Ambassadors For Christ

Leslie is one of our many faithful
ambassador's of Christ at Zion. I
give thanks for his service to God
and for representing Christ
no matter where he is.
 

"So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." 2 Corinth 5:20

What exactly does it mean to be an ambassador of Christ? How are we to represent him?

 

While I served as a chaplain at a juvenile correction facility, I often asked the question of the young men, who purported to be Christian, if they were going to continue to represent their old gangs or if they would represent Jesus. I recall a story one young man shared about how he had become involved in a gang fight outside of a church. He and his friend had worn their colors to worship as did a couple of rival gang members. Imagine that! They all belonged to the same congregation. After he told the story, and hearing it spoken aloud himself, he realized how fully he had put his gang affiliation before God and before the family of God. He had been practicing idolatry in a house of worship. He had been blatantly representing his gang rather than Jesus in the church of Jesus Christ.

 

Most of us are a little more cautious about our conduct inside of a church building. We want to look and act like representatives of Christ within the context of a congregation. But, what about outside the church building? The Church is; after all, not a building. Who or what are we ambassadors for when we go out into the world?

 

May God help us to be more aware of our call to be ambassadors of Christ, proclaiming the Good News of his Kingdom for all who would believe in him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jude 1 - Warning! Danger!

Jude 1 NIV

As I read the one and only chapter of Jude this morning I was reminded of the television show "Lost In Space," from the mid-1960's. About the only thing that I can truly recall from the series is the robot's warning: "Warning, warning! Danger, Will Robinson!"

Jude's letter is a warning to those who are lost and to those who are in danger of become lost. Make no mistake, Jude warns, ungodly people have slipped in among us. They are those pervert the grace of God into a license for immorality. They will use the grace of God to do whatever it is they choose and then say things like: "But, Jesus died for me. I can do anything I want. I am forgiven." But, even as the Israelites were saved from Egypt, many were unable to see the promised land because of their unbelief so shall those who do not believe be destroyed. They will not enter into the Kingdom of God.

We must heed the warning and be careful not to follow in the ways of the scoffers. There many attempts to divide us are a diversion to turn our focus to anything and everything other than worshipping and serving the Lord, our God, who gave Himself for us. We must cling tightly to the faith that was taught to us.

"But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." (vs 20-21)

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Corinth 10:14-33 Everything Not Beneficial!

1 Corinthians 10:14-33 NIV
Yup! We have the right to do anything, but not everything is beneficial, according to St. Paul. We who are of the body of Christ, should think first of what is good for others and not so much for ourselves. If what we eat or drink; what we do, would be damaging to others then we ought not be doing it. It is as simple as that.

I know that the world teaches that we have rights. But, so does everyone else around us. As we're busy thinking about our own rights to do whatever we please; let us all consider how we might be trampling on the rights and the lives of others.

We have the right to do anything; but, is that anything that we choose to do building up others; building up the body of Christ, glorifying God?

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved." (vs 31-33)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 122 - Peace at the Gate of the LORD's House

"I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”" (Psalm 122:1 NIV)

Let us all go to the house of the LORD to praise His Holy Name. Let us be gathered together as one so that peace may dwell among us and in us.

Our feet are standing in the gates of the Kingdom of God.  It's almost like we have one foot in and one foot out, yet not quite.  There are two kingdom. We are of; we belong to the Kingdom of God that was ushered in at the crucifixion of our LORD. Yet, we live in this world. As heirs of the Kingdom of God, we praise His Holy Name. As sojourners in this world, we pay to Caesar what is Caesar's.

Caesar demands much. God gives. He gaves us His only Son that we might live. He gives love and He gives His peace. He gives us His peace through the Christ and in receiving that peace we are reconciled to Him and to one another.

I remember as a small child going to the house of the LORD to worship with my grandmother whenever I stayed with her. The services was in Finnish so I didn't understand much. What I did understand and what has stuck with me through all these years was, as everyone was leaving they shared the peace of the LORD with the pastor. "God's peace be with you." It did not appear to me to be a mere ritual. They all appeared to really mean it. It made a lasting impression. For those who have attended Worship at Zion Lutheran, Skanee, you've probably noticed that the sharing of the peace is just a little out of hand. Not only are hands extended in peace and reconciliation, there are many holy kisses of peace being shared as well.  There may be "issues" at times between parishioners, but when the peace of the LORD is shared, all walls are torn down and we are made whole. We are one. Following Worship, as was the custom of my childhood, I also share the peace with members as they leave. It's not just have a good day, or good to see you. Those words may be spoken, but as they depart the House of God, it is with these words. "God's peace be with you."

The House of the LORD, the church, is where we gather to worship Him, where we receive the Sacraments, hear His Word, and so many other things.  Maybe we should think of the House of the LORD as larger than a church building. The church is wherever God's people are gathered.

Remember, how, when according to Matthew, the temple curtain was torn in two at Christ's death giving us access to the Holy of Holies. Something else happened as well at the tearing of the curtain. The walls were broken down. The Kingdom of God was ushered in, the Spirit of God poured out into the world, raising even the dead. (Matt 27) The Kingdom of God is indeed at hand.

"Believe me, this world is not the Kingdom of God, but at the same time the Kingdom of God has come. "Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”" (Luke 17:20-21)

Our feet are standing at the gate, may the peace of the LORD be with you all.  Pr. J

1 Chronicles 22-David Prepares Solomon To Serve

Although David is not allowed to build the temple for the LORD, because of all the blood that he has shed; David gathers together workers and supplies so that when he dies his son will be able to begin to build it.  He prepares Solomon to serve the LORD by reminding him that the LORD will be with him in this endeavor, granting him peace and quiet, as he does the will of the LORD.

God has a purpose for each of us.  He gives each of us gifts that His purpose might be completed through each of us.  One gets to clear the way, another gets to build in it, and; yet, another gets to add even more to the beginnings that were made by others.  Life is a journey and it's not just our journey.  The journey was begun by others before us and what was built or begun by them has been added to by others.  All, according to God's good purpose; all for His glory. 

Often, I hear that older people (especially Lutherans) don't like change.  I find that laughable!  We have members in our congregations who will read this blog on their computers this morning; who grew up in homes without computers or television.  They did not have telephones in the homes they grew up in.  Some did not have electricity or refrigeration (without ice cut from Lake Superior in the winter) in their childhood homes.  Not like change?  That's absurd!  They have seen many changes in their lives.  They know that those changes did not hinder their lives; rather they have welcomed them. 

It is seniors who give me some of the best advise when it comes to changes that we might want to consider in things relating to the church community - changes that will enhance our lives together in Christ - changes that will prepare our children to build on what has been started here in these decades. 

And... so as David prepared for his son, Solomon, to build the temple of the LORD, we prepare for our children and for their future service to the LORD.  We prepare them for building on what has been started here according to God's will; all for His glory.