Going on to Perfection

Psalm 38 + Psalm 119.25-48
Genesis 9.18-29 + Hebrews 6.1-12 + John 3.22-36

I am always torn between "getting back to the basics" and "going on to perfection." The author to the Hebrews seems to believe they are opposed to one another. "Let us go on to perfection, leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ, and not laying again the foundation..." Skipping to the end of the passage he says that it is his hope that we would "realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

It all makes me think, am I pushing ahead? Or have I become sluggish?

John the Baptist is all about pushing ahead. Even as he and Jesus are baptizing together, John is pointing to Jesus. "He must increase, I must decrease." This is, I think, the heart of holiness. Atheletes push on to get bigger and stronger and faster. Christians push on so that they can become smaller so that Christ can become bigger. Am I pushing on? Am I becoming smaller? Is he becoming bigger within and through me?

A while ago, I proposed three questions we can ask ourselves to gauge our growth:

1) Scripture: Am I asking more and harder questions about scripture and the faith?
2) Worship: Am I coming to worship with a growing sense of awe and expectancy?
3) Ministry: Am I ministering to the lost with a greater passion for grace?

I think these are good places to start if indeed we want to realize the full assurance of our hope.

Almighty God, send upon us your Holy Spirit that we may be so filled with your love and grace that there would be no room within us for anything but you. And being filled with your love and grace, may it spill forth from our lives to the glory of your name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

And Jesus Looked Upward and Said...

Psalm 2, Psalm 110:1-7
Jonah 2.2-9 + Ephesians 6.10-20 + John 11.17-27, 38-44

Next week I will begin my second year of coursework in the DMin program at Trinity School for Ministry. It is a fascinating place to study with others who are Evangelicals like myself, but who are also shaped by the Anglican tradition like I have been in the last few years. Many people ask me why I chose to study at an Anglican seminary, and the answer is very simple: Prayer is at the center of their community.

I was born and raised and now pastor in the Church of the Nazarene. I was educated in the Church of the Nazarene, first at Mount Vernon Nazarene University then at Nazarene Theological Seminary. In both of those places we had the opportunity to attend chapel on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Those chapel services were very formative and I am glad that I had the opportunity to attend. But looking back, something was missing. At Trinity every day begins AND ends with the community gathering together to pray. Prayer is the center of their community.

Prayer is at the heart of today's readings as well. Jesus' miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead was accomplished through prayer. Jonah's release from the belly of the fish was accomplished through prayer. The Ephesians text is famous for its image of "the full armor of God" but sometimes we are so fascinated by the armor imagery that we miss the real point which comes immediately after the description of the armor:

"Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me..."

The armor is great, but the power is in the prayer. We have been taught, I think, that prayer needs to be a regular part of our daily lives, but I wonder how much we think about praying as a church? How much time do you spend praying with someone else? In a small group? As the body of Christ? Let us resolve this year that prayer will be not only the center of our personal lives, but also the center of our Church life as well.

Ever-present God, who never sleeps nor slumbers but is always attentive to the cry of your people, may your Holy Spirit stir up within us a heart of prayer that will center us in your will, both as individuals, in our small groups, and as a Church. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Go to Siloam and Wash

Psalm 85, 87 + Psalm 89.1-29
Joshua 3.14-4.7 + Ephesians 5.1-20 + John 9.1-12, 35-38

Much is made of the theme of love in Christianity, and rightfully so. We are, after all, to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves. This IS the greatest command. Corollary to it, however, is a theme that emerges quite clearly in today's lessons. John tells of a man who was born blind. His disciples inquired as to why the man was blind. Jesus response was that this man was born blind in order to bring glory to the Father. As the story unfolds, God is glorified, but not through Jesus miracle or even through the man's love. The man told everyone:

"Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' Then I went and washed and received my sight."

God was glorified through the blind man's obedience. Paul cautions his audience:

"Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

Why?

"the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient."

Even in Joshua, God's mighty act is remembered because Joshua was obedient to God's command to select 12 men who would each place a stone as a memorial to God's great power. The Westminster Catechism reminds us that "the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever." That can only happen if we are obedient to the will of the Father. Sometimes God asks us to do big things, sometimes small. Sometimes God's command makes sense, other times it does not. What is important is that whatever God asks, we obey.

Most glorious God, whose glory was revealed to your people through the many miracles you preformed, may your glory be revealed to the whole world through our obedience to your will for our lives. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.