Romans 4:1-17, Thursday Night Worship, March 5th, 2020

Last Thursday night we looked at the verses found in the letter to the churches in Rome, Romans 4:1-17.  The ability to link to Abraham was a very important consideration to ancient Jews... if you look at Luke's Gospel he takes us all the way back to Adam in Jesus' genealogy, but Matthew (the most Jewish of the Gospels) is content to just link Jesus to Abraham.  This link to Abraham was all the was needed... Jesus is not only of the house of David but a child of Abraham.

Paul's message is that we all are blessed through Abraham and let us not forget the verses that speak of creating children of Abraham from the very stones themselves.

Please take a listen, it wasn't a long sermon by any means.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Romans 4:1-17 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Example of Abraham
4 What then are we to say was gained by[a] Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. 5 But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. 6 So also David speaks of the blessedness of those to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven,
    and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the one against whom the Lord will not reckon sin.”

9 Is this blessedness, then, pronounced only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We say, “Faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness.” 10 How then was it reckoned to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the ancestor of all who believe without being circumcised and who thus have righteousness reckoned to them, 12 and likewise the ancestor of the circumcised who are not only circumcised but who also follow the example of the faith that our ancestor Abraham had before he was circumcised.

God’s Promise Realized through Faith
13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.

16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

Footnotes:
Romans 4:1 Other ancient authorities read say about

Thursday Night Service - February 27, 2020 - 1st Corinthians 4:1-5 - Slaves for Christ

I'm trying to get caught up on the blog so here is the sermon from Thursday night's worship on February 27th.  That night we looked at the short bit of scripture found in 1st Corinthians 4:1-5.

In these few verses, we learn twice that we are called to be slaves to Christ.  The word translated in the NRSV as servants means a 'Galley Slave', and the word translated as steward means a slave who is in charge of the finances and order of the household.

Please take a listen and see what you think.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Ministry of the Apostles

4 Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. 4 I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.

1 Corinthians 3:10-23, Thursday Night Worship - February 20, 2020

We're reminded here by Paul that our lives are to be built on a solid foundation and that the only solid foundation that we can build our lives upon is Christ Jesus.  I talk here about my father and his insistence that when we were building a building that it be constructed upon a rock-solid foundation.

If we start building on a faulty or unstable base, our lives will end up flawed and very unstable... so let us build (or rebuild if need be) our lives on the firm base that God wishes us to build upon... Jesus who is the Christ.

Be a blessing to someone today!!

In Christ,
Roy

1 Corinthians 3:10-23 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. 14 If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire.

16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?[a] 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

18 Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,

“He catches the wise in their craftiness,”

20 and again,

“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,
    that they are futile.”

21 So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

Footnotes:

1 Corinthians 3:16 In verses 16 and 17 the Greek word for you is plural

1 Corinthians 2:1-12, Thursday Night Sermon, February 6, 2020

In this world we are all given certain gifts, we are expected to use these gifts to the benefit of God.  The end of the selected verses in 1st Corinthians calls us to understand these gifts that the Holy Spirit has blessed us with, there can be no greater failure to explain to our Lord than why we failed so horribly to use these gifts for His purposes.

The previous night at Youth Group I discussed the parable of the 'Talents' with the boys that are my group.  This parable ties in well with this last line of scripture in the reading, whether you've been entrusted with ten, five, or only one ability by God... invest that currency and use it to further God's Kingdom... or expect to do some 'explaining' later on...

Be a blessing to someone today!!

In Christ,
Roy

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Proclaiming Christ Crucified
2 When I came to you, brothers and sisters,[a] I did not come proclaiming the mystery[b] of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom,[c] but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

The True Wisdom of God
6 Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. 7 But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
    nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.

Footnotes:
a) 1 Corinthians 2:1 Gk brothers
b) 1 Corinthians 2:1 Other ancient authorities read testimony
c) 1 Corinthians 2:4 Other ancient authorities read the persuasiveness of wisdom

Matthew 25:14-30 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Parable of the Talents
14 “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents,[a] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Footnotes
a) Matthew 25:15 A talent was worth more than fifteen years’ wages of a laborer

1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Thursday Night Worship, January 16, 2020.

One of the key things to remember (and one of the most difficult to maintain) whenever we sit down to do the "business" side of the Church, or the Ministry side of the Church, or sad to say even when we sit down together to Worship... is to remember that what we do we do for God.  We are here to do God's bidding... not to stroke our own egos, not to advance our own agendas, be they political, moral, or what have you... we are CALLED to be Christ to a broken world.

Far, far too often in small ways and in large, we forget that we are answering a call and not making or issuing a calling of our own.  Even when we feel called to admonish another or a group we need to realign ourselves to the Spirit and place God first and foremost in our actions.  Here Paul is addressing the all too troubled church in Corinth, a church that we all should be able to relate to in general while I hope not in particular.  This is a church wrestling with many all too worldly issues... a church that has forgotten to put Christ first and foremost.

As we prepare each day let us pray that God guides our actions, and deeds that we can live a life which demonstrates to all those around us that there is an all-loving, all-caring, and all-gracious God... a God that wants to know them if they too will just return to Him.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

1 Corinthians 1:1-9 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Salutation
1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord[a] and ours:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I give thanks to my[b] God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6 just as the testimony of[c] Christ has been strengthened among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes:
a) 1 Corinthians 1:2 Gk theirs
b) 1 Corinthians 1:4 Other ancient authorities lack my

c) 1 Corinthians 1:6 Or to

First Clement
CLEMENT OF ROME, First Epistle
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS
Translated by J.B. Lightfoot.

1Clem prologue:1
The Church of God which sojourneth in Rome to the Church of God which sojourneth in Corinth, to them which are called and sanctified by the will of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace from Almighty God through Jesus Christ be multiplied.

1Clem 1:1
By reason of the sudden and repeated calamities and reverses which are befalling us, brethren, we consider that we have been somewhat tardy in giving heed to the matters of dispute that have arisen among you, dearly beloved, and to the detestable and unholy sedition, so alien and strange to the elect of God, which a few headstrong and self-willed persons have kindled to such a pitch of madness that your name, once revered and renowned and lovely in the sight of all men, hath been greatly reviled.

1Clem 1:2
For who that had sojourned among you did not approve your most virtuous and steadfast faith? Who did not admire your sober and forbearing piety in Christ? Who did not publish abroad your magnificent disposition of hospitality? Who did not congratulate you on your perfect and sound knowledge?

1Clem 1:3
For ye did all things without respect of persons, and ye walked after the ordinances of God, submitting yourselves to your rulers and rendering to the older men among you the honor which is their due. On the young too ye enjoined modest and seemly thoughts: and the women ye charged to perform all their duties in a blameless and seemly and pure conscience, cherishing their own husbands, as is meet; and ye taught them to keep in the rule of obedience, and to manage the affairs of their household in seemliness, with all discretion.

Thursday night worship, Oct 24, 2019 - 2nd Timothy 4:1-5

Last Thursday we looked at 2nd Timothy 4:1-5.  I'm in a terrible rush this morning so I don't have time to comment a great deal.  I will just point out that here Paul (or the one writing in his name) relates his life to having been poured out almost as an act of worship of God.  Here I encouraged all to live a life as an act of worship... like Paul, let our lives be poured out for Christ.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Worship,

Roy

Notice that in 2 Timothy 1:8 the call to share in suffering for the gospel is possible “by the power of God” and in 2 Timothy 2:3 the charge to “share in suffering” is preceded by a prayer for strengthening “by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1) 

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NRSV)
4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2 proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. 5 As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

Luke 18:1-8 "The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge" - October 20, 2019

The sermon for this past Sunday covered the parable of "The Widow & the Unjust Judge".  Often this scripture is used to preach for 'social justice', and there certainly is that component here... but, the words translated as "grant me justice" can also be translated as "grant me righteousness" and the word translated as "opponent" can mean one you steals or removes your righteousness.  Given that this parable follows Luke's version of the 'Little Apocalypse' and that in verse 8 we see "when the Son of Man comes", I think we're dealing with something deeper here than just if someone has wronged you in some earthly fashion.

Please take a listen, it's actually a very brief sermon and this point alone is (in my humble opinion) worth the listen and some consideration.

Thank you for dropping by this tiny corner of the web.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Luke 18:1-8 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge
18 Then Jesus[a] told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ 4 For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’”[b] 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Footnotes:
a) Luke 18:1 Gk he

b) Luke 18:5 Or so that she may not finally come and slap me in the face

Luke 17:20-37 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Coming of the Kingdom
20 Once Jesus[a] was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among[b] you.”

22 Then he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 They will say to you, ‘Look there!’ or ‘Look here!’ Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.[c] 25 But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation. 26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. 28 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed all of them 30 —it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise, anyone in the field must not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. 34 I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.”[d] 37 Then they asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”

Footnotes:
a) Luke 17:20 Gk he
b) Luke 17:21 Or within
c) Luke 17:24 Other ancient authorities lack in his day

d) Luke 17:35 Other ancient authorities add verse 36, “Two will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.”

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, sermon from Thursday Night Worship on October 17, 2019

Photo by Christian Begeman, Praire Sanctuaries

Last Thursday night the Lectionary had us once again in 2nd Timothy.  This time, we found ourselves covering the verses that bear that often quoted verse of "16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness".

Often this verse is used like a club to confront anyone we disagree with.  There are a couple issues here though in that much of scripture can be interpreted in more than one direction and then there is the real issue of just what was scripture in the understanding of the Author of 2nd Timothy.  There certainly wasn't the understanding we carry today as these verses (no matter who wrote them) predate any concept of a canon for either the Old or the New Testament.  But, this issue aside we should not let it prevent us from finding the untold value of these verses.

There are at the beginning of Chapter 3, verses warning us about the state of the world and cautioning us about becoming entangled with these things.  The larger point though of these verses are to continue to teach people in the tradition of Christ using Paul as an example of how we as disciples are to carry forward the message of Christ.

Paul was not perfect and we ourselves will never be perfect, but we are called to teach the perfect love, the perfect grace, the perfect forgiveness, and the desire for absolute reconciliation that is the unique message of Christ.  Let us work together, as imperfect and flawed as we may be, to let all know that in spite of the trials and travails of life... there is a God who loves them and desires a relationship with them... and with you... and with me.  Praise God!

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

32 Timothy 3:14-4:5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is[a] useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2 proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. 5 As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

Footnotes:
a) 2 Timothy 3:16 Or Every scripture inspired by God is also


2 Timothy 3:1-13 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Godlessness in the Last Days
3 You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them! 6 For among them are those who make their way into households and captivate silly women, overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires, 7 who are always being instructed and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people, of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, also oppose the truth. 9 But they will not make much progress, because, as in the case of those two men,[a] their folly will become plain to everyone.

Paul’s Charge to Timothy
10 Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions, and my suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived.

Footnotes:
a) 2 Timothy 3:9 Gk lacks two men

2 Timothy 2:3-15, October 10, 2019, Thursday Night Worship

And here we have last Thursday night's (Oct 10th) sermon video.  I'm going to get caught up with posting the sermons and will have this past Sunday's sermon up in the morning.

During this sermon, I mention all the hardships that have fallen upon so very, very, very many midwestern farmers this crop year.  They have suffered blow after blow from the weather.  Too much rainfall and now for so many in the Dakotas an early snowfall which may mean some crops will have to be harvested (if there's anything left to harvest) in the spring, which will delay next year's planting as well.  Please do pray for these affected souls, their livelihoods are literally on the line.

I mentioned the plight of the Dakota farmers to illustrate the setbacks that we have in life.  Often we feel that we are hit with one thing after another.  Illness, deaths, financial problems, the list goes on and on... of the things we confront in this lifetime.  But the beauty is that God remains there with us and if we lean on Him, we can soldier on through it all... praising God all the way.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Grace,
Roy

2 Timothy 2:3-15 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
3 Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer. 5 And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. 6 It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 The saying is sure:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.

A Worker Approved by God
14 Remind them of this, and warn them before God[a] that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.

Footnotes:
a) 2 Timothy 2:14 Other ancient authorities read the Lord

photo by Christian Begeman

2 Timothy 1:1-14, Thursday Night Worship - October 3, 2019

With having been gone to the "Craft of Preaching" conference for three days last week, I am woefully behind on the blog.  Here is the sermon from WAY.... back on October 3rd during the Thursday night service.

I'm just going to drop this and move to the next blog post.  Please take a few minutes and listen to the sermon as we begin a brief trip through the letter known as "2nd Timothy".

Be a blessing to someone today!!

In Christ,
Roy

2 Timothy 1:1-14 Revised Standard Version (RSV)
Salutation
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, my beloved child:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanksgiving and Encouragement
3 I thank God whom I serve with a clear conscience, as did my fathers, when I remember you constantly in my prayers. 4 As I remember your tears, I long night and day to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lo′is and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you. 6 Hence I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; 7 for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control.

8 Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, 10 and now has manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 and therefore I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.[a] 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; 14 guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

Footnotes:
a) 2 Timothy 1:12 Or what I have entrusted to him

1st Timothy 1:12-17; Thursday Night Sermon 9/12/19

Here is last Thursday night's sermon video.  Here the author of the letter holds Paul up as an example, a model, the template if you will, of just how abhorrent a person can be towards God and yet God can and will turn their heart.  And not only will He turn their heart, but He'll put them to work for the Kingdom.

Bottom-line, no matter how awful you think you are, how ineffectual you feel you are, how less than perfect you perceive yourself... God has a spot for you on His team.  Answer the call and join the King!

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Grace,
Roy

1 Timothy 1:12-17 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Gratitude for Mercy
12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. 16 But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.[a] Amen.

Footnotes:
1 Timothy 1:17 Gk to the ages of the ages

Thursday Night Worship Sermon - September 5, 2019 "

Last Thursday night, we covered an entire book of the New Testament in one sermon... what a feat!  Well, to be honest, it was the book of 'Philemon' and there are only 25 verses in the entire Epistle.  Philemon is an unusual book in Scripture in that it is a correspondence to an individual rather than to a church or several churches (some of Paul's letters are believed to have been intended to be read at multiple locations with names of particular churches insert later on).

Here in Philemon, Paul has inserted himself in the middle of a falling out shall we say between Philemon (the master) and Onesimus (the slave).  Onesimus has run away and it appears taken something or somethings of value along with him (besides his own self as a slave).  Paul stands between them negotiating if we will the reconciliation of Onesimus with Philemon.  Here we must pause... and consider how Paul's role in this attempted repair of a broken relationship resembles Christ and His role in reconciling us with our God.

Paul has modeled Christ in this story and the message which we can (and should) bring forward into our own lives is how can we too model Christ (and Paul by extension) in working with others in this messy, messy thing called life.  Please take a few minutes and listen to the sermon... Thank you.

Be a blessing to someone today!!

In His Grace,
Roy

Philemon New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Salutation
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,[a]

To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, 2 to Apphia our sister,[b] to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon’s Love and Faith
4 When I remember you[c] in my prayers, I always thank my God 5 because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we[d] may do for Christ. 7 I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus
8 For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, 9 yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus.[e] 10 I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful[f] both to you and to me. 12 I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13 I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. 15 Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

22 One thing more—prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be restored to you.

Final Greetings and Benediction
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you,[g] 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.[h]

Footnotes:
a) Philemon 1:1 Gk the brother
b) Philemon 1:2 Gk the sister
c) Philemon 1:4 From verse 4 through verse 21, you is singular
d) Philemon 1:6 Other ancient authorities read you (plural)
e) Philemon 1:9 Or as an ambassador of Christ Jesus, and now also his prisoner
f) Philemon 1:11 The name Onesimus means useful or (compare verse 20) beneficial
g) Philemon 1:23 Here you is singular
h) Philemon 1:25 Other ancient authorities add Amen

Galatians 3:23-29, Thursday Night Service - Sermon Video

Below please find the video from last Thursday night's worship service.  In the sermon, I talk about all the various hats that we wear in this world.  There are so many aspects to our lives that we tend to use to actually divide and differentiate ourselves, but the reality is that we should only focus upon the fact that we all wear the baptism of Christ.

It wasn't a long sermon, so please take a few moments and take a listen.

It's a crazy week so I'm going to just drop this here and run.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Galatians 3:23-29 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
23 Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. 27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring,[a] heirs according to the promise.

Footnotes:
a) Galatians 3:29 Gk seed

Thursday May 23, 2019, Acts 16:9-15 "A Change In Plans" or "Adapt and Overcome"

This past Thursday, I preached over the verses found in Acts 16:9-15.  Here we find Paul listening to the urging of God to find not only a new church but a new way of extending a new church.  Paul is prone to going to the Synagogues in the towns in which he visits, but here he goes to the river because likely here in this pagan city there was no Synagogue.

Paul has to change his way of doing business and he even has to change his audience slightly, for here he is talking to a group of women.  Talking to women wouldn't have been something common for most Jewish men to do in Paul's time... even more uncommon he is talking to gentile women. In this regard, Paul is modeling himself after Jesus who had a long history of including women in his message and ministry.

Lydia though seems not to be just your ordinary run of the mill woman in the first century, no, she is a businesswoman a trader in purple cloth.  She is a woman likely with some means and she appears to be the head of her household, as she invites Paul and his companions to come and board with her and her family.

For Paul to go and stay at the home of a gentile was startling behavior for a Jewish man, but to go and stay in a household headed by a woman... well, Paul is without a doubt running counter to the prevailing norm.

Paul is 'going with the flow' or as we Christians probably like better 'following the Spirit'.  He's not entrenched in one way of doing things... he doesn't say "we can't do it like that... we've never done it that way".  Paul listens to the Spirit, he watches where God is already working and he goes there fully committed to the endeavor.  Paul is as always... "all-in".

Lydia's enthusiasm, joy, and insistence (it appears that Paul at first was reluctant to lodge in her home) displays that she is (like Paul and his conversion) "all-in" with this conversion.  Her's is not a faux baptism or an "I'll get baptized to make Mom happy" baptism... no, she is genuinely filled with the spirit and she's working to be a part of God's work in this world.

Spirit check... how in are you?  Are you "all-in"... "mostly-in"... "a little-bit-in"... or are you "in when it's convenient-to-be-in"?  Unfortunately, most of us fall into that last "in".

Be a blessing to someone today! (be all-in for God and let them know about Jesus)

In Christ,
Roy

Acts 16:9-15 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9 During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.

11 We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district[a] of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. 13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. 14 A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. 15 When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us.

Footnotes:

a) Acts 16:12 Other authorities read a city of the first district

May 9, 2019 - Thursday Night Sermon - Acts 9:36-43 "Bringing Dorcas Back to Life"

Last Thursday Night's Sermon covered the verses found in the Book of Acts, Chapter Nine, verses 36 to 43.  The point here is that God didn't make Dorcas die in order for Peter to demonstrate God's power by bringing her back to life.  No... God does not cause bad things to happen to any of us, but, what God can and will do is bring some good out of even the most tragic events in our lives.  Here Peter brings Dorcas back to life to witness to those gathered that death is not permanent.

Death holds no power over us as Christ followers.  Jesus' death and resurrection taught us this lesson and God through Peter, brings Dorcas back to life as a reminder to us all that death has been conquered.  It is not to be feared, for beyond this veil that we call life there exists something that we can scarcely imagine.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Grace,
Roy

Acts 9:36-43 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Peter in Lydda and Joppa
36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas.[a] She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. 37 At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. 42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.

Footnotes:
a) Acts 9:36 The name Tabitha in Aramaic and the name Dorcas in Greek mean a gazelle