Sharing What's Really Important

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Anticipation and Waiting for Christ . . . mas

Dear Fellow Children of God,

Have you seen the Christmas displays in the stores? Actually, Christmas decorations and gifts have been on display in stores since just after Halloween. I do not like it when the commercialization and materialization of the cultural Christmas holiday drowns out the Christmas message of the birth of God’s Son, our Savior. But I don’t mind the anticipation and the waiting. People live in anticipation of Christmas, because Christmas is worth waiting for.

Anticipation is part of the Biblical story of the people God waiting for the coming of God’s promised Savior. From the beginning of time God had been promising to send a Savior who would defeat the enemy of His people. Sometimes God’s people forgot that their greatest enemy was not so much other nations and people. Satan and the temptations to sin are the ultimate enemies of all people in the world. Sin brings suffering and pain and death. But people still anxiously waited for the promised Savior who would bring deliverance.

In the time of John the Baptist the people knew a Savior was coming and you can hear their anticipation. Listen to the words of Luke 3. 15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. They were “waiting expectantly” for God to fulfill His promise. John lets them know that he is not the one, but John points to Jesus, the Son of God, who came as God’s Messiah to save the people. Jesus was worth anticipating and waiting for.

What are you waiting for? What is on your Christmas list this year? Children like toys and bikes, dolls and sporting goods, or maybe some new computer game. Adults enjoy things for the home or music, or something to enjoy in the outdoors.

But more important than material gifts, what are the deepest hopes of your heart? What would really fulfill your dreams for your life? Personally, my deepest prayers are for God and His grace in the lives of those I care for. I pray for faith and peace and eternal life for myself and my family. I pray fervently for God’s love and grace for the people of St. John. In fact, many of our efforts at St. John are aimed at sharing God and His saving grace and love with others. I pray because God is worth waiting for.

With this in mind, do you know the words of anticipation from Psalm 130? 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. 7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. 8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. The Psalmist knows that the things of this world may bring temporary happiness. But, it is the Lord who brings love, forgiveness, redemption, and life. So, he waits for the Lord to reveal Himself in this life and forever. You see, God is worth waiting for!

While stores around us are building up anticipation of Christmas, God’s Church is observing the season of Advent. Advent is a Latin word that means “coming.” The anticipation and waiting of Advent point to the coming of God’s Son, our Savior. We constantly live in hope and anticipation for Jesus to come in our lives. The anticipation tells us that Jesus and His gifts of love and forgiveness, redemption and life, are worth waiting for.

A Child of God, Waiting Every Day to Experience God and His Love in my Life,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. I thought I might have fishing pictures for this message. On Monday I took Henry fishing, which he had been asking to do. But, when we got to Seventeen Mile Lake and I opened the door the wind was blowing and blew in Henry’s face. He told me it was cold and didn’t want to get out. I drove to a closer lake, Walby, where the wind was not blowing and asked Henry if he wanted to fish there. Henry answered, “Poppy, I told you we can fish the next day! I want to go to your house and drink hot chocolate. So . . . no fish pictures this week.

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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 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.

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Friday, November 20, 2015

Reasons for Thanks

Dear Fellow Children of God,

When you gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, do you take time to share with one another the reasons you are thankful? We have followed this practice now for a number of years as 12-20 folks gather at our home. Most of those people are family, but we also have some folks from church that join us too. If someone asked why you are thankful, what would YOU reply?

One of my favorite Psalms (I have trouble picking one Psalm) is Psalm 103. This wonderful Psalm about the grace and forgiveness of God seems to begin with a list of reasons for thanks. Please look with me with me at the first five verses of this Psalm of David.

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Do you see David’s list in these verses? After words of praise David where reminds himself not to forget to give the Lord thanks, he shares the things for which he is thankful

First, David is thankful for forgiveness. David was one of the most faithful of the Old Testament kings. But in Psalm 32 David also describes the physical and spiritual agony of carrying guilt. David had come to know God as the Lord who mercifully forgave him. No wonder David is thankful for forgiveness. It is worth noting that forgiveness is the first reason David mentions for giving thanks!

Next, David is thankful for healing. This doesn’t mean that David did not ultimately die. He did. But, David recognized the hand of God in past healings. Last Sunday at St. John we were asked to pray for a member’s granddaughter who was deathly ill. On Wednesday we heard the granddaughter had been to the doctor and was better. We are thankful for doctors and medicine . . . and we are also thankful for the healing hand of God.

David is next thankful to be “redeemed from the pit.” Redemption is the act of paying for something, or buying it back. David knows that God has redeemed him from death. God bought David back from the grave. God redeemed David from the pit. (The pit is often a Biblical description of hell.) David knows God has redemption in his future. In fact, God’s plans for David include eternal joy in God’s presence. Christians know this redemption ultimately comes to us through Jesus. No wonder Peter quotes Psalm 16 on Pentecost Day as He tells the people of Jerusalem about the risen Jesus. We might think redemption would be David’s first reason for thanks, but it is not. Nevertheless, David adds redemption to the list of things for which he is thankful.

Next on David’s list of reasons for thanks is that he knows God has “crowned his life with love and compassion.” This love David experiences is the love of God which caused Him to send His Son to save the whole world. But, love and compassion of family and friends, and even of strangers, are also gifts from God that bless our lives. I personally grow more and more amazed at the blessings love and compassion God has given me in family! What a great reason for thanks!

Finally, David gives thanks for material things. God satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. In other words, by His mercy God provides good things, material blessings, that make life pleasant. This might be food, or homes, or clothes, or whatever makes our lives pleasant as we serve the Lord. Thank you Lord, for these gifts!

There are two things about David’s list that strike me personally as a child of God. First of all, most of the gifts for which David is thankful are spiritual gifts rather than material gifts. That fact reflects the Lord’s Prayer as well, in which Jesus teaches us to pray for spiritual gifts for His family in 6 of the petitions or requests, and to ask for material needs in only one petition. Maybe this should teach us about our lists and our prayers to God as well.

In addition, every time I meditate on these words of truth from Psalm 103, I too am overwhelmed with how God has blessed me. I want to make sure I do not forget to give Him thanks and praise. I want to make sure that I worship Him and serve Him in all my life, because everything I have comes from Him.

This year I expect we will again go around the table at our Thanksgiving feast and let people share their reasons for thanks. But, I think this year instead of just one reason, maybe we can share two reasons for thanks, a spiritual blessing and a material or physical blessing.

God is Good! Thanksgiving blessings to each of you!

A Child of God, THANKFUL for the blessings and benefits of our Lord,

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. I am feeling especially thankful this year for “family”. I am thankful for God’s family, the church. I am thankful for my immediate and extended family. I am blessed. Thanks be to God!

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Friday, November 13, 2015

Faithfully Facing Christian Persecution

Dear Fellow Children of God,

I was listening to Christian radio recently and heard lyrics to a song that asked the question, “When did it become against the rules to speak your name out loud in school?” So, are those lyrics exaggerating the situation in our culture today? Well, last year while teaching Confirmation students about Christian witnessing, I asked the students in our class what happens when they told others in school that they believed in Jesus. A couple of students said, “We’re not allowed to talk about Jesus in school.” I suggested they probably didn’t totally understand the rules in school. But, their perception of the rule was that Jesus is not to be mentioned.

Unfortunately many around the world are facing persecution of a much more violent kind. The same day I heard that song I read a magazine article entitled, “The Deadly Sting of Persecution.” The article recounted the shooting of 15 Christians in Egypt this past summer. It talked about gruesome beheadings in the Middle East. The article also told the account of a suicide bomber in a Christian church in Nigeria, and of much more persecution of people who believe in Jesus.

All those events occurred across an ocean. But, recently a troubled man shot fellow students at Umpaua Community College in Roseburg, OR. According to reports, if students denied Christian faith they were shot in a limb. If they confessed faith in Jesus, they were shot in the head. That happened in America!

Having lived in a time when faith in Jesus and the Christian church were often at the center of our society, Christians can be shocked and amazed that such events are happening. Many thought that persecution ended thousands of years ago. But, such wishful thinking is in error.

We shouldn’t be surprised when persecution arises. Jesus tells his disciples, “Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. . .” (John 15:20) And, we hear in the book of Acts how Stephen (Acts 7) and James (Acts 12) were put to death for their faith in Jesus. Other references to the cost of following Jesus are found throughout the New Testament.

The early history of God’s church is full of stories of people who were tortured and martyred as they chose to remain true to God. Then, in the Middle Ages, people like John Wycliffe, John Hus, and Martin Luther faced persecution and the threat of death for confessing Jesus. And in 1957 an American missionary, Jim Elliot, was killed in the Amazon as he worked to bring God’s love to the Auca tribe of Ecuador.

So, persecution is not just a thing of the past, it is all around us in the world today. How should Christians face trials that come as we follow Jesus? Scripture gives some real direction. First, remember Jesus himself. We are following one who loved us enough to die for us. Paul wrote, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) If we remember that Jesus died to save us, that helps us face our trials.

Second, we should not be surprised. Rather, we should be prepared to struggle for the privilege to share Jesus. Peter tells his readers to “rejoice to participate in the sufferings of Christ.” (1 Peter 4:13) But, first, even knowing persecution is coming, Peter calls the church to be prepared, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Third, we need to encourage one another. We need to listen to, comfort, stand by, and help those who are suffering for their faith. That is why worship and Bible classes are so important. Paul tells the Thessalonians about preparing for the end, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Finally, Jesus calls us to pray about the trials that will come our way. We pray so that we are strong enough to endure. We pray for each other. We pray so that God will deliver us, in this life and eternally. “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:36)

Speaking about persecution of Christians might seem alarmist. But, when persecution is actually happening all around the world, and to a lesser extent is occurring right here in our own midst, speaking about persecution is just dealing with reality. And, when I hear a song and read two articles on the topic of Christian persecution on the same day, it is time that we consider this very real issue.

A Child of God, Praying for all facing persecution because of faith in Jesus,

Pastor Jonathan

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Saturday, November 7, 2015

God's Call - Problem or Adventure?

Dear Fellow Children of God,

As I look out my office window and I am surrounded by a beautiful view of majestic mountains. Lazy Mountain and Beyers’ Peak bring beauty matching any painting into my office from the right or east side of my desk. Pioneer Peak, and also Twin Peaks, fill my office windows with beauty behind me, on the south side. We are truly blessed to live in such a beautiful setting!

Now, if while you were admiring the beauty of Pioneer Peak someone told you that you had to climb this mountain, how would you respond? Pioneer Peak, after all, is almost 6400 feet in elevation. The train depot in Palmer says that, only 10 miles away, downtown Palmer sits at only 242 feet above sea level. That is a steep ascent! How would you react if climbing this mountain was something you were required to do? For those of us who are older, climbing this mountain might present a challenge. For others who have trouble getting around, the task of climbing this mountain might seem an impossible problem. But, for the younger and healthier among us, climbing Pioneer Peak could simply be an opportunity for some enjoyable outdoor recreation, or an even adventure. How would you face the task before you?

Last week St. John celebrated our 80^th anniversary as a Christian congregation in Palmer. God has been good to the people of this congregation over the years, and we have worked to serve the Lord. We have sought to share the love of Jesus with our lives and our witness. But doing God’s work and being His people in the 1930’s, and 40’s, and 50’s, is different than living as children of God today. As our preacher for our anniversary celebration, Hunter Richards, said last Sunday, “The world around us no longer supports God’s church.”

So, the task before St. John, and the task before all Christian Churches, is “How do we live as God’s children, sharing God’s love, in a culture that is apathetic or even antagonistic to God’s church and His message of saving love?”

A big part of facing this calling from God is attitude. Do we, on the one hand, see sharing the love of God as a challenge, or even as a problem? Does God’s call seem too big? Does sharing Jesus today seem too dangerous or uncomfortable?

Or, on the other hand, do we see the call to share God’s love in Jesus with those around us as an opportunity to serve the one who died and rose for us? Do we perhaps even see God’s calling as an adventure in faith? Perhaps like St. George, we fight dragons, foes that are larger and stronger than we are.

After Jesus’ ministry, and his crucifixion and death and His rising, He sent His disciples into mission work. Most Christians have memorized Matthew 28:19-20, “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." This is not only an overwhelming call today. “Going and making disciples of all nations” was also overwhelming to Jesus’ followers in their day as Jesus left this world. Imagine a small band of followers being called to make disciples of the whole world! That is indeed a challenge!

But, many times when we look at Jesus’ “Great Commission” we start our consideration with the word, “go.” So, we miss the “therefore.” You see, before Jesus gave this “Great Commission” or this overwhelming calling, he first spoke a word of truth. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go . . .” The one who lived for us and died for us and rose for us, as the Son of God, has all authority and power. Because of his power and authority, and because of His love for all people, “therefore” he sends us. This authority of Jesus can change how we see His calling and sending, the opportunity to serve that lies before us. It is the all-powerful Lord of the universe who is sending us.

And, Jesus not only shares the truth of His power and authority before sending His disciples, He also makes a promise after His sending. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The Son of God who has all authority is with us as we go baptizing and teaching so that God can use us to make disciples.

St. John and many of the churches in the Mat-Su Valley have been here for 80 years, mostly in a culture that supported God’s Church. Today the world is different. So, now what? The one who sent the 12 apostles still has “all authority in heaven and on earth.” He still promises, “ . . . surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” So, we have the challenge, and the opportunity, and the adventure of living as beloved children of God and sharing His love. Yes, this can seem an overwhelming challenge, a problem even. But, the one with all power is with us. Let’s accept the adventure. Let’s go share God’s love and let Him work through us to make disciples.

A Child of God, Looking forward to the Adventure of Faith before us,

Pastor Jonathan

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P.S. Here is a link to some pictures of the mountains around us. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/ValleyMountainsAndBeauty

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.

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Saturday, October 31, 2015

A Cloud of Witnesses

Dear Fellow Children of God,

This past week our family celebrated my daughter Mary’s birthday. We ate together as a family, gave gifts, and celebrated Mary’s life. Our gathering focused on the good. The next day Mary told all her friends on Facebook about our celebration, “Seriously felt the love yesterday!” We had a good time.

But, just because we can use birthdays to celebrate the good, doesn’t mean there are no struggles. I still remember our first year in Palmer when I brought Mary home from the hospital. She was 3 ½ years old and had contracted pneumonia. Mary is healthy and productive today, but I often wonder about her illness then. The day Mary left the hospital she was not even strong enough to walk on her own. She had been really sick. I confess that I was truly scared at that time. But, today I am truly thankful that we made it through the struggle of that time to a day of celebration and joy.

This Sunday St. John Lutheran celebrates our 80^th anniversary as a congregation doing the work of God in Palmer, a birthday celebration of sorts. We have a joyful celebration planned for worship this coming Sunday morning with a special preacher and special music.

But, just because we plan a joyful celebration for Sunday does not mean there haven’t been times of struggle. Of the original families in the Matanuska Colony, only a minority continued in Alaska. Times were tough. And I have heard stories of challenge and struggle from the first pastors and members at St. John. So, today the existence of St. John is a testimony to the faithfulness of St. John members and pastors through the struggles of past decades. Faithfulness through the struggles of the past is a really good reason to celebrate.

We actually see a similar celebration pattern in Hebrews 11 and 12. God there reminds His New Testament people of examples of faith in the people of the Old Testament. We hear in chapter 11 about the faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and many others. These men showed faithfulness through times of personal struggles in faith and life. In light of these examples of faith in Hebrews 11, the first 3 verses of Hebrews 12 then call for a celebrative life of sorts. Listen to the first 3 verses of Hebrews 12.

“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. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

According to these verses, the faith of past believers is a cause for celebration in the way we live. In response to these past examples of faithfulness through the struggles, Christians are called to “throw off . . . sin”, Christians are called to “persevere”, and Christians are called to “fix our eyes on Jesus.”

And, when we fix our eyes on Jesus, we can rejoice. We can rejoice in the love and forgiveness and salvation God gives freely through His Son. But, these gifts of grace did not come without struggle. We are told of Jesus, “who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame.” Jesus “endured such opposition from sinful men,” dying and rising so we can share in Jesus’ victory over sin and death. This is God’s pattern for celebration, faithfulness through the struggles to receive the joy of His love.

So, as we celebrate the 80^th anniversary of St. John it is important to face the challenges of today. All Christian churches do face struggles. St. John faces challenges. Sharing the good news that Jesus is God’s loving and forgiving Savior for the whole world is not always met with joy in a culture that is so focused on self. Christians can be criticized as closed minded for sharing God’s loving guidance in His law. Christians can be considered unloving for sharing that Jesus is God’s way to eternal life. But, fixing our eyes on Jesus we don’t grow weary through the struggles. We see Jesus’ own suffering and death, and then we personally experience His love and forgiveness and salvation. So, we persevere in faith through the struggle.

As St. John celebrates its birthday or anniversary it is a great time to look back at the gift we have from the believers of the past. They struggled so that we can have the gift of Jesus’ love today. This is true for all Christians; we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. So we can struggle through the present to share faith in Jesus with those who come behind us. The words of Hebrews 12 are a good guide for our celebration. “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. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

A Child of God, Fixing My Eyes on Jesus,

Pastor Jonathan

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P.S. Here is a link to an article in our local newpaper, the Frontiersman, about our anniversary celebration. http://www.frontiersman.com/faith/st-john-to-celebrate-years-in-the-valley/article_2fc576e6-7f24-11e5-8190-5fe17de7473a.html

P.S. I was recently visiting someone in the ICU of our local hospital who receives this newsletter, From her hospital bed she asked why I haven’t posted fish pictures recently. Well, here is my most recent catch, from a local lake on October 19. https://picasaweb.google.com/114993745799525883148/FishingSummer2015#6211550259514137618

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Friday, October 23, 2015

Delighting in Weakness

Dear Fellow Children of God,

One of the tasks a pastor does that I truly enjoy is visiting people. I visit for many reasons, but often to bring the comfort of God’s word and prayer to those going through some kind of illness or injury.

Last spring and summer I was often visiting Megan Nystrom who was receiving treatment for cancer. One day as I visited I read a Bible verse and then Megan and I talked. She told me how the trials of cancer had helped her to see even more clearly the blessings and love of God. She said I could share this. Imagine seeing blessings from the trials of cancer! That is truly faith in action. But, that really is how God works. We often see His love in our trials.

I saw God at work again this week. I visited Paul Scott who had returned home from the hospital. Paul had a major accident on his motorcycle on Whidby Island, WA, this past August and suffered many broken bones and other injuries. Then, to make matters worse, or so it seemed at the time, when the doctors were x-raying Paul for injuries they found something on his kidney. Paul’s family has a history of kidney cancer, and that is what this “something” turned out to be. Paul had experienced no symptoms, so neither he nor his doctor knew the cancer was there. But, on October 12 Paul had the cancerous kidney removed. The surgeons confirmed the tumor had been cancer, but found that it was totally contained in the kidney. According to his doctor, Paul is now cancer free. I commented to Paul what a blessing the accident had been, that the doctors had found the cancer. Paul replied, “I’m looking at it that way. The doctor said that by the time I experienced symptoms it would have been too late to stop the cancer.” It is amazing to me each time I see God use some trial or tragedy to bring His love and blessings!

Thursday night in our Elders’ meeting we began the meeting by looking at a number of Bible verses that talk about the strength of God for our lives. One of the sections of Scripture we considered was 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. “7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

We don’t often choose to “delight in weakness.” It can be hard to rejoice at times because of suffering we experience. But, sometimes we work so diligently to take care of ourselves that we think the blessings in life come from our own hard work. By the way, let me tell you this idea is incorrect. The blessings of God for our lives are gifts of grace, freely given.

So, then when we cannot work because of illness or trial, yet we are still blessed, we are better able to see the hand of God. God’s blessings have always been there, only now we see them for what they are. That truly is reason for “delighting in weakness,” to be able to see more clearly the love of God in our lives.

Actually, God is always present in our lives working for our good. Sometimes we do take God’s grace for granted. Sometimes we have to be reminded. In Romans 8:28, Paul tells us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Really? God works for good in ALL things?

Please consider with me. Is there anything worse that could happen for the created universe than for our Creator God to die? But, Jesus, the Son of God and God Himself, died to pay for the sins of the people He created and loves. God forgives us because of Jesus’ death. And, because He died for sin and then rose, Jesus defeated sin and death and Satan, enemies over which we have no power. God offers us this victory as we trust in Jesus as our Savior from sin. You see, God used the worst possible loss, to accomplish the greatest possible victory. Yes, God really does work for good in ALL things!

So, what trial, or loss, or injury, or illness, are you facing right now? Have you seen God’s grace in your struggle? Can you with Paul, “delight in your weakness.” God is working to bring you His grace, especially through Jesus. I pray you get to see and rejoice in the loving grace of God in your life. Thank you Megan! Thank you Paul, for your faith which pointed to God’s grace.

A Child of God, Delighting in Weakness,

Pastor Jonathan

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Saturday, October 17, 2015

How Are You Growing As a Child of God?

Dear Fellow Children of God,

How are you growing as a child of God?

I ask this question, in part, because I attended a church workers conference on discipling this week. Jesus, after all, did not say, “Go make members of all nations.” He said go make disciples. A disciple is a student who follows Jesus, who grows in their Christian faith and life, and who ultimately also shares the love of Jesus with others. A person can be a church member by simply having their name on a roster. It implies no personal growth. But a disciple is someone who grows. “How are you growing as a child of God?”

I say this in part also because this week is stewardship Sunday at St. John. People can think stewardship might be about money. We wonder, “Have I grown from 2% to 3%, or from 10% to 11% in my giving?” Actually, a Christian steward is a manager of all the gifts that God has given. And God’s gifts are so much more than material resources. God gives life and breath in this world. God gives talents and abilities. God gives family and friends, and Christian family in the church. And, God gives forgiveness, and peace, and joy, and eternal life in Jesus Christ. How do we manage the gifts of God? That is not a money question , but a heart question. But the question still remains. “How are you growing as a child of God?” Are we growing in our faith and love for God, or are we drifting away?

Scripture is full of the call of God to people, not just to receive His love, but to live and grow in His love. In the parable of the sower, or planter, Jesus talks about the seed of God’s word that is planted. On some soil God’s word grows and bears fruit, but on other soil, growth does not happen. (Matthew 13). “How are you growing as a child of God?”

Jesus also tells us that He is the vine, that His Father is the gardener, and that we are the branches. Jesus expects us to grow and bear fruit. (John 15) God calls for the fruit of the Spirit in His people which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) God also looks for fruit that grows as His people share His love and grace “to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). “How are you growing as a child of God?”

After writing two letters to churches that Peter was pastoring, he ends his letters with the following verse. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18) So the question remains, “How are you growing as a child of God?”

When we meet our Lord on Judgment Day, we are not saved by what we have done, but by the saving death and victorious rising of Jesus. But, God will want to know what we did with the gift of His love. Did we bear fruit in His kingdom?

Gardening and planting can seem boring. You plant the seed, water and fertilize it, pull the weeds, and harvest the produce. If the weather is good and the moose are far away, a person can have food to eat for a winter. Likewise, there are certain, maybe even boring, things we can do to grow and produce fruit in God’s kingdom in our lives, and in our congregations.

We plant the seed of God’s Word. Regular worship is vital. Daily time in God’s word is strengthening. This may seem like an old fashioned way of living, but the word cannot grow if it has not been planted.

We water and fertilize the seed. The gifts of God’s sacraments are food and strength to a person of faith. Time with the Lord in prayer is vital to growth. When we face the trials of life with a prayer on our lips, and then see the answers of God, we grow.

We pull the weeds and harvest. This is done when we spend time with God’s people in God’s church. In worship we “teach and admonish.” We encourage one another through hard times and correct one another in love in times of drifting. And, as the family of God, we welcome new members into God’s family, praying they too will grow as disciples.

So, how do you answer the question, “How are you growing as a child of God?” I pray the love of God is taking root in your heart and bearing fruit in your life as a child and disciple of God.

A Child of God, Seeking to Grow in His Love,

Pastor Jonathan

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