Share with me your belief on Baptism

QUESTION: The Bible is clear on Baptism; however, there are quite a few different interpretations on Baptism out there. I would love it if you would share with me your belief or interpretation about baptism?  

 The disciples were baptized with water for repentance. But in order for them to become fearless, and bold they need Jesus’ baptism – they need Jesus to baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire. The disciples, in their fears, doubt, and feeling of hopelessness, Jesus comforted them with ‘peace.’ Then he breathed on them and told them to receive the Holy Spirit.

I believe that Jesus breathed on them the resurrection power, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. The disciples were spiritually dead and in hiding. They were crippled by the fear of losing their lives, and the fear of ever being able to preach Christ again. The resurrection power of Christ Jesus breathed new life into them and raised the church up from death to life in the risen Christ.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

QUESTION IS: Can the church function effectively without the Holy Spirit?

The church cannot function effectively without the Holy Spirit. The church, however, can function without the Fire of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit existed from the beginning. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were from the beginning. Hence, the church always has the Holy Spirit. The church is not a building; it is a body of believers who trust in the risen Christ. The Early Church was follower of Jesus Christ, and the church today will continue to follow Christ to the end of the age.
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry. John preached the Good News, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” I have heard some said that John the Baptist did not preach good news. Yes, John preached the Good News! Luke refers to John’s preaching as the Good News (Luke 3:18). The Good News is a call to repent, to turn from selfish desires and turn to God, get baptize, and receive the kingdom of heaven, the reign of God in Christ in Jesus.

John the Baptist preached repentance and baptism before Jesus’ arrival for ministry, Jesus preached repentance and baptism after John, and the disciples preached repentance and baptism after Jesus.
A call to repent, baptize, and receive Jesus in the preacher’s proclamation is not bad news; on the contrary it is “Good News.”

Where does the church stands today on preaching the good news of repentance, baptism and receiving Jesus Christ?

When John the Baptist called people to repent, the Holy Spirit propelled them to repent and drew them to John to be baptized. I imagine John baptized thousands of people in his day! Perhaps the reason we are not baptizing thousands today it is because we are no longer preaching the good news of repentance and baptism and receiving Jesus - the kingdom of heaven – the reign of God in Christ.

What is the difference between John’s baptism and Jesus’ baptism?

John made it clear that he baptizes with water for repentance, but Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Matthew 3:11). Well, that tells us something about the degree of the work of the Holy Spirit in John’s ministry, and the work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ ministry. John’s baptism propels the people to repent – to turn from the ways of sin, turn to God, get baptized and receive the kingdom of heaven that was about to arrive on the scene in Jesus Christ. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire, and his baptism empowers or removes fear and gives the believer boldness to be Christ’s witness through the world.

Jesus himself was baptized by John in order to fulfill all righteousness (Matt. 3:15). Righteous is to be in right standing with God the Father, it is to stand on God’s side – the side of truth. Righteousness is faith in Jesus Christ; it is putting complete faith and trust in God the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord and savior. And Jesus would fulfill all righteousness by baptizing the disciples with the Holy Spirit and fire. At Jesus’ baptism, when he came up out of the waters of his baptism, the heavens were opened and the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighted on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:16 - 4:1).

Present at Jesus’ baptism was the mystery of the Trinity, the one God in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In Jesus is God the Son, in the voice which spoke out of the heavens is God the Father, and the Dove, which alighted on Jesus, is the Holy Spirit and fire. We use symbols for the Holy Spirit as Dove or Fire. I believe Jesus at his baptism received the Holy Spirit and Fire. I believe Jesus was empowered by the Holy Spirit and Fire at his baptism to carry out His ministry all the way to the cross, to his death burial and resurrection, and all the way to his ascension.

Jesus launched his ministry in Galilee after his baptism, and after he returned from the wilderness where he overcame Satan’s temptation. Thus, Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy, “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” Jesus began to preach the same message that John preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Jesus, the light of the world has come to people, to draw them out of their darkness into light. Jesus, the kingdom of heaven has come; the reign of God in Christ Jesus, the shalom of God in Christ, has come to Galilee of the Gentiles. And Jesus would reach out to broken people. In Jesus’ ministry the blind received their sight, the lame walked, the lepers were cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead were raised, and the poor received the good news. Jesus was bold! He was on fire for ministry, empowered by the Holy Spirit and Fire to heal sick people, to boldly walk up to fisher men mending their nets on the shores of Galilee and say to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” How bold is that! When the Holy Spirit and Fire come upon or empowers the believer there is boldness and fearlessness to proclaim truthfully the Gospel of Christ – the Good News.

Jesus gathered twelve believers as his inner circle of disciples. He taught them the Word for three years, and in those three years they still did not understand much of what Jesus had to say to them. At times it was amazing how dense or thick headed the disciples were when it came to understanding Jesus. Once Jesus asked his disciples who do they think he really is? And Jesus told Peter that his answer came from the Father in heaven. Peter was finally getting it! Jesus was so excited that he tells Peter, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.” It was only moments after that Peter began to reprimand Jesus for telling the disciples that he would suffer and be killed in Jerusalem and on the third day be raised from the dead. Instead of trying to understand what Jesus had said and respond with concern and compassion, Peter rebuked Jesus. Jesus, in turn responded 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.” 

The church today faces the same problem when it comes to listening to the Holy Spirit. Anyone who listens to the Holy Spirit’s leading is considered to have stepped out of line with the church and be reprimanded. Believers are afraid to pray a decent prayer to God for the sick and dare to believe God for healing. Jesus dares to set free, people who were held captive by sin. His ministry would take him on a journey that only the Fire of the Holy Spirit can withstand.  

When Jesus was taken away to be crucified, his inner circle of disciples abandoned him. They literally went in hidings! Peter who told Jesus’ “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” disassociated himself from Jesus out of fear for his life. It was not until after the resurrection when Jesus entered the room where they were hiding, and breathed on them to receive the Holy Spirit that they came out from behind locked doors. St. John tells us, “it was the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22).

After Jesus’ resurrection he breathed on his disciples and sent them out from behind closed doors.

The disciples were baptized with water for repentance. But in order for them to become fearless, and bold they need Jesus’ baptism – they need Jesus to baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire. The disciples, in their fears, doubt, and feeling of hopelessness, Jesus comforted them with ‘peace.’ Then he breathed on them and told them to receive the Holy Spirit.

I believe that Jesus breathed on them the resurrection power, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. The disciples were spiritually dead and in hiding. They were crippled by the fear of losing their lives, and the fear of ever being able to preach Christ again. The resurrection power of Christ Jesus breathed new life into them and raised the church up from death to life in the risen Christ.

Were the disciples fully empowered for ministry after Jesus breathed on them to receive the Holy Spirit?

I think they still needed to be baptized with the Holy Spirit Fire! The Fire of the Holy Spirit would empower the disciples to be bold and fearless to go into all the world and preach the Gospel of Christ. It would make them fearless to preach the Gospel even in the face of death. The church today needs the Holy Spirit Fire if it is going to raise up new missions, start new congregations, heal the sick, do justice, and preach the Gospel in a way that will change lives.

Were the disciples fully empowered for ministry on the day of Pentecost?

I believe that the full empowerment of the disciples was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. And after that they were fully empowered to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Luke tells us that Jesus ordered his disciples not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father. He told them that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them and they will be his witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Act 1).

Whether we want to believe it or not, God had to finish the work of the Holy Spirit in the disciples. God also finished the work in Jesus Christ, which led him from his birth to his ministry, from his ministry to the cross until He said, “It is finished.” The ‘work’ in Jesus led him from the cross to the grave and from the grave to the victory of the resurrection. The same is true today, just like the disciples, God, through Jesus Christ must finish in us the work of the Holy Spirit.  As believers, we need to cry out to God in repentance, as David did, “[Forgive me of my sins], do not take your Holy Spirit from me -- and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:9-10). We need to cry out, “Baptize me Oh God, with the Fire of the Holy Spirit.”

The second infilling of the Holy Spirit was with the Holy Spirit Fire on the day of Pentecost. This was after Jesus’ ascension.  Luke tells in (Acts 2), “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.”

There were about fifteen different nations of people present, and each heard the disciples spoke to them in language they knew. Some people today interpret this to mean a heavenly language in which all the disciples spoke one language and God mysteriously allowed each nation to hear the spoken word in their own language. Some believe that the disciples spoke different languages and the Holy Spirit mysteriously allows those present to hear their own language without confusion. The mysteries of God have many interpretations by us humans. But blessed are those who did not see or hear and yet believe, and the just shall live by faith (John 20:29, Hebrews. 10:38).

The infilling of the Holy Spirit and Fire was complete at Pentecost and the disciples were empowered and ready to boldly, and fearlessly preach the gospel throughout the world.

Once Paul the Apostle was passing through Ephesus and found some of Jesus’ disciples. He asked them whether they received the Holy Spirit when they became believers. They told Paul that they had not even heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul then asked them, into what were they baptized. And they answered, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul explained to them that “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” Upon hearing this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, when Paul laid his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:6).  

We know that these disciples were already baptized with water for repentance and they themselves gave witness to that. However, they needed to be baptized in the name of the Lord. They needed to be baptized with Jesus’ baptism, which is the Holy Spirit and Fire. So, Paul the Apostle who himself was baptized with Jesus’ baptism – with the Holy Spirit and Fire, laid hands on the believers at Ephesus and they were baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Please follow my blog and make your comments on what you have read. Please let me hear your interpretations and discussions. The peace of the Lord be with you. Amen.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE HOLY SPIRIT:

The Holy Spirit is and was from the beginning and was present when God created the heavens and the earth. In the very beginning the earth was formless, empty and covered with darkness. The Holy Spirit hovers over the waters of the earth. It was with the hovering of the Holy Spirit that God created the light, separated the light from the darkness to create day and night or evening and morning and so on (Genesis 1). From the beginning there was the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was present on earth in nature, and in communities, at Jesus’ birth, during his life and ministry, and notably, after his resurrection. The Holy Spirit is God’s presence in community.

The Hebrew word ruach is the English word “Spirit.”
The Greek word ‘pneuma’ means ‘wind’ or ‘breath.’ Pneuma denotes life or life-giving.

Look at the trees on a front lawn, on a hiking expedition, or on a nature trail. On that front lawn, hiking expedition or nature trail all the trees stand still as though there is no life at all in them. Their leaves are green and beautiful and they are standing strong and tall in the air; the shrubs underneath them are motionless, and both trees and shrubs are standing as though there is not a single sign of life in them. Is the Holy Spirit present in this scene? Absolutely! The ‘ruach’ Spirit was present when the earth was formless, empty and dark without a sign of life. For the trees and shrubs to show signs of life they need the ‘pneuma’ spirit or the ‘pneuma’ wind to blow upon them. The Greek word ‘pneuma’ is ‘wind’ or ‘breath.’ The Pneuma wind is life giving. It gives evidence of life – movement to the trees and shrubs – to nature and to the whole creation.

In the Old Testament, David knew something of the Holy Spirit. In his sinfulness, he realized that he was helpless to stop his sinning without the help of the Holy Spirit. He knew that in order for him to have a pure heart and a right spirit it had to be the work of the Holy Spirit. But David also knew that he needed to ask or welcome the Holy Spirit in his worship and in his prayer life. In other words, he needed to allow the Holy Spirit free reign in his existence. David came to the conclusion that he could do nothing worthwhile and lasting without the help of the Holy Spirit. He understood that sin was his master unless he invites the Holy Spirit to come and help him. He knew that having a right relationship with God is to permit himself to be in God’s presence and in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Knowing this, David humbled himself and cried out to God in repentance saying, “Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

David asked God to forgive him of sin, to change the condition of his heart, and place within him the Holy Spirit who is unwavering and committed.

In our own strength we cannot stop sinning – making mistakes. We cannot by our own strength stop sinful behavior. We need to accept the help of the Holy Spirit to draw us to Jesus through the Gospel through whom the Holy Spirit abundantly forgives our sins.

I concur with Luther in his ‘Small Catechism’ which states: “I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him. But instead the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, Enlightened me with his gifts, make me holy, and kept me in the true faith. . . Daily in this Christian church the Holy Spirit abundantly forgives all sins . . .”

THE QUESTION IS: Can the church function without the Holy Spirit?

The essence of the ‘Gospel’ is ‘salvation’ and the essence of ‘salvation’ is the work of the Holy Spirit

The essence of the ‘Gospel’ is ‘salvation’ and the essence of ‘salvation’ is the work of the Holy Spirit. “God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as you sent upon the disciples, the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, look upon your Church and open our hearts to the power of the Spirit. Kindle in us the fire of your love, and strengthen our lives for service in your kingdom; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

What is the Gospel?
The Greek word Euangelion, is translated in English meaning “good news” in the New Testament (NT). Jesus preached the good news that the kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1) and in Luke 7, he sends message to John the Baptist in prison that the poor have the good news preached to them. Paul the Apostle, in Romans 1, preached the good news of what God has done on behalf of humanity in Christ. In Mark 16, Jesus affirms his disciples, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
The Gospel is the Good News and the essence of the Gospel is ‘salvation’

What is salvation?
Salvation is “Deliverance from the power or penalty of sin.” Or, to be delivered, rescued or saved from something that is not good for our wellbeing or for our relationship with God.
Harper Collins Bible Dictionary, states that the word salvation has its root in God’s divine help, especially when we are faced with adversity. It is at that time God, comes in and rescues and delivers us from perils. Salvation also includes deliverance from other forms of conflict, especially when it relates to people’s relationship with God. So the Gospel is preached to bring salvation or deliverance to the hearers who believe the preached Word. The Gospel of Mark 16 tells us, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.”

In Romans 1, Paul testifies to the Romans, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”

The essence of the ‘Gospel’ is ‘salvation’ and the essence of ‘salvation’ is the work of the Holy Spirit.

Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the mysterious power or presence of God in nature or with individuals and in communities. The Holy Spirit inspires, empowers individuals and communities with ability that would not be possible otherwise (HarperCollins Bible Dictionary).
The Hebrew word ruach, is translation in English as “Spirit.” The Greek word pneuma, is translated in English as “wind” or “breath”. Pneuma denotes life or life-giving.

In the Old Testament (OT) the Holy Spirit creates as in Genesis 1 and 2.
The Holy Spirit is a source of inspiration and power.
The Holy Spirit inspires God’s revelation and activity in communities of people. This is evidenced by the prophets of old whom the Holy Spirit gave authority and power to act and speak with authority.
The Holy Spirit is God’s presence in community.

In the NT God, empowers Jesus with the Holy Spirit as Messiah in Matt. 3 & 12, Mark 1 and Luke 3 & 4. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit empowers the church for mission.
Luke tells us in the Book of Acts 1:4, how when Jesus was eating with the Apostles he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about, for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
In Acts 1:8 Jesus tells his disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Jesus knew that the disciples had to be empowered by the Holy Spirit in order to be bold witnesses for Christ and in order to carry out the Great Commission of the church.
Luke witnessed in Acts 2:1-11, “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-- we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” (Verse 47) affirms how the Lord added to the church in number daily those who were being saved.

THE QUESTION IS: Can the church function without the Holy Spirit?

This Odd and Wondrous Calling

Sermon title: “This Odd and Wondrous Calling” By Pastor Salome

Let us pray:
Your ‘Word’ O God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Light our path with your Word. Amen.

I started reading a book entitled “This Odd and Wondrous Calling.” I ‘d liked the title so much that I seem to take more time to put my own life story on the pages of that book, and less time reading it. In fact, I believe this title is a perfect theme for today’s Gospel passage; “This Odd and Wondrous Calling.” It is a good sermon title for all the Epiphany passages. To give a clearer picture of what led up to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, I will need to draw your attention to last week’s Epiphany passage referring to John the Baptist.

John the Baptist had experienced this ‘Odd and Wondrous Calling.” God had called him from his mother’s womb to be a herald or an announcer for Jesus. John accepted the ‘call’ and his assignment was to proclaim to the people “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” As a Herald [messenger, announcer] for Jesus, John is given a specific message for the people. He proclaims to them, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." Last Sunday was the Third Sunday of Epiphany, when the Gospel revealed to us the profound ‘cost’ of laying hold of and carrying out the task of this odd and wondrous call of God. I believe John knew the cost. I believe he knew that calling people to repentance might cost him his very life, yet he was faithful and obedient to God. He did what he was called to do. I believe the people who followed him, did not fully understand the depth of what John was saying when he declared to them, “He, (Jesus) must increase, but I, (John), must decrease” (John 3:30).

We must also decrease and Christ must increase in our Christian lives. John’s truthful proclamation of the Gospel got him arrested and imprisoned. There is a cost for proclaiming truthfully, the Gospel of Christ. All of us as Christ’s body are called to proclaim the Good News. In doing so, it may cost us something, it may cost us everything. Thank God that we have the freedom in the United States to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. However, in some parts of the world people lose their lives every day for the sake of Christ Jesus.

Last week’s Epiphany Gospel passage continues to unfold as it tells us that when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He left his home town in Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum in Galilee, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles --the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." (Matt. 4:12-16).
The passage reveals to us John’s arrest and Jesus embarking on his ‘call’ to ministry - ‘This Odd and Wondrous Calling.’ John’ witness, “He (Jesus) must increase, but I (John) must decrease” is fulfilled. And the arrival of the light of the world has come to Galilee! The shalom of God is here! The reign of God is about to begin! God has invaded earth, in Jesus Christ! And Galilee is the place in Palestine, for the shalom of God to begin!

Let me draw a picture of the Galilee upon which Jesus embarked. Galilee in the time of Jesus was a district of Palestine situated fifty miles from north to south, twenty-five miles from east to west and densely populated. It was connected by the coastal strip and was a very busy place. At that time the Way of the Sea – the road to commerce/trade led from Damascus through Galilee to Egypt and Africa. The traffic of the world passed through Galilee. Galilee was invaded and conquered repeatedly, and was often overflowing with newcomers/immigrants. Galilee’geographical location made it a perfect place for foreign influence and new ideas.

The name Galilee comes from the Hebrew word ‘galil,’ which means circle. To the north and east, were the Syrians, and to the south were the Samaritans. All of which made Galilee open to new ideas in a way that no other part of Palestine was. Remember how in Matt. 28:19-20, Jesus gives the Great Commission to His disciples? “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Well, Galilee in Jesus’ time represented the WORLD! And it was the one place in all of Palestine where a new teacher name, Jesus of Nazareth, with his message “repents for the kingdom of heaven has come near,” and his miracles would be heard and witnessed.

The people in Galilee were receptive to Jesus’ teachings! And like John, his message was a call for people to repentance - to turn from their own ways, and turn to God. Jesus’ message was a command for people to lift up their eyes from earthly things, earthly desires and earthly passions, and look to God. Jesus the light of the world has come to those who sat in the darkness of their sin and they would hear the Good News. The blind would receive their sight, the lame would walk, the lepers would be cleansed, the deaf would hear, the dead would be raised up, and the poor have good news brought to them. Jesus proclaimed the Gospel throughout Galilee. During His ministry He called His twelve disciples. To some He said follow me, to others he said follow me and I will teach you how to fish for people. He would teach them how to catch people with the net of the Gospel of Christ. They left everything behind – all that they ever knew and followed Jesus.

What have we left behind to follow Jesus? Let us think about it?

Today’s Gospel, Matthew 5, unfolds to us Jesus’ very profound Sermon on the Mount or The Beatitudes. Jesus went on a common mountain in Galilee, sat down; with his followers near and disciples came to Him, he began to teach them. It was time for Jesus to teach his disciples the real truth of the Word, and I imagine the blessing was that the crowd was listening. Jesus was already fishing for people. He was casting the net of the Gospel to the crowd. And he was bound to bring salvation to many people.

In Jesus’ day the law had been often misinterpreted, and Jesus was about to change that. He was going to send out his disciples to preach the Good News to the poor in spirit, to those who mourn, to the meek, to those who are hungry for righteousness, to the merciful, to the pure in heart, to the peacemakers, and to those who are insulted and persecuted every day. So, Jesus wanted them to have a clear and distinct knowledge of the Word of God if they were going to proclaim truthfully the Gospel of Christ.

The general opinion in those days was that, “Blessed are those who are rich and great, and honorable in the world; blessed are those who spend their days in fun, and pleasure; blessed are those who eat the fat of the land, and drink the sweet of the land, and rule over others with a heavy hand.” Those were the blessed. But our Lord Jesus came as the light of the world to correct this wrong, and to give a new understanding of ‘Blessedness’ and blessed people. The teachings of our Lord Jesus, would remove the discouragement from the weak, and the poor who receive the Gospel of Christ, and assure them that the gospel not only make happy those with wealth. But even the least in the kingdom of heaven, whose heart was upright with God, they too were happy in the kingdom, in the reign of God, in the shalom of God. Souls would come to Christ, and Jesus would teach them the truth about the law of God and the people would receive law into their hearts. They would know that the poor in spirit is blessed, the persecuted is blessed. The pronouncement of the blessing was not just at the end of Jesus’ sermon to dismiss the people, but at the beginning to prepare them for all that he had to say to them.

This ‘Odd and Wondrous Calling’ did not end with the call of the disciples. But like the Disciples, Jesus also calls us and gave us the Great Commission and sends us to “Go into all the World to all people – to the rich, the poor, the hungry, the sick and make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey the Word, and he promised that He is with us always to the end of the age.” Jesus is still calling us today. And he is also saying to us, ‘Follow me,’ [and I will teach you how to fish for people with the net of the Gospel. I will teach you how to impact the lives of those who are brokenhearted, downtrodden, oppressed, alienated, naked, hungry and discouraged. I will teach you how to impact their lives with the love of Christ Jesus].

Proclaiming the truth of the gospel is costly! It costs John the Baptist his life in prison. It costs Jesus his life on the cross at Calvary. It was there at the cross He laid it down for the sins of the whole world. Jesus suffered and died for the sins of the world, for our sins, but His resurrection brought us life, eternal life with Christ forever. And as we continue to lay hold of this ‘Odd and Wondrous Calling, as we continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ as we are all called to do; we must not give up, we must not be discouraged, because he promised to be with us always even to the end of the age.

You are loved. God loves you with an everlasting love. You are God’s Royal Priests empowered with the Great Commission to go into the World and fish for people with the net of the Gospel. You are God’s beloved sons and daughters in whom God is well pleased. And in your baptism, you and I are marked with the cross of Christ, and sealed by the Holy Spirit forever.

Amen

SEARCHING FOR HIGHER POWER

My face book friends

Reiterating: I believe a person, who is searching for God, and for some the higher power, is like unto one who is lost in a vast forest or wilderness. He walks until his shoes are worn, his feet have blisters, he is hungry for food, and thirsty for water with no end in sight. He decides to look for streams of water between the rocks and trees of this vast forest. The irony here is that the streams of water is not lost, it is right where it is supposed to be in the forest. And it is the one who is thirsty that has to find it. When he finds it he rejoices and drinks and lives, or he drinks and lives and rejoices.

The Good News is God is not lost, and Jesus calls us to God through His Gospel.

What problem the one who is searching faces?

In order to search for something one needs direction to where one might think one is going. Nowadays when a person is searching for a place especially, in unfamiliar territory it is common for that person to set up a GPS. Today there are some very sophisticated ones. Although in rear instances a GPS may try to direct a person to a river or two, they are pretty accurate most of the time and will take the person to the destination thus, bringing an end to the search.
Without direction the search for God or as some might say, a higher power is like unto one who is lost in a vast forest like the story above with no real direction. Unless a person is familiar with the place where he is going he may get lost.  

Like in the story above, a map might show where streams of water are, where a monument is located,  and dangerous areas to avoid. Without a map, a compass or some form of directional guide there is a strong possibility of one being lost in a wilderness or forest.  

What then would you say to the one searching for God or as some might say a higher power?

The one who is searching is really searching for salvation; he is seeking to be saved or to be rescued from something. He is seeking salvation from whatever ails or afflicts him.

What then is the answer?

Reiterating: The Good News is that God is not lost, and Jesus calls us to God through His Gospel.
The Bible is our Map, our compass, and it is an amazing guide for all who are searching for God.
One needs salvation from what might be a never ending search.  
The answer then lies in the Gospel – the Good News about Jesus Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation – the power of God to save, rescue or to deliver, and bring an end to the search. Thus restoring or bringing about a right relationship with God.

Searching can be tiresome. But Jesus is calling the searchers, and he is saying, “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.” (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus wants to give us rest from our search and instead he wants us to rest in him.

QUESTION FOR TODAY

Shear: How are you resting in Jesus Christ?

Searching

 Many people, especially our younger generation are searching for God. They want to know, who is this God that is talked about, called upon, and proclaimed. Yet, many have not come to know or find this God. It seems like a dilemma, both in the world and sadly, in the church.
Is there an answer to this dilemma?
Does the church have an answer?
The Gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation. What then is the Gospel?
The Gospel is the good news about Jesus Christ.

When the life of Jesus is told or preached – when his birth, his life, his ministry, his death, burial and resurrection is told or preached, we have the good news. Although the good news seems obscured by his oppression and his death, the good news came to life or became clear at his resurrection. So Jesus’ life –ministry, death, burial and resurrection, especially His resurrection is the ultimate Good News and the essence of salvation.

What then is salvation? The dictionary has several meanings. One is “Deliverance from the power or penalty of sin.” So one could say, salvation means to be delivered, rescued or saved from something that is not good for us or for our relationship with God.
According to Harper Collins Bible Dictionary, the term ‘salvation’ has lost its original meaning. It states that the word salvation is rooted in God’s divine help, especially in circumstances where God’s people face an adversary. God comes in and rescues and delivers from perils. Salvation also includes deliverance from other forms of conflict, especially relating to people’s relationship with God.

 The Gospel or the Good News is in direct correlation with salvation. In a nutshell, the Gospel is the essence of salvation.

 KJV Mark 16:15, Jesus told his disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
 NIV Mark 16:15 “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
NRS Mark 16:15 “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”

In the language of Christianity, the God for whom people are searching is found in Jesus Christ, the one who died on the cross to atone for sinful humanity. Jesus is the one whom Isaiah wrote about in the book of Isaiah Chapter 53 saying, “He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.”

The devastation of Jesus’ life became the Ultimate Good News at His resurrection. The Good News is the Gospel and the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. The Gospel is the power of God to rescue from the bondage of sin, and it is the essence of salvation for seekers.

 Many people are searching for answers how to be saved from all kinds of things in the world, which ail or afflict them. In other words people are seeking for salvation; they are seeking to be saved or to be rescued from something that is not good for the physical, mental or spiritual health. And everyone likes to be healthy.

What then is the answer for those who are still searching?

The answer then lies in the Gospel – the Good News about Jesus Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation – the power of God to save, rescue or to deliver the one who searches for God, and bring an end to the search.

 I believe a person, who is searching for God, is like one who is lost in a vast forest or wilderness. He walks until his shoes are worn, his feet have blisters, he is hungry for food, and thirsty for water with no end in sight. He decides to look for streams of water between the rocks and trees of this vast forest. And the irony here is that the streams of water is not lost, it is right where it is supposed to be in the forest. And it is the one who is thirsty that has to find it. When he finds it he rejoices and drinks and lives, or he drinks and lives and rejoices.

The Good News is God is not lost, and Jesus calls us to God through His Gospel.

When the Gospel is preached – the life, ministry, death, burial and resurrection of the risen Christ, the one who is searching for God will be saved from his wilderness whatever his wilderness may be and his search for God will come to an end. He will rejoice that he has found that for which he searches.

By: Pastor Salome