DEVOTIONAL MAY 1-1, 2018

Transcription

1 DEVOTIONAL MAY 1-1, H O LYTRI N I T YEDMOND.O RG

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3 Beloved Throughout the letters of John, the Apostle repeatedly uses that term of endearment for God s people: Beloved. Scholars suspect that John wrote all of his writings toward the end of his ministry and life, in the late First Century AD. 1 John, then, serves as a final sermon for all of the Beloved people of God the Church then and now encouraging and directing us in our life as resurrection people. In this Season of Easter, we have been looking at these timeless, parting words of an old Apostle. As the redeemed people of God, children of the light, we can take heart in all of life s difficult circumstances, for in Christ Jesus our Lord we stand forgiven as His dearly Beloved! We invite you to join us each week, too! Daily devotional booklets, like this one, will be provided each week in an effort to connect the Sunday messages with your daily life. The Sunday devotional offers a review of the morning s Scripture readings and message, allowing opportunity to reflect upon that day s sermon. Throughout the rest of the week, each day offers a passage from the letters of St. John, with a few thoughts to ponder. Don t feel you have the time to look up the passages? No worries each day also has the verse or two being emphasized. We pray these devotionals will be a blessing to you and your family, and in your Christian life! The Beloved Sermon Series Themes: April 8: Practice the Truth (1 John 1:1-2:2) April 15: God s Children Now (1 John 3:1-7) April 22: We Know Love (1 John 3:16-24) April 29: We Know God (1 John 4:1-11 (12-21)) May 6: Our Victorious Faith (1 John 5:1-8) May 13: Our Living Testimony (1 John 5:9-15)

4 Beloved: Our Living Testimony Sunday Sermon Review May 13, 2018 Jesus prayed for His disciples, knowing He was sending them with a message the world would not like. Nevertheless, it s a message the world needs to hear. The message of the apostles and the message of the beloved Church, today, is all about Jesus. And it s a testimony that we receive purely by faith, through the Spirit s enabling and working. Christ has impacted every single one of us; we each, individually, have a story to tell about what Jesus has done for us. It s time to share that message, so that others may know Him and become His beloved even if the world hates us for it. The Scripture Lesson Summaries for Today: Acts 1:12-26: After Jesus ascended into heaven, the 11 return to Jerusalem and cast lots to fill Judas s vacant seat as apostle. The lot fell to Matthias, who had been with them from the beginning. Now they would go out as bold witnesses to the world. 1 John 5:9-15: We who believe in Jesus are given the living testimony about Him the message that God loves us so dearly that He sent His only Son to die for us that we might live. John 17:11b-19: In the middle of His prayer, Jesus speaks of sending His disciples into the world with His Word. Because they bear this message, the world will hate them, but Jesus prays for their protection from the world and from the evil one. Reflecting on Today s Sermon: 1. At what point was I confronted with the Law? 2. What comfort did the Gospel bring? 3. What story/phrase/teaching stuck out to me? 4. What did I learn about God from this sermon? 5. In response to the Word of God, I will Beloved: We get to share the life-changing Gospel message with the world! Pray: Lord Jesus Christ, You sent Your apostles into the world with Your message of salvation. By Your Spirit and the hope of eternal life, they were able to withstand the hostilities of the world. Give to us, Your Church today, a boldness to go out as Your witnesses in the world, proclaiming Your resurrection and reign. Protect us from the evil one. And, let my life reflect You in all I say and do. In Your holy name we pray. Amen.

5 The Elect Lady May 14, 2018 Text: Read 2 John 1-6 Emphasis: Verses 1&2: The elder: To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth and not only I, but also all who know the truth because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us forever. In 1916, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman elected to Congress, four years before women s suffrage was put in place nationally in Rankin was a pacifist Representative of Montana who, interestingly, in her two terms (the 65 th and 77 th Congresses) is the only member of Congress to have voted against U.S. entry into both World War I and World War II. Upon her election in 1916 Rankin stated, I may be the first woman member of Congress, but I won t be the last! She was right! In 1922, Rebecca Felton of Georgia became the first female elected to the U.S. Senate. That same year, Oklahoma s own Alice Mary Robertson was elected to the House. Robertson would also be the first woman to preside over a session of the House of Representatives. In total 329 women have been elected to Congress 113 of these elected ladies are serving now. It is not too foreign for us to consider the idea of an elected lady. This year, too, is seeing a surge of female candidates (440, total) running for office. And many a father has rocked his daughter to sleep, thinking of her future potential, believing that perhaps she could one day be President. While the concept isn t unusual for us, it may still strike us as odd that John would use the phrase nearly 2,000 years ago: The Elect Lady. At a time when women were not of the highest stature in society, who could the apostle be referring to with such regard? Certainly not a female politician?! The prevailing thought is that the elect lady is none other than a congregation over which John presided. After all, the Church has often been referred to in feminine terms most notably, the bride of Christ. Thus, her children refers to faithful congregation members. The word elect indicates God s choosing of His people, and not the other way around. As Jesus said, You did not choose me, but I chose you (John 15:16) God has chosen us to be in His Church. In this fellowship, we re called to love and help one other remain faithful and in the truth. Beloved: You have been chosen by God! Let us share the truth and love of the Gospel so that others may be joined to our fellowship of faith. Pray: O Holy Spirit, You have brought us to faith through the truths of Scripture. As You have joined us together in the fellowship of believers, so may we love one another in a way that continually points to Jesus. In His holy name I pray. Amen.

6 Transcendent Knowledge May 15, 2018 Text: Read 2 John 7-11 Emphasis: Verse 9a: Anyone who does not remain in Christ s teaching but goes beyond it does not have God. We celebrated the 500 th year of the Reformation this last year along with many implications of that very event. One of the biggest take-aways that Lutheran s pride themselves in is the Bible sola scriptura. Martin Luther believed the Bible to be the only God breathed, inerrant source of authority making it the formal principle of what would become the Reformation. That is because the Bible is the source of doctrine and Truth. During Martin Luther s time, it was as if some felt there was a transcendent knowledge that went beyond Scripture, providing further truths in the church. This same idea was prevalent during the Bible times as well, as evidenced in our reading for today. And, as you have most likely seen, even people today try to re-work they Bible, either by trying to supplement it or change it. As optimistic about the intentions as I want to be, trying to improve or update Scripture creates an instant problem. Scripture is the Word of God, and the Word is Jesus (John 1:1)! Trying to update Scripture, is like trying to add something to Jesus as if He isn t enough. Trying to improve it is trying to make Jesus better as if He isn t already perfect. We know that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and the Word of God reveals to us the Way, the Truth, and the Life perfectly as it is. On top of this, Scripture is the inerrant Word of God inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Anyone who tries to go beyond God s Word by adding to it or changing it turns themselves into an idol and denies the Word and the perfect Author of it. The Word is a gracious gift from God, and specifically, the Word made flesh is the greatest gift from God. Because of that gift, we get to praise and worship God, and someday, enjoy eternal life with Him. Thanks be to God. Beloved: The Word became flesh for you, so that you could share in the riches of the Kingdom. Pray: Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scripture to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of the holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)

7 Face to Face May 16, 2018 Text: Read 2 John Emphasis: Verse 12: Though I have many things to write to you, I don t want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face so that our joy may be complete. Humans are made to be in community to be in real, face to face, in-person relationships with other humans. God made us that way. When He made Adam, He also said, It is not good for the man to be alone, and then formed Eve. Humans are made to be in community! In many ways, technology can be used to allow for more community. For instance, I have contacts around the globe through social media outlets. I can see what they post online and, even if they post in their native language, with a push of a button I can have it translated for me. And, voila! I am interacting with someone on another continent! Technology can also be used for long-distant meetings. Through , one can communicate with family across country. Smartphones enable grandparents to see their grandkids. And with a text, I can give Pastor Henke something to think about when he s sitting in a boring Council of Presidents meeting in St. Louis! Humans are made to be in community. We seek it. We strive for it. But sometimes, we fight it, too. It may be that we fight it unwittingly, perhaps, but we fight it nonetheless, as our technology can become a barrier. For all the benefits and progress of technology, it comes with complications. For one, those longdistance calls, s, tweets and texts just aren t quite the same as a real, in person, face to face conversation. Moreover, some technology even discourages human interaction. More and more grocery stores even McDonald s are using self-serve check-out lanes. Banking has changed, too, as salaries are deposited directly, and as checks can be deposited through your cell phone. It s sad to say, but I get annoyed when, at the gas station, the card reader at the pump instructs me to go inside to the attendant. And, others have noted how the combination of TV and air conditioning have changed entire neighborhoods, as people remain indoors rather than in conversation with the people on their street. John could have just sent a letter. But, as he mentions, he would rather talk face to face. He was taking a page from our Lord. God could have remained distant from us, but He came to us, face to face, in Christ Jesus. This week, I challenge you: Why when you can sit down in person. Why do self-checkout at the store, when you can talk with a human being and brighten their day? Be in community with your neighbors. Show them Jesus face to face. Beloved: Our God desires to be with us! He comes face to face in Jesus! Pray: Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to this world, taking our flesh, and meeting us right where we are. Help me to be in community with others for whom You died. Amen.

8 True Appreciation May 17, 2018 Text: Read 3 John 1:1-4 Emphasis: Verses 3-4 For I was very glad when fellow believers came and testified to your fidelity to the truth how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth. Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week. It s a week where schools and communities across the country show support and thankfulness for the many teachers who work so hard year-round. I think the ultimate joy for a teacher comes from knowing they made a lasting impact on young lives. Teachers want to see their students get excited about learning and applying their knowledge and skills to real life situations. They love to see that their former students are doing well. John is writing a letter to another church. He s joyful because he s heard that one of the church s key leaders, Gaius, is doing well. Gaius is walking in the truth. Also because of Gaius leadership, most people in that church are also walking in the truth. John s ultimate joy is knowing that the Gospel of Jesus Christ continues to impact His fellow Christians. They continue to live a life according to God s will and they are encouraging one another to remain in the truth of Christ. John has been their teacher, and he s encouraged to hear that God worked through his ministry to this church to strengthen their community. John s joy imitates God s joy! God has great joy when His children walk in truth. God delights in you as His child. He s happy to have you as a member of His family. He joyfully gives His Holy Spirit to guide you in living a life of truth. He joyfully forgives you when you stumble and stray away from His truth. However, the best way we can show appreciation for all that God has done for us, is to walk in His truth; to live according to what He wants for us. God joyfully receives our repentance over and over again. He joyfully forgives our sins daily. In true appreciation, we joyfully recognize God s way is the best way. We appreciate God by joyfully living for His glory. We demonstrate our appreciation for God s timeless truth when we daily walk in the truth. Beloved: Joyfully appreciate God by walking in His truth! Pray: Lord God, You have given me your Holy Spirit to guide me in joyfully living a life according to your truth. Cause me, by your Spirit, to consistently recognize my sins, repent of them, and live onward in your grace. Amen.

9 Text: Read 3 John 1:5-10 Included May 18, 2018 Emphasis: Verses 9-10 Diotrephes, who loves to have first place among them, does not receive our authority. This is why, if I come, I will remind him of the works he is doing, slandering us with malicious words He not only refuses to welcome fellow believers, but he even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the church. Have you ever felt excluded? Maybe you found out you weren t invited to a party but everyone else was invited. Perhaps you ve found yourself on the outskirts of a social group. Has someone ever displayed an un-welcoming, un-inviting attitude toward you? If you haven t ever felt excluded (which isn t likely), then consider if you ve ever been able to include someone into your group or your life but didn t. Have you ever isolated someone on purpose or by accident? We ve probably all been in situations where we have been excluded and/or have done the excluding. And if you think this sounds too much like high school all over again, then I m right there with you. Christian community shouldn t feel like a high school where certain cliques rule the school. The community of saints should be an environment where all are welcome to gather as people for whom Christ died. Our churches should become more like a place where everybody knows your name and less like an Ivy League school where only a certain kind belong. John warns against a guy name Diotrephes. Diotrephes is only welcoming certain Christians into his church, he s challenging John s authority as an apostle, and excluding people who don t follow his way. Diotrephes is excluding based on his idea of what the church should look like instead of letting God s way rule his heart. God doesn t exclude based on ability or appearance, personality, etc. God includes and invites everyone into His Gospel. He invited you by His Word and now you belong to His immediate family! God calls us to maintain inclusion and unity within the Christian Church, locally and globally. How can you include fellow Christians into your life who are a part of your church family? Is there anyone or any group you need to stop excluding within your heart or outwardly with your actions? How can you continue building up your local family of Christians? Beloved: God includes you in the community of saints! Pray: Almighty God, grant me your discernment and wisdom to notice the situations where I could include fellow Christians into my life. Help me to take actions that will create unity within my church family and keep a healthy spirit of peace. Amen.

10 It Needs to be Said May 19, 2018 Text: Read 3 John Emphasis: Verse 11: Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. There s a story about President Calvin Coolidge when he invited dear old friends from his hometown to dine with him at the White House. It was, of course, a great honor to have dinner the President. However, these guests were unfamiliar with some of the proper etiquette for such an occasion. Unsure of the appropriate table manners which fork to use, which cup to use, etc. these simple guests decided to imitate the president. After all, it was his illustrious table at this famous home. It seemed like a wise solution. They watched the President closely to see which utensils he used, what foods he ate and when. Their strategy seemed successful until coffee was served. Coolidge poured some coffee into his saucer. His guests did the same. The President added sugar and cream. His guests followed suit. Then the president bent over and put his saucer on the floor for the cat! As John warns in his third letter, one must always be careful in who or what we imitate: do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. It seems pretty self-explanatory, but, unfortunately, it needs to be said. Again and again, it needs to be said: do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. Of course, this goes beyond the proper dinner etiquette with the President. There ve been commercials pulled from the air because teenagers attempted to try it at home. (Reebok, for instance, pulled a commercial after kids tried to jump over moving vehicles in their tennis shoes.) Almost 20 years ago, a young boy accidentally killed his toddler sibling after imitating a wrestling move he saw on TV. It needs to be said, again: do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The warning stands for adults, too, as people imitate the wrong thing in order to get ahead in life. It worked for them, so it can t be that bad. But that s just saying, It worked for them, even though it s not good. We could think of plenty of examples, but again the saying stands, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. Imitate what is good. Imitate the kind and compassionate Savior. Imitate the loving Lord who sacrificed Himself for the world. Imitate Christ. Beloved: You have been redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ. Imitate Him! Pray: Lord, I praise You for redeeming me from my sin. Forgive me when I fall prey to imitating evil. Lead me to imitate Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.

11 About Our Next Sermon Series Next week, as we celebrate the Festival of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came with power upon the apostles, we begin our new sermon and devotional series: When God Speaks. People are often looking for God to speak whether to show them what to do with their life, or to reveal Himself to the world, or to prove that He is listening, etc. God DOES speak to us but how? And, are we really listening? The writer of Hebrews states, Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. (Heb. 1:1-2a) Throughout the next few weeks we will look at some of those times when God spoke to His people of old, when He spoke through Jesus, and how He speaks to us today. The question is: What will you do When God Speaks?

12 Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible and CSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

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14 DEVOTIONAL APRIL 8-14, H O LYTRI N I T YEDMOND.O RG