Tag: Hell

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It’s More Than A Potluck Dinner

It’s More Than a Potluck Dinner

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

Some mistakenly think that God has given us new life in Christ just so that we can avoid eternal damnation in Hell, and live forever in Heaven. The mistake isn’t in believing those who are in Christ will escape Hell and inherit Heaven, (It’s true) but rather it’s in thinking this is the primary reason for salvation. The primary reason for our salvation is to restore our “fellowship” with God our Creator. And, to be restored to fellowship with God is to be restored to fellowship with the entire body of Christ; indeed, even all of humanity.

St. Paul points out the importance of this “fellowship”. The Greek word rendered here as “fellowship” is “koinonia”, which means far more than simply hanging out together or having a potluck dinner. The Greek meaning speaks to real communion, a sharing or participating in one another; with our God, and with each other. Such communion is only possible by the power of the resurrection.

The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that gives eternal life to our mortal bodies, and binds us together as the body of Christ. So, the fellowship we share is rightly said to be in “the gospel”, not just in our own human connecting. In Christ, we have a real solidarity with humanity, regardless our sex, race, or creed. His resurrection power is what breaks down our walls and brings reconciliation.

To be in Christ is to be raised from the dead, for He has trampled down all death, by His own death. He has given us the power of His resurrection, but it remains for each us to awake to that power, and daily live in it. So, the next time you’re feeling powerless, remember the resurrection power which is at work within you.

Christ is Risen!

+Pastor Brad

Father, open my eyes that I may see and know the power of your resurrection that is at work in me, in my communion with You, and all humanity. Amen. Alleluia!

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Raised from the Ashes: Tuesday – Day 6

Lent 2016 Daily Devotions-4

The Way of the Fool

“30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption;”

I Corinthians 1:30

Read I Corinthians 1:18-31

 

Have you ever been called a fool? If so, chances are it hurt to hear it. As a kid, my mom always told me not to call anyone a fool, not matter how foolish they act. She was thinking of the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:22 that says, if we call anyone a fool we are “in danger of hellfire”. I didn’t understand why I would go to Hell for using a simple word, but it worked. I stopped using the word fool. However, as I grew I always remained curious of what Jesus meant by such a damning sentence for the use of a simple word.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul talks a lot about fools. He speaks of how God used what the world calls foolishness, on which to build His kingdom. You, see the message of the gospel seems foolish to the those who are perishing, but the wisdom of God for those who believe (Vs 18).

In Lent, we often think we should focus on ourselves, and how we are trying to deny ourselves in order to become more like Christ. But, the focus of Lent is actually Christ himself, not us. When we turn our attention to meditating on the mystery of our faith, Jesus calls us deeper into the Spiritual life

Are Lenten Sacrifices Foolish?

In the wisdom of the world (an oxymoronic thought), Lenten sacrifice seems foolish. Denying our flesh in order to tame its cravings, concentrating on serving others through works of mercy, spending time in prayer, meditation, and study, such is folly to those who think they are wise already. Though their actions are indeed foolish, Jesus would not have us call anyone a fool, because a fool is one who thinks he/she is wise in their own eyes, and as such are lost. The one who thinks they don’t need God is as Jesus’ said, “in danger of hellfire”, and that is a label we don’t wish on anyone.

Have you ever felt foolish for your faith? Great! You should know it’s a hallmark of honor to be counted a fool for Jesus. God our Father is the source of all life. He is the fountain of all wisdom, and that wisdom is found in the person of Jesus Christ. He alone is the source of our redemption and sanctification. He alone is the hope of the world. If we are to be fools in anyone’s eyes, then let us be “fools for Christ” (1 Cor. 4:10), for we may look foolish now, but soon we will be raised from the ashes.

Grace & Peace for a Holy Lent,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

 

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The Romance of Death

Abraham's Bosom

The more I’ve thought about last Sunday’s gospel message this week, the less I’ve thought of death and all that’s unknown about it. That seems remarkable to me considering I had a funeral to officiate yesterday, and two funerals to officiate today. Surrounded by so much death, I keep hearing Jesus words about the poor man, Lazarus, and how hard his life was on earth, and then the words, “Abraham’s Bosom” keep coming back to me as a picture of Heaven.

I know that term doesn’t have the same effect on those who are not Jewish, but think about it with me for a minute. To the Jew (the Rich man was Jewish), Abraham’s Bosom was a picture of complete comfort. Abraham was the spiritual father of all Jewish people; it was in Him that they had their belonging as a covenant people of God. We gentiles are also children of Abraham through the reconciliation of Jesus Christ. God only has one covenant people, and if you believe in Jesus Christ as Lord, you’re part of the covenant.

Jesus told the story of the Rich man and Lazarus, not to scare us into the realization that Hell is real and full of torment (Re-read of the Rich Man’s agony), even though it is. He told it also for us who believe to be comforted by the thought of Abraham’s Bosom. Jesus called this place, Paradise when He promised the thief on the cross he would be with Him. Abraham’s Bosom is Paradise. Heaven is Paradise. Why? Because it is with Jesus, and all the blessed saints and loved ones who have died before us in faith.

Let your heart dwell on Paradise. If you’ve had a rough week, think about the fact that we were not meant for this world and all it’s harsh realities. Lazarus had a really bad life as Jesus told it in the story, but the Paradise he inherited at death was worth it all.

There are days when life can be extremely difficult for me.  I’m sure it’s the same for you. But even in the worst of those days, they are better than what Hell will be like. And, I always find that tomorrow still comes. Yesterday was a very difficult day for me personally, but God’s promises are true. His mercy is new every morning, I can feel it.

As we move from Friday to Sunday, won’t you let your heart dwell in thoughts of Abraham’s Bosom? Whatever is the greatest image of paradise you can image, Heaven will be even greater, so go ahead, think about it. Death, going to Heaven, is really a quite romantic thought; it’s a love story of reconciliation between a bridegroom and his long lost bride. Let the promise of Heaven be real for you today. I really think that’s the bigger part of the story in Luke 16.

Grace & Peace

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Matthew  5:6

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Sin Is Wrong, Hell Is Real, No Second Chances

This week’s gospel, November 1-7

The Rich Man and Lazarus

Luke 16:19-31 Click Here to Read the gospel.

Hell is real

We don’t know a lot about what happens to us after we die. What is Heaven really like?  How will we experience it without our bodies? Of course, in the end of the book of Revelation we learn that there are streets of Gold and there is no more death, pain, or sorrow. However, the scriptures in Revelation, written in apocalyptic style (meaning there are images that hide the meaning of things from those who are not familiar with the context of the times), are not there for us to take literally. But, we can know that since streets of Gold and a life without pain and death are the greatest things our limited minds can even imagine, God wants us to know that Heaven will be even greater than anything we can imagine.

By that same understanding, Jesus wants us to understand from his story of the Rich man who goes to Hades, that Hell is real, and once there, there is no way out. Jesus makes it clear that one more sign, or another person raised from the dead won’t convince a hard-hearted, unbeliever.  The testimony of Moses and the Old Testament, coupled with the witness of John the Baptist and the miracles of Jesus is enough for anyone to believe…if they only will.

Our free will is the one thing God will not go against to make us believe in Christ. He may make winds cease, mountains move, and raise people from the dead, but if we are not open to believing of our own free choice, we are left to the consequences of our choices. Jesus wants us to understand from the story of Lazarus the Beggar and Rich Man, that Hell is very real. There are eternal consequences to our sins, if we do not repent. God is always the God of second chances as long as we are still on this side of death. But, make no mistake about it, death comes to all, and as the Book of Hebrews tells us, it is appointed for us all to die and then comes judgment (Heb. 9:27).

Do you need a second chance today? Is there sin in your life from which you have not repented? 1 John 3:9 tells us those who are born of God do not make a practice of sinning. We cannot say we believe in Jesus and keep treating others like dogs (as did the Rich man Lazarus). I have good news for you, God wants to give you a second chance today, and He will every day if that is what it takes to win you back. Our Father is always ready to forgive those who repent. But, we should not take His grace for granted. We must learn to avoid sin, and live for righteousness. After all, the name Christian means to live “like Christ”.  We must repent while there is still time before we die, because just like the Rich man, after death there is no second chance.

This week:

This week try keeping a journal of any sins you become aware of at the end of each day. Before you go to bed, ask the Father to reveal to you anything you did that was not His best for you. Then, think about the things He shows you. Did you do them by choice, even though you knew you should not? Were they things that seemed part of your character you wish you could change? In a closing prayer for the day, repent of whatever the Father shows you. Ask for His grace to strengthen you in the coming days, and to help you change. If you will do this, I promise you will feel God’s love reassuring you that you are His child. He loves you and has a better plan for your life.

Feel free to comment or ask a question along the way this week. After all, we are in this life together, to pray for and help each other. Let’s contemplate this gospel passage together all week. Ask any questions that may arise. I will be back here on Friday with more thoughts from this week’s gospel. Until then…

Grace & Peace for your journey,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Matthew 5:6