Cart Your Cross

Exodus 37-38

Wherever they went the Israelites carried the various articles of the tabernacle with them.  They carried the tent and all the furniture and utensils that were used to Worship God with them.  They carried the ark of the covenant with them wherever the LORD led them.  Pack and unpack.  Set up and tear them down again.  For years the Israelites did this.  And... God was with them.  He spoke to Moses in that tent and Moses relayed what the LORD said to the people.

Years ago, I was serving as a missionary to remote areas of Upper Michigan where there was no or very little church presence.  I led Bible studies at 3 different sites and led Worship at up to 6 sites any given week.  The worship sites included a state park, house church, an historic Lutheran church, an historic Episcopal church, a community center, and a youth correctional facility.  The area I covered was about 45 miles north and south and 20 miles east and west.  Yes, it was what would be considered in today's world - wilderness.  I carted everything needed for worship between sites.  Packing and unpacking - setting up and tearing down - the same stuff over and over again. We had one of those big gold crosses for the altar, which was included in the stuff I needed to carry with me from worship site to worship site.  On one Ash Wednesday afternoon as I was rushing between Worship sites about 25 miles apart when I panicked thinking that I had left the altar cross at the last site.  So driving down the road while reaching in the back seat to see if I could feel it back there someplace, I heard myself say:  "I am so sick and tired of having to carry this cross with me all the time."  Fortunately, I said it out loud so that the impact of what I had said hit me full on.  What about the cross that Jesus bore for me?  And... this little cross was a bother to me?  If I couldn't carry this little altar cross, what kind of cross was I really willing to carry?  As a reminder to myself of my own hard heartedness and of what Jesus was willing to do for me, throughout that Lent I carried that cross on the seat next to me; not just between worship sites, but every day, every where I went.  While driving from place to place, that cross would remind me of my weakness, of my sin, and I would talk hold of it, confessing my sins and thanking God for the cross he bore for me.  For I know full well the cross I have been called to carry is nothing compared to the one he bore for me.  And I cannot even carry that one without the help of God.  

May God help each of us to take up our cross to follow him through whatever wilderness he would lead us.

Gifts for the Glory of God

Exodus 36

Can you imagine?  "The people brought so much they were constrained from bringing for what they had brought was more than enough to do all the work." (vs 7 NRSV) 

But, it's not just things that people are offering.  Everyone to whom the LORD has given skill use the skills they've been given to do all they can to build up the sanctuary, to do God's will.  Even as sometimes (very rare occasions) the church may have to say enough - we have enough offerings for a particular fund; the church sometimes tells the people, without even realizing they are doing it, enough we don't need your skills, we don't have use for the talents that God has given us through you.  It is a sad thing when we do this for it stunts the growth of the congregation, the community of saints.  If God gives someone a gift, God intends for it to be used.  It's been my vision for the congregation I serve to see as many (all) of the gifts of the people used.  I believe that if we allowed this to happen instead of finding reasons why so and so shouldn't take on this or that effort, the church would grow both spiritually and physically.  Doing this sometimes temporarily takes more time and energy on my (our) part to see it through.  But, the benefits to all of God's children are worth it.

A couple examples of allowing others to use their gifts to serve from my own congregation: 
     Our Sunday School children help lead every last Sunday of the month at one of our services.  They take up the offering, do the readings, sometimes they might do a skit for the sermon, they pray at Worship, a confirmand assists with Holy Communion and another assists the altar guild and they love it.  We do not relegate our children to just helping up at our annual clean-up (picking up garbage or raking), although they do help; we allow them to serve in areas that they really want to serve in.  We train them for service in many areas.  They also participate in a can drive led by one of our adult members.  The proceeds are donated as gifts to other children in the community through the Marine Corps League Toys 4 Tots campaign. 
     This same adult leader organizes an annual Toys 4 Tots Concert, with proceeds once again going to provide for local children's Christmas gifts.  I am available, but not active in organizing either of these latter ventures, except donate cans, show up and pray.  The pastor really doesn't have to mirco-manage everything!  On October 23rd we will gather together as 10 different musical groups from all over the area will bring their gifts of songs and music, as the children bring the gifts collected through the can drive to the Marines present, and many members and visitors will bring their offerings of toys, placing them on the altar to celebrate the gifts given by and for all God's children - to celebrate and thank God for the children He has given us to care for. 
     These are just a few of the many ways that the congregation that I serve have empowered others to use the gifts that God has given to each of us to serve God and God's people.
     As pastors and church councils throughout the world, I think sometimes it is too easy to say no to the gifts of others because frankly we're afraid it might be too much work for ourselves.  God gives each of us gifts to be given for the growth and edification of the church on earth and in heaven.  Do not hinder others.  Let us use all of those gifts now to the glory of God.

Giving Freely

Exodus 35

Wow!  So many free-will offerings:  gold, silver, bronze, fine linenes, yarns of blue, purple, crimson, goats, hair, rams skins, fine leather, acacia wood, oil for the lams, spices, onyx stones, other gems and so much more... All as gifts for the glory of God, to do the work that God had commanded them to do...  All gifts from men and women whose hearts made them willing to do the work of the LORD.

This chapter stands out for me just a little this morning.  I was at the church office yesterday morning and saw our offerings for this last Sunday.  Attendance had been up a little.  But the offering was not quite as impressive as the offerings of the Israelites.  In fact, it caused me to wonder where we could cut back on the LORD's work.  We are going to have to begin planning for next year's budget.  What will we cut?  Should evangelism be cut?  How about gifts to various missions?  Should we cut out the LORD's work all together?  Will we still be a church if we only exist for ourselves and not to proclaim the Good News to those outside the church?  We can't make cuts out of Sunday School.  We're using free downloadable material from another congregation that has made that available - thanks be to God for their gifts for the LORD's work.  Nothing to cut in education.  It has been cut. There is nothing there. 

The reality is that there is no place to cut in our budget.  Everything there is necessary to do the LORD's work, His will.  May God grant us willing hearts to do his will, to give freely so that His work might be done through us.

For Generations

Exodus 34

In spite of Israel's apostasy, God is willing to renew the covenant.  He is willing as He said to be merciful and to forgive.  How often we have heard the words from this lesson:

The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.  (vs 6 - NRSV)

We've heard them, but do we always believe them for everyone other than ourselves?

The scripture tells us that He will forgive our inquity, yet at the same time He will by no means clear the guilty but visit the iniquity of the parents upon the children.  As we read this it can seem so harsh.  I have had some very long conversations about this with every confirmation class I've ever led.   Think about this:  What happens to the children when a parent or other adult they are close to lives a particular lifestyle?  What happens when they do not worship the LORD, but go chasing after other gods - gods like money, fame, prestige, etc?  What happens when parents twist the Christian faith around mixing other religions into it as they attempt make God more into a god that they can live comfortably with?  The children are taught what their parents believe, of course.  The children learn a false religion and they learn to worship false gods - idols.  They do not attend Worship for they can worship on the golf course or in the shopping mall.  They do not read scripture because they are more pleased with self-help books.  Self-help books, after all, tell us how inside of us all is goodness and the power to control our own destiny. Hogwash!  Here is our destiny:  we shall all die.  We will all be returned to the ground from which we are made.  Can any self-help book help us with that?  I dare say not...  There is only one who can defeat death (and has defeated it) and that is the Son of God, Jesus Christ.  This Jesus lives.  He died for you and He lives for you and because he does, so shall all who believe in Him.  If we believe this, why would we teach our children otherwise?  Why would we fail to teach them the truth?  Why would we teach them to follow after other gods?  This is an inquity of parents that will be passed down to their children.  Who will suffer the consequences for our false teachings, for our apostasy, for our false gods?

But, for those who would turn to the LORD and cast away all their idols, the LORD will keep steadfast love for the thousandth generation. (vs 6)

Show Me Your Ways

Genesis 33

God's apparently still not happy with the people for building that golden calf.  But, because they are the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob he will fulfill his promise to them and give to their children the land flowing with milk and honey. However, God will not go with them for they are a stiff-necked people and His presence might consume them.  But, Moses implores him to go with them.  How will we know your ways, he asks?  How indeed will the Israelites know the way to the promised land if the LORD is not with them? 

How indeed will we know the way?  Jesus told his disciples:  "I am the way, the truth and the life."  (John 14:6)  Their is only one way to the promised land.  If we're not to get lost on the way then we need to follow Jesus.  That path, just as the path that God led the Israelites through the wilderness on, is not an easy one.  It is filled with times of both trial and temptation.  But, God is with you on that journey.  No, you will not see his face, but his glory is before you.  His glory is seen in the cross for as he bore our sins in humiliation on the cross he triumphed over sin, death, and the power of all evil for you.  What a paradox!  As he humbled himself, willingly succumbing to death for us, he was lifted up on that cross to the glory of God.

I love the "I Am's" found in the book of John.  They are a reminder to me that Jesus is telling us that he and the Father are one.  Did not the LORD tell Moses earlier in our studies that his name is:  "I am who I am"?  There is only one God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  There is only one way to find our way through the wilderness of this world to the land promised to us by our Father, and that is by following the Son, Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.    

So, I got a little side-tracked this mornng... that is not that unusual.  No matter where I find myself, it seems I always want to wander to Jesus.  May your journey through the wilderness be led by the light of God, who is Jesus Christ.

There Is Only One God

Genesis 32

Golden calves - something I have preached about extensively.  How often I have  preached about false gods; yet, it seems sometimes like it falls on deaf ears.  Just recently delivered from slavery by God and the people are busy creating their own - another god.  Moses is up on the mountain.  They can't see him.  They want a god they can see.  So in Moses' absence with the help of Aaron, the people build themselves a false god.  Had they looked to Moses as their god?  Had they been worshipping their leader Moses all along?  Moses is not their god.  He is only an instrument God uses to save the decendents of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. 

Interesting verse I hadn't noticed before:  The LORD tells Moses, "Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation." (vs. 10, NRSV) Does Moses say "Yes! God is going to destroy those who do not know him and make ME a great nation!"  No, he doesn't.  Moses reminds God of his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel.  Moses does not succumb to the temptation to put himself before the people.  Moses will not make of himself, his own false god.  He is a servant.  He is not a god.

I'm thinking about how often people will attend a congregation or special services because they are enamored by the pastor.  Sometimes when a new pastor comes, their ministry is sabotaged by the people comparing him/her to the last pastor.  Or maybe they just leave the church because this new pastor is not quite as charismatic or friendly or charming as the last.  Remember, what a poor speaker Moses was?  Why did the people follow him out of Egypt anyway?  Was it because of the miracles they saw or was it a mob effect that caused them to travel out into the dessert?  Then once Moses was out of their site, they were looking to make themselves a god they could worship.  Really, deep down, had these Israelites been worshipping Moses all along?  Did they really ever have a clue who God really was?

The fact remains is that we are not so unlike those Israelites.  We need to be careful that the shepherd whom God has appointed to care for the flock has not been exalted to the point of being a false god.  We need to be careful that we haven't lifted ourselves up to the point of being our own gods.    There is only one God and we are not Him!

Note:  Sorry - just can't cover everything in this brief blog.  Last chapter - Moses received the 10 commandements on the tablet.  This chapter he broke them in anger. 

Sabbath Rest

Genesis 31

Today is the Sabbath, it is Saturday.  I am working.  I have a funeral, a wedding (and the sermons to write for them), a Sunday School program to review, and a newsletter to be sent out via email.  I will be working tomorrow as well as most of the coming week.  So far my calendar for next Friday is clear.  But, there are enough days in between for stuff to come up to fill that day up as well.  The harder I try to find time for Sabbath rest, the more that rest seems to elude me.  It has been 21 days since I had most of the day off (only worked 2 hours that day) and that included 5 days of bed rest by a doctor which were not taken.  I know the consequences of it - the consequences to both my physical and spiritual health. Been there, done that, and if I don't figure out how to change my schedule quickly...  This lesson, it seems, I do not learn very well.  I know it, but just seem to be unable to follow through.

God warns us strongly to observe the Sabbath, yet we do not listen and we do suffer the consequences of not entering into His rest.  In fact, God warns us, that if we do not keep the Sabbath, we shall die.  It is uncanny that when I end up going on streaks like this without Sabbath rest, I wake up every morning acutely aware of how short life is.  I end up acutely aware of death.

May God help each of us to observe a day of rest each week - to allow us to more fully enter into his presence - that the weary might find rest.    

     

Lift up prayers

Exodus 30

Offerings of incense twice a day (morning and evening) and a half shekel at registration to the  Lord...  There's some pretty interesting perpetual ordinances that are found in the old testament.  The question arises:  What does this mean for us today?

As I think of the offering of incense I am reminded of Psalm 141:2 (NIV)  "May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."  Incensing at both morning and evening prayers is still done at many orthodox churches.  What a reminder not to neglect coming into the presence of God with our prayers.  Knowing that as we pray, God is with us and hears.  It is a reminder to us all not to neglect either our own personal morning and evening time with the Lord in prayer.

May God help us to be more faithful in our prayer lives so that we can more fully realize his presence in our lives.

Ordained Priests

Exodus 29

Lot's of stuff in here about consecration and ordination.  A very interesting difference exists between the ordination of priests of those first priests and the priests or pastors of today.  Hands were layed on the sacrifice, the bull and the rams, not on the priest.  The priest got sprinkled with the blood of the ram and ate the consecrated flesh of the ram and the bread in the basket at the entrace of the tent of the meeting.  According to the reading "They themselves shall eat the food by which atonement is made, to ordain and consecrate them, but no one else shall eat of them, because they are holy." (Exodus 29:33 NRSV)

Today, the food by which atonement has been made; the bread of life, which is the body of our Lord and Savior is available not just for those who hold the office of priest or pastor, but for all God's people, for all members of the priesthood of believers. (1 Peter 2:9; Rev 5:9-10)

I can't close this without also mentioning that sacrifice for atonement was made every day, that is 7 days a week.  It is a reminder to me and hopefully to you, that each day we need totake the time to come before the Lord, confessing our sins, so that we might be reassured that our sins are indeed forgiven.