Life This Side of Heaven

It’s all about who you know. At least, that's how the world operates. However, Jesus turns that on its head when it comes to salvation and eternal life.

Those who first heard the words recorded in Hebrews were living in a world in constant opposition to the Gospel and it was a taking a toll on them. Furthermore, they disheartened by the persecution they were experiencing as Christians. Fatigue was setting in. Their hope and endurance were beginning to fade. They were teetering on the point where they were wondering if they should thrown in the towel. Sound familiar?

Home renovation shows on TV are more popular than ever. And the best part is the "reveal" that comes at the end. But nothing can compare to the transformation that God describes when it comes to the restoration of the house of David. And here's the best part: Through faith, you and I more than just observers.

Is God near or far? It's actually a useful question. And the answer may surprise you.

In Jeremiah’s day, God condemned the false prophets who exchanged His Words for their own. Jeremiah records God as saying, “I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied.” But how were folks to discern who was actually speaking what God had sent them to say from those who were leading them astray? It’s the same question today. How can we tell which voices are those that speak for God –and which are the fakes? God Himself gives us the answer in verses that follow.

Oddly enough, when something like a fatal lightning strike takes place, it’s often referred to as “An Act of God.” However, Scripture describes a much different event, which could be given this name, with a much better outcome.

This week we’ve been taking a closer look at these well-loved words of our Savior in Luke 12:32. And the soothing image of our Good Shepherd, holding us in His arms and telling us “Fear not, little flock,” are comforting in any situation. But it’s the context for these words that make this encouragement leap right off the page.

This week, we're taking a closer look at our Savior's words in the beloved passage of Luke 12:32. However, we may squirm to hear Him refer to us as His “little flock.” In our culture, of ‘bigger is better,” we tend to bristle to be described as “little.” It doesn’t sound very mighty, does it? As a result, the temptation is to try and make ourselves appear larger in status and stature. We don’t wish to appear small or insignificant. The reality, though, is that this description is neither slight nor slander. In fact, it’s a truth that brings remarkable comfort and confidence.

Once in a while it's nice to take a closer look at a familiar and beloved verse. And that's what we're going to do this week with Jesus' words in Luke 12:32, "Fear not, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." And it begins with the familiar words, "Don't be afraid." Here's a familiar phrase from Scripture, but it doesn't appear by in isolation by itself. It's not a command to simply stop shaking. The comfort always comes with the amazing words that follow – as it does here.

There are two well-known phrases that advertisers use to capture our attention when we’re pushing our cart down the aisle at the grocery store. They both begin with the word, “new," but, wow are they different. When Paul talks about our new life in Christ, the apostle wants you and me to know that it's more than cosmetic. What God has given us in our Savior is significant and substantial.

When the world looks at you and me it may have a hard time seeing what it’s all about. As Christians, you and face many of the ver same dilemmas in life that they do. So, they may look and say to themselves, “I don’t see it.” And there's a good reason for that. As Paul explains, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

Here in Colossians, Paul give us a heads up in this life, by providing a useful distinction between “things above” and “earthly things.” And he points out what makes for a firm footing as you and I make our way through this life.

In Luke we hear, “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray.’” And the first thing our Savior did was to teach them how to address their prayer. It’s so familiar that it’s something we may take for granted without giving it much thought. However, today it may be more useful to hear it again than ever.

Chances are good that if you’ve just uttered those words this summer – maybe at a picnic, cookout or barbecue. You’ve just had your fill. You’re topped up. You’re filled to the brim. And without any doubt, you can smile, thank your host, and say, “I’m full!” Have you ever felt like saying that after hearing of God's forgiveness in worship?

It's been said that the new, clear images from the new James Web Space Telescope will help to "better understand the origin of life here on Earth." _ And as Christians, it’s tempted to get roped into thinking that we must go in the opposite direction and use these images to better understand _God. And while they certainly do show His power and handiwork, instead of looking into the darkness of space to better understand God, God Himself directs us to His Son and the love which led Him to the cross on our behalf.

Mary and Martha were delighted to have Jesus visit them at their home in Bethany. However, when Martha sound herself hurried and anxious about dinner time detail, Jesus encouraged her to follow her sisters lead, have a rest and enjoy an opportunity to hear His Word. And in the midst of our own harried and hurried lives, Jesus encourages to you and me to take a loaf off our feet .. and sit at His.

There are two dangers in sharing the Gospel. In telling others of this salvation that God has given to us in our Savior, you’re going to be on the receiving end of what follows – whether it’s gratitude or hostility. Knowing this, and having a second look at the apostle's own call to faith, may give insight into a challenging passage which he shared with the Colossians.

Here in Genesis, Moses describes the meal that Abram set before his guests. And wow, did he ever roll out the red carpet! On this day both he and his wife, Sarai received a welcome announcement. It was the fulfillment of the gracious promise He had made. As a result, God has set before us an amazing meal. It also comes with a blessed announcement and by it we are well fed.

In our jaded days of fraudulent phone scams, you can be sure it raises a few eyebrows to hear Paul announced that we’ve qualified to be a part of group that has received something that sounds too good to be true. Our first response may be, "What must I do?" But the apostle goes on to assure us that God the Father has qualified us for eternal life by what He sent His Son to accomplish for us.

We may look around and conclude that many people throughout the world, and most of the people we know, have heard of Jesus. They may be familiar with some of his miracles. They may have even heard that he died and rose again. But they know how it all fits together. Having heard the Gospel, they may in fact not fully understand what it means and what it is that Jesus has done for them.

It hasn’t been an easy summer for travel. Industry experts say that it’s not going to get better any time soon. However, knowing your destination, and focusing on what awaits, makes all the difference. In Colossians, Paul wants us to know that when it comes to all that you and I face together in this life, this transforms our travel as well.

Harvest time is important not only for farmers but for all of you backyard gardeners and fans of fresh produce. So, how do you know when harvest time has arrived—and what do you do when it has? When it comes to sharing the Gospel, the Good News of our salvation, Jesus gives answer to both of these questions.

It’s surprising how easily it can sneak up on you. You’re doing something you love –gardening, taking a refreshing walk or enjoying an afternoon at the beach– when you’re hit with the familiar bane of summer: the sunburn. There’s another kind of burn that can easily sneak up you and me as God’s children –even as we're busy doing the very things we love.

Long before the words "Shake it off" became the catchy refrain of a song, Jesus said something like it here in Matthew. He told the disciples, “Shake the dust off your feet.” And while it sounds like the kind of thing you may tell your kids before getting into the car after a day at the beach, there's actually more to it than that.

“Who gets out of prison and then looks for a way to get back in?” The answer to that question may startle you. As Paul points out, the answer is that quite often ... it’s you and me. So the apostle reminds us how to live in this freedom that Christ has given to us.

You can almost imagine the apostle Paul, shaking his head, like that announcer, when he saw what was taking place before his eyes. The Galatians had it all. Forgiveness of sins and new life in Christ. The victory was theirs through faith in their Savior who had conquered sin, death and the devil at the cross. However, now they were in danger of fumbling the ball and losing it all. It's the reason folks often become disillusioned with church today. However, Paul directs our focus to Christ so that we don't find ourselves running in the wrong direction.

Superhero movies continue to dominate the box office. Many of those heroes, who put right what was wrong, have the power to shoot fire and lightning. And two of Jesus' disciples even requested this power to punish our Savior's enemies. However, He equipped them, and us, with something much more powerful.

When our Savior came across a man afflicted by demons, He was asked “What do you want with me Jesus?” It's worth knowing that this particular Greek phrase is not the easiest to translate into English. If it was someone today, you could almost imagine him snapping at our Savior and saying, “What are you looking at?” But thankfully, Jesus' response had everything to do with what He saw before Him.

Why did He choose _them? _Of all the people that Jesus could have called, what brought Him to pick this disciples, this group of twelve, and say, “Follow Me”? After all, knowing what they were like, and what they would do, why did He choose them? On the other hand, why has God called you and me?

What God described for Moses must have also sounded like a job that was too good to be true. Having been rescued by God from their slavery in Egypt, He had now set apart the people of Israel for special work. Incredible work! He told them, “you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Why is this important for us today? Now have a listen to what Peter says is true for you and me.

Today, it's sometimes referred to as "canceling." However, the practice of attempting to silence someone for saying something with which another disagrees goes back a long way. Jesus faced this as they attempted to cancel Him and silence the proclamation of the Gospel. So did the disciples. However, the Good News is that we have a Savior who has come and brought forgiveness of sins by canceling the record of debt that stood against us. Here's a message that's too good to be silenced.

Here in Proverbs, Solomon describes the genuine joy with which God brought this world into being and His delight in its creation. But it’s not just the endless blue sky, the verdant green forests, snow capped mountains and deep oceans that are referred to here. Solomon also records that God was, “rejoicing in His whole world and delighting in mankind.” This includes is you and me. And this delight is present today in the restoraton and redemption we have in Christ.

When Peter addressed the crowd that was gathered on the Day of Pentecost, he knew there were many who had rejected Jesus and cheered His crucifixion. It’s as if they had shouted, “Jesus? Not my Savior!” But the apostle earnestly wanted them to know that, yes He was – and is! And by His grace, and through faith, you and I can rejoice to declare, “Father, Son and Holy Spirit! That’s my God!”

"Are you thirsty?" "Do you need a drink of water?" Wait a minute, isn’t that the same question? As it turns out, thirst isn't always a reliable indicator of our body's need for water. God has given us His Holy Spirit. However, we may not always recognize our need for this gracious gift and the refreshment He brings.

Amazed and astonished! Those are the words that Luke used to the awe with which the people present at Pentecost heard the disciples speaking in their own language. And yet, perhaps two more words might be used to describe this scene - "diverse" and "united." Even though there was much to distinguish them, this united them all: hearing the salvation that God had accomplished, in love, for all of them by the death and resurrection of His Son.

The sound of a rushing wind reminds us that we're in the midst of storm season. However, on the Day of Pentecost, what followed next was not torn shingles, uprooted trees, and snapped utility poles. It was the unmistakable fulfillment of what Jesus has promised the disciples before His ascension. And what followed next was just the opposite of a power outage. God had poured out His Holy Spirit and, just as our Savior said, the believers were “clothed with power from on high.” And this "windy season" continues to this day.

In Ephesians, Paul describes what it means that you and I have this day a Savior who has ascended to the right hand of the Father in glory. When he says that God has placed all things under our Savior's feet, the apostle wants us to appreciate fully the tremendous impact this has on our lives and what it means for us this very day.

Each week, in the creed, you and I hear the familiar words which describe the trip taken by our Savior forty days after His resurrection. And we stand to confess, “He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.” However, as our imagination soars to picture our Savior in heaven, if we're not careful, it may seem like a postcard. It may sound like Jesus is now far away and having left us wishing that we were there. But the reality is far more than that. Jesus is here!

This week a royal celebration will get underway, a celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, that will last for four days! Last Thursday, forty days after Easter, the Church celebrated the Ascension of our Lord and chances are good you may have even celebrated yesterday in church. In Ephesians, Paul describes for us the "coronation celebration" of our Savior. Here's a celebration that is ongoing to this very day, by which you and I are blessed, and which will carry on into eternity.

Jesus’ promise to the disciples, that He would not leave them as orphans, may sound like strange comfort to our modern ears. But it wouldn’t have been lost on His followers. And it's tremendous comfort for you and me if we're tempted to feel as if we're facing the struggles of this life alone.

If someone was to ask, “What causes anxiety in your life,” a whole list may flood to mind. We may be tempted to ask, “Where do you want me to start?” But if someone was to ask you for the “reason for the hope that you have,” what would be your answer?

Where do you even begin? Paul may have wondered that as he looked around and saw all the statues erected to idols in Athens. We may see all the sin and idolatry of today's society and wonder, "How is it even possible to share the Gospel in such a lost and confused world?" But have a look at how the Holy Spirit led Paul to proclaim the Gospel and how how those who were brought to faith responded to his message. (Episode art courtesy of FreeBibleImages.com. Used by permission.)

In Revelation, God doesn't say that He will make things new, at some vague point down the road or simply in the future. No, He says, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Did you notice the ongoing present tense of this announcement? Here’s what Easter is all about.

Auf Wiedersehen! Now, there’s a great phrase. If you have friends of German descent, as I do, chances are good they’ve shared it with you at one time or another. Sometimes, the dictionary definition given for it is simply, “Farewell.” But it’s actually even better than that! And it’s a great word to keep in mind as we celebrate what Easter is all about.

Have you ever played, “The Telephone Game”? As the time drew near for our risen Savior to ascend into heaven, He assured the disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit. And one of the reasons for this was to ensure that the disciples didn’t find themselves playing some version of this game when it came to relaying His teaching and the events of the Gospels. God Himself made sure of it.

It's tempting to think that David's phrase in Psalm 23, "the valley of the shadow of death," describes only a short portion at the end. But it's comforting to him affirm that the goodness and love of God will be with us all the days of our lives. You and I have a risen Savior who is with us, not simply at the moment of death, but throughout our days – the sunny ones as well as those that seem dark.

“Homoousios” There’s a handy Greek word to keep in your top pocket as we continue our celebration of Easter. But before I get to that, let me tell you about something about shaving.

Today, calling someone a sheep has become an insult. During our never-ending election cycle it’s become popular for rival parties to hurl the term at each other’s followers. To call someone a sheep is to describe them as stupid, foolish, and easily led astray. However, if we’re not careful, we might get swept along with this current trend, of using this term as an insult, and lose along with it a beautiful description of the love that God has for you and me.

It sounds almost comical. Who gets dressed up to jump into the water? Luke tells us that's what Peter did. I can’t help but imagine the sopping wet and smiling disciple standing before Jesus that day. Although, you and I may share some similarities with Peter as a result of our risen Savior's Easter victory. (Episode artwork courtesy of Good News Productions International and College Press Publishing. FreeBibleImages.org Used by permission.)

In Revelation, John gives us a glimpse of the song sung in celebration of the resurrection. It began with the women running to tell the disciples that they had seen the risen Savior. Then we hear the excited voices of the disciples join in, then Thomas, and then the camera zooms out to show the many more who joined in. But here that number becomes breathtaking! And then he reveals that one of those voices in this remarkable chorus is yours.