Monthly Archives: May 2023

Holy Spirit Power!

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“Holy Spirit Power!”

Acts 2:1-4 – May 28, 2023

            Wear red for Pentecost! This is a joyful, even beloved tradition in some churches and certain denominations.  As you all can see, I am wearing red today! My stole is red, and the altar cloths are red, too. Red is a celebratory color, the color of today’s Pentecost celebration. We can praise God for the birthday of the church that happened almost 2000 years ago today!  

            Red is the color signifying the Holy Spirit, and a reminder of the flames that appeared above each believers’ head on that first Pentecost, too. “A reminder of that first startling presence that came and rested on them that day. Did you catch that, the resting? What does that mean? This amazing moment, this throbbing with power moment, is … comfortable?” [1] Is it??

            Exactly what our Bible reading for today says. “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.”

Yes, the presence of God has been described in the Bible as comforting and gentle – sometimes. But, here, in this Bible reading today, we have anything but!

            What is happening? I thought that our Lord Jesus was gentle and mild, like the Good Shepherd, cradling a lamb in His arms. I thought the Holy Spirit was the Holy Comforter, coming alongside of people in sorrow, trials and grief. Not a violent wind! Not with tongues of fire! That sounds earth-shaking and like the sounds of a powerful locomotive! That looks really scary, that each believer had fire on top of their heads! What on earth would you think if God sent such signs of God’s presence right here, right now? Wouldn’t it be scary, even earthshaking?

            Looking back at the Hebrew Scriptures, fire is a clear sign of the presence of God. Let’s think of the book of Exodus, with Moses looking upon the ever burning bush, burning and yet never consumed by fire. The voice of the LORD spoke out of the flame, telling Moses to take off his sandals, because the very ground he stood on was holy. This is the very presence of God, who identifies as “I AM WHO I AM,” the ever-present God.

            And, later in Exodus 19, we are told about the fire on the mountain where the presence of God, indeed the LORD descended in power. Can you imagine? The whole of Mount Sinai was shaking! The text said the mountain “trembled violently!” And, everyone in the camp where the nation of Israel trembled in fear, too, at such mighty displays from heaven!

            We read about such things, today, and put them back in history. Oh, those kinds of things just happened in Bible times. That was a long, long time ago! But, was it? True, those kinds of awesome, mighty, violent displays of God’s power did happen long ago. But, can they happen today, too? What kind of God do you believe in? How powerful is our God, today?           

The coming of the Holy Spirit was described by Dr. Luke as a violent, rushing wind. Or, to make it understandable to us folks from the modern day, Dr. J. Vernon McGee says: “A friend of my daughter lives in Kansas and went through the experience of a tornado. It did not destroy their home but came within two blocks of it. When she wrote about it to my daughter, she said, ‘The first thing we noticed was a sound like a thousand freight trains coming into town.’” [2] In Acts 2, Dr. Luke said that something very much like that kind of awesome, violent power was what that group of believers experienced on the Day of Pentecost!  

We can see the many symbols and metaphors that are used in the Hebrew Scriptures. These are physical things (and phenomena) that are used to signify spiritual matters. There are several symbols that show us just how mighty and powerful the Holy Spirit can be! (Like wind, which would be a whole sermon unto itself!) But, what a wonderful symbol is found for the person and work of the Holy Spirit in fire. Fire illuminates, and is warm. Isn’t it fitting that Christianity – the founding of the church – is characterized by fire?

One of my commentary writers suggests a grand celebration for the Day of Pentecost. “So, send out the word, “Come wearing red.” Give everyone red ribbons as they enter, drop red confetti when the worship begins, bind everyone together in red yarn, fly red kites. Do something dramatic, something memorable, something that might—let’s be honest—upset some of those who gather as not being “proper” for church. We have tamed worship, tamed Pentecost, trying to be proper and reserved. There is a time and place for proper, and for calm and reserved. But Pentecost is not that time or place.” [3]

  Whether the presence of the Holy Spirit is powerful and earthshaking, or quiet and gentle, whether our church’s celebration of Pentecost is loud or not-so-loud, we all need to acknowledge the mighty power of God in the church today. Right now!

“Oh yes, the Power of the Holy Spirit is not really to be found in the wind and the flames which only seem to foretell the amazing events yet to come.  The Power of the Spirit is discovered between us and among us and through us.” [4]  One way is through the awesome power of believers coming together, the power of all of us here in this sanctuary between us and among us and through us, that power of the Holy Spirit manifest among us today!

So, we can celebrate today! We can make noise, dance in the aisle, do something that could even upset the more staid members of any congregation! Pentecost is truly the day to celebrate! And, the day to recognize that God’s mighty power is present among us. How is the power of the Holy Spirit active in your life today? We all have access to God’s mighty power. Believe it! Claim it! And, rejoice in that power and blessing of the Holy Spirit, today and every day.  Alleluia, amen.   

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/pentecost/pentecost-sunday-year-a-lectionary-planning-notes

[2] McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible Commentary, Vol. 4 (Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville TN, 1983), 516.

[3] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/pentecost/pentecost-sunday-year-a-lectionary-planning-notes

[4] https://dancingwiththeword.com/the-power-of-the-holy-spirit/

Casting Our Cares!

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“Casting Our Cares!”

1 Peter 5:6-11 – May 21, 2023

            I have a friend – really, several friends – who all have a major challenge in life. Imagine, feeling off kilter much of the time. They haven’t been to a doctor, and a few haven’t even gone to the emergency room when they have a flare up. Several of my friends don’t have health insurance and cannot even afford medical care. This is the situation for many, many people across the United States.

            Except – the situation with several of my friends is not physical illness, like a broken bone or having gallstones or needing a knee replacement. Those are all conditions that are straightforward, and can be readily fixed. No, the situation with several of my friends – and several relatives in my extended family – is mental illness. Invisible illnesses like major anxiety disorder, or one of many forms of autism, not to mention schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. This kind of affliction is a very real illness, just as real as diabetes, or spinal stenosis, or heart disease.

            The apostle Peter did not have the kind of understanding that the medical workers of today have. At least, not about the medical intricacies and interrelations of the human body and the human mind. He did not have medical understanding concerning diseases and health histories. However, Peter had significant spiritual and relational understanding, especially concerning his risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ and Christ’s relationship with us.

            As I have reminded us all during the past weeks, Peter concentrates on suffering a number of times in this short letter. He raises it again in today’s matter-of-fact reading.

Everyone will suffer at one point or other in our lives, frankly. It just depends when and how much we suffer, whether we suffer physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. Sure, we can be afraid! Who wouldn’t be afraid? It only makes sense for us to fear and have concerns!

If we step back and take a look at the beginning of chapter 5, I know that Peter was thinking more about suffering in a physical sense.  But, I want us all to consider people with mental illness, especially untreated mental diseases. Peter’s words about suffering surely can apply to people like these, people like several of my friends and several in my extended family.

Perhaps, you are thinking of someone you know, someone in your circle of friends or your family. Thank goodness here in the Chicago area we have a large number of therapists, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Even though we have all of these professionals here in this area, all of these people who can diagnose and assist those with mental illness and cognitive impairment, many, many people still suffer. Just like there are many people who suffer with heart disease, or diabetes, or many other physical illnesses.  

The apostle goes into more detail here in chapter 5, when he talks about suffering. “Peter does such an amazing job of describing the human condition in such terrorizing detail. From fiery ordeals to facing a lion prowling around looking for someone to devour, yikes! Sure, it feels like that on a regular basis, but seeing [the fears] there in print makes me want to cling to those fears even more tightly. They are real; they are overwhelming; and they are mine.” [1] I think those fears might be yours, too. Except, the apostle gives us a welcome relief! A welcome refuge from all of these anxieties and fears, too!

            Let us look at verse 7. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Another translation of this verse says “Cast all your cares upon him.”

            Yes, we are beset on all sides by suffering and strife, sometimes! Yet, we have this Godly solution to our problem. If you will, we have a medicine for our spiritual diagnosis. “But here’s the real question – “How do you do it?” Or even – “Can we do it?” Is such a thing humanly possible? Well, of course it is. We wouldn’t be presented with a task that is beyond human capabilities. God isn’t in the frustration business.” [2]

            Our opening hymn today, the gospel song “I Must Tell Jesus” gives us some direction. “In my distress He kindly will help me, He ever loves and cares for His own.” And the chorus gives us reassurance, too: “I must tell Jesus! I cannot bear my burdens alone.” That is just the point! We cannot bear these burdens all alone, ashamed and in silence. We need each other to assist. We need each other to come alongside, to encourage, to comfort. And, often we need the additional helps of therapists, counselors, social workers, psychologists or psychiatrists.

            I remember praying with a dear senior, some years ago. This senior had a heavy burden of the spirit that she had carried around inside of her for decades. I was finally able to have her talk about it, a little. I hope that she was helped when we prayed together. I pray she was able to let this psychological burden go. Just a little bit, at least.

            We can confide in a good friend, too, or ask for prayer. We can write in a journal and set down our fears, frustrations, and anxieties. However you and I hold these cares about mental illness, there is help! This is just one of many resources, and it’s available locally in many places throughout the United States. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness is supportive and welcoming to individuals and families living with mental illness. (www.nami.org)

I don’t know how it’s been described to you: depression, anxiety, compulsion, addiction, autism, Asperger’s, disorder, syndrome. I invite anyone who would like to have Jesus come alongside of them, to help them bear their burden to come forward and light a candle. For your loved ones, or friends, or yourself. And, we can all help bear each other’s burdens, too.

At this tender moment, this moment of release and encouragement, we can indeed cast all our cares upon the one who truly understands. Hand over our anxieties so they burden us no longer. We can cast all our cares upon Him who cares for us immeasurably more than we can ask or think or possibly understand. And, that is a sure promise from God.

Alleluia, amen.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/a-living-hope/seventh-sunday-of-easter-year-a-lectionary-planning-notes/seventh-sunday-of-easter-year-a-preaching-notes

[2] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/a-living-hope/seventh-sunday-of-easter-year-a-lectionary-planning-notes/seventh-sunday-of-easter-year-a-preaching-notes

Always Be Ready!

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“Always Be Ready!”

1 Peter 3:13-22 – May 14, 2023

            For years, I used to have a simply marvelous car mechanic. Omar was the absolute best! (Sadly, he retired some years ago.) His auto shop was in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, and I have lived in Evanston for the past thirty years. Do you think that distance stopped me from going to Omar’s shop? Of course not! He was just that good and just that honest about fixing cars. And, I would tell everyone how awesome Omar was. Period.

            In our Bible reading today, the apostle talked about telling our story. In other words, telling others about our Lord Jesus Christ. That’s talking about how marvelous He is, and just that honest, too. What are we supposed to be ready to do? Tell our story! It’s as simple as that. And it’s as complicated as that. Peter says that we are always “ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you.”

            That’s the situation. Remember, we have been discussing how dangerous it was for Christians – believers in the Lord Jesus – to be honest and transparent about their belief in the one, true God who created heaven and earth. As I have mentioned before in past weeks, we have considered even today how dangerous and toxic many of the governments through the Middle East and North Africa (as in other parts of the world) are for these believers of a fragile minority religion.

            Let us listen again to the words from 1 Peter 3: 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience.”

            Why are there so many believers through the centuries who have been ready to tell their story and give an account of themselves no matter what, as the apostle says right here?

             “We aren’t often in danger of going to jail on account of our faith; we aren’t likely to lose our jobs or get kicked out of school, at least in most parts of the world. So, we look for opportunities to tell our story when questions are asked. When we are asked about our Sunday morning habits, [why we attend church] for example, or why giving is so important to us. Questions like these are great opportunities to share our faith and to tell our story, if we are prepared.” [1]

But, how are we supposed to follow that calling to tell our story, just like the apostle tells us to do, right here? Honestly, I know some people are hesitant or shy, or downright afraid of talking about our Lord Jesus.

One way you and I can practice telling our stories is by telling them to each other in worship. I have attended Sunday services where there is a regular sharing of stories, or giving testimony. “Testimony is a long-standing tradition in the life of the church and might be worth considering reviving in your local context. We need to hear from one another so that we can become more comfortable speaking to others. We may think our story isn’t dramatic enough for a testimony, or that we aren’t always confident in the motivations or reasons for why we do what we do.” [2] Isn’t following this command of the apostle reason enough?

Yes, speaking from the heart is incredibly effective for reaching other hearts. There is nothing like an emotional impact to get under people’s guard and make them think hard about the claims of this God who made heaven and earth.

But, let’s examine this verse more closely. Emotion only goes so far. An emotional appeal does not appeal to everyone. “Peter probably has in mind a formal defense of the faith in a law court, but his words apply to any situation where a believer is called on to defend their faith. We must be ready, willing and able to speak for Jesus. Peter actually uses the word apologia, a word meaning “a formal reasoned defense” – a reasoned defense of the Christian faith. What’s being asked of us is to know and understand the gospel and be willing and able to give a reasoned (logical) account for our reliance on Christ.” [3]

Whether emotional or logical, whether incredibly personal or ordered and reasoned, a testimony is a powerful thing. But, it is not for us to measure how many people are affected by our words, by our stories. “Not how many “souls we have saved.” Not the crowds we drew or the attention we gathered. In fact, it may seem like no one at all is responding, is turning their lives around, is making any change based on our words. That doesn’t matter in the least. Yes, of course, we hope to make a difference in the world around us; we hope to bring influence for the cause of Christ and to make disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world.” [4]

But, in this, too, we run the risk of becoming puffed up. Are we doing this to put on a good show? Or, is our true purpose our faithfulness to God? At the end of the day, we are to be faithful. God will take care of the response. It is our task – our joy – to faithfully give testimony to what Jesus has done in our lives. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who sees the Godly hope within us.

Just like I was ready and willing to tell anyone about my marvelous car mechanic, Omar! Am I – are you – ready to tell others about Jesus? I encourage us all to consider what God has done in your life, and in mine. Be ready to give testimony to the awesome and daily power of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we trust God, let us share our hope! Be ready! Be ready to tell our stories of what God has done. Alleluia, amen.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/a-living-hope/sixth-sunday-of-easter-year-a-lectionary-planning-notes

[2] Ibid.

[3] http://www.lectionarystudies.com/easter5ae.html

[4] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/a-living-hope/sixth-sunday-of-easter-year-a-lectionary-planning-notes/sixth-sunday-of-easter-year-a-preaching-notes

God’s People!

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“God’s People!”

1 Peter 2:4-10 – May 7, 2023

            I had an amazing time in Egypt! Our wonderful and knowledgeable tour guide often called our group together during our time in Egypt, saying “My people!” in his resonant baritone voice. Often, at museums, libraries and archaeological sites where there were many other tour groups, our group of 19 soon learned to listen for our guide calling out, “My people!”

            I can just imagine the apostle Peter considering the same thing. He wrote this letter to a group of scattered Jewish believers in the Messiah Jesus (our Lord Jesus Christ) all throughout Asia Minor. Peter does not say exactly “My people!” to his scattered believing friends, but that is very much his intent.

Listen to verses 9 and 10: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

            The situation of these scattered believers, sprinkled far apart throughout the area north of Palestine, was a sadly common one. No matter where these first-century believers lived, very often they were persecuted. They faced becoming social outcasts simply for believing in and obeying Jesus Christ as Lord.

            As I have said in past weeks, the current situation of many believers in Jesus, in large parts of North Africa and the Middle East, is also one fraught with dangers and persecution. Believers can lose their jobs, lose their families, even become social outcasts simply by letting it be publicly known that they believe in Jesus Christ as Lord. This is a very serious thing, indeed. And, not relegated to way back when, in the first or second century.

            The apostle tried to encourage the hearts of these scattered Jewish believers! He starts off the letter by thanking God for such great salvation! He encourages his believing friends to continue to live holy lives, as is pleasing to God. In other words, we all ought to pattern ourselves upon our Lord Jesus, the cornerstone of our faith.

            Do you know what a cornerstone is there for? Why a cornerstone is placed on a building? The cornerstone is often a fancy stone, with carving or words placed (or carved) on it. The cornerstone is “the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.” [1] The cornerstone has very great importance to the rest of the whole building!

            Peter knew quite a lot about stones. He had received a new name from the itinerant Rabbi Jesus during the three years the disciples followed Him around Palestine. Formerly Simon, now called Peter, or “the Rock.” I would imagine that Peter considered himself as a follower of our Lord Jesus to be a part of that heavenly Temple, that spiritual building, a Rock positioned, set in place following the Cornerstone called Christ.

            Can you see how Peter meant those words about our Lord Jesus, Him being a Cornerstone, to be an encouragement and comfort for these scattered believers? I can just see these timid believers, gathering in houses on the first day of the week, blessed by the words of this letter that was copied and circulated throughout Asia Minor!

            And the capper for this part of the letter is that these believers are God’s people. “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” I can only imagine how encouraging that was to these dear persecuted followers of Jesus!

            Not only are they – we – silent stones, placed in the building of the heavenly Temple built by our Lord Jesus. But, they – we – are also God’s people. All of us are! We have been chosen, on purpose. Not just leftovers, not just the remainders, but God’s special chosen people! God’s special possession! Praise God, can you believe it? Plus, you and I are not simply static stones in the foundation of a building. No! We are much more than that!

            How does it feel to be one of a royal priesthood? A holy nation? In fact, God’s special possession? Because, we are! We all as believers are something to be celebrated, for sure!

            A key part of this Bible reading is the enormous difference that is not due to anything that you or I did. We did not work for it. “It is what God did for us! We didn’t become the people of God by trying hard. God chose people, all people, as God’s people. God chose us. We didn’t become holy because of something we did right. We became holy because God forgives us and chose us as special treasures. It is our responsibility, then, to live a life that honors what God did for us. It is a “God thing” that we are chosen! [2]

            May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I will be highlighting mental health on the third Sunday of May, May 21st. Whether we as believers face suffering and rejection from others or deal with suffering and mental illness from within, we can all be encouraged by these good words of great hope! Jesus Christ is our Foundation and Cornerstone, and we are all – every believer, throughout the world – are called to be God’s people! God’s chosen ones.

The apostle knew that these scattered believers needed to be encouraged! Sometimes, we need to be encouraged, too. “Peter was keen to energise these small bands of believers, to empower them to change the world one community at a time. And to do that, Peter knew, as Jesus knew, that our identity needs a rock-solid foundation.” [3]  

            We can go out into the world with confidence. We know who we are! We are God’s people, built on our strong Foundation, Jesus Christ. We can go forth with hope, with joy, with confidence, because we are indeed God’s people. Alleluia, amen!

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] Wikipedia, Cornerstone – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerstone

[2] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/a-living-hope/fifth-sunday-of-easter-year-a-lectionary-planning-notes/fifth-sunday-of-easter-year-a-childrens-message

[3] https://churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/weekly-worship/monthly/may-2023/7-may-5th-sunday-of-easter