Grace Notes

In Romans 4 Paul says in no uncertain terms that, just like Abraham, we are justified by faith NOT works. James says in James 2 that just like Abraham we are justified by works NOT faith alone. This can be very puzzling, and has spawned lots of debate until we realize that each apostle is looking at a different event in Abraham’s life.

Paul, in Romans 4, is looking at Genesis 15 when he was still with out an heir from Sari. God took him out of his tent and pointed him to the sky declaring, that seed from his own body would someday out number the stars! The next verse says, “Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)

James, in James 2, is looking at Genesis 22, some 20 years later. Isaac, Abraham’s only son, is a young man and God asks Abraham to take him up on Mt Moriah and sacrifice him. Abraham obeyed God. He packed up his son and some wood and they headed up the mountain.  “And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.” (v. 10) But God stayed his hand saying in verse 12: “for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” James says of this incident “by works faith was made perfect” (2:22)

My contention is that Abraham was justified vertically, before God, when he believed that promise out there looking up at the stars. He was justified horizontally, or maybe better “conformationally,” when he trusted God enough to lift that knife! He passed that test, he never looked back after that!

What does that have to do with the teens? It’s possible we have some who haven’t had their “I believe moment” – but that’s unlikely. Pray for them that their confirmation moment (week, month, years) would no more painful than necessary and that God would protect them even as they make their faith their own!

Hope you are able to join us Sunday to celebrate what God is doing in their lives!

Pastor Scott

I don’t know about you, but when I read a novel I always identify with the protagonist (the hero); and I find I do that in Scripture as well.  Take our favorite hero story, David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17.  Haven’t you read that and thought of yourself as David and thought of your biggest issue in life (or biggest current challenge) as Goliath? Perhaps you remember a preacher (even me*) encouraging you to do the same?  On the one hand that’s not wrong, God does give us the strength we need to handle “our Goliaths.”  But that’s probably not the primary message we should be taking away from God’s hero stories.  For instance, in 1 Samuel 17, I’m not “David,” I’m one of those weak-kneed Isrealiiets cowering behind David.  David, in this story, represents Jesus! 

Now, if you’ve gotten this far in this blog, you might be saying, “Thanks P.S.; now how am I supposed to benefit from that point of view on the story?”    By remembering, what only David remembered among all of the Israelites that day – The battle belongs to the Lord!  (1 Samuel 17:47; 2 Chronicles 20:15)

You don’t have to fight every battle, you don’t have to win every fight, but you do have to know and trust one Who already has!

Because I’m His,

Pastor Scott

*Yes, I have preached this POV; the POV of David as representing Jesus is NT.

I shared this on Sunday, but feel the need to share it here too:  

There is a lot of evil in the world.  The dark cloud seems to be growing and a lot of us are paying a lot of attention.  We don’t want to be caught flat-footed; unaware.  So we study the signs, we stare evil in the face.  We need be sure we will know how to counter it.  Yet, that’s not exactly what the Bible says.  I’m supposed to be thinking about what is good!  I’m supposed to be fixing my eyes on the Author and Finisher of my faith.  I’m supposed to literally be “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts; living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking  for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ!

Sure, evil is out there.  Cain slew Abel and there is a world full of Cain’s today – their judgment is certain; we’ve NOTHING to fear! Amen?  It only only seems like God is delayed bringing it to an end, consider this blurb from “Our Daily Bread:”

Scientists at the Goddard Space Flight Center report that one of the largest stars in our galaxy is about to self-destruct. Eta Carinae, which has a mass 100 times greater than that of our sun, is giving signs that its life is about over. Researchers say that it could become a supernova — a blazing, exploding star — within the next 10,000 years. What was especially interesting about the “Science News” report was the statement that since light from the star takes 9,000 years to reach the earth, the actual explosion could have already taken place.

This striking fact reminds me of the nature of biblical prophecy. For example, the predictions found in Revelation 8 (The Seventh Seal)  are often written in the past tense. This is done because even though the prophet is writing of a future event, he has already “seen” it. Also, in the mind of God it’s as if the events have already happened. Even though Christians differ on the interpretation of today’s Scripture, we can definitely say that God’s judgment against sin is certain. The outpouring of His anger against those who continually resist Him is so sure that it has been written about in the past tense. This should cause us to reflect with the apostle Peter, who wrote so appropriately, “Seeing, then, that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11). As Christians, we know what’s ahead for this world, and that knowledge should keep us living close to God. 

And out of that closeness should flow, peace, joy, and a passion to share our faith!

Pastor Scott

I was recently made aware of a young woman in another city, who faced criticism from people in her own church for having surgery to take care of an ectopic pregnancy.   It’s common knowledge, at least in my circles, that a baby that is growing IN mom’s fallopian tube will not survive.  The baby will die and may cause an infection that kills mom.  Taking care of the issue is, of course, sad and hurtful, but it’s not a choice and it has no similarity to a free-will abortion.  

Enter politics.  Almost immediately after the Dobbs decision overturned Roe vs Wade, I heard news reports about hospitals that were wringing their hands about all sorts of labor and delivery procedures.  Certainly, there were some that were doing so out of an abundance of legal caution, but much of it was straight manipulation.   Tubal (ectopic) pregnancies became the primary battle ground.  They are fairly rare, but they do happen.  Even though NO state law prohibits caring for mom’s in this state, pro-abortionists were claiming that this new law would tie doctor’s hands.  All lies, but that’s the enemy’s stock in trade.  I thought the dust had settled until I heard this story.  

The Accuser of the Brethren has wormed his way into the church!  Just like he manipulated Eve in the garden, he is manipulating public opinion all the time.  Now someone who is defending a correct, pro-life view,  has had their definition manipulated by Satan as he manipulates the pro-choice press in their manipulation of public opinion! 

These well meaning* guardians of the pro-life position have caused this young woman to become skeptical of the church at large – which likely was Satan’s end-game!

Be wise as serpents, gentle as doves!  And let’s please check our facts, scriptural and otherwise.

If it could happen there, it could happen anywhere.  ☹️

Pastor Scott

*As the story was related to me, these folks could have spoken with more grace.  A careful reading of Ephesians 4:2 leads this writer to conclude that we ought to also listen with grace. 🙂

According to a traditional Hebrew story, Abraham was sitting outside his tent one evening when he saw an old man, weary from age and journey, coming toward him. Abraham rushed out, greeted him, and then invited him into his tent. There he washed the old man’s feet and gave him food and drink. The old man immediately began eating without saying any prayer or blessing. So Abraham asked him, “Don’t you worship God?”

The old traveler replied, “I worship fire only and reverence no other god.”

When he heard this, Abraham became incensed, grabbed the old man by the shoulders, and threw him out his tent into the cold night air.

When the old man had departed, God called to his friend Abraham and asked where the stranger was. Abraham replied, “I forced him out because he did not worship you.”

God answered, “I have suffered him these eighty years although he dishonors me. Could you not endure him one night?”

Thomas Lindberg

“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,  being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”  Ephesians 4:1-6 Emphasis Added

Yours, for His Glory,

Pastor Scott

Frequently, months after losing a parent or spouse the questions start popping up. What’s it like for them? What are they experiencing? What do they see? What do they remember? Someone sent me a blog (vlog?) by a famous preacher addressing Isiah 65:27; that seems to say that we wouldn’t remember anything in the kingdom. Even though this preacher and I don’t agree on the when of the kingdom, I mostly agree with what he says; I just think he missed an important God-given analogy. The verses prior to 27 make it clear that what God will wipe away is the evil from our minds. As to how He can do that and leave us whole, I believe a great analogy is στοργή (storgé) – the mother’s love that washes away the pian of child birth in an instant. I believe when we we behold the face of Jesus; it will be even better than that new baby glow!

Pastor Scott

https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-will-we-remember-in-the-new-creation

This week we celebrate the 247th birthday of our nation. As Christ follower, my eyes need to be on Him, and He, through His servant Paul instructed that first of all we should pray for our leaders – for our nation! Let’s do it! – PS

Word of Gracers,

I don’t know this blogger, but I appreciate her biblical and common sense testimony.  Please take the time to read it as it makes the point I had planned to make this week, from a perspective I can’t make because my parents took me to church as an infant and I have never stopped going.  🙂  

Pastor Scott

https://www.afaithfulstep.com/blog/how-one-question-got-me-to-go-to-church-tips-for-inviting-your-friends

Scripture calls us over and over again to humble ourselves before God.  We are also called to walk in humility here, whether among family, friends or strangers.  But what does that mean practically?  

Paul gives us one clue in Philipians 2:4 where he says simply “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, also!”  So one could say horizontal humility is being “other focused.”  In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis puts it this way: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less”… except, according to a deeper search, he didn’t write that.  

This quote has been making the rounds for years, since the publication of Rick Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Life, where it appears as part of Day 19, “Cultivating Community.” And it is to Warren this quote belongs, for indeed, it is his.

It’s a nice quote, and even a helpful one. But what Lewis actually wrote on this subject is far more challenging:

Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.

If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realise that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Book 3, Chapter 8, “The Great Sin,” Kindle location 1665

Paul’s words, Warren’s words, and Lewis’s words are good reminders to care for the planks in our own eyes before we try to remove the rainbow splinter from someone else’s! 🙂 

Because God is Still On the Throne,

Pastor Scott

I’ve been shopping at Target since I first could drive.  Kelly has been using Kohl’s Cash since the program first started.  Now stepping in either store makes us a bit uncomfortable.  We aren’t alone. Target has lost mega dollars in recent weeks and that’s why I’m writing. Boycotts aren’t new.  There was a boycott of the meat markets in both Corinth and Rome by Christians of strong conviction In the Apostle Paul’s day.  Of course, not all Christians shared that conviction and the strongly convicted tended to judge them.  The ones who thought the boycotters (vegans) were being silly tended to hold said abstainers in contempt.  Thus there was division in the church circa 65 AD.  

In 2023 AD, as the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) movement gains more influence over investors, we may see more and more companies throw off all moral restraint.   I don’t pretend to know what to do about where to shop and where to buy, but praise God I do know how we are to behave toward each other.  Consider this application of Romans 14:1-4:

Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.  One person has faith that he may shop anywhere, but he who is weak boycotts.   The one who shops anywhere is not to regard with contempt the one who boycotts, and the one who boycotts is not to judge the one who shops, for God has accepted him.  Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Application of Romans 14:1-4

I don’t know what this will come to, but I do remember a time when some Christians weren’t wearing Levi’s (I don’t even remember why) and other Christians couldn’t afford not to wear the pants already in their closet.  The last thing we should be doing is humiliating each other because of some corporation’s decision!    Always choose grace! 

Yours, together with Him,

Pastor Scott

Compare:   14 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Romans 14:1-4 (NASB 1995)