The Wisdom of Humility

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Many of you know that while in Germany this past fall Kathy and I bought a cuckoo clock, something we regretted not doing 10 years ago.  So, recently I had finished my sermon and other work for Sunday worship early on a Saturday.  As Kathy was standing in the kitchen I walked up to her and said, “Well, my sermon is done.”  Then the Cuckoo went off.  Kathy looked me straight in the eye and said, “You see what the clock thinks of your sermon.”  We both laughed.  Maybe she laughed a little more than I did.  But there is a lesson here worth learning for all.  Humility is good. 

 

Scripture is full of teaching on the dangers of pride and the wisdom of humility.  Proverbs 11:2 is one of those verses.  “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”  Or, maybe you know Jesus’ often repeated words, "So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

 

Pride is ultimately trust in ourselves.  Pride is trust in one’s own wisdom, or trust in one’s own strength, or trust even in one’s own righteousness.  No wonder there is danger in pride.  If we trust our wisdom, do we forget the wisdom of God?  If we trust our righteousness, do we forget our sin and the grace of God?  Unfortunately, even for Christians the answer to these questions is, “Yes.”

 

About 30 years ago a Christian scholar told me the number one response to the survey question, “How would you characterize Christians?”  The answer to that question 30 years ago was “arrogant.”  Christians were perceived as being proud and looking down on others.  Recent study tells me Christians still struggle with this public perception, sometimes for good reason.  We need to learn again and again the lessons of Scripture on pride and humility.

 

If we are honest with ourselves we do not have reason for personal pride.  God tells us through Paul, "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."  (Romans 3:10-12).  An appropriate attitude toward God and toward others truly is humility.  We are sinners who have been selfish, or hateful, and not loved God as we should.  We need the guidance of God for our lives.  We need forgiveness for our sinfulness just as others do.  We really don’t have reason to be proud, but do have reason for humility.

 

So, how can we overcome our pride and perceived arrogance?  Perhaps another verse from Romans can help. Paul writes,  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)  When we deserved punishment and death, God gave love and sacrifice, forgiveness and life, in Jesus.  So, we willingly look to God for wisdom, because He loves us in spite of our sin.  We trust God’s strength knowing our weakness, because Jesus overcame sin and death when we could not.  We trust God for righteousness in thankful humility because of Jesus, rather than living in pride that separates us from God and others.

 

If I remember correctly the sermon went well the next day in worship.  Hopefully, that is because I was sharing God’s Word and His wisdom rather than my own.  God’s words through Solomon can give real direction for our lives.  “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”  I also know my wife has a gift for keeping me humble.

 

A Child of God, Seeking Humility,

Pastor Jonathan

 

 

P.S.  If you are friends with ‘Kathy Tobin Rockey’ on Facebook, here is Kathy’s video of our new clock.  http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/photo.php?v=10152325815655494&set=vb.721360493&type=3&theater

 

 

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

 

How Much Do You Love God?

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

How much do you love the Lord God?  Actually, Scripture tells us that love does not begin with us, it begins with God, and is shown in love for others.  A somewhat surprising section of Scripture on love is found in 1 John 4:10-11.  There we read, “10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

 

You see, God tells us that love begins with His love for us, love that is so great that He sent His only Son as a sacrifice to save us from our sins and to save us for eternal life with Him in heaven.  We aren’t saved by loving God or loving others.  We are redeemed, or bought back from our rebellion, by the sacrifice and victory of Jesus. 

 

But, we are still called to love God, especially in response to His love for us.  So I ask the question again, “How much to you love the Lord God?”  I ask this because I read this week about a lady in Syria who believes in God’s love for her in Jesus and in response to God’s love has been sharing that good news with others.  This lady, whose name is hidden to protect her identity but called Zahra in the account I read, had come to faith in Jesus and was sharing Jesus with others. 

 

“Zahra lives in northeastern Syria and serves as a ministry volunteer for Lutheran Hour Ministries—Lebanon. Last summer she and a friend traveled west to Aleppo to reach out with God’s love to the people in a community of refugees. Not everyone welcomed their Christian witness. While Zahra and her friend were telling a Bible story to a group of children, several men burst in and beat both of them severely. One blow dislocated one of Zahra’s vertebrae, damaging her spinal cord, and she lost consciousness. Zahra’s friend was killed. Believing both to be dead, their attackers dragged them into the street and threw them down beside a trash barrel. But Zahra regained consciousness and was rushed to a medical center for treatment.”  Reports say that “Zahra is recovering. Her back healed quickly, but it might be some time before she regains full use of her right hand, which was also injured.”  Those who work with Lutheran Hour Ministries -  Lebanon now report that, Zahra, “‘never ceases to serve the Lord! Zahra has been visiting schools!’”

 

Some American Christians complain (I may be one of them) that our culture is turning away from the traditional Judeo-Christian values which were such a major part of the founding of our country.  It can be uncomfortable today to tell others of God’s love.  But, I don’t know anyone personally in our country who has been attacked for sharing Jesus’ love with children.  Could I put my life on the line to share with others the saving love of God which cost His Son His life?

 

This year I am asking people to keep track of God’s daily blessings for which they are thankful.  After reading about Zahra I am thankful for the freedom we have in our country to practice our Christian faith.  I am also thankful for people who risk their safety to share the saving love of God with others. 

 

I am also led to wonder about my commitment to God who gave everything for me.  How much do I love God?  It is a question worth asking, so that we can live faithful lives of faith and love in response to Jesus’ sacrificial love for us.

 

A Child of God, Seeking to love God with All my Life

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Please remember, I would love to have some of you share in announcements at the end of worship something for which you are thankful.  Please call me at 841-4066 or e-mail me to let me know you would like to share.

 

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

 

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Facing the Unknown Future in the Loving Hands of God

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Tonight, January 11, the Valley Performing Arts Play, “Sense and Sensibility” begins, and with the beginning of this play also continues my part in a new adventure.  Already I have been surprised by responsibilities I did not know would come my way by agreeing to be in the play.  I knew there would be memorization and practice, but did not realize how much there would be.  I knew there would be costumes, but did not know it would include dyed hair, a powdered wig, and my own makeup bag.  I knew I’d meet new people, but did not know how much I would enjoy working with people I did not previously know.  I knew I would learn from the experience, but I’ve already learned much more than I expected.  In other words, when a person takes on a new task or a responsibility we really don’t know all that the future holds.

 

This week at St. John many face a similar adventure.  In worship on Sunday we will commission or re-commission between 80 and 90 people who have agreed to serve as congregational officers or board members.  We don’t know the adventures, the challenges, the heartaches and the joys the future holds when we start something new.  But these folks are agreeing to face the unknown challenges of the coming year to help St. John serve our Lord, Jesus.

 

In Life-light Bible Class last Wednesday we were studying Ecclesiastes 8.  Part of the lesson that day included discussion about verse 16 and 17, “16 When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe man's labor on earth-- his eyes not seeing sleep day or night-- 17 then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.” 

 

Life is full of surprises.  We don’t know what the future holds, and often we are left speechless as we think of what life brings and left with the question “Why?”

 

Since we don’t know the future, should we stay away from any commitments that might lead us into unknown territory?  I know people who feel that way about marriage.  But, if I had said no to the new opportunity of this play I would not have learned many new things, I would not have struggled with new responsibilities, and I would not have enjoyed some of these new experiences I am enjoying.  When faced with taking on responsibilities to serve the Lord and His Church, many fear the unknown.  Some simply say “No!” when asked to serve.  But, they also miss out on seeing God work through them in His Church.

 

A favorite pithy saying I learned a long time ago is, “We don’t know what the future holds.  But, we know Who holds the future!”  Or, as Jesus says in John 10, the Good Shepherd chapter, “27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.”  Following Jesus is an adventure into unknown territory.  But as people follow Jesus into all of life’s trials, adventures, challenges, and joys our Lord is holding His beloved sheep in His hands.  “We don’t know what the future holds.  But, we know Who holds the future!” 

 

THANK YOU to all who have taken on the challenge of facing the unknown future to take on challenges and opportunities to serve the Lord and do His work.  I am sure you will experience things you never expected.  Please know that in these experiences God has you in His hand, eternally.

 

A Child of God, Facing Life with Jesus by my Side,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Here is a picture from dress rehearsal on Wednesday night before the play begins, Friday, January 11.  https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/January112013?authuser=0&feat=directlink

 

 

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

 

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My Resolutions - Perseverance

Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Did you make resolutions for 2013?  Have you kept them?  Over the years I have found that it is even easier to break my New Year’s resolutions than it is to make them.  I believe there is a reason for this truth.  Often we make promises to ourselves in areas of our life where we struggle.  Yes we can resolve to do better.  But, often past patterns and weakness take over, and for many of us it does not take long to break the resolutions we made about new ways we intend to live beginning January 1.

 

I made resolutions this year.  But, actually the resolutions I made are a continuation of personal goals I set in the middle of last October.  These goals were made specifically to help me do a better job living as a child of God, to help me do a better job as a husband and father, and to help me do a better job as pastor of St. John.  Why did I make the same resolutions, or set the same goals as last October?  First, the areas I hope to improve are important.  I do not want to be satisfied with less than full effort in living as a child of God, or in living as a husband and parent, or in serving as pastor of St. John.

 

But, secondly, there is another reason I made the same resolutions as the goals I set last October.   I still have room to grow in these areas and need to work on them.  No, I haven’t always been successful in doing what I planned to do.  Yes, there have been instances of failure.  But that doesn’t mean that because I failed once or more times I am going to give up.  I want to persevere in faithful living as a child of God.

 

So, maybe my goal for the New Year is perseverance.  In Hebrews 12:1-2, God tells us, “1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  It takes character and faith to continue seeking to do the will of God, especially if we have failed.  But, persevering is a godly virtue that I hear little about these days.  (You might also want to look at what God says about perseverance in Romans 5:3-5, 2 Thessalonians 1:4, James 1:3-4, and 2 Peter 1:3-8.)  Perseverance is a mark of a child of God who is living a new life in Jesus.

 

The Hebrews verse gives us help in this life of perseverance.  God tells us, 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  When we fix our eyes on Jesus we can continue even after failure, because we know He endured the cross for us and forgives us.  So, if I slip up, that is not the end.  I can repent of my failure and live in the forgiveness God gives through the cross.  Fixing my eyes on Jesus helps me persevere!

 

And, when we fix our eyes on Jesus we can continue even after failure, because we see the perseverance, and sacrifice, and love Jesus has for us.  If Jesus can continue to love us even after we fail, we can continue to live for Him even in our struggles.

 

Have you kept your resolutions?  If your resolutions were worth making as a child of God, they are worth continuing to work toward, even if you haven’t been successful so far.  “Therefore,  . . . let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,

 

 

A Child of God, Working to Persevere in Living for Jesus,

Pastor Jonathan

 

 

P.S.  Here is a picture from our Rockey Family Christmas celebration this year.  The first time we could all get together was January 1. 

https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/AKRockeyFamilyChristmasCelebration2012#5829793849510128962

 

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their e-mail address.

 

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