As Culture's Foundations Crumble, We Have THE Rock!

Dear Members and Friends of St. John,

 

Recently in Bible Class a number of people shared personal criticism and ridicule they have received for being people of faith.  Some parents shared that their children felt ridiculed by others for attending worship and church activities.  Other adults shared experiences of being questioned by fellow workers in the job place.  It is not easy to follow Jesus today.

 

Our culture is changing.  As a child most of my peers attended regular Sunday worship, as my family did.  Those who did not attend church were in the minority.  As the world changed and as fewer people attended worship regularly, there was still a respect for people who practiced their faith.  Seldom did Christians receive ridicule or criticism.  The change in today’s world caused one of the members of our class to say about what he and his family were facing, “The foundation of our society is crumbling.”

 

Our foundation is crumbling, or is it?  The values of our culture are obviously changing.  To operate with no moral compass hurts our world.  If God’s direction about idolatry, worship, government, personal well-being, sexual morality, and greed are not considered relevant, then our society will move in directions that are unhealthy and harmful. All people, Christian or not, see the deterioration of order, and the growing chaos we face today.  But, even if our world turns away from God, there is still a foundation for our lives.  There is still strength and hope for living as people of God.  Today that foundation is even more important!

 

I’m reading through the Psalms now in my regular devotional reading.  On Tuesday part of my reading was from Psalm 18, where David writes, I love you, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  David points to God as his rock, his stronghold, his protector, or the foundation for his life. 

 

On Wednesday part of my devotional reading was Psalm 27.  "1 The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?"  When the world seems full of chaos and danger, we do not need to fear, because God guides us in this life and He is the one Who saves us eternally.

 

In the New Testament God teaches us that His Word is the foundation for Christian lives, and that Jesus is the center of that teaching.  Jesus is the cornerstone of God’s foundation for His church.  19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  (Ephesians 2:19-20, see also verse 21-22, 1 Peter 2:4-10.)  Maybe the foundations of our culture are changing, even deteriorating. But, God is still the rock on whom we build our lives here in this world.  Jesus and His death and resurrection, His forgiveness and His salvation, are the foundation for our eternity. 

 

Our culture may have changed, so other areas become more important as we seek to live as children of God and to build our children up in faith on our “rock,” Jesus.  Homes are vital.  But, faith has to be taught and it has to be lived.  Children do not just “catch” knowledge and faith in Jesus in our culture any more.  Yet, when parents teach and live their faith in Jesus, children can face the challenges of this world, and even be a witness and a blessing to others.

 

Churches are important places of strengthening God’s people and strengthening families.  So Christian congregations need to speak and live the Word of God.  And, God’s people need to be in worship and Bible Class in order to be fed and strengthened.  As society changes, God’s word continues to be the foundation of the lives of Christians.  Jesus is still the central message, the cornerstone of the message of the Word of God.

 

If you attend worship at St. John you have heard me pray before a sermon.  I use words of David which God inspired in Psalm 19 as a way to ask God to bless what happens when the pastor teaches and God’s people seek to learn and then to live the Word of God.  I pray, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)  God is our Rock and our Redeemer.  The foundations of our culture may be crumbling, but children of God have THE firm foundation for this life and for eternity.

 

A Child of God, Seeking to Build My Life and Home on Jesus,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  In the next 2 weeks I’ll write about “Building Homes on Jesus our Rock,” and “Building Churches on Jesus our Rock.”

 

P.P.S.  On Sunday, November 5, St. John recognized Sara Guhl for over 30 years of service at St. John as pianist, organist, choir director, youth worker, hike leader, National Youth Gathering Counselor, and for many other areas of service.  Here are a few pictures from that recognition.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/Tr0H0P5ax9qp6IU62

 

P.P.P.S.  In case you missed it, I was in Portland for a Church meeting at the end of last week.  I had lunch with St. John members, David and Cathy Grosz, who moved to Portland last month.  You remember that David was fighting cancer last spring and summer.  God is good and David is looking good.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/5TrLvPIyCTnSb1Zw1

 

 

 

 

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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 regularly adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you do not want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message.

 

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