calvary was Grandma’s and Grandpa’s church. And we all went there together once a year.

Though I only attended Calvary once a year, I remember so much from those annual visits. I vividly remember the way the church entrance was located off to the left and that, as soon as we entered from the cold snow and the rush of getting there from dinner, the sanctuary gave me a warm, red peace and stillness. And wonder.

But the poinsettias and the people and the carols and the candy are not what made the difference in a little boy’s heart and life. The difference was that for my family it was important to stop and worship on Christmas Eve. Oh, yes, there was a book of Lifesavers waiting under the tree and a crisp dollar bill in an envelope with my name on it stuck in the tree. But those had to wait, as did the new handkerchief and socks that were also part of the annual family gifting. The whole book of Lifesavers (eight or sometimes twelve rolls) would be there when we got back from church. I was taught that at a very early age.

When I was a few years older (I think 14), and the world got more hurried, someone decided we could skip church that year. Nothing doing! I told them the presents could wait; I was going to church. I don’t know how I planned to get halfway across town in the snow. But I looked around to see what the response might be and Aunt Thelma and Grandma Ryman were getting up to put their coats on. Then everyone but the person who’s idea it was to skip church was headed out the door to Calvary.

He would have to wait along with the handkerchief and socks — and the dollar bill and Lifesavers. Jesus was waiting for us.

Reflections on the Expository Lectionary, May 16-22, 2011

Monday Morning

Leviticus 23:15-21   This Sunday’s lesson, tells us the disciples had done just as Jesus commanded. He told them to go to Jerusalem and wait for the promised Holy Spirit. This they have done, searching the scriptures as they waited so they would be led therein to choose a new apostle. Sunday’s lesson lets us know the time has come, the days have been fulfilled. When the days are full and the time has come, God will keep his promise.

Monday Evening

1 Kings 19:11-13   In days of old, God spoke in a whisper. But he is about to do a new thing. All will hear, each in her own language. All will hear — not just prophets.

Tuesday Morning

Job 38:1-4   Whether God speaks in a whisper or a whirlwind, he demands action. “What are you doing here, Elijah?” And then, “Go!” To Job, “Dress for action!” And the Spirit of God is about to disperse the waiting disciples to the four corners of the earth.

Tuesday Evening

Matthew 3:11-12   Sunday’s lesson is a physical manifestation of being baptized in fire. But what does it mean? It means we are to go! Take the Gospel to somebody! You have been anointed with Spirit fire. Go! Burn!

Wednesday Morning

Mark 16:17-18   This section (verses 9-20) is not in the oldest and most reliable manuscripts. It is missing from Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus and some of the early church fathers seemed to be unaware of these verses. Therefore it may have been added later by a scribe. Nevertheless, all of the signs listed in this morning’s reading merely point to the power that will accompany the Holy Spirit coming upon a believer.

One has to wonder though, if the empowered believer did not do anything with it, would it seem they had no Spirit power? If you have the power of God but do not dare use it, this does not indicate God not keep his promise to you. It does not mean God no longer works in powerful and miraculous ways. It simply means you have not acted in faith.

Wednesday Evening

1 Corinthians 12:7-10   If your gift is teaching but you teach no one, your gift was given in vain. If your gift is speaking in tongues but no one understands, of what use is the gift? If your gift is evangelism but you share Christ with no one, who gets saved? The gifts are given for the good of the Christian community first, and for the whole world. But if you do not use what God gave you, it is no longer a gift. It has become the loss of what might have been.

Thursday Morning

Hebrews 2:1-4   Last week we saw Judas turn away from his Lord (Acts 1:25, see UV). An equally awful thing happens to the undisciplined who “drift away” (Hebrews 2:1). We must pay stricter attention to the Gospel we heard from the Lord and that was affirmed by his students and even the angels. As we pay closer attention to the word of truth, we will find God himself confirming the message with “signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit.” Without stricter attention to this “great salvation” than we have given in the past, these signs will go unnoticed and we will have found ourselves adrift and faithless.

Thursday Evening

Matthew 26:69-73   We easily recognize people from Boston or New Orleans. Once they speak, their accents give them away, just as Peter’s Galilean accent gave him away in the courtyard of the high priest. Yet it was more than his speaking that betrayed Peter that night. His lack of speech betrayed him more.

Here was the mouthpiece of the disciples, silent on the matter of being one of Jesus’ followers. He had the chance to speak up and tell them who they held but instead, he said only, “I don’t know the man.” (Mat 26:72)

Peter was groomed by the Master to be his witness. And he would become just that, but not before this and other haunting failures. He had sunk in the Galilean waters but still walked with Jesus. He had denied his Master thrice in an evening but chose to witness to his life, death, and resurrection not many weeks later. He would shun Gentiles when it served him but confess his error and serve the Lord of all people until he was martyred for that devotion.

Peter went throughout the known world, preaching a risen Savior. The one who would not speak, in the end would not shut up. His mistakes did not rule his life; his love of Jesus directed his steps and eventually, his voice.

Friday Morning

Deuteronomy 28:49   Compare this verse with Sunday morning’s and you discover the mercy that is available with God — and the judgment. You cannot have one without the other. He sends people empowered with his Spirit to speak your language and share the Gospel. Obey. Those who do not will be hearing from an enemy whose language they do not comprehend.

Friday Evening

Isaiah 28:11-12   I went to the doctor this afternoon. He asked me if the prescription was working. I told him I did not know since I was not taking it. Though he surely wanted the best for me, he seemed irritated and asked me why I was not taking my medication. I told him why and he seemed just as irritated as before. Then he told me again that I needed to take the medicine. I asked why (since, evidently, ‘because I said so’ is not good enough for me). He started speaking medical language but he may as well have been speaking Swahili. I needed to understand the connection between the technical term and what was wrong with me. For some reason, in order to remember to do something, I need to know why I am doing it.

I persisted for a better explanation until I understood what he was saying. He told me the name of my condition and that the medicine would help. But I did not get it. He needed to break it down for me so I said, “Tell me what is physically happening to me when I have these symptoms.” When he explained that instead of just saying foreign words, it immediately made sense. Of course the medicine would help that condition! I get it now and have no doubt I will remember to take the medication.

God also wants the best for us. But we won’t listen. He sends people we should not be able to understand, yet we do understand — miraculously. But we do not always listen. I think it may be because we simply do not comprehend what is wrong with us. God’s treatment of our condition makes no sense to a person who does not understand his condition.

Saturday Morning

Joel 1:5-6   The distractions of the world are obstacles to the citizens of God’s kingdom. Drunkenness is the best illustration of this distraction. The Church is filled with the Spirit of God so that she might announce his kingdom to the world. But if we spend our days filled with wine or any other poorer spirit, we fail at our charge.

Saturday Evening

Psalm 135:1-20   God’s glory will be manifested among the nations. His grace and might will be seen and heard everywhere. But who will sing the song? Who will call the response? The United States of America? Israel? South Korea? It is not national in scope. It is the Church who will sing God’s praises. A multitude of tongues will sing, though not in English or Hebrew. Those who hear the news and call it good will sing with the tongues of angels. And all the world will then hear and know that there is a God in the land.

Sunday Morning

Acts 2:1-13   This is an audio reflection and will be posted Monday, May 23, 2011.

Sunday Evening

1 Corinthians 14:20-25   What will it take for people to believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the anointed one? God has sent his Spirit to indwell his people, not merely dwell in their midst. He dwells in us and manifests his power through the Church, yet people will not believe. This is due in no small part to a misunderstanding of the gift of the Holy Spirit. We mistakenly believe the gifts are given so that we can each have some special power. Oh, we would never phrase it so but it is true nonetheless.

God did not send his Spirit so we could speak in tongues or heal or teach with power. He sent his Spirit with various gifts so that his Good News would be told throughout the world. By you.

Reflections on the Expository Lectionary, May 9 – 15, 2011

Matthew 10:2-4   The ones who will have a share in Jesus’ ministry are numbered 12. The immediate image of the 12 tribes of Israel spring to mind. These disciples whom Jesus called are just as surprising a choice as the brothers who sold Joseph into slavery. Why would Jesus call such a motley group? Tax collector, fishermen, teenager, zealot. Here’s a recipe for success in church leadership: pick the group most unlikely to succeed and then trust it to Jesus.

Monday Evening

Rom 15:5-7   The church is a praying community. Without prayer the church ceases to be community; it ceases to be church. Every good work begins with prayer. Faith itself begins in prayer. Anyone can believe in God but to endure with Jesus Christ in the Christian community takes faith. The church that glorifies God as one voice has first learned to pray together.

Tuesday Morning

Rom 12:11-12   All people pray when it suits them, when they feel the need requires it. Far fewer are devoted to prayer. This is because they are not devoted to Jesus Christ but instead, to some idea of religion. In order to be zealously industrious and fervently spirited in service to the Lord one must first be devoted in prayer. The one who goes to work but does not pray will lose hope and buckle at the first sign of trouble.

Tuesday Evening

Eph 6:16-18   Praying at all times in the Spirit always puts me in mind of Brother Lawrence. How did he practice the presence of God? How did he realize God’s continuous presence and so speak with him all the time? What a feat! “Practice” is key. One cannot do this right away. Depending upon the Spirit’s help is also key. But how?

This could be much like any other conversation. We all find ourselves thinking of the next thing to say as we are in conversation with anyone else. Could we apply the same technique to prayer? Begin speaking with God by talking about what comes to mind. Consider this a prompting of the Spirit. Practice listening for a while. When the Spirit prompts again, speak with God about what he brought to mind. Listen some more and continue speaking as God directs your thoughts.

In doing this one might slowly develop the practice of the presence of God, praying at all times in the Spirit.

Wednesday Morning

Luke 22:37   Here our Lord is seen fulfilling a powerful prophecy — the most potent prophecy of all. Not only did this prophecy have to be fulfilled but it was a good thing for us that it was fulfilled. The prophecy referred to here is Isaiah 53:12. If Jesus were not numbered among us, Isaiah’s “transgressors,” then (as it further states in the same passage) he would never have borne our iniquities and thereby “make many to be accounted righteous.”

It is not merely that Jesus died for us that makes the difference. It is important that we understand Jesus became sin for us, that he who never sinned was counted as a transgressor. Indeed, he bore the load of all of our sin; he was counted as all transgressors. As a result, he is the Lamb who has taken away the sins of the world. This is the only way we may become righteous and be restored to fellowship with our Father.

Wednesday Evening

John 6:70-71   From my standpoint, it is a wonder that only Judas went sour. Sometimes half a congregation leaves a church over matters that seem insignificant years later.

Judas, the betrayer, was numbered among the most intimate of Jesus’ followers. Jesus even hand-picked him. But his heart was not right. Any of the disciples could have gone wrong. We should never depend upon our affiliation. The heart will have the final say.

Thursday Morning

Matt 27:5-8   When Jesus calls a person, he does not simply call one into a church or some field service. He chooses us to make us into what God always intended. That is part of the reason we are said to be born again (1Pe 1:3) or a new creation (2Co 5:17). Birth is painful; so is new birth. Some people, called or not, cannot take the pain.

Thursday Evening

Matt 26:14-16   This is no spur-of-the-moment decision. It shows not only forethought on the part of Judas but continuing calculation. “From that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.” Judas knew exactly what he was doing since Jesus had told the twelve disciples, “The Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death.” (Matthew 20:18)

Friday Morning

1Pet 1:3-5   We are called to God to enjoy fellowship with him. We are called to a share in his ministry to be a witness to the availability of such a blessed fellowship.

People do not naturally realize friendship with God is available to them. They do not even know who God is and are afraid of him and superstitious. They know God must be there and make up things about him in order to try to understand him.

But God has shown himself to us though the patriarchs and prophets and in these last days, through his own Son (1 Peter 1:20) and the Apostles. All of this God-revealing has been recorded in the Holy Bible. When we are called to a share in ministry, we are called to reveal God to the lost through his word.

Friday Evening

1Sam 16:7   No. That’s not him. Don’t you have another candidate? No. That’s not him either. Surely someone else is here. Perhaps someone in the back pew who does not look like leader material.

That may be just the person the Lord has in mind for his service. Look around. Keep your mind and heart open wide. God works in mysterious ways.

Saturday Morning

Rom 8:27   The Spirit knows the heart and mind in terms of discerning who a person truly is, as opposed to looking on the outward appearance. This is beneficial when choosing leaders and seeing through false people. It is also important because he knows our prayers before we think to speak to him. (Matt 6:8) It is a comfort to know that God knows my heart and has been busy dealing with not only my church’s needs but my desires for his church too — before I even asked him.

Saturday Evening

Rom 1:5-6   Why do we have a share in ministry with Jesus? There is one primary reason and we keep losing focus. Why are we saved? There is the same primary reason but few want to hear about it. We are saved to save others. We are called into ministry to bring the nations to faith. That’s it. Easy. Right?

Yet we keep losing focus. We so easily convince ourselves that the Gospel is about us, that Jesus is is ours, that God is here to meet our needs. The Gospel is about others. We belong to Christ. We exist to meet God’s needs.

Go!

Sunday Morning

Acts 1:12-26   This is an audio reflection and will be posted Monday.

Sunday Evening

Gal 2:8   God appoints a share in ministry to each as he sees fit. Ministry is not always what one expects. Peter and the other disciples must have thought their ministry would be something like an appendix to the Jewish ideas of ministry. Perhaps they even thought it would be a rabbinical style of ministry, but to Jews. Even after God miraculously showed them otherwise (Acts 2:1-11), it was difficult for them to break from their expectations.

Reflections on Morning & Evening Readings, May 2 – 8, 2011

Monday Morning

Micah 4:6-7   What is God’s kingdom like? Probably not what we expect it to be. We often think in terms of stuff when we think of kingdoms. Castles, thrones, courts, and courtiers. But there are two particular factors to consider in this mornings passage. First is the people who will compose the kingdom of God. He is gathering into his kingdom the lame, the outcast, and the afflicted. We usually think of the strong, the privileged, and the happy as being the people populating a kingdom. And this is true enough since God will make the lame and the remnant and the afflicted into a strong people.

Yet this is only the first factor Micah considers. Besides these unexpected citizens is the second ingredient of the kingdom. God. He will reign over his now strong kingdom people. And he will do so forever.

Monday Evening

Luke 17:20-21   In these days of earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, atomic meltdowns, and terrorism people wonder if the Lord’s return is imminent. It is; of course. Yet we are not forewarned by such things. Jesus says that his kingdom will not be heralded by observable signs. Therefore we will not know when his kingdom is coming. We must simply be ready at all times, good or bad. The only sign we have of Christ’s return is his word. He told us he is returning and we cannot know when. There is no other sign but his word.

Tuesday Morning

Mark 13:32-37   The odd thing is that people think Christ will return soon because of an escalation of awful and evil events in the world. It is quite the opposite. Jesus warns us: When everything seems just as you would like it — peaceful, comfortable, secure, and happy — that is the time to heighten your awareness. He will return when we least expect him.

Our response must be to live appropriately and righteously and encourage others to do the same, expecting his return at any time.

Tuesday Evening

1 Thes 5:1-11 Look for the Lord’s return when everything is going right. When nobody wants for a thing, when the government takes care of people, and when no war can be found… Just then! When you think nothing could be any better is when it will get better than you can imagine. For that is when the Lord will come back. Yet when that day will come, no one can say.

Wednesday Morning

1 Thes 1:1-11 What should Christ find his Church doing when he returns? Three things: works of faith, labors of love, and continuing in hope. (1Thes 1:3)  Christ has empowered you with his Spirit to live this way until he comes again. (1Thes 1:5) Turn from your old ways to serve the Lord in these ways (1Thes 1:9), waiting patiently for his return. (1Thes 1:10).

Wednesday Evening

Zechariah 4:6   Too often we work in our own power, effectively denying the power made available to us by the Holy Spirit. In my second pastorate I wanted nothing more than to have a church filled with different races. It was a cause of mine that I labored after. It was the right thing to have in the church and I worked hard to have it. It never happened and I could not understand why.

That was almost 30 years ago. Then one day I looked out over my small congregation and saw white, black, and tan skinned people in the pews and wondered when and how that occurred. I did not do it. Indeed, it was something I still wanted but I had given up trying. It was then that God moved in power and did what I could never do.

Thursday Morning

Micah 3:5-8   Why are God’s people empowered with his Spirit? One basic reason. We are to be his witnesses. If we are not being a witness for him, the indwelling is in vain. God’s Spirit gives you the ability — if you desire to use it — to live for him whether there is peace or war, security or cause for anxiety (Micah 3:5). The state of things changes nothing. Live for him! The Apostle said, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Phil 4:12 NIV) But you, when his Spirit comes upon you, whether lacking all else or having plenty, be his witness where you are. (Acts 1:8)

Thursday Evening

Isaiah 43:10-12   How does it feel to be chosen to be God’s witness? He has called each of us to be in service to him. God did not simply call Isaiah to be his witness. He called all of Israel to serve him in this way. Today God does not call pastors alone. He calls all of his people to witness to the presence of the only God. Many people deny their priesthood (1Pet 2:9-10) and never serve the Lord this way, giving lip service to him on some Sunday mornings but never opening their mouth to neighbor or co-worker.

The sad thing is that this is of no benefit to God or that believer. The Lord says through Isaiah that it is in this very service that we discover who God is. Without witnessing for him we cannot really know who he is. “You are my witness… that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.” (Isa 43:10) If you do not open your mouth you will never come to a deeper knowledge of God.

Friday Morning

Matt 16:24-28   What can it mean that Christ ascended (Acts 1:11) except that he will also return? In the meanwhile we are to take up our crosses and follow him. Be passionate about something for Jesus’ sake. Follow him in this way. Burn for him. Give yourself completely in service to him. You have been saved in faith but he is coming again and will reward you according to what you have done for him. (Matt 16:27)

Friday Evening

Matt 25:31-34   I know we are meant to understand that the Son of Man will return in the clouds as he departed in a cloud. But think of it another way. When the Lord comes again he will separate the goats from the sheep. He did the same thing when he ascended. Because of the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, his followers remain in the world but are no longer of this world (John 17:11, 16). His sheep separated from the goats just as much by the ascension as they will be by the parousia.

Saturday Morning

Daniel 7:13-14   If only our dreams, night and day, were filled with visions of the Son of Man. If only we would serve him. If only he truly held dominion over our hearts and desires. Then he would come back in the clouds and his kingdom would be established among us.

Saturday Evening

Matt 26:63-64   It is not for the Son of Man to tell us who he is. Jesus will remain silent on this matter every time. It is for us to believe though we are not told. Whether one believes or not, one day everyone will see him coming on the clouds of heaven. Then every stubborn knee will bow and every belligerent tongue confess that Jesus is Christ and Lord. (Rom 14:11)

Sunday Morning

Acts 1:6-11   “The Promised King,” an audio reflection will be posted Monday afternoon.

Sunday Evening

Rev 22:16-21   John, in his typical three-part way (time and times and half a time; the one who is and was and is to come) says, “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come.” (Rev 22:17) The Church says, “come.” The one who hears the words of the book (Rev 1:3) says, “come.” Then John gives us a twist that should wake us up to the text like “half a time” or “which is to come.” After the first two say, “come,” the third “come” is not to Jesus at all. It is an invitation to the one who is thirsty for life to be the one who comes. But she must come to Jesus — who is the giver of life (John 1:4) — to receive from the very fount.

Reflections on Morning & Evening Readings, April 25 – May 1, 2011

Monday Morning

Luke 1:1-4   Luke was a disciple of Paul; at least he was with him on most of his missionary journeys. He knew what was happening in the early development of the Church. I remember when I was first reading the Bible (back in the early 1970s) I thought Luke had interviewed other Christians to get the material to write Luke and Acts. I would not be surprised to discover a great many folks in the pews today think that is the case. Not so. Luke was there in the thick of it. He was writing, compiling from first-hand experience. These writings are for the purpose of Theophilus as well as you and me to have certainty concerning the things we have been taught about the Christian Faith.

Monday Evening

1 Corinthians 15:1-11   The beginning of the Faith is Jesus Christ. He is the Gospel and sometimes we need to be reminded of that fact. It is too easy for church folks to get excited about church activities or denominational doctrines. We need to refocus on the Gospel, on Jesus Christ. “Of first importance” is that Jesus died for our sins. He really died and he really rose from the dead. This is the grace of God: that he did this for us. He saves us from our sin. Church programs, doctrines, and meetings do not.

Tuesday Morning

Luke 24:13-27   I become more impressed all the time how we cannot comprehend the word of God unless the Spirit of Christ aids us. Someone told me the other day that he did not understand what he read in the Bible. At first it sounded like a cop-out; and it probably was but it was more than merely avoiding responsibility. One needs the Holy Spirit’s assistance to go deeply into the word of God. In today’s reading, we see disciples who have all the facts and the promises of Christ but cannot put them together. When we simply talk with each other (Luke 24:17) we learn little. It is when we start to listen to the Spirit of Christ that we learn.

Tuesday Evening

Luke 24:28-53   What a blessing it is when the Lord walks into our midst. What peace is available to us! But the sudden appearance of God can frighten us if the real Spirit of the Lord is not with us. (Luke 24:37) When Christ is seen among us his word becomes clear. We see his crucified but risen body. All becomes clear.

Wednesday Morning

Matthew 28:16-20   What does Jesus want his disciples to do? What were his last will and testament? Go! Make! Baptize! Teach! Jesus is with us when we follow him. Conversely, when are not following him, we are not with him.

Wednesday Evening

John 20:19-23   When Jesus sends us (even as he was sent), he sends us with his Spirit. Without his Spirit, his holy breath, his inspiration we would not dream of going where he sends, nor should we dare. But if his Spirit is within, you know without doubt where he wants you to be and what he wants you to do. Go! He has sent and empowered you.

Thursday Morning

Ephesians 1:11-14   If you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit of God, you are destined to receive your heavenly inheritance. If you have heard the word of truth and believed, then you are sealed with the Spirit, the guarantee of your inheritance.

Thursday Evening

Genesis 1:1-5   I think of the human condition essentially as being ”without form and void” when it is separate from God. Without the Spirit of God we are incomplete and we are without hope. When the Spirit of God moves on a life, there is light and new life. One becomes a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Friday Morning

Psalm 51:6-12   Without the Holy Spirit, one is simply a believer in God. The Holy Spirit helps one become more than merely an assenter to the divine. God’s Spirit enables us to delight in truth, learn wisdom, desire to be cleansed of sin, rejoice when joy is fleeting, have a renewed heart and a corrected spirit, and be willing to continue on with God when the going gets tough. Without the Holy Spirit, mere believers give up. With God’s Spirit, one goes from belief to faith.

Friday Evening

Isaiah 44:1-5   “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:38) “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38) Believe and receive. The Lord is good for his promise.

Saturday Morning

Ezekiel 36:25-30   C. S. Lewis said, “Conversion requires an alteration of the will, and an alteration which, in the last resort, does not occur without the intervention of the supernatural.” (God in the Dock, 221) This does not mean that human effort is not required; it means that without divine initiative and power, human effort will come to nothing. Ezekiel said that God does it. He cleanses from sin and adulterous affection, he gives the new, spiritual heart, he fills with his Spirit who empowers you to walk in godly ways. You do not do these things. But you must respond to the Spirit’s powerful prompting. Resolve to respond over and over and over — even after failing to do so.

Saturday Evening

Ezekiel 37:7-14   Not so much anymore, but people still ask if cremation is okay. They worry that God somehow will not be able to gather their ashes in the resurrection. In Ezekiel’s vision God can make dead bones come back to life. They find each appropriate bone and sinews were reformed along with flesh and skin. The God who can do such a thing will have no problem with ashes scattered to the four winds.

The better concern is what will God be able to do with my dead spirit? If I have poorly maintained my spiritual health, of what benefit is resurrection? Better to be left dead. The God who gives new life to bones and ashes will also give new life to my dead spirit. He said, “I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live.” (Ezekiel 37:14) By this action I know that he is the Lord. Without his Spirit within me, I would never know for certain. His Spirit is evidence to my own spirit. (Romans 8:16)

Sunday Morning

Acts 1:1-5   “The Promise of the Spirit”

Sunday Evening

Joel 2:28-32   Without the Spirit of God, nothing wonderful happens. Even creation is mired in chaos without the moving of God’s Spirit. With him there are prophetic words, dreams, vision, and salvation. And God is not prejudiced. He pours out his Spirit on women and men, young and old, servants and privileged.

The wonder that is his Spirit happens before the Lord returns. Imagine the wonder then!

Beginning May 21, 2011, I began preaching through all 23 of the New Testament letters. Each letter will be handled one pericope per Sunday. This is part of a new preaching series called the Expository Lectionary that I developed so that preachers may spend the time necessary to systematically preach through entire books of the Bible.

The church will be receiving a weekly reading guide (in the bulletin) with morning and evening readings for each day of the week. These readings all tie into the upcoming Sunday preaching verses so that the congregation may be better informed.