The Prophets Foretold

Matthew 11:2-15 KJV; 3rd Sunday in Advent; The prophets foretold the coming of John the Baptist. They foretold the coming of Jesus the Messiah. Many believed. Many did not then nor do they today..

Fear Not; Sing Joyous Songs!

Isaiah 35 KJV; for 3rd Sunday in Advent; Do not fear but rejoice for the Lord has saved you and is with you on the highway that he leads you on.

Offended By The Truth

Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

                                                                          (Luke 7:22-26 KJV)

It seems people get offended at the slightest things these days and that includes the gospel when it is being shared. If worship isn't entertaining then many will just look for another church or stay home. If both the law and gospel are preached, people become offended. I've personally known a couple of pastors who were told by council members that they were not to be talking so much about the law. I know them personally and know that neither one of them preach only law. I also know the council members. They wanted only those things preached that will make everyone feel good about themselves in order to keep the membership and offerings up.

Yes, many who attend worship as a weekly (or monthly or annual) ritual are offended by Jesus. They are offended at the thought that they are sinners. They do not want to be reminded because they are good people, after all. Many do not want to hear that Jesus had to die because of their sins. He had to die to save us. 

Unlike Jesus, many who profess to be Christians are often like reeds shaken with every wind that blows and think so highly of themselves that they have to be treated delicately so that they are not offended.

The truth that we are all sinners and genuinely need the grace and mercy of God offends way too many. But, that should not stop the truth from being shared. 

St. Paul was definitely not a follower of Jesus who shook with every wind that blew. He was definitely not delicate! He did not stop proclaiming the good news that Jesus died for us not so that we might live like kings in this world; but, that we might live as heirs of the Kingdom of God. He was not slack in proclaiming Jesus as our Savior even as he faced the prospects of persecution, prison, and death because of the people that were offended by what he preached. 

We are all reminded even as he exhorted Timothy to:

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

                                                                                           (2 Tim 4:2-4)

May God open our ears and eyes and hearts so that we might never be offended to hear the truth in Christ Jesus. God help us to proclaim the gospel in both word and deed that all might be blessed.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Sing Songs of Thanksgiving!

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God." Col 3:15 NRSV

Sometimes, it seems that no matter how much we share the Word of God and His love it reaches deaf ears. It is often met with rudeness and even anger. There are many who just do not know how to react to genuine love.

What to do about this? We are to continue sharing the Word with all who will listen. Do not be afraid of slander or any kind of vicious attacks. Rather, continue to share the word of Christ which dwells in you richly and sing songs of thanksgiving to the Lord, our God.

Remember that you are a child of God and He will be with you always, no matter what befalls you.

God's Peace - Pr. J