August 1, 2024 -- suggested reading: Acts 27:27 – 44 

“When the fourteenth night had come, as we were drifting across the sea of Adria, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land.  So they took soundings and found twenty fathoms; a little farther on they took soundings again and found fifteen fathoms. Fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. But when the sailors tried to escape from the ship and had lowered the boat into the sea, on the pretext of putting out anchors from the bow, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and set it adrift. Just before daybreak, Paul urged all of them to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been in suspense and remaining without food, having eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food, for it will help you survive; for none of you will lose a hair from your heads.” After he had said this, he took bread; and giving thanks to God in the presence of all, he broke it and began to eat. Then all of them were encouraged and took food for themselves. (We were in all two hundred seventy-six persons in the ship.) After they had satisfied their hunger, they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea.” Acts 27:27-38 

Paul’s trip does not seem to be going the way that many would expect – in fact he becomes shipwrecked on the island of Malta. Although he is a prisoner, he continues to care for his fellow prisoners and the crew of the ship, including giving them advice. What a comfort Paul’s presence must have been for all involved. 

The ministry of presence is so important with people today. So many times we want to visit someone, or call someone, but we worry too much about what to say. I will tell you that spending time with someone, even if you do not say very much, your presence is still a powerful ministry. We don’t always have to know exactly what to say, or we do not always have to do something…just being present sometimes is enough to make a situation easier for others. More importantly, being present with someone reminds them that they are not alone in the journey on which they have embarked — no matter how difficult the journey, or how dangerous the ministry — no matter how much they feel hated or experience loneliness or isolation — our presence brings to them the very image of Jesus Christ. That, my friends, is a powerful image. 

Pastor Dave 

 August 2, 2024 -- suggested reading: Acts 28:1 – 16 

“After we had reached safety, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us around it. Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, when a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man must be a murderer; though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were expecting him to swell up or drop dead, but after they had waited a long time and saw that nothing unusual had happened to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.  Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It so happened that the father of Publius lay sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and cured him by praying and putting his hands on him. After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They bestowed many honors on us, and when we were about to sail, they put on board all the provisions we needed. Three months later we set sail on a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian ship with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there for three days; then we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day there a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. There we found believers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.” Acts 28:1-14 

Paul finally arrives in Rome, and the scene is set for his final act of preaching. Paul continues to heal those who are sick – and the people respond to his prayer and healing. The people to whom Paul is ministering to on Malta are called “Barbaroi” which in the Greek means “natives” or “barbarians”. We might be quick to assume that people called barbarians are not going to be open to different and strange “religions” or practices – or even to be welcoming to people who do not look like them. Yet we often see that those who are the last, least, lost and little of any culture are also the ones who are quicker to come to accept help – and/or to welcome the stranger. 

If we consider ourselves to be a G-dly nation, or G-dly people, then we should welcome all people because this is what G-d’s word and G-d’s Grace compels us to do. When we welcome the stranger, they will be witnessing the very presence of G-d in the world. 

Pastor Dave 

August 3, 2024 -- suggested reading: Acts 28:17 – 31 

“After they had set a day to meet with him, they came to him at his lodgings in great numbers. From morning until evening he explained the matter to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. Some were convinced by what he had said, while others refused to believe. So they disagreed with each other; and as they were leaving, Paul made one further statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah, ‘Go to this people and say, You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn—and I would heal them.’ Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” Acts 28:23-28 

Paul’s preaching in this final text in Acts includes a quote from Isaiah 6:9-10. It is not an exact quote, yet the implication is understood. Paul is calling out the Jewish people – they have seen the Messiah, but not all have accepted this revelation. The people are split – some have seen and believed, others have seen and refused to believe. Yet is our experience any different? We too are called to take the saving message of the Gospel out to a people who are split on the message – some will hear it and believe, some will hear it and dismiss it. 

We cannot, however, allow this realization to stop us in our efforts. Paul persevered – with “all boldness and without hindrance.” Can we do the same? When the world wants to separate us from the Church, when the devil begins to gnaw away at our trust and faith, when others tell us we are wasting our time, will we persevere with all boldness and without hindrance? 

With Christ, all things are possible….. 

Pastor Dave 

August 4, 2024 – Pentecost +11B 

“When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were [beside the sea,] they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:24-35 

In our society today, people like to talk and to share their problems — they have so many platforms to talk about and to share with the virtual world their troubles — about addictions, about mental health problems, about spouse abuse. It is a sign of our times. But we also talk about them as being signs that point to a deeper issue — signs of a greater problem — signs of bigger troubles — in our personal lives, in our community or society at large. It is a sign that people lack clear direction — lack people who care enough to listen to them — lack personal connection to people. Do we care about the signs? 

Just this week, I have had two people lament to me that there are parts of the beltway around Harrisburg that need better signs — either better signs, or more signage. They share these reflections and opinions with me because they believe I have some kind of in with PennDot — and I don’t know what they are talking about. The issue of signs is important in the Gospel of John — not the kind of physical signs like “Left Lane Merge Only” or “Lane Ends in 1000 Feet”. No the signs John is talking about are the signs that Jesus does, the signs Jesus performs that reveal something really important about who he is — and in turn they reveal something important about G-d. 

Some theologians see the 6th chapter of John as Jesus’ attempt to prepare his disciples for the actions that will take place in the Upper Room, at the Last Supper. It is there where he takes the bread, gives thanks, blesses and distributes it to his disciples while saying “This is my body — do this for the remembrance of me.” It would have been a meal of mystery for them — and it continues to be a meal of mystery for us as well. But seeing the similarity between the two meals — in the feeding of the 5000 and the Upper Room — where he blesses, brakes and distributes bread to the masses — we begin to see how Jesus, who calls himself the Bread of Life, we begin to see the depth of the teaching, the depth of his love, and the tension that exists between feeding people not only food, but feeding them life and salvation. The Holy Sacraments become external expressions — these “Words and Elements” — are tangible expressions of his love and forgiveness. Jesus loves us, and feeds us, even with all of our blemishes and sins, he does all of this before we have learned what they really mean. In other words, there is nothing we could do to earn this love and acceptance. For, even while we were sinners, Christ died for all people. And even though we are sinful people, Christ gives us spiritual food and spiritual drink — these tangible elements of his presence and acceptance and love. They are, yes, “Signs” of His Gracious love. 

Pastor Dave 

 August 5, 2024 -- suggested reading: Romans 1:1 – 17 

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers, asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as I have among the rest of the Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish—hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:8-17 

Paul was at the top of his game when he wrote the Epistle to the Romans. There is no better explanation of the gospel’s saving message of grace through faith ever written. It remains one of the best books of the New Testament because it is the most complete development of Paul’s theology. Most likely, this letter was written sometime around 57 CE when Paul was in the city of Corinth. Paul was writing to a church (Rome) that he did not establish nor a congregation he would ever visit – though he so wanted to see them. 

We must read this letter carefully to fully enjoy Paul’s message – his explanation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It will be a wonderful read for immediately, in chapter 1 verse 17, we hear one of the most foundational pieces of scripture for Martin Luther. After searching long and hard and spending many a night sleeping on a concrete floor trying to discover if he was worthy of G-d’s love and grace, and still not finding it, Luther suddenly came to a new understanding of G-d’s righteousness. As he read again Paul’s letter to the Romans and in particular this verse 17, he finally understands that it is through faith that we are justified – not through works. 

If we think about it, there really is nothing we could do to make ourselves worthy of the Grace, the costly Grace, the amazingly amazing Grace of Jesus Christ. It is all up to Christ. What do we owe G-d then? Trust, love, obedience……no works can convince G-d of these — only our contrite hearts that we have rent through repentance. 

Pastor Dave 

August 6, 2024 -- suggested reading: Romans 1:18 – 32 

“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse; for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools; and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.” Romans 1:19-23 

Max Lucado is a pastor, an author and a speaker. He is actually a prolific author, writing a lot of different kinds of devotional books. He was once named the “Best Preacher in America” by Reader’s Digest magazine. I have included a quote from one of his devotional: 

Max Lucado: “God does not save us because of what we’ve done. Only a puny god could be bought with tithes. Only an egotistical god would be impressed with our pain. Only a temperamental god could be satisfied by sacrifices. Only a heartless god would sell salvation to the highest bidder. And only a great God does for his children what they can’t do for themselves. God’s delight is received upon surrender, not awarded upon conquest. The first step to joy is a plea for help, an acknowledgment of moral destitution, an admission of inward paucity. Those who taste God’s presence have declared spiritual bankruptcy and are aware of their spiritual crises…Their pockets are empty. Their options are gone. They have long since stopped demanding justice; they are pleading for mercy.” 

Do you feel as if all your options are gone — financial options — relationship options — options for work or rest? G-d will provide, as G-d sees fit, and as G-d determines is the right time, place, and way. Just remember G-d does not always work as we expect – but we expect that G-d works for our sakes. 

Pastor Dave 

August 7, 2024 -- suggested reading: Romans 2:17 – 3:8 

“…a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart—it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God. Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much, in every way. For in the first place the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Although everyone is a liar, let God be proved true, as it is written, “So that you may be justified in your words, and prevail in your judging.” But if our injustice serves to confirm the justice of God, what should we say? That God is unjust to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world? But if through my falsehood God’s truthfulness abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not say (as some people slander us by saying that we say), “Let us do evil so that good may come”? Their condemnation is deserved!” Romans 2:29, 3:1-8 

Romans 2:29a: “real circumcision is a matter of the heart – it is spiritual and not literal.” The emperor Claudius had expelled Jews from Rome in 49 CE (AD) due to the preaching of Christ among Jewish synagogues. It resulted in disturbances from the Jews against the Roman government. While the Jews were out, the churches in Rome became increasingly Gentile. When the Jews began to return in 54 CE, there would have been increasing tensions between the Gentiles and the Jews in Rome. Therefore, Paul is writing (in response to the obvious tension that existed) to first claim that both the Jew and the Gentile are “guilty” and unable to receive salvation apart from the grace of God through Jesus Christ. It is against this backdrop that Paul has said things like “in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself” (2:1) and “There will be anguish and distress for everyone who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek.” 

All of these words will lead Paul to his great statement in 3:23-24 “since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” 

The one thing that makes us all the same — that makes us all equal in the eyes of G-d is our need for the Grace that comes through the cross of Jesus Christ. It does not matter if we are Republicans or Democrats, Male or Female, Christian or Jew, we are all equal in the eyes of G-d. 

Pastor Dave 

 August 8, 2024 -- suggested reading: Romans 4:1 – 25 

“For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall your descendants be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore his faith “was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.” Romans 4:13-25 

Again, we have words from Max Lucado: “The supreme force in salvation is God’s grace. Not our works. Not our talents. Not our feelings. Not our strength. Salvation is God’s sudden, calming presence during the stormy seas of our lives. We hear his voice; we take the step.” 

There are so many stormy seas around us. People were protesting in the streets of Washington DC when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to a joint session of Congress – burning the American flag. The Olympics just began and on the opening day protestors sabotaged electrical lines on trains heading to Paris. It is during these and other stormy seas of live where we look for the calming presence of Christ. As Paul writes it “…depends on faith.” 

Now is the time to double down on your reading of scripture. Now is the time to turn to the Lord in prayer. 

Pastor Dave 

 August 9, 2024 — suggested reading: Romans 5:1 – 21 

“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned— sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:12-21 

“It wasn’t the Romans who nailed Jesus to the cross. It wasn’t spikes that held Jesus to the cross. What held him to that cross was his conviction that it was necessary that he become sin – that he who is pure become sin and that the wrath of God be poured down, not upon creation, but upon the Creator. When the one who knew no sin became sin for us, when the sinless one was covered with all the sins of all the world, God didn’t call his army of angels to save him.” (Max Lucado) 

My friends, there is never a time to give up on others, just like G-d never gives up on us. What makes a Christian a Christian? It is not perfection, as Max Lucado says — it is forgiveness — forgiveness from G-d — which forms our forgiveness for others. And if G-d forgives the others in our lives, then why should we hold onto their sins? I know it is easier to hold onto things than it is to let them go. I get it. Especially when it comes to the ways people have hurt us in our lives. But forgiveness lightens the burdens we carry so we can help others in their faith journeys – helping them come to know the one who is all about forgiveness and love. 

Pastor Dave 

 August 10, 2024 -- suggested reading: Romans 6:1 – 23 

“What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:1-11 

“No one is happier than the one who has sincerely repented of wrong. Repentance is the decision to turn from selfish desires and seek God. It is a genuine, sincere regret that creates sorrow and moves us to admit wrong and desire to do better. It’s an inward conviction that expresses itself in outward actions. You look at the love of God and you can’t believe he’s loved you like he has, and this realization motivates you to change your life. That is the nature of repentance.” (Max Lucado) 

The words of Romans 6 are often read at the funeral service — for nothing brings us comfort more than knowing that “if we have been united with Christ in a death like his, we will certainly be united with Christ in a resurrection like his”. This is a love that is just impossible to comprehend. And when we know this love, then we are moved to live into that love. 

Pastor Dave 

August 11, 2024 – Pentecost +12B 

“Jesus said to [the crowd,] “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 6:35, 41-51 

Jesus is laying down some heavy stuff here in the 6th chapter of John. It begins with the Feeding of the 5000. How did Christ do it? What could it all mean? These were the questions running through the minds of the people in the crowds — as well as the Jews who now ask more difficult questions: “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph and Mary?” “How can he say ‘I have come down from Heaven?’” “We know where he comes from — and that is not Heaven — so what is going on?” 

Among the questioning — Jesus has told the crowd that he is the bread of life — the bread of life that has come down from Heaven — thus the questions about his genealogy. So, here now we have the real confrontation — Jesus is setting out some relational statements and the people don’t know what to make of them — or what to do. They thought they knew Jesus as the “hometown boy” — now he is saying that he came from Heaven — what are they to believe? 

Well, what are we to believe? What or who is Jesus? Is he the Son of Mary and Joseph — or is he the Son of G-d? Is Jesus someone you keep at arm’s length — or is Jesus someone you take into your very heart, mind and soul? Is Jesus someone you visit once in a while — or is Jesus invited into your home and your personal life on a daily basis? In other words, what kind of relationship do you have with Jesus? 

Have you ever been drawn to something, or someone so much so you cannot stay away or resist? What or who was it? Your spouse? A Favorite rock band? Perhaps a particular author, or a teacher, or a television show. It is the art of attraction that pulls us to these things — like a magnet that draws along a paperclip. So, how does the Father draw us to Christ? The text says “We will be taught by G-d”. The text tells us that our relationship with G-d should be one like the teacher and the learner — the Rabbi and the disciple. As we struggle to understand the world, our place in it, and perhaps even the meaning of life, we turn to G-d’s word that teaches us about salvation through not only the ways, and the life of Christ — but the cross as well. And the more we learn, the more we understand how profound his statement is: “I am the bread that came down from heaven”. It is because of that bread that we have the promise of being raised with Christ on the last day. 

Pastor Dave 

August 12, 2024 -- suggested reading: Romans 7:1 – 25 

“What then should we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet, if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing an opportunity in the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. Apart from the law sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died, and the very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity in the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good. Did what is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, working death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.” Romans 7:7-13 

Paul and the Law. Like all Jews, Paul believed that the law was “holy and just and good.” But Paul also saw a negative side to Torah (law). Paul knew that the Law causes sin to be known, and even incites sin, thus bringing G-d’s wrath. His road to Damascus revelation taught him that, despite his adherence to the law, his persecution of Jesus and followers of “the way” opposed G-d and also taught him that a relationship with G-d is grounded in grace, not law. As seen in the example of Abraham, law and circumcision are not the means to righteousness with God, but this is only found in faith alone. For the Christian, the only remaining use of the law is as a norm for behavior pleasing to God, made possible by the indwelling Spirit of G-d (Luther’s Third Use of the Law). (New Interpreter’s Study Bible, p. 2020) 

This “Third Use of the Law” is not something to consider lightly — the law gives us a norm for how we should live our lives – or strive to live our lives. We still need laws that help us to find true boundaries to our living — laws that come from the commonwealth, and laws that come from the common understanding of right and righteous living, and the law that comes from G-d. Jesus will reduce the Ten Commandments to just two, the most important: love G-d, love your neighbor. It confounded the people of his day and it still confounds us – for we know this is how we are to live, but achieving it every day is almost impossible. But this is why we strive to live in this manner – for only through the Holy Spirit will we even come close. 

Pastor Dave 

 August 13, 2024 -- suggested reading: Romans 8:26 – 39 

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:26-39 

In Romans 8:31 and following Paul hits the highlight of his writing and his theology — meaning there is nothing more powerful than these words: “What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else. It is God who justifies. It is Christ Jesus, who died…who indeed intercedes for us. …I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

My friends, if G-d is for us — then nothing can take G-d away from us. It is not possible to be separated from the love of G-d. Oh, life can make us feel as if G-d has forgotten about us. The trials and tribulations of this life can make us feel as if Christ has abandoned us and try to make us believe that the Holy Spirit has decided that we are not worthy. But that is not G-d — that is simply life getting in the way of our relationship with Christ. Those feelings are the devil trying to get between us and G-d. NOTHING can separate us from the love of G-d in Christ Jesus…..live it, learn it, love it. 

Pastor Dave 

 August 14, 2024 — Suggested Reading: Romans 10:1 – 21 

“The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:8-18 

I have said it before, I will say it again, there is so much good stuff in Paul’s letter to the Romans. Here in chapter 10 we have such verses as 9 “if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” And verse 13, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” And verse 15, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” We have lost the practice of verse memorization in our confirmation classes, and our Sunday school classes, and in our own daily reading. Here, in Paul’s letter, are some great verses to commit to memory. Verse 15 is an adaptation of Isaiah 52:7 and is used by Paul to support his claim that faith comes by what is heard — especially in his day when most people were illiterate. When most people learn through hearing, then there obviously needs to be a plethora of people proclaiming the word of Christ. Paul’s point is that we must be the messengers of that word – even if we have the ugliest feet in the world – because our feet will be transformed just as we are transformed by the word of Christ. 

Pastor Dave 

 August 15, 2024 — Suggested Reading: Romans 11:1 – 12 

“I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars; I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” But what is the divine reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” Romans 11:1-6 

What Paul does in the chapters of Romans 9:1 – 11:36 is to proceed through a four stage progression of the initial rejection of Christ by most Jews except for a remnant who do believe, through to the final stage where, upon seeing the acceptance of the Gospel by the Gentiles, the Jews will be aroused to jealousy, then repentance, belief and salvation. Thus, what appeared to be a failure of the divine plan actually results in in a greater fulfillment of it for both Jews and Gentiles. It seems that Paul’s final argument is that Israel will be saved – in fact he says all Israel will be saved. What does all Israel mean? That will be another argument for another time — but if Israel, as a whole, is the chosen race, the people with whom G-d made a covenant, then it seems the Israelites are and continue to be G-d’s chosen people. 

Another interesting comment by Paul is that G-d has hardened the heart of Israel, just like G-d tells Isaiah that the people’s eyes, ears, and minds will also be hardened and closed off to Isaiah’s preaching. How do you feel about this fact that G-d hardens the heart of some intentionally? As I have lived my life, I have encountered some people who have hardened (or who have had hardened for them) the walls of their hearts against the Word of G-d. Does G-d eventually soften the same hearts? Did G-d soften the heart of Pharaoh when the people finally fled Egypt? How does this effect your ideas of evangelism when it seems that much of our efforts to reach people with the good news of the gospel may just fall upon deaf ears? 

Pastor Dave