Repentance 5

Hebrews 12:22-25

As part of a project that Peggy and I worked on along with some friends, we visited many churches in our hometown to learn about their history and take pictures of both the outside and the inside of these great houses of worship. It was fascinating to see the different churches, the various architectures, the many stained glass windows and ornate décor within. It was such a spiritual thrill to feel the presence of God in so many diverse places, and to be made aware of how vast and all-encompassing God can be.

But it is not the place that connects us to God, although a place of worship is designed to help us make that connection. What brings us into communion with God is our own soul searching for our Lord and Savior.

The writer of Hebrews is talking about the need to search for God and to find him, connecting with him through Jesus. How does the writer describe this encounter with the Most High? Jewish tradition was to offer sacrifices, sprinkling blood before God to please Him. How does the blood of Jesus speak a better word than the sacrifices of Abel? What is the final warning given?

Where do we find holiness? Is it only in the large cathedrals, the high-ceilinged churches with stained glass windows and tall pulpits? Is God only in those places where thousands gather to worship and raise voices in song?

No. God is in every place made holy by those who come before him acknowledging that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. The holy mountain that is spoken of, that holy place described here, is within the hearts of the faithful. When our hearts become humble before God, when we confess our sins and ask Jesus to rule our lives, then we are joined with all the angels and the saints everywhere and in every time. We become part of the living God.

We cannot miss this important fact of our faith. We have been taught and warned by those on earth, beginning with Moses and on through all the prophets until Jesus Christ, and then beyond Christ, by the writers of the New Testament and all who preach the good news of salvation even today. Now God calls you from heaven to accept his Son as Savior. Do not turn away from Jesus.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you be part of thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly?

Repentance 4

John 3:1-5

Recently one of our children, frustrated with school, wondered out loud why anyone would need to study history. Our canned response was the old adage – “Those who do not know the past are doomed to repeat it.” If we do not know and understand what happened in our history we are likely to make the same mistakes.

But when it comes to our faith we could say that those who do not forget the past are doomed to repeat it. If we can’t let go of our sinfulness, if we can’t get over our foolish mistakes and erroneous behavior, we are likely to keep living a sinful life.

Jesus was approached by Nicodemus, a religious leader and scholar of his time. In this encounter Jesus took the opportunity to give some spiritual teaching. What does Jesus say is necessary to see the kingdom of God? What specification did Jesus add to this comment in verse 5?

Most are familiar with the late night conversation with Nicodemus. Most are familiar with how the man could not understand the simple message of repentance and salvation. How can a man be born again? An adult can not return to the womb.

Well, of course not. But this is not what Jesus was talking about. Jesus was talking about spiritual rebirth. He was talking about shedding our old way of thinking and believing and acting. In its place we need to put on a new life, a life of holiness.

We can move forward in our faith and in our journey to perfection when we get rid of our old ways, ways of selfishness and sinfulness. We need to repent of our sins, seeking forgiveness from Christ. And when we seek that forgiveness we will be given the opportunity for a new life.

We can be born again – not physically – but reborn in the spirit. Our souls can be made new through the water of baptism, a reminder of our salvation. But we must also begin living with a new spirit of godliness.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What must you do to be reborn?

Repentance 3

Luke 24:45-48

Many years ago my uncle, the owner of a small business, made a decision about an almost daily opportunity. His business brought him in contact with people every day, and he said that many people would greet him with a cliché saying – “What’s the good news?” Never certain how to respond, he finally came to a realization. When asked what the good news was he should always say, “Jesus died for my sins.” In this simple way he could spread the Gospel message.

In this passage from Luke we see Jesus after the resurrection, at the close of his ministry. What did Jesus do for those who believed in him? What did he remind them about in verses 46 and 47? What is important about verse 48?

A common misperception is that only preachers or evangelists are able to tell other people about Jesus Christ. But the fact is that each of us can say something that at least serves as a reminder that Jesus died for our sins.

One of the most important things we must remember is that Jesus is our Savior. Through his death Jesus took on all of our sins. Jesus suffered the punishment for all the wrong you have done and all the sins you will ever commit. Your sins, past and future, are paid for. They are removed – if you accept Jesus as Savior.

But how can anyone accept Jesus as Savior if they have not heard about what Jesus has done?

This passage from Luke is Jesus talking to his disciples and followers, but the message is for all who take on the name of “Christian.” It is significant that this encounter involves more than just the eleven disciples (see Luke 24:33). What Jesus did – open their minds so they could understand – was done for all who believe and have faith, not just the elite eleven.

It is also significant that Jesus claims, “You are witnesses of these things.” I believe the term can apply in two ways. We have witnessed what Jesus has done because we have believed the Gospel story and experienced Jesus in our own lives. But we are also witnesses in that we can share the message of Jesus as Savior.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you witness every day?

Repentance 2

Luke 5:18-25

Jesus seems to have been misunderstood since the beginning of his life. I would even claim that he is still misunderstood by many. It would seem that those who came to see Jesus were coming to hear a good teacher speak and possibly see some amazing healing.

We recognize Jesus as the Son of God, as God in human form. But those who were around him were not always aware of who exactly he was. What do the friends of the paralytic do? What does Jesus say to the man in need of healing? How do the Pharisees and teachers react? What does this demonstrate about Jesus?

Jesus offers healing in a unique way when a paralytic is lowered through the roof and set before him. Rather than say, “Be healed” or “Get up and walk,” Jesus declares that the man’s sins are forgiven. And that draws a lot of negative attention.

The religious leaders in his presence take offense and claim that Jesus is blaspheming – insulting God. Their comments are a reminder that only God can forgive sins.

And that is when Jesus proves his point. He equates declaring the man healed with declaring the man forgiven. At his command the invalid is able to rise and walk away. He is physically healed and he is forgiven of his sins.

Jesus has proven that, just as the Pharisees and teachers claimed, God can forgive sins. Therefore, Jesus is the Son of God.

We may call Jesus “Lord.” We may call him “Savior” and “Messiah.” But we must remember exactly what we mean by that. Jesus is more than just a good teacher, a kind helper, a good man. Jesus is God in human form, and we are called to accept him as Savior so that we may be forgiven.

This requires that we confess our sins to Jesus and ask for the forgiveness we need. We are not asking a teacher or helper, but we are asking God to forgive us. We should never forget that Jesus is the Savior we need. And we should never forget that we are all sinners who need forgiveness.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Can you acknowledge Jesus as the Savior by asking forgiveness from him?

Repentance 1

Matthew 8:23-27

Although we say we believe in Jesus we may not always act as though we do. We may think we trust in Jesus, but often our trust falls short of where it needs to be.

This passage in Matthew is a familiar story of the miraculous ability of Jesus Christ. Where are Jesus and his disciples? What problem arises? What does Jesus do? How do his disciples respond?

I have often shared my perception of Jesus and the frustration he must have felt when dealing with the disciples. This story has been used again and again in messages usually focusing on the lack of faith that the disciples had. But I want to focus on the concluding comments that the disciples made.

The twelve have been following Jesus and his ministry for enough time that they have heard him preach and teach. If Matthew is written at all chronologically then Jesus has also healed many sick people prior to this trip in the boat. We might assume that these men are following Jesus because they believe he is the Son of God. But do they really?

Apparently not. If they truly believed him to be the Son of God, God in human form, then they wouldn’t have been amazed at the miracle of the calming of the storm. And if such a miracle did amaze them, the question arises – why did they ask him to save them?

But my fear is that so many of us who call ourselves “Christian” would be equally amazed by the power of Jesus. We claim that we believe Jesus is the Son of God. We claim him as Savior, but we seem to act as if we doubt his ability to forgive our sins or remove them.

Are we simply paying lip service to Jesus, or do we really believe in him as Savior. And if we really believe in him as Savior, can we have faith in the power of Christ? Our faith must be real and not a superficial, shallow cover to what we really believe.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Do you truly believe Jesus can remove your sins and save your soul?

Make Disciples 3

Acts 2:38-41

Recent news stories have covered the phenomenon of shoppers at Target stores. Customers have swamped the stores to buy designer clothes and other items at a really low price. News of the bargains spread quickly as people shared this information with others.

It’s amazing to me how excited we can get about a bargain and how dull we can be about our faith. In Acts 2 Peter has stood up and is speaking to a crowd of people who have witnessed the working of the Holy Spirit. He tells them all about Jesus, about how he is the Lord. In response the crowd asks what they are to do.

What does Peter tell the people to do? What will they receive? What did he plead with them about? How did many respond?

Peter knew the importance of a life in Christ. He knew how important it is to repent of our sins and to begin the spiritual growth of faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance and godliness. He was so excited about this important news that he was very emphatic when talking about Jesus and faith.

Peter urged those who heard him to turn their lives around and begin the journey of faith in Jesus. He urged them to be baptized, to make a public confession of this new life. The Bible even says that “he pleaded with them.” The words convey the urgency Peter felt.

We may not all be like Peter. We may not all have the gift of public persuasion that this disciple possessed. But we are called to make disciples. We are all called to invite others into a relationship of brotherly kindness and love.

If we can have our own faith grow into greatness, if we can add to our faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance and godliness, then we can also add to our faith the practice of brotherly kindness and love. We can welcome others into the family of God. We can stand with them as they accept Jesus as Savior and as they are baptized to mark this new faith.

Perhaps then we will see an increase in numbers of believers in our churches.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you share your passion for God?

Grow 1

Jonah 2:8-9

I was discussing the work of writing sermons with a group of pastors a few months ago. One of them, Bob, said that after preaching his first sermon he asked his wife what she thought about it. She offered a few constructive criticisms, suggesting ways it could have been better. Bob said, “That was the last time I ever asked for her opinion.”

Taking correction and criticism can be very difficult, even if the suggestions are well-intentioned and aimed at making us better people. But changing and growing is all part of becoming more mature, and it is no less important than in our faith life. We are called to grow in our faith, to mature, to reach completeness – which the Bible sometimes calls “perfection.”

Most are familiar with the story of Jonah. He is a prophet called by God to preach to the city of Nineveh so that the people might repent and be spared God’s wrath. But Jonah is immature in his faith and runs away from where God wants him. Eventually he ends up in the belly of a big fish, usually referred to as a whale.

While in the big fish Jonah matures. What realization does Jonah have? What does he pledge? What is his final comment?

Being swallowed by a big fish is pretty bad, but it could have been worse. He could have drowned. The fish actually saved his life.

And in that realization Jonah grows spiritually. He realizes that if he had been obedient he wouldn’t be in a tough spot. He realized that even though he is in a tough spot, it could be worse. God has spared him death.

The thought of being called to perfection can be intimidating. But if we see “perfection” as spiritual wholeness it might not be quite so daunting. Like Jonah we need to be spiritually mature enough to repent, mature enough to obey God and mature enough to submit to His will. In that we will grow to a more developed and complete faith.

Then, as spiritually whole and mature believers, we can fully recognize the grace and salvation that comes from God. As mature believers we can sing songs of thanksgiving to God and be willing to make good on our vows and pledges to the Lord.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How will you make your faith grow?

Forgive 5

John 20:23

As parents with teens we sometimes faced the dilemma that arose when we had to ground our children as punishment. We often wondered who suffered the most – our children who were grounded, or we as parents who had to limit ourselves so we could enforce the punishment.

Today’s passage takes place after the resurrection. Jesus has appeared to his disciples as they hide within a locked room – perhaps the same room where the Last Supper took place. What authority does Jesus give? Do we have that same authority?

This statement from Jesus can spark considerable debate and may not be the easiest passage to understand. Many believe this is the commissioning of the disciples, Jesus giving these eleven followers the authority that Jesus has. They now have the power to forgive sins, to heal, and also to condemn.

Now the question is, does this authority end with the disciples? Or is this same authority something we possess? Do we have the power to withhold forgiveness from others, and in that power do we condemn them?

I believe the answers to those questions must be decided by each individual. Who is to say which of us is correct?

On a purely logical and superficial level what is being said makes sense. If you forgive, then the person is forgiven. If you don’t forgive, then forgiveness is not given. It may or may not have everlasting consequences. It may simply be a statement of obvious sense.

Perhaps the most important question to ask is, what does Jesus intend by this comment? If we look at in light of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:12, then we might assume that Jesus is simply reminding everyone that we should be forgiving. We should be aware that we are forgiven, even though we don’t deserve that forgiveness. With that awareness we should be willing to forgive others.

And maybe the absence of forgiveness has no bearing on the souls of the people we do not forgive, but rather the absence of forgiveness on our part actually binds us up in an attitude of bitterness and selfishness. When we do not forgive, perhaps we are the ones who suffer the most.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Can you forgive others?

Repent 5

Psalm 57:1-2

We are having trouble with our photo-copier at church. It appears that some dirt has built up on the roller where the paper comes out of the machine causing the copies to jam up. Although the problem may be more than that I thought about how much trouble a small amount of dirt can cause with copiers.

If even the smallest bit of dirt or ink or paper bits gets into the workings of the copier it will not function properly. If any dirt is on the glass plate then all the copies will have that smudge on them. A little dirt keeps the machine from functioning the way it is supposed to.

Psalm 57 is credited to David, the father of Solomon and one of the greatest of the kings in Jewish history. What does he ask for? What does he plan to do? Why does he cry out to God?

If you think about people who were really powerful in their faith and committed to God, David would have to be up there at the top of the list. He was very devoted to serving God and God blessed him richly.

However, just like everyone else, David made some mistakes along the way. He knew that he was in need of forgiveness and that he needed to repent of his sins. This psalm is one of those expressions of repentance.

David cried out to God and sought mercy. He needed God to be present with him to give him assurance. He wanted the Lord’s mercy, and in describing God he says that God fulfills his purpose.

With God’s forgiveness and grace, with the renewal of spirit that mercy brings, David was able to fulfill his purpose. He was able to live out his faith. He was able to behave as one who is truly devoted to God.

Once the sins were removed and David was cleansed he was able to move forward and be obedient to God.

Like David we must turn to God in repentance. We must turn to our Lord and seek His mercy so that we might be cleansed of all our failings. Thus cleansed, we will then be able to live out the purpose God has for us. We will be able to be obedient to God with a pure heart and soul.

Like the copier, the smallest amount of dirt – sin, selfishness, laziness, disinterest – can prevent us from fulfilling our purpose and functioning as we have been called to do.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What must you do to fulfill God’s purpose for you?

Repent 4

Malachi 3:1

In the fall and winter months we host a Bible study every Sunday evening at the parsonage. We enjoy having others come to the house for a small meal and fellowship time and, of course, the Bible study is always uplifting. Another benefit we get from hosting the Bible study is that every weekend we must clean our house so that it is presentable to our guests.

Although the act of cleaning isn’t always enjoyable it is good to know that the place is cleaned. It is good to know we have prepared the place to welcome the visitors we know are coming.

I think we sometimes must take that same approach with our souls. Malachi addresses many wrong behaviors in a society that has strayed from God. According to this passage, who is God sending? What will he do? Who is he preparing for?

This reading from Malachi might make us think of the ministry of John the Baptist. It might also make us think of Jesus. Both men preached a message of repentance, and that repentance was supposed to be a spiritual preparation for our place in the kingdom of heaven. Both preached a message that we must ready our hearts to make room for the Holy Spirit.

This message of preparation is not just intended to the Israelites of long ago, but is a message we should heed at all times. We must prepare our souls for the arrival of God. We should be cleansed of all our sins and mistakes. We should analyze our souls and our motivation to see if we are truly leading the type of life that is pleasing to God.

And, if we clean house spiritually, we can remove all the clutter that can detract from a holy life or distract us from obeying God. If we repent we can set aside the wrong and make room for the Lord.

Just as with cleaning a house, the act itself may not be pleasant, but it is very good to know that the cleaning has been done. It may be difficult for us to be honest in our evaluation of our spiritual health. It may be difficult for us to admit that some of the things we do are wrong.

But if we can confront ourselves and our own errant ways we can prepare our own hearts for the presence of Christ. If we can repent of our sins first, we can prepare our souls to be the temple where God might reside.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you prepare your heart for the presence of God?

Repent 3

2 Chronicles 7:17-18

Many years ago we led a group of families from our church on a weekend get-away to Louisville, Kentucky. Although we explained that we had never been there before and we weren’t sure where we were going, still everyone followed our car wherever we went. At one point we got lost and had to turn around in a gas station. Sure enough, ten other cars – lined up like a parade – turned around in the gas station.

Because they followed us everyone made the same mistake we had. But because we made a mistake we all made the same correction to turn things around.

Today’s passage is a continuation of God’s commands for Solomon. What three things are Solomon commanded to do? What will be the result?

Most people are familiar with the Old Testament figure of David. David was that ruddy child of Jesse who was anointed to be king. He was the young shepherd boy who confronted the giant Goliath and killed him. As an adult he was a mighty warrior who eventually became one of Israel’s greatest kings.

So, the promise God gives to Solomon is a good one. If Solomon can do what God commands and observe God’s laws then he will be as great a leader as David was.

It is interesting that God commands Solomon to walk before the Lord as David did. Although David was a great king, he was also guilty of a terrible sin when he seduced Bathsheba and had her husband murdered. Was God urging Solomon to make terrible mistakes as well?

No. But I do believe God knew, as Solomon knew, that Solomon would make his own mistakes. How, then, should Solomon walk before the Lord as David did?

Solomon is not being commanded to commit sins and make mistakes. But he is being commanded to seek forgiveness when he does make mistakes. Although David committed sins, he also repented of his sins and found mercy and forgiveness from God. David did wrong, but it did not diminish his fame because David repented of his ways and turned back to God.

Like Solomon we should walk before the Lord as David did. We should do what God commands and obey God’s laws. We should not deliberately sin, but we should be willing to repent, and we should be quick to repent when we do make our mistakes along the way.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How is that you can walk before the Lord as David did?

Repent 2

2 Chronicles 7:13-14

Like almost anyone else, from time to time my wife and I get on each other’s nerves, or our children do those things that spark my anger, or other people get me frustrated and I get mad. When tempers flare up and voices are raised that usually means that there is not a lot of communication going on.

When I am angry I don’t like to say much, and I don’t want to hear very much either. What needs to happen is that an apology must be made. Once that happens then communication can be restored and the relationship goes back to normal.

In the same way we can be separated from God because of our own mistakes and errors. Today’s passage is part of God’s response to Solomon when Solomon dedicates the temple to the Lord. What type of situation is God referring to in verse 13? What must God’s people do? How will God respond?

It is a very common concept in much of the Old Testament writings that when people suffered it was because they had done wrong and offended God, and God was punishing them. Personally, I don’t strictly cling to the belief that every bad thing is a punishment for wrong.

That being said, I do believe that when we stray from God and do those things we should not be doing, or don’t do the things we should, we are removed from the blessings of God. That seems to be the situation addressed in verse 13.

If we find ourselves out of God’s good will, if we feel that we should or could be more dedicated to serving God, then there are things we need to do to restore that relationship. There are things we need to do to start that conversation going again.

We – the people of God, called by His name – need to humble ourselves. Part of that humility is the acknowledgement that we must obey God. We must submit ourselves to the Lord. And part of that submission is to repent and seek forgiveness.

We must seek the face of God, that connection and relationship with the Almighty. We can seek God in prayer, and we can turn from our sinful ways and seek redemption from the Lord.

When we do these things God has promised that He will be part of that conversation which is our relationship with God, a connection of peace and love.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you humble yourself for God?

Repent1

Acts 3:19

The challenge of being strong in our faith can often make us fear for what is expected of us, and those fears can sometimes cripple us. In Acts 3:1-10 we have the story of a lame man who is healed by the disciple Peter. This man has been bound up by his physical infirmities, unable to do those things he would like to do since birth. But Peter commanded that the man be freed from this bondage and be healed.

After the celebration of the miracle Peter takes the opportunity to explain the importance of faith in Jesus. He concludes with today’s verse. What does Peter urge his listeners to do?

Although Peter was speaking to the crowd in Solomon’s Colonnade, what he has to say applies to us today. The healing the beggar received is like the healing we can receive in our souls to put us on the right spiritual path in our walk before the Lord.

In a single Bible verse we have the summation of our faith and what we are to do as Christians. The first step for our spiritual strength and renewal is repentance. We are to realize that we have strayed from the path of righteousness and we are sinful. We have erred and done wrong things. But God desires that we ask forgiveness and renounce the ways of the world.

Then we turn to God. We change the focus of our lives and our souls, moving away from the lures and desires of the earthly things around us, and focus our hearts and souls on the everlasting Father that we might be given strength, ability and right direction.

When we have extracted ourselves from the temptations and errors of worldly things, when we have been forgiven and we make Christ the center of our attitudes and intentions, then we will be refreshed. We will have a new soul, a new heart, a new attitude and a new way of approaching what lies ahead.

With our sins gone and our hearts focused on the Lord we are given a new perspective and a new energy to do those things that are right and holy, those things that are directed by God.

We are each urged to give up the bondage of those things in life which distract us from holy living. We are urged to turn to God and welcome that refreshment of the spirit the Lord offers.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Repent of your sins. Turn to God and welcome the refreshing newness God can give you.