David Bahn – Reflections

Deuteronomy 31:8

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Romans 8:38–39

I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It’s one thing to claim to love a person. It’s quite another to live it out. That’s partly because talk is cheap. It is also because we too often think of love as a mere emotion. But love – though tied to emotions, and a deep-felt desire from the heart for the good of others – is never satisfied by the intent of its emotions. Love must be expressed. We may be expressing love by giving a hug or spending time with a special person. We may, however, be filling our own need for love in these manners.

God showed his love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us. He died and rose again not only to express his love, but to save us from an eternity of doom. His desire was and is for our eternal good. It wasn’t cheap. It certainly wasn’t easy. But we now live in the realm of his perfect, costly, precious, amazing, enriching, saving, sustaining, and hyper-abundant love.

That’s God’s promise. That’s our great blessing!

Psalm 44:8 (NKJV)

In God we boast all day long, and praise your name forever.

Colossians 3:16

With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.

When God gets the glory all is right in the world. When man gets the glory all will ultimately fail. This is true in so many realms: politics, finances, church growth, business success, family joys.

If, for example, you are inclined to believe a certain presidential candidate would be the salvation of the United States (or it’s doom), you might soon discover that any one man has only so much power and control over the two other branches of government. If you believe that your boss who gave you a raise is the best person in the world, you might be quite disillusioned when you learn he has been handling company funds improperly and your raise now amounts to hush money. You get the gist.

God’s goodness, faithfulness, righteousness, lovingkindness, and grace make God uniquely praiseworthy (as though we have the right to judge God on any level!). God embodies these attributes, along with mighty power, ultimate authority, and rule and reign over all things. This means that our praise in him is never misplaced. We will never wake up to the grave disappointment of a moral fall, a debilitating defeat, or a discovery of a man behind the curtain.

Most important, God has redeemed us; he has saved us from sin, death, and the devil. He has conquered death through Jesus’ resurrection. He hears our prayers, watches over us, provides for our needs, forgives our sins, and gives us good gifts. He is surely worthy of praise.

Isaiah 61:1,2

The Lord has sent me to comfort all who mourn.

Mark 16:9–10 (NIV)

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping.

“But enough about me, let’s talk about you. What do you think of me?” So says Bette Midler’s character in the movie Beaches. We groan – as though we don’t secretly want to know what others think of us, or because we know such a self-consumed person. Ugh…what a bore!

Our calling as sons and daughters of God is to look beyond ourselves to the needs of others (cf. Philippians 2:4). We who embrace Jesus’ death for our salvation are to live no longer for ourselves but for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15). Even Martin Luther – famous for his clarion proclamation that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone – says that Jesus died so that we might “live under him in his kingdom, serve him in everlasting righteousness.” (Luther’s Small Catechism, 2nd Article of the Apostle’s Creed)

If anything communicates the intent and the essence of God and his love it is the proclamation of the good news of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and second coming with the adornment of acts of compassion, kindness, and comfort. The kindness, love, and salvation of God is not meant to end with us. We have a word of comfort to speak into the lives of those who grieve, and a word of reminder to those who don’t.

I will do that today at the memorial service for Terry Connors, former member of the Northwest Houston Photo Club. Terry was an excellent photographer, a hale and hearty fellow, well-met, and a friend. He will be missed. Your prayers for God’s comfort to be shared and embraced are very welcome.

Isaiah 38:20

The Lord will save me, and we will sing to stringed instruments all the days of our lives at the house of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:57

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

What do you do when you’ve won the contract? How do you celebrate the victory of your college football team? How do you treat your star player? It’s not likely that we went to the house of Mack Brown and sipped Mint Juleps on his front porch after the 2005 UT NCAA Football National Championship. It’s not likely that many Villanova basketball fans were at the home of the Villanova University President last night celebrating the NCAA basketball championship.

But we have all been invited to the house of the Lord to celebrate his victory over sin, death, and the devil. We all are welcome to embrace the fruits of his victory, and enjoy God’s eternal presence and favor. Perhaps that’s the challenging problem: it seems too easy, too far removed, too wide open. We don’t recognize how big Jesus’ win was. We don’t realize how great a privilege is ours to be invited to the house of God. And there is just so much life in the way of this celebration: basketball, baseball, and other sports; concerts, vacations, and road trips; parties, family reunions, and birthday parties; not to mention work projects, deadlines, and the daily grind of housework, taxes, and lawn care.

Jesus’ victory is greater than a walk-off grand slam on opening day, more important than a multi-million dollar contract, or even a clean bill of health after a long battle with cancer. When we get that through our heads and embrace the profound blessing and reality of God’s love and goodness, perhaps we will sing praise to our God, giving him thanks, glorifying him and enjoying his presence forever.

Jeremiah 31:28

Just as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the Lord.

1 Corinthians 3:6–7

Paul wrote: I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

The hand of God in the life, mission, and ministry of the church may not be readily apparent. But 90% of what happens in a congregation’s life is completely out of the control of the pastor, leadership, or any one group of people except it seems for the pain and destruction that can be caused by any one of those people. In other words, any good that a local church experiences is 90% out of the control of people while people seemingly can cause 90% of the bad. Those percentages are not scientific, but seem to be true from my experience.

Recently I have been reminded of this as I have had the privilege of hosting Pastor Jeff Doria and Maggie, Jeff’s wife, at St. John. We have extended a Divine Call to him to serve as associate pastor at St. John. I have said more than once, “‘The Lord has drawn the lines in pleasant places’ here at St. John.” (cf. Psalm 16:6) I am keenly aware that the location of St. John, the attitude of the community toward the Christian Church, the forethought of many generations of people in purchasing land and building the campus we have added to are all things over which I have no control.

While I have worked diligently to bring us to where we are today, and many people have embraced the vision I have shared, it is not lost on me that God brings the growth! I will certainly continue to plant and water as I am able, and I hope that Pastor Doria joins our ministry team at St. John. But in the end, all glory goes to God (not a mere 90%!). For it is also true as Paul says in Philippians 2:13, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Lord God, You have appointed me as a Bishop and Pastor in Your Church, but you see how unsuited I am to meet so great and difficult a task. If I had lacked Your help, I would have ruined everything long ago. Therefore, I call upon You: I wish to devote my mouth and my heart to you; I shall teach the people. I myself will learn and ponder diligently upon You Word. Use me as Your instrument — but do not forsake me, for if ever I should be on my own, I would easily wreck it all. (Martin Luther’s Sacristy Prayer)

Psalm 30:1 (NIV)

I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths.

2 Corinthians 1:5

For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.

Many years ago my younger sister died in an accident in our home. I recall many things about that event and time, but even more I remember how so many people came to our home and virtually lifted our up our family and carried us through those days of sorrow and grief. We were surrounded by friends and family who bore our burdens and carried our griefs – little Christs (Christians) in the best sense of the word. It was so encouraging to know that there were people who loved us and were willing to be with us in those times of sadness.

God so often delivers us through other people. A new boss comes on the scene and rearranges the staffing structure and we are suddenly no longer thwarted in our efforts to push forward in our job. The chemo works and we are restored to health. Friends stand with us in times of grief and we are comforted by the hope of the resurrection and the promise of eternal life.

It may not always be obvious, but these are at the very least echos of the Great Deliverance of Jesus Christ – his death on the cross for our sins, his resurrection from the grave for our justification, and his Second Coming on the Great Last Day for our glorification. We are consoled by others in the face of death because of the ultimate victory of faith that centers in Jesus. You see new hope in your job because someone does right and opens up opportunities to succeed: an example of loving your neighbor, and in this case you’re the neighbor being loved.

Sometimes the impact of Jesus Christ in a situation is so obviously good: hope, relief, redemption, forgiveness, life all come from him. But whenever good comes to us, it comes from God, and Jesus is the One who points us to the Father and sends the Holy Spirit so that we recognize God’s goodness, believe in his redemption, and be comforted in our sorrows.

Psalm 141:4 (NIV)

Lord, do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil.

James 4:17

Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin. 

  
It’s one thing to refrain from evil. It’s quite another actually to do good. You may struggle with both sides of this coin – especially if you battle a so-called pet sin. But far more often it seems we fail to do the good we ought to do. Rather than stumbling into evil actions, we stumble along ignoring the good things we should do. Like the Pharisee and Levite in Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan, we walk by on the other side rather than getting down in the trenches with others in need.

Sometimes we may not know whether our help is actually helping; there is a fine line between helping and enabling. That is especially true when it comes to helping adults who should be able to take care of themselves. It is especially true of relating to those who are addicted, or who have adopted a lifestyle that puts them in constant crisis. 

More often on a day to day basis, however, the choices are not that subtle. Yes we should help our coworker who is struggling to understand a new procedure that we have figured out. It is good to help a neighbor gather the garbage that has been scattered across the street by a stray dog; even if you are running late for work. 

Our hearts are too easily drawn to evil: selfishness, self-centeredness, and judgmentalism. These can all too easily prevent us from doing good. Hearts that are regularly refreshed by the love of Jesus are more ready to reject evil desires and embrace opportunities to do good. That’s why Jesus’ example is not just an example, it is the source of our own favor and security, hope, and motive for doing good. 

Daniel 9:7 (NIV)

Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame.

Matthew 21:28–29

A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not;” but later he changed his mind and went.

Our recent Easter Cardboard Testimony video is a tribute to God’s grace and redemptive power. One after another, people reveal past struggles, difficulties, and sins, and then show how they are able to face the shame because of God’s mercy, love, forgiveness, and life-changing grace. Shame is a powerful emotion, a spiritual cancer, and a first move of Adam and Eve after their sin in the very beginning.

Some would say we should avoid shame at all costs. “Don’t shame on yourself,” they advise. But on some level shame is a most appropriate response to sin and disobedience. If we rebel against God’s will and disobey his commandments we certainly ought not do it unashamedly!

Indeed, the remedy for shame is not bluster. It is not an I’ll do it my way attitude that ignores God’s commandments, and denies sin and guilt. The grace and love of God is the remedy for shame. God’s grace and love is completely unconditional; and yet always upheld by the truth.

God doesn’t pretend that we’ve done nothing wrong, or that we have not sinned, or that we are not broken. Rather, he reaches into the hearts of broken people and redeems them, lifts them up, and gives them a new hope. Jesus shows this perfectly: he never denied anyone’s sins; he loved sinners, and more than once said, “Go and sin no more.”

Repentant hearts will discover the beauty of God’s grace and the power of his redeeming love. Those who are covered in shame will find the covering of Jesus’ righteousness to be a glorious new wardrobe.

Psalm 57:1

In the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by. 

John 20:19

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 

  
  
I grew up in my Mom and Dad’s motel. Named the Sands Motel in Cape Girardeau, MO, it is now out of the family and somewhat past its former glory. But in the day, it was a really cool place to live – replete with a 42 foot swimming pool! There was also the soda machine to which my sister and I found the key and would occasionally “sneak a soda” without our parents’ permission. We had regular customers, Mr. Daily, for example who always wanted room #4 (yes, not 104, but just plain “4”), and others who had their own particular ways and preferences. We kept those in mind whenever one would drive up. 

The living quarters was just off of the small office/sign-in area, and a switchboard much like the one shown above was there along with the card rack, registration cards, and other old school accoutrements of the motel business in the late 1950’s and early 60’s.  We all used the main front door into the office to access our living area. So we had a rule: when you came in from outside you would call out “Me!” That was to prevent someone from having to jump up from reading their book, watching TV, eating a meal or whatever else was going on. They didn’t have to get up and greet a family member or employee. 

The disciples weren’t running a motel, but they were hiding in fear from the religious leaders. Doors locked. Hunkered down. It certainly was nice to hear Jesus’ greeting: not “Me!”, but “Peace be with you.” This isn’t about not having to jump up and take care of a customer. It’s just not about a family member coming in the door. This is about Jesus offering a greeting far a better than any they could ever imagine: “Peace be with you.”

I’m not certain just what turmoil, storm, challenge, or gloomy storms you or I will face today. But this greeting is meant not only for the disciples. It is meant for you and me. Jesus’ words speak not only to that specific moment in their lives, but though the centuries into our hearts and lives. 

• A sudden and unexpected death: “Peace be with you!”
• A challenging situation at work: “Peace be with you!”
• A tumultuous personal relationship: “Peace be with you!”
• A rocky financial road: “Peace be with you!”
• A personal failure: “Peace be with you!”
• A fear-filled future: “Peace be with you!”
• A dreadful diagnosis: “Peace be with you!”

That is a better greeting than any “Me!” It is the greeting from the Lord of Life and the Prince of Peace

Psalm 80:18

Give us life, and we will call on your name.

2 Timothy 1:10

Christ Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 

  
These verses come to my email inbox, thanks to the Moravians. They hit the nail on the head: God has given us life – incredible, abundant, eternal life. He has brought life and immortality I to light through the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We bask in it, celebrate it, and rejoice in it. We, if we are to be true to the psalmist, also must call on God’s name. 

If we are to call on the name of the Lord and embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must acknowledgeour need for God’s mercy, love, forgiveness, grace, and redemption. We cannot attain all this on our own. If we are to embrace the gift we must acknowledge the giver and in humility admit that without God’s gracious gift we would be forever dead. 

Calling on the name of the Lord is an act of worship. It means acknowledging that God is the giver of life. It means expressing our gratitude and appreciation for God’s gifts. It is a way of saying that we know God is above all and that our life itself comes from him. It means saying in one way or another, “Thank you Jesus!”

The day after Easter is a recovery day. After five worship services on our campus yesterday – four of which I was a part – there are several folks who are likely recovering. The musicians, some of whom were part of four of the five services, the elders and worship welcome team members, hospitality team, fellowship team, AV and tech support teams, altar guild, and key staff worked diligently starting at 5 AM. Much energy, many steps, lots of smiles, handshakes and “He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” joyfully spoken and re-spoken throughout the morning, together with Scripture readings, songs, the message of “Saved by Grace” and great songs and hymns throughout the day all came together to make Easter at St. John a wonderful experience for nearly 2000 people yesterday. What a glorious day it was. Thank you Jesus!