WAIT FOR ME Matt. 1:18-25
Posted on December 12, 2009
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“Before a man can seek God, God must have first sought him.” -A.W. Tozer
The story of Mary and Joseph has taken on mythical proportions. Centuries of layered meanings and readings have given it more of a fairy tale feel than is likely the reality.
For one, it was the worst of times. Roman occupation, soldiers all over the place, ridiculious taxes, and the threat of rebellion from the indigenous population always looming. It was anything but stable. Not exactly the best environment for a small business man to operate.
Joseph was also a man of reputation (just). This is how the community viewed him. The text is not stressing his standing before God but other people. That understanding can quickly tweak the way we see this story. I expect Joseph was an older man. Not terribly old mind you but old enough to have established himself in the community. Perhaps in his early 30′s. He is a man of reputation who is engaged to a young maiden.
All of this is totally acceptable, even natural for Jewish culture of the day. What is not acceptable is the unexpected pregnancy. According to the Law of Moses Mary has had either consensual sex or she was raped. In the case of consensuality the penalty is death. There are no witnesses so a trial is not likely but Joseph could have required her to drink the “magic potion” a concoction prepared by the priest to prove that a wife had been unfaithful or her husband was a jealous fool. Joseph would have had nothing to lose being as she already admitted to the pregnancy. The outcome would be tragic though. For in the case of guilt the woman got sick and died (that’s how you knew who was in the right). If she lived then her husband was an idiot. In this case Mary and the baby would be at stake (at least in Joseph’s mind).
Joseph doesn’t want to kill Mary, he just can’t stand to see her. So he determines to quietly break up with her (divorce her). Still, at the end of the day Joseph is throwing Mary under the bus and preserving his own reputation. Remember, Joseph is a “just” man. He is a highly respected follower of the Law in his community. Any apparent infidelity on his part would ruin him. He is completely in the right to abandon Mary and the baby.
Only the intervention of God would make this story a happy ending. The child is Holy. Conceived of the Holy Spirit. He will be the Savior of the world and save his people from their sins. This is the Messiah. Joseph goes for broke, cashes in all his chips, surrenders his reputation on the hope that this is the Messiah. Joseph determines to walk by faith and not by sight. We have been having Christmas ever since.
Your identity is more important than your reputation. And you will be making decisions for the rest of your life that put the two at odds. You can cultivate your identity in Christ or you can choose a particular reputation over Jesus. Joseph chose Jesus and kissed his reputation goodbye. Thanks to that you can have a Merry Christmas. WHB
SUNSCAPE Lk. 1:39-45;3:1-20
Posted on December 5, 2009
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Did you see the sunrise this morning? It’s a question we take for granted but in reality something quite different happens. Rarely are we aware of this. We may live our entire lives never knowing the truth and just how wrong we are to ask, “Did you see the sunrise?” But we live in a culture where truth is personal. It’s something that is subject to our preferences. We aren’t the first people to think like this and we won’t be the last.
He came out of the desert. At least that is what the Bible says. He was anything but normal. In fact a lot of people thought he was crazy. But in a popular sort of way. His father had been a priest. A person who represents people before God and seeks to cover their sin. He on the other hand was a prophet. An altogether different animal with a different sort of mission. You see, prophets represent God before people and have a habit of throwing people’s sin back in their faces. In Israel prophets had short life spans and for this prophet it would be no different.
His mission was to direct people to the Son who was soon coming. His message was a baptism of repentance. Calling people to turn toward God and abandon their sin. The motive for repentance was that the Messiah was just around the corner. He’d already arrived (the birth of Jesus,) he just hadn’t made his entrance yet.
John the Baptist’s message was wrapped in three appeals. Don’t depend upon your religious heritage. Don’t keep your possessions for yourself and use your influence to help others.
How do you see yourself in relationship to the Son of God? Do you insist that he revolve around you or does your life revolve around him? To put it another way, do you live like the earth revolves around the sun? Which was of course John’s point. The Lord was about to make his grand entrance. He has come to reclaim what is rightfully his (which happens to be the world). The words seem harmless enough. “Did you see the sun rise?” But after a while those words can begin to shape how you live in and see the world. Practically speaking, the son revolves around us. We become the center of the universe. Yet, we do not have the strength to hold the universe in continuity and it all falls apart, spinning mercilessly into space. We are “lost in space.”
How we live betrays what we really believe about the universe. We see sun rises or we see the earth revolving around the sun. It’s not simply a matter of perspective but it is a matter of the truth. And Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Christmas is a reminder that the king has come. He alone can right all that is wrong in the world and with us. This Christmas was change needs to begin so your life can revolve around the Son? We all have an orbit. It’s just a matter of who/what is at the center. The earth revolves around the sun.
WHB
SATISFACTION Romans 5:1-12
Posted on November 28, 2009
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“I can’t get no satisfaction…When I’m drivin’ in my car, and the man comes on the radio. He’s telling me more and more bout some useless information. Supposed to fire my imagination. I can’t get no satisfaction…. When I’m watching my tv and a man comes on and tells me how white my shirts can be, but he can’t be a man cause doesn’t smoke the same cigarettes as me. I can’t get no……. (The Rolling Stones)
We are rarely satisfied. Our culture breeds greed. Which can make Thanksgiving such an ironic holiday. There was much made of our attempt this year to make the best of not so great circumstances (politically and economically). Less than a year ago we were euphoric over the election of a new president who would bring justice and equity to our nation. He would make all that was so wrong right. Now we just have a bad hangover. The thrill is gone.
Fortunately, there is another Messiah. His name is Jesus and he does not disappoint. In Romans 5 that is Paul’s thought. Jesus has been utterly victorious through his cross. Having borne our shame we now have access to his righteousness. Paul celebrates our being right with God through Jesus. It is a celebration in which God wants us to participate. While the world offers elusive shadows of fulfillment. God offers us something real in Jesus. They are peace, grace and future glory (in which we hope).
Big ideas which can withstand the rigors of daily life. Your life matters to God and he is determined to use every bit of it to cultivate your life in Jesus (3-5). Life in Jesus does not deny the reality of suffering rather it recognizes God’s ability to salvage our sufferings and make us a little more like him.
Paul was no idealist. Rather, he was a realist. He understood the only we could truly celebrate life was to be in Jesus. One has to have life in him. For apart from him we are utterly lost (or in Paul’s words; weak, sinners, under wrath and enemies of God). But in Jesus we are loved, justified, saved and reconciled to God. All is not right with the world but we can be right with God and celebrate with a thankful heart.
We live in one of two realms; Adam or Jesus. Adam is the world (life) without God. The place where deception thrives (the serpent with Eve), rebellion is practiced (Adam eating with Eve), shame reigns (A&E realized their nakedness), fear and secrets persist (A&E hid themselves from God), blameshifting rules (Adam threw Eve under the bus) and hate infects the whole human race (Cain rose up and slew his brother Abel). In Adam we are “east of Eden.” Separated from God. We are dead.
Only in Jesus are we alive. In fact in Jesus we reign (see v. 17). His grace is sufficient not simply to save us but to grant us victorious lives. Not some type of etherial eternal life. But something earthy and relevant today. If you’re in Jesus you really do have a wonderful life. Celebrate the life you have in Christ. WHB
2012 Acts 1:6-11
Posted on November 14, 2009
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The Mayans will have their 15 minutes of fame. I suppose 2012 will come and go and we will move onto the next apocalyptic scenario. In some way the apostles of Jesus wanted their own version of apocalypse. In their minds they were ready for it. “It” being the Kingdom. They wanted “it” now. Jesus, who always has a way of being unpredictable says, “not now.” He puts the disciples off and reiterates that it is not for them to know the “times or the seasons of the kingdom.” Only the Father knows that.
Here is where we as followers of Jesus have to depart from doomsayers. First, only the Father knows. Those who propose dates and times are not speaking with God’s voice. When the end comes is a secret that God keeps quite well. Second, our focus should be upon the present not the apocalypse. By present, I mean Jesus’ mandate that we be his “witnesses.” Witness in the Bible ironically is the word for “martyr.” Which suggests at some level that following Jesus is not without cost. As Erwin McManus once said, “The purose of the church can not be to survive or even to thrive but to serve. And sometimes servants die in the serving.”
The apostles wanted the kingdom, Jesus wanted a church (which is a witness to the kingdom to come). In their desire is an expression of what they sought; glory, control and peace. These all characterize the kingdom. Unfortunately the church has expended a lot of energy pursuing these passions (peace is the only troublesome aspect as we should be at peace with all people as much as possible but I am referring an eschatological peace, Eden if you will).
Jesus wants us to be witnesses to his cross. To follow in his footsteps which was to serve. The early church had to forsake the concept of “kingdom now” as prophecied in the OT. They would have to create their own future. Abandon their hope for convenience (glory, control and peace) and focus on relevance. The world needs Christ (and the church). Our responsibility is to be a witness to Christ, the only real light in a dark world. WHB
JUDGE JESUS John 5:18-29
Posted on October 17, 2009
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For modern times it is the unexpected reality of the historic Jesus. He is judge. Just call him, “Judge Jesus.” It is popular to refer to Jesus as Lord. But I wonder if that title has become more honorary than anything else. Kind of like the UK’s royalty. They may be rich, powerful and even inspirational (to some) but they aren’t really in control. No one actually fears them (at least in a political sense).
Then there is Jesus. In John 5 Jesus firmly aligns himself with God the Father. And he intimates that it is the Father who has bequeathed to him the function of judge. It is the voice of Jesus that calls you back from the dead, to a resurrection of life or a resurrection of judgment. No one can avert facing Jesus. He will find you. But he also loves you. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.” This is the belief in a crucified and risen savior/judge.
Jesus’ voice echoes the language of accountability. We answer to him. Our destiny is in his hands not our own. A sappy Jesus may be vogue but a dangerous Jesus is the biblical reality. We don’t need a philosophical, professor-like, mealy-mouthed, social justice jesus. We need a rugged Jesus who can carry the cross and the burden of our sin. Welcome to Judge Jesus, the Savior of sinners like you and me. WHB
An Open Letter to the People of FCC
Posted on October 6, 2009
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“God leads into the dark night those whom he desires to purify from all these imperfections so that he may bring them farther onward.” St. John of the Cross
Sunday’s always comin’. Such is the life of the preacher. I put a lot of thought into sermon series. Not just preparing them but actually figuring out what they actually are. Sometimes they are germs of an idea that lingers for months and may even push into a year. Then like some seed you planted, left for dead and forgot about, suddenly blooms. At least that’s the way it is with me and sermons.
Now mind you, this is not without rhyme or reason. I take seriously our need for a healthy dose of the whole text. That’s why we are in and out of the OT and the NT. Then there are those dreaded topics. People ask me, “have you thought about preaching on this or that?” Well as a matter of fact I have. The only problem is that I don’t know much about “this or that.” About all I know is the text. Sometimes we are lucky enough to discover that “this or that” is in there. Unfortunately it is not enough to know the text. Sure I know it but I readily admit I often do not understand it. And more often than not I find living it even harder (Mama told me there’d be days like these, Mama said, Mama said). So preaching is part of my pain. James said not many should become teachers. That guy knew what he was talking about. So, I am often left wondering what will come out of my preaching. I wonder what will become of me.
For some time I have wanted to preach Acts. Somethings always held me back. For a number of years I taught Acts (history of the early church) at the collegiate level. When that gig dried up I started thinking about Acts in terms of worship and preaching rather than academics. For a while now I have known that I had to preach Acts. Little did I know that about the time I would finally relent and walk perilous paths with Paul I would be called upon to return to the classroom. It is just a bit ironic. My hesitancy has been twofold. First, I did not want to make the impression I was cheating. In my conflicted self I thought it heretical to be preaching and teaching the same text in different venues. Second, I’m scared to death of what I might say. Acts mind you is the only history we have of the early church. It is the story of her birth. And a turbulent one it was. You see it in its awkward infancy. Its vibrant (even rash) youth. Back when it was radical, rebellious, controversial and risky (kind or reminds me of my young son, Tristan). This is long before we became domesticated, institutionalized, muzzled and marginalized. It was a time when image was nothing and the church had not sold its soul to a political party.
Perhaps some of the vintage feel of the early church will rub off on us. I expect the preaching will be perilous. I am almost certain to offend somebody along the way. As I assess my preaching over the last year I wonder if I have been a bit too soft (Olsteenish). To be honest I like the rough around the edges Bill. Who needs friends when I have Art Finch.
So, within the next month the journey begins. A journey into our past that we might discover our future. The quest to walk on holy ground and remain earth-bound. By divine perogative we are the body of Christ, salt of the earth, light of the world. The voice of the gospel of Christ crying out to a lost world, a barren landscape of the soul. May the fire of the Holy Spirit burn within us, even burn us. WHB
MAKIN’ THE GRADE
Posted on September 12, 2009
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“Anyone who comes to me, hears my words and does them…is like a man who built his house upon a rock” (paraphrase mine from Luke 6:46-48). Did you catch that? Jesus says, the person who “does” his words is like the man who builds his house upon a firm foundation.
I anticipate what we would expect to hear is “believes.” Of course even the demons believe. So, maybe James is right when he says, “faith without works is dead.” For some time western Christianity has had a love affair with knowledge. As if the more you know the more spiritual you are. Some of us remember having to memorize gobs of verses from Awana or WOL. It’s what got rewarded. But in the Sermon on the Mount it seems to be behavior that Jesus promotes and insists the Father rewards. No wonder no matter what tradition of Christianity you come out of this text causes problems. We keep coming away guilty.
In the movie “Batman Begins” Bruce Wayne is confronted by his boyhood friend for his philanthropy while Gotham crumbles around them because of poverty and crime. Out of this scene comes one of the best lines in the movie, ‘Bruce, it’s what you do that defines you.’ Somewhere along the line Christianity became more of a thinking faith than an active faith. Something I don’t think Jesus ever intended.
The Sermon On The Mount brings three quadrants of life to a crossroads; relationships, behavior and space. Space is home, work, school, some aspect of location. It could be the grocery store. Behavior is what you do, how you react. What those who occupy the space with you see and experience in light of your presence. Which brings us to relationships. The quality of our relationships rests largely upon what we are doing in them (not what we think of them). Sure it takes two to tango, but somebody has to ask you to dance. Perhaps that’s what Jesus is saying when he says, “love your enemies, be merciful, don’t judge, and forgive.”
At the end of “Batman Begins” there is another run in with Bruce Wayne’s boyhood friend. But this time he is the Batman. He’s just saved his old friend and a young boy from a pack of maniacs. It’s there he tells his friend that it’s what he does that defines him. This is all deeper than one may think. Part of Batman’s struggle is about who he is going to be. What is he going to do? Be Bruce Wayne the playboy billionaire or be Batman the Dark Knight. We know what he chose because it’s what he does that defines him.
In some way even Jesus had to clarify who he was. To many people he was Jesus, the son of Joseph the carpenter. But he knew he was the Christ, the son of God. Quite a difference if you ask me. Truth is, it’s not the words making us follow Jesus. I kind of doubt that phrases like “love your enemy” and “judge not” are getting you out of bed on Sunday morning. It’s the deed. It’s the cross that makes us followers of Jesus. Without the deed, the words are meaningless. It’s not how much you know, but what you do that defines you. WHB
Note: links to Batman clip
watch?v=GurL-EflShY watch?v=maMazTjjSiU
LIGHTS Micah 5:2
Posted on August 22, 2009
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As the community of Christ I have to wonder if we simply prefer to be a city on a hill from afar. When if we are to fully live out and experience the gospel we have to invite the lost into the hospitality of our homes and experience the warmth of our fires. Ironically Jesus may have known this to some extent for there was no room for him in the inn.
Bethlehem has become symbolic of the gospel. It is the birth place of the Messiah. A most unlikely place. Bethlehem you might say, “didn’t even have a post office.” Not the most likely birth place of a king. I expect even for Micah these were dangerous words to echo. For Israel already had a king (albeit a lousy one). Micah’s prophecy indicates they needed a better one. It reminds me of Hebrews which echoes that Jesus is a better priest (after the order of Melkez.). Herod of course got it. Otherwise he would not have slain all those toddlers. The religious leaders of Israel on the other hand apparently did not believe it. The light of faith seems to have gone out in them.
Can you see the lights of the city? For that matter, are the lights on in your own life? Jesus said, “a city on a hill cannot be hidden.” As a follower of Christ that means you. You are the lights of Bethlehem.
What the church seems to have forgotten is that the light is for the world not ourselves. The text indicates that out of Bethlehem would come he who would be ruler in Israel. For Micah the Messiah is for Israel not Bethlehem. For us the gospel is for the world not ourselves. But our tendency is to keep it to ourselves. At the end of the day we need to realize that the church is not the focal point of God’s plan. Rather, she is the tool in God’s plan. We need to lift the shades and be the light of the world. For a city on a hill cannot be hidden. WHB
THE SOCIETY OF JESUS Matthew 11:19
Posted on July 25, 2009
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“At the Holy Supper we take our places in the wildly generous world of salvation, lavish in grace…..Every meal- breakfast, lunch and supper- whatever the menu, wherever and with whomever we eat it, puts us in the company of Jesus, who ate his meals with sinners and gave himself for us.” Eugene Peterson
The society of Jesus is open, not closed. This is starkly demonstrated in Jesus’ call of and identification with Matthew the tax collector. Simply put Matthew had a career in legalized extortion. Running his toll booth, charging whatever fare, surcharge, tax (whatever you want to call it) he felt like. He had to get his quota required by the Roman Empire and the rest was gravy. Ironically extortion was his livelihood. It’s how he put bread on the table for his kids.
Matthew was so overwhelmed with Christ that he threw a party for him (he must not have realized that Jesus doesn’t “party”) and invited the rest of his scum-bucket friends. Jesus was too happy to attend. Thus the accusation that Jesus was a “glutton and a drunkard.” To us these are harsh words. To Jesus and his society they were damning words. The accusation is from the Torah. It’s what parents did when they got sick of their rebellious children (likely adult-children), dragged them to the priest and accused them of being “gluttons and drunkards.” A fancy way of saying they are rebellious and a disgrace to our good name. The Torah thing to do was to take the brat out back and promptly stone him/her to death.
There, does that help it all make sense? The Pharisees were accusing Jesus of being rebellious and that he deserved to die. All because he ate with the wrong people? When you take communion, remember the society of Jesus is open, not closed. The table is a powerful reminder that Jesus has identified with us in every way. He is the friend and savior of sinners. He is the only door of the society. That is he is the only way in. As the “way” he is open, not shut.
Jesus is also the table of the society. He is the bread and he is the cup. He is the holy meal (don’t freak out over the metaphors). Even he himself said, “I am the bread of life.” “This is my body, this is my blood.” Jesus is the center of our lives. He is the means of our spiritual formation. Without him, without communing with him it is hard to grow. Meals are sacred things. Which a fast food culture has largely been abandoned. Jesus invites you to take a load off. And have a drink on him. Enjoy him and the society which ebbs and flows from him. The society of Jesus is open, not closed. All who come through the door and long to commune with him are welcome.
Finally, Jesus is the grace of the society. No family gets very far without grace. The friends of Jesus are “sinners and tax collectors”. The only way we can commune with Christ is by grace. In and of ourselves we are unworthy. In Christ we are righteous. “He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God, in him.” Jesus is the one who holds the society together. Runs after prodigal sons, searches for lost sheep and treats prostitutes like ladies (like Mary of Magdala, the woman at the well, the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair, the woman caught in adultery; you get the picture).
The society of Jesus is open, not closed. Even you and I are welcome. So eat this bread, savor this wine. For they are his body, broken that we may be whole and his blood shed for the remission of our sins. As you taste and see that the Lord is good, sneak a peek and look around the table at your family. These are your brothers and sisters, sinners and tax collectors. All Jesus sees is friends. Thank God the society of Jesus is open, and not closed. WHB
RIGHT RELIGION
Posted on July 13, 2009
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The July 12, 2009 sermon was preached by guest speaker Wil Reichel, deacon and member of First Christian Church – Kirkwood.