just a minute 03.02.21

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Paul is calling the church in Corinth to adopt a unique cultural and communal imagination that reconsiders the values that are too often seen as innate and immutable. 

Pastor Adam Hearlson

I love the way Eugene Petersen paraphrases the opening and closing of this passage.

The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. It’s written, I’ll turn conventional wisdom on its head, I’ll expose so-called experts as shams…Christ is God’s ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one. Human wisdom is so cheap, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can’t begin to compete with God’s “weakness.”

Rev. Eugene Petersen, The Message

Did you know that in early Christianity, believers often used the image of a donkey as a visible designation of their faith? It actually came from the heckling of those outside of this community of faith – it was very derogatory. Yet, for awhile, Christians accepted this moniker for they knew their faith seemed absurd to those on the outside. They were fully aware that, to the outside world, It was the cross that finalized this negative connotation, which was accurate, it made no sense to think death could be conquered through the tool of the most brutal manner death and complete isolation. The difference for believers, however, was that for them, while Jesus, God in the flesh, had been proof of God’s identifying with human life, the cross was the proof of God’s identification with our suffering. But, it was also the promise that human suffering is temporary, and that ultimately there is true and full life.

just a minute – 03.01.21

When the Hebrews received the Commandments, they had seen God’s works and God’s power, God had rescued and provided, and more.  In our time the 10 Commandments are used more often as a weapon instead of what they are, a gift from God to the community of his followers.  Many Christians demand that the commandments be hung in prison and jail cells as well as in classrooms and government buildings.  A southern Judge who defiantly put a monument to the commandments on a courthouse lawn quickly becomes a hero and a saint at the same time.  

The 10 commandments were taken away from the Hebrews when it became obvious that they did not deserve it, then given back after they proved their commitment to fully receive God’s gift. It was never meant as a tool to persuade people to follow God, nor was it a magical list to change a person’s propensity to sin.  Our view of the Ten Commandments is similar to us blaming the other driver for a collision because they are driving on the left side of the road and not on the right side when we are driving in England or Europe.

just a minute 02.26.21

Single Focus – Mark 8:31-38

Jesus was was singularly focused on his mission. While we often think that his mission was about the cross – his mission was actually about living,

‘My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.’ John 10:10b (MSG)

From the beginning, Jesus preached life leading folks to a full life.  His thrust was to alleviate suffering, to heal and cure, confronting injustice while revealing compassion and mercy. Early on, to the religious officials he refuted their claim that religious practices take precedent over addressing suffering. Sure, Jesus would have to go through the cross , but this was not his mission, his mission was life.  Even along the path to Jerusalem, even as he experienced the brutality of the cross, his mission did not change, he was always singularly focused on life.

Our passage come just after Peter has made the proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah – now Jesus calls him Satan. Early on it was the religious leaders now it was Peter encouraging Jesus to tone down his rhetoric – Jesus would not let anyone keep him from the path of life (even it meant his death).

See you Sunday!

just a minute – 02.25.21

Psalm 22:23-31

Doctor Rolf Jacobson, in speaking about Psalm 22, says, ‘the sudden turn in Psalm 22 from the desperate cries for help in 22:1-21a and the words of thanksgiving and praise that comprise 22:21b-31 is both unexpected and confusing.’ 

The conclusion for those that have attempted to explain this oddness has been to say that either this Psalm is actually the combination of 2 separate Psalms, however most, now just accept the oddness and move on. You can understand the confusion by first reading verses 1-21a, stop and think about every aspect of these verses, then read verses 21b-31, think about the tone of those verses – then, reread verse 21 to see where and how there is a total change of tone.

Honestly, I think this quick turn is typically human – we are negative when we are intently focused on the negative, then, as we begin to turn to God, remembering his love and rescue, then we have a change of attitude and spirit. This allows us to read this assigned passage as a Psalm of thanksgiving and praise.

Now, as you read this Psalm of thanksgiving and praise – imagine that it begins with a choir leader calling his choir together and getting them ready for a huge performance. Then, as you progress from these notice the other groups of people that are added to this choir, poor, hungry, thirsty, angry, fearful, families, etc. this is becoming a large group that began with a small group, all with the single purpose of thanking and praising God.  Then, at the climax, the Psalmist (verses 29-31) includes those who have already died and those who have not yet been born.  What an amazing, and personal, testimonies of thanksgiving and praise.

What a moment of recognition of God.  How, today, does your proclaimed ‘praise’ sound, and what are the specifics of your ‘gratitude?’

Looking forward, alongside of you, to finding out what nugget God gives us tomorrow for our minute!

just a minute – 02.24.21

Forgotten People Remembered – Genesis 17:1-16

Wherever we find Abraham in scripture we are left with questions. We will not hit everything in this minute but here are a few things to have in your brain as you read.

  1. This passage is really not about Abraham receiving the promise, he has already heard it.  This passage is about the promise, but the message is a reprimand to Abraham who seems to have forgotten that Sarah is a vital part of this promise. 
  2. This passage is about the other forgotten people as well. Woman, slaves, non blood line members of Abraham people and property.  It doesn’t give closure on the issue of the marginalized but we do see that they are noticed by God.
  3. This passage is a reminder about Ishmael who seems to be a priority for Abraham over Sarah. This is consistent with the culture of the area and time. Notice that Ishmael DOES receive the marker of ‘people.’
  4. Name changes: Abram can be interpreted as ‘Exalted Father’ while Abraham is ‘Father of Multitudes’; Sarai is ‘My Princess,’ and Sarah is ‘Princess.’

Don’t be overwhelmed.  Take baby steps!

Tomorrow – Psalm 22:23-31

02.23.21 – Small Steps

We humans sometimes try to take on more than we are physically, mentally, or even spiritually able to handle.  That is sometimes my biggest obstacle in putting together sermons, I want to share everything that I have in my studies, however, doing so within less than thirty minutes, and before the listeners eyes glaze over is impossible.  God understands this human characteristic which is why he only gives us what we can handle, he only tells us what we are ready to know. The Bible can be overwhelming if we try to take everything in all at once, Romans might even be more overwhelming, even if we just narrow it in on one section it can keep us up at night.  Romans chapter 4 can do that to you, however, it actually is a warning of this very problem as it tells us the story of Abraham and faith.  

To lead Abraham on a complicated path in a very simple way, God gives 2 pieces of advise:

  1. Remember it is about God’s power not our power (sometimes we get stuck on our limitations).
  2. Keep your constant focus on God, not self, not others, just let God guide you in steps that are the size you are ready to handle.

Just a Minute 02.28.21

2nd Thoughts On Monday

My Sunday afternoons and Mondays morning consist of critiquing myself – analyzing my sermon including horrible explanations, weird facial expressions, and everything. This morning, however, is different.  Don’t worry, I didn’t wake up patting myself on the back, and yes, I am aware that I need to start seeking fashion advise after Andrea has finished a cup of coffee. Today, instead of critique it has been epiphany – following the crucifixion, Jesus went to preach to the souls in prison! I cannot explain this sceanario and what it does to the evangelical concept of salvation, …however, I do understand that Jesus never gave up.  These that he was going to preach to were not lovable souls, and, even more so, they had not been loving people in the flesh. They were miserable and hopeless human beings.  These souls that belonged to the people of Noah’s day had a year and a half to consider Noah’s call to turn back to God, instead of listening though, they ridiculed Noah for building a boat.  They rejected God then…God’s persistent pursuit just made the people more hardened in their rejection.  Centuries in soul prison only served to harden their rejection of God, they were not going to listen.  Yet, Jesus went there, to give it another try, to give them another shot. I know this shouldn’t surprise me, after all we are talking about the God who bathed us in his love through he sacrifice of the son long before we had come anywhere near turning back to God. Still, it is a known truth that is nonetheless unknowable.

just a minute 02.20.21

I Peter 3:18-22

Written to Christians in Asia Minor are a minority faith population split between cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Most are probably native to this geographical area, they are now outcasts due to their choice to follow Jesus. Their suffering has historically been attributed to the hostility of the political leaders/institutions toward Christianity.  Credible Biblical scholars have, more recently, come to believe this suffering has more to do with Christians inability to hold to the social expectations of the culture of the time while remaining faithful to Christ. Basically, unwritten, community expectations that everyone worshipped the same idols, held to the same attitudes, and practiced the same behaviors were cemented into the thinking of the community.  Anyone making a choice to pull away from these expectations became social pariahs – dismissed and shunned by their communities and even their families.  This explains Peter’s emphasis on being respectful to all. This is a letter for 2021!

just a minute 02.19.21

Six times in God’s truth we see a covenant between God and Man.  While there were surely other agreements  – these six covenants are pivotal.

Covenants exist between nations or peoples, usually a dual responsibility type of agreement where both parties agree to do/not do something.  Covenants with God, however, are primarily, if not totally, one sided.  They are a promise to mankind, there is not a ‘condition of cooperation’ on the covenant allowing one side to walk away if the other fails to hold to their side of the agreement.  No, these covenants with God are set in stone, and in which the onus rest exclusively on God. 

After the ark, God makes this covenant to never again disrupt the work of mankind with such a destructive forces as water.  

As you read, allow your mind to ask questions such as….

  1. Why did God make this covenant after and not before the flood?
  2. Does God need a reminder of covenant?
  3. How do you process God’s insertion that this covenant is between him and ‘all flesh’?
  4. What pros/cons for you are seen in this covenant?

Passage for tomorrow: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Mark 1:9-15

Mark is a master of efficiency he tells this story in 143 words. Matthew uses 747 and Luke 1162 words to tell the same story. Mark, however,  can never be accused of compromising the truth.  Even with such few words, Mark manages to leave us with some profound questions – questions are always a gift because they send us on a search that may be a lifetime quest.

Let’s look at just one of these questions:

Why did Jesus need to be baptized?  The answer is in the impact. John’s baptism was one of correcting course, it was to give a new perspective. The people accepted this baptism because they needed a change so they could recognize Jesus. The people rose out of the water looking at life differently; Jesus rose from the baptism looking at water differently, he saw heaven, he received the presence of the Spirit, and he heard the voice of God – he had spent 30 years living from the perspective of humanity, now he saw it through the filter of holiness. The impact of Jesus’ baptism was to surround him in the presence of God. It was not to wash away a sin/sins, but to powerfully pursue his calling

Tomorrow’s Reading – Genesis 9:8-17 (Noah)