Grace Notes

There were two question/statements that didn’t get to me in time to answer on Sunday before the benediction.

The first was a response to a statement I made that we don’t know from where Eliab’s anger in 1 Samuel 17:28 came.  The texter said, “Sure we do, see: 1 Samuel 16:6-7.”   Those verses record God directing Samuel to pass over Eliab, Jesse’s eldest son on His way to David the “baby.”  I agree with the texter that the root of Eliab’s bitterness can be found there, I was just struck by how combustible it was.

The second question/statement wondered if David’s gathering of 5 stones demonstrated a lack of faith.   Which is not only a great question pertaining to this text, but a great question pertaining to our everyday life.   The question goes to preparation and faith.  David had a shepherd’s bag/pouch which, presumably, held five stones.  So in my view, he was preparing for battle by filling his pouch.  Just like a modern day soldier would fill his/her clip.  If he hadn’t would he have been presuming on God (Matt 4:7)?  On the one hand “faith” says I can hit the giant with one stone.  Just like faith might say, I can pass that test without studying, I can preach that message without preparing, or I can build that house without planning.  BUT if I God gives me time to study or plan (or load my quiver); wouldn’t He expect me to use it (2 Timothy 2:15)?  This question is near and dear to my heart, because on more occasions then I can count I’ve had to rely on my gift to preach/or teach with a moment’s notice.   In those times not only has God come through, but it seems that often in those times that I get to see people respond in dramatic and fulfilling ways.   Given that, I sometimes wonder why I feel compelled to do “due diligence” in my studies every week.   I think it’s the same reason David chose 5 stones; to do any less would be to do less than his best.

That said, there is a more traditional and a much more fun answer!  At camp and revival meetings across America whenever the preacher gets to 1 Samuel 17:40 – five smooth stones –  he looks up at the audience, grins and say, “Because, Goliath had 4 brothers!” (2 Samuel 21:22)

🙂

I typically write Friday’s blog on Thursday and this Thursday happens to be Valentine’s day!  My social media pages, that aren’t filled with posts bemoaning the weather or the state of politics, are filled with John 3:16 acrostics!

John 3:16, of course, comes from a discussion that Jesus was having with Nicodemus about why He came and my eyes are always drawn to the beginning of this thought in verse 14 where Jesus makes reference to an OT story.   Jesus could have referenced the complicated procedure of Yom Kippur, in Leviticus 16, with the multiple blood washings and the scapegoats that illustrate the high cost of sin. He could have cited the exacting incense formula in Exodus 30 to illustrate His holiness. Instead He simply said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” Interesting that he picked that one with so many other examples to pick from….

The Bronze Snake

4 They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; 5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”

6 Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. (Numbers 31)

Did you see how non-complex God made it for the people?  “Look and Live!” (OT) “Believe in Him!” (NT) In both Testaments life is a free gift; not because it was cheap, but because its worth is an expense beyond what any human could bear.   It is an act of the Almighty God and He does not share His glory! So this day after Valentine’s day look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, for your salvation, for your peace, and for your daily power to live the life He created you to live!  Just LOOK and BELIEVE!

Lord, I believe!  Help my unbelief!

Pastor Scott

I tend to waste a lot of paper printing out sermon illustrations and then forgetting to read them.  Here’s one from a couple of weeks ago, enjoy:

This past Monday was a federal holiday honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King.  He is remembered for many things and much of his work and words were encapsulated in these 35 words:  “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

Two years before that speech the late President John F. Kennedy spoke these 17 memorable words: “And so, my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

I can imagine that if either man were still alive, he’d be very disappointed in this nation.  We still are more interested in what people portray outwardly and we are still more interested in what we can get rather than what we can give (at least that is the picture we most often get on the news), and it is a tragedy that we enshrine these values while we stomp on them.

The thing that intrigues me about this walk down memory lane is, that while neither of these men would likely have followed the same theological track 60 years later that brought us together to WOGF, they were both dead-on in their points!  God does call us to NOT see one another as white or black (Jew or Gentile); poor or rich (slave or freeman); churched or unchurched (circumcised or uncircumcised)*.  He calls us to see one another as one in Christ, and those who aren’t in Christ as people who need Christ!**

And, as His disciples, He calls each of us to lay down our lives and pick up our cross*** – not asking what He is doing for us, but asking what we can do for Him.

Some holidays inspire our patriotism.  I hope this one also inspires our holy fervor!

Yours, because I’m His,

Pastor Scott

* “…a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.” ~Colossians 3:11

**  ”For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”  ~Romans 1:16

***  “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me’”  ~Matthew 16:24

To: Jesus, Son of Joseph
Woodcrafter’s Carpenter Shop
Nazareth 25922

From: Jordan Management Consultants

Dear Sir:

Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; and we have not only run the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant.

The profiles of all tests are included, and you will want to study each of them carefully.

As part of our service, we make some general comments for your guidance, much as an auditor will include some general statements. This is given as a result of staff consultation, and comes without any additional fee.

It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.

Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew had been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus definitely have radical leanings, and they both registered a high score on the manic-depressive scale.

One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind, and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious, and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right-hand man. All of the other profiles are self-explanatory.

We wish you every success in your new venture.

Sincerely,

Jordan Management Consultants

{‘For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” ~1 Corinthians 1:26-31}

Beloved, aren’t you glad He chose you!

Pastor Scott

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.  For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus – Philippians 1:3-6

There is a saying among many in church leadership that 80% of the ministry is done by 20% of the people.  I just want you to know that you, Word of Gracers, blow that stat to smithereens! You are the best volunteers in the world!!!  Thank you to those who tirelessly packed up all of our stuff in the old building as 2017 came to a close. Thank you to all of you who kept the programming going, serving kids and oldsters alike, despite being packed up as closings were delayed and moving dates kept being put off.  Thank you to the audiovisual experts and the mechanically inclined folks who fix what’s broken. Thank you to those of you who spend countless hours calling on the sick and those who are unable to get out of the house. Thank you to those who work behind the scenes to make sure that the kitchen is supplied, the coffee is made, and the supply closets are stocked.  Thank you to the tireless (or very tired) children’s workers who are always on duty, even when the pastors forget to mention that there might be a need for childcare at a particular event. Thank you to the Bible study teachers, Awana leaders, Sunday school teachers, ushers, greeters…. Thank you to the swarms of men and women who helped us canvass this neighborhood and show love by meeting needs of those neighbors.  (By the way, that is still paying dividends!) Thank you to the many who are here all day every day painting and sanding and building….. The list goes on and on, but please know that you are loved and appreciated!!!

AND speaking of the 80/20 rule, those same journals say that 20% of the church members give 80% of the church’s offerings.  Now I don’t EVER look at who gives what. (I – Pastor Scott –  want to believe I would never play favorites, but it’s easier to just stay above reproach in that arena).  I believe we bust the 80/20 paradigm here, too.  So this is my year-end giving plea. We are a few thousand short of making our budgeted average for this first half of the fiscal year.  BUT given how many gung-ho workers we have, wouldn’t it be great if we were able to fund every ministry fully? Would you prayerfully consider making a sizable year-end gift to Word of Grace Fellowship?  If you aren’t going to be able to be at church on Sunday (12/30), be sure to either get it in the mail by 12/31 or you can give online by going to https://wordofgrace.org/cheerful-giving

May Your New Year Be Filled with the Abundance of Christ’s Blessings,

Pastor Scott

Luke’s Gospel presents aspects of Jesus’ early life that the other three omit. Church tradition holds that Luke interviewed Jesus’ immediate family to gain these details, something we can add to our list of questions we want to ask in eternity!  One of the details he adds to the Christmas narrative is Jesus’ presentation at the temple in vs 22-38 (see below).

We know nothing about Simeon other than that he was a devout man who served at the temple and that God had made him an amazing promise, which was that he would see the Messiah with his own eyes.  But it’s his words that grab our hearts, “Okay God, I’ve seen {believe} your Salvation – for both the Gentiles and for my people – now I can die!”

We don’t know how long he’d lived waiting for that promise, but what we do know is that his life was complete now that the promise was fulfilled.  He was totally at peace.

It’s possible as you are reading this that you aren’t feeling particularly peaceful.  Whether it’s the annual Christmas frenzy or deeper issues that trouble you, I beg you to stop for a minute and see through Simeon’s eyes.  Have you “seen” Jesus? Not just the babe in the manger, but the God/Man who died in your place? Realize, again, that He has made you righteous (2 Cor. 1:21); He has forgiven you forever (Hebrews 10:14); you are already seated in the heavenlies (Ephesians 2:6).  Need I go on? Your cup is totally full! The only gift you, or I, will ever need was in Simeon’s arms 2000 years ago – the rest of life is just the wrapping paper!

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Scott

Jesus Presented in the Temple – Luke 2:22-38

22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,

According to Your word;

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation

31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Christian life ought to be characterized by freedom, not rules and regulations.

Other religions will give you long to-do lists of prayers and practices and menus and pilgrimages, and you have to follow them to be a member in good standing.

Christians basically have one command: to love.

Augustine famously summarized it this way: “Love and do what you will.” If you love someone, do whatever comes naturally. If you are seeking someone’s good, then do it.

What does love look like?

It looks like whatever kind of help your neighbor needs.

Love can be changing a crying baby’s diaper, tutoring a failing student, babysitting for a frazzled mother, donating your vacation to a co-worker whose husband has cancer, teaching an immigrant to speak English, or helping someone fill out job applications.

Love and do what you will.

If you need inspiration on how to love, observe the good people around you. As John said,

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does goodis of God; the one who does evil has not seen God (3 John 1:11).

John was writing to Gaius and contrasted the behavior of two men in his community. A man named Diotrephes was refusing to show hospitality to John and other believers (vv 9-10). By contrast, a man named Demetrius was setting a good example for all (v 12). John told Gaius to imitate the good behavior of Demetrius.

That’s one way to learn how to love: imitation.

Do you know a genuinely good person? What does he or she do? How does he love the people around him? Pay attention.

Imitation is not only the sincerest form of flattery, but also an effective way to learn to love.

By Shawn Lazar; Grace Evangelical Society, December 4, 2018

(I just happened to really like it – Pastor Scott)

I heard a very catchy version of the 12-days of Christmas earlier this week and it caused me to remember a paper I seen during a previous Christmas season that purports to give an explanation for the song.  I can’t vouch for the veracity of this explanation; but as you will no doubt hear it a dozen more times this season – maybe this explanation will help give an otherwise frivolous song a little more gravitas!  Merry Christmas – Pastor Scott

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit–Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit–Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed