February 25, 2009
II Peter 1:5-11 The Message
“So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books. So, friends, confirm God’s invitation to you, his choice of you. Don’t put it off, do it now. Do this, and you’ll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Have you ever had the experience that every single place you turn you seem to be getting the same message? That has been the case for me lately. God has been trying to teach me to fully trust him and to cause me to understand how faith and trust are inextricably linked. So, I open a regular old book to read and there is a quote about having faith—that you can’t really have true faith unless you trust God completely and you can’t trust God completely unless you know that he loves you. Then I open my devotional book. Of course the topic of the day is faith. Next comes the Lenten devotional guide talking about God’s bigger purposes in life and how we have to faith around that. Then I decide to relax before going to bed and see what ol’ Larry King is talking about on CNN. And there is Tyler Perry talking about how it was faith that has gotten him through everything in life. Really?!!! You might suppose you would expect such talk at church but that faith was the whole theme of our guest speaker’s journey in Sunday School left me knowing that God was trying to tell me something! I felt like I was being chased by the topic and now here we are. We come to this week’s scripture and there is still no escaping it!
Peter is talking to the people about strengthening the faith that they have. That ultimately that is their calling—to exercise those muscles of faith and fully surrender to God, to focus on being disciples and therein they will find not only the wonderment of love but a vision to really see and experience the kind of contentment that can only come from God.
Peter uses these verses to also contrast the life of faithful Christian with the life of a false teacher who has lost his virtue and therefore become blind to the truth of faith. His words are exhortation to us all to live lives that seek to honor God in every aspect, to remember that God is the source of all that is good in our lives and render to God right living so that an image of love, trust and faith is what overflows to all around us.
Faith, says Hebrews, “is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” It is that faith that is chasing me down and it is that faith should be chasing all of us down. I hope for us all the ability to claim the kind of faith that Peter is calling us toward, to know the kind of love, trust and contentment that comes from surrendering to a faith that will not let us go! May it be so! Amen.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
What difference does it make?
February 18, 2009
2 Peter 1:3-4
“Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.”
Typical to an ancient letter such as this is that it would generally include a thanksgiving section at this point in the letter. This, however, is not a thanksgiving but it does serve the purpose of one. These verses begin a section known as the “exordium.” An exordium would have provided a connection between the writer and the audience to give a common ground of reference. These verses joined with those through verse 11 are like a little sermon that would have been much like the apostolic sermons of those early days of the church. The letter itself is written so that the church can be reminded of its heritage and tradition.
For this author, the Christian tradition is wrapped up in godliness, in being obedient to God’s will and in following a moral path that honors God. All of that must be rooted, however, in a personal relationship with Jesus and it is through that relationship that one is set apart from the negative characteristics of secular and worldly life. This letter is meant to be a testament to the value of salvation that God has given to Christians.
Which begs the question, what difference does a relationship with God make to you? If you choose to live a Christian life, what is the point of it for you? Is about going to church because your parents reared you that way (thus a habit, albeit a good one)? Is it because church is the place that you have been able to find your friends (so the spiritual side doesn’t matter so much)? Is it because you understand yourself as a spiritual being having a human experience? Is it because you find peace in a relationship with God? Is it because God is somehow a guide for your living? Maybe it has to do with the values of honest, purity, love and unselfishness that it calls you to strive for? Maybe it is just a stress coping mechanism? Maybe you are on a search for higher consciousness in life and God is a tool to get there. Maybe a relationship with God brings you joy? Maybe it gives you the sense that someone is always there for you as the only One who will never let you down. I’m full of questions and our answers will certainly all be different but I cannot help but wonder how you will respond. What difference does a relationship with God make to you? Why do you bother? Maybe in the answers we will all find a new found commitment. Amen.
2 Peter 1:3-4
“Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.”
Typical to an ancient letter such as this is that it would generally include a thanksgiving section at this point in the letter. This, however, is not a thanksgiving but it does serve the purpose of one. These verses begin a section known as the “exordium.” An exordium would have provided a connection between the writer and the audience to give a common ground of reference. These verses joined with those through verse 11 are like a little sermon that would have been much like the apostolic sermons of those early days of the church. The letter itself is written so that the church can be reminded of its heritage and tradition.
For this author, the Christian tradition is wrapped up in godliness, in being obedient to God’s will and in following a moral path that honors God. All of that must be rooted, however, in a personal relationship with Jesus and it is through that relationship that one is set apart from the negative characteristics of secular and worldly life. This letter is meant to be a testament to the value of salvation that God has given to Christians.
Which begs the question, what difference does a relationship with God make to you? If you choose to live a Christian life, what is the point of it for you? Is about going to church because your parents reared you that way (thus a habit, albeit a good one)? Is it because church is the place that you have been able to find your friends (so the spiritual side doesn’t matter so much)? Is it because you understand yourself as a spiritual being having a human experience? Is it because you find peace in a relationship with God? Is it because God is somehow a guide for your living? Maybe it has to do with the values of honest, purity, love and unselfishness that it calls you to strive for? Maybe it is just a stress coping mechanism? Maybe you are on a search for higher consciousness in life and God is a tool to get there. Maybe a relationship with God brings you joy? Maybe it gives you the sense that someone is always there for you as the only One who will never let you down. I’m full of questions and our answers will certainly all be different but I cannot help but wonder how you will respond. What difference does a relationship with God make to you? Why do you bother? Maybe in the answers we will all find a new found commitment. Amen.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Declare yourself!
February 11, 2009
II Peter 1:1-2 (from The Message)
“I, Simon Peter, am a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. I write this to you whose experience with God is as life-changing as ours, all due to our God’s straight dealing and the intervention of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master.”
Today we begin the book of Second Peter. Most likely this letter was not written by Peter himself though it does present its author as if he were the last of the apostolic witnesses. Likely, the letter was written at the end of the first century or at the beginning of the second. We aren’t given any clear location as to where the readers might be and we can guess that the writer himself was likely a well educated Jew who spoke Greek with some fluency. Throughout this letter we will hear themes around God, judgment and the end of all things. Knowledge and salvation will be central terms that will thread through the conversation. For all of its themes, there will be no apparent link back to I Peter but it will serve as an effort to safeguard the original teachings and to bring clarity after the Pauline letters have been circulated and misinterpreted. Second Peter is mainly concerned to create a case for Christianity in a language that an educated audience can understand and embrace.
So, as in any good letter or introductory moment, the speaker begins by declaring who he is. Some translations read, “Simeon Peter.” Simeon was thought to be the purer form of Simon and the author may have chosen it originally for authenticity’s sake. He declares himself as a “servant and apostle of Jesus Christ.” These days we think of servanthood as a humbling posture. I always have an image of a person washing the feet of someone else. But, servanthood can also be an exalted position. If, for instance, you are Reggie Love, the personal aide to President Barack Obama, even though you engage in menial tasks, you have a direct link to the most important person in the United States of America! Therefore, others should stop and take notice of you! This is the kind of message Peter was trying to communicate. “I had a direct link to Jesus himself so wake up and hear what I have to say because it’s important!” Even as he makes such a bold claim about himself, he is careful to put the audience on the same plane as he acknowledges that they too have had life-changing experiences with God that qualify them for the ensuing conversation that is this letter. By putting them on the same plane, he enables them to be more open to hearing what he has to say and ultimately to agreeing with him about his views.
He declares to them by this greeting that he is worthy of their honor and that they are worthy of his. His whole introduction here brings up the query of how we identify ourselves to others and how in fact do others view us? I ponder this often when I think about who I am. Do people see me as the forthright thinker and visionary that I am? Do they see the love, care and empathy that exist within me? Do they see my discipline, my achieving nature, my hopeful, dutiful, faithful and honest perspective? And what about my family centered focus? And above all, do they see that at my core I am a spiritual being for whom God’s call always come first and foremost above all else?
Understand that I don’t ask these questions so that you will affirm me. I ask them as an example for I am most curious as to how you declare yourselves and ultimately as Christians, how should we be declaring ourselves? How we define and declare ourselves (and how others perceive who we are) sends a message to the world that either draws people to us or steers them away. It is my prayer that our self-declarations as a church family will only pull people toward the love and marvel of our amazing God. Amen.
II Peter 1:1-2 (from The Message)
“I, Simon Peter, am a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. I write this to you whose experience with God is as life-changing as ours, all due to our God’s straight dealing and the intervention of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master.”
Today we begin the book of Second Peter. Most likely this letter was not written by Peter himself though it does present its author as if he were the last of the apostolic witnesses. Likely, the letter was written at the end of the first century or at the beginning of the second. We aren’t given any clear location as to where the readers might be and we can guess that the writer himself was likely a well educated Jew who spoke Greek with some fluency. Throughout this letter we will hear themes around God, judgment and the end of all things. Knowledge and salvation will be central terms that will thread through the conversation. For all of its themes, there will be no apparent link back to I Peter but it will serve as an effort to safeguard the original teachings and to bring clarity after the Pauline letters have been circulated and misinterpreted. Second Peter is mainly concerned to create a case for Christianity in a language that an educated audience can understand and embrace.
So, as in any good letter or introductory moment, the speaker begins by declaring who he is. Some translations read, “Simeon Peter.” Simeon was thought to be the purer form of Simon and the author may have chosen it originally for authenticity’s sake. He declares himself as a “servant and apostle of Jesus Christ.” These days we think of servanthood as a humbling posture. I always have an image of a person washing the feet of someone else. But, servanthood can also be an exalted position. If, for instance, you are Reggie Love, the personal aide to President Barack Obama, even though you engage in menial tasks, you have a direct link to the most important person in the United States of America! Therefore, others should stop and take notice of you! This is the kind of message Peter was trying to communicate. “I had a direct link to Jesus himself so wake up and hear what I have to say because it’s important!” Even as he makes such a bold claim about himself, he is careful to put the audience on the same plane as he acknowledges that they too have had life-changing experiences with God that qualify them for the ensuing conversation that is this letter. By putting them on the same plane, he enables them to be more open to hearing what he has to say and ultimately to agreeing with him about his views.
He declares to them by this greeting that he is worthy of their honor and that they are worthy of his. His whole introduction here brings up the query of how we identify ourselves to others and how in fact do others view us? I ponder this often when I think about who I am. Do people see me as the forthright thinker and visionary that I am? Do they see the love, care and empathy that exist within me? Do they see my discipline, my achieving nature, my hopeful, dutiful, faithful and honest perspective? And what about my family centered focus? And above all, do they see that at my core I am a spiritual being for whom God’s call always come first and foremost above all else?
Understand that I don’t ask these questions so that you will affirm me. I ask them as an example for I am most curious as to how you declare yourselves and ultimately as Christians, how should we be declaring ourselves? How we define and declare ourselves (and how others perceive who we are) sends a message to the world that either draws people to us or steers them away. It is my prayer that our self-declarations as a church family will only pull people toward the love and marvel of our amazing God. Amen.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Are you my muzzah?
February 4, 2009
I Peter 5:12-14
“I’m sending this brief letter to you by Silas, a most dependable brother. I have the highest regard for him. I’ve written as urgently and accurately as I know how. This is God’s generous truth; embrace it with both arms! The church in exile here with me—but not for a moment forgotten by God—wants to be remembered to you. Mark, who is like a son to me, says hello. Give holy embraces all around! Peace to you all—to all who walk in Christ’s ways.” (The Message)
Some of you may remember the P. D. Eastman book from the 1960’s entitled Are You My Mother? It is the story of mother bird that is waiting for her egg to hatch and in preparation for her baby’s arrival goes off to get some food for it. But, while she is gone the egg hatches and the baby bird goes off on an adventure in search of its mother. Coming upon the likes of a kitten, a cow and a power shovel among others along the journey, he asks each one, “Are you my mother?”
In the early to mid-1970s, when my cousin, Alan, was about two years old and growing in his speech, this was a favorite book for him. As we would gather as a family, he would make his way to each member of the family and ask, “Are you my muzzah?” Each of us would respond, “No, I’m not your muzzah.” Then suddenly there would be great jubilation as he would find his muzzah!
This closing passage of the book of I Peter is not about finding our mothers but it is about finding our brothers. Peter acknowledges in his closing remarks how Silvanus or Silas is like a brother to him and how Mark is like a son. These are people with whom Peter works closely and has come to admire. In so acknowledging these two, Peter sends a message of how we need each other—how we are called to be brothers and sisters to each other. If you read this in the New Revised Standard Version, you find a somewhat different translation. It highlights the idea that Rome was like Babylon to this church of Peter’s. The church found itself in a state of exile, turned in upon itself by the failure of other churches to reach out, and seeking to reach out without success. So Peter exhorts the other churches that this church is reaching out to them and they need to wake up and embrace each other. The exiled church is not a church that is any different from the others because it has been chosen by God just as every other church has.
Scholar Pheme Perkins says of this text that, “This warm greeting also reminds readers today of their responsibility to other churches around the world. No church that remains isolated in local or even national boundaries incarnates the vision left by the apostles. (Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: 1st & 2nd Peter, James and Jude, p. 82)”
Alan wasn’t that far off from that vision of the apostles when he asked his question, “Are you my muzzah?” The question of the apostles is simply, “Are you my brother (or my sister)?” The answer should always be yes to every person that we see on the streets of our city, to every other church that may raise its hands in praise or prostrate itself before a cross—whether charismatic or liturgical high church—there may be all sorts of things to separate us but the vision of the apostles rests in the shared story of the one that unites us—Jesus Christ.
So questions remain for us: How are we doing? Are we a church that has placed ourselves in exile? Do we reach out to other churches? If we find ourselves in exile, why do we stay there? What do we get out of being alone? If we desire change, how shall we accomplish it?
We are called to incarnate “the vision left by the apostles.” May we indeed, my brothers and sisters, rise to the calling! Amen.
I Peter 5:12-14
“I’m sending this brief letter to you by Silas, a most dependable brother. I have the highest regard for him. I’ve written as urgently and accurately as I know how. This is God’s generous truth; embrace it with both arms! The church in exile here with me—but not for a moment forgotten by God—wants to be remembered to you. Mark, who is like a son to me, says hello. Give holy embraces all around! Peace to you all—to all who walk in Christ’s ways.” (The Message)
Some of you may remember the P. D. Eastman book from the 1960’s entitled Are You My Mother? It is the story of mother bird that is waiting for her egg to hatch and in preparation for her baby’s arrival goes off to get some food for it. But, while she is gone the egg hatches and the baby bird goes off on an adventure in search of its mother. Coming upon the likes of a kitten, a cow and a power shovel among others along the journey, he asks each one, “Are you my mother?”
In the early to mid-1970s, when my cousin, Alan, was about two years old and growing in his speech, this was a favorite book for him. As we would gather as a family, he would make his way to each member of the family and ask, “Are you my muzzah?” Each of us would respond, “No, I’m not your muzzah.” Then suddenly there would be great jubilation as he would find his muzzah!
This closing passage of the book of I Peter is not about finding our mothers but it is about finding our brothers. Peter acknowledges in his closing remarks how Silvanus or Silas is like a brother to him and how Mark is like a son. These are people with whom Peter works closely and has come to admire. In so acknowledging these two, Peter sends a message of how we need each other—how we are called to be brothers and sisters to each other. If you read this in the New Revised Standard Version, you find a somewhat different translation. It highlights the idea that Rome was like Babylon to this church of Peter’s. The church found itself in a state of exile, turned in upon itself by the failure of other churches to reach out, and seeking to reach out without success. So Peter exhorts the other churches that this church is reaching out to them and they need to wake up and embrace each other. The exiled church is not a church that is any different from the others because it has been chosen by God just as every other church has.
Scholar Pheme Perkins says of this text that, “This warm greeting also reminds readers today of their responsibility to other churches around the world. No church that remains isolated in local or even national boundaries incarnates the vision left by the apostles. (Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: 1st & 2nd Peter, James and Jude, p. 82)”
Alan wasn’t that far off from that vision of the apostles when he asked his question, “Are you my muzzah?” The question of the apostles is simply, “Are you my brother (or my sister)?” The answer should always be yes to every person that we see on the streets of our city, to every other church that may raise its hands in praise or prostrate itself before a cross—whether charismatic or liturgical high church—there may be all sorts of things to separate us but the vision of the apostles rests in the shared story of the one that unites us—Jesus Christ.
So questions remain for us: How are we doing? Are we a church that has placed ourselves in exile? Do we reach out to other churches? If we find ourselves in exile, why do we stay there? What do we get out of being alone? If we desire change, how shall we accomplish it?
We are called to incarnate “the vision left by the apostles.” May we indeed, my brothers and sisters, rise to the calling! Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
