How To Be Here

The people of God live between two worlds or realities. As God’s people, we belong to a new kingdom and way of life. We await with confidence the fullness and consummation of God’s rule that will one day be our reality. At the same time, because that day has not yet dawned, we live as strangers…exiles…far from home. We have a promised inheritance, but it has not yet been passed on to us. Given the mission Jesus gave the church: “you will be my witnesses”, God does not want us to withdraw and separate from society while we wait for His return and establishment of His kingdom, but rather we are to stand firmly, pointing to the possibility of a different way of life.

But waiting far from home brings challenges. We are to live in this world, yet model through our lives something entirely different. From our ethics to our interactions, to even how we handle opposition and persecution, we are to be a people who follow the example of Jesus who “entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.” This ten-week series on the book of 1 Peter seeks to answer the questions, “How are Christians to live in our world? How are we to interact with society? Where are we to be different? Where are we to adopt the norms and cultures of society, so that we may gain a hearing in an increasingly hostile world? What will we need along the way in order to be successful in this?”

The series seeks to give us the mindset and tools of what it means to live as God’s elect exiles, far from home, but true to Jesus’ example in a way that becomes a compelling and alluring witness to the world of the goodness and mercy and grace of God. We may feel we are in a new place as a church with an increasingly hostile culture. But we have been here before. This little book can help us find our way again.

The Gift of the Spirit

No. That wasn’t a typo in the sermon series title. The series is called The Gift of the Spirit…as in The Holy Spirit. It’s true that often people get caught up more so in the gifts of the Spirit, as in what are the gifts, how are they given and any unnecessary today?

While those are important questions, they aren’t the most important questions when it comes to The Holy Spirit. For while we proclaim a Trinitarian faith: God, Son, and Spirit, the Holy Spirit is often the forgotten member of the Trinity. Many Christians have very little understanding or even relationship with the Holy Spirit. Given the fact that the Holy Spirit’s role has been so abused throughout church history, it is understandable He is often ignored, misunderstood, or even resisted.

But that is to our great deficit! The Holy Spirit is the most essential gift Jesus gave his followers before ascending to heaven. In fact, Jesus was adamant that it was good He was going away, for the very reason it meant the Spirit would come upon the Church. The Spirit makes it possible for us to know experientially the love and grace of God. The Spirit comes alongside us to guide, direct, encourage, comfort, convict, and empower as we seek to follow Jesus. He imparts gifts to us to enable us to live as Christ’s witnesses in the world. He personally reassures us we are God’s children, wholly and dearly loved. Who wouldn’t want more of that in their lives?

The Spirit has so much to offer the individual, the church, and the world! In fact, we can truly only be “in Christ” when we live in the Spirit. When we look closely at Scripture, we see that the Holy Spirit is not to be feared, but rather welcomed. He is, as our four-week series will show: a Good Gift, an Essential Gift, A Gift that Keeps Giving, and yes, He does also bring Gifts for us. It is my sincere hope and prayer that by the end of this series, we won’t just know more about the Holy Spirit; but will instead engage more regularly with Him for direction, wisdom, comfort, and empowerment. “Come, Holy Spirit, Come!”

(in)Credible | The Gospel for All

I’ve made a new friend. And I really like him! I want to introduce you to him! Here are some key traits I want you to know before you meet him. First, he’s a thorough, precise historian. Facts matter to him. He’ll often remember important details in a story others leave out. Second, he’s highly respected. He’s a professional…a doctor, nonetheless. He really cares about the physical body and overall health of people. Third, one down-side to him is he can be a bit long-winded, although what he says is pure gold! Fourth, and finally, despite all his previous-mentioned accomplishments, he’s the kind of guy who always brings a generous view of others into the conversation. If we were in the lunchroom of the office and someone’s name came up and people started maligning them, my new friend would likely be the one defending them saying, “Well, I don’t think they’re so bad.” He genuinely has such an inclusive nature. He doesn’t ever want to leave anyone out. Like I said, he’s pretty easy to like!

I’m describing Luke, the author of the books of Luke and Acts in the New Testament, and one of its greatest contributors. His two-volume book—for most scholars agree Luke and Acts were written as one long work—is a unique record of the Story of Jesus and the early church. Paul describes him as “my dear friend Luke, the doctor” in Colossians 4:14 and a “fellow worker” in Philemon 24. Most likely, he was a companion of Paul at various points in his missionary journeys. 2 Timothy 4:11 describes him as a loyal friend who remained by Paul even after others deserted him. He is also the only known Gentile, or non-Jewish, writer of the New Testament. Maybe that explains his bent towards inclusivity?

As followers of Jesus, it’s important every year to immerse ourselves in the Story of Jesus so we remember who it is we are following and why it’s the best way to live. This January through March, leading up to and including Easter, we will be looking at the Story of Jesus through Luke’s perspective. And Luke’s purpose is two-fold: to help us know the “the certainty of the things you have been taught” (1:4)—that it is indeed credible…plausible… believable…compelling, and to make sure we open up this invitation to all people…not just those we think are worthy of it. Luke’s biography of Jesus includes lots of scenes with people generally on the fringe…lepers, tax collectors and sinners, women and children, and Gentiles. My hope and prayer for this series, is that we will find the story of Jesus (in)Credible—both credible in its claims, incredible in its message and ability to transform us, and that we will find both comfort and conviction in the fact that this is the Gospel for Only Some All people.