Hebrews 9 High Priest Enters the Sanctuary

Hebrews 9 NIV

Church of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
St. Petersburg, Russia

Under the first covenant God directed that a tabernacle be set up. This sanctuary made with human hands was only a copy of the true sanctuary of God. Within this sanctuary was an inner room in which only the high priest could enter. He could not enter this Most Holy Place without blood. With fear and trembling he would enter to offer the blood of animals for the unintentional sins of the people. This imperfect ritual had to be repeated over and over again for imperfect people.

But, when the Christ who is the high priest came he, himself, was the lamb that was sacrificed. The sacrifice did not take place in an earthly tabernacle. He went through the greater and most perfect tabernacle in heaven itself. He entered into the Most Perfect Holy Place willingly shedding his blood and giving his own life for the sins of the people. This most perfect sacrifice in the most perfect place needs no repeating. He died once for the many who would believe.

We live under a new covenant established for us by the great high priest, Jesus the Christ. Through the offering of his blood our sins are forgiven. Thanks be to God we need have no to fear to enter into the heavenly tabernacle which has been opened to us by the blood of the lamb. We have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb; by the blood of the Great High Priest, himself.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 21:12-13 - House of Prayer

"Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 'It is written,' he said to them, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” (Matt 21:12-13 NIV)

The story about Jesus throwing the money changers out of the temple has always made me just a little anxious. Small congregations (maybe large ones, too) often have fund-raisers to support their budgets. We sell stuff in order to pay the bills. Sometimes, these fund-raisers come in the form of meals or maybe art and craft fairs or even a rummage sale. I worry that maybe we're not trusting God to provide for us through the generosity of His children's offerings to Him and His work through the congregation. I am of the mind that anything that comes in to support God's work through the church should be a free-will offering to the glory of God and not an exchange for services. After all, when Jesus paid our debt on the cross, he did that freely and willingly. I guess, in today's economy, purchasing a product or service could be considered a way of supporting a congregation and mission. At least the world would see it that way. I'm not so sure God sees it that way. Even the U.S. Government does not consider that a charitable contribution. 

We do have traditional fund-raisers at Zion. I call them traditional because they have existed since long before I was born. Events like the Hunter's Supper, Women's Bazaar, or Ice Cream Social can be great times of fellowship and evangelism. I am always praying that everyone involved keeps the focus on welcoming our neighbors; rather than, primarily exchanging goods for money. For the last two summers, I have helped the youth organize a rummage sale at Zion for youth retreats. We do not put a price on anything, which makes the organizing a whole lot easier. We ask for donations of whatever one feels the items are worth to them and that they can afford. The results are very good, indeed. We also have fund-raisers, usually concerts, where proceeds go directly to other charitable organizations, such as St. Vincent De Paul, or Toys for Tots, or to support mission congregations in Russia. Members of the whole community provide the music as well as a light lunch for all of our guests following the concerts, again with no charge. These latter fund-raisers have no entrance fees; free-will offerings are suggested for the concert, but not imposed. The congregation usually over-flows into the narthex and the library with these events. These are wonderful opportunities to welcome and fellowship with our neighbors as we support those in need.

But, I am always on guard to keep the focus of "fund-raisers" on welcoming people to God's house, rather than selling. This is, after-all, a house of prayer. May God help us to continue trusting in Him alone for all our needs. May God help us to continue welcoming people into His house of prayer, in all that we might do for His glory.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. All are welcome at Zion!

Ezekiel 7 - Syria

Sadly, I have been watching the news of lot lately. So, it has been difficult for me to keep world news out of this blog. Today, is the day I no longer contain myself. As I read Ezekiel 7, I read that the LORD will unleash His anger upon the land! The LORD will do it. The land; the people; will be devastated for their sin. That is the whole land, everyone, for all the people have sinned. Sometimes, I think we need to keep a closer watch on our own sins, rather than the alleged sins of others.

We keep threatening war. Well, not actually war. We continue to threaten to spank the Assad regime if they do not confess, repent, and turn over their chemical weapons. We will assist Al Qaeda supporters in bringing down those in power in Syria. We will assist those who attack; who would attempt to destroy every Christian in the land. At least, that is my take on it. President Obama has decided to wait and see if President Putin's diplomatic intervention works, before we decide for sure if we will spank Assad.

I'm not so sure who needs to be spanked here. First off, Assad has pretty much admitted that they have chemical weapons. But, he has not admitted to using them on his people. So, where is the evidence that it is he and not the rebel forces that need a spanking? Are we so sure that the rebel forces do not have and did not use chemical weapons and try to pin it on the government to glean support for their side? Another part of the problem that I see is: who put us (U.S.) in charge of administering spankings to those whom we "think" may be responsible? I am not even so sure if the horrific deaths are actually our government's real and first concern. Is the trouble in Syria or if it just a ruse to redirect our attention from all the troubles we have at home; that would be our own sins. Although admittedly not as horrific as the massacres by beheading or the dropping of deadly chemicals upon the people; they are very real issues that need to be dealt with. But, how do we decide who is guilty in a country where there is such violence? Is any party not guilty?

Today, I am praying that President Putin's diplomatic efforts pay off and we can avoid getting involved in any more civil wars; that we can avoid supporting any more groups that will come back and attack our cities here in this country once we have given them more power (today is the anniversary of 9-11). That we can totally avoid helping those who belong to the very same groups that we have been fighting (how many of our troops have died fighting rebel forces of the same ilk?) in other countries in that region.

If all of the news reports are half-way true, Syria is one major mess. There are very few who can claim innocence. I just do not understand who or what we would be aiming missiles at. Certainly we wouldn't be dropping missiles on chemical weapons stores that would kill even more people, would we? Then what? Airstrips, where there are more civilians working? How many more people would die with this spanking?

The LORD will deal with us all according to our conduct. May we not hear this word from him:

“The end! The end has come
    upon the four corners of the land!
The end is now upon you,
    and I will unleash my anger against you.
I will judge you according to your conduct 
   and repay you for all your detestable practices." (Ezekiel 7:1 NIV)

May God bless President Putin's efforts toward peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 125 - Shaken

Peace be on you... 

I read the news every morning online. Quite a turmoil out there! The news never fails to remind me of how blessed I am to live in Aura. Last night a meteor streaked over the Ural Mountains in Russia. Those mountains were shaken. Over 500 people were reported injured from the event.   It was reported that many thought that the world was coming to an end.

The other evening a local television ended up hacked. Across the bottom of the screen was a runner that warned people that the dead were rising from their graves and attacking people in the local counties. This happened late in the evening.  It appeared to be the same type of warning that we get when there is a snow storm or something else we need to be aware of to keep ourselves safe. Many people got left wondering if the world was coming to an end. Can you imagine being alone, late in the evening, and receiving a warning that zombies are coming to kill you.

But, those who trust in the LORD will not be shaken. Some of this stuff might give us a start when it first happens. We are, after all, human. But, none of us will shake us so that we fall.  Any evil that might befall you, whether natural or man-made, will not destroy you. The world might end. It probably will one day But, all who who are found righteous in Jesus Christ will know peace in the presence of God for all eternity. There is no end. Do not be afraid. God is with.

Trust in the LORD. May His peace be upon you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Nehemiah 2 - Building and Rebuilding

The city had been burned.  The people exiled from Jerusalem, the temple, their place of worship.  Years later, they return.  Nehemiah returns, with King Artaxerxes' blessing, they will rebuild.

I have just read the obituary of Rev. Antti Lepisto.  He lovingly and faithfully served as President of Suomi Conference, USA since 1993 (after retirement).  Our primary (but, not only) mission was/is, with the help of God, to help rebuild and grow the Ingrian Lutheran Church in Russia.  He had a deep love for the people and a great desire to see the Gospel proclaimed throughout the region, as well as here.  At least once a year he would include in his travels, a visit with me (and other members of the Sumi Conference board) for purposes of soul care.  He was about building and rebuilding the Body of Christ by sharing the Good News of the Kingdom.   

As a young Pastor, Antti, served at Wainola Lutheran Church, MI.  Very many things have changed over the years.  Attendance dwindled down to about a dozen or so as the population of the whole area declined.  The congregation felt that they needed to do something different in order to more fully proclaim the Gospel - to more fully do God's will.  They are now an Lutheran Congregation in Mission for Christ (LCMC) congregation.  I have volunteered as their interim.  At least that is what they call me.  I am more like a mentor as I am working with three lay men (Joe, Mike and Mark) from Wainola to train them to lead worship, preside at Communion, visit shut-ins, bury the dead....  The congregation is growing once again.  The building is there.  It is intact.  The rebuilding of the Church that is needed there includes much soul care.  Our goal is, with the help of God, to build up the Body of Christ in Wainola.

Please keep Antti's family in your prayers and say an extra prayer or two for one of his first congregation's, Wainola Lutheran Church, as they rebuild their church, their congregation, with the help of God.

1 Samuel 13 - Waiting for Clergy

Lots to think about in today's chapter. This having to wait around for Samuel makes me just a little uncomfortable. In my own congregation, I know that if I were to be late, they would begin worship without me. They were trained by the Pastor before me to do that. They were at one time a two-point Parish and sometimes the Pastor got delayed. I think, that I have always made it on time, sometimes it was a close one, but always made it. There have also been times when we have had pulpit supply and the clergy either forgot (Wednesday Lent Services) or got lost since we're so remote. When and if the clergy show up, they take over from wherever the congregation is. The congregation here just has this idea that worship doesn't depend on me or any other clergy. They are correct. If we're late or forget - it should still happen - with or without us.

When the Finnish congregations in the mid-west of this country were first formed by immigrants, many worship services were lay led. Some parishes had 5 and 6 and even more congregations. The few clergy could not be everywhere. I believe it is the same in Russia (I mention this because I know that there are a few hits every day to this blog from Russia). It has been about 10 years since I was able to visit some of the Russian congregations, but I do recall that some were lay led because of lack of clergy. Mission, evangelism, spreading the good news of the kingdom is what all members of the Body of Christ are called to do. It is good to have clergy to lead us, but you can't wait for us to show up when something needs doing - when the Gospel needs proclaiming - when the people are gathered and desire to bring their offerings of praise and thanksgiving to the LORD.