wilderness

This morning we begin worship with:

Genesis 1:27-28

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to

them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it."

For most, when we were at home we felt safe.  In my neighborhood we played and rode our bikes.  It was when we turned that next corner that the roads got bigger, it was too scary to ride (and our parents told us not to!).

This has been true throughout the ages, the earth needs to be subdued (kāḇaš).

As you read the Gospels, when you read the phrase "into the wilderness", do not envision a peaceful and tranquil place.  It was an area beyond civilization, beyond the reach of Motel-6, COSTCO, and 911.

It was into the wilderness that Jesus went to battle Satan (Mark 1:12) and where he exorcised the demons who called themselves "Legion" (Mark 5:1-20).  

It was often Hs battleground.

For

This week we begin worship with:

Psalm 105:42-43
For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant. 
So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing.

Our verses today condense the entirety of Psalm 105 into the little word "For" (kî).  It occurs only once in the psalm and points us to the reason.  The Psalmist lists over 20 actions that God took to choose, care for, and build the nation of Israel, but this is the reason, that God's promise is "holy".

This does not simply mean that the promise is good, rather than evil.  The word "holy" (qōḏeš)  means that the promise comes from God's very nature and core to that nature is His unchangeable-ness.

Exodus 3:14

God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

The phrase "I am who I am" is in the Hebrew imperfect tense.  It is not the arrogant and frequently heard English phrase "It is just the way I am".  Instead it means that the way God is never stops.  And because God cannot change, the promise made to Abraham cannot change.

Now, imagine being in the crowd and hearing Jesus say:

John 8:58

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

 

full

 This week we begin worship with:

Isaiah 6:1-3

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.  

And one called to another and said: 

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

Just as these greatest of celestial beings, the seraphim, cover their face with their folded wings in humility in the presence of God, we too aught to fold our hands and close our eyes when we pray, for as we do, we enter the very throne-room of God.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

It would be appropriate that in our prayers today that we also mimic them and declare the immensity and purity of the glory that we see all around us.  For, just as the train of His robe fills the celestial temple, so too does God's glory fill our terrestrial home.

reward

This week we begin worship with:

Matthew 5:11–12

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Slow down.  Reread that first word, "Blessed".  Notice please that it is past-tense.  We have already been blessed.  It has already happened.  Find the word "is".  It is in the present tense.  Our reward is already prepared and waiting for us.

As a manager, I plan the year.  I give heroically challenging assignments to my best people.  I plan the rewards they are going to receive at year-end reviews.

God has planned it all.  He has both our rewards and our challenges waiting for us to experience them.  

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

We pray to be protected.  Shouldn't we rather pray to be blessed?   And for the faith necessary for the day's assignment?

 

sword

 This week we begin worship with:

Revelation 19:14-16

And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following

him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike

down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the

winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his

thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Why does a sword come out of the mouth of the victorious Christ?  It can be understood this way, that out of the mouth of God comes the Word of God and we are told that the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit.

Ephesians 6:16-17

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  

We are also told this sword is sharp!  It divides what is indivisible.  Soul from spirit.  Joint from marrow.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

But note the change in words.  The "thoughts" and "intentions" are not divided, they are discerned (kritikos).  They are not divided from each other but rather divided between truth and error, for each word spoken by the victorious Christ will be true.

 

protection

This week we begin worship with:

Psalm 5:11

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

    let them ever sing for joy,

and spread your protection over them,

    that those who love your name may exult in you.

When attempting to win the "who-will-be-first-in-the-kingdom" argument that immediately followed the institution of the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:24–27), Peter escalated it to the point that he declared to Jesus his preeminent devotion:

Luke 22:31–34

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Notice the self-assured "I am ready", but as you know, Peter with that protection removed was found completely unprepared even for the words of a servant girl.

Fast-forward to the elder Peter and listen to him "exult" at being guarded:

1 Peter 1:3-5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

saved

This week we begin worship with:

Deuteronomy 33:29a

Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the

shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph!

This verse comes at the end of the blessing that Moses spoke to the tribes of Israel, just before his death in Moab.  Moses had led his people out of slavery and stood at the very edge of the promised land. From this vantage point he was permitted to see the Promised Land but not enter it (Deuteronomy 34:1-8).

Yes, Israel was at that moment free from the tyranny of Pharaoh, but they were also homeless and vulnerable!

Yet, Moses blessed them as "saved" (yāšaʿ), shielded, and triumphant.  

Unlike English, Hebrew does not have past, present, and future tense.  The verb describes the ongoing but sure salvation, whose certainly rests on God alone and it was being used as their identity -- "Saved by the LORD".

Now look back at the Hebrew for that word, try to pronounce it.  Then read the angel's announcement to Joseph:

Matthew 1:21

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

The name Jesus comes from yâ, which is a shortened name for God that you hear at the end of "Hallelujah", and today's word yāšaʿ.  Literally, the name Jesus means "God Saves".

Now reread the angel's announcement and hear in the name "Jesus" that this baby would be divine!  God himself will save us.  So, we too are "Saved by the LORD".  

steadfast love

This week we begin our worship with:

Lamentations 3:22-23

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

We use the adage, "You can't tell a book by its cover.".  Well in this case, the cover of this book has the title "Lamentations".  This is not a happy time.  

Because of Judah's continued idolatry, God permitted the Babylonians to invade, destroy Jerusalem, and destroy the temple.  The book even speaks of cannibalism during the siege (Lamentations 4:10) and in disgrace the Jews were exiled to Babylon.

With that in mind, reread our verse.

In the midst of this pain, the author (possibly Jeremiah) cried out to God and experienced His "steadfast love" (ḥeseḏ):

Lamentations 3:55-57

“I called on your name, O Lord,

    from the depths of the pit;

you heard my plea, ‘Do not close

    your ear to my cry for help!’

You came near when I called on you;

    you said, ‘Do not fear!’

So, from whatever pit we are in today, let us cry our to our Heavenly Father, and hear the words:

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

obtaining

 This week we begin worship with:

1 Peter 1:8–9

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him,

you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

This is the second of two "though"s that Peter acknowledges.  The first is that we are being tested by various trials (1 Peter 1:6).  The second is our passage today that the Ascension has already occurred, and we no longer see our Lord.  Neither, however, should prevent joy.

Think of the best gift ever.  When we had only a few nickels to rub together my wife bought me an iPod for Christmas.  I was stunned.  Being stunned, being unable to speak (aneklalētos), is the level of joy described here.

Joy is over the destination; happiness is over arrival.  Compare getting in the car because you are going on vacation with settling down into the chair on the beach once you arrive.

Our destination here is the salvation (sōtēria) of our soul.  This has been said to be a mixture of "rescue, restoration, and purpose".  In Greek, it is the result of having a savior (sōtēr).

The only way to have this joy is the "ing" of "obtaining" (v. 9).  We have two "though"s to endure but we are on our way.  

You-all packed?   Let's go.

created

 This week we begin worship with:

Colossians 1:15-16

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all

things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether

thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through

him and for him.

Both invisible and visible, both creator and creation, both God and man, is our Lord Jesus Christ.

And what was created by him is not limited to what can be touched.  Each "new" area of math exists before the mathematician discovers it.  Each "new" law of physics is not written by the physicist, they too are simply discovered.  

And what is created by Him, is not limited to the past, for He is not limited by time.

• In 1961, R. E. Simon sold his share of Carnegie Hall and bought ten and a half square miles of land (6,750 acres) in then rural Virginia.  He then designed and developed a fully planned community, and used his own initials to name it Reston.
• In 1959, Walt Disney set his sights on Florida, and accumulated 27,433 acres of land and developed not only a theme park, but also the "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow" (EPCOT).  All to be named "Walt Disney World".

Our verse today tells us that neither of these visionaries created anything.  No area of thought or action is outside the creative act of our Lord and sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ.

attain

 This week we celebrate Assension Sunday and begin worship with:

Ephesians 4:11–13

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

We often confuse "faith" (pistis) and "knowledge" (epignōsis).  Knowledge is what we know about something.  Faith is what we trust about something.  

It has been said that faith starts where knowledge ends, but that divides the two. Instead, I would offer that faith is knowledge acted upon.  One may be taught that ropes used by rock climbers can lift a car, it is another thing to rappel down a sheer cliff!

So then, faith and knowledge represent two parts of the job of any leader.  They should teach their witnessed and tested knowledge to those that have yet to experience it.  But then they must also encourage them to act upon it.

For to achieve "mature manhood" (teleios anēr) one must leave the bench at the altar-call (Harry Krien encouraged me), take one's place in the family of God (George Coonrod encouraged me) and begin a family of your own (Norm Ducharme encouraged me).

I have taught rappelling, and have seen many a boy start with timid steps and grimaced faces as they go over the edge, but finish their decent bounding down the cliff with broad smiles.  I would have failed as a teacher had I not encouraged them over the edge.

Paul wrote the entire book of Romans to get us over the edge.  That is to sacrifice ourselves.  Take an opportunity to read three of the last chapters of the book (Romans 12-15) and go find a cliff.