David Bahn – Reflections – Page 333 – Light from the Word and through the lens

Thank God for Dedicated Servants of the Gospel!

January 13, 2014

Acts 20:28-38

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 Iknow that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

This is the building of the first church I served from 1979-1983. They were most gracious to us and our young family.

Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders is a most remarkable look into the heart of a hero of the gospel. As such it is both inspiring and humbling. On the one hand I see an example of someone who is sold out to the mission of God: doing all that he can, whatever the cost, no matter the pain, even at his own expense. On the other hand I am aware of my own shortcomings in the cause of the Gospel – almost to the point of shame.

I can claim some of the same things Paul claims here to be sure. I have coveted no one’s money or wardrobe. I have worked hard wherever I have served. I believe and seek to live out Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” But Paul has done these things in the face of overwhelming opposition, persecution, and even physical suffering. I’ve never been threatened with physical harm. I’ve not been put into prison. Nor have I ministered on the road for more than two weeks. I certainly have never left any group of people whom I have served, saying I would never see their face again.

Paul’s commitment to the mission of God is lived out at a whole other level than mine. Inspiring? Yes, but for me (at least initially) more humbling than inspiring. But as I considered all this, I thought also of the Ephesian elders, and the people in Ephesus, the church in Antioch (the first missionary-sending church), and all the people who are part of the mission of God in Paul’s day. I put myself in the place of each of them and find a bit more of a comforting and encouraging place in the mission of God.

God didn’t convert me by throwing me to the ground and blinding me. He didn’t say of me, “I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:16). God did call me to play my own unique role in the mission of God – just as he calls each of us to our own unique place and purpose. Thank God for that!

Our dedication to the cause of the Gospel is best lived out in our own circumstance and calling. We do well to thank God for those extraordinary servants of of Christ, even as we take up our calling as ordinary servants of Christ. In the end, we ordinary and extraordinary share the privilege of being part of God’s work in the world. My contribution may not be nearly as great as yours or someone else’s. But we each play a part. Thank God for those who serve – in ordinary and in extraordinary ways!
“What If…”

January 12, 2014

1 Peter 1:3-5

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

We start a new series this morning at St. John. The title is, “What if…” and is an attempt to engage some of the questions being asked in the hearts and minds of Gen Y people these days. According to sociologists those born between 1980 and 2000 have concerns about what kind of world they will inherit, whether they can have a meaningful career, if marriage is even a viable option for them, if equality is more than a dream, and whether the world can be saved from man’s destructive ways.

The title, “What if…” is decidedly not a typical Lutheran approach to life and God. We are much more on the side of “Here I stand,” or “It stands written.” We declare our faith and confess our beliefs boldly and confidently – sometimes overly-so. But there are many who are asking “What if” kinds of questions. Is there really a God? Is there a path for me to financial security? What will the future world look like if we continue on the path we’re on?

With that in mind, we will look at what God has revealed in the Bible regarding these issues. Today we start with, “What if you could face the future with confidence?” The Bible’s answer is simple but not easy, profound but not complicated: Align yourself with God’s [remarkably good and gracious] purposes and find hope for the future in him and his ways.
William Murray Schott

January 9, 2014

I knew him as Bill, my brother-in-law. Diane’s sister, Debbie’s husband. I knew him as a faithful and loving husband and father, a man connected to his extended family and his church. He took his faith in Jesus Christ seriously, and was thoughtful in his Christian convictions.

My best memory of Bill is of his laugh, his insightful comments about faith, politics, history, coupled with a love for family. He visited our son when Aaron was stationed in Germany while in the Army. He asked at Matt and Dana’s wedding if there was anything he could do to help. Matt said that he had not been able to mow his lawn. So Bill got the lawn mower, suite pants and white shirt and all, and cut the grass! Below is his obituary, written by his wife and family. Rest in peace, dear brother. We look forward to the resurrection and take comfort in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Bill with his son, Joe

William Murray Schott, 68, passed away January 4, 2014, in his home, surrounded by loved ones, after a long battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Anne Schott.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie; children and spouses Lisa and Jesse Allen, Nadine Schott, Joe and Beth Schott, and Diane Schott; grandchildren Eloise Allen, Zinnia Allen, and Lucas Schott; eight brothers and sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bill grew up in Brookfield, WI, and Hoopeston, IL. In 1968 he received a BS degree as a Chemical Engineer from University of Illinois. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany and Vietnam, and was honorably discharged as a Captain. Bill received an MBA from Washington University and worked for many years in the chemical industry. He eventually retired from this work when living in Mission, KS. In his retirement years, he obtained a Masters Degree in Romance Languages and enjoyed working as an adjunct professor of Spanish at UMKC. During these years, Bill also served as a reader in the Reach Out and Read program, a member of the VFW Santa Fe Trail Post #846 color guard, and a science experiment volunteer helper at Crestview Elementary. He was an amateur historian, an avid reader, and a polyglot world traveler. With great pleasure, he accompanied his father-in-law on an Honor-Flight visit with a group of veterans to Washington, D.C.

The family wishes to thank the American Cancer Society for providing drivers to take Bill to chemotherapy, the staff at Kansas City Cancer Center in Overland Park, and to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care for compassionate aid in his final weeks.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 9, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 9101 Lamar Avenue. Friends may visit with the family before the service that begins at 11:00 a.m. A reception in the church follows. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Kansas City Hospice, 10100 W 87th Street, Suite 100, Overland Park, KS 66212; American Cancer Society, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64105; or Bethany Lutheran Church. Arrangements are pending for burial in the Leavenworth National Cemetery.
An Unusual Path Forward

January 9, 2014

Acts 20:23-35

And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

The normal path forward for most people – career wise – is up the ladder of success. Stories of corporate success from mail room to executive suite are the stuff that inspires books and aspiring entrepreneurs. Those who have taken on the challenge of hardship or sacrificial action for the sake of others may be heroes, but they are the exception. More people can name the Heisman Trophy winner than the most recipient of the Medal of Honor, or the Army or Navy Cross.

Nevertheless Paul is moving toward Jerusalem, on a path toward imprisonment and afflictions. On the one hand this is a fulfillment of what was told of him by Jesus shortly after his conversion: “I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:16). And as if that isn’t enough, he knows that his absence from the Ephesian Christians will allow “fierce wolves” to come in and attack the flock there.

It is inevitable: Paul will face trouble, hardship, suffering, and threats of many kinds. So why did he not opt out? Why would he move forward knowing that trouble stands before him and lurks to attack those he loves when he leaves them? Paul realized more than most – and he said this of us all – that we are not our own. We have been bought with a price. Our lives belong to our Redeemer. And his redeemer was calling him forward into places of danger for the sake of God’s Kingdom. Paul was “constrained by the Spirit” to face these challenges.

Most – though not all – decisions I have made involved a move up the ladder. On every occasion of a move in my ministry I have either gone to a larger church, and often received a larger salary in the process. But moves are never easy, and in nearly 35 years of ministry I have faced some significant challenges. None of those challenges were as severer as Paul was to face.

This is not intended to be so much a source of guilt as it is to be a source of inspiration. Paul is a hero of faith, and an example of one who will follow Jesus wherever he leads. He does so as one who fully leans into Jesus’ words and promises. He is compelled not only by the command of Jesus, “Go…” but also by the promise of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

For Paul that meant giving his whole life to the service of Christ and his mission. That took him places that he would never otherwise have gone and into places of both danger and joy. But it never took him from Jesus’ presence, nor from his grace. Your calling and mine may not be as dramatic or far-reaching. But we are commended to “God and the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” That is a blessing for which I thank God.
Consistent and thorough

January 8, 2014

Acts 20:17-21

Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am intrigued by Paul’s introduction to his comments as he addresses the Ephesians elders. He begins with a reminder of his faithfulness in ministry and the comprehensive nature of his ministry among them. He had been consistent (“from the first day that I set foot in Asia”) and thorough (“did not shrink…”) in his message of repentance and faith.

One way of thinking about and understanding the Bible is by means of the themes of “Covenant and Kingdom.” These two great themes deal with our identity as God’s people and our calling to represent God and his kingdom’s goals in the world. There is much to be said for this approach to “rightly dividing the world of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The reality of our identity as children of God, heirs with Christ of his heavenly kingdom is a powerful and blessed truth. Our calling to represent Christ as ambassadors of the King of kings is a high and noble calling.

There is also the classical Lutheran approach to thinking about and understanding the Bible which deals with the proper distinction between Law and Gospel. These two dimensions of scriptural truth have had a profound way of shaping my ministry and personal application of Scripture. The Law shows our sin, condemns and guides the Christian in godly living. The Gospel shows us God’s Savior: Jesus Christ and all that he has done for us. It frees us and saves us from sin, death and the devil. The gospel motivates us for Godly living.

Both of these approaches are helpful here. In regard to his consistent and thorough preaching and teaching, we see Paul living out the Kingdom calling of testifying of Christ and extending his Kingdom. The message itself, moreover, is one of law (“repentance toward”) and Gospel (“faith in our Lord Jesus Christ”). My life and ministry is all about calling people to repent and believe. That is a Kingdom calling. I do that under the authority of the King of kings, and with the conviction that the Kingdom of God is at hand.

I am thankful for my theological education and the keen insights and spiritually-challenging truths of Law/Gospel preaching and teaching. I apply these to myself daily. I am also thankful for the insights that come with understanding my standing before God in the covenant of his grace, and my calling to represent Christ in the world as a servant of the King.

22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Church Sleepers & Mighty Men

January 2, 2014

Acts 20:1-12

After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.

7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.

While a seminary student I served as a student field worker at a rural Indiana church. I would help with Bible classes, leading worship, and very occasionally preach. One man in particular had the habit of falling asleep in that nicely-heated church building. He was a dairy farmer and after braving the Indiana winter very early each Sunday morning he and his family would come to worship. And he would inevitably fall asleep during the sermon – even when I preached! This account in the book of Acts always reminds me of him.

A great Bible trivia question: What was the name of the young man mentioned in Acts 20 who fell asleep and fell out of a 2nd story window during a church service? Answer: Eutychus. Preachers like to warn people who are inclined to fall asleep in worship that when Eutychus did that he nearly died! This seemingly humorous event probably didn’t seem too humorous to the people in Ephesus. In fact Paul’s farewell with the Ephesian church was fraught with emotion. His farewell to the Ephesian elders is recorded also in Acts 20, and provides rich insight into Paul the missionary and the man.

What might be overlooked in these verses, however, are the names of the various men who were with Paul as he departed from Greece. Just as David had his mighty men – men of valor, strength, and intense loyalty – Paul has his group of protectors. Mission work is not for the faint of heart. Nor is mission work an excuse for opening yourself up to danger unnecessarily. The word of God has power, but even so, the sword, and sometimes pure brawn also serve the Gospel’s cause.

This an excuse for being mean or brutish. As James would remind us, “The anger of man does not produce the kind of righteousness that God desires” (James 1:20). Sometimes, sadly, however we must project ourselves into the power plays and schemes of man – even within the church. I recall a time when such an intervention occurred for my sake. In a church that I served there was a man who was bad-mouthing me and my ideas. Sadly, his criticisms – though deeply held – were not constructive. At an elders meeting we talked about this problem and the man’s actions. One of the elders said, “I’ll talk to him. He’s hurting the church.” I actually saw the intervention take place one Sunday morning. It was in intense conversation: finger-to-the chest and all. I didn’t hear what was said, but it must have been right on. After that day, the man’s demeanor and level of complaint decreased.

I am thankful today, more than twenty years later, for that elder. And I wonder whether other such interventions have occurred in my behalf – and more importantly in behalf of the Gospel – of which I am unaware. I would be remiss if I didn’t say thank you to those who have stood with me, or others in service to the Gospel. Such mighty men deserve to be mentioned in the Bible. They have a special place in my heart and serve a valuable purpose in the cause of the kingdom of God.
Quiet and Peaceful Lives

December 31, 2013

Acts 19:21-22 (23-41 below)

Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers,Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

Just yesterday I received an email from my colleague, Pastor David Schultz, suggesting that we set aside the months of January and February as “prayer months” for the fifty (50!) countries of the world where persecution of Christians is most severe. Number one on their list is North Korea, followed by 10 other (mostly Islamic) countries they have identified as being places of extreme persecution for Christians. The WorldWatchList website is a source of significant information about persecution of Christians, for their faith – not for political, economic, social, ethnic, or accidental reasons. The case for such care and concern is compelling.

Several facets interest me regarding this encounter between Paul, followers of Jesus (called here, “the Way”), the people of Asia, and certain characters surrounding the worship of Artemis. It is a story of money, religion, mob mentality, and hot and cool heads. In the end it is a story that reminds me of the incredible – and often overlooked – blessing of living in a place of peace, law, and order.

This encounter is between the followers of Jesus and Demetrius and his fellow silversmiths and others who were benefitting from the sale of silver shrines to the goddess Artemis. It might have turned ugly and violent, but the town clerk intervenes, and calmer heads prevail. His reason for calling for a stand down was not particularly religious: “we are in danger of being charged with rioting…” But the result was that the assembly did not turn riotous and the message of Jesus would continue to be spread.

Today I am reminded of the blessings we have to live in a free country, where we may serve the cause of Christ without fear. I am moved to pray for my brothers and sisters around the world who are being persecuted for the sake of Christ. May God give them strength and move the hearts of their persecutors to see the error of their ways. May they come to know the living God who forgives sins, hears our prayers, has come to earth in the form of a baby, redeemed us by his death, saved us by his resurrection, and who will come again at the end of time to gather his own into his eternal kingdom. Lord have mercy! Amen.

Acts 19:23-41

About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”

28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
2013 in review

December 31, 2013

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 8,000 times in 2013. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 7 trips to carry that many people.

I’m not certain how good that number really is, but it’s nice to know that some people have viewed and maybe read my blog posts. My greater hope is that they were edified in some manner by what they read. If you’re interested, you can click here to see the complete report.
No Proxy Allowed

December 30, 2013

Acts 19:12-20

And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

Once a mother asked that I speak to her son about his lifestyle and need to be active in church. He was just a little younger than I was, and astute enough to ask me, “Did my mother tell you to talk to me?” Although she had asked that I not let him know she had asked, I just couldn’t pull off a comeback like: “Does it matter who asks you, or is it not important enough to be in worship for the sake of God?” Perhaps the best answer would have been to say, “What if God is the one telling me to talk to you?” Answer a question with a question. Bring God into the equation. That’s the formula. Truth is, I was and am on a mission from God. I am his proxy. That works. But I’m not God’s proxy’s proxy. I’m no hired gun – spiritually or otherwise – to make things happen for moms, dads, bosses, or concerned neighbors.

The seven sons of Sceva discovered that trying to pull a proxy move on evil spirits was a very bad idea. These itinerant Jewish exorcists attempted to cast out an evil spirit in the name of “Jesus who Paul proclaims.” Bad idea. The evil spirit-possessed man jumped these seven sons, beat them and sent them naked and wounded from the house. You don’t tug on Superman’s cape. You don’t sit in the boss’s chair. You don’t provoke a momma bear. You don’t try to take on Satan by using Jesus’ name by proxy.

God was at work through Paul for a reason. The stories are amazing to be sure. But this was no carnival side show. This was the work of God for the sake of God’s kingdom. God’s miraculous work is a gift he bestows through his servants. And when he works through his servants far-reaching things happen. In this case people burned their magic arts books – not as a demonstration against such books, but as an act of repentance and public disavowal of their former ways. Through all this the word of God continued to have further impact.

They say that God doesn’t have grandchildren. That means that you don’t gain access to the kingdom by means of your parents’ faith. We each must claim Jesus as Lord and Savior. Nor does God have proxy servants. I may be publicly recognized as a pastor of a Lutheran congregation, but I serve in Christ’s name. Whoever would be one through whom God works, serves in Jesus’ name alone. The purposes are not fame or fortune, but to see the word of the Lord increase and prevail.
I’ll admit it: I’m a wimp!

December 29, 2013

Psalm 29:1-2

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

Psalm 59:16-17

But I will sing of your strength;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress
and a refuge in the day of my distress.
O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
for you, O God, are my fortress,
the God who shows me steadfast love.

Psalm 89:1-2

I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever;
in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”

Psalm 149:1

Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the godly!

I’ll admit it: I’m a wimp! On the 29th of the month – when I am in my Psalm-reading discipline – Psalm 119 is one of the Psalms that would be appointed. But, as I said, I’m a wimp: I won’t tackle Psalm 119 – all 176 verses of it – along with the other 4 Psalms that would come up in this rotation. On the first day of the month, it’s 1; 31; 61; 91; 121 – easy enough. On the 15th it’s 15; 35; 65; 95; 125. On the 29th it would be 29; 59; 89; 119; 149. Psalm 119 is an acrostic psalm, with each of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet given its own eight verses, each of those verses beginning with a word beginning with that letter. I just don’t have the personal spiritual stamina to slog through all those verses for my personal devotional time. I’ll take on Psalm 119 on the 31st of the month. As I said, I”m a wimp.

On the other hand, isn’t that the very reason for going to God’s word? Don’t we go there for consolation, hope, comfort, guidance and direction? Don’t we go there because we don’t have the truth innately within us? Don’t we go there to be reminded of the glory of God, his power, faithfulness, truth, justice, righteousness, his steadfast love, and grace?

In fact we’re all wimps when it comes to standing before God. His voice melts mountains. His power is unequalled. He, alone, is greatly to be praised. He is our strength and fortress. We sing our praises to him. My hope is not in my strength and spiritual stamina. My hope is in him.

That, of course, is not an excuse or call to wimp out when embracing God’s word. We need all we can get! But our only calling before God is not simply to regard, read, and reflect on his word. He calls us also to love and serve our neighbor. That requires the strength that comes from his word. But it also requires that we move from our early morning altar to the day’s activities. Why stop at Psalm 119, why not the whole psalter? Why not the entire Bible?

Life calls us from the strength of God’s word into God’s world. That’s where I’m heading now. Psalm 119 will be there on the 31st!