John 3:17 Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Today is Holy Cross Day, not a liturgical observance widely observed by Lutherans. But it provides a moment in this setting to sit back and contemplate the cross and what it means for you and I, and for the world.
I've often said that, while John 3:16 gets all the press, I believe that John 3:17 is the much more important verse. This tells us what the cross is all about - this tells us what Jesus is all about - this tells us what Christianity is all about. God sent Jesus into this world (and to the cross) in order that the world might be saved through him. The cross means the entire world is saved. The cross means that is no more condemnation. Death and condemnation have no more power. Jesus has defeated these things. Thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Worship with us Sunday morning at 8:30 or 11. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for our monthly newsletter and full calendar.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
ASLC Devotions - Thursday
Hebrews 11:20 By faith Isaac invoked blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau.
Isaac was a good father. He wasn't a perfect father - there aren't many of those around. But he was a good father. And as a good father, he wanted to bless his two sons, Jacob and Esau. When the time of his death was approaching, he wanted to be sure that his sons would be protected, would follow in the way of faith, and would walk through life blessed. So he blessed them.
The writer of Hebrews puts this in an interesting context: while reciting the faithfulness of many of the ancestors of the faith from the Hebrew Bible, he says "BY FAITH Isaac invoked blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau." Invoking a blessing for the future is inherently a faithful act. It involves having faith that there will be a future, that your children will have a future, and that the God whom you have served will continue to be faithful with them.
What does this mean? Say a prayer for future generations. Pray for God's blessings on your own children and grandchildren, on the young people of All Saints, on all the children you know. Have faith that God will bless them as God has blessed you.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for worship this Sunday at 8:30 and 11. Visit http;//www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar.
Isaac was a good father. He wasn't a perfect father - there aren't many of those around. But he was a good father. And as a good father, he wanted to bless his two sons, Jacob and Esau. When the time of his death was approaching, he wanted to be sure that his sons would be protected, would follow in the way of faith, and would walk through life blessed. So he blessed them.
The writer of Hebrews puts this in an interesting context: while reciting the faithfulness of many of the ancestors of the faith from the Hebrew Bible, he says "BY FAITH Isaac invoked blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau." Invoking a blessing for the future is inherently a faithful act. It involves having faith that there will be a future, that your children will have a future, and that the God whom you have served will continue to be faithful with them.
What does this mean? Say a prayer for future generations. Pray for God's blessings on your own children and grandchildren, on the young people of All Saints, on all the children you know. Have faith that God will bless them as God has blessed you.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for worship this Sunday at 8:30 and 11. Visit http;//www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
ASLC Devotions - Wednesday
Matthew 17:20 Jesus said, ' Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there”, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’
We often read this oft-quoted remark of Jesus as an indictment of our faithlessness. I don't know about you, but I've not been able to move a mountain any time recently. Does that mean I don't have enough faith?
If we think about it just a bit differently though, I think it's a statement about the great faithfulness of Christian people throughout the centuries. Think about it - the message of the Gospel - that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection mean life for us - has been spread throughout the world by humble and faithful missionaries. Hospitals and schools have been built out of churches and their commitment to healing and teaching in Jesus' name. Out of his experience as a pastor, Martin Luther King, Jr. changed a nation and the world. These are just a few examples. You could name many more. But look at the faithfulness. Look at the mountains that have been moved. You are a part of this mountain-moving, faith-filled movement we call the church. Thanks be to God for you and for your faithfulness.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Worship tonight at 7 pm. Holden Evening Prayer is a nice and contemplative worship opportunity. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar of events.
We often read this oft-quoted remark of Jesus as an indictment of our faithlessness. I don't know about you, but I've not been able to move a mountain any time recently. Does that mean I don't have enough faith?
If we think about it just a bit differently though, I think it's a statement about the great faithfulness of Christian people throughout the centuries. Think about it - the message of the Gospel - that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection mean life for us - has been spread throughout the world by humble and faithful missionaries. Hospitals and schools have been built out of churches and their commitment to healing and teaching in Jesus' name. Out of his experience as a pastor, Martin Luther King, Jr. changed a nation and the world. These are just a few examples. You could name many more. But look at the faithfulness. Look at the mountains that have been moved. You are a part of this mountain-moving, faith-filled movement we call the church. Thanks be to God for you and for your faithfulness.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Worship tonight at 7 pm. Holden Evening Prayer is a nice and contemplative worship opportunity. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar of events.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
ASLC Devotions - Tuesday
Joshua 8:1 Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed; take all the fighting men with you, and go up now to Ai. See, I have handed over to you the king of Ai with his people, his city, and his land.
I am a pacifist. I believe that, as a follower of the Prince of Peace, war is never the answer. I believe in very vigilant non-violent resistance to evil but attempt to resist violence at all costs. That's my belief - it may not be yours. But as a pacifist, I have to say that reading the book of Joshua is very challenging. Most of the book of Joshua is the story of Joshua leading the people to conquer the Promised Land - God handing over city after city and kingdom after kingdom. It reads like (and frankly, is) a military history of this time period.
So when we read Scripture that challenges a core principle like this, what do we take from it? For me - I take two equally important messages from the book of Joshua. The first is humility - my pacifist position might be wrong. Based solely on the book of Joshua - it looks like it. In the verse above, Joshua gets a message from God that God has handed over Ai. It's important to remember in all of life that we may not be right. Also though, Joshua reminds me that God keeps God's promises and God provides for God's people. God had promised these people a home, and God provided. It's not presented in a way I like, but God didn't ask my opinion. Thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Worship with us for Holden Evening Prayer tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 7 pm. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar
I am a pacifist. I believe that, as a follower of the Prince of Peace, war is never the answer. I believe in very vigilant non-violent resistance to evil but attempt to resist violence at all costs. That's my belief - it may not be yours. But as a pacifist, I have to say that reading the book of Joshua is very challenging. Most of the book of Joshua is the story of Joshua leading the people to conquer the Promised Land - God handing over city after city and kingdom after kingdom. It reads like (and frankly, is) a military history of this time period.
So when we read Scripture that challenges a core principle like this, what do we take from it? For me - I take two equally important messages from the book of Joshua. The first is humility - my pacifist position might be wrong. Based solely on the book of Joshua - it looks like it. In the verse above, Joshua gets a message from God that God has handed over Ai. It's important to remember in all of life that we may not be right. Also though, Joshua reminds me that God keeps God's promises and God provides for God's people. God had promised these people a home, and God provided. It's not presented in a way I like, but God didn't ask my opinion. Thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Worship with us for Holden Evening Prayer tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 7 pm. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for a full calendar
Monday, September 10, 2012
ASLC Devotions - Monday
Joshua 6:2-4 The Lord said to Joshua, ‘See, I have handed Jericho over to you, along with its king and soldiers. You shall march around the city, all the warriors circling the city once. Thus you shall do for six days, with seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, the priests blowing the trumpets.
Joshua led the people in their conquest of the land God had promised to them and led them toward from Egypt. When they came to Jericho, they got scared because it was a strong and walled city with very strong defenses. God gave Joshua these seemingly strange instructions. March around the city with seven priests carrying seven trumpets... do this, and then on the seventh day, do it seven times. Lots of sevens. Why so many sevens?
I don't think the seven is so important because of any particular power in the number - it's not an issue of superstition or numerology or numerical symbolism. No - seven is important because of what it reminded the ancient Israelites of. If you think biblically about the number seven, what do you think of? Seven days of creation - God created everything and then rested on the seventh day. The sevens are there to remind the Israelites that everything - Jericho, their own army, their priests, everything - belongs to God. Seven is a symbol of God's ownership and control of all of creation.
So I hope today you have a seven kind of day. I hope you pray seven times, eat seven times, walk around the block seven times - whatever it takes. But remember - everything is in God's hands.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for Holden Evening Prayer - a quiet and contemplative worship experience, on Wednesday at 7 pm. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for more information.
Joshua led the people in their conquest of the land God had promised to them and led them toward from Egypt. When they came to Jericho, they got scared because it was a strong and walled city with very strong defenses. God gave Joshua these seemingly strange instructions. March around the city with seven priests carrying seven trumpets... do this, and then on the seventh day, do it seven times. Lots of sevens. Why so many sevens?
I don't think the seven is so important because of any particular power in the number - it's not an issue of superstition or numerology or numerical symbolism. No - seven is important because of what it reminded the ancient Israelites of. If you think biblically about the number seven, what do you think of? Seven days of creation - God created everything and then rested on the seventh day. The sevens are there to remind the Israelites that everything - Jericho, their own army, their priests, everything - belongs to God. Seven is a symbol of God's ownership and control of all of creation.
So I hope today you have a seven kind of day. I hope you pray seven times, eat seven times, walk around the block seven times - whatever it takes. But remember - everything is in God's hands.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Join us for Holden Evening Prayer - a quiet and contemplative worship experience, on Wednesday at 7 pm. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for more information.
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