Life This Side of Heaven

So Jesus told them, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.” That doesn’t sound like much, but listen to what He points out next. Like seeds growing on a farm, in this low-key, unostentatious, un-showy way, God Word's Word is planted – and in this way He grows His kingdom.

Sadly, for many, the Christian life is thought of as little more than matter of rules and regulations. Instead, as Paul points out, it’s the free and joy-filled life that comes in grateful response to the salvation God has given to us in His Son.

In Ezekiel, the prophet tells us of a planting that didn't take. In sinful impatience the people of Judah learned a hard lesson. However, he goes on to tell us of another planting- this one by God Himself. And today, we rest in the shade of His mercy.

When Jesus describes the "abundant life," it's easy to look around and ask, "Where is it?" In 2 Corinthians, Paul describes the specific vision problem that all of us face–young or old. Thankfully, he also points us to faith's "corrective lenses."

Have I committed the unforgivable sin? If there’s ever a question that causes more concern, and raises even more questions, it’s hard to imagine it. For consciences, already tormented with guilt from sin, the thought that there may be one for which no pardon is possible, is terrifying. If you are concerned with this question there is real comfort for you in God's Word that you will want to hear.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul, who was a tent-maker by trade, uses a vivid image to describe these earthly bodies of ours. And, in many ways they’re like an old tent. It’s not always as easy camp. But the apostle points us to the sure and certain hope that is ours, through faith, in Christ and the resurrection.

Sometimes, with all of the struggles and trouble that comes our way in life, if you and I were to focus our eyes on our temporal plight it would be hard not to feel crushed and disappointed. But there’s more to your story, and God's Word directs our focus to it.

Whenever there is a shortage of something the one thing you can count on is a surplus of blame. And when Adam sinned and found himself bereft of holiness and righteousness he quickly began to point fingers. It's a reaction we share when we stumble and fall into sin. It makes God's promise of grace even more remarkable.

When Adam and Eve rebelled against God and disobeyed His command they experienced something they had not known up until this point – guilt and shame. Sometimes the shame you feel may remain long after the guilt of your sin has been absolved. But God wants you to know that in our Savior's death for us on the cross, He has taken away both our guilt and our shame.

The account of our first parents’ fall into sin, in Genesis, is so well-known that it’s easy to overlook some interesting details. And one of them comes here – when they attempt to hide from God. Take a look at how often our loving, and patient, Lord provides them with perfect opportunities to confess their sin. Notice the wonderful opportunities God gives to us to do the same.

On the Day of Pentecost, and in our Baptism, God has given us a very special gift. The Holy Spirit enables us to hear God’s Word and connect the dots. He leads us to see how our lives and all of Scripture connect together in Christ.

Isaiah must have been shocked when asked who would share the Good News of God's salvation? After all, it’s not like there was a shortage of angels for this royal task. Like a pupil raising in his hand in class, and hoping to be called upon, the prophet didn't hesitate with his answer, "Here am I. Send me."

"Say, 'Ah.'” Those two words may fill you with dread if you’re sitting in a dentist’s chair. You’re being asked to open your mouth so that they may see inside. Isaiah’s mouth must have opened wide all by itself when he was given a vision of God seated in glory.

Nicodemus, the Pharisee who came to visit Jesus at night, may have felt at first that what Jesus told him sounded like a riddle. He said something that left him puzzled, and it may still leave some puzzled today. He described something that only God Himself can accomplish.

Confessing our Savior may mean risking everything, our comfort, our popularity, our standing and our place among family, friends and community, but it's worth it. He's worth it.

From humble beginnings it has now spread across the globe. And many years ago it was decided that a useful way to tell people about it, and distinguish it from all others, would be to summarize it in a few, well-chosen words. These words have become so familiar that many people even have them memorized. And that may include you.

When families gather to enjoy supper, the words of Psalm 145:15-16 are often spoken as the table prayer before the meal. They remind us that our food comes as a gift from God’s hand. But they may also raise some questions.

The key moment in any mystery movie comes when the summation takes place. The main character will describe the crime and then point their finger at the one who has been found guilty. Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus noted that when the Holy Spirit came He would convict the entire world. However, unlike the summation in a mystery movie, it doesn't end there. He goes on to point to the innocent ... the innocent suffering and death of our Savior in whom we have salvation through faith.

God knows that we are all unique individuals from different places, different backgrounds and different life experiences. We don’t look the same and we don’t sound the same. Those in Jerusalem who heard Peter on the Day of Pentecost didn’t cease to be individuals. But the events of that day remind us that remarkably, in Christ God has made us one.

What is your “heart language”? That term is often used to describe the language that a person speaks and understands better than any other. It’s the language that you think in and which speaks to your heart. God knows yours.

With a remarkable vision, God showed the prophet Ezekiel that despite how hopeless their situation appeared, He would breathe new life into them with the coming of the Savior. And this is remarkable good news for you and me as well.

This week, as you and I celebrate Pentecost and the fulfillment of God’s promise to pour out His Spirit on all people, we hear Jesus say, “He will witness about Me.” However, you may be wondering, “What is there left to know about our Savior than we haven’t already heard and learned from His Word?” What exactly is it that the Holy Spirit does?

Have you ever heard the phrase, "The proof is in the pudding"? The world would like you to look with distaste at all that is around you, wrinkle your nose and push Jesus, the Gospel and salvation away. But God Himself has stepped forward to assure you of the forgiveness of sins and new life His Son has accomplished for you. Here's why David trusted God, and says in Psalm 34, "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."

Jesus prayed, “As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” Into the world! That sounds daunting, doesn’t it? The sheer magnitude of the task might leave us immobilized, much the same way one person might feel if they were to put on a pair of cleaning gloves and look out over an entire building. Where do you even start?

Sanctify isn’t one of those words that pops up in daily conversation. It means to “make holy.” Okay, using one church word to define another church word may not help either. Sanctify means “to set apart.” Ah! Now, the picture becomes clear as we hear Jesus prayer that for you and me to be sanctified in the truth.

As Christians, there are times when we may feel like praying to God, and saying, “Take me out coach!” Serving in this sin-filled world leaves us worn out, weary and exhausted. The bench starts to look pretty good. That’s why this part Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane may leave us bewildered and scratching our head.

In Acts, we hear of one of the apostles for whom little is known today – Matthias. So, why did the Holy Spirit inspire Luke to record this name for us here in Scripture?

On more than a few occasions, Jesus cautioned the disciples to, so to speak, “be careful out there.” But, thankfully, He did much more than simply issue words of warning.

Joy! And not only joy, but as Luke points out, “great joy”! At Jesus ascension, the disciples had just watched as Jesus was taken up, physically, before their eyes into the clouds. It would be tempting to think that they would be sad. But Luke explains in Acts why this was an occasion for great joy – for them and for you and me.

Hope and power. Those are words that we hear a lot in Scripture. Paul touches upon both of them in Ephesians when he describes our Savior’s ascension and what this means for you and me. And just listen to the excitement with which the he shares this good news. However, chances are good that when you heard this verse, it didn’t have you sitting on the edge of your seat. That has a lot to do with how these words are used in our culture. But take a closer look at what he means.

It was forty days after His resurrection. Jesus had shown Himself alive to the disciples and He used this time to make clear what it means that you and I have a rise and living Savior. Now on this day, Jesus, in the presence of His disciples, ascended bodily into the glory of His Father, just as He promised –to prepare a place for us in heaven. Here's an event that impacts our lives – and every part of it.

The word “obedience” gets a bum rap in our culture. When people hear it they usually think of those things that they’re kept from doing. However, as you and I grow in Christ and abide in Him, keeping His Word, and following His will, becomes the very thing that the new man the Holy Spirit has created in us desires. In fact, it’s such joy that Jesus wants you and me to have it as well.

Peter doesn’t even try to list all of the prophets from the Old Testament, but he does point out what each and every one of them has in common – one purpose and one message. Here’s the cast of all those whom God sent to testify to His plan to bring real forgiveness of sins to everyone who trusts in His Son. That includes you and me.

There are times when you and I may find ourselves retreating to the comfort zone and the illusion of boundaries that don’t exist. Someone may come to church who doesn’t look like the rest of us. But God calls us to step out of the box and see what we actually have in common .. our sins and our Savior who has come to bring His grace to all of us.

If you sang Psalm 150 in worship last Sunday, as many of our congregations did, you were blessed to sing this phrase a lot – Hallelujah! Just under half of the words in Psalm 150 are hallelujah! Here's a word that shows up regularly in worship during this Easter season and throughout the year. But it's not a generic word for praise. It's very specific and it's a real privilege to sing and say it.

You and I amazingly wealthy when it comes to God’s love in our lives. In fact, we have this love from God in an inexhaustible supply. However, there are times in our lives which might lead us to become tight-fisted and stingy with sharing it.

Not long after Jesus told the disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation,” Luke gives us a beautiful example of what this looked like. This close-up view of what took place is especially handy for you and me today as we consider the opportunities before us to share what our Savior has done for those in our midst.

Referring to Himself as the vine, and you and me as the branches, Jesus said, “This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit.” The fruit includes our outlook, our actions and our attitudes. These give evidence to the rest of the world of God’s work in our lives. But consider for a moment any number of factors that can challenge that.

When it comes to grapevines, there’s a name for almost every part of the plant. Now, the reason I said that there’s a name for almost every part of the plant is that there doesn’t seem to be a name for those dried up tendrils that are left over from last year’s vine. But they can serve as a good reminder of the importance of remaining connected to Him in faith.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus shares a now familiar and beloved Bible image. He said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” However, unless you grow grapes, or have lived near vineyards, the full impact of that picture may not be apparent.

In Psalm 23, the Good Shepherd Psalm, we hear those comforting and familiar words, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me." However, the Hebrew word that David uses here may surprise you.

Listening to our conscience is a good thing. It’s a little like paying attention to the check engine light on your car. But what about those times when, you know you’re forgiven, but you’re still crushed and guilt overwhelms your heart?

Do you remember plucking the petals off a daisy to determine if you are loved? It's a fun game to determine if you're feeling whimsical and want to determine how your crush thinks of you. However, think of how often we may use a similar practice to gauge God’s love for us over the course of a week.

Long before they became largely ceremonial, and the preferred location for time capsules locking in treasures from the past, cornerstones actually played an important part in the construction of a building. When Peter and John were hauled before the Hight Priest, the rulers and the elders to explain how the crippled man at the Temple Gate was healed, he quoted this familiar verse to them from Psalm 118. Since it was so well known, why did they rulers reject our promised Savior?

As much as you and I like to think we know ourselves well, God knows us better. Does that sound intimidating? Consider this, Jesus knows you perfectly ... and still He loves you.

Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd.” If you’re like me, that’s the beloved image that often pops into your head. But Jesus didn’t simply slip on a pair of overalls for a nice picture. He came to do the 'hands on' work of a shepherd.

Nothing in all of creation brings refreshment and restorative peace like this. It's something you can have today and it's something which will certainly make you look forward to the weekend. Can you guess what it is?

When’s the last time you really kicked up your feet in joy? Before you answer that question, notice how much easier it is to come up instead with all the obstacles that would keep you from doing it. Leap for joy! Why would we do that?

John reminds us that as God's children we look forward to the day of the resurrection when when we too shall rise, as our risen and living Savior has, and see His face. And by His Holy Spirit, we rejoice even now to reflect His saving love to those in our midst.

In our Baptism, you and I are not simply called children of God. As John exclaims, “That is what we are!” It’s no small blessing that Jesus calls us his “brothers” and that you and I get to pray, “Our Father.” You and I belong together in this family.