The Foreknowledge Debate: Where do you fall?

Abstract

Does God have foreknowledge of all that is to come or is the future open for events to occur that God does not have knowledge of how they will end? This question opens up a discussion of two views on the foreknowledge of God. What does God know? Are our futures open or have they already been settled?
This reflection paper will cover the two views of the debate over God’s foreknowledge of the future. The two views which will be discussed are the classical view and the open view. Within the classical view there are two trains of thought, the Calvinist and the Arminian perspectives, each with a similar but different take on the classical view. Of course the views as they relate to the Calvinist and the Arminian perspectives fall in line with the doctrinal differences of the two as it relates to predestination and free will. The open view is more singularly focused and does not require additional explanation at this time.
Within the context of the argument both sides argue that Scripture is on their side and of course each side highlights Scriptural references to aid them in their arguments of their views as it relates to the topic of the foreknowledge of God. The classical view perspective says “Christians hold that humans are responsible for their actions but deny that the future is entirely up to humans to settle” (p. 38).
The open view side of the foreknowledge debate, as noted above, also cites scripture for the sake of their argument and theological perspective and note “that God sometimes predestines and/or predicts aspects of the future” but that “the future is partly settled, either by God’s will or as a consequences of present circumstances” (p. 43)
Both sides agree that God is “omniscient (all knowing)” though the open view disagrees with the classical view over what there is for God to know (p. 38 & 43). I will discuss in greater detail the two views and my own personal thoughts and beliefs as to the theology I most prescribe to.

Highlight

In the reading of The Foreknowledge debate, I came across a statement made by the author which summed up for me my belief as it relates to this debate. “God knows what I shall freely do, but this does not mean that he determines what I do” (p. 43). Of course as a Methodist (Arminian), I must “insist that exhaustive divine foreknowledge is compatible with self-determination” (p. 43). An example of how God can take a decision, with malice intent, and turn it around for good or into his will is the story of Joseph (Gen. 37-47). Joseph's brothers hated him and threw him into a pit. Then they sold him as a slave, and he was taken to a foreign country. People lied about him, and as a result, he was thrown into prison. In the end, we know how God took this decision and made it work out to fulfill his will.
I can understand aspects of the open view perspective and from one point see that what they are saying could in some ways be construed as an Arminian classical view perspective on some levels, but know that there are divergent issues which make that comparison somewhat challenging. One example of this is where the author points out that “the open view allows us to affirm the scriptural teaching that prayer can change God’s mind and affect what happens in the world” (p. 47) Is that to say the classical view does not believe in the power of prayer? No! I do see where this allows for free will, for one to make a conscience decision to ask God for intervention or insight into a particular situation. Prayer is one relational aspect of our relationship with God and our way of communication with him, however; through prayer God is still ultimately in control. I find comfort in knowing that “God knows not only what will happen, but what would have happened under different circumstances” (p.38).
I do not believe, from either perspective, that we cannot box God into a particular category. The open view theology has points of interest which merit dialogue, but given the context of the entire debate I must side with the classical view Arminian perspective as it relates to the theology debate of God’s foreknowledge.

Effect

In the reading of this brief essay, the concepts of the classical view and open view have become clearer to me and allowed me to understand that within the circle of Christian theology that there will continue to be debates, but we must be open to discussion of the debates and be willing to attempt to see others viewpoints even though we may disagree with them.
As I consider how the reading of this essay will affect my ministry, I am forced to think of the world around me and the secular world which on its face appears to be spiritual in many ways these days, but they have an attitude of anything goes and that one should believe what they want to believe. That concept in and of itself to me is very idol focused. Our world is similar in aspects to the time spoke of in Jeremiah 10: 1-10. Our world is full of idols and people believe that they “have the sole power and sole responsibility to determine the future for themselves and for life” (p. 38). Whereas, Christians hold that humans are responsible for their actions but deny that the future is entirely up humans to settle.” (p. 38).
It will be an uphill battle, but going fourth in my ministry I feel called and obligated to reach out to those that are lost, those that are making idols of money, and career and addictive substances or other substitutes for God. By informing people that God is in control and “that God knows all that shall come to pass, including the decision of free agents” I think is powerful (p. 39). Open view theists object to this view, but who are we to limit the power of what God knows of all time both past and future. Knowing that God has the foreknowledge of all to come and knowing that he will ultimately win the battle against evil and that through my faith and belief is Jesus Christ brings comfort to me and I want to share that with others who may not have that comfort in their life.
In the end, I agree with the classical view and from that perspective I strongly believe that “any view that denies God the ability to know the whole of the future is misguided” (p. 39). I as well as the people that I will minister to will find comfort in that I believe.

References

Boyd, Gregory A. & Eddy, Paul R. (2002). Across the Spectrum: Understanding Issues in Evangelical Theology. Grand rapids Michigan: Baker Academic.

Would Christ be Welcomed in Your Chruch?

The following is a sermon preached at Old Chapel United Methodist Chruch today, September 6, 2009.

The scripture for this sermon was James 2:1-13. A scripture of reference to note in addition to the primary scripture is Romans 16:16 " In Christ divisions are insignificant"
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James 2:1-13

In the scripture of James 2:1-13, we have a letter written by James brother of Jesus. This letter was written in the mid 60’s C.E. This letter was not written to one particular church, but written to numerous churches in the Diaspora. In this scripture lesson the partiality, or discrimination, being addressed is most likely in a synagogue setting. It may not have necessarily been a worship service, but a meeting where decisions regarding the church were taking place amongst it members. We are able to break the scripture lesson into two segments. The first being vs. 1-7 which is focused on not showing any partiality in church and the second vs. 8-13 which notes that showing partiality is against God’s law.
In the First Century A.D., people were either rich or poor, slaves or free, Jew or Gentile, Greek or barbarian. We can see in Ga 3:28 that we are all one in Christ & Col 3:11 which says that Christ is all and in all. In modern day America we still place people into groups or classifications as we attempt to describe people and place them into categories. I believe it is human nature to do this as our brains work to somehow organize what we see. However, God calls us to aspire to have a nature of that of Christ. Whether rich or poor, both groups fall within God’s people and we do not glorify one that is God’s people, for the sake of the other or because of one’s status in culture. Being rich or poor has no impact in God’s eyes, it all about one’s heart.
In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby church and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. When he entered the sanctuary, however, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go worship with his own people. Gandhi left the church and never returned. “If Christians have caste differences also,” he said, “I might as well remain a Hindu.” That usher’s prejudice not only betrayed Jesus but also turned a person away from trusting Him as Savior.
In modern day America, this very example that Mahatma Gandhi experienced is repeated in some churches across this great nation of ours. One Sunday morning, when I was about 6 or 7 years old, the church service was just getting started. My memory of this event is somewhat hazy, but I always have remembered it. As the service was starting a young black couple walked into the church. One could have heard a pin drop and the piercing glares shot right through them in this rural southwestern Virginia all white church as they slid into the back row. This memory has always stayed with me. We must remember that Christ died for all people, black and white, rich and poor as we are all one because “the blood of Christ makes us one” and as Christians we must challenge ourselves and our fellow Christians that “now is the time for his church to come together.”
We have to be cognizant of our tendencies to judge people on their outward appearances. This tendency is inconsistent with our faith. Take the Movie Shallow Hal for example. This movie obviously does not discuss the issue of rich and poor in the church or even racial issues, but it does address our own prejudices to judge people based on appearance.
As we delve into the scripture vs. 1-7 two very important questions come to mind.
1. Have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
2. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?

To prefer the rich and discriminate against the poor is to align oneself with the secular world and to become worldly in the worst sort of way. If a poor man is a good man and the rich man is an evil man then why would we judge them on their outer appearance, for that matter until you get to know the person then how can you judge them if you do not know them. God does not judge us because of what we outwardly do, but what he sees in our heart that we really are. It’s like Shallow Hal, who when under Tony Robbin’s spell, he saw Rosemary’s heart and her inner person, who she was in God’s eyes. We must appreciate people for who they are and not what they have or how they look. We should look at people as God see them and that is through their heart.
The 2nd part of the scripture for today is vs. 8-13. I like the way it reads in The Message,

8-11You do well when you complete the Royal Rule of the Scriptures: "Love others as you love yourself." But if you play up to these so-called important people, you go against the Rule and stand convicted by it. You can't pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God's law and ignoring others. The same God who said, "Don't commit adultery," also said, "Don't murder." If you don't commit adultery but go ahead and murder, do you think your non-adultery will cancel out your murder? No, you're a murderer, period.
12-13Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time.
From vs. 8-13, there are two main phrases I want to discuss. The first is "Love others as you love yourself." And the second is kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time. Both of these statements tie into what I think the main point is for this entire scripture, which is to welcome all into this “House of Prayer.” Rich or poor, black or white welcome all. As we read in Matthew 25:43 Jesus said “I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” I believe this scripture speaks to the lesson today and that is as Christians, we must welcome strangers, we must love others as we love ourselves and grant mercy and grace to others as God grants grace and mercy to us. A stranger, rich or poor must be welcomed by us who call ourselves Christians, followers of Christ.
I close today with two questions for you to ponder: Are you a Christian? For real Christians are known by their love. And if you are, would Christ be welcomed here today?

Unlock the Door and Answer God's Call

Ephesians 4: 1-6

Has someone ever begged you for something? Can you recall that scene in your head when that person was begging in front of you? Usually if someone is begging they are sincere, they have a purpose in mind, and they are earnest and insistent especially in what they are asking for.

Back in the spring, I was taking my oldest daughter to a softball, clinic prior to the season starting. She had never played an organized sport before. We tried upward basketball when she was in kindergarten but it didn’t go well. I digress, we pulled into the parking lot at the softball field and she said she was not going to do it. She even locked the doors of the car. I got out going around to her door in an attempt to assist her out of the car. She locked the door and held her finger on the lock so I could not open the door. I was begging her to get out. I knew she would have fun if she would just make that first step onto the field. She was unwilling to take that step. She was scared and anxious. She did not know what to expect.

In the opening of Ephesians 4: 1 Paul is begging us to live a life “worthy of the calling to which we have been called.” You may say God has not called me, but yes, he has. We have all been called by God to do something as he guides our life. It is up to us to listen to him. He has given each of us fruits and gifts for us to use. “God is like a good gardener, who selects the seeds (our life call) that will blossom in the pristine sunlight of spring (our vocation, ministry, and profession). In our calling God, wants us to live a life “worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”[1]

The story I told you earlier could be analogous to God’s calling on our lives’s. Are you willing to unlock the door and answer God’s call?

John Wesley wrote about this and he referred to this, our life call, as Holiness. Holiness is total dedication to the Lord from all that pollutes, defiles, or draws people away from God. God is love, all encompassing love. This is the character of God, and therefore as John Wesley emphasized it must be the character of Gods people. We are called to live a life of personal and social holiness.

Through love we are united as one in Christ. Unity is the hallmark of the church and all its creation. It is to be maintained by love expressing itself in
lowliness,
meekness,
patience
forbearing.



As Methodist, we read in the Apostles Creed “I believe in the holy catholic church”
(that means universal church not Roman Catholic). When we say this, we are confessing that we believe in one Church of God, not the one true Methodist Church. We want to be conformed to Christ in “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Like John Wesley, “we are eclectic, willing to learn from a wide array of fellow Christians and their traditions.” [2]

In order for us to be truly “United” we have to embrace the fullness of Christian teaching and embrace the concept of inclusivity and ecumenical acceptance. To be ecumenical does not mean we will sacrifice our doctrine or compromise our beliefs, but we focus on the similarities we have with others and love them. To be Methodist, as John Wesley stated, is to be one who has ‘the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given unto him;’ one who ‘loves the Lord his God with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind and with all his strength.”

Through love, we can unite, as a church, as a community, as a nation and throughout the world. The scripture today is teaching us that we must put our love into practice in order to maintain Christian unity. We as a church are just like a normal family. We have those people that we love to be around and we have those people who get on our last nerve, but we are called to love, to be “worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”

Aristides, a second-century apologist for the Christian faith, wrote this to the Roman emperor Hadrian about believers in his day:“They love one another. They never fail to help widows; they save orphans from those who would hurt them. If they have something, they give freely to the man who has nothing; if they see a stranger, they take him home, and are happy, as though he were a real brother. They don’t consider themselves brothers in the usual sense, but brothers instead through the Spirit, in God.”As human beings, we all belong to the same family. Even though we are divided by all sorts of barriers and differences, “under the skin” we’re all the same.As believers in Jesus Christ, then, whatever our differences—denominations, preferences, worship styles—we are one spiritual body that acknowledges the same heavenly Father. Let’s do all we can to demonstrate our unity in Christ. Unity in our diversity is the most effective witness to this sin-fractured world. —Vernon C Grounds

I found a poem I want to share with you this morning as it relates to this subject of unity.
Join hands, then, brothers of the faith,Whatever your race may be;Who serves my Father as a sonIs surely kin to me. —OxenhamUnity among Christians comes from their union with Christ.[3]


Earlier I mentioned that we maintain unity in the church through lowliness, meekness, patience and forbearing. I want to walk through each of these concepts with you and explain a little more about what each mean and a context for your life.

Lowliness: We should not be prideful we should not to think of ourselves more highly than we are. We are sons of Adam and have suffered from the results of the fall. We have to be humble and know that our only saving grace is that of God’s grace for our lives and the sacrifice Christ made for us that our sins are washed away. The Crimson Blood of Christ has made us white as snow.

Meekness: In meekness we, with God’s help, must control our anger. As Christian’s we are called to live a peculiar life. When in the workplace or other public areas, we are held to a higher standard. Non believers love to see one of us fall! When we as Christians err in judgment it can sometimes become headline news. We must remember that we are to be “worthy of the calling to which we have been called.”

Patience: When I think of patience I think of my wedding vows, Love is patient, love is kind. I have had to learn patience with my wife over the years, but probably not as much as she has had to learn to deal with me. Just as in a family or in a marriage we are called to be patient with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Forbearing: Bearing with one another in love to me implies being empathetic with our brothers and sisters in Christ as they are carrying their cross. We have to be supportive of our fellow Christians as we support each other. I would say it is analogous to a football team. Each person has a specific role within the church, just as on a football team each player has a different role to fill. Each contributes to the overall success of the church or the team.

John Wesley was quoted as saying "Ye are the light of the world!" Ye are "a city set upon a hill," and "cannot be hid." O "let your light shine before men!" Show them your faith by your works. Let them see, by the whole tenor of your conversation, that your hope is all laid up above! Let all your words and actions evidence the spirit whereby you are animated! Above all things let your love abound. Let it extend to every child of man: Let it overflow to every child of God. By this let all men know whose disciples ye are, because you "love one another."

In his book Great Church Fights, Leslie B. Flynn tells how two porcupines in the freezing north country of Canada huddled together to keep warm. But because they were pricked by each other’s quills, they moved apart. Soon they were shivering again and had to lie side by side once more for their own survival. They needed each other, even though they needled each other!

“How like Christians! Through the centuries the church, instead of majoring in communion, has often muddled in contention. Despite the halo of spirituality imagined over the apostolic church, the dust clouds of sharp collisions were equally visible. There was Paul’s dispute with Barnabas, the clashes of the cliques at Corinth, the contention of the women at Philippi, and several other controversies.” Flynn goes on to show that even though there may be conflicts among Christians, they should not overshadow the greater spiritual warmth received from gathering with the family of God. Because of Jesus’ redemptive work, the Holy Spirit binds us together and gives us the help and strength we need.” [4]

Christ suffered and died for you so that you could be reconciled to God. In Christ, I beg you today; live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Unlock the door and answer God’s call!

[1] Guinness, Os. The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2003.

[2] United Methodist Beliefs: A Brief Introduction William Willimon p.49
[3] http://www.preceptaustin.org/ephesians_sermon_illustrations_4.htm
[4] http://bible.org/illustration/ephesians-41

United Through Christ

Ephesians 2: 11-22

Have you ever had someone do something for you that changed your life forever? Well, I want to tell you a story about how my wife and I met. My sister and I am sure God had something to do with it as well, knew that if she did not intervene I would probably never get married. I was a police officer at that time in my life, so I was focused on my career and dating was the last thing on my mind. After some prodding and encouragement I gave in. So I was set up on a blind date and 15 years later here I stand today!

Now you may be wondering, what is the purpose of this story? Often times in life and in our relationships we need help. Sometimes it is to bring two people together who have never met, like my wife and I, or some times to bring people back together who may have had some differences or a broken relationship. Either way we often have someone who is working on our behalf. I think most of us probably have friends or family members who fit this bill. I am thinking of someone in particular whose name is Jesus Christ.

In Jesus Christ we have someone, the Messiah who died for each one of us. To fully understand the context of this sacrifice, just imagine before Christ, Gentiles, that is you and me, did not know the God of Israel. Had God not sent Christ to us, we would not be sitting here today! We would be hopeless. But, because he did send Christ we are reconciled to God as well as to the Jews of Israel and therefore to one another.

I have 3 primary points I want to make with you this morning.
1. We are all one in Christ Jesus
2. We have peace in Christ
3. Christ is our foundation

So, as we read in Ephesians 2: 11-12

11 So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth,* called ‘the uncircumcision’ by those who are called ‘the circumcision’—a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— 12remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Paul spent a great deal of time and energy persuading the Ephesians that Gentile believers were spiritually equal to their circumcised Jewish counterparts. His repeated conversations on this subject to reveal problems in the early church that continue to plague present-day would-be worshipers. Namely existing church members making newcomers feel like a stranger in a new sitting, or unwelcome in this environment. We must welcome folks in the Church as new parents welcome an adopted child into their home.

In the context of this scripture vs. 11-12, Christ did not come so that we could be separate from our Jewish brothers and sisters. He came to unite all! Jew and Gentile. For one day Christ will come to unite his church. In Hosea 3:5 Afterwards the Israelites shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; they shall come in awe to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days. This verse references God’s desire to reunite the divided people of God, Jew and Gentile!

I had the pleasure this year of attending a Passover meal the night before Easter. This Passover meal is referred to as a Sedar meal (which is a Jewish ritual feast held at the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover to describe the Exodus from Egypt) EXODUS CHAPTER 12/13. Each of you should have received handout this morning with your bulletin that goes into more detail about the Sedar. If you ever get the opportunity to do this, please do it! You will be glad you did. Just a little helpful hint though, do not do like did. I like horseradish, but a teaspoonful on Matza bread is a tad too much!

Seriously though, God is doing amazing things in the Messianic Jewish congregations and Jews are coming to know Christ in all places. I feel we as Christian’s have a duty to pray for our Jewish brothers and sisters for we must remember that we were at one time without Christ, but praise God we do have hope with God in the world through the power of Jesus Christ.

You may be setting there wondering why this is important. Before his death, Christ participated in a Sedar; one could refer to it as “The Last Sedar”. Everything that Christ did for us has deep symbolism rooted in the Old Testament. It is imperative that to understand the life of the messiah and why He came to die on our behalf we must understand the Passover in the context of the Old Testament.

In order to fully understand who we are as Christians we must understand the whole story of the bible and in a Jewish context, for if you didn’t know. Jesus was a Jew! Jesus did not have the New Testament. His Bible and his scriptures came from the Torah! This story is about God’s family, both Jew and Gentile, and we are called to be one for Christ himself, for we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

John Wesley was quoted as saying “I want the whole Christ for my Savior, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my fellowship and the whole world for my mission field.”

As we read on in Ephesians 2: 13-18

13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.15He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, so that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16and might reconcile both groups to God in one body* through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.

In vs. 13-18, Paul is pointing out two very important concepts. These two concepts may seem contradictory or be seen as contrasting concepts. The first is Peace and the other reconciliation.

1. Christ is our peace who has made us both Jew and Gentile one in the Church. Peace is a very important word in this context especially in the fact it is used 4 times.

John Wesley’s commented on the subject of peace and said “For he is our peace - Not only as he purchased it, but as he is the very bond and centre of union. He who hath made both - Jews and gentiles, one church.”

The Second important concept Paul makes is:

2. Reconciliation- Occurs through the cross
a. Reconciliation with God
b. Reconciliation of the Church
c. Reconciliation of one to another or the unity of mankind. Vs 18 notes one Spirit to the Father


If you do not know this, it is important to know. Listen! Christ did not come to create Christianity. He came to reconcile both Jew and Gentile into one faith. Early Christians were known as “The Way” Christ Disciples were “Followers of The Way” They met in Synagogues early on and were a sect of Judaism, but eventually a struggle for power came into play and the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus, at least the majority of them and you know the rest of the story!

Why is this important? How does knowing Jesus was a Jew or the fact he did not come to create Christianity relate to our lives? Being a Christian also requires much. It is not easy, but it is worth the eternal reward.

As St. Clement of Alexandria said, “For the sake of each of us he laid down his life--worth no less than the universe. He demands of us in return our lives for the sake of each other.”

Just as God reconciled all through Christ you can through prayer and the Holy Spirit’s guidance reconcile your differences with that family member or friend and mend that broken relationship. Christ demands of us in return our lives for the sake of each other.

Just as the Blood of the cross reconciled mankind, Jew and Gentile, to God, don’t allow your own personal broken relationships go un- reconciled. Come to the cross. Lay your burden down and ask Christ for guidance so that you can reconcile those broken relationships in your life, just as Christ did for our relationship with God!


The last part of today’s Scripture is Ephesians 2: 17-22

19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.21In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God.

In this last part, we learn Christ came to bring us peace to our world in the merging of Jew and Gentile into one family! In this house of God none of us are strangers for we are one in the spirit and Jesus Christ is the rock of our foundation!

The story of Ephesians which we have just experienced is that the mission of Christ is to tear down walls of division in every place where worshipers gather in God's name. We want to welcome all who come to hear the word. Reach out to those you do not know, welcome strangers with open arms so that we can as the body of Christ, bring them into the family of God. For we are all reconciled in oneness with Christ!

We are not reconciled with one another simply because we decided to "bury the hatchet" and move past our differences. We are reconciled because of something that God has done within each of us. No matter who we were before, we are made members of the household of God only by his saving grace.
Christ is our peace and we have access to God in one Spirit through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savoir. It does not matter who we were before, we become one new community unified through the cross. There are no aliens and strangers here we are a community of worshippers here in this Church of God!

I close with a story, Arthur Burns, the chairman of the US Federal Reserve System and Ambassador to West Germany, was a man of considerable gravity. Medium in height, distinguished, with wavy silver hair and his signature pipe, he was economic counselor to numerous presidents from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Ronald Reagan. When he spoke, his opinion carried weight and Washington listened.

Arthur Burns was also Jewish, so when he began attending an informal White House group for prayer and fellowship in the 70’s he was accorded special respect. No one in fact quite knew how to involve him in the group and week after week when different people took turns to end the meeting in prayer, Burns was always passed by out of a mixture of respect and reticence.
One week, however, the group was led by a newcomer who did not know the unusual status Burns occupied. As the meeting ended, the newcomer turned to Burns and asked him to close the time with a prayer. Some of the old timers glanced at each other in surprise and wondered what would happen. But without missing a beat, Burns reached out, held hands with the others in the circle, and prayed this prayer: “Lord, I pray that you would bring Jews to know Jesus Christ. I pray you would bring Muslims to know Jesus Christ. Finally, Lord, I pray that you would bring Christians to know Jesus Christ.

Most of us here today are Christians. I leave you with this thought. Don’t be just a Christian, be a follower of Jesus Christ!

Chruch of the Reconciler Sermon for June 7

Below you will find my very first sermon which I will be preaching at the Church of the Reconciler this coming Sunday.

The Sermon is inspired by the word of God found in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ 25In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
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Why are you here today? What is God’s purpose for you being here at the Church of the Reconciler? Are you seeking spiritual nourishment or physical nourishment?
We have many people in this room today that are hungry! You may have had something to eat this morning or you may not have. You may have been given a sandwich or a bag lunch as your breakfast. I have seen some of you eat your meal and you are not satisfied, and want more. That is truly understandable knowing that you may or may not know where your next meal is coming from.

I am going to talk to you about a meal, a meal which came out of the Jewish tradition of Passover. You all know the meal I am referring to. This meal is well known across many nations and many people. This meal knows no boundaries and its power does not waiver, nor fail; whether you are poor or rich, black or white, or red or yellow. This meal brings all people to their knees ands calls upon us to recognize our Savoir in the context of this meal.

Many people would argue that this meal is just a remembrance. I think otherwise! Let me tell you a story. There was a young boy in a small Alabama town. He wondered about this meal that came around once every month. This boy one day was so curious he just had to know more. He went to his grandmother and asked her, “Grandma” I was curios, why do we have this meal with bread and wine once a month at church. What is it for? I hear the preacher read about it from the Hymnal and everybody comes up front and eats the bread and drinks the wine, but what is it. Why do we do it? The grandmother replies, “Son it’s just like the table says, it’s a remembrance”

Before we move forward, we must understand the term remembrance in the context of Jewish thought. Remember, Jesus was a Jew, so in a Jewish context and to a Jew remembrance is to acknowledge a vital presence of the past in the present. So this meal, a meal which was a Passover meal, a Covenant meal, and a Gospel meal is to be a meal of a real presence with Christ.

This meal I am referring to has many different names, most of us refer to it as Communion. The Eucharist is another term used for this meal, which is a Greek word for thanksgiving; it reminds us that the sacrament is a thanksgiving to God for the gifts of creation and salvation. We also refer to it as the Holy Mystery or Holy Sacrament as the word Mystery is derived from the Greek word in the New Testament mysterion. This Holy Mystery is one of the two Sacraments of the Church of which are Baptism and this Holy Mystery, (Communion).


The sacraments were instituted by Christ and given to the church. It, as I mentioned before is a gospel meal, and we should realize that it is to be done in order to proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again. But the power is not in his death, the power is in the risen Christ! For we worship a risen Lord! A Lord of power! A Lord of Mercy and of grace! And he is coming again and he will come in a like manner as he departed in the clouds! As in Revelation 1:7 “7Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.So it is to be. Amen.”

Jesus Christ is himself the ultimate manifestation of a sacrament. In the coming of Jesus of Nazareth, God’s nature and purpose were revealed and active through a human body. The key word there is active. Active has many different meanings causing change; communicating action or motion; acting; opposed to passive. Communion is active, not passive. In communion, we have the risen Christ, over it; he is with us and brings us his gift of eternal life through his own sacrifice. In Communion, Christ satisfies our hunger and meets our spiritual needs and desires!

The Church is having a reawakening of the power of Communion and its grace and spiritual power. Through Communion Christ comes to us in mercy and in healing. Through communion we demonstrate an outward sign of an inward grace. When you come to the table, this table of remembrance, it is more than a remembrance. It is your opportunity to experience Jesus Christ! He gave of his body and poured out his blood for you and I so that we may not perish in our sins, but have everlasting life!

My most memorable experience in communion was an Ash Wednesday Service in the spring of 2004 at Cave Spring UMC. During this service we took communion using intinction which is the dipping of one’s bread into the wine, just like we do here at the Church of the reconciler. With this in mind, I want to draw a word picture of the communion experience I had on that Ash Wednesday Service and why it was so powerful an experience for me. In this church we would walk forward to receive the sacraments just as Jesus went forth with the cross, just as Christ offered his body on the cross first, so are we given the bread to remember his body first. Then, as he was pierced and the blood poured forth, for the forgiveness of our sins, we take the bread and combine it with the wine just as Christ’ body was saturated with his own blood we saturate our bread and fulfill the commandment “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” How powerful is that?

Now let’s move forward to the actual crucifixion. As Christ, hanging on the cross, took on the sin of this world he cried out “My god, my God why have you forsaken me.” At this very moment, literally the sin of the world fell upon this man and like we do, in our own pain, cried out to God! Christ did not suffer on the cross just so we could remember him? He experienced excruciating pain and suffering on the cross so that we could be redeemed. He took on more pain and suffering than any of us here today ever has encountered no matter our personal situations or tragedies in our life they do not come close to the sacrifice he made for us. Let me repeat this, he took on the sin of the world for you, for me, for us! Jesus Christ did not suffer on a cross, die and come back from the dead so that we can just remember him. Do you recall the earlier part of the sermon where I mentioned that remembrance in a Jewish context is to acknowledge a vital presence of the past in the present? Christ wants us to be able to experience him at the table. He is alive! He is risen! When you partake in Communion, you are communing with Christ himself. I want to go back now and ask you those three questions I asked at the beginning of the sermon. Why are you here today? What is God’s purpose for you being here at the Church of the Reconciler? Are you seeking spiritual nourishment or physical nourishment? I know many of you are hungry here today and seeking physical nourishment. However, my next questions is are you as hungry for Jesus as you are for bread? Jesus said I am the bread of life! (John 6:48)

In 2nd Timothy Chapter 2 v. 8 we read “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel.” To remember a risen Christ you must encounter him, and at his table you can. Lift up your hearts! Look past the sacrament to the one who is giving it to you.

John Wesley participated in communion an average of four to five times a week. You here at the Church of the Reconciler are lucky, not every church grants there congregation the honor of receiving communion on a weekly basis. I have been personally moved and have felt the presence of Christ here at the Church of the Reconciler during the participation of communion. It’s sad that some churches only sporadically share in this Holy Mystery a few times a year. There are many reasons why they sporadically participate in this Holy Mystery, but none really matter when we consider the price Christ paid so that we could partake of this Holy Mystery and meet him here at this table!

In 1 Corinthians 10:16, it says: 16Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? When we come to the table it is in participation with Christ. You are active in communion; it is truly not just a remembrance as it says on the table.

In Luke, 24 Simon and Cleopas are walking to Emmaus and they encountered a stranger on the road. They are discussing the events of Jesus death and resurrection with this stranger; of course whom we all know was Jesus, whom they were kept from recognizing as they walked. Jesus then ask them what they were talking about as they walked. They of course were talking about the events of the crucifixion and resurrection. They respond to Jesus by asking him “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things which have taken place there in these days? They continued to walk together and the two invited Jesus to dine with them. In verse 30 it says: When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight

This scripture is another example of participation in the Holy Mystery. In the blessing and breaking of the bread, our eyes are opened to the wonders of Jesus Christ just as Simon and Cleopas were. When you come to this table today, please realize that you are not just taking bread and wine as a remembrance of Jesus Christ, you are participating in the Holy Mystery, the semblance of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, broken and poured out for us for the forgiveness of our sins.

I hope you can see through the scriptures and through my sermon today, that the Holy Mystery, the Sacrament of our Lord and Savoir, is not just a remembrance; it is a participation in the blood and body of Jesus Christ. He suffered and died and rose again to save us all; and until he comes again each time we come to Communion he is there with us and we can recognize him.

Christ comes and hands us the bread and wine as himself. Let us now open our eyes and recognize him!

Amen!

Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend, I am alone. My wife and girls have gone back to VA to visit family. When I am alone, like I am this weekend, I get lonely. I know I am not alone per se for the Lord is always with me. I however think that family is so important and being amongst believers and community.

I miss my wife the the following verse is so relevant. I hate being alone and away from my wife for we are one flesh.

Genesis 2:18 God said, "It's not good for the Man to be alone; I'll make him a helper, a companion."

I hate to admit it but, it is tough for me at times to be social. Most folks may not believe that but it drains me to be me at times. I am actually fairly reserved and not very talkative on the home front and I know my wife wishes I would talk more at times, but I do so much talking at work and at Church that when I am home I want to relax to be non communicative at times. Can you relate to that.?

I believe this weekend it is important for us to remember those military personnel who are away from home and many in harms way for our sake and out freedom. As a Methodist, I should be praying for peace and I do, but I pray for the men and women who secure that peace for us around the world. I pray for a day when the world knows no violence and I believe when our Savior returns that will be the day, but we can in our hearts pray for peace and reconciliation throughout the world.

No matter where we are nor how lonely we are God is with us. It is easy to forget that sometimes. When you are lonely or away from home use that time for prayer. Reconnect with the Father through Christ our Advocate and our Reconciler.

Romans 5:10 (The Message)
9-11Now that we are set right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way. If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we're at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life! Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah!

In closing be thankful for those quiet times and those times you are separated from your loved ones. I know you miss the ones you are separated from, but God willing they will return and you can reconnect with them. Though while apart pray for them and reconnect with God. He desires you. Let us not forget our military personnel and keep them in our prayers. Because of them we can worship God without fear, unlike many places that exist in this world today.

Means Of Grace

Wesley spelled out the "ordinances of God" as the Means of Grace. The Means of Grace are spiritual practices that allow us to experience God’s presence in everyday life. The most important Means of Grace are:
Public worship of God
Hearing the Scriptures read or expounded
Holy Communion
Family and private prayer
Devotional reading of the Scriptures
Fasting or abstinence