31 October 2016

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  “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars:
“I know your works; you have a name of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, for I have not found your works perfect in the sight of my God. Remember then what you received and heard; obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. Yet you have still a few persons in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes; they will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. If you conquer, you will be clothed like them in white robes, and I will not blot your name out of the book of life; I will confess your name before my Father and before his angels. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Revelation 3:1-6 (NRSV)

Good morning, welcome. Today we visit Sardis. Sardis was an important commercial and industrial city. Situated on a hill with sheer cliffs on three sides, its residents considered the city impregnable. However, due to a lack of vigilance by its watchmen, the city was conquered two times; once by the Persians and again by Antiochus the Great. Sardis was destroyed by earthquake in 17 AD. The Roman Emperor Tiberius waived tax collections for five years, allowing Sardis to rebuild (and endearing himself to its citizens in the process).

The church in Sardis was alive in reputation only. Our Lord reminds them all churches belong to Him; He is the source of power and control. It is important to note here Jesus does not condemn this church. His words-wake up, strengthen what remains, remember, obey, repent-are meant to encourage the Sardians, to arouse them to vigilance.

If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. (3:3). Jesus does not say ‘if you do wake up I will not bother coming’. I think the message here is, if the Sardinians do not wake up, they will miss Him when He visits. These are words of warning for us as well, in our individual and corporate lives. We must be careful not to focus on the what to the point that we forget (or misunderstand) the why and the for whom. Let us not forget that the point of our Christian life is to be in relationship with, to be transformed by, our Lord. Keeping this in mind, His times of visitation may become occasions for transformation, not missed opportunities.

The promise to the faithful remnant and those who conquer-white robes, walking with Christ, names remaining in the book of life, names being confessed by Christ before the Father-have implications for the present as well as for eternity. White robes are the gift of Christ and make fellowship possible. Acknowledging Him in this life ensures He will acknowledge us in the next. These words echo Jesus’ teaching in Luke 12:8-9 and Matthew 22:1-14, reminding us what we do now matters for eternity.

The Sardians had a reputation they were not living up to. In a sense, they were not living at all; they were simply going through the motions. We all, at various times in our lives, are probably guilty of this, or something similar. That Jesus does not condemn but rather offers the remedy should be of great comfort to Christians everywhere. It should also encourage us to examine our lives regularly, to see how we live up to the name ‘Christian’. Wake up, strengthen, listen, obey, repent. Walk with Jesus. Confess His name today.

May the Lord Himself bless and strengthen you this day. JRG

27 October 2016

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze:
“I know your works—your love, faith, service, and patient endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first. But I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servants to practice fornication and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her fornication. Beware, I am throwing her on a bed, and those who commit adultery with her I am throwing into great distress, unless they repent of her doings; and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call ‘the deep things of Satan,’ to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden; only hold fast to what you have until I come.
To everyone who conquers and continues to do my works to the end,
I will give authority over the nations;
to rule them with an iron rod,
as when clay pots are shattered—
even as I also received authority from my Father. To the one who conquers I will also give the morning star. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Revelation 2:18-29 (NRSV)

Good afternoon, welcome. Today we visit Thyatira, an industrial center with many merchants and craftsmen. Trade guilds were present in abundance there-wool and linen workers, coat makers, leather workers, tanners, potters, metal workers and slave traders all had their guilds and gods. Membership would have included participation in pagan ritual worship; economic survival would have demanded some form of compromise. The situation posed a serious dilemma for the Thyatiran Christians.

The description of Christ-“eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze” implies refining purity and strength, something metal workers would have been familiar with. No fault is found with the works themselves. In contrast to the Ephesians, love here has led to faith, service, and patient endurance. What does not withstand our Lord’s purifying gaze is “that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet”. Adultery in the Old Testament often referred to idolatry; this woman was probably teaching some form of compromise which allowed for participation in guild practices under the guise of ‘the deep things of Satan’.  Worthy of note here is that our Lord gave her time to repent, which she did not do.

This message has particular relevance for the modern church in this country. Cultural compromise for economic, social or political gain continues today under the theory the end justifies the means. The message to Thyatira-and Ephesus and Pergamum as well-tells us compromise justifies neither the end nor the means. While we may no longer be worshipping at the altar of Baal; we do see oppression and greed occurring-or at least condoned-in the name of sex, power, possessions, pride, and prestige; anything that has become more important in our lives than worshipping and following Jesus is an idol and pursuing them is idolatry. There can only be one first thing in our hearts.

To those who remain faithful Jesus promises a reversal of authority-the same reversal taught in the Gospels and accomplished by His death and resurrection. This reversal will bring about the dawn of a new era ushered in by the morning star-Jesus Himself. Those who are faithful in this life receive Jesus Himself in the life to come. The Thyatiran church also receives the promise of ‘authority over the nations; to rule them with an iron rod, as when clay pots are shattered’. The implication of this promise is that we will have something to do for eternity, and that something depends on what we are doing here and now (cf. 1Cor.3:10-15).

What we do in this life is important. The depth of our relationship with Jesus in this life is important. Both will affect our eternal destiny. The question for today is this-how’s the planning going so far?

May the Lord bless you and keep you this day. JRG

24 October 2016

And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword:
“I know where you are living, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice fornication. So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and make war against them with the sword of my mouth. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it. Revelation 2:12-17 (NRSV)

Good evening, welcome. Today we visit Pergamum, the site of Satan’s throne. Pergamum was filled with pagan cults, worshiping Zeus, Athena, Dionysus, and Asclepius (whose symbol-the snake-remains to this day as the symbol of medicine and medical healing). Pergamum was also a center for emperor worship, required by Rome as a demonstration of loyalty. Paul had already instructed the Corinthians concerning meat sacrificed to idols that buying such meat in the marketplace was permissible. There must have been some in the Pergamum church who went beyond this teaching and participated in banquets and feasts honoring the Emperor-which probably would have been required for all citizens-and other pagan gods. This is an important point-life for any Christian who remained faithful to worship Christ and He alone would have been extremely difficult and dangerous.

Balaam, unable to curse Israel from without, sought to corrupt them from within by encouraging intermarriage between the Israelites and Canaanites, with the result that the Israelites began to adopt the very customs God had sent them to purge; this seems to have been happening here as well. The temptation is always present for the church-and individual believers-to conform to, rather than transform, the surrounding culture.

The Nicolaitans also show up here. That they are mentioned separately from the teachings of Balaam leads me to suspect they were involved in something other than Balaam’s stumbling block. A quick internet search reveals two interesting possibilities; that the name itself refers to leaders who impose their beliefs by force, and that the grace of God implies freedom to sin rather than freedom from sin (the heresy known as antinomianism). The Nicolaitans may have been leaders in the church who assumed authority they did not have and sought to gain followers by granting license to sin with impunity. Those who followed Balaam’s teaching may have tried to ‘sneak immorality in the back door’; the Nicolaitans would have sinned boldly, assuming God’s grace covered it all.  

The good news is some here resisted these false teachings and held fast to faith in Jesus to the point of death. Persecution was real here and resulted in martyrdom. These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword and Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and make war against them with the sword of my mouth indicate the Word of God properly understood will effectively counteract compromise and false doctrine (see also 2 Timothy 3:16); also our Lord graciously offers time to repent, although, at some point, the offer will expire.

Those who conquer receive hidden manna and a white stone with a new name. Jewish tradition held that the miraculous feeding of the Israelites in the wilderness would be repeated in the last days. The white stone with a new name had a double meaning. White stones were often given as tokens which would grant entrance to banquets and feasts; this stone will grant entrance to the wedding banquet of the Jesus and His bride (see Matthew 22:1-13). A white stone with a divine name was thought to have power to protect from evil spirits and cure illness; the name of Jesus has ultimate authority for the salvation of all who believe (Acts 4:12).

Jesus warned the Ephesian church against works without love; here the warning is against false teaching leading to compromise. The Word of God is the one effective cure for false teaching; however, care must be taken to ensure the study and use of the Word will ultimately lead to the Living Word-Jesus, the Christ. The one must always lead to the other.

May the Lord Himself bless you and keep you this day. JRG

19 October 2016

Good morning, welcome. Today’s message is to the church in Smyrna. Like Ephesus, Smyrna was a large, important city in Asia Minor. Unlike Ephesus, Smyrna remains to this day, as Izmir in modern Turkey. In John’s day Smyrna was a center of emperor worship; the city had a temple dedicated to the Roman Emperor Tiberius.

And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the first and the last, who was dead and came to life:
“I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second death. Revelation 2:8-11 (NRSV)

Jesus has found no fault with the church in Smyrna. They have been faithful in the face of persecution from within and without. The Jews of the ‘synagogue of Satan’ may have been Jews who professed Christ but insisted on retaining their Jewish traditions and imposing them on Gentile believers. Or they may have been Jews who, fearing losing the protection given them by Rome, were accusing Christians of stirring up trouble by refusing to participate in emperor worship. Either way it is not intended to be taken as a blanket condemnation of all Jewish people, then or now.

 Emperor worship would have been a requirement for joining trade unions and such; refusal to participate would have resulted in sanctions and persecution-affliction and poverty-and most likely would have been seen as treason against Rome. The situation would get worse before it got better; Jesus hints at imprisonment and martyrdom, although ‘ten days’ would indicate this would be for a limited time.

The Smyrna church was not merely witnessing to some new philosophy or belief system or theology; it was witnessing to God Himself. As fully human Jesus had already suffered martyrdom at the hands of Rome. As fully God He is the first word on resurrection and the last word on death. The faithful in Smyrna will not experience anything Jesus has not already experienced. The first death is temporary and will touch some; the second is eternal and will not touch the faithful.

The promise is for us as well. The word translated ‘conquers’ implies a struggle resulting in victory. The idea of suffering (or not suffering) for the faith may be used to justify all sorts of behavior, not all of which would be pleasing to our Lord. In applying these words to our own lives it is important to remember it is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself we seek to know, worship and obey. The struggle for many of us-myself included-is to allow ourselves to be transformed daily into the image and likeness of Christ. Most of us will not be called to die for Christ in the literal, physical sense; all of us are called to live for Him in every sense (see, for example, Romans 12:1-2 and Luke 9:23).

The church in Smyrna is about to suffer. Jesus does not promise to take away their suffering. His promise is for the faithful who come out on the other side. Perhaps we would be better served today-individually and corporately, as the Body of Christ-to shift our focus away from avoiding persecution (and complaining about it when it comes, as if somehow we have been granted immunity) and towards being a faithful witness to our Lord whatever the circumstances.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you this day. JRG

18 October 2016

Good afternoon, welcome. For the next couple weeks we will be looking at Revelation Chs.2 and 3; the messages to the seven churches. My plan is to consider each message separately, then spend a couple days tying them together. I am taking the point of view that these letters were written to actual historical churches and the situations addressed, while specific to those churches, are also representative of the church universal throughout the ages as well as the lives of individual believers. As such, our Lord’s commendations and condemnations are universal and timeless.

John to the seven churches that are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
(1:4-6; NRSV)

A quick qualifier before we begin. This is the revelation of, to, and about Jesus Christ-given by God the Father to Him, about Him, to be passed on by Him to John and then to us. He loves us always; He has washed us and freed us from the power of sin for a specific purpose-to demonstrate His Kingdom and mediate His presence to the world. These messages are, in a sense, His critique of how well the seven churches are accomplishing His purpose. This is the lens through which I believe these messages should be read. Each message contains a description of Jesus, a commendation or condemnation or both, and a promise for those who persevere.

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands: (2:1; NRSV)

The first message is to the church at Ephesus. Ephesus was a major city in the Roman world. Paul spent two years there; John was also associated with the church there. The city was home to the temple of the Greek goddess Artemis. That temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and generated a lot of revenue; Acts 19:21-41 describes a riot initiated by a silversmith who was losing money because “…not only in Ephesus but in almost the whole of Asia this Paul has persuaded and drawn away a considerable number of people by saying that gods made with hands are not gods.” (Acts 19:26; NRSV).

I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this is to your credit: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God. (2-7; NRSV)

The Ephesian church evidently had sound doctrine-for the most part-but had lost its first love. Paul had warned them false teachers would come (Acts 20:29-30). The church would now be in its second generation. These false teachers-perhaps the Nicolaitans- may have caused severe infighting and division within the church, resulting in a hardness of heart from which they could not recover. The Nicolaitans will show up again in the message to Pergamum. They seem to have advocated some sort of compromise with the followers of Artemis-and the associated trade unions-that would have allowed the church to peacefully coexist with the surrounding pagan culture. The Nicolaitans could also have been church leaders who had assumed authority they did not have and had attempted to impose their will on the church; something like the situation with Diotrephes in 3 John. Or both. In any case it is easy to see how the Ephesian church could have devolved into the cold, divisive legalism that makes love difficult. Jesus’ words are clear-repent and return. This is not an either/or situation-sound doctrine must be accompanied by love. As Bruce Metzger writes “The presence of Christ departs when well intentioned people, zealous to fight the right way, depart from the ultimate way, which is

love”[1].

The message begins with Jesus walking among His churches and ends with the promise of the tree of life in paradise with God. Actually, Jesus isn’t just walking among His churches, He is holding them in His right hand-a place of power and protection. Today it is all too easy to forget to whom the church belongs. It is also easy to forget to whom we belong.

Jesus’ promise leads to our final thought. At some point history will end. Faithful believers will enter eternity with God-we will all eat from the tree denied Adam after the fall. At this particular point in time, in this country especially, love seems to be losing ground to fear, anger, and hatred. This situation may get worse but it will not last forever. Now might be a good time to consider what these seven letters might mean in terms of our own personal eternal destiny. We will certainly be doing something in paradise with God; I suspect that something is being determined by what we are doing in the here and now for God. Or rather, what we are allowing God to do in us and through us. Jesus begins His messages with the admonition to return to our first love. Jesus-first chronologically, first in priority, first in all things.

Let the church say “Amen. Come Lord Jesus.” JRG  

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[1] Metzger, Bruce. (1993). Breaking the Code Understanding the Book of Revelation. Nashville. Abingdon Press. P.32.

13 October 2016

Luke 9:18-27

Good afternoon, welcome. Who do you say Jesus is? What does it mean to you to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Him?

Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” (Vs.18-20, NRSV)

Jesus had been talking with the Father. The Gospel writers never come right out and tell us what Father and Son talk about; sometimes, however, we see a hint. The twelve had just returned from a successful preaching tour, and witnessed the feeding of the five thousand. In spite of all this, some doubt may have remained; if not about Jesus’ true identity at least about the nature of His mission. Jesus may have discussing their lack of understanding. The Father may have said ‘Ask them this’. Peter-the rock-speaks. The Father has revealed something to Him. Peter is us, coming to Jesus. We know something-Jesus is God’s Messiah-but we still are not quite sure exactly what that means.

The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Vs.22, NRSV)

Those who should have recognized Him will reject Him. These guys weren’t religious lightweights. They would have had huge portions, if not all, of the Hebrew Scriptures memorized. They had laws upon laws, over 600 of them. The point I am getting to here is this-knowing about God is different from knowing God. Knowing about God without knowing God tends to make one a little legalistic. So how do move from knowing about to knowing?

Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? (Vs.23-25, NRSV)

Ok, so what does it mean to deny oneself? Well, one thing it means is to give up the God you know about-who runs the danger of being a larger, more powerful version of you-in favor of the God who is. This is every bit as much an act of Divine revelation now as it was then. Keep in mind, the Father revealed Jesus as Messiah to Peter right where he was; Peter still had lots of growing to do. Same with us. We don’t need to get our theology straight or clean up our sinful habits or follow any prayer formula. God begins with us where we are and continues with us wherever we go. This is a process, a growth process. It is also why discipleship is so important-we need to be doing things that place us before God to allow the transformation-God’s progressive revelation of Himself-to take place. It will require some conscious effort on our part every day. It means choices, new habits. Remember, the mind takes on the order of what it is being applied to. For example, if you spend your morning coffee hour reading political posts on Facebook you will probably walk around angry the rest of the day. Paul puts it this way: “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9: NRSV).

One final thought. Our lives are really not our own, they are the gift of God. He owns each and every one of us. That does not mean He is some cosmic dictator or puppet master but it does mean we are here for a purpose, His purpose. We are here for His glory, we are His crowning achievement: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10; NLT). God’s masterpiece, each and every one of us. Don’t ever let anyone tell you any different.  Spend some time today talking to God; see what the conversation reveals to you. Try to see the people God sends your way today as fellow masterpieces, treasures waiting to be revealed.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. JRG

12 October 2016

Luke 9:1-17

Good afternoon, welcome. Today Jesus sends 12 and feeds 5,000.

Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere. (Vs.1-6, NRSV)

Back in Ch.4, Satan told Jesus authority over the earth’s kingdoms had been given to him and he offered that authority to Jesus. Jesus is now saying all authority is His to give. When God visited earth as a man there were any number of things He could have done with that authority. Jesus chooses to cast out demons and cure diseases. He is demonstrating what the Old Testament writers called ‘God’s steadfast love’. He sends His disciples out in total dependence upon the Father. They are to preach the good news, stay when they are welcome and leave when they are not. They brought the good news everywhere, demonstrating the Kingdom presence with power and authority.

On their return the apostles told Jesus all they had done. He took them with him and withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida. When the crowds found out about it, they followed him; and he welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed to be cured. (Vs.10-11)

When the apostles return Jesus takes them to a private place for a little down time, but they cannot hide from the crowds. And in fact, Jesus welcomes them. All of them. He meets them at their point of immediate need. This is how God ministered to His people. This is a good place to pause and reflect; God the Son is caring for His people, the people He created. I don’t see any conditions being imposed here; I don’t see anyone being turned away. I do see God’s steadfast love in action.

And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And all ate and were filled. What was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces. (Vs.16-17)

Jesus works with what He has to feed everyone there. Everyone. The love offering was five loaves and two fish and He fed the multitudes with it. After He had healed all who needed healed. After they hunted Him down while He was on a private retreat with His apostles. Jesus actually went beyond the need; there was food left over. Later Paul would say ‘[God’s] power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine…” (Ephesians 3:20, NRSV, Italics mine). This is how God operates.

Here are a few takeaways from today’s gospel.

1. Power and authority belong to Jesus and they are transferable. I’m not saying to go out and heal and cast out demons. What I am saying is, sometimes we just need to remember who has power and who does not.

2. Jesus presents and demonstrates the Gospel-the Kingdom presence-and leaves it for His hearers to accept it or reject it. Jesus preaching, and His disciples, was backed up by demonstrations of power. Today it is backed up by demonstrations of unconditional love; (not so) random acts of kindness.

3. Jesus accepted all who came. Nobody was required to get their life in order first. It was never ‘sin no more, then come’. It was always ‘go, and sin no more’. Encountering Jesus always came first.

4. Jesus met people at their point of need. All people. We should do the same. Anything less amounts to deciding who is worthy and who is not, which is simply not for us to do.

So, please spend some time today thinking about God the Son healing and feeding all who came to Him. What does this say to you about the nature of our God? We are all the multitude, needing healed and fed. These things befuddled Herod, as they will anyone who does not know or understand Jesus. Perhaps it’s time we cleared things up a bit.

May the Lord bless you and keep you this day. JRG