http://www.rousespointchurch.org/

The First Presbyterian Church of Rouses Point, 52 Washington Avenue, Rouses Point, NY (2026)

03/19/2023

FINAL SERMON AT THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ROUSES POINT, N.Y.
PSALM 23 AND EPHESIANS 5:1-2 & 8-11

ONE SUNDAY, AS PART OF THE WORSHIP SERVICE, A SMALL SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS OF YOUNGER CHILDREN INDIVIDUALLY RECITED THE 23RD PSALM. THE FIRST FEW CHILDREN DID PRETTY WELL, THE NEXT CHILD BOLDLY BEGAN, “THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD,” BUT THEN HE FROZE AS HE SAW EVERYONE LOOKING AT HIM.

THIS CAUSED HIM TO FORGET THE REST, STILL HE TRIED AGAIN “THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD,” AND AFTER A PAUSE HE PROCLAIMED “THAT’S ALL I NEED TO KNOW.” THE BOY’S CLEAVER WAY TO GET AROUND HIS MEMORY LAPSE IS ALSO ONE OF THOSE CASES WHERE CHILDREN SPEAK A TRUTH ADULTS MAY FORGET.

THE LORD IS OUR SHEPHERD- THAT PHRASE IS PACKED WITH PROFOUND COMFORT AND INSPIRATION.
A MISSOURI EVANGELIST NAMED C.E. HENSON WROTE WHAT THE PSALM MEANS FOR HIM, SAYING:

“THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD---PERFECT SALVATION.
I SHALL NOT WANT---PERFECT SATISFACTION.
HE MAKETH ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES—PERFECT REST.
HE LEADETH ME BESIDE THE STILL WATERS---PERFECT REFRESHMENT.

HE RESTORETH MY SOUL---PERFECT RESTORATION.
HE LEADETH ME IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE---PERFECT GUIDANCE.

YEA THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH I WILL FEAR NO EVIL -- PERFECT PROTECTION. FOR THOU ART WITH ME—PERFECT COMPANY.
THY ROD AND THY STAFF THEY COMFORT ME—PERFECT COMFORT.
THOU PREPAREST A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES--- PERFECT PROVISION.

THOU ANOINTEST MY HEAD WITH OIL--PERFECT CONSECRATION. MY CUP RUNNETH OVER—PERFECT JOY. SURLY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE—PERFECT CARE.
AND I SHALL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER--PERFECT DESTINY.”

THIS INTERPRETATION OF PSALM 23 HELPS TO REINFORCE THE PROFOUND TRUTH OF DAVID’S MESSAGE- WHICH IS HIS EXPERIENCE OF THE LORD HIS GOD’S INTIMATE INVOLVEMENT IN HIS LIFE. THE MESSAGE THAT GOD IS AWARE AND CARES, AND SEEKS A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL PEOPLE IS STILL TRUE.

KING DAVID TEACHES, THROUGH THIS BEST KNOWN OF ALL THE PSALMS, THE VALUE OF WELCOMING SUCH A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. THE PSALMIST CONFESSES CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD’S PROVISION, RESTORATION, AND PRESENCE-IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.

THIS DOES NOT MEAN DAVID WAS FREED FROM TROUBLE. HE IN FACT, WALKED THROUGH MANY DARK VALLEYS, SOME OF WHICH THREATENED DEATH. WHILE A FEW WERE DUE TO HIS OWN SIN, MOST WERE THE RESULT OF HIS ENEMIES, OR THE ORDINARY TROUBLES OF LIFE. BUT DAVID’S WORDS PROCLAIM HIS VIEW THAT OUR CREATOR HAS NOT MOVED ON TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS.

INSTEAD, GOD PUTS HIMSELF IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WORLD AND THE CREATURES HE CREATED. GOD IS BONDED TO US BY HIS OWN WILL. THE CREATOR IS STILL INVOLVED WITH CREATION, AND IN PARTICULAR WITH WE WHO ARE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.

THIS INTIMATE CONNECTION TO MAN AND WOMAN WAS MADE EVEN TIGHTER THROUGH THE INCARNATION AND BIRTH OF JESUS. HIS LIFE, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION CLAIM THE PSALM’S PROMISES AND HOPE IN AN EVEN MORE POWERFUL WAY. REMEMBER, JESUS CALLED HIMSELF THE “GOOD SHEPHERD,” WHO LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS SHEEP.
THIS MOVES THE MESSAGE OF THE PSALM TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL.

AND, IT MIGHT HELP TO STOP AND LOOK AT THE PSALM’S IMAGE OF WALKING THROUGH THE DARKEST VALLEY, WHICH IS ALSO TRANSLATED AS THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH. SOME BIBLICAL SCHOLARS BELIEVE IT WAS THE KIDRON VALLEY WHICH INFLUENCED DAVID’S WORDS.

IT WAS A DEEP VALLEY THAT WAS CLOAKED IN DARKNESS MOST OF THE DAY, AS WELL AS A PLACE WERE GREAT EVIL OCCURRED. THE KIDRON VALLEY IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN A PLACE WHERE PAGANS SACRIFICED CHILDREN TO THE DEITIES: BAAL AND MOLECH WHOM THEY WORSHIPPED. IN DAVID’S TIME IT WAS A SCARY PLACE TO PASS THROUGH BECAUSE OF ITS HISTORY, AND THE FACT IT GOT LITTLE SUN.

THE PROCLAMATION OF THE PSALM IS THAT EVEN IN A DARK PLACE OF DEATH GOD IS WITH US. BUT THE WORD DARKNESS CAN ALSO BE APPLIED TO OTHER TIMES IN LIFE THAT ARE SAD, DIFFICULT, OR FRIGHTENING. PART OF AN OLD HYMN POINTS TO THE TRUSTING IN THE LORD TO BE WITH US THROUGH ALL THE DARK TIMES OF LIFE NOW, AND IN THE FUTURE.

IT SAYS: “I DON’T WORRY O’ER THE FUTURE, FOR I KNOW WHAT JESUS SAID. AND TODAY I’LL WALK BESIDE HIM, FOR HE KNOWS WHAT IS AHEAD. MANY THINGS ABOUT TOMORROW I DON’T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND. BUT I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW, AND I KNOW WHO HOLDS MY HAND.”

IT COULD BE SAID THAT JESUS IS THE LIGHT WHO SHINES IN THE DARKNESS OF ALL THE VALLEYS OF LIFE. GOD IS THERE TO WALK WITH US AND GUIDE US THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE. THIS IDEA CONNECTS US TO THE READING FROM EPHESIANS, WHERE PAUL USED THE IMAGES OF DARKNESS AND LIGHT TO DESCRIBE THE CHANGE JESUS INITIATES WITHIN CHRISTIANS.

IN PART, WALKING IN THE LIGHT, AND BEING CHILDREN OF LIGHT MEANS WE FOLLOW JESUS, AND ALSO ARE GUIDED AND CORRECTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. YES, WE STILL SIN, BUT WE ARE ALSO TO BE REPENTANT AND OPEN TO CHANGING TO BECOME MORE AND MORE LIKE JESUS.

PAUL’S WORDS TO THE EPHESIANS WERE DIRECTED TO CHRISTIANS, MANY OF WHOM WERE ONCE PAGANS, WHO LIVED IN A PLACE LARGELY INFLUENCED BY PAGAN CULTURE. THEREFORE, IT WAS VERY EASY FOR THEM TO SLIP BACK INTO THEIR OLD WAYS. THAT IS- TO RETURN TO THE DARKNESS OF THE SOCIAL NORMS OF GREEK AND ROMAN INFLUENCES THAT DID NOT CONFORM WITH GOD’S WILL.

NOTICE, PAUL DOES NOT DIRECT HIS READERS TO FIGHT PEOPLE BUT SOCIAL STANDARDS, BY SHOWING ANOTHER WAY. HIS INTENTION IS THAT THE CHRISTIANS ARE TO HELP CHANGE CULTURE AND PEOPLE, NOT BY FORCE- BUT BY EXAMPLE.

SADLY, THE CHURCH IN THE PAST, AND CHRISTIANS IN THE PRESENT TOO OFTEN HAVE, AND STILL DO, SEEK TO FORCE CHANGE. WORSE STILL IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS BY PHYSICAL FORCE, VERBAL INSULTS OR OTHER KIND OF PERSECUTION. BUT NOTICE, SCRIPTURE INSTRUCTS CHRISTIANS TO WALK AND LIVE IN THE LIGHT, MEANING TO PRODUCE THE FRUIT OF LIGHT, WHICH IS THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

PAUL LISTED THIS FRUIT IN HIS LETTER TO THE GALATIANS, WHICH DESCRIBES HOW WE OUGHT TO SPEAK AND ACT. “…THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF-CONTROL.”

EXHIBITING THOSE TRAITS IS ONE OF THE WAYS WE CAN SPREAD THE LIGHT OF CHRIST-AND SHUN THE DARKNESS THAT CAN CAUSE US TO STUMBLE INTO SIN. AND, ONE WAY WE CAN WALK THROUGH THE DARKEST VALLEY AND EVEN SHINE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST THERE- IS TO BE FAITHFUL IN PRAYER.

A STUDY ON PRAYER OFFERS THIS REFLECTION ON ITS IMPORTANCE FOR CHRISTIANS: “JESUS SHOWS US THAT PRAYER IS A PLACE WHERE OUR ACTIONS AND ATTITUDE JOIN TO PURSUE GOD’S PURPOSE FOR US…. GOD CALLS EVERY PART OF US TO ENTER INTO A LIFELONG DISCOURSE. PRAYER IS NOT AN ESCAPE, BUT RATHER A WAY OF ENTERING GOD’S PRESENCE. PRAYER HELPS US PUT OUR LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE, AND FOCUS ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT… PRAYER PUTS US AT THE FEET OF JESUS. WHEN WE LISTEN IN PRAYER, IT PUTS OUR FEET ON THE RIGHT PATH….”

PRAYER IS IMPORTANT ALL THE TIME, BUT ESPECIALLY HELPFUL IN THE DARK VALLEYS OF LIFE, AND WHEN THE FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN AND THUS A LITTLE FRIGHTENING. IT IS HELPFUL IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE IT BUILDS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD, WHO IS OUR SHEPHERD.

PRAYER OPENS OUR HEARTS AND MINDS TO HIS PRESENCE AND GUIDANCE, SO THAT WE MIGHT TAKE WHAT ACTION IS POSSIBLE ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL AND OUR ABILITIES. TRULY, ONE OF THE REASONS PSALM 23 IS SO MEANINGFUL TO MANY PEOPLE IS BECAUSE IT IS NOT JUST A POEM, BUT IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PRAYER THAT ACKNOWLEDGES GOD’S CARE.

REMEMBERING GOD’S CARE FOR US-AS INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, CHURCHES IS EMPOWERING, IT BOTH BRINGS US TO OUR KNEES AND PUTS US BACK ON OUR FEET. THE PSALM IS ALSO A GOOD ONE TO PRAY DURING OUR LENTEN JOURNEY AS WE TRAVEL THROUGH THE VALLEY OF REMEMBERING OF CHRIST’S SUFFERING AND DEATH. THEN ON EASTER WE COME OUT FROM THAT DARK VALLEY INTO THE GLORIOUS LIGHT OF THE EMPTY TOMB AND OUR RISEN SAVIOR.

IN THIS WAY THE LENTEN SEASON REMINDS US THAT THE DARKNESS WE PASS THROUGH WILL GIVE WAY TO LIGHT. IT ALSO REMINDS US WE HAVE THE LORD AS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD. JESUS IS OUR ETERNAL PASTOR WHO WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US, BECAUSE HE HAS PROMISED TO BE WITH US ALWAYS. MAY THE 23RD PSALM SERVE AS ONE OF THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR ALL OF YOU AND THIS CHURCH, IN THIS TIME OF CHANGE.

I CLOSE WITH A PRAYER ADAPTED FROM ONE FOUND ON A MINISTRY WEBSITE.
IT DRAWS TOGETHER THE TEACHING OF THE PSALM AND THE EPISTLE READING, AND PUTS INTO WORDS THE REASONS WE CAN TRUST IN, AND THANK THE LORD.

LET US PRAY: GRACIOUS GOD, WHO CREATED US IN YOUR OWN IMAGE, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR US. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT YOU ARE DOING IN US, AND FOR ALL THAT YOU WILL DO THROUGH US. HELP US TO REMEMBER YOU ARE WITH US ON THE MOUNTAIN TOPS, IN THE VALLEYS OF LIFE, AND EVERYWHERE ELSE. AS A CONGREGATION AND INDIVIDUALS WE PRAY YOU WILL OPEN OUR EYES TO SEE YOUR PRESENCE AMONG US, MOVING IN POWERFUL WAYS AT ALL TIMES AND IN ALL PLACES. OPEN OUR EARS TO HEAR FAMILIAR WORDS IN NEW WAYS—WAYS THAT WILL CHANGE US AND CHALLENGE US TO BECOME THE PEOPLE YOU CREATED US TO BE. HELP US THROUGH THIS TIME OF CHANGE, AND GRANT US THE POWER, AND THE COURAGE, TO ALWAYS COME OUT OF THE DARKNESS INTO THE LIGHT OF JESUS CHRIST. INSPIRE AND EMPOWER US TO SERVE YOU BY SERVING OTHERS. THROUGH OUR JESUS CHRIST, OUR SAVIOR AND TRUE PASTOR WE PRAY. AMEN

03/12/2023

SERMON SUMMARY: ROMANS 5:1-11

“I HAVE JOURNEYED, THRU THE LONG DARK NIGHT OUT IN THE OPEN SEA, BY FAITH ALONE, SIGHT UNKNOWN AND YET HIS EYES WERE WATCHING ME. THE ANCHOR HOLDS- THO THE SHIPS BEEN BATTERED.
THE ANCHOR HOLDS- THO THE SAILS ARE TORN. I HAVE FALLEN ON MY KNEES AS I FACE LIFE’S RAGING SEAS, THE ANCHOR HOLDS IN SPITE OF THE STORM.”

THOSE WORDS, WHICH ARE FOUND IN THE FIRST VERSE AND THE CHORUS OF THE HYMN: “THE ANCHOR HOLDS”, COMPLIMENT THE MESSAGE OF TODAY’S EPISTLE READING. PAUL’S WORDS FOUND IN ROMANS CHAPTER FIVE FOLLOW HIS PROCLAMATION ABOUT THE JUSTIFICATION WE RECEIVE THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOR.

IT IS THIS FAITH THAT IS THE ANCHOR OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE FOR BOTH TIMES OF SMOOTH SAILING AND STORMY WEATHER. THE APOSTLE’S WORDS FOUND IN TODAY’S READING, HOWEVER CAN BE AS TROUBLING AS THEY CAN BE COMFORTING. FOR MANY CHRISTIANS THE DECLARATION TO BOAST OR REJOICE IN SUFFERING IS DIFFICULT TO HEAR, AND EVEN HARDER TO FOLLOW.

IT MIGHT HELP TO REFLECT ON THE MEANING OF THE WORD “IN”. IT IS USED IN THE PASSAGE AS A PREPOSITION. AND THE SECOND MEANING OF THE PREPOSITION “IN” ACCORDING TO THE DICTIONARY IS: “A PERIOD OF TIME DURING WHICH AN EVENT TAKES PLACE. THIS DEFINITION POINTS TO THE FACT SCRIPTURE DOES NOT SAY WE REJOICE OR BOAST BECAUSE WE ARE SUFFERING. INSTEAD, THE BETTER UNDERSTANDING IS WE CAN BOAST AND REJOICE IN THE LORD AND OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, EVEN WHEN WE ARE SUFFERING.

ANOTHER THING ABOUT PAUL’S MESSAGE THAT IS GOOD TO REMEMBER IS THAT HE SPOKE FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. INDEED, SINCE BECOMING A CHRISTIAN AND AN APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST HE ENDURED BEATINGS, AND HAD HIS LIFE THREATENED MORE THAN ONCE. HE WAS REJECTED BY HIS FELLOW PHARISEES AND MANY OTHERS. AND DUE TO HIS PAST PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS HE HAD TO PROVE THE TRUTH OF HIS CONVERSION TO OTHER BELIEVERS. PAUL WAS SHIP WREAKED ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND IMPRISONED TWICE, THE SECOND TIME ENDED WITH HIM BEING EXECUTED.

SO, THE APOSTLE WAS NOT OFFERING PLATITUDES, BUT EXPRESSING HOW HIS LIFE WAS ANCHORED IN CHRIST, NO MATTER WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO OR AROUND HIM. PAUL’S BOASTING THEREFORE, IS IN THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE GIFT OF SALVATION JESUS EARNED ON BEHALF OF ALL PEOPLE.

THINK OF IT THIS WAY: WE ARE IN A COURT ROOM WHERE A FINAL JUDGEMENT IS BEING MADE ON OUR LIVES. GOD ALMIGHTY IS THE JUDGE, AND THERE IS NO JURY, SO THE JUDGE WILL DECIDE THE CASE. THE PROSECUTOR HAS JUST PRESENTED THE TRUTH ABOUT OUR GUILT AS SINNERS. THE EVIDENCE IS STRONG AND WELL BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. WHILE WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN THE REASON FOR SOME OF OUR SINS-THERE IS NO DEFENSE. WE KNOW WE ARE GUILTY AND AWAIT THE PROCLAMATION OF JUDGMENT. THEN WE HEAR THE JUDGE’S DECISION: “GUILTY, BUT-IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, YOU ARE FORGIVEN! “

YES, OUR DEBT TO GOD IS PAID BY JESUS, WHICH IS THE FOCUS OF THE PAUL’S MESSAGE TO THE CHRISTIANS OF ROME. JUSTIFICATION, IN CHRISTIAN TERMS MEANS MAKING SINNERS RIGHT WITH GOD BY REMOVING OUR SIN. IT IS THE ACT BY WHICH GOD, THROUGH HIS SON, BRINGS HUMANS BACK INTO PROPER RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM THIS GIFT NEEDS ONLY TO BE SINCERELY RECEIVED, AND ONCE IT IS -PEOPLE ARE MADE RIGHT WITH GOD, WHICH PAUL DESCRIBES AS BEING JUSTIFIED.

THE PRIMARY EFFECT OF OUR JUSTIFICATION, WHICH IS PART OF OUR SALVATION, IS THAT JESUS MAKES PEACE BETWEEN WE WHO ARE SINNERS, AND OUR HOLY GOD. PEACE, INCLUDING-WORLD PEACE BEGINS WITH JESUS MAKING PEACE BETWEEN US AND GOD, AND PEOPLE EMBRACING THIS RELATIONSHIP. IT IS ONLY THEN THAT OTHER PEACE CAN FLOURISH.

TRULY, WE CANNOT HAVE A REAL OR LASTING STATE OF PEACE IN THE WORLD BETWEEN PEOPLES OR NATIONS, UNLESS AND UNTIL WE ALL RECEIVE THE PEACE OF CHRIST. THIS STATE OF PEACE WITH GOD OPENS THE WAY FOR THE SECOND BENEFIT WE RECEIVE FROM CHRIST, WHICH IS-ACCESS TO GOD THROUGH GRACE.

IN SOCIETY AND ELSEWHERE ACCESS IS IMPORTANT-IT IS SOMETHING OFTEN FORBIDDEN EXCEPT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. WE HAVE ALL SEEN SIGNS THAT SAY: “MEMBERS ONLY, NO ADMITTANCE, OR EMPLOYEES ONLY.” SPECIAL BADGES ARE NEEDED TO GO BACKSTAGE AT CONCERTS OR INTO LOCKER ROOMS AT ATHLETIC EVENTS. EVERYONE WHO USES THINGS LIKE CELL PHONES, TABLETS, COMPUTERS, ETC. KNOW ALL ABOUT PASSWORDS THAT ARE NEEDED TO LOG-IN TO THE DEVICE OR CERTAIN INTERNET SITES.

JESUS IS OUR ACCESS INTO ALL PLACES FORBIDDEN TO THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE PEACE WITH GOD.
HE INVITES THOSE WHOM HE HAS SAVED TO FEEL FREE TO USE HIS NAME WHEN APPROACHING THE THRONE OF THE ALMIGHTY. IT IS A POWERFUL INVITATION, BECAUSE, AS JESUS STATED ABOUT HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD SEVERAL TIMES, -“I AND THE FATHER ARE ONE.” IT IS LIKE A PERSON TELLING US WHEN WE CONTACT SOMEONE ELSE TO USE HIS OR HER NAME, WHICH GIVES THE ONE WE CONTACT NOTICE WE ARE SENT BY SOMEONE THEY KNOW.

THIS IS LIKE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE NAME OF JESUS. IT IS LIKE A PASSWORD THAT OPENS THE GATES OF HEAVEN AND MAKES OUR PRAYERS LIKE INCENSE. OF COURSE, IT IS NOT SIMPLY SAYING OR PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS THAT MATTERS. IN FACT, WE DO NOT ACTUALLY HAVE TO SAY THE NAME OF JESUS FOR EVERY PRAYER. INSTEAD, WE ARE CALLED TO PRAY TO GOD IN THE CONTEXT OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST.

TO SIMPLY SAY “IN CHRIST’S NAME” OR SIMILAR WORDS WITHOUT KNOWING JESUS IS MEANINGLESS.
WHAT GIVES US TO ACCESS TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, IS BEING SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN SAVED AND JUSTIFIED BY CHRIST.

TODAY’S PASSAGE ALSO FOCUSES ON HOW JESUS JUSTIFIES US, BY DYING ON THE CROSS FOR OUR SAKES.
SCRIPTURE REMINDS US THAT THE WONDER OF THIS ACT IS FOUND IN THE FACT THAT JESUS GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US, WHEN WE WERE STILL REBELLING AGAINST GOD. INDEED, JESUS ONLY DIED FOR THE SAKE OF SINNERS-SINCE THEY WERE AND ARE THE ONES WHO NEED HIS SACRIFICE.

IT IS OUR RECONCILIATION WITH GOD, THE SAVIOR PROVIDES THAT IS THE KEY TO EVERYTHING ELSE.
THIS IS WHY SCRIPTURE SPEAKS ABOUT BOASTING ABOUT CHRIST AND THE GRACE OF GOD AND ALL ITS BENEFITS, AND NOT OURSELVES.

PAUL’S LETTER TO ROME ALSO REMINDS CHRISTIANS THAT IT IS IN THE DIFFICULTIES OF LIFE THAT PEOPLE OFTEN GROW IN WAYS THEY OTHERWISE WOULD NOT. EVERYONE IN LIFE EXPERIENCES SUFFERING- IT IS NOT PLEASANT, AND ALMOST EVERYONE WOULD LIKE TO AVOID IT WHEN POSSIBLE.

BUT THE THING THAT CAN BE HELPFUL WHEN SUFFERING HAPPENS IS THAT--WITH GOD’S HELP IT CAN STRETCH US TO NEW HEIGHTS. THE IMAGE OF ATHLETES IN TRAINING PUSHING THEIR BODIES MORE AND MORE IS OFTEN USED AS AN EXAMPLE THE BENEFIT OF SUFFERING.

OF COURSE, I THINK WE WOULD ALL AGREE THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WILLINGLY PUSHING OURSELVES TO THE EXTREME, AND BEING PUSHED AGAINST OUR WILL. INDEED, SUFFERING OUT OF CHOICE IS A LOT DIFFERENT THAN SUFFERING DUE TO EVENTS OR ILLNESS WE DID NOT CHOOSE.

THE KEY TO THE MESSAGE HOWEVER IS THAT WHAT EVER ELSE HAPPENS TO US-NOTHING CAN CHANGE THE PEACE WE HAVE WITH GOD AND THE GRACE IN WHICH WE STAND.

HERE IS WHAT SOMEONE ELSE WROTE ON THE SUBJECT: “CHRISTIAN HOPE IS CENTRAL TO OUR FAITH.
HOPE RESTS IN THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE IN OUR SUFFERINGS. BECAUSE OF GOD’S GRACE WE CAN LEARN TO ENDURE OUR SUFFERING WHICH PRODUCES CHARACTER, WHICH PRODUCES HOPE….”

THE WORD THAT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTICE IN THIS STATEMENT IS “LEARN.” THIS IMPLIES THAT ENDURANCE, CHARACTER, AND HOPE ARE NOT AUTOMATIC. INSTEAD, LIKE MANY OTHER THINGS IN LIFE WE HAVE TO TRY AND FAIL AND TRY AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL WE DO ACTUALLY LEARN IT.

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER-BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ALL ON THE SAME SPIRITUAL LEVEL. EVEN PAUL DID NOT LEARN TO BOAST AND REJOICE IN SUFFERING IN AN INSTANT, HE LEARNED THROUGH EXPERIENCE.
THIS MEANS THAT THOSE WHO DO NOT VIEW SUFFERING IN THE WAY THE APOSTLE DID SHOULD NOT SEE THEMSELVES OR BE SEEN BY OTHERS AS POOR CHRISTIANS. THEY ARE SIMPLY GROWING AND LEARNING ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN PACE. THIS IS PERFECTLY ALRIGHT, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE ARE NOT IN COMPETITION WITH OTHERS IN OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH. BUT WHAT CHRISTIANS DO HAVE IN COMMON IS THE GRACE AND PEACE JESUS MADE POSSIBLE FOR US TO RECEIVE THROUGH FAITH, BY HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION.

LET US PRAY:

HEAVENLY FATHER, HOW WONDERFUL TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE PEACE WITH YOU, THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR. WE ARE GRATEFUL HE WILLINGLY TOOK THE PUNISHMENT THAT WE DESERVED, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE PEACE WITH YOU NOW AND FOR ETERNITY. WE PRAISE YOU THAT OUR HOPE IS BASED ON NOTHING LESS THAN THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST, WHO CANNOT AND WILL NOT DISAPPOINT US IN GRACE AND LOVE. THANK YOU THAT YOUR GRACIOUS LOVE HAS BEEN POURED INTO OUR HEARTS IN GREAT MEASURE THROUGH THE INDWELLING THE HOLY SPIRIT. MAY WE LEARN MORE EACH DAY ABOUT YOUR GRACE AND LOVE. GRANT US THE ABILITY TO GROW IN OUR ENDURANCE AND CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER; SO WE MAY TRULY BE FILLED WITH HOPE IN ALL YOUR PROMISES THAT ARE SEALED IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS OUR SAVIOR, IN WHOSE NAME WE PRAY. AMEN.

03/10/2023

DON'T FORGET TO TURN CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR SATURDAY MARCH 11TH SO YOU WILL NOT MISS WORSHIP.😊⏰✝️

03/06/2023

Many thanks to the congregation and those who planned and those who brought refreshments to my "goodbye gathering" as your pastor. It was a blessing to have the time of fellowship with many from church and from the community.

Love
Rev Lori ✝️

02/22/2023

ISAIAH 40:1-5

1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain .5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Matthew 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

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Litany of Penitence

L: We confess to you and one another our sinfulness. We have not loved you with our whole heart, mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others as we have been forgiven.
P: Have mercy on us, O God.
L: We confess to you all our past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, the impatience in our lives, and our self-indulgence and frustration at those who don’t see things our way.
P: We confess to you, O God.
L: We confess our negligence in prayer and worship, our failure to commit ourselves fully to you in faith.
P: We confess to you, O God.
L: Accept our repentance and turn all our debts to you to ashes.
Accomplish in us we pray, the work of your salvation, that we may show forth your mercy and glory in the world.
P: By the cross and suffering of our Savior, bring us with all the saints to the joy of Christ’s resurrection. Amen

Assurance of Pardon
L: Hear the good news! The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might be dead to sin, and alive to all that is good. I declare to you in the name of Jesus Christ our sin turned into ashes and we are forgiven. Amen

TODAY IS ASH WEDNESDAY WHEN THE LENTEN SEASON OFFICIALLY BEGINS.

IT’S A GOOD TIME TO REFLECT ON- NOT ONLY THINGS WE MIGHT WANT TO GIVE UP, BUT ALSO ON THE MANY LOADS THAT WE ARE CARRYING.

LENT IS ALSO A GOOD TIME TO FOCUS ON THE LORD, HIS GRACE IN OUR LIVES, AND HOW WE MAY RESPOND. LET US THEREFORE LOOK TO THE MESSAGE OF THE READINGS SO WE MAY USE THEM TO HELP US ON OUR LENTEN JOURNEY.

THE PROPHET ISAIAH’S PROCLAMATION TO ISRAEL THAT GOD HAS PARDONED THEM DRAW’S OUR ATTENTION TO HIS GRACE.

GOD SAID HE WOULD LEAD THEM FROM EXILE BACK HOME TO THE PROMISED LAND.

THIS WAS ALSO A CALL FOR THEM TO PREPARE FOR THAT JOURNEY. AND IN ORDER TO DO SO, THE PEOPLE ARE TOLD TO CLEAR AWAY THE OBSTACLES THAT IMPEDE THEIR PROGRESS TOWARDS GOD.

LENT ISSUES A SIMILAR SPIRITUAL CALL FOR CHRISTIANS, AS WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE USE OF THE PRE-EASTER SEASON, TO GROW IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD.

THE DEATH OF JESUS IS, OF COURSE A PAST EVENT, AND YET THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS DEATH CONTINUE ON. THE PURPOSE OF CHRIST’S SUFFERING AND DEATH IS AS TRUE TODAY AS IT WAS WHEN HE BREATHED HIS LAST BREATH.

AND WHILE LENT IS CERTAINLY NOT THE ONLY TIME OF YEAR CHRISTIANS CAN OR SHOULD FOCUS ON THE DEATH OF JESUS,
IT DOES PROVIDE US WITH A GREATER REASON TO DO SO.

FURTHERMORE, OUR CHOICE TO ENGAGE IN, AN INTENTIONAL SPIRITUAL JOURNEY WITH JESUS TO THE CROSS- WILL SURELY IMPACT OUR EASTER WORSHIP THIS YEAR.

LET US THEREFORE TAKE THE FIRST FEW STEPS ON OUR JOURNEY WITH JESUS TO THE CROSS, SO WE MIGHT APPRECIATE HIS EMPTY TOMB ALL THE MORE.
AND IN ORDER TO BEGIN OUR TREK TO GOOD FRIDAY AND THEN EASTER, WE WOULD DO WELL TO FOLLOW ISAIAH’S ADVICE ABOUT CLEARING AWAY OBSTACLES.

THERE ARE SEVERAL NEW TESTAMENT MODELS OF CLEARING AWAY THOSE THINGS THAT INHIBIT OUR CLOSENESS TO GOD.
FROM THE GOSPELS WE HAVE THE STORY OF JESUS’ WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE OF PRAYER AND FASTING, WHICH IS FOLLOWED BY TEMPTATION.

HIS ENDURANCE IN THE MIDST OF TEMPTATION IS A REMINDER THAT HIS ROAD IN LIFE WAS NOT AN EASY ONE.

OUR ROAD ALSO HAS DIFFICULTIES, SO LET US LEARN FROM JESUS TO TRUST IN GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. LET US ALSO, LIKE JESUS DID, MAKE USE OF THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND SCRIPTURE.

FOR EXAMPLE: FROM FIRST CORINTHIANS WE ARE GIVEN A REMINDER ABOUT THE VALUE OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT. IT IS THERE THAT THE CHURCH IS CALLED THE BODY OF CHRIST.

EPHESIANS OFFERS US MILITARY IMAGERY. CHAPTER SIX SPEAKS OF CHRISTIANS PUTTING ON THE ARMOR OF GOD SO WE MAY BE BETTER EQUIPPED FOR THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE.

FINALLY, WE HAVE THE METAPHOR OF RUNNERS IN A LONG-DISTANCE RACE THAT THE AUTHOR OF HEBREWS PROVIDES.
WE ARE REMINDED THAT RUNNERS MUST FIRST LAY ASIDE THE THINGS THAT CAN HINDER THEIR ABILITY TO RUN.

JESUS MODELS THIS FOR US. PART OF HIS TIME IN THE WILDERNESS WAS MEANT TO ENABLE HIM TO LAY ASIDE HIS WORK AS A CARPENTER, AS WELL AS SOME OTHER PARTS OF HIS LIFE, IN ORDER TO BEGIN HIS MINISTRY.

LETTING GO OF THINGS, OR CHANGING OUR RELATIONSHIPS, IS SOMETIMES A NECESSARY SACRIFICE IN ORDER TO BE FREE TO TAKE UP THE BURDEN JESUS CALLS US TO CARRY WITH HIM.

THUS, DURING LENT, AS WE ENTER A WILDERNESS OF SORTS, WE ARE ASKED TO CONSIDER WHAT WE NEED TO PUT DOWN, OR TAKE UP, ON OUR JOURNEY WITH THE LORD.

FOR EXAMPLE: EACH OF US IS BURDENED BY VARIOUS HABITS, DREAMS, REGRETS, GUILT, AND OTHER MEMORIES, THAT WEIGH US DOWN AND DISTRACT US FROM OUR GOAL.
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THIS BRINGS US TO THE WELL-KNOWN VERSES FROM MATTHEW CHAPTER ELEVEN, IN WHICH JESUS CALLS TO THOSE WEIGHED DOWN IN THE WORLD.

HOWEVER, THE SAVIOR’S CALL TO THOSE WHO ARE BURDENED TO PUT HIS YOKE UPON THEIR SHOULDERS SOUNDS OUT OF PLACE, IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.

MANY OF US ARE ALREADY CARRYING MORE THAN OUR SHARE OF PERSONAL BURDENS, CONCERNS FOR OTHERS, AND CONCERN FOR CONDITIONS IN LIFE AROUND THE WORLD.

HOW CAN WE FIND THE TIME AND ENERGY TO DO ONE MORE THING, OR LIFT A NEW BURDEN, EVEN IF IT IS JESUS WHO ASKS?

A REFLECTION ON SPIRITUAL LIFE OFFERS A SOLUTION, WHICH IS TO LOOK TO THE LORD, JUST LIKE JESUS INVITES US TO DO.
IT SAYS:

“GOD THE CREATOR OF TIME, HAS GIVEN US THE KEYS TO LEADING A LIFE THAT MAY BE CHALLENGING BUT NOT OVERWHELMING.

…GOD HAS HARD-WIRED US TO THRIVE WHEN WE OBEY HIM, EVEN WHEN IT SEEMS HIS INSTRUCTION DEFY COMMON SENSE.

…GOD OFFERS US TOOLS TO DO WHAT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE AND YET COME AWAY REFRESHED AND RENEWED.”

THESES TOOLS ARE CALLED SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES OR BETTER YET, HOLY HABITS. WHEN WE TAKE UP WHAT GOD ORDAINS, IT TRANSFORMS TIME AS WELL.

THE HABITS INCLUDE THINGS LIKE: BIBLE STUDY, CONFESSION, FASTING, REPENTANCE, FORGIVENESS, GRATITUDE, ACTS OF CHARITY, SABBATH REST, WORSHIP, AND PRAYER.

THESE HOLY HABITS OR SPIRITUAL PRACTICES, ARE ALL GEARED TO LEAD US TO A PLACE WHERE WE CAN ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO WORK IN US AND THROUGH US.
GOD’S PROMISE IS THAT THE SPIRIT WILL GRANT US THE POWER AND STRENGTH TO DO THE THINGS WE CAN’T DO ON OUR OWN, WHEN WE CONNECT OUR LIVES TO CHRIST.

THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE WE ARE DRAWN INTO MORE INTIMACY WITH GOD AND HIS WILL. AND IT IS THERE WE FIND TIME TO DO WHAT WE THOUGHT THERE IS NO TIME FOR.

HOLY HABITS MAY SEEM LIKE A BURDEN TO US, BUT THEY ARE ACTUALLY PATHS TO RENEWAL, JUST LIKE JESUS PROMISED.

AND SO AS WE TAKE THE FIRST STEP ON OUR LENTEN JOURNEY, MAY ASHES BE A REMINDER OF OUR HUMAN FRAILTY, AND OUR DEPENDENCE UPON JESUS OUR SAVIOR.

MAY THEY REMIND US OF GOD’S PROMISE OF MERCY AND COMPEL US TO BE MERCIFUL AND FORGIVING.

MAY WE CHALLENGE OURSELVES THIS LENT TO TAKE UP THE BURDEN OF A NEW HOLY HABIT, OR RENEW AN OLD ONE.

LET US PRAY:

HEAR OUR PRAYER O LORD, AS WE BEGIN OUR LENTEN JOURNEY. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT FROM DUST WE COME, AND TO DUST WE WILL RETURN. WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR THE SALVATION JESUS PROVIDES AND FIND COMFORT AND HOPE THAT WE BELONG TO YOU. WE PRAY YOU WILL BLESS US NOW, AT THE BEGINNING OF LENT. HEAR OUR REGRETS, OUR PRAYERS, OUR DREAMS. HELP US TO PUT ON THE YOKE JESUS OFFERS, AND KEEP US CLOSE TO YOU, NOW AND FOREVER. IN CHRIST’S NAME WE PRAY. AMEN

02/19/2023

SERMON SUMMARY: MATTHEW 17:1-9

TODAY IS TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY, THE LAST DAY OF THE EPIPHANY SEASON, AND THUS THE BRIDGE BETWEEN IT AND THE SEASON OF LENT. IT IS A DAY OF WHAT COULD BE CALLED HEAVENLY ORIGINATED SPECIAL EFFECTS, WITH SHINING LIGHTS AND DIVINE VOICES. A BETTER THEOLOGICALLY ORIENTED EXPLANATION IS- THAT IT WAS THE DAY JESUS RECEIVED THE CONFIRMATION FROM HIS FATHER- THAT NOW WAS THE TIME FOR HIM TO HEAD TOWARDS JERUSALEM AND THE CROSS.

THE THREE DISCIPLES WHO ACCOMPANIED JESUS UP TO THE MOUNTAIN TOP ALSO RECEIVED A CONFIRMATION ABOUT JESUS BEYOND WHAT THEY EXPECTED. IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THIS BETTER, WE NEED TO LOOK BACK TO MATTHEW CHAPTER 16. IT IS THERE, PETER RESPONDED TO JESUS’ QUESTION: “WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?”
PETER, FILLED WITH SPIRITUAL INSIGHT PROCLAIMED: “YOU ARE THE MESSIAH, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.”

THOSE WERE TITLES GIVEN TO GOD’S CHOSEN SERVANT WHO WOULD DELIVER GOD’S PEOPLE AND NATION FROM FOREIGN OPPRESSORS, AND REESTABLISH THE KINGSHIP OF DAVID’S LINE. IN SHORT, FOR THE JEWS OF THAT TIME CALLING JESUS THE MESSIAH OR CHRIST, AND THE SON OF GOD WAS UNDERSTOOD DIFFERENTLY THAT IT IS AMONG CHRISTIANS. NONE OF THE DISCIPLES COMPREHENDED THE DIVINITY OF JESUS. AND YET, THEY BELIEVED HIM TO BE THE MESSIAH THE PROMISED KING, WHOM GOD CALLED HIS SON. BUT THEY DID NOT GRASP THE LITERAL MEANING OF THOSE TITLES OR JESUS’ FULL IDENTITY.

THERE ON THE MOUNTAIN, PETER’S EXPRESSION OF JOY AND DESIRE TO BUILD THREE STRUCTURES TO HONOR JESUS, MOSES, AND ELIJAH SUGGESTED JESUS WAS SEEN AS THEIR EQUAL. CHRISTIANS KNOW THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS WAS MEANT TO SHOW HIS DIVINITY, AND THUS SUPERIORITY TO MOSES AND ELIJAH, TO THE LAW AND PROPHETS. IT WAS IN ORDER TO REVEAL TO PETER, JAMES, AND JOHN THE TRUE MEANING OF THEIR VISION GOD THE FATHER DIRECTLY INTERVENED.

A CLOUD OVERSHADOWED THE WHOLE MOUNTAIN TOP, OBSCURING SIGHT BUT NOT SOUND. AND IT WAS WHAT THEY HEARD THAT WAS MOST IMPORTANT. IT WAS FROM WITHIN THE CLOUD THAT HID THE DISCIPLE’S EYES FROM SEEING THE ALMIGHTY, THE VOICE OF GOD PROCLAIMED JESUS’ IDENTITY TO THEM. GOD TOLD THEM: “THIS IS MY SON, THE BELOVED, WITH WHOM I AM WELL-PLEASED.”

THE IMPLICATION WAS JESUS IS NOT AN ORDINARY SON OF GOD, IN THE WAY ISRAELI’S KINGS WERE SOMETIMES CALLED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. WHILE JESUS WAS, IN MANY WAYS, LIKE ONE OF THE DAVIDIC KINGS OF OLD, HE WAS ALSO GREATER THAN ANY OF THEM. GOD PROCLAIMED JESUS’ UNIQUE STATUS AS HIS BELOVED SON, AND AFFIRMED JESUS WAS ON THE RIGHT TRACK BY HEADING TO JERUSALEM.

THEN GOD COMMANDED THE DISCIPLES, SAYING “LISTEN TO HIM.” AS YOU MAY RECALL THEY OFTEN HAD TROUBLE REALLY HEARING AND ACCEPTING SOME THINGS JESUS SAID. SO, GOD’S APPEARANCE IN THE MIDST OF THE CLOUD, AND HIS COMMAND TO THE THREE DISCIPLES- IS WHERE THIS STORY TAKES ON PERSONAL RELEVANCE FOR CHRISTIANS TODAY.

THE FIRST MESSAGE IS ABOUT CLOUDS. THEY CAN BE VERY WELCOME ON A HOT SUMMER’S DAY. HOWEVER, ON COOLER DAYS, CLOUDS CAN MAKE THE DAY FEEL COLD AND DARK, AND STORM CLOUDS MAKE IT FEEL GLOOMY, AS WELL AS BRING BAD WEATHER. IT IS THOSE KINDS OF CLOUDS WHICH CAN SYMBOLIZE A SENSE OF DREAD, GLOOMY FEELINGS, DIFFICULT TIMES, OR THE FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN. CLOUDS OBSCURE OUR VISION, WE MIGHT SAY THE FUTURE SEEMS CLOUDY, MEANING IT IS UNCLEAR TO US.THE GOSPEL PASSAGE IS ABOUT THE KIND OF CLOUDS THAT HIDE THINGS FROM US. AND YET IT IS A HOPEFUL CLOUD, NOT A DREADFUL ONE.

IN THE STORY, A CLOUD COVERED THE MOUNTAIN TOP-OVERSHADOWING THE DISCIPLES, AND HIDING THEIR EYES FROM SEEING GOD. ALL IN ALL, IT WAS A FEARFUL EVENT, EVEN BEFORE THE DISCIPLES HEARD GOD SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THEM. BUT IT WAS WHAT THEY HEARD THAT MATTERED MORE THAN WHAT THEY COULD SEE.
WHAT THEY HEARD FROM GOD WERE WORDS OFFERING HOPE AND DIRECTION. FURTHERMORE, FOR US, HEARING GOD WAS IN THE CLOUD IS A POSITIVE AND HOPEFUL THING. IT REMINDS US THAT WHEN OUR LIVES OR FUTURE SEEMS “CLOUDY”, BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW OR UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON, DO NOT FEAR FOR GOD IS IN THE CLOUD.

YES INDEED, THIS IS EMPHASIZED EVEN MORE SO BY JESUS WHO PROMISED TO BE WITH US ALWAYS. THIS MEANS GOD IS WITH US - IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD, SUNNY DAYS, CLOUDY ONES, AND EVEN IN STORMY WEATHER.
WE CAN TAKE COMFORT KNOWING THE LORD IS PRESENT IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, EVEN WHEN WE CANNOT SEE HIM WITH OUR PHYSICAL EYES. YES, CLOUDS CAN BE UNCOMFORTABLE, THEY CAN HINDER OUR PERSPECTIVE MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR US TO SEE WHERE WE ARE OR WHERE WE ARE GOING. BUT CLOUDS, ACTUAL ONES AND METAPHORICAL ONES, ARE NO HINDERANCE TO THE LORD WHO SEES US CLEARLY, AND SEES THROUGH ALL TYPES OF THE CLOUDS AS WELL.

ANOTHER THING ABOUT THE CLOUD IN THE GOSPEL STORY IS THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY THERE FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE DISCIPLES, WHO WOULD HAVE DIED IF THEY SAW GOD THE FATHER’S HOLINESS DIRECTLY. SIMILARLY, CLOUDS IN LIFE, AS IN THE SKY, ARE SOMETIMES THERE FOR OUR PROTECTION. THEY SHIELD US FROM SEEING TOO MANY THINGS AT ONCE. THEY MAY ALSO OFFER A BUFFER BETWEEN US AND WHAT GOD IS NOT YET READY FOR US TO KNOW. IN THIS SENSE THEY ARE A BLESSING RATHER THAN AN OBSTACLE.

LET US TURN NOW TO THE SECOND MESSAGE THE STORY PROVIDES WHICH IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT.
IT INVOLVES GOD THE FATHER’S COMMAND TO HIS SON’S DISCIPLES: “LISTEN TO HIM.” THOSE WERE NOT IDLE WORDS, EVEN THOUGH WE THINK THEY STATE THE OBVIOUS. OF COURSE, ALL OF HIS FOLLOWERS SHOULD LISTEN TO JESUS. HOWEVER, THE GOSPEL STORIES, RECORD TIMES, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THE TRANSFIGURATION, WHEN THE DISCIPLES HEARD JESUS SPEAK, BUT DID NOT REALLY LISTEN TO HIS MESSAGE.

LET’S FACE IT LISTENING IS NOT ALWAYS EASY FOR HUMAN BEINGS. HERE ARE A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES THAT ILLUSTRATE WHY IT CAN BE HARD TO LISTEN TO OTHERS. THEY PRESENT TWO OF THE MOST BASIC REASONS WHY THIS IS THE CASE. LISTENING CAN BE HARD BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE ARE REBELLIOUS OR STUBBORN, AND OTHER TIMES BORED.

THE FIRST STORY IS ABOUT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASS, WHERE THE TEACHER SENT ONE BOY TO SIT BY HIMSELF IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM. HE WAS SENT THERE BECAUSE HIS BEHAVIOR SHOWED HE DID NOT WANT TO LISTEN TO THE TEACHER. AFTER HE LEFT, ONE OF HIS CLASSMATES RAISED HER HAND, AND WHEN SHE WAS CALLED ONE SAID:
“I DO NOT WANT TO LISTEN EITHER, SO CAN I GO SIT IN THE BACK OF THE CLASS WITH HIM?”

THE SECOND STORY IS ABOUT A YOUNG BOY WHO ASKED HIS MOTHER IF SHE COULD REMEMBER WHAT WAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER SHE HAD EVER COUNTED TO AT ONE TIME. SHE TOLD HIM THAT SHE COULD NOT RECALL, AND THEN ASKED HOW HIGH HAS HE COUNTED. THE BOY PROMPTLY SAID IT WAS: 5,372. WHEN ASKED WHY HE STOPPED AT THAT PARTICULAR NUMBER, HE ANSWERED: “CHURCH WAS OVER.”

THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT ONLY WITH CHILDREN. TEENS AND ADULTS CAN FIND A LOT OF THINGS TO THINK ABOUT OR DISTRACT US FROM REALLY LISTENING TO THE LORD. ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THIS IS-WE MOSTLY LIKE TO LISTEN TO GOD WHEN THINGS ARE GOING WELL, OR WHEN HE SEEMS TO BE TELLING US EXACTLY WHAT WE WISH TO HEAR. HOWEVER, WHEN WE FEEL LIKE GOD IS NOT LISTENING TO US, OR IS CHALLENGING US IN WAYS WE DO NOT WISH TO EMBRACE, WE OFTEN FIND IS EASY TO TUNE HIM OUT.

THIS IS WHAT THE DISCIPLES OFTEN DID WHEN JESUS SPOKE ABOUT HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION. THOSE WORDS OF JESUS DID NOT FIT INTO THEIR HOPES AND DREAMS, NOR THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE WAY JESUS, AS THE MESSIAH, WOULD FULFILL GOD’S PROMISES. YOU SEE, THEY LONGED FOR ONE KIND OF SALVATION, WHILE JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO BRING DIFFERENT KIND. THEREFORE, THEY VIEWED THE DEATH OF JESUS ON THE CROSS AS A TRAGIC DEFEAT, INSTEAD OF THE GLORIOUS TRIUMPH IT ACTUALLY WAS.

IF THEY HAD ONLY LISTENED TO JESUS, THEY MIGHT HAVE SAVED THEMSELVES FROM THE WORST OF THE FEAR, ANXIETY, DESPAIR, AND CONFUSION THEY SUFFERED. BUT SCRIPTURE TELLS US THEY DID NOT REALLY HEAR OR UNDERSTAND HIS MESSAGE. AFTER ALL THEY WERE ONLY HUMAN AND SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN THE HUMAN SPIRIT IS WILLING- OUR FLESH IS WEAK.

THIS REMINDS US WHY WE NEED THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND THE FORGIVENESS JESUS PROVIDES. SIN, WE COULD SAY, CLOUDS BOTH OUR ABILITY TO HEAR AND TO OBEY THE WORD OF THE LORD. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE CLOUDS OF SINFULNESS ARE NO MATCH FOR CHRIST. THEREFORE, OUR RESPONSE TO THIS TRUTH IS TO REPENT, AND TRY AGAIN TO REALLY LISTEN TO JESUS AND OBEY HIM.

LENT, WHICH BEGINS THIS COMING WEDNESDAY, OFFERS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO REAFFIRM OUR DESIRE AND COMMITMENT TO FOLLOWING JESUS MORE FAITHFULLY. IN FACT, THE FIRST THING JESUS SAID TO THE THREE DISCIPLES AFTER THE CLOUD WAS LIFTED APPLIES TO US ALSO, FOR HE SAID “GET UP AND DO NOT BE AFRAID.”
WE ALSO, EVEN AFTER CONFUSING AND FRIGHTENING EVENTS ARE CALLED TO TRUST IN THE LORD AND FOLLOW HIM. LENT OFFERS US A TIME TO REFLECT ON OUR FEARS AND OUR FAITH, AND HOW WE CAN LISTEN MORE TO THE LORD DURING SUNNY AND STORMY CIRCUMSTANCES.

MAY THIS LENT BE A TIME FOR EACH OF US TO LEARN TO MOVE ON IN LIFE WITHOUT FEAR, BECAUSE WE TRUST THE LORD IS WITH US AND WILL GUIDE US. TRULY, GOD IS PRESENT EVEN WHEN CLOUDS OF LIFE SURROUND US OR CAN BE FOUND WITHIN US. THIS IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE GOD CAN SEE CLEARLY ALWAYS, AND CAN LEAD S EVEN WHEN WE CANNOT SEE VERY WELL. AMEN

The First Presbyterian Church of Rouses Point

03/19/2023

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