On the museum wall of the concentration camp at Dachau is a large and moving photograph of a mother and her little girl standing in line for the gas chamber. The child, who is walking in front of her mother, does not know where she’s going. The mother, following behind, looks knowingly but is helpless to stop the tragedy.

In her helplessness, she performs the only act of love left to her. She places her hands over the child’s eyes so she will at least not see the horror to come. When people come to the museum, most don’t whisk by this photo hurriedly. Instead, they pause and almost feel the pain. Deep inside, they say to themselves, “O God, don’t let that be all there is.”

Hopelessness and helplessness are all that remain in the world today. I’m delivering this message to you on Sept. 10, 2019. It’s fitting that we remember this today, because 18 years ago tomorrow the world realized if only for a short time that it is full of hopelessness and helplessness. Eighteen years ago tomorrow the world witnessed the most horrible terrorist attacks in history. Tomorrow is the 18^th anniversary of 9/11. If there was ever an example of the hopelessness and helplessness that exists in the world today, it is the events that happened on September 11^th, 2001.

God provided a way out by sending His Son to earth as a child so that He could one day save the sins of mankind through Christ’s shed blood on the cross. The apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” This statement is something all of us hear regularly. It is part of the comfortable words that we hear in the Holy Eucharist liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer.

Paul relates his past to highlight God’s mercy and forgiveness. No sin lies beyond the scope of God’s forgiveness. God forgave a persecutor like Paul and enabled him for ministry. This should give everyone hope. God’s forgiveness also provides the basis for people to forgive themselves. This does not mean that God will redeem everyone from the consequences of every evil — but it does imply that none of us is in a position to make flat claims about whom God will or will not forgive.

Paul’s previous persecution of Christians made him the foremost sinner because he hindered others from coming to faith. At the same time, it allowed God to save Paul as an example of grace. If God could save Paul, he can save and change anyone and everyone.

No one expected that Saul of Tarsus-the earliest, greatest enemy of 1^st century Christianity- would turn to Christ and become Christianity’s greatest missionary. Paul even referred to himself as the chief of sinners, but his salvation demonstrates three things:

1. God is merciful and long-suffering.
2. His grace can reach even his worst enemies.
3. The Good News of Christ has the power to change lives and hearts.

False teaching tells us none of these things. Paul’s conversion is an example of God’s saving grace, which is in contrast to the uselessness of false teachings. When Paul opposed Christ, he did not have faith. False teachers profess to follow Christ, but they still live sin-filled lives. Some may say that TV evangelists such as Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker were false teachers, and some may say that modern TV evangelists such as Benny Hinn are also false teachers. Only God knows for certain.

When Paul wrote to Timothy, he was being honest. He knew who he was. He did not need to be perfect. He admitted that like many biblical characters he had many problems. Moses killed a man, Jonah ran away from God, and Paul persecuted Christians. Because of their encounters with God, they were changed. When we encounter God, we are pushed to change as well.

Paul mentions his past, but he does not dwell on it. There is a difference between testifying to God’s power to change a person’s life and glorifying sin. Paul was more interested in talking about the grace and salvation of Christ. Christianity is Jesus himself. Any reference to Christianity that is not tied to Jesus is not Christian. The gospel is grounded in the mystery of Emmanuel-God with us, among us, for us and in us. God’s purpose for us comes through personal faith.

God’s purpose is for us to spread the Good News. God can use us regardless of our past. IF he can use an evil persecutor like Paul, he can definitely use us. He can use us wherever we are. It doesn’t matter if we are a doctor, accountant, lawyer or labourer. The needs of people are everywhere.

Sometimes we feel that we are not equipped for the task. God does not call the equipped. He equips the called. He will give us the wisdom, strength and ability to do what he has called us to do. We need God’s strength to do his work. We are weak, human vessels. We might stumble at times, but we have God’s strength and power. God enables us, but he is also watching us, and he expects us to be faithful. He opens doors for us when we are faithful, and no man can shut these doors. Paul was not ashamed of Christ, and we must not be ashamed of Christ either. Paul urges both Timothy and us to be bold. We need that boldness if we are to spread the Good News.

God did come to earth to teach and to set the highest moral example as to how we should live our lives, but first and foremost His number one reason for becoming human was to save sinners! Until we trust Jesus for our salvation, we can’t even begin to follow in His footsteps. If Jesus had only come to show us how to live, we would have been frustrated and doomed, wallowing in our own constant failure! God loves us and welcomes us with open arms when we ask for forgiveness and surrender our lives to Him. He knew our greatest need is for forgiveness, so he sent us a Saviour.

There is nothing we can do to earn salvation. The only thing we have to do is accept that we are accepted. God welcomes us just as we are and right where we are, as it says in the hymn, “Just as I Am:”

Just as I am, without one plea,

but that thy blood was shed for me,

and that thou bidst me come to thee,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Paul was so overwhelmed by God’s grace that he broke into a doxology, or a short expression or outburst of praise and worship to God based on who He is and what He has done for his people. Paul gives God all honour and glory. No one deserves or earns salvation. It is all about God and His grace. Jesus did everything right so we could be made right. In spite of our sins, he continues to reach out to us. He continually promises to heal and help those who come to him.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1704)
2. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.
3. Rev. David Mainse, “Chief Sinner.” Retrieved from www.100words.ca
4. A.K.M. Adam, “Commentary on 1 Timothy 1:12-17.” Retrieved from http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=687
5. Demarest, G.W. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 32: 1,2 Thessalonians/ 1,2 Timothy/Titus (Nashville, TN; Thomas Nelson Inc., 1984)
6. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard Version (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
7. Pastor David McGee, “Equipping the Called.” Retrieved from www.crossthebridge.com
8. Pastor David McGee, “True Power.” Retrieved from www.crossthebridge.com
9. Bayless Conley, “Fruitfulness and Open Doors.” Retrieved from www.answersrbc.org.
10. Dr. David Jeremiah, “The king Eternal.” Retrieved from www.davidjeremiah.org
11. Doug Fields, “Moving Past Your Past.” Retrieved from www.homeword.com
12. Neil Anderson, “Showing Yourself Faithful.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
13. Randy Kilgore, “The Day My Dad Met Jesus.” Retrieved from www.rbc.org
14. Pastor Ken Klaus, “Jesus Came for Me.” Retrieved from www.lhm.org
15. Pastor Ken Klaus, “Saving Sinners.” Retrieved from www.lhm.org
16. Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2016, Year C. (Toronto, ON: The United Church of Canada, p. 8)
17. “Just as I Am, Without One Plea.” Retrieved from http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh357.sht
18. Dan Clendenin, Ph.D., “A Trustworthy Saying.” Retrieved from http://www.journeywithjesus.net/lectionary-essays/current-essay?id=1051

The Book of Jeremiah is a book full of dark prophecies of doom and gloom. Jeremiah is a heartbroken prophet with a heartbreaking message. The people of Israel had forgotten God and refused to listen for his voice. They were locked into their old way of doing things.

We are the same. Sometimes when we get stuck in our old habits, sins and wicked ways, God has to shake things up. Spiritual stupidity happens when we do not stop to think about the results of our actions, or when we refuse to listen to warnings of others when they speak the truth. We might want to change, but sometimes we might not be willing to be changed. The church is the same. It has become apathetic and complacent. It has a “business as usual” attitude. If we and the church refuse to shake ourselves up, and we refuse to wake the world up, God will have to step in and shake us up.

Jeremiah faithfully declared that obeying God is the only way to escape judgment and receive his blessings. Jeremiah foretold the destruction in Judah that would be caused by the invasion of the Babylonians. False prophets in Judah told the people that everything would be okay when in reality God was about to unleash his wrath. God allowed these false prophets to speak because they fulfilled his purpose of judgment. Jeremiah was so upset that he started to show physical symptoms.

Jeremiah wondered how long he had to be the bearer of bad news. God’s reply was that Jeremiah was to keep preaching doom and gloom until the people gained knowledge and understanding of God’s ways and Word. The people were described in harsh terms that were designed to shock the people into true repentance. The upcoming judgment was portrayed as a reversal of the creation process, but not everything would be destroyed. God would not change his mind about the upcoming judgment.

There is an old saying: “You reap what you sow.” In other words, we have to accept the consequences of our actions. For example, if we overeat, smoke or drink to excess, we risk having health problems. If we neglect God, we will be punished. We will suffer a fate similar to that of the people of Judah. The people of Judah sowed the seeds of disobedience, and the consequence was the invasion of Judah by the Babylonians. The people of Judah were stupid, but God did not give up on them. Similarly, we are often spiritually stupid, but God doesn’t give up on us. He constantly reaches out to us through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

God is known to us, not by His power, might and strength, but by His scars. His scarred hands will take our shaking hands. When He says that Je will come looking for us, we can count on it. He will stand up for us, and He will not give up on us. Are we convinced? Are we willing to trust Him? Are our values aligned with his? Now that we have been made right with God through the cross, will we confess our selfishness and offer to others the love and mercy God has shown to us?

Our job as Christians is to tell people about God and to try to lead them to Christ. Sometimes it means steering them to redemption. Do we actually reach out to them with this in mind? Do we seek a radical change in their hearts? Do we warn people about the dangers in our culture? Do we talk about our doubts with God? Do we have a passion for our faith? We are called to care for other Christians so much that we feel it in the depths of our souls, and we are to show that caring attitude with our whole hearts.

Bibliography

1. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NASV (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2009)
2. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 10 Bible software package.
3. Guest, J. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series; Vol. 19: Jeremiah, Lamentations (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1988)
4. Chrysanne Timm, “From Death to life to…” Retrieved from www.esermons.com
5. Lee Ann Dunlap, “Tales of the Spiritually Stupid.” Retrieved from www.esermons.com
6. James McLemore, “Lord, Send the Wind.” Retrieved from www.esermons.com
7. Richard L. Sheffield, “Don’t Be Stupid.” Retrieved from www.esermons.com
8. John W. Wurster, “…Yet.” Retrieved from www.esermons.com
9. Dr. Randy L. Hyde, “Jeremiah: The Judgment.” Retrieved from www.lectionary.org

Many people think that being a Christian is simply a matter of getting saved or being baptized, but Jesus said in Luke 14:27 that it involves so much more. He said, “And whoever does not pick up his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Jesus taught that we exist to deny ourselves and follow Him.

For Luke, what does it mean to carry your cross? It could mean carrying the burdens of those from whom Jesus releases burdens. It could mean carrying the ministry of Jesus forward by seeing those whom the world overlooks. It could mean favouring and regarding the marginalized, even when that action might lead to our own oppression.

The cross is not just a metaphor for burdens or troubles. It is a Roman instrument of death. Jesus doesn’t just call us to leave our old lives behind; he calls us to leave life behind. This is shocking, but if we stop to think about it, we all leave life behind eventually. Do we leave it behind by following Jesus?

God has called us to follow Jesus, be His witnesses, grow in grace, make disciples, work at building His church, seek His kingdom, pursue holiness in the fear of God, and seek His glory in everything we do. Others might try to discourage us or advise us not to be so fanatical about our faith or insist that we not devote so much time to religion. They will say that we can be Christians without having to be so serious about it. We won’t truly love the people in our lives until we love God first at all times. Then we can love others as an expression of God’s calling.

The ancient Near East concept of hate did not involve intense feelings of loathing or revulsion, as the modern Western concept does. To hate something meant to place it in a lower position than something else. Jesus was not telling His followers to hate their families but rather to ensure that God reigns supreme in their lives.

Family took precedence over everything else in the ancient Near East, so the idea that God should be the centre of one’s life held radical implications and required a serious counting of the cost upfront. Hating our parents would be contrary to the fifth commandment, but Jesus tells us that we are to love them less than we love Christ. We are to obey Christ rather than them. We have to forsake them if He calls us to go and preach the Gospel. We are to submit to Him when He takes them away from us. 

The word “forsake” means “to give up or renounce, to abandon one’s right or ownership.” It does not imply selling all of one’s possessions or giving everything away but becoming a steward who uses those resources in the service of the Master.  When our love is selfish, controlling or rooted in our own need, it is not love at all. When our love is rooted in the sacrificial, other-centered values of God’s Reign, then we learn to love as Jesus did-truly and wholeheartedly.

Jesus calls for an exclusive commitment to Him. Everything else is secondary in nature. Only people who carefully assess the cost and invest everything they have in His kingdom are worthy to enter it. This means more than merely abandoning our possessions. It means absolute and unconditional surrender. Jesus doesn’t want to fight us, and we don’t want to fight Him because He will win every time. We should seek peace with Jesus and do whatever we can to be on His side.

We can’t be half-hearted in our love for Jesus and expect to fully experience His joy and peace in our hearts. In fact, there will be disturbing factors in our lives until we make a full, uncompromising commitment to Him. When we dedicate ourselves fully to Him, we will see His plan for our lives unfold.

Before we jump into anything head first (especially committing our lives to Christ), we need to stop, sit down and pray to God for His guidance. We should lay out our plans in detail from start to finish and find confirmation for these plans in God’s Word. If we seek His will and plans for us, He will show us what to do and how to do it.

The world weighs the odds and counts the costs before undertaking a venture. Disciples should do the same before committing to Jesus. The word “possessions” is used metaphorically to embrace all that we risk in following Jesus: family, wealth, worldly things, even life itself. Those who heard Jesus and wanted to be His disciple had to first consider the cost before they decided to follow Him. Pain and sacrifice are inevitable attached to committed discipleship. There is no such thing as casual Christianity. Are we willing to pay the costs?

In the moment of our decision, God expects us to be ready for doing justice in the midst of oppression, to be ready for peacemaking in the midst of dangerous conflict, to be ready for affirming life and resisting the culture of death. In those times there is no time for hesitation, no time for delay, no time for belated preparation to tidy up affairs back home. God expects wholehearted living in spite of its cost, because God also promises joy to those who follow Him. How many of us have missed the joy of wholehearted living because we have been too afraid of the cost?

When Luke wrote his Gospel, the church was living in hostile, pagan places where Christians faced persecution. He presented Jesus’ admonition to a suffering church. Today, most of us do not live in hostile environments, but what kind of response do we get when we as Christians speak against topics such as poverty, the Indian residential schools here in Canada, or the environment? People may not oppose us verbally, but even some of our closest friends may roll their eyes when we mention these or any other controversial topics.

The general scope of the parable may be expressed as follows:  

1st. Every man who becomes a follower of Jesus should calmly and deliberately look at all the consequences of such an act and be prepared to meet them.

2nd. Men in other things act with prudence and forethought. They do not begin to build without a reasonable prospect of being able to finish. They do not go to war when there is every prospect that they will be defeated.

3rd. Religion is a work of soberness, of thought, of calm and fixed purpose, and no man can properly enter it who does not resolve by the grace of God to fulfil all its requirements and make it the business of his life.

4th. We are to expect difficulties in religion. It will cost us the mortification of our sins, and a life of self-denial, and a conflict with our lusts, and the enmity and ridicule of the world. Perhaps it may cost us our reputation, or possibly our lives and liberties, and all that is dear to us; but we must cheerfully undertake all this and be prepared for it all.

5th. If we do not deliberately resolve to leave all things, to suffer all things that may be laid on us, and to persevere to the end of our days in the service of Christ, we cannot be his disciples. No man can be a Christian who, when he makes a profession, is resolved after a while to turn back to the world; nor can he be a true Christian if he expects that he will turn back. If he comes not with a full purpose always to be a Christian; if he means not to persevere, by the grace of God, through all hazards, and trials, and temptations; if he is not willing to bear his cross, and meet contempt, poverty, pain and death, without turning back, he cannot be a disciple of the Lord Jesus.

Jesus is inviting all of us to be His followers-from the most highly educated person to people with little or no education. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Ordinary people have done the most extraordinary things in service to humanity-things such as building hospitals, brokering peace, living among and helping the poor, confronting injustice and accepting martyrdom. They did all of these things in Jesus’ name.

Salvation is a great prize given by God’s grace. It can’t be earned, but it requires effort on the part of those who receive it. The cost to be paid will vary from person to person. Some will be persecuted. Some will leave homes and families to preach the Good News to other people. Some will give generously, even sacrificially, to do the work for which Christ built His church. Everyone must pay a price.

When we decide to follow Christ, we have to count the cost. Jesus counted the cost when He went to the cross for us. He gave His life so we can be forgiven of our sins, so we can know that we will go to heaven when we die. He counted the cost for us. Will we count the cost and follow Him?

The price will be heavy, and we might think that we don’t have the strength, but we do have Jesus. If he asks us to carry our own crosses, we can be sure that He will do the heavy lifting for us-because He has already carried our cross, with all of our sins, guilt and shame-all the way to Calvary.

Luke 14:25-33 makes it clear that to be a follower of Jesus is not for the faint of heart. Christianity is not a system of belief that will make an already pleasant life better. It is not an invitation to an easy and successful existence. It is an invitation to embrace the way of Jesus-an invitation to join Him in having a heart for this world, and reaching out to it, even when this comes at great cost. This will disrupt our lives, our societal systems and our relationships, but the Gospel challenges the supremacy of all these things-not to make our lives barren, but to open us to the joy of an abundant life in Christ.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p.1415-1416)
2. Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament. Part of Wordsearch 12 Bible software package.
3. Larsen, B. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 26: Luke (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1983; pp. 230-231
4. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
5. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
6. Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010)
7. Dr. Tony Evans, “A Call of Devotion.” Retrieved from crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
8. “Count the Cost.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
9. Dr. David Jeremiah, “Willing to Live.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
10. James MacDonald, “Word #6-Commitment.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
11. T.M. Moore, “Whom Do We Love?” Retrieved from noreply@ailbe.org
12. Jude Siciliano, OP, “First Impressions, 23^rd Sunday, -C-.” Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org
13. “Counting the Cost.” Retrieved from www.forthright.net
14. Jude Siciliano, OP, “First Impressions, 23^rd Sunday -C-, September 8, 2019.” Retrieved from firstimpressions@lists.opsouth.org
15. Karoline Lewis, “Carrying the Cross.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org/craft.aspx?post=4706
16. The Rev. John Thomas, “No Joy for Those Unwilling to Accept the Cost.” Retrieved from www.day1.org/523-no_joy_for_those_unwilling_to_accept_the_cost.print
17. Dr. Kari Vo, “Counting the Cost.” Retrieved from www.lhm.org/dailydevotionsprt.aspx?date=20190905
18. Kristopher Coffman, “Luke 14:25-33.” Retrieved from communic@luthersem.edu

“Lose your kickball scrimmage?” Dad asked. Jason buckled his seatbelt.

“No. It’s Adrian again.”

“The boy who uses a wheelchair?” Dad grinned. “He’s funny.”

“Dad! Should you say that about someone who can’t walk?”

“Why not? He wears a T-shirt that says ‘A Wheelchair Is How I Roll.'” Dad put the car in reverse. “He must have a great sense of humor.”

“I don’t know why he wants to play with us anyway.” Jason shoved his dirty sneakers into his duffle bag. “Don’t they have Special Olympics for kids like him? He should just play with his own kind of kids.”

Dad put the car in gear. “Grab the Bible out of the glove compartment, Jason. I want to show you something.” Jason sighed. “You don’t have to read me a Bible verse about being nice, Dad. I didn’t do anything mean to Adrian.” “Just turn to 2 Samuel 9.” He waited for Jason to read the passage. “Well?”

“I get it,” Jason said. “King David asks if there’s anyone left in his friend Jonathan’s family and learns Jonathan has a son named Mephibosheth who’s lame. So David finds him and tells him, ‘Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness…and you shall eat bread at my table continually.'”

“King David didn’t ignore Mephibosheth or make him sit a separate table for people with disabilities,” Dad said. “David included him. That story is a picture of what Jesus does for us. He died so we could be included at His table, even though we’re sinners. And He wants us to include others.”

Jason twitched his eyebrows the way he always did when he was thinking. “But how can we include Adrian? You have to run in kickball. He can’t run.”

“That’s your puzzle to solve,” Dad said.

The next afternoon on the kickball diamond, Jason assigned positions to his team’s players.

“Who’s pitching?” someone asked.

Someone on the sideline caught Jason’s eye. Adrian.

“Wait.” Jason jogged over to where Adrian sat. “Can you pitch? You just have to roll the ball to the kicker.”

Adrian’s face lit up, and he patted his chair. “I’m an expert at rolling. I’d love to pitch!”

Do you include everyone you can in games and other activities, even if it takes some extra effort to include someone with a special need? We all have a need for Jesus. If He hadn’t died for us, we could never be included in His reward in heaven. How can you show others His kindness by including them?

Imagine this scene, if you will. A husband comes home from work on a Friday night. As he drives into the driveway, he sees that there is a rented tent in the backyard. Under the tent are tables and chairs for about forty people. A bandstand and dance floor are assembled in one corner of the tent. Paper lanterns are hanging all around. None of this was there when the husband left for work that morning. Seeing all these preparations and having them come as a surprise, what do you think the husband might think?

His first reaction might be one of panic: “Good Lord! It’s our anniversary and somehow I’ve forgotten! Judging by the preparations, it might must be a big one!” If he does some quick math and realizes that it isn’t their 20^th, 30^th or 40^th, he might continue thinking, “I guess all this must be for another party that I forgot about.”

Imagine he walks into the backyard and sees his wife furiously basting a dozen chickens and discovering a pile of choice steaks in a nearby cooler. What might he think then? Probably, “This one’s going to cost me a bundle!”

Then suppose his wife looks up, smiles sweetly and asks, “Guess who’s coming to dinner?” Now his guess might be: “Relatives, longtime friends, neighbours and business associates.” but before he can answer, she continues” I’ve invited twenty homeless men from the local homeless shelter, a family of refugees and all the residents of a group home. Don’t worry, dear, you won’t know a soul. And best of all, not a single one is likely to ever pay us back!”

Given that situation, how do you think the husband might react? Don’t you think he might think his dear wife was behaving a bit oddly?

Yet, God bless her, she would be literally following the words of Jesus in the passage from Luke’s Gospel: “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

In the passage we heard from Luke’s Gospel, Jesus seems to be changing all the usual rules of behaviour. He is suggesting that the rule of life is “love, not law.” The Pharisees were more concerned with keeping the law and society’s customs.

As a church and as Christians, we want to be sure that we have not erected social barriers that keep some people from joining us at the Lord’s Table. People should feel comfortable around the Lord’s Table even if they don’t speak the majority’s language and are not native born; come from a different economic status; are divorced, gay or single parents; are not as well educated; aren’t descended from those who originally built the church; are unemployed, handicapped, etc. Jesus broke through the barriers society and religion have built.

All of us have certain religious rules that we live by. One of them might be that whenever possible we attend church on Sunday. It’s a good rule to keep, but there is a danger that in keeping that rule we might feel superior to other people who seldom (if ever) attend church. We are in trouble if we use the rules to justify ourselves and feel more righteous than others. In the Christian life, we need to love our neighbours and put their interests ahead of following rules.

Guests at ancient dining tables chose their places carefully. The most honoured guests (those highest on the social ladder) sat close to the host, while the less honoured sat farther away. Jesus gave this teaching not only to exhort humanity but to discourage social ladder-climbing. He says that being humble is more important that being esteemed.

Jesus reinforced the definition of unconditional love: giving to people who have absolutely no ability to pay back what is owed. How does our viewpoint change when we hang out with the outcast, the friendless and the downtrodden? It is here among the lowly that we embrace our own lowliness, explore our own disabilities and find a sense of humility. When we interact with marginalized people we can’t be the same.

Being at the back of the line brings with it an assumption that we will have to eat the crumbs and the leftovers after everyone else has eaten the good stuff. In God’s kingdom, there is no limit to the good stuff. The concept of limited resources doesn’t apply to God. He is boundless. No one can outgive God. Any kind deed or blessing that we bestow on someone else in Jesus’ name and for His sake will be repaid by God in abundance. God loves to reward His faithful people.

When Jesus calls us to act humbly, we can be sure that He wants our humility to be genuine. Genuine humility has its roots in the realization that we are sinners who need forgiveness. Genuine thankfulness has its roots in the realization that God has forgiven our sins.

Those neglected by our society not only need our material gifts, they also need the dignity that comes with being acknowledged; they need the gift of our friendship-and we need theirs as well. Together with them, we will experience the God Jesus has revealed to us, who loves us, not because we are distinguished or esteemed in our world, but because God has chosen to love us- rich and poor, haves and have-nots.

If we invite the less fortunate, we might enter into new relationships. Not only would the poor be cared for, but we would discover the Christ who identifies most clearly with them. In addition, we might serve Christ and not know it, because He might be disguised as a poor person.

Benevolence is serving someone who can’t serve us back. Because they can’t repay us. we will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. On that day, Jesus will reward us. It’s a win-win deal. While He is working through us here on earth, we will be blessed. When we see Jesus face to face, we will be blessed again for what we did.

Jesus said these radical words as He sat at a meal given by a Pharisee. Real love is radical. Love is giving to meet the needs of others without expecting anything in return. To put it another way, someone once said that true love means caring for someone else more than you care about yourself. That’s how much Jesus loved us. He loved us so much that He gave His life for us.

Jesus is not telling us to be lazy. He is telling us to use our talents as best we can. They are gifts from God. They will not only benefit us, but they can be used for the well-being of others. We have to consider our reasons for doing what we do. As Christians we try to share the gifts of life we have not to stand out, but so that others can stand up with us, enjoy life and celebrate the God who has blessed us.

When we live by God’s rules, we don’t help others to get something back. We help others to help them. We do something good because it’s good. We give others a blessing because Jesus taught us to do that. When we live by God’s rules, we start from a different place and end up in a different place. When we live by God’s rules, we don’t calculate what we can get, but what we can give.

God’s economy is contrary to the world’s economy. The world emphasizes getting ahead and becoming prominent. God tells us that if we want to be great, we have to be humble. If we want self-fulfillment, we should seek the fulfillment of others. We want to find happiness and joy in the right place or the right person. That person is God. As we come to know and walk with Him, we will find something that is better than happiness, and that something is joy. We will find joy in all our circumstances-both good and bad.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p.1415)
2. “Let’s Roll.” R etrieved from info@keysforkids.org
3. Larsen, B. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 26: Luke (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1983; pp. 225-226)
4. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
5. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN” Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
6. Jude Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, 22^nd Sunday, -C-.” Retrieved form firstimpressions@lists.opsouth.org
7. Pete Briscoe, “Experiencing Life Today-May 19, 2015.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
8. Jennifer Benson Schuldt, “Radical Love.” Retrieved from donotreply@email.rbc.org
9. Pastor Greg Laurie, “The Divine Paradox.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
10. Alex Gondola, Jr.< “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” Retrieved form www.sermonsuite.com
11. Richard Niell Donovan, “Exegesis for Luke 14:1,7-14.” Retrieved from www.lectionary.org

How do you celebrate special occasions?

Some of us celebrate quietly by ourselves, while others celebrate with loud, wild parties. Sometimes these celebrations can get out of control, especially when the outside world tries to influence us.

We are not alone. The ancient people of God were exposed to other influences because of wars with other nations and through their times of defeat, exile and forced social integration. In spite of this, many people led ordinary lives of worship and praise. Special Psalms were created to be used in religious festivals. One of these is Psalm 81.

Psalm 81 challenges us to be faithful to God. It starts with the sad fact that sometimes we refuse to listen to God’s voice. This has led to sad consequences and irreversible life circumstances, even when we have been forgiven. If we refuse to listen to God, he will leave us to walk in our own counsel. We will have to accept the consequences of our decision. Our desires can’t be fulfilled by earthly means, and our plans won’t prosper in the long run. God will abandon us, but he will always leave the door open for us to return to him. If we return to him, he will reverse our fortunes.

The church is not immune from this problem either. Churches sometimes mourn the loss of spiritual fervour or “the old time religion” that was enjoyed years ago. Instead of being brought to repentance for sin and neglect, the excuse is made that we live in difficult times. There is often a lack of power in preaching. Sermons designed to make people feel good have become more important than sound biblical preaching and teaching.

God’s response of rescue, freedom and relieving the people’s burden, is complicated by the people’s continuing rebellion. God has fed them with the tears of his sorrow over their rebellion, but his desire is to feed them with the finest wheat and honey from the rock. Wheat and honey are symbols of enjoyment and prosperity. Honey from the rock could mean wild honey or, more probably, honey supplied miraculously, like the water from the rock in the desert as recorded in Exodus 17:6.God will bless us beyond our wildest dreams, but we have to willingly receive what he gives. The only way to do that is for us to obey God. He wants us to know that the good life comes to us only through him, and not by any other means.

The marvellous promise, “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it” has sometimes been used to wrongly justify a lack of sermon preparation by some preachers. They believe that all they have to do is open their mouths and the Lord will give them a message. The true meaning is that if God’s people come to him with great petitions, he will grant them. God never gives up. He gives us opportunities to listen to him, embrace his laws and walk in his ways. When we take advantage of these opportunities, we will have victory over all of our enemies. We will also be fruitful for God. As we regularly come to the communion table, we remember God’s promise to feed us, what it cost God, the dire circumstances of the cross, and the ongoing call to repentance and discipleship.

If we turn to God and follow His ways, He will take care of our needs. We are not to try to meet our needs by going to the refrigerator and eating any food that might temporarily satisfy our needs. God wants us to go to him to meet what really is a spiritual need. When we declare who God is and what he has done, we will be open to hearing His voice and doing His will, because we know that God only wants the best for us.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp. 760-761)
2. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.
3. Williams, D. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vil. 14: Psalms 73-150 (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1989, pp. 87-89)
4. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
5. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
6. Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010)
7. Ron Moore, “Stubborn Hearts.” Retrieved from www.ronmoore.org
8. Joan Stott, “A Personal Meditation: Pentecost 15C (Ordinary 22C or Proper 17C).” Retrieved from http://www.thetimelesspsalms.net
9. Howard Wallace, “Year C: Pentecost 14: Psalm 81:1-2,10-16.” Retrieved from http://hwallace.unitingchurch.org.au/WebOTcomments/OrdinaryC/Pent14Psalm81.html
10. Dale Fletcher, “Let God Satisfy Your Deep Hunger.” Retrieved from http://www.faithandhealthconnection.org/psalm-811016-deep-hunger-is-satisfied-by-god/
11. Bible Study, Prover 17 C-August 28, 2016. Retrieved from http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/2016/08/01/bible-study-proper-17c-august-28-2016

To help you understand the importance of today’s lesson, I’m going to put on a little demonstration. I’m standing nice and straight, and now I’m going to bend at my waist. Now I’m looking straight down at the floor. That isn’t extremely uncomfortable. I could easily stay bent over like that for a few minutes, but what if I had to stay bent over like that all the time? What if I had to stay bent over like that day after day and year after year for eighteen years? That would be quite a different story, wouldn’t it? What if I went to the store and I needed something from the top shelf? I can’t even see the top shelf, much less reach the items on that shelf! I would have to depend on someone to find and get the items I needed.

In today’s Bible reading, Jesus was teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath when he saw a woman who was crippled. She had been bent over double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, He called her over to Him, touched her and said, “Woman, you are healed!” Instantly she could stand up straight. She was so happy that she began to praise God!

You would think that everyone in the synagogue that day would be happy and join the woman in praising God. Not so! The leader in charge of the synagogue was very angry that Jesus had healed the woman on the Sabbath day. He told the crowd, “There are six days of the week for working. Come on those days and be healed, but not on the Sabbath.”

Luke often highlights the reaction of the audience to Jesus’ actions. This instance may be especially significant, since it signals a growing rift between the joy of those who delighted in Jesus’ works and the anger of the religious leaders.

The Pharisees and their Sabbath traditions were the issue that most frequently provoked controversy in Jesus’ ministry. For example, nothing in Scripture forbade either the watering of an ox or the healing of the sick on the Sabbath. The Pharisees and their Sabbath traditions placed a higher value on animals than on people in distress. That corrupted the whole purpose of the Sabbath. When we care more for keeping the rules than we do for the welfare of people made in God’s image, we miss the whole point of our existence. In Romans 10:13, the Bible says, “love is the fulfillment of the law.”

We should not be too critical of the Pharisees, because we can be the same as them. We are prone to make rules about things. We see something that isn’t quite right, so we make a rule to deal with it. Before we know it, all of these rules become a heavy burden. After a while, God’s grace and the freedom Jesus came to bring us are nowhere to be seen.

Some of us might not be accustomed to thinking of the church as a place where hurting people are invited to “stand up straight,” especially people who are disenfranchised and marginalized by those who hold power and authority both inside and outside the Church. I’m thinking of the 2019 General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada. A resolution to approve same sex marriages was approved by lay and clergy delegates but was defeated by the House of Bishops. Because resolutions have to be approved by a 2/3 majority in all three groups, the resolution was defeated. When the results were announced, there was sadness in the LGBTQ population. Thankfully many of the bishops who are in favour of same-sex marriages have announced that they will use their episcopal authority to allow same-sex marriages in their dioceses.

Every church has what is known as “the cold-water committee.” Whenever the fire of God starts burning in the hearts of some people, they rise up and pour cold water on it. Whenever there is a new and creative way to do church, they pour cold water on that idea. The cold-water committee is not an elected committee; the members are self-appointed. They think it’s their job to make sure things don’t get out of hand in their church. Their favourite phrases are, “We don’t do things like that around here,” or, “We’ve never done it that way before.” Like the leader of the synagogue, these people may even quote a little Scripture, but they are more into rules than into the liberty Jesus gives. We must not become a part of that committee, and we must not pay any attention when someone on that committee corners us to complain about something he or she doesn’t like.

The leader of the synagogue was angry at Jesus, but instead of taking it out on Jesus, he took it out on the crowd. In his rebuke, Jesus dealt with the real issue-the appropriateness of healing on the Sabbath. He was not simply teaching about fruitful living. His exchange with the woman was a living parable. He exposed God’s compassion for the people He made in His image.

Jesus answered the leader of the synagogue, “You hypocrite! All of you work on the Sabbath! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey and lead it out for water? Doesn’t this dear woman deserve to be healed, even on the Sabbath?” The leader was shamed, but the other people were happy and rejoiced at all of the wonderful things that Jesus did.

When Jesus spoke to the leader of the synagogue, He turned a tough conversation into a refusal to witness injustice. He saw that the leader was taking out his frustration on the wrong people and He intercepted it. Jesus didn’t just call out the leader. He took the abuse that was rightfully His instead of letting someone else get yelled at. He took responsibility and used His privilege to protect people who couldn’t defend themselves.

We know this sort of good leadership when we see it. It’s the boss who takes responsibility for the mistakes of his/her employee and deals with the lecture from upper management so the employee can focus on fixing the mistake and learning from it. It’s the spouse who takes over when they see that their partner’s tiredness and frustration is at risk of spilling onto the kids. It’s the pastor who meets with the self-righteous parishioner who just doesn’t think it’s right to let “those people” such as a gay couple, unmarried parents or a family of undocumented refugees worship here too. It’s the kind of leadership that nobody really wants to have to do, but good leaders know it’s part of the system-you have the power, and sometimes you have to run interference for those who have less.

When Jesus asked if it was lawful for the woman to be healed on the Sabbath, He wanted the people to think about what they are doing in life. The religious leaders thought they did all of the people’s thinking for them, especially with all of the 613 rules. Jesus asked a question that showed they had a lot to learn. Jesus knew that the larger purpose of the Sabbath was to free people from whatever holds them in bondage-including work. On several occasions Jesus showed radical care for the less fortunate. As people of faith, we are called on to place the needs of fellow Christians ahead of societal and religious norms.

The healing of the crippled woman should have made it clear to the religious leaders who Jesus really was-the one who is the Lord of the Sabbath and the one who has mastery over the power of evil in the world. But all they saw was a man who was breaking the Sabbath. The leader missed the true meaning of the Sabbath. What he missed was compassion, especially the kind of compassion that trumps legalism all the time.

The only way these religious leaders would have been happy for the Sabbath to be broken was if a person’s life was in danger. Jesus answers them by saying that what He was doing for the woman was necessary. It’s necessary to liberate people from the clutches of evil and this is a work that must continue seven days a week.

Jesus knew that rules are important, but he knew that the needs of people are more important. We need to learn that lesson as well. Whenever we see someone in need, the most important thing is to help them, no matter when or where it may be. True holiness is not strict adherence to the rules. True holiness means recognizing who we are-children of God. True holiness is setting the captives free. True holiness is being able to sing a fully-voiced song of praise.

Jesus didn’t stop at freeing the woman. He restored her to community-her community. At the same time, He called on that community to repent of its hypocrisy and narrow-mindedness and embrace her as its own-not as an object of pity or scorn, but as a daughter, as an heir, as a human being worthy of both love and dignity.

Keeping the Sabbath holy meant reserving that day for worshipping God. The people had various ideas about what constituted worship and therefore exactly what kept the Sabbath holy. People have similar ideas today. There are many people who claim to be able to worship God in nature, at a sporting event, or on the golf course. The proper way to worship God is to go to church on Sunday and enjoy fellowship with other believers.

We have to set aside our agendas to be present for those around us if that is what God needs us to do. How do we respond to unexpected opportunities to praise God and lead like Jesus? We have to remember the people around us. We have to be willing to help people who are in need wherever we go-restaurants, the doctor’s office, the grocery store, walking around our neighbourhood, or even driving down the road. The right thing to do is the most loving thing to do. Jesus wants us to care for one another, even on the Sabbath. Whenever someone is in great pain and suffering, we show the meaning of the Sabbath when we become agents of healing. The Sabbath is made for rest, and it is also made for showing God’s love through acts of care and hospitality.

Today we may feel chained, bent or broken. Jesus is calling to us. He is asking us to come to Him. He wants to set us free. He wants to straighten our souls, our lives, our future paths. Jesus came to straighten us so we could follow Him with lives of praise.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1413-1414)
2. “Jesus Heals on the Sabbath.” Retrieved from www.Sermons4Kids.com
3. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
4. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Bible (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
5. Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010)
6. Larsen, B. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 26: Luke (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1983; pp. 220-221)
7. Dave Wyrtzen, “Animals and People.” Retrieved from www.TurthEncounter.com
8. Beth Fellinger, “Messing with the Status Quo.” Retrieved from today@thisistoday.net
9. Berni Dymet, “When Rules Get in the Way.” Retrieved from bdymet@christianityworks.com
10. Kelly McFadden, “Removing the Mask.” Retrieved from www.homeword.com
11. Jeffrey Eisele, “Luke 13:10-17.” Retrieved from communic@luthersem.edu
12. Rev. Dr. Ruth Hamilton, “Keeping the Sabbath Holy.” Retrieved from www.day1.org
13. “In the Moment.” Retrieved from support@leadlikejesus.com
14. David Dykes, “When You Get Out of Shape.” Retrieved from www.preaching.com
15. Ron Moore, “Crooked Timber.” Retrieved from www.ronmoore.org
16. The Rev. Bruce Epperly, “The Adventurous Lectionary-The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost-August 25, 2019.” Retrieved from www.patheous,com/blogs/livingaholyadventure/2019/08/the-adventurouos-lectionary.html
17. Debie Thomas, “She Stood Up Straight.” Retrieved from www.jouorneywithjesus.net/lectionary-essays/current-essay

In the passage we just heard from Acts, Paul has once again been arrested for his faith and has been brought before Governor Felix in Jerusalem. The Jews hated Governor Felix, but the lawyer Tertullus showered false flattery on him, doing what politicians have always done-spinning the truth to their own advantage. Paul did not have a lawyer, but as a Roman citizen, he was no doubt familiar with Roman law. In his defense, Paul referred to Felix’s familiarity with Jewish laws, customs and beliefs. Felix was bound to give a just verdict.

The first serious charge levelled against Paul was rebellion. The Romans did not tolerate people who incited rebellion. If the Jews could support this charge with concrete evidence, Paul would have been punished severely. If Tertullus named specific incidents, Felix could have Paul’s case transferred to the governor in whose jurisdiction the incidents took place. The Jews wanted Paul to be tried by a governor that they had some influence over. Paul recounted his schedule from the previous twelve days, when he arrived in Jerusalem, to show that the charge of creating dissention among the Jews was simply not true.

The second charge levelled against Paul was teaching heresy. Tertullus referred to Christianity with contempt by referring to it as “the sect of the Nazarenes.” Tertullus planned to portray Paul as the leader of a group that posed a threat to Rome. The Roman government was tolerant of religious movements as long as they were peaceful and did not seek to subvert the authority of Caesar. Paul argued that he had as much right to follow the Way as the Jews had to follow Judaism. Erasing the picture Tertullus painted of him as a radical, Paul noted that the roots of the Way were in the soil of Judaism: both religions believe in one God, embrace the Law and the Prophets, and believe in the resurrection of the dead.

The third offense that Paul was charged with was blasphemy. That charge was without merit. Why would Paul go into the temple to comply with the ordinances for sacrificial offerings and give alms for the poor and then defile the temple by taking a Gentile with him? This would have destroyed his credibility as a rabbinic scholar.

The Sadducees rejected much of the Old Testament, while the Pharisees rejected the Old Testament’s witness to Jesus Christ. In other words, both groups rejected Jesus. Paul saw the Old Testament as the inspirational word of God and believed everything it taught. Paul saw the Christian faith as the fulfillment of his Jewish upbringing. He worshipped the same God he always had, and he had complete faith in the Scriptures. Today, Christians are called on to see both the Old Testament and the New Testament as the inspired word of God, and we must believe everything that it teaches.

Paul never tried to earn a standing before God, but he did try to live out the righteousness that God had credited to him through his faith in Jesus. Paul wanted his conduct to reflect well on Jesus. In both cases Paul set a good example for us to follow as Christians.

When Paul referred to Christ’s resurrection, a longstanding feud between the Sadducees and the Pharisees erupted into an open argument. Belief in the resurrection was not a crime under Jewish law or Roman law. It is not a crime to believe that there is going to be a resurrection. If God is going to raise the dead in the future, why is it absurd to believe that He has already raised Jesus from the dead?

The Jewish leaders had a legitimate argument with Paul over the interpretation of the Scriptures and whether or not they lead to the conclusion that Jesus is the Messiah. The debate continues today, but no one should be thrown in jail, whipped, executed or otherwise persecuted because of what side they took in the debate. God doesn’t force us to believe. We have the right to decide for ourselves. While the Bible is the only unfailing and completely reliable guide to what is wrong, God has given each of us an internal moral compass. The conscience can be a powerful moral voice that helps guide our behaviour, but it can also be beaten into silence so that it no longer warns us that what we are about to do is wrong. If we want our conscience to play the role God intended, we have to work at it.

The witnesses to Paul’s alleged crimes didn’t show up for Paul’s hearing, nor did the Jewish leaders prove him guilty of a crime. The only verdict Felix could render that was consistent with Roman law was not guilty. This would have angered the Jews and could have led to more trouble. Felix’s main responsibility as governor was to keep law and order, so he decided not to make a decision. He adjourned the hearing with the excuse that he needed more information.

When Paul was on trial, he defended himself and his faith. His defence won new converts, but some people refused to listen to him. This proves that although God’s wisdom is wiser than any other type of wisdom, some people will never accept it, especially if they are not Christians. Similarly, when we are persecuted for our faith, we must defend ourselves by becoming Christ’s mouthpiece. If we are arrested and put on trial for being Christians, would there be enough evidence to convict us? If that happened, would we readily admit, “I’m guilty” and accept the consequences? We must tell everyone what Christ has done for us in our lives, and we must tell them what Christ can do in their lives.

Today is the only day we ever have. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may never come. There are many reasons why we put things off-apathy, fear, anxiety, uncertainty, habit, indifference, passive resistance or just plain not getting around to it. Whatever the reason, there are some things that are far too important to put off until a more convenient time-and that includes putting our lives right with God.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1528-1529)
2. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
3. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
4. Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010; pp. 1544-1546)
5. Dave Wyrtzen. “Jesus in Custody.” Retrieved from www.TruthEncounter.com
6. Dave Wyrtzen. “Countering Lies-Just the Facts.” Retrieved from www.TruthEncounter.com
7. Dave Wyrtzen. “Slick Presentation.” Retrieved from www.TruthEncounter.com
8. Victor Robert Farrell, “Steady.” Retrieved from crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
9. Dr. Paul Chappell, “The Path to a Strong Conscience.” Retrieved from daily@dailyintheword.org
10. Dr. Randy White, “I’m Guilty!” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
11. Richard Innes, “Procrastination.” Retrieved from www.actsweb.org/encounter/daily.php

In this passage from Luke’s Gospel, we are at a turning point. Jesus is heading toward Jerusalem. His baptism will be His death, and it will be decision time for His people. They could accept His claims to be the promised Messiah, the Son of God, the one who fulfilled Isaiah 53 and become God’s ultimate sacrifice so that sin could be forgiven or join the religious leadership that declared Him a blasphemer. There was no middle ground. Their choice was to either join Jesus’ Kingdom or remain enslaved in Satan’s tyranny. There was no middle ground then and there is no middle ground today.

There were bad things going on, but the people wanted to ignore them and put on rose-coloured glasses. We also have bad things going on in our lives with crime, evil and a falling away from God. It’s easier for us to ignore it all, but God wants us to see the world as it really is and understand the seriousness of it all. We have to recognize that there is sin in our world.

The Jewish leaders refused to accept the fact that they were misleading God’s people, especially with the 613 rules about how people could worship God and what they could and could not do on the Jewish Sabbath. The leaders stuck to these rules and refused to ask God for forgiveness. They were warned that they would be punished one day.  Jesus was rejected by the religious leaders, turned over to the Romans, and nailed to a cross. It wasn’t the anger of those who rejected Him that they needed to fear. It was the storms of divine judgment that would come upon all who choose not to turn from their sin and cast themselves upon God’s forgiveness in Christ. It was a fatal mistake to be playing the religious role and not discern that Jesus would sweep away all the pretending.

Jesus’ baptism of fire and crisis of decision can mean his own impeding trial and execution, or it can mean the turning point in our own lives when we are called to choose a path of discipleship that will bring with it some form of pain as well. This lesson points us toward the full fruition of God’s kingdom-the redemption and salvation Jesus came to accomplish-and calls us to live in hope and preparation for that time.

The tension that Jesus felt was a tension that was harnessed to the interest of others. He was on His way to the cross and the tension was not to be loosed until He pronounced the words, “It is finished.” The tension, however, did not leave Him frustrated and bad-tempered. It left Him calm and composed, with a prayer for the forgiveness of His enemies on His lips. It drove Him not to pieces but to peace-the peace of achievement and victory. This was so because the tension was harnessed to God’s perfect will-hence it was a constructive urge.

Rejecting Jesus causes division. To reject Jesus was to reject God and remove oneself from citizenship in God’s kingdom. The pressure is on to choose yes or no about Jesus because the end times are near.

When Jesus speaks of bringing division, even discord, he wasn’t talking about division for its own sake. Jesus was not merely a dangerous agitator, no matter what his enemies might have alleged. He knew that the people of his day had often grounded their identity and their hopes for a meaningful unity in the wrong things. He knew that the Gospel of the Kingdom would inevitably disrupt the familial ties, ethnic and national allegiances in which the people of God had sought security to the detriment of God’s purposes.

Even Jesus longed for His Father to end all evil and bring in the full expression of His kingdom-yet that was not God’s plan. Fire is the image of judgment, and baptism is the image of suffering; both must come as God planned from eternity past. Whatever discomfort or impatience a person feels can be put before the Father, who loves His children and controls all things.

Jesus is the “Prince of Peace” but the peace He brings in this world is internal, not external-and it is reserved for those who love Him. He brings division, however, to those who neither love nor want the truth. In this world, truth divides, and Jesus wanted to prepare His disciples for the rancor that would come from those who refused Christ.

We are not to settle for false peace. We are not to put up with situations where our spiritual lives are in danger. Jesus said that He came to start a fire on the earth. Fire destroys anything that is temporary and refines anything that is durable. We are often attached to things that are temporary. Jesus’ fire will make our identity and soul endure forever.

Jesus lamented that the people of His age had become adept at reading signs of the weather to interpret imminent weather patterns yet ignored the biblical signs of the Messiah’s coming. He called them hypocrites because they cared more for the ever-changing weather than they did about professed allegiance to the eternal God. When people see the coming of a storm they can make preparation for it. When people know that a natural disaster is coming, they do what they can to save themselves. The Scriptures speak clearly of the coming judgment of Christ being preceded by dissention and anguish-all things that are happening in the world today. But with all the knowledge, there are few who take heed of the spiritual wisdom that is in the word of God. There are many who might make a passing reference to Scripture, but there are few who really take the time to listen closely, to hear and to put into practice what it is saying.

God speaks to people throughout Scripture, but the people had to listen, just like we have to listen today. Hearing is not the same as listening. Listening involves thinking, but in many cases this does not happen. The people in Jesus’ time had this problem, and we still have this problem today. How often do we make up our minds about someone or something without really listening to the entire story?

Sin causes division. People don’t want to give up their sin, and that causes the division that Jesus talks about. In these situations people should be patient and wait, pray and listen. No one likes conflict or division. We want reconciliation, but we want reconciliation that is cheap and easy. Jesus tells us that reconciliation won’t be easy. Jesus paid with His life so that we could be reconciled to God.

There needs to be some division between right and wrong, but it has to be according to Jesus’ standards, not ours. Strong actions bring divisions because the call to follow Jesus demands a complete response from us. We can’t serve both God and man.

Jesus’ proclamation is appropriate when we consider the would situation today. We only have to look at the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump to see that this is true. The world is full of hatred and division. Jesus’ work is meant to upset the oppressive systems and powerful people who cause division. He wants the change in our lives to affect the world.

The reality of God’s judgment comes when we least expect it-like a thief in the night. The reality of judgment does not wait until Jesus comes again-it becomes real for us at the moment of death. There is no chance after death to make our peace with God. Are we ready? How do we know?

Following Jesus means more than merely adopting new beliefs. It also means adopting a new way of living. Being a follower of one who accepted and honoured disreputable people means that we have to do the same, rejecting the easy temptation of judging others and instead inviting them into our lives. To be a follower of the one who preached love and forgiveness is to practice the same, particularly when it comes to those who differ from us even (and maybe especially) in terms of what they believe. Faith is an invitation to live differently now, to see those around us neither as souls to be saved or threats to be deterred, but rather to see them as God’s children to be loved, honoured and cared for.

Jesus invites us to enter patterns of behaviour and belief that will require change, movement and motion from us. That movement will cut households and families to the core. Christ didn’t come to bring a false peace. He came to free us from sin’s tyranny. We can’t save ourselves. The cleansing fire Jesus refers to is our need for God.

Jesus predicts the impact His message of love will have on our self-centered human nature. He has come to turn the world’s value system upside-down. He knows the process won’t always be pretty. Those who benefit from the status quo will fight to oppose anyone who tries to change things, just like people opposed Jesus. They will keep their blinders firmly in place to avoid having to see the reality of the situation in the world today. Jesus insists that they take their blinders off so they can see that things are not the way God intended.

Jesus’ words in this passage are God’s invitation for us to be committed to Christ, the church and the mission of the church. That mission is to be the love of Christ in all situations of life. The mission of the church is to evangelize other people so that they would come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. The mission of the church is to work for social justice and social compassion for all people on the globe.

It’s time to ask ourselves some questions. Have we ever had to suffer because of our faith in Jesus? Have we ever experienced conflicts in our relationships with coworkers or even family members? Have our beliefs gotten us rejection, isolation, alienation, or just smirks? Was it because we took a stance on behalf of the poor, immigrants, newcomers, people of other faiths and races? Has criticism of our society made us outsiders to the mainstream attitudes of those around us? Or, have we just avoided conflict by not speaking up and acting when we should? There can be no peace as long as there is injustice in the world.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1413)
2. Mark Kay Eichelman, “Seeing Clearly.” Retrieved from www.sermonsuite.com
3. Pastor Ken Klaus, “Peace at all Cost?” Retrieved from lh_min@lhm.org
4. Larsen, B. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 26: Luke (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1983; p. 215)
5. Dave Wyrtzen, “Before It Rains.” Retrieved from www.TruthEncounter.com
6. Dave Wyrtzen, “Jesus the Divider.” Retrieved from www.TruthEncounter.com
7. Selwyn Hughes, “How Jesus Handled Tension.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
8. Kevin & Amber Marten Bergeson, “Luke 12:49-56.” Retrieved from communic@luthersem.edu
9. “Volume 2; Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time -C- August 14, 2016.” Retrieved from volume2@lists.opsouth.org
10. “Bible Study, Proper 15 ( C )- August 14, 2016.” Retrieved from www.episcopaldigitalnetwork.com
11. Jude Siciliano, OP, “First Impressions, 20^th Sunday-C-August 14, 2016.” Retrieved from firstimpressions@lists.opsouth.org
12. Erick J. Thompson, “Commentary on Luke 12:49-56.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2951
13. The Rev. Alan Brehm, “Blinders.” Retrieved form http://thewakingdreamer.blogspot.com/2013/08/blinders.html
14. David F. Sellers, “Jesus Christ: Troublemaker.” Retrieved from https://us6.campaign-archive.com/?u-dbffd2070718c7bb6alb9b7e0did=c7e5eegddc
15. The Rev. Edward Markquart, “Christ Brings Division.” Retrieved from www.sermonsfromseattle.com/series_c_christ_brings_division.htm
16. Christopher Jacobsen, “Luke 12:49-56.” Retrieved from communic@luthersem.edu.

Hannah’s prayer provides a framework for the events in the rest of 1 and 2 Samuel. God’s sovereign plan-to raise up the poor and humble while bringing low the high and mighty-would be vividly portrayed in this era of Israel’s history. The truths of Hannah’s prayer were echoed centuries later in Mary’s prayer, also known as The Magnificat.

In this passage Hannah prayed from joy. The main point in her prayer is that God is a righteous judge. He brought down the proud Peninnah and exalted the humble Hannah. Peninnah was the other wife of Hannah’s husband Elkanah. Hannah was barren and prayed for a child while being mocked by Peninnah for being childless. God humbles everyone who opposes Him. We can smile at our enemies when we remember that we serve a God who takes great delight in saving and redeeming us.

Hannah not only cried out to God in prayer, but her prayers were accompanied by bitterness. Her prayer was filled with feelings of frustration and injustice. She wanted vindication in the form of conceiving and bearing a son who would redeem her in the eyes of both Peninnah and her husband. 

Peninnah placed great expectations on Hannah. Sometimes when people place great expectations on us we do silly things. Self-promotion or bragging (which is what Peninnah did) generally hides a deep insecurity. We can’t please everyone. The best thing that we can do is to be the best we can possibly be.

Hannah was more than a mother who understands that all of our children are simply on loan from God. Her life was centered on God. She attributed her barrenness to God, she prayed to God, she made a vow to God, she was blessed in God’s name, and she gave her son to God.

Hannah’s prayer declares God’s glory and His trustworthiness. It declares that God is sovereign and that we can trust Him when times are tough. Hannah’s prayer is about the longing of God’s people for the promised Messiah. Because of Hannah’s prayer, God blessed the people with the prophet Samuel. Hannah surrendered to God’s plan. Her promise to give her son back to God is a good example of dying to self, and it is a good example for us as Christians to follow today.

Hannah had to be broken so she would have a new strength that is not human in origin. All of us have to be broken for the same reason. We, like Hannah, realize that we are powerless, and we have to turn to God. God humbles the exalted and exalts the humble. Hannah professed God to be her rock. She built the foundation of her life on her faith in God. She set a good example for us to follow.

Dr. Helen Roseveare, who was a medical missionary in Africa, told the story of a remarkable answer to prayer. A mother had died in childbirth leaving a dangerously premature infant child. They had no advanced facilities, so their normal practice was to keep the baby warm with a hot water bottle. But as they filled the bottle it burst because the rubber had decayed in the African climate. Unfortunately, they had no replacement. Dr. Roseveare doubted the baby would live. But that day they prayed with the other children at the mission.

Dr. Roseveare recounted, “During the prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt consciousness of our African children. ‘Please, God,’ she prayed, ‘send us a water bottle. It’ll be no good tomorrow, God, the baby will be dead; so, please send it this afternoon.’” She was stunned at the girl’s simple faith, hardly daring to believe the prayer could be answered. But that very day she received a package sent by friends from her home church in England. Not only had the package been five months in the mail, but it was the first package she had received in four years on the field. Among the supplies it included was a new hot water bottle that saved the baby’s life.

Both this story and Hannah’s prayer show that there is no restriction on God’s ability to meet and supply our needs. Yet all too often we fail to receive what God could and would give us simply because we lack the faith to ask Him to work. Jesus said that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Hannah and the child Ruth had faith, and when they prayed, mountains were moved. If they can pray and have their mountains moved, so can we.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 361)
2. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
3. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
4. Berni Dymet, “Bragging and Boasting.” Retrieved from berni@christianityworks.com
5. Sharon Betters, “The Legacy of Two Songs.” Retrieved from dailytreasure@markinc.org
6. Sharon Betters, “Hannah’s Song.” Retrieved from dailytreasure@markinc.org
7. Sharon Betters, “No Rock Like our God.” Retrieved from dailytreasure@markinc.org
8. Dr. Paul Chappell, “The Joy of Answered Prayer.” Retrieved from daily@dailyintheword.org
9. Os Hillman, “The Strength of Brokenness.” Retrieved from tgif@marketplaceleaders.org
10. Raul Ries, “Is God Your Rock?” Retrieved from www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/somebody-loves-you-raul-ries/sonebody-loves-you-september-22-2018.html
11. Bob Cornwall, “A Soul Poured Out.” Retrieved from www.bobcornwall.com/2018/11/a-soul-poured-out-lectionary-reflection.html
12. Stan Mast, “1 Samuel 1:4-20.” Retrieved from https://cep.calvinseminary.edu/sermon-starters/proper-28b/?type=the_lectionary_gospel

“Look at that!” exclaimed Manuel. He pointed to two thermometers hanging side by side on the wall next to the window in his grandparents’ kitchen. “One of these says seventy-two degrees, and the other says forty. This one closest to the window must be wrong–it’s warmer than forty in here.”

“Nope. They’re both right,” said Grandpa. He pointed to a small tube running from one of the thermometers out through the window frame. “This tube allows that thermometer to show the temperature outside. The other one shows the temperature in this room. That’s why they can be right next to each other and have two very different readings.” His eyebrows furrowed in thought.

“Uh, oh!” said Manuel with a grin. “Grandpa’s about to give us a mini-sermon. I can tell by the look on his face.”

Grandpa ruffled his grandson’s hair. “These thermometers might be compared with two Christians standing side by side,” suggested Grandpa. “One is warm when it comes to God while the other is cold–far from God and not really interested in the things of the Lord.”

“So neither of them are good?” asked Manuel. “My teacher at church said it wasn’t good to be a lukewarm Christian.”

“She’s right,” agreed Grandpa, “but I’m not talking about a lukewarm Christian. I’m talking about one who has warmth and love for God and His people–one who spends time with the Lord and serves Him by serving others. One who prays, attends church, enjoys spending time with Christian friends, and reads and obeys God’s Word.”

“And I guess the cold Christian knows the Lord but isn’t interested in learning more about God or serving Him, right?” asked Manuel.

Grandpa nodded. “They’re probably more often involved in the things of the world, hanging out with the wrong crowd, and not concerned about sharing God’s love with others.” Grandpa took his Bible from the kitchen table. “Time for our daily Bible reading,” he said. “Let’s read some verses from Galatians that describe some of the characteristics of a warm and cold Christians, shall we?”

“Okay,” agreed Manuel. “I definitely don’t want to be a cold Christian!”

What is the difference between the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh? The Spirit wants to please God, and the flesh wants to please itself and the world.  The condition of our souls strongly influences the fruit that comes out of our lives. If there are any areas of our souls that have been damaged in some way, we will produce bad fruit in those areas. Bad fruit doesn’t necessarily point to a horrific past or abuse. It can simply mean that there are areas of our soul that are still not Christlike.

Which will we allow to dominate our lives-the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit? As long as we are in the flesh there will be a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. If we give ourselves over to the world of the flesh, serve that world and allow ourselves to be determined by it, the flesh will continue to assert its desires in opposition to the Spirit. The Spirit who lives in every Christian opposes the flesh. We can be certain that the Spirit will be triumphant if we walk in the Spirit.

The flesh is a menace to our eternal destiny-a menace that we have to fight every day. The battle won’t be won overnight. We might win an initial victory, but the war continues because we are continually exposed to the flesh.

So what are the works of the flesh? They fall into three categories: sensual sins, spiritual sins, and social sins. These wicked deeds are clearly seen and are performed out in the open. Paul lists them as:

1. Adultery
2. Fornication. The word fornication is often associated with sexual vice, but it also means everything that defiles us and distracts us from a right relationship with God and thus from right living.
3. Uncleanness. Paul is concerned about moral impurity that soils our lives and separates us from God.
4. Licentiousness. It describes lewdness and sensuality, but it also refers to unrestrained violence, pleasure at any cost, and desire and lust that doesn’t care for what other people think.
5. Idolatry, or allowing anything to take the place of God. It is the act of worshipping anything other than God. We are created to worship God, love people and use things. Too often we use people, love self and worship things.
6. Sorcery, including the reading of horoscopes. Magic and witchcraft are man’s effort to control God, to compel God to fit into man’s plans and do man’s bidding.
7. Envy.
8. Murder. Envy leads to jealousy and a bitter mind, which can lead to murder. In Genesis, envy and murder stood with man’s rebellion against God as the original sin.
9. Drunkenness and revelry. They were socially-acceptable forms of recreation in Paul’s time, as they are in our time. Today, they are more destructive. People are killed or injured in car accidents caused by drunk drivers. Families have been destroyed by alcohol. Children are neglected because of money spent on alcohol.

Notice that most of the works of the flesh are social sins. It is in our personal relationships that the flesh most often appears. By adding the phrase, “those who practice such things,” Paul wants readers to understand that this is merely a short catalog of common sins, not an exhaustive or complete list. Paul does not say that anyone who has ever done any of these things will be excluded from heaven. Rather, those who have a habit of sin are excluded from the kingdom because they were never really included-they were never truly saved.

In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, and each following fruit of the Spirit is another expression of love. This distinction between the fruit of the Spirit and the work of the flesh was a result of Paul’s experience. He rebelled against God and thus he was at war with himself. Christ’s love reconciled Paul to God. Paul’s life was integrated with God and with other Christians. It brought him together inside.

Paul lists nine character traits that the Holy Spirit produces in a believers’ life. Jesus Christ is the supreme example of every spiritual quality, having embodied the fruit of the spirit perfectly because each one is inextricable linked to who He is. The fruit of the Spirit is godly attitudes that characterize the lives of those who belong to God, have faith in Christ and possess the Holy Spirit. The Spirit produces fruit which consists of 9 characteristics or attitudes that are linked with each other and are commanded of believers throughout the New Testament. Specifically, they are:

1. Love. It is the summing up not merely of the law, but of all true spiritual life.
2. Joy. It’s the only source of obedience to God.
3. Peace-with God and with each other.
4. Longsuffering-patience, controlling ourselves and supporting other people. Patience is hard for three main reasons:
   1. Overload. We have too much to do and not enough time to do it. It leaves no breathing room, which leads to impatience.
   1. Unrealistic expectations. We place high expectations on people who are close to us-people such as our spouses, children and close friends. When they don’t live up to our expectations, we get impatient. We forget that people aren’t perfect, so they can’t live up to every expectation that we place on them.
   1. Pride. When we think we deserve better treatment than the treatment we receive, our egos get inflated and we get impatient.
5. Kindness
6. Goodness-the type that afflicts the comforted and comforts the afflicted.
7. Faithfulness-our trusting response to God in Jesus Christ. Because our faith is in God’s faithfulness, we can be faithful in word and deed and reliable in our discipleships. It is at the heart of all relationships. It prevents families and societies from falling apart. It is the one element that has the ability to encourage us to persevere in times of failure and heartache.
8. Gentleness-being faithful and submissive to God even in the midst of trial. A gentle person knows his or her strength but submits that strength to Christ in a ministry of love and caring for others. For example, Albert Schweitzer was once asked to name the greatest person in the world. He replied, “No one can properly determine the greatest person in the world. The greatest person…is some unknown person who at this very moment has gone to help another person in the name and with the loving Spirit of Jesus Christ.”
9. Self-control-temperance, or refusal to give free reign to impulse and desire. It makes us fit for God, fit for ourselves and fit to serve others.

The fruit of the Spirit reveals our dependency on and sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit. Calling these Spirit-produced characteristics “fruit” indicates beauty, spontaneity, quietness and growth instead of effort, labour, strain and toil. The use of the singular word “fruit” indicates that there is a unity and coherence in the outworking of these virtues.

The spiritual person has a body and a soul. He has been changed from what he was before spiritual birth. When he was converted, his spirit became united with God’s Spirit. He received his impetus from the Spirit and not from the flesh. His mind was being renewed and transformed. His emotions were characterized by peace and joy instead of turmoil. The Spirit gives us the tools we need to deal properly with life’s trials, but if the fruit of the Spirit has not matured in our lives, we will face even more problems.

Why is there often such a great difference between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit? Why are so many believers living so far below their potential in Christ? Why are so few of us enjoying the abundant, productive life we have already inherited?

Part of the answer is related to the process of growth and maturity as the individual believer appropriates and applies his spiritual identity to his day-to-day experience. Another part of the answer is due to our ignorance of how the kingdom of darkness affects our progress to maturity. Satan actively tries to block our attempts to grow into maturity as God’s children. We must know how to stand against him.

Everyone who is Christ’s died with Him on the cross, but believers must also crucify the fleshly desires connected with their as yet unglorified bodies. The struggle between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit is similar to a tug of war contest. Paul looks back to the cross of Christ, where the death of the flesh and its power to reign over believers was actually accomplished. Christians must wait until their glorification before they are finally rid of their unredeemed humanness, but by walking in the Spirit they can please God in this world.

For Paul, the word “flesh” is a reference to our entire selves, not just a part of us that is dirty and distasteful. To live in the flesh is to live as a member of human society in a physical body. The word “flesh” also means a domain of power, or a sphere of influence in which we live. Paul urges the Galatians and us to remember that as Christians we are to walk in the Spirit. It is the regulating force in our lives. If we walk in the Spirit, our Christian liberty won’t be an opportunity for the works of the flesh to take hold. The Spirit is the daily, sustaining, inspiring, and guiding power of the Christian’s life. It makes real the Christ that lives in us. It sanctifies us and brings us to real maturity.

The flesh and the Spirit are so contrary to one another that walking in the Spirit automatically excludes walking in the flesh. Although believers still experience fleshly desires, they will battle those desires rather than repeatedly indulging in them. Over time, a Christian should increasingly bear the fruit of the Spirit and be more successful in his or her battle against sin.

Freedom is not unrestrained behaviour. A life of doing whatever we want, whenever we want, is in reality a life of bondage rather than freedom. To be led by the Spirit implies that we are allowing ourselves to be led. As we invite the Holy Spirit to direct us, He enables us to defeat the power of the flesh more and more so we can walk in the way of freedom and righteousness.

Victory comes through surrender to Christ, not self-effort. Because our flesh has already been crucified and we have already received the Spirit, Paul urges us to live in our practice what we are already living in principle. Walking in the Spirit leads to helpfulness and service, not to provoking one another, pride or conceit. Such characteristics are incompatible with the fruit of the Spirit.

We have a choice. Either we live by the power of the Holy Spirit, which leads to righteous behaviour and spiritual attitudes, or we live by the law, which can only produce unrighteous behaviour and attitudes. Walking by the Spirit should be part of our active obedience to God. Our desire for sin will be left unfulfilled and overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In our flesh we are very poor imitations of Christ because of ignorance and not being able. Instead of trying to imitate Jesus, we can be excellent dwelling places for His Spirit. When Christ enters us, everything that is possible for Christ becomes possible for us.

How is your relationship with the Holy Spirit today? Have you spoken with Him yet? Are you listening for His voice in your heart as you read the Bible, listen to a sermon, sing songs of praise and worship Him? When you read the Bible, is it real and personal for you? Are you following the Holy Spirit as He convicts you of sin or moves you to pray or suggests that you speak to someone about Christ? Does your way of life bring joy to Him or does it grieve Him?

What would your temperature be on a spiritual thermometer–warm or cold? Is your life filled with love for God and for those around you? If not, you’re probably focusing on the world instead of God. Warm up your spiritual life by reading the Bible and talking to God every day.

Our one desire should be to be made whole and to be as much like Christ as we can be. When we do, we’ll find God putting on our heart the desire and the courage to carry the message of hope and healing to people who are hurting. God knows the best way for us to learn is to get out and experience life for ourselves, walking in the Spirit and listening to Him as we go. If we want to get the most out of life, we have to be reachable. We have to let the Holy Spirit guide our steps. That’s the only way we can learn how to excel in every aspect of life.

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp. 1631-1632)
2. Dunnam, M.D. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 31: Galatians/Ephesians/Philippians/Colossians/Philemon (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1982; pp. 106-118)
3. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
4. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
5. Michael Youssef, Ph.D., “A Higher Law.” Retrieved from noreply@ltw.org
6. Paul Schreiber, “Help for the Fight.” Retrieved from lh_min@lhm.org
7. Doug Fields, “The Enemies of Patience.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
8. Dr. Tony Evans, “The Raging Battle.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
9. Neil Anderson, “Living Below Our Potential.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
10. Neil Anderson, “The Spiritual Person.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
11. Steve Arterburn, “Recovery is Like an Onion.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
12. Peter Briscoe, “Experiencing Life Today-April 13, 2015.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
13. Dr. Jack Graham, “How You Can Excel in Life.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
14. Christine Caine, “Good Fruit.” Retrieved from Biblegateway@e.biblegateway.com
15. Michael Youssef, Ph.D., “Closer than a Brother.” Retrieved from mydevotional@leadingtheway.org
16. John North, “Galatians 5:16-25.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
17. “Spiritual Thermometer.” Retrieved from info@keysforkids.org