Freely Give

Matt 10:1-8 KJV; Go out and proclaim the kingdom of heaven and help those in need.

Preaching Jesus In Spite Of Persecution

Acts 5:29-42 KJV; 1st Sunday after Easter; The apostles continued to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ even as they were persecuted and faced death. Will you?

Hated For Christ's Sake

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. (Luke 6:22 KJV)

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. (John 15:18)

It is sad but true that those who proclaim the truth will have enemies. They will be declared false prophets. Their names will cast out as evil from even the assembly of God's children. 

Rejoice then all who are hated for Christ's sake! For Jesus declares you blessed if you are hated for his sake. Continue in the truth because although there are many who reject the truth there are also those who will receive it.

May the Lord bless and keep you! (Num 6:24)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Foolishness Or Wisdom?

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

                                                                              (1 Cor 1:18-25 KJV)

So frustrating! I wish that everyone would receive our Saviour, Jesus the Christ. But, no matter how much I try it seems to be impossible for me to get some people to understand that the message of the cross is the power of God. It is not just a nice story of a man dying because he loved humanity so much. It is not just a piece of historical fact that we read about and set aside. It is not foolishness as the world would have us believe. Rather, it is foolishness not to believe. The message of the cross holds within it the power to save.

In the end, I always have to go back to a very simple fact. I cannot save anyone. I cannot even convince anyone. I can only proclaim the message and trust that the power of God within the message (the Word who is Jesus the Christ) saves. Usually, when people tell me that my sermon was great or they thank me for saying something that helped them; I remind them that it is not me; but, Christ in me (Gal 2:20). Sometimes, I will tell them that from my lips to your ears the Holy Spirit is working so that you hear (and receive) what God wants you to hear and have; not what I want.

The world can scoff at the faith of those who trust in the cross of Christ for their life and salvation. They can deny it. But it does not change the truth. Christ is and always will be Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God! Whom will you trust: the world, yourself, or God who created all things and has recreated us in Jesus Christ, our Lord?

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Glory Of God

 

PSALM 19 (KJV)

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

+++

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge." (Psalm 19:1-2 NIV) Even without speech their message of God's awesomeness is heard.

If they that have no speech can glorify God then may God grant that the words of our lips also proclaim all that He has done that we too might glorify Him. 

God's Peace - Pr. J. 

The Spirit Of Power

 

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;" (2 Tim 1:7-8 KJV)

Paul exhorts Timothy and ultimately us to be brave in proclaiming the Gospel. Do not be afraid that others might persecute you because of your testimony about the Lord. Do not be afraid or ashamed to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus the Christ. 

Paul was not afraid. He suffered much for testifying to what he had seen and heard. He knew that in the end he would die for the Gospel of Jesus. But, none of that mattered. God had given him the spirit of power and love and of a sound mind. In Christ he had the courage and strength to do the will of our Father and follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

"So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." (Rom 1:15-17)

Be not afraid... Share the love of our God in Christ Jesus with all who need to hear the Good News. And... we all need to hear Good News.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Ambassador In Bondage

 

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

                                                                                    (Eph 6:18-20 KJV)

As St. Paul closed his letter to the Ephesians he asked them to pray always for all saints as well as for himself.  He asked that they pray that God would help him to continue to speak boldly what the Lord would have him speak. 

This would have been a very difficult time for most people to continue to share the Gospel as Paul wrote this letter from prison in Rome. Yet, he was well aware that was exactly where he was supposed to be. As a prisoner he would be able to share the news about Jesus not only with the faithful through letters but also to people who would not normally hear it.

Most of the country, indeed the world, has been placed in positions of semi-lockdowns due to Covid-19. We do not have the opportunities to see or fellowship with others as much as we were able to a year ago. But, we do have opportunity to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ. God provides those opportunities, even if it is no more than social media which could be considered akin to writing a letter. Thanks be to God we do still get to see people although not quite as many nor as often as we use to. We can still be ambassadors of Christ to others even within our bonds.

May God open our mouths so that we might proclaim the Gospel and to proclaim it boldly whenever and wherever we might be.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Accepted or Rejected

And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.

But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

                                                                                Acts 28:16-22 KJV

There were always be those who support the servants of God and there will also always be those who will do anything and everything to subvert the message brought by God's servants.

Paul had finally made it to Rome under guard. The believers from the area went to meet him when they heard that he was there. The local Jewish leaders also wanted to hear from him. But, they wanted to hear because they have heard only bad things about this Christian sect. Whether it is accepted or rejected; Paul, the prisoner, was still provided opportunities by God to proclaim the message of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ to many people.

Sometimes, we will share the Good News with people whom we think might be open to it. At other times, we will keep our lips closed for fear that the message (and we) will be rejected. This was not the way that Paul followed. It was definitely not The Way of Jesus. The Good News is for all people. Do not be afraid to share it.

We are called and sent to share the message of forgiveness and reconciliation in the Kingdom through the sacrifice of Jesus. Maybe we should ask ourselves what news it is that we share most often with others. Is that message about our favorite sports team or politician or maybe television star or musician? 

Hmmm... We humans tend to place a lot of emphasis on false gods. What about sharing the message of peace; the peace that is received in the knowledge of what Christ has done for us? For the Christian, there can be no greater focus than on sharing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord with those who do not know him. Do not be afraid to do that! Whether the message is accepted or rejected, it is still the message that saves lives. Give them a chance to know it and to know Him!

God's Peace - Pr. J

They Will Praise The Lord

Hebrews 2:12

Let this be recorded for a generation to come,

   so that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord:
that he looked down from his holy height, 
   from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,
to hear the groans of the prisoners, 
   to set free those who were doomed to die;
so that the name of the Lord may be declared in Zion, 
   and his praise in Jerusalem,
when peoples gather together, 
   and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.                                   (Psalm 102:18-22 NRSV)

How and why will a people yet unborn praise the Lord?

It began with those first followers of Jesus. They shared what they saw. They repeated what they heard and the next generations did the same. The next generation will praise the Lord when the Good News of the Kingdom of God for all who believe in Jesus will be shared with them. They will praise the Lord when by the power of the Holy Spirit they understand that they have been set free from the bondage to sin. They will praise the Lord when they understand that Jesus overcame the power of death over us. They will praise the Lord when they hear the Word.

It is New Year's Eve. Let us resolve to share the Good News loudly and clearly that the next generation might genuinely praise the Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J

What is the Good News?

The Good News; the Gospel of our Lord Jesus the Christ; what is it? What is it the Good News that we are supposed to be sharing?

What was John the Baptist's proclamation?

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matt 3:1 NRSV) 

What was the proclamation of Jesus? 

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”  (Matt 4:17)

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”  (Mark 1:14-15)

What did Jesus tell the twelve disciples to proclaim when he sent them out?

"As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.'" (Matt 10:7) 

What did Jesus tell the seventy was their mission when he sent them out?

Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.  (Luke 10:8-11)

So there we have it. We are to proclaim the Good news of the kingdom of God to all who would hear. That good news is not about physical wealth in this world. The Good News is not about what we should or have to do. The Good News is about what God has done for us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him, we have received forgiveness of all our sins. Through him, we have been reconciled to God our Father and to our Lord Jesus the Christ by the awesome power of God the Holy Spirit. Through him, the gates of the kingdom have been flung wide open and we can live in His paradise; in His Kingdom; in His presence now and forever. Forever and eternity do include now; after all.

The Good News is not just about the kingdom of God for you after you die a physical death. The Good News of the kingdom includes the present for all who would believe Jesus. Rejoice, for the kingdom of God is not something far away! The Kingdom of God is near; so near that it has already broken into and present in our lives today. It is all around us. It is not something that awaits us up above the clouds. It is right here among us.   

Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.” (Luke 17:20-21)

The kingdom life is a life of joy and peace knowing that we live in God's presence even today; knowing that we have been reconciled to our Father and Creator and to one another through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Even as Jesus, John the Baptist, the twelve and the seventy proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom that is also the Good News that we are to proclaim. There is no Good News that is better or greater than the kingdom of God for you through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. That is the Good News that will shine a light of hope on and in the hearts of those who are in distress.

Go and share the Good News of the kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord so that all who would hear and believe might rejoice in their salvation; in their reconciliation to God; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Do Not Fear; The Lord Saves Us

 For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us. (Isaiah 33:22 NIV)

We do not have to fear the false judgments of others. There is only one judge. That judge knows the truth of all things.

We do not have to fear this world at all for we are not of this world. Jesus told his followers: "As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." (John 15:19) The world may be able to kill our bodies; but, it cannot destroy our souls. “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt 10:26-28)

Thanks be to God for He is the only one who can save us. He is the only one who can grant eternal life in His Kingdom and He has indeed granted all who believe that precious life in His presence forever.

Trust Him for He is our king and our deliverer. He will save us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Allow Others Their Freedoms; Please!

Do not call what is sin, no sin.

The house of the wicked will be destroyed,

   but the tent of the upright will flourish.

There is a way that appears to be right,

   but in the end it leads to death.                                                 

                                  (Prov 14:11-12 NIV)

As I watch the news; I watch those who proclaim to be righteous attacking those whom they claim are unrighteous! Everything is upside down and backwards. Please, please, please, don't claim to be Christian if you have no qualms about threatening the children of those whom you do not agree with. Please, please, please, allow others to be able to enjoy some time with their families and friends without being threatened or attacked. 

Jesus did, indeed, die for the unrighteous. We are all unrighteous. We are declared righteous only by being washed by his blood. But, for those especially who claim to be God's children; please, please, please, for the sake of the whole world, stop calling righteous what is unrighteous. Stop calling what is a sin, not a sin. Stop deluding yourselves into thinking that you are doing God's will when you are really doing your own will. Our own wills lead only to death; our deaths and the deaths of others.

It is the eve of Independence Day. If we are not careful; if we continue to disrespect the rights of others, we will destroy this country from the inside out. 

May God help us all to learn to respect the freedoms and the rights of others that we might live in at least a little more peace even here in this world. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Go And Tell!

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. (Acts 20:24 NIV)

Are we ever finished with completing the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace?  Paul, like many Christians today, was looking forward to going home to be with the Lord. But, he was aware that he would not be going until the Lord called him home. 

Life, here on earth, is nothing in comparison to entering into our Father's presence most completely and eternally. But, there is much to be done here. There are so many who have no idea of who our awesome loving God is. It is our task to tell them. It is our privilege to share this Good News! Let us all go and tell!

May God empower us to testify to the good news of His grace through Jesus Christ our Lord that all may come to know Him!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rejecting the Truth and the Truth-bearers

   We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.  Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;  in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;  in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

    We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.  As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

                                                                                                                  2 Corinthians 6:3-13 NIV

St. Paul's ministry is not only questioned by people outside the church; after all that he has done for the sake of the gospel and for the sake of the people of Corinth. He and his authority are questioned by the people of the church, as well. This also seems to be a common problem within the church today. If we don't like what is said or done; we would like to be freed from our leaders. Get rid of them! If our pastors speak too much truth, members will work hard to get rid of them. If they do or say anything to offend anyone's ego or other personal gods, then they are gossiped about. Some congregations spend more time attempting to rid themselves of their shepherds than they do listening to and sharing the Good News of the Kingdom.

Sometimes, it is necessary to remove a pastor as in cases of wolves in sheep's clothing. However, most of the time it is merely a personality conflict or a control issue. I have a friend who when talking with me will, at times, refer to "the boss." By "the boss," he is not referring to me. He is referring to our heavenly Father, the one to whom we are accountable. He is "the boss." We will all ultimately answer to God for what those things that we have said and done; those things that we have left unsaid and undone. So when you object to your pastor's objection to bowing to false gods remember that your pastor answers to a higher authority than you. In fact, you will answer to a higher authority, as well.

Through Jesus Christ, God our Father granted us the freedom to proclaim the Gospel, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The world may not recognize this freedom; but, God our Father does and that's the only thing that matters. We may suffer and die in this world because we make use of this freedom in Christ to proclaim the truth. But, it is better to suffer and die so that the Good News of the Kingdom of God may be advanced in a world that rejects Him than to deny this freedom purchased for us by the blood of Christ.

Thanks be to God for Jesus the Christ, the one we proclaim has granted us freedom to serve our heavenly Father by the giving of his life for us!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Keep On Sharing The Good News!

Acts 4:23-31 NIV
 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

“‘Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.

 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Why, indeed, do the people plot in vain; rising up against the LORD and His Anointed One?
 
At times, it can be very difficult proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom. The world seems to have set up obstacles all around. There seems to be way too many times when the proclamation that would bring comfort to the people is hindered simply because the time is being spent on distractions caused by dissension. (Rom 16:17-20) Peter and John had been confronted by the authorities for proclaiming the Good News and for the healing of the lame man. But, they did not allow this distraction to hinder them. They continued to pray and to trust that the LORD would enable them, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to speak His word with great boldness. They prayed that the LORD would stretch out His hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the Jesus.

Do not let the world stand in the way of proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom for all people. The Good News is for all people; but, all people have not heard it. Someone must speak it. Know that God is with you to do just that, guiding and empowering you by the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Gospel; The Power of God

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”  (Rom 1-16-17 NIV)

If a friend were in danger and you knew of a way to prevent them from being harmed would you not do everything in your power to help them? Well the power of God to save all whom we love and even those who we don't love is available. It is found in the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ dying so that we who are not righteous are made righteous by the blood of this innocent man that was shed for us.

It is for those who believe to proclaim this Good News to the world; to shout it from the rooftops, so that others might hear and believe and be saved by faith in the one who lived and died and lives again so that we too might live eternally in the kingdom that he has prepared for us.

It does not matter who you are. It does not matter what you may or may not have done. Do not think that what you have done is worse than what the next person has done. We all sin and fall short. Without Christ, we would all be found guilty and not worthy to be reconciled to God our Father in His kingdom. But, by faith in the blood of Christ shed for you; all of your sins are washed away. You have been saved from yourself. You have been saved from bondage to sin, death and the devil. This salvation is meant as a free gift to all people. It is by faith in the giver of this free gift that we are righteous. It is by faith in the giver of this free gift that we are saved.

Let all of God's people proclaim the gospel so that others might hear and believe as faith comes by hearing. (Rom 10:17)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Bearing Christ's Name

Some of Christ Lutheran's Worship Team That Ministers to

residents at Princeton Senior Living, Palm Coast, FL

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. (Luke 24:45-48 NIV)

Those first disciples were witnesses. We, too, are witnesses. We must have seen or heard or experienced something in order to bear the name of Christ. What was it? Surely, you do not call yourself Christian because you belong to a specific earthly congregation. There is more to being a Christian than being on someone's membership rolls. As one of my friends use to remind her congregation, "Sitting in a garage doesn't make you a car anymore than sitting in a church makes you a Christian."

Christian's bear the name of Christ and we are to bear it to the entire world. We are to proclaim, in Christ's name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins, to all nations; to all people. Now, repentance does not mean simply apologizing. It means change. It means turning around and doing things in a way that will reflect the love of God for all people. It means, even as Christ put others before himself, even his own life; we are to put the needs of others before our own desires. We are to set aside our own desires so that the will of God may be done.

We do not bear the name of Christ for our sakes alone. We ought not hide our faith for a hidden faith is no faith at all. Our faith may be personal; but, it cannot be private. We are to proclaim the mighty works of God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, to all the world, for as Christians, we are witnesses to the great love that God has for all people.

May God help us to be more faithful witnesses to all that He has done for us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Protect The Sheep Or Shake The Dust Off Your Feet?

"But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible."  Acts 17:13-15

It appears that no matter where Paul went the agitators, against him and more importantly against the Word, showed up. He spent a bit of time in prison because of them. At other times, he simply left the area.

In the U.S., we can't be thrown into prison or beaten or flogged for sharing the truth about the Kingdom through Jesus Christ. Yet, we see many pastors who flee communities that they have been called to serve because of the agitators. Sometimes, it may be necessary because the agitators (antagonists) have managed to switch the focus from Jesus to things of much less importance; in fact, to things that cause division and not unity.

Sometimes, pastors simply find it almost impossible to preach the Gospel due to this conflict and leave to go to a community that is willing to hear and willing to serve the living God rather then their own egos. It was actually one of Jesus' directives to leave if the people are unwilling to hear the word of God; the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus.  In Matthew we read: "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet." (Matt 10:14)

So, please consider this: if your congregation is one that is having to look for a new pastor every two or three years; maybe, it is time to find out if there is someone(s) running these pastors out of the area and if the congregation somehow is supporting this person or persons by ignoring the agitation that they are causing; allowing them to switch the focus away from the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ. It may not always be the best choice to flee an area; but, on the other hand as we are called to proclaim the Gospel; sometimes, we need to go where the people will hear it.

Unfortunately, whether they realize it or not the question and the dilemma for many pastors today is as it was in Paul's day:

     Shall I stay and protect the sheep? or, Shall I shake the dust off my feet?

God's Peace - Pr. J.

P.S. Today's blog is edited from one that I previously wrote for "In The Wilderness"

Threats? So What Of It?

     At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”
     He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! (Luke 13:31-35 NIV)

Run! Herod wants to kill you, some Pharisees had warned Jesus. Oh well! Whatever! Jesus had a mission and he was not going to run from Herod. He would continue driving out demons and healing people until he reached his goal. His goal was the cross. He was going to die, so what difference did it make whether Herod was looking to kill him or not. He wasn't about to let a few threats dissuade him from continuing the work he was called to do.

Personally, I get a bit weary of the threats. I am not Jesus. But, he is with me and gives me the strength to continue onward wherever he will call or send me. I will continue to proclaim the Good news. I will continue to pray in the spirit. I will continue. He has led me this far. He is with me always. He will lead me home. I know that even though Jesus' journey took him to death on the cross; it also took him through death to the Kingdom of God where he reigns. So, threats may wear me down a bit, but they will not strike me down completely. I will continue with faith and hope toward the goal, by the power of the Holy Spirit, even if it includes a journey to the cross.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Proclamation By Word And Deed

Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!”  Acts 20:9-10 NIV

The purpose of preaching is not to bore someone to death. It is not for putting anyone to sleep; but, to shake them up; wake them, up to good news of the Kingdom through Jesus the Christ for all who would believe in him. 

Paul was pretty excited to share the good news that the Messiah had indeed come. He was so enthused that he talked and talked and talked and Eutychus got so tired that he fell asleep and off the third story balcony or window ledge or from wherever he was seated. He died from that fall. But, Paul took him in his arms and Eutychus lived.

My sermons are usually not very long. But, I must confess that I have indeed sat with friends long into some nights talking about the wonderful gift that we have in Jesus. I hope that those conversations were not all one-way conversations with me doing all the talking. That would put anyone to sleep.

The Word of God brings life. We must proclaim this good news. But, it is not necessary to make long, long winded speeches. Sometimes, it takes fewer words and a little more action to see the truly inspirational love of God. Sometimes, along with the words, there needs to be a little action. That life giving action just might be to take someone who is hurting, who may be spiritually dead, in your arms and just hold them.

Proclaiming the good news is necessary; but, so is living the good news by loving even as Jesus loves you.

God's Peace - Pr. J