Lift High The Cross

 

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

Matt 16:23-25

 

God grant that we should lift high the cross and follow in the footsteps of Jesus, while knowing that there will be things that must be left behind to die in order that we might live in Christ. 

 

God's Peace - Pr.

Take Up Your Cross

Take Up Your Cross

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34

 

I had not eaten since late afternoon yesterday. I broke that fast this morning at breakfast with my son and his girlfriend. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Lenten season. During Lent it is traditional to give up something that we enjoy. We will fast. We will not, with the help of God, break that fast until Easter Sunday.

 

But, no matter what it is that we give up for Lent, we ought not think of it as a sacrifice. There is nothing that can compare to the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for us. It is - a mere test of our own self-discipline. In the end, if we are honest with ourselves, we will say, I cannot pick up my own cross and follow Jesus to his cross. May God help me! And, he has. He will be with you no matter how large or small your cross is.

 

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Two Things I Ask

Two things I ask of you;

    do not deny them to me before I die:

Remove far from me falsehood and lying;

    give me neither poverty nor riches;

    feed me with the food that I need,

or I shall be full, and deny you,

    and say, “Who is the Lord?”

or I shall be poor, and steal,

    and profane the name of my God.

Prov 30:7-9

 

 

Give us this daily bread...

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 3:7-13 God Opens and Shuts Doors

Revelation 3:7-13 NIV

"What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." (vs 1)

God gets to decide whom the door will be open for. He will also choose for whom the door is shut. Jesus promises that the door is always open to those in the church at Philadelphia who, even with the little strength that they have, have kept his word and not denied his name.

Jesus said, "I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God." (Luke 12:8-9)

God grant that we should have the strength to persevere in proclaiming His Holy Name.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Revelation 1:4-8 Believe or Not; Every Eye Will See

Revelation 1:4-8 NIV

Every Eye Shall See

Every eye will see him. I was recently told (again) by someone I know and care about that they do not believe like I do. I was told, "When you're dead you're dead. There is nothing more." It is heartbreaking to hear someone that has been taught the truth; deny Jesus the Christ.

He is "the One who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." (vs 8) It does not matter whether one believes or not. The day will come when every eye will see him; every knee will bow; even those who pierced him; even those who denied him.

Be careful with your words. Do not deny the one who died for you. Jesus said, "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." (Matt 10:33 KJV)

He is, he was, and he will come again. He is the Almighty God who created you and would save you from yourself.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 John 2:12-29 Who is the antichrist?

1 John 2:12-29 NIV
So, exactly who is the antichrist? According to St. John the antichrist is anyone who would deny
that Jesus is the Christ. Whoever denies the Son also denies the Father. Whoever denies either is a liar and the antichrist.

Next question: How does one deny that Jesus is the Christ? Response: By trusting in our own good works for our salvation. When we trust the world, ourselves, anything or anyone before Jesus the Christ we are denying him; we are denying his power and authority to save us.

The antichrist is not some mythical being. Generations have looked for this one and pointed their fingers at various political or religious leaders saying, "he is the antichrist; these are the last days." Pointing the finger at one person only distracts us from looking within ourselves to see who it is that actually abides in us. Is it Jesus the Christ or the antichrist?

May the Word of God abide in us and we in him. May God help us to trust Him above all others.

God's Peace - Pr. J

TItus 1:2 - He is Risen

Titus 1:2 NIV
We are to be eager to live lives that reflect our faith. "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (vs 11-13)

He is risen! It is Easter morning. I am looking forward to seeing so many at worship this morning. Lent and especially the Great Three Days can be particularly difficult. Throughout the season I am reminded how unworthy we actually are. This Jesus the Christ suffered greatly for us; yet, over and over again we deny him. We turn our backs on him. We find better things to do than worship and praise him; to proclaim the good news. 

Without his death, we would be lost. We would be doomed for all eternity. Yet, do we remember the death? Do we remember the suffering? Or do we remember him only on Easter morning. He is risen! But, in order to be risen, he first had to die. He could have turned his back on us and not faced the persecution and execution. He could have gone the other way. But, he didn't. He did what was good for you and me. He died. And... yet, he lives and because he lives so shall we!

May God bless us with open ears, hearts, and minds so that we might begin to comprehend all that He has done for us and turn, living lives that will reflect our faith in the one who died and yet lives for us.

He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Titus 1:1 - Elders, Overseers, Council Members

Titus 1 NIV

Paul's letter to Titus ministering in Crete, will sound very much like the ones we just read to Timothy. He outlines the qualities of an elder. What Paul considered an elder would be what most of us know as council members. They are overseers who manage the household of God. They cannot be overbearing, nor quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. They are to be hospitable, loves what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. Above all, they  hold firmly to the message as it has been taught, so that that they can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Not everyone should be a council member. So often, congregations, will choose the closest warm body who has the most available time and will volunteer or sometimes they will choose a prominent leader of the community or successful businessman thinking that he or she will be a great leader. There are all kinds of reasons people are called to serve on the council of elders. Above all, we must strive to ensure that they are faithful people. They are to know the truth of Jesus Christ and can and will be willing to promote the spreading of the gospel; as well as, able to correct those who would teach another gospel in order to ensure the flock that is under our care are not led astray.

It is necessary that they be powerful believers that they might be a witness to the mighty works of God in Christ Jesus. There will be, in every congregation and community, those who will stir up dissension; who will promote false doctrine. You will be able to recognize them easily. "They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him." (vs  16) You will find them within the congregation and community, even as weeds spring up with the wheat. (Matt 13:24-30) Continue with them in your midst; lovingly correct them and encourage them in "the way." But, do not elect them to the council of elders.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Corinthians 16:5-18 An On The Move Bishop

1 Corinthians 16:5-18 NIV
Paul's first letter to the Corinthians is about to close. I would characterize Paul, among other things, as an on the move Bishop. He was out there moving among the people proclaiming the gospel, teaching and encouraging the followers of Jesus. As far away from someone as he might be, without the use of phones or internet; without the use of cars or planes, he stayed in touch with those whom God had called him to serve. Where he could not be, he sent others.

The early church grew because of men who were willing to reach out across the miles to all people. They were willing to set aside the comforts of a home. They were willing to be persecuted by those who hated them and Jesus. They were willing to give it all for the sake of the Gospel.

Go and make disciples of all people, of all nations. But, in order to do that you must first be a disciple willing to take up your cross, die to self and follow Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Corinthians 3 Try Meat! Milk Is For Infants!

1 Corinthians 3:1-23 NIV
I have no major objections to dairy products; but, personally, I prefer some meat and potatoes and maybe a few other vegetables appropriately seasoned. Something that I can sink my teeth into.

Paul addresses the Corinthians, not as mature Christians, but as mere infants in Christ who still need to be bottle fed. No meat for them, yet. Are you ready for meat? Not everyone wants it, you know. Some would prefer to be fed only milk. They are just not ready to sink their teeth into the full gospel of Christ because the full gospel of Christ reminds us that we are to deny ourselves and follow in his footsteps. Some would prefer to follow in the ways of the world. The ways of the world are usually contrary to the ways of God. They involve ego and greed. The ways of the world attempt to build man up. Even while having the pretense of worshipping God, it is often apparent that we are lifting up our own good works; building up our own egos. And... so it is desirous to continue being fed with milk. The stuff of God that you can sink your teeth into can be a bit more of a challenge than many would desire.

Try meat! Milk is for infants.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 7:1-53 Denying the Holy Spirit

Acts 7:1-53 NIV
Fifty-three verses might seem like a lot of reading this morning. It may be even difficult to stay with it because the reading is familiar to most of us. It is a brief history of God's covenant with His people beginning with Abraham. For Stephen to be able to summarize it so well in such a short narrative, I find pretty amazing; as there are many weeks when I spend more time cutting my sermons down to a more manageable size than I do actually writing them.

After reading the history, we hear and realize that Stephen wants us to grasp the fact that God is in charge. He always has been and always will be. He is larger than any sanctuary contain. He is God of all the earth (and more!). His Spirit has led the people since the beginning and His Spirit continues to guide and empower His servants to do His will. The Holy Spirit is very active in all the world. However, there have always been and still are those who reject the Holy Spirit and the message the Spirit speaks through God's servants. The prophet's message of a coming Savior were rejected. The preacher's message of a Savior who has come, is with us now, and will come again is rejected. The servant who brings this message, by the guiding power of the Holy Spirit, is often persecuted even as the Savior himself was rejected, betrayed and murdered.

Let us not deny the Holy Spirit. May God protect us from ourselves so that we do not deny the power of the Holy Spirit. According to the Gospel of St. Matthew 12:32 "And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." May God open our ears and eyes and hearts and minds so that we might be led, by the Holy Spirit, to glorify our Father in heaven; regardless of what the world might think of us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 18:15-27 A Rooster Crows

John 18:15-27 NIV
Jesus had told Peter that he would turn his back on him before the rooster crowed. He told him that he would deny being one of Jesus' followers. Peter loved Jesus. He did not believe that he would ever deny him. But, he did.

We often come up with deceptions in order to protect ourselves. It really doesn't matter who we might hurt; as long as we protect our own skins. We do it, just as Peter did, without any real forethought. We don't always plan it. We may not even want to. It just happens. The denial comes slipping out between our teeth and it is done before we realize what we are doing. The denial of who and what we are or have done is a dangerous thing. It endangers others as well as ourselves.

I remember a saying that I use to hear a lot (probably when I was more closely related to the U.S. Marine Corps): "If it is worth doing, it is worth dying for." I would change or add to that a little: "If it is worth believing, it is worth dying for."

Peter was out to save himself that early morning. He was afraid. Jesus was out to save the world. He died doing what he believed was right for you and me, according to the will of our Father. In the end, Peter, too, died for what he believed. Peter's love for Jesus overcame his fear of persecution and death.

Before the sun rises and the rooster crows ask yourself if (how) you have betrayed Jesus lately? Have you betrayed Jesus by keeping silent? Have you betrayed him by denying him? Have you sat back and done nothing while others are persecuted? There is a quote (by I believe Edmond Burke) that says: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

Peter was a relatively good man in the eyes of the world. But, he hid in the darkness while Jesus stood trial. He stood back and watched while Jesus was crucified for him. May God help us all to step out into the light, who is Jesus the Christ. May God grant us the wisdom and courage to proclaim the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

John 9 - Sees

John 9 NIV
Jesus heals a blind man and controversy ensues. You would think that everyone would rejoice over the fact that this man who was born blind now can see. But; no, he was healed on the Sabbath which amounts to work in the eyes of the Pharisees. He is questioned. His parents are interrogated, as well. ut, the blind man will not deny it. The man they call Jesus put some mud on his eyes and healed him, he tells them. This man who was healed testifies to what Jesus has done for him?

He was blind but now he sees. What about you? Can you see what has Jesus done for you? Will you deny it or will you share that good news with other in order that God might be glorified.

Let us rejoice in God who opens our eyes that we might see all that He has done for us through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 14:66-72 - Denying Christ

Mark 14:66-72 NIV
As much as he loved Jesus, when it came to being willing to die for him, he denied him. He denied him, not once, but three times.

We want to serve Jesus. We would really like to say that we would even die rather than deny him. But, when it comes right down to it, none of us really know if we what we would do when faced with that situation. Most of us will never be called to face this type of trial. But, there are those who have faced death and refused to deny Jesus, even in our day. There are those who have died confessing their faith in Him. Let us give thanks for all the martyrs who have taken up the cross and died for the sake of His Holy Name. May God help us to be faithful in confessing all that He has done for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 26:69-75 - Non-verbal Denial

   Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
   But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
   Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
   He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
   After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”
   Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Matt 26:69-75 NIV)

How many times have we denied Jesus? Peter denies him verbally. How many times have we denied him by our silence or by our supporting the statements of someone who does verbally deny him?

Just wondering...

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 26:31-35 - Will You Deny Jesus?

Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. (Matt 26:31-35 NIV)

The Lord knows that Peter is not going to keep this promise. In fear for his own safety, Peter will deny him thrice that very night. Even today people around the world are persecuted; are threatened with torture and even death for His sake. We may wonder how Peter, who knew Jesus so intimately, could desert him? But, what about us? Jesus died for us! He died that we might live! Would we deny him? Do we love the Lord enough to consider dying for his sake? Are we honestly able to declare "Even if I have die for Jesus' sake, I will never deny Him;" let alone keep that vow?

Consider too, this day, how it is that we might be denying him, not by just our words, but by what we have done and by what we have left undone.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 16 - The Cross and The Kingdom

I have run into a slight problem in the New Testament. There is so much to consider in each chapter, that I can't possibly cover everything in a blog post! So, I have resorted to choosing my personal favorite verses.

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?'" (Matt 16:24-26 NIV)

Take up your cross and follow Jesus! What does this mean? Where exactly did Jesus lead us? He took up his cross, forsaking his own life, that other's might live. He took up his cross and died. He went to the grave. But, the grave could not hold him. He lives and he reigns in the Kingdom of Heaven. This is what Jesus calls us to: cross-bearing self-sacrifice, death, and ultimately the Kingdom of God.

I was greatly surprised at some of the comments at our Bible Study on Wednesday. It showed me that ears have been open to hearing the proclamation of this Kingdom. The greatest concern that I heard was that we should live in God's presence in His Kingdom, even today. The fear of death was not an issue for those at the study; rather, the concern was and is how can we live more fully in God's presence, following in the footsteps of Jesus today. The question was asked how can we have the faith needed to experience God in our lives, present every minute of every day, in this world? We discussed faith and baptism extensively. Ultimately the answer to the questions: how can we believe; how can we follow; how can we live in His Kingdom today was: "ask." "Ask and you will receive." (John 16-24) Martin Luther wrote in the Small Catechism on the third Article of the Apostle's Creed: "I believe that by own reason or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in true faith, just as he calls, gathers, enlightens, sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in the one true faith."

Faith, the ability or strength to bear our crosses, life in the Kingdom of God; these are not things that we earn on our own or even choose to do. They are all gifts from God. Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S.  If you want to know more about the cross-bearing life or the Kingdom of God that is at hand, join us in Bible Study at Zion. It does not matter what book or chapter we're studying; you will almost always find us discussing the Cross and the Kingdom.

Jeremiah 44 - Denying/Rejecting God's Mercy

Do not mistake God's mercy for blessings of false idols. He endured the sins of the remnant for long enough as they worshipped their false idols. And, now they are willfully turning their backs on Him saying: "We will not listen to the message you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord! We will certainly do everything we said we would: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and will pour out drink offerings to her just as we and our ancestors, our kings and our officials did in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and were well off and suffered no harm. But ever since we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have had nothing and have been perishing by sword and famine." (Jer 44:16-18 NIV)

God's own people, the little remnant that God allowed to remain in Jerusalem and care for the temple; care for the land, have decided instead that they will give up their inheritance. They will go to Egypt; and they will worship this false goddess. They have chosen to ignore God's blessings. Rather than give Him the glory; they will give thanks to and glorify this "queen of heaven."

And... they will be lost.... The LORD will not stand for His people turning away from Him in this manner. He will send Nebuchadnezzar to Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar will overthrow them. The people who were once God's people, who worshipped in His temple, will not be able to return to the home they turned their backs on.

Do not, I pray, turn your backs on the LORD, our Maker and Redeemer. Return to Him, giving Him (and no other) glory for all that He has done.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 34 - Which Freedom Will You Choose?

A slightly different concept of freedom is found in chapter 34 of Jeremiah.

 “Therefore this is what the Lord says: You have not obeyed me; you have not proclaimed freedom to your own people. So I now proclaim ‘freedom’ for you, declares the Lord—‘freedom’ to fall by the sword, plague and famine. I will make you abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth." (Jer 34:17 NIV)

God had instructed His people to set their slaves free. At first, they agreed. But, then they changed their minds and forced them back into slavery. They broke the covenant that had been made with God. They would not set the people free. But, God will. He will free His people from the covenant. They can live on their own, making their own way. They will live without the blessings that He would give to them.

If we don't want to listen to God; if we don't want to do His will; then we are free to be free from the covenant that God made with us. We don't have to seek His face. But, what we will get instead is His back and that is not a good or pleasant thing. We can be free to serve other gods; to serve ourselves. But, it would behoove us to ask ourselves is that the direction we really want to go in?

"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. Abraham Lincoln 

"There are two freedoms – the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where he is free to do what he ought." Charles Kingsley

"While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions." Stephen Covey

"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 53 - Ignorance Is Not Necessarily Bliss!

I have to admit, I sometimes lose it when people tell me that there is no God.  All I can think are things like (and have actually said on occasion): "Are you stupid, or what?"  "Do you really want to deny Christ?"  "Not a good idea!  Not a good idea, at all!" 

My reaction to being told that there is no God, really depends on the person, the time, the place and the Spirit. I can be more graceful when it is called for.  It all depends....

I remember one recent conversation. My response was something to the effect of:  it really doesn't matter whether you believe in my God or not.  God is and His existence does not depend on whether you accept or deny Him, but your existence does depend on Him!  God does not need you to believe in Him.  You need Him.  There is no other salvation than the one who has come out of Zion.  Go ahead, turn away from Him.  Your rejection of this One, does not diminish Him.  It only diminishes you.  But, if you really want to live life - then rethink your position and repent! May the God that you don't believe in, rescue you from your unbelief!

So you don't believe in God?  Then we will pray for you.  Ignorance is not necessarily bliss. When the King of Glory returns to take His children unto Him, we will rejoice and be glad!  What will you be doing?

God's Peace - Pr. J