Community Reformed Bible Blog

Sunday May 4

2008-04-27T08:03:00.002-06:00

What are you Waiting For?

Acts 1:6-14

6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." 12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

I've often read people's sermons or studies on this passage where they've suggested the disciples

were slacking by going back to the place they were comfortable and safe rather than getting about Jesus' work. I think I've actually preached a sermon that dealt with this passage that way. Now, in light of where we are as a congregation, I'd taking a second look at it. What's wrong with a season of prayer and waiting? Isn't that what discernment is all about? Jesus told them to do this after all (see v.4) As we seek to discern where God is calling us as a congregation, what do we have to learn from the disciples here? What are your thoughts?

Sunday, April 27th

2008-04-20T13:55:00.002-06:00

1 Peter 3:13-17

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 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, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

The Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared." I wonder if this should be the Christian motto. Peter seems to think so. That's the advice he gives new believers in this letter, "be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." Do you think we are? He also encourages us to live lives that give us a reputation, one for good. How about that? It's pretty good advice. I wonder how different our community would be if we all had reputations as followers of Christ and we were prepared to show it and explain it. What are your thoughts? -Pastor Eric

Sunday, April 20

2008-04-13T07:33:00.002-06:00

1 Peter 2:4-10

4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by human beings but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," 8 and, "A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. 9 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.

I've always loved this image of people being part of something bigger than themselves for the sake of Jesus Christ. One of the reasons I love it is because it doesn't exactly tell you to sacrifice your own identity, but to find your identity within the bigger spiritual house. So how have you done that? Have you found out who God created you to be and the special place you fit in his bigger kingdom? If you're still working on it, what are some of the challenges to finding your unique calling and following it? Please share your comments.

Sunday the 13th

2008-04-08T14:40:00.002-06:00

I like the title of one sermon I saw on this passage, "God's Most Difficult Miracle."

Acts 2:42-47

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

So what do you think? Is this kind of living possible? What does the church of today have to learn from the first church made up of people who actually lived with Jesus? Please comment, this could be interesting. -Pastor Eric

Sunday, April 6th

2008-03-31T09:37:00.002-06:00

John 10:1-10
1 "Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, "Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Here's a phrase we recklessly throw around in the church: "Having a Personal Relationship with Jesus." To be honest, I've kind of bristled against that phrase the last few years. In our society, I've thought, we're way too focused on things personal/private/individual. Our relationship with Jesus, as I suggested in last week's sermon, is really a communal relationship, in the sense that it depends on our whole Christian community, it isn't a private endeavor. Well, I think that's all true, but at the same time, we each really do need to have personal relationships with Jesus. Meaning that we need to relate to him directly and know his voice. I'm kind of thinking that's what this passage might be about. What do you think of that read?

We need to have nothing-held-back kinds of relationships with him that are indeed very personal and close in order to love him fully and feel his love so that we can be real Christians. So maybe this week is a chance for you to take stock of your relationship with Jesus. Is it close? If it isn't as close as it could be, what's getting in the way? Don't just say 'sin,' that's a cop-out. Is it a specific sin? Is it an unwillingness to really live for Jesus? Is it some big unresolved questions? Think about it.

Please feel free to write about whatever reflections this scripture and post bring to mind for the benefit of everyone who might read using the comment link below. Thanks. -Pastor Eric

Sunday, March 30

2008-03-26T08:09:00.002-06:00

John 20:19-31
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of anyone, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." 24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

This week I'd like to encourage you to do something a little different with the passage. This is a really powerful story that has a lot to say to us about how we relate to Jesus and the role he plays in our lives. I'd like you to try find yourself in the story. Imagine what it was like for the disciples and how they were feeling. All the way through the passage, use your imagination to let the story come to life in your mind's eye. Then try to be attentive to where the scriptures resonates the most for you. Where are you in the story? If it works for you, please share with the rest of us your insight by leaving a comment.

-Pastor Eric

Holy Week

2008-03-18T08:55:00.003-06:00

I'm going to take a break from blogging this week. I've got too much on my plate and need to work on Thursday's service before getting to Sunday's. Have a blessed Holy Week. -Pastor Eric

Sunday, March 16th, Palm Sunday

2008-03-07T10:50:00.002-06:00

On Palm Sunday, we normally have sermons that celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and that will be a part of our service, but sometimes that feels a little out of sync to me. We know how the week is going to end. We know that Jesus will be going to the cross becuase of our sin. These days people don't get to Holy Week services on Good Friday like they used to and we don't even have one at our church. In church tradition, this Sunday is called Palm/Passion Sunday because we recognize both the Triumphal Entry and the Passion of Christ (the cross). So this year we're going to focus a little more on the Passion, the events leading to the cross. Specifically, we're going to focus on the betrayal and on what Judas did to Jesus. Here is the scripture passage:

Matthew 26:14-25

14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. 17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" 18 He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.' " 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me." 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?" 23 Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "You have said so.

So, what do you think of Judas? The church has always loved to hate him, to make him the ultimate villan? Do you think we can get away with that, or do we have to deal with the possibility that we see a little of ourselves in Judas? I want you to think about that question and if you can leave a comment about it or about any of your other thoughts about this passage, please do.

-Pastor Eric

Sunday the 9th

2008-03-02T06:36:00.002-06:00

I'm not going to be preaching this week but will be visiting another church with members of our Discernment Team.

This is what I have from our Guest Minister if you want to be looking at the scripture passages leading up to Sunday:

The sermon title is “What Makes a Difference?”

The Scripture lessons are - Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, and John 11:1-45.

March 2nd

2008-02-27T15:52:00.002-06:00

What Pleases the Lord?

This reveals something about where I'm at in life... The other day I was watching Clifford the Big Red Dog on PBS with my son, Drew, while trying to get him to eat his breakfast. On this particular episode, Clifford's friend T-bone (another dog) was trying to impress a girl dog he had a crush on and tried to put on all different kinds of "cool" personas. In the end, she was fed up with it and told him to just be himself. That's a pretty good message for my little son and for children learning to have healthy self-esteem and maybe it's a good message for Christians... and maybe not. Read this week's scripture passage with that in mind and then have a look at the reflection questions below.

Ephesians 5:8-14

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

When it comes to our impressing our Lord, just being ourselves isn't really the answer, because part of ourselves is interested in deeds of darkness, right? So how do we discover in each of our lives how we were made to please God? Each of us has unique gifts and character... how do we employ them to please our Lord? Think about that for your own daily life and what you do or could do, and if you're willing to write some thoughts for others to read, click on the comments link below. -Pastor Eric

February 17 - John 3:1-17

2008-02-10T08:36:00.000-06:00

John 3:1-17
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him." 3 Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again." 4 "How can anyone be born when they are old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!" 5 Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." 9 "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. 10 "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him." 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

This is a very full passage for only 17 verses. I first read it and I didn’t know where to begin. I still don’t have a sense where I’ll end up this week, maybe you can help. The verse that did catch my attention that I know I’ll be thinking about more is verse 10. Jesus seemed so surprised that a teacher of the people didn’t understand these spiritual things. I wonder how this translates to us. If Christians are to be the teachers of the world, the people who teach the world about Christ and things of God, would Jesus ask us the same question? ‘How come you don’t understand this stuff?’ He was talking about some pretty deep stuff, being born again of water and Spirit, heavenly things that are beyond common earthly experience, God’s salvation. Could we say that we’ve delved into these mysteries and have understanding? If the answer is no, is it because we have sold ourselves short of Jesus’ expectations for us and been content to just be good people rather than spiritual people? What do you think? Please comment.
-Pastor Eric

I Can Quit Whenever I Want... Yeah, right.

2008-02-03T06:03:00.000-06:00

FEBRUARY 10 – 1st Sunday of Lent

Romans 6:1-14 – 1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 If we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

This week we're going to focus in on the idea of the newsletter article for February, which is kind of my focus this year for Lent. Here it is if you haven't seen it:

What Can I Give Him?
This is a question that we usually hear asked with the season of Christmas, in the song by that title or in The Little Drummer Boy. This year I’m inviting you to ask that question during Lent. Usually we think of something we give up during Lent as a sacrifice we make to identify with Jesus’ fasting in the wilderness for 40 days before he was tempted by the devil (see Matthew 4:1-11). So people give up things they love to identify with Christ, like sweets or meat on Fridays.
This year perhaps you could give up something else. Rather than giving up something you love, why not give Christ a gift he really wants. How many times in scripture do we hear something like we heard in Psalm 40 last week, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but open ears,” or in other places where God calls for a contrite heart or compassion for the poor instead of sacrifices made for him. So if you’re going to give up something for Jesus, rather than give up something you love, why not give up something he hates. One of your sins.
Two weeks ago in the sermon on how we are related to Christ as I concluded with the analogy of the Orphan Annie turning away from her old life to accept Daddy Warbuck’s offer of a new life, I challenged us all to show our gratitude to our Father in heaven by doing the same, giving up something of our old selves, like judgment or bitterness or independence. This week, as we continue to look at the Heidelberg Catechism, I think of Q&A 43 “Q. What further advantage do we receive from Christ's sacrifice and death on the cross? A. Through Christ's death our old selves are crucified, put to death, and buried with him, so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer rule in us, but that instead we may dedicate ourselves as an offering of gratitude to him.”
This year, as Lent begins on February 6th and as we approach Holy Week when we remember Christ’s death on the cross, why not give up part of the old self for 40 days (then maybe forever)? You don’t have to share it with anyone else. You can keep it between you and your Lord. Look at your life. Where are you consistently sinning or living apart from God? Lust? Greed? Unkindness? Prejudice? Gossip? Envy? Unforgiveness? Ferret out a sin and give it up for the one who loved you enough to go to the cross.

If you've got some time to comment, I'd love to hear your reflections & responses to the article & scripture passage.

-Pastor Eric

Pre-Blog

2008-01-27T15:56:00.000-06:00

I haven't had a lot of time to think about next week's sermon yet, so here are the questions & answers I'll be working with. Have a look at them and let me know where you think I ought to focus. I'll be blogging again in a couple days. -Eric

FEBRUARY 3 – HC Questions 46-52: Where is He Now?
Q. What do you mean by saying, "He ascended to heaven"? A. That Christ was taken up from the earth into heaven before the very eyes of his disciples and remains there on our behalf until he comes again to judge the living and the dead.
Q. But isn't Christ with us until the end of the world as he promised us? A. Christ is truly human and truly god. In his human nature Christ is not now on earth; but in his divinity, majesty, grace, and Spirit he is never absent from us.
Q. If his humanity is not present wherever his divinity is, then aren't the two natures of Christ separated from each other? A. Certainly not. Since divinity is incomprehensible and everywhere present, it must follow that the divinity is indeed beyond the bounds of the humanity which it has taken on, and is nonetheless ever in that humanity as well, and remains personally united to it.
Q. How does Christ's ascension to heaven benefit us? A. First, he is our advocate in heaven in the presence of his Father. Second, we have our flesh as a full guarantee in heaven that Christ our head, will also take us, his members up to himself. Third, he sends us, as a guarantee on earth, his Spirit by whose power we seek what is above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God, and not things that are on earth.
Q. Why the next words: "and sits at the right hand of God"? A. Christ ascended to heaven so that he might show there that he is head of his church, and that the Father rules all things through him.
Q. How does this glory of Christ our head benefit us? A. First, through his Holy Spirit he pours out his gifts from heaven upon us his members. Second, by his power he defends us and keeps us safe from all enemies.
Q. How does Christ's return "to judge the living and the dead" comfort you? A. In all my affliction and persecution I may await with head held high the very Judge from heaven who has already submitted himself to the judgment of God for me and has removed all the curse from me. He will cast all his enemies and mine into everlasting condemnation, but he will take me and all his chosen ones to himself into the joy and glory of heaven.

Sunday the 27th

2008-01-21T11:30:00.000-06:00

This Sunday we'll come to the part of the Heidelberg Catechism that deals with these lines from the Apostle's Creed, helping us to better understand our salvation:

[I believe in Jesus Christ who] suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead.

JANUARY 27 – HC Questions 37-45: How Christ Saved Us
Q. What do you understand by the word "suffered"? A. That during his whole life on earth, and especially at the end, Christ sustained in body and soul the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race. This he did in order that, by his suffering as the only atoning sacrifice, he might redeem us, body and soul, from eternal condemnation, and gain for us God's grace, righteousness, and eternal life.
Q. Why did he suffer "under Pontius Pilate" as judge? A. So that he, though innocent, might be condemned by an earthly judge, and so set us free from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.
Q. Is there something more in his having been crucified than if he had died some other death? A. Yes, for by this I am assured that he took upon himself the curse which lay upon me, because the death of the cross was cursed by God.
Q. Why did Christ have to suffer "death"? A. Because the righteousness and truth of God are such that nothing else could pay for our sins except the death of the Son of God.
Q. Why was he "buried"? A. His burial testifies that he really died.
Q. Since Christ has died for us, why do we still have to die? A. Our death does not pay the debt of our sins. Rather, it puts an end to our sinning and is our entrance into eternal life.
Q. What further advantage do we receive from Christ's sacrifice and death on the cross? A. Through Christ's death our old selves are crucified, put to death, and buried with him, so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer rule in us, but that instead we may dedicate ourselves as an offering of gratitude to him.
Q. Why does the creed add, "He descended to hell"? A. To assure me in times of personal crisis and temptation that Christ my Lord, by suffering unspeakable anguish, pain, and terror of soul, especially on the cross but also earlier, has delivered me from the anguish and torment of hell.
Q. How does Christ's resurrection benefit us? A. First, by his resurrection he has overcome death that he might make us share in the righteousness which he has obtained for us through his death. Second, we too are now raised by his power to a new life. Third, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge to us of our blessed resurrection.

How does this classic understanding of how Christ saved us from our sins inspire you to be a better Christian? In what ways does this strengthen you as you face the challenges of life?

Back to Basics

2008-01-06T15:30:00.000-06:00

For the first few weeks of January we'll be picking a series that we started this time last year back up. The purpose of the series is to cover the ground of the basics of our faith through the Heidelberg Catechism, the faith-teaching document of the Reformed Church. Last week we covered Q&As 29-32 and talked about the meaning of the name Jesus Christ... identifying Jesus as our Savior and as the Anointed One sent to save us. This led us to talk about what Christ showed us about God and his expectation that we don't just have right belief, but right practice that follows.

This week we'll focus in on questions 33-36, which are these:
Q. Why is he called God's "only Son" when we also are God's children? A. Because Christ alone is the eternal, natural Son of God. We, however, are adopted children of God adopted by grace through Christ.
Q. Why do you call him "our Lord"? A. Because not with gold or silver, but with his precious blood he has redeemed us from sin and from the power of the devil, and has bought us, body and soul, to be his very own.
Q. What does it mean that he "was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary"? A. That the eternal Son of God, who is and remains true and eternal God, took to himself, through the working of the Holy Spirit, from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary, a truly human nature so that he might become David's true descendant, like his brothers and sisters in every way except for sin.
Q. How does the holy conception and birth of Christ benefit you? A. He is our Mediator and, in God's sight, he covers with his innocence and holiness the sinfulness in which I was conceived.

There are a few things in here we could focus in on and I'm not sure what the sermon would emphasize. Please share with me your thoughts and what you'd like to talk about if you were going to delve into these questions & answers. Thanks, Pastor Eric

Time Off

2007-12-16T08:30:00.000-06:00

I'll be taking a couple weeks off from preaching with our Christmas program on the 23rd and a guest preacher on the 30th. Look for a new blog post the 1st or 2nd of January.
-Pastor Eric

Sunday the 16th - Life in Christ

2007-12-09T06:39:00.000-06:00

“He Came Down that we Might Have Life”

Matthew 11:2-11
2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" 4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me." 7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: " 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Isaiah 35:1-10
1 The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. 3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4 say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you." 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. 7 The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. 8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. 9 No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, 10 and those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

The theme this Advent has been that Jesus came not only receiving gifts, but bearing gifts, first peace, then hope, now life. You can look at the readings and see how the prophecy of Jesus’ coming in Isaiah and the actual ministry of Christ in Matthew demonstrate that he brought life abundant to people who needed it most, the blind and lame and sick and poor and even the dead. Our challenge is to find ourselves in that list. How were you blind or sick or poor or dead and how did Jesus bring you life? How does he continue to bring you life? Can you tell stories of people you know and love who were brought back to life by Christ? Please share your reflections as comments.

John 10:10 “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Hope - Sunday the 9th

2007-12-02T07:20:00.000-06:00

“He Came Down that we Might Have Hope”

Romans 15:4-13
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name." 10 Again, it says, "Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people." 11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him." 12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope." 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 11:1-10
1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD—
3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;
4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
5 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 Infants will play near the hole of the cobra; young children will put their hands into the viper's nest.
9 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.

I’m approaching these passages from a pretty specific angle this week because the three sets of readings for the first three weeks of Advent can be pretty similar and I don’t what to give essentially the same sermon three weeks in a row. So this week, I’m focusing in on verses 5-7 of the Romans passage and much of the Isaiah passage, especially verses 2-3. And I’m reading them as applied to our relationships. In terms of how we deal with other people, people we’re close to and people we encounter on a daily basis who we may not have warm feelings for (and everyone in between), what do these passages and the arrival and life of Christ teach us about being hopeful towards other people?

Advent 1 - Peace

2007-11-27T09:55:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone,
This Sunday is the beginning of the Advent season where we anticipate the birth of Jesus and reflect on how his comming changed the world and continues to change the world. I always like to get personal during this time of year and ask people to think about how Jesus entering their lives, however that happened or is happening, changed things. This year, we're going with a series called "He Came Down that we Might Have _____". Each week a different word will fill the blank and this week it is the word 'Peace.' Here are the scripture passages we'll be reading:

Isaiah 2:1-5
1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
5 Come, house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Romans 13:11B-14
11 The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

So, here are two ways you can prepare for Sunday and help me if you leave comments. First of all, when you read these passages, what do they say to you about how Jesus brings peace? Second, when you reflect on your life or on the lives of people who are close to you, how have you seen Jesus bring peace?

Have a great week. -Pastor Eric

Sunday the 25th

2007-11-17T06:56:00.000-06:00

Hey friends & family of Community Reformed,

We're trying something new with our Jr./Sr. High Sunday School class. We're having Bible studies about the scripture for the comming Sunday so that they'll have it on their minds for a week before they hear the sermon and maybe they'll be more engaged because they've already talked about it and mabye because they'll be looking for their own ideas in the sermon. So here are the questions posed to them about Sunday's passage. I'd challenge you to reflect on the same questions and post some of your answers.

Colossians 1:11-20
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

1. Next Sunday is Christ the King Sunday. It is the last Sunday of the church calendar, which begins again in Advent. How do you suppose this passage is related to the rule of Christ?
2. Be brutally honest, if you were to take a hard look at your life, who or what is king? Who or what do you serve? (There could be more than one answer)
3. One of the most powerful ideas in this passage comes in verse 17 where it says all things hold together. It also said Christ is in all things. What does this mean to you?
4. If Christ is in all things and all things hold together, does that include both the good things that happen to us and the bad?
5. Christ the King Sunday is like the Christian Church’s New Year’s Eve. If you were to think of it that way, what resolutions would you make for the new year in your church life or as a Christian?

Sunday the 18th

2007-11-13T11:26:00.000-06:00

"Never Tire"

Hello friends & members of Community Reformed Church. I'm sorry I'm a little behind the 8 ball this week. Here is the passage I'll be preaching on this week.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "Anyone who is unwilling to work shall not eat." 11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

There is a lot of good instruction in here for churches. One of the first things I saw in this passage that I'll probably be addressing in the sermon has to do with 3 pitfalls that are identified and can be problematic for churches: 1. Being idle in the church 2. Being disruptive to the body 3. Being a busybody. What are your thoughts about these things in the church and how they affect church life or life in general? How do you think they should be dealt with? Please share your reflections as comments.

God's Gonna Rock this House

2007-11-04T08:31:00.000-06:00

I thought I'd try a cheesy sermon title and see if it attracted interest. Actually, it is a very good title in relation to our scripture passage...

Haggai 1:15-2:9
In the second year of King Darius, 1 on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 2 "Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 3 'Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? 4 But now be strong, Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD. 'Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the LORD Almighty. 5 'This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.' 6 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. 8 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty. 9 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty."

I'm wondering if this Word of the LORD to his people Israel could be a Word to the established church today. He reminded them of their former glory and asked them to believe that he could shake the world up and fill his house with his glory again. We often get stuck thinking of the "good old days" without being imaginative enough about today and how God may want to shake things up and fill this land with his glory through a new thing in his church. What are your thoughts about this?

As we enter into the discernment process about our future at Community Reformed, with the Discernment Team, what insight does this passage offer?

Sunday, November 3rd

2007-10-27T14:45:00.000-06:00

Hey Everyone,
Sorry that I was delinquint last week. The week kept getting further and further away from me and I kept meaning to post but then never did. This week I'm on top of things, though. Here's the post for next Sunday:

Christianity 101 - 8. Giving: Showing Allegiance
My early concept with this sermon is that not only is giving our money away basic to our faith(either to church or to other ministries or missions or charities), it demonstrates that our faith is genuine. In other words, how we use our resources demonstrates who we believe in and who we serve. I'm afraid if you looked in my checkbook, capitalism and consumption would rank right up there with God, probably higher. So, it is good for us to think about giving. One of next week's scriptures will be this one:

2 Corinthians 9:6-12 - 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "They have scattered abroad their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

So, what do you have to say about giving? Do you give as well as you'd like? What are your thoughts about giving to church vs. other places? What about the traditional tithe of 10%? Is that an important amount to you? What is good or bad about it? Before or after taxes? Do you believe everything the scripture above says about giving, based on your lifestyle? Please share your thoughts.

Sunday the 21st - Witness

2007-10-17T09:44:00.000-06:00

Christianity 101 Part 5: Witness - Representing God

I'm sorry I've been a little delinquent posting this week's scripture & reflection thoughts; I was camping with a friend. This Sunday will be the 5th installment in the Christianity 101 series and will be about sharing our faith. I'm especially thinking about the reality that when it comes to telling other people about our faith with the hope that they too will be inspired to have faith, it is really not about us. Though our story may come into play, it is really about the person we are talking to and what they need to hear to be open to God's love and forgiveness. So, to give us some direction and inspiration, I've chosen these words from the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians, chapter 9 as our scripture for this week:

19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

After reading and thinking about what this scripture has to teach us about sharing our faith, what are some of your thoughts, questions and suggestions?

Prayer Part 2

2007-09-23T11:01:00.000-06:00

This week will be the 3rd installment on our 7 part series "Christianity 101" and we're back to prayer. Two weeks about we talked about what prayer does and why we do it. This week will be more nitty-gritty and we'll talk about how to pray, what we actually do.

So, here's what I'd like you to do. Tell us about how you pray. When do you pray and why. Is there a standard prayer you use or a standard pattern you follow? Do you use any special words or postures? What other kinds of praying have you observed in others? What do you think about different ways to pray?

After you've thought about these questions and answered them in you mind (and hopefully with comments on the blog), then you can check out some of the scripture passages I'll probably be reading on Sunday... James 4:3, James 5:13-16, Matthew 5:6-8.

Have a great week. -Pastor Eric