Jonah = dove = peace = a God-spoken irony"

Jonah = dove = a God-spoken irony

• It was a dove that flew from the ark and brought back an olive leaf (the symbol of peace) - Gen 8:10-11

• It was a dove that appeared above Jesus, the Prince of Peace when the Spirit descended - Luke 3:22

• Jesus, having been sent, came in peace on a foal (Matt 21:5), to emphasize His coming to make peace “...and peace on whom His favor rests” Luke 2:14

Who was Jonah, son of Ammittai? 2Kngs 14:23-27

• Servant of God, or bond-slave, a prophet, a privileged man, who would stand in the presence of God, and feel the very real pressure of His will upon his spirit.  A prophet, servant, bond-slave who would hear God’s unmistakable voice telling him what He was about to perform among the nations. It is through Jonah that God prophesied Isreal’s border restoration despite Israel’s sin and rebellion - as suggested by S. Ferguson, Man Overboard, this is Jonah’s life 

• Privilege of service - a servant of God, as one called and used by God - a servant, which has in it, a type of affinity, a rich meaning, that is lost on sometimes (and of which, Jesus was declared - Isaiah 53:13

• Privilege of a sense of destiny - being sure of one called as a prophet

• Privilege of fellowship with others of his calling, destiny, and commitment - following and influenced by Elijah and Elisha, contemporary of Isaiah and Micah, and perhaps having rubbed elbows with the “sons of prophets” (those in service to and trained by the Prophets). 

All of this, and still…

This is what makes Jonah’s disobedience so remarkable, this is a man who knew who he was, Whose he was, had committed himself to this call, to this life and ministry, and he knew intimately God’s presence, power, and promise, and had seen it and experienced it. 

Jeroboam, the king, ruled in Samaria, and sinned, yet, despite his and all of Israel’s sin, top to bottom, God mercifully relented from blotting out Israel (Isa 10:16-11:16) and used the king to restore Israel’s border - it might be inferred that Jonah had had previous experiences and successes as a prophet. 

Antagonism toward Israel, brought upon themselves by their sin and rebellion…

Approximately 200 years after the relative peace and prosperity of Soloman’s reign, Israel’s growing and persistent sin and rebellion led to God’s disciplining them (Isa 10:5-15) and it would be Assyria who turned its expansionist ways toward Israel, taking captive Israelites.  This was 10 years before Jonah was sent to Ninevah.  And still, over the next approx. 20 years, there would be continued attacks by the Assyrians.

Could that also be said of us?   That is the privilege of being called to service, of a sense of destiny, and of a fellowship with others of the same nature and call, ministry and mission, having a wealth of people around us who are set apart for something divine (possessing the Scriptures, preserved and handed down to us, whole and complete; hearing from, being prompted and led by the Holy Spirit of God that indwells us, and moved by His power and presence, His leading and directing.  All of this, having received, by mercy this very message of hope - when we were God’s enemies - we sent, AS Jonah, AS Jesus, AS the rest of the saints - with a message of hope for those, who, without Christ, “do not know their left hand from their right”? (Jonah 4:)

We have repeated the question: “Who is my Ninevah?”  Who is it that I am being sent to?  What is my attitude toward them and why? (Matthew 4:19; 28:18-20)

Jonah: A little longer in, a little deeper into Chapter 1

Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God”  …because they imitate God,  will we realize that it is ours, each, and every one of us, to bring a message of peace.  But, will we?  Will we?

Jonah 1:1-2 The word of the Lord came to Jonah… for Jonah, clear and concise, Jonah heard and knew, he had experienced this before… “Go to the great city…” 

Sometimes “I” wish it was so easy to hear and know!  

How do we hear from God? Scripture, an unction, inkling or a still small voice, prayer combines these two, the conscience (not the heart, the gut conditioned with truth stored in the heart - Pr 4:23) TRAINED by Scripture and prayer - to be sensitive to God and God’s will (why trained? Jer 17:9; How trained: Mt 15:18; Lu 6:45; Ro 12:1-4; Heb 5:14); events aligned by God to direct us; sometimes dreams or visions which MUST be prayerfully examined by and in line with God’s word AND wise and godly biblical counsel.

Why isn’t always as clear as God’s command to Jonah? (God’s desire for an ongoing relationship, a partnership - for us to commune with Him to gain His wisdom and discernment, insight and understanding, to walk humbly with Him in obedience (to His word, by the Holy Spirit Who “guides us into all truth” John 16:13

Jonah 1:3-5a “Jonah ran…”

To what lengths was Jonah willing to go to avoid going to Ninevah?

Jonah 1:5b-6 “Jonah slept…”, soundly, so soundly through a raging storm (of his own making) that he had to be awakened…

Questions we must answer for ourselves: How soundly do I sleep?  Where do I go to slumber when…?  Maybe me, you, it is not sleeping that distracts me, or allows me to be distracted, or, frankly, I would rather be doing… what are those things that gobble my time?

Jonah 1:4-15 “God sent a great wind…, …a great storm…” Who was Jonah willing to put at risk to escape?

Those with whom Jonah sailed suffered terribly!  Yet, from Jonah, there is no care, no consideration, no courtesy, no matter, and only taking responsibility when finally confronted - when cornered… again: the testimony of the good God Jonah served??

Now, were the merchant sailors completely innocent?  No. They knew Jonah was avoiding his “God” and took him anyway.  In that sense, they were accomplices, or at least reticent or cavalier about Jonah and his flight from God, and their part in helping him escape.  But, one must add, they did not know Jonah’s God - the Person, the Power, the sovereignty, of Jonah’s God - but they would see, experience, fear, turn, and worship Him  

Questions we must answer ourselves: Do I recognize the peril my running puts others in?  Do I realize the effect my sin has on others?  Do I see what my sin and rebellion do to God’s name (Eph 4:1; 5:1-2), that is my life and word’s testimony of God’s working in me?

Jonah 1:16  the sailors turn from their gods to Jonah’s God… God displays His sovereignty over all creation and making, saying, repeating, in essence, “I AM, (GREAT) and there are NO other gods beside me!” (1Chr 16:25; 29:11; Nahum 1:3;m Ps 48:1; 96:4; 145:3)

We might say: “But, but, they all turned to God!  Why then should I be disciplined??”  Romans 9

Questions we must answer ourselves: What will I do to avoid the one to whom I am called?  What excuses do I use to not go?  What is it that I think of them, feel about them, that is holding me back?  To what lengths have I, or will I go, to not only not go, but to avoid, or even go the other way, to avoid them and share with them what God desires them to know, receive, and be?

Who am I willing to put at risk to avoid my call and responsibility, my PRIVILEGE to exercise my PRIVILEGE to be a beloved child of God - by grace (afforded to me God’s mercy on me)?  My PRIVILEGE of being God’s ambassador, His representative?

The question has also arisen: “What if I’m someone else’s Ninevah?!”  What if someone has been sent to me and they will not “go”?  How would I feel if I were to find out what lengths they have and will go to not share with me an encouragement, an instruction, a message of hope?

We who are blessed and beloved… having received mercy from God and salvation by grace, the good gift of Jesus offering His life for us, puts our disobedience at an even greater level than that of Jonah, who was not looking back on God’s ridiculously gracious gift of life through the Messiah as He (actually) would be, but forward to a hope of something he could not fully grasp (1Peter 1

Jesus speaking of Himself said “...something greater than Jonah is here…”  Jesus speaking of us, His disciples, also said “...you will do greater things…” 

Jonah 1:17 “God provided a great fish…”  God grants mercy to Jonah, much like He had and did to Israel, despite Jonah’s/Israel’s sin and rebellion… WE MUST REMEMBER: discipline and warning, correction and rebuke, are part of mercy… and often, it is not until we reach the bottom, as we see our own sin, and sense God’s “heavy hand upon us” that we finally “come to our senses” and look up, to God… “...3 days and 3 nights…” just in time, just long enough, for God’s merciful discipline to do what it is going to do!

Jesus grants mercy to all…  in hopes that may come to repentance and faith in Him… Isaiah 30:18; Eze 33:11; Romans 2:1-4; 2Peter 3:9 

Habakkuk 3:2 “LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.”

Let us see, take some time: Jesus grants mercy to all…  in hopes that may come to repentance and faith in Him… Isaiah 30:18; Ezekiel 33:11; Romans 2:1-4; 2Peter 3:9 

Matt 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Matt 42-48 “44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Matt 12:7 “If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent…, …48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Mark 12:33 “29“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. e 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ f 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  32“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”  34When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

Luke 6:36-38 “...36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Romans 12 “...1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

James 3:17-18 “17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Matthew 18:23-35

Mercy: pity, compassion; loyalty to God’s covenant (made with us, from him) by trusting and loving obedience to the spirit and conditions of the covenant: covenant-love and loyalty: I have had mercy shown me, I am now to show mercy

Mercy = God’s toward sinners - a readiness to help those in trouble - me: have we forgotten God’s mercy on me?  That, though I deserved wrath and judgment, He restrained Himself to give me time and space to see and respond to His grace offered in and by Jesus - thus granting us, me, grace, forgiveness, and eternal life?

Mercy = men toward men - having been shown mercy, we are to show mercy, and to not, is to be ungrateful to God for the mercy we’ve received, to take it for granted or even assume that I am somehow entitled to it - that God owed me.  When in fact, God’s mercy was given to me, in spite of me, instead of what I deserved from a holy God - judgment.  If this is how the Holy God treated me, how much more should I treat the person who sins against me - me being in the same state - having sinned against and hurt others?

Jonah Week Two

How we read the scriptures: we dwell, we sit, we contemplate, we obey.  We may never fully understand them, and in fact, we may sometimes leave with more questions than answers.  But, that, to some degree, is God’s point.  God, it seems, resists giving us all the answers, the knowledge of Him and His (as if any one volume of works and words could plumb the depths of God’s knowing and wisdom!) 

The Father does this so that we would seek Him and His righteousness and wisdom - that what we gain is not by our (own) mind, that is, (only) our thinking, but, more so, that our knowing and coming to know would be more a fruit of our abiding and seeking - yes in and by His word - but, by not merely “studying”, but in engaging in the word by God’s Spirit and the mind of Christ (1Cor 2:9-16). 

We are often left - pondering… Jonah 4:8-11

When we become God’s obstacles: Jonah: a man, a prophet of Israel, sent with a message of hope to a people not his own, a cruel people in violent opposition to his own: a little historical context for our time in and with Jonah.

Chapter 1: Go!  No!!

• Review from a couple of weeks ago:

• God enters with and in the Garden - life amid chaos (Genesis 1; 2)

• God in and with Israel to be a light to the world, an expression of God’s mercy, love, and faithfulness 

• God, Jesus, in and to the world - The Father's love expressed through mercy, grace, and truth - embodied by His Son

• God in and through the Church - to be what Israel wasn’t, to do what Israel often wouldn’t, we are now the light of the world, the embodiment of Christ by His Spirit 

• How should Jonah have gone?  How did Jesus come?  How then are we sent?  just AS Jesus, Jesus’ manner and way ought to be our manner and way

Jonah, it seems, personifies Israel’s rebellious and hardening heart toward God’s will and Israel’s role in and to the world, to be an example of God’s love expressed in mercy and grace - and might be seen most profoundly in Jesus' day in the Pharisees and teachers of the Law. 

Obedience: God’s love language: God’s desire to be loved on our own volition, that we would choose Him, choose to love Him, and that our love would be best expressed in our obedience to His good commands, good because they flow from God’s good heart - which we know, because we know Him, having been saved by that love - thus, with appreciation and admiration, we love Him and are coming to trust Him and His commands. (John 14:21)

Here we go!  Go!  No!!

1:1 God’s merciful judgment - their sin has reached me, but not its limit

• God’s omniscience 

• God’s foreknowledge 

• God’s just judgment

• People, nations, persons: His waiting is because He knows how to save and keep who becomes His own (Gen 15:16; 2Peter 3:8-9)

We must learn that if someone has breath, they have hope and are alive by God’s mercy (Romans 2:1-4) - God’s mercy is still (showered) on them despite their sin, and it seems He never relents in offering Himself even to those who will ultimately reject Him and His offer of life

• Matthew 5:43-48

• Luke 6:27-36

• John 3:19-21 (in light of: Jn 1:12-14,16-17; 3:16-18)

1:3 We must be careful how we live - holiness and Christ’s righteousness, loving the Father as we’ve been loved, and living a life worthy of our calling (Jn 13:34; Eph 4:1; 5:1-2 - this is our love and admiration for Jesus) 

• Our sin does not happen in a vacuum, it affects those around us 

• Including our testimony of God’s love to us, in us, and through us - as a matter of the love relationship we have with our Father 

Merchant sailors - yes, it seems they repent AND worship the Lord, Creator God.  So, was it Jonah’s sin that saved them?  No, God’s mercy.  But, it was shown through Jonah, while he was disobeying!  So, what should we say? 

• Romans 5:20-21 - 6:1-14 (,15-23)

This is about love - it has always been about love. Our love, the Father’s children’s love for Him and His commands.  Love = obedience: devotion and affection to please the One who loves us so

• John 14:14-15, 21-23, 15:9-10; 16:27

We are the messengers of hope, of God’s mercy and grace in the face of Jesus…

We are to bring the message of God’s mercy, and the hope it provides, and let Jesus, by His Spirit, make the change and save and transform the life. 

• Romans 12:14-21

Jonah Week One

Jonah: a man, a prophet of Israel, sent with a message of hope to a people not his own, a cruel people in violent opposition to his own: a little historical context for our time in and with Jonah.

Reading the story of Jonah afresh, as if we’ve never read it before.  

• What do I remember? 

• What do I know? 

• What is significant about this little book?

We might ask the following questions:

“Were Israel and Ninevah enemies during Jonah’s time?”  Why, yes!  They were, in fact, bitter enemies.  Nineveh was the capital of Assyria and they did not get along 

During the time of Jonah, Israel and Assyria, were not on friendly terms. The Assyrians were a powerful and expansionist empire that posed a significant threat to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The Assyrians had already conquered many Israelite territories and taken some of the Israelites into captivity.

So, at the time Jonah was sent to Nineveh, there was a hostile relationship between the two regions. It's important to note that the biblical story of Jonah is often interpreted as a demonstration of God's mercy and the possibility of repentance, even for those considered enemies of Israel. Jonah's mission to Nineveh was to call the people to repentance, which they did, and this resulted in God's mercy being extended to them.

“Was there violence between Israel and Assyria during Jonah’s time and prior?”  Yes, there was violence and conflict between Israel and Assyria during Jonah's time and in the years leading up to it. The Assyrian Empire was known for its aggressive expansion and conquests. 

Prior to Jonah's mission to Nineveh, the Assyrians had been involved in military campaigns in the region, and Israel had been one of their targets. This hostile relationship and the violence between the two nations were part of the historical context in which the events of the Book of Jonah took place. Jonah's mission to Nineveh was absolutely remarkable because it called for the repentance of a people who were considered enemies of Israel, thus highlighting the theme of divine mercy and the possibility of reconciliation.

“How violent were Assyria’s tactics during and before Jonah’s time?” The Assyrians were known for their brutal and ruthless tactics in warfare, both during and before Jonah's time. They were one of the most feared and aggressive empires of the ancient world. Some of their violent tactics included:

1. Siege Warfare: The Assyrians were adept at conducting long and brutal sieges of cities. They would often surround a city, cutting off its supplies and subjecting the inhabitants to hunger and disease.

2. Deportations: The Assyrians practiced mass deportations of conquered peoples. They would forcefully relocate populations from their homelands to different parts of the empire to weaken resistance and assimilate the conquered people into the Assyrian culture.

3. Pillaging and Plunder: They would loot and pillage cities and temples, taking valuable treasures and enslaving people.

4. Harsh Punishments: The Assyrians were known for their cruel treatment of captured leaders and rebels. They would often inflict severe physical punishment and torture.

5. Psychological Warfare: They used fear as a weapon, often employing tactics such as public displays of brutality to terrify those who might resist.

6. Forced Tribute: Conquered nations were required to pay heavy tributes to the Assyrian king, further burdening their economies.

The violence and cruelty of the Assyrians were notorious and had a significant impact on the ancient Near East. It's against this backdrop of Assyrian aggression that the story of Jonah, who was sent to deliver a message of repentance and mercy to the people of Nineveh, is set in the Bible.

Sent: Jonah; Jesus; us, "me": but how are we, how am I, to go? AS! John 7:18

We are going to be embarking on a journey, us, ones who have been sent by Jesus, AS He was sent, to see how it is that we are to go - with what heart, mind, attitude, and message.  We are going to walk (and swim) with Jonah, to see how he went.  

But first, we will set the stage of our being “sent”, that is, what it is that God is doing when He invades the space of the enemy and plunders him. 

Isaiah 49:25-26  25But this is what the Lord says: “...captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save…Then all mankind will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

Matthew 12:29 “...how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.”

Paul here beautifully describes Jesus’ pursuit of us, His plundering us from the enemy… 

Philippians 3:12-19. “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Philippians 3:12 “I make every effort to take hold of”

Persecute - zealously, vigorously hunt down - pursue with haste, chasing, desiring to overtake and apprehend

Philippians 3:12 continued “Taken hold of me” to make me plunder

Lay hold of, to seize, tight hold of, catch, capture, overtake - aggressively take - with decisive initiative, grasping in a forceful manner - making it, me, one’s own - to appropriate

And then we must ask ourselves: How did Jesus come?  How was He sent?  In what manner and way did He enter into our lives?  To judge and condemn or to save?  As the glorious one?  Or, as a human, in our flesh, for the purpose of understanding and sympathizing, to compassionately relate with us that He might represent us accurately?  We see that Jesus would condescend to meet us here in our flesh, He would become like us - yet without sin - and we are called, sent, to do the same - AS Jesus. 

Philippians 2:5-8  5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature a God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Hebrews 2:14-18  14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death…   17For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

How did Paul go? Did he insist that they be like him?  Or, did he accommodate those to whom he was sent 

1Corinthians 9:19-23 (Heb 2:14-18; John 1:9-14; 2Cor 1:3-7, 12-13)

19Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”  (Heb 2:14-18; John 1:9-14; 2Cor 1:3-7, 12-13)

In fact, Paul rebukes Peter for hypocritically retreating from their accommodation of the gentile believers, resorting back to his “Israeliness” and distancing himself from the people to whom they had been sent. 

Galatians 2:11-14 11When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.  14When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?  (Eph 2:8-10; Phil 3:1-11)

This is even after Peter purposely accommodated Cornelius by entering into his home and remaining with him 

Acts 10

In Jesus’ economy of love expressed with mercy and grace, it seems, How we go seems to be as important as that we go 

So let us ask ourselves: To whom have I been sent?  Who is in my circle? With whom do I share space and time? 

Brothers and sisters in Christ with whom I am to love, fellowship with, and serve

Those who have yet to hear and receive what Jesus offers - forgiveness of their sin and eternal life

Jonah was sent, and Jonah, well, was successful… 

Luke 11:29-32  The Sign of Jonah - 29As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. 30For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here. 

32The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.

It is going to be very important that we see that Jesus uses Jonah’s experience as a foreshadowing of what will happen, but also, to express the truth that, now, He and the Kingdom, are here, and are a “greater thing than Jonah”.  We need to see that Jesus’ person, the fulness of His message, His manner, and way, were in every way superior to that of this great profit.

Thus, Jesus said, there is a greater thing than Jonah here and among you… Jesus, sent by the Father

John 3:16-21  16For God so loved the world that he gave (sent) His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 

19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

The transition from Jesus to the Church, us, as ambassidors to those we have been assigned, and sent… in essence God so loves the world thst He sends us to the world, and if God loves the world enough to save those who would receive, we ought to, too. 

• Jesus said John 8:12; 9:5; 12:36 “I am the light of the world…” (Phil 2:15)

• Jesus then said  Matthew 5:14-15 “You are the light of the world” (Eph 5:8; 1Thes 5:5)

• Jesus said John 14:11-13 “...whoever believes in me will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father….”

And so, now, there is a greater thing, still, than Jonah… as, we, His disciples, the Church, have been sent AS Jesus was sent…

John 17:13-19  

6“I have revealed you a to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of b your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

13“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17Sanctify them by d the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

20“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

24“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

25“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you e known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

“How, how could this be?”  We might ask.  Because, AS Jesus was sent by the Father, so He has sent us - not merely going, but because we are going as ones sent - going AS:

• Who we are as person’s - born again by God’s saving grace

• Adopted sons and daughters, co-heirs with Christ - our position in God’s kingdom-household 

• Ambassiders of God’s kingdom with the message of mercy, grace, and forgiveness in Christ - the very one that we have received and experienced and now are privileged to bring

• Vessels, temples of the Holy Spirit, indwelled by the Spirit of God in Christ- the power by which we go

• Jesus went: His manner and way, the character of Jesus AS we have been sent by Jesus, just AS Jesus was sent by His Father - the character and nature of Jesus,which IS the fruit of the Spirit AS we conformed into His likeness.  

Jesus, imitating His merciful Father, as Jesus would say only what He heard His Father say, and do only what He  saw His good Father do -  the manner and way - the heart of compassion and mercy  with which His Father had done and does.  So, we are to do the same: everything we have heard Jesus say, every we have seen Jesus do, we are to be imitators! 

This is a privileged and blessed partnership between God and us… 

While Jesus builds the Church, we are to go… sent out to make disciples… 

Matthew 28:16-20   16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

But, it is not just that we have been sent, it is how we have been sent “AS” Jesus was sent He sends us…

That word “AS” has in it some deep and profound meaning and implication - a call not just to go, having been sent, but how it is we go, as, Jesus was sent, with the attitude and heart with which Jesus was sent, the manner and way, we are now to go. 

John 4: 8; Mark 7: Jesus remained with the ones He called to repentance as long as they would remain and beautifully demonstrates for us how to approach unbelievers in a gracious and kind way, in essence, earning the right to be heard

Acts Paul, in Athens, gives us a wonderful example of how to approach those who do not know…

1Peter 3 Peter, gives us the most beautiful and simple instructions on how to share the reason for our hope when we are asked…

What is important to Jesus? Fellowship: being present, and eating a meal together. Me and Him, us together. Rev 19:6-10; Lu 22:15

What is important to Jesus?  Fellowship: being present, and eating a meal together.  Me and Him, us together. 

Fellowship: Koinonia: what is shared in common on the basis of fellowship; partnership community.  

• Joint participation

• One another: The intimate bond of fellowship which unites Christians absolutely (Phil 2:1-5)

• With our God, Himself: The fellowship of Christians with the Father and Christ (1John 1:3, 7)

• Partakers of the same mind as God and Christ and of the blessings arising therefrom (1Cor 2)

How do we know?  God likes food and fellowship

Genesis 2:8-9 8Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.

Psalm 23 (Ps 104:14-15)

Revelation 19:6-10 The wedding feast of the Lamb

Luke 22:15 Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins.”

That we would remember Him by the meal that He eagerly ate with His disciples

Acts 2:42-47

Not only with one another but with Him:  taking time to be present and eat of the Bread of Life and drinks of the Fountain of Living Waters (Isa 12:3; 49:10; 55:1; 58:11; John 4:13-14; 6:35, 48-58; 7:37-38; Rev 7:17)

Revelation 3:20   “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

True Fellowship: taking time to be present with Jesus to eat and drink of and with, Jesus, by His Spirit; and to come together with the saints.

• Word

• Prayer

• Worship 

• Breaking bread 

• Giving generously 

• Serving humbly and graciously 

And today, we come to eat and drink, together, with Him and one another

1Corinthians 11:23-26

Matthew 26:26-30

Advent Week Two: Peace | How the Advents of Christ Bring Peace to Our Souls and Our World

Advent Week Two: Peace

How the Advents of Christ Bring Peace to Our Souls and Our World

Sketch the picture of the world prior to the fall. Adam and Eve are within the garden, enjoying fellowship with God and one another. Then Eve encounters the dragon/serpent/accuser – Satan.

She is tempted by him and falls. Adam joins her in this fall and immediately they realize their nakedness. They are vulnerable. They are exposed. And so they dart away and find covering.

They hear God in the cool of the morning, walking among the garden. This once would have been cause for great joy and fellowship, but now it strikes fear in their hearts. They have become fearful of God and fearful of one another – even in the perfect environment. (Sometimes we think we will have peace once we create just the perfect life situation – but here we see Adam & Eve in the perfect environment – naked and afraid. No peace to be had.) There is now, no longer peace with God or man. Adam and Eve cover themselves, separate in distrust, and hide from God. Uncertainty begins to brew. They are vulnerable – exposed – and there’s no telling for certain what will happen now.

God calls out to them, and Adam responds. They discuss what happened and God reveals the consequences of their sin to each creature – Adam, Eve and the Serpent. But he also foretells of a time when one day, a child from Adam & Eve will crush the head of the serpent – and the curse along with its progenitor will be overcome.

However, because of their sin and God’s desire to redeem humanity, he sends Adam & Eve out of the garden. Within the garden is a tree of life, and whoever eats of that tree will live forever we’re told. So were Adam & Eve permitted to continue living in the garden, they would live forever in fear and separation from God and one another. In other words, they would bring Hell upon themselves.

So God clothes them – he makes a temporary covering for them. The first death recorded in the scriptures is that of the animal sacrifice made to cover Adam & Eve by God. Next God walks them out of the garden and sets up the first armed creature in the Bible – a terrible and holy cherubim who wields a flaming sword and stands guard day and night. And so we begin to see signs that there is a rupture between God and man. But it is God’s compassion and mercy – his desire to see men redeemed and restored that drives his placing of the guard. He is protecting Adam & Eve and their future children from the warped proclivity of their heart – He knows that now the hearts of men are warped and the temptation to eat of the trees within the garden would be strong and there is little men would not do to accomplish what is in their heart.

When we next hear of Adam and Eve in Genesis 4 – we learn of their two sons. Cain & Abel. And from this short story we discover that the curse’s effect has fallen to the children of Adam & Eve as well.

We learn that though God has removed humanity from the garden, he is still fairly familiar with the family. Adam & Eve have raised their sons to worship God and God is content to still deal with humanity directly – though we must remember the temporary animal coverings they needed to do so – things were still muted.

As the story goes Cain worked the ground as a sort of gardener and Abel tended to the animals as a kind of shepherd or animal husband. It was their custom to make offerings to God. However, in this story we see that God rejects Cain’s offering while accepting Abel’s offering. Human worship is a flawed thing now. What was once natural – pleasing God in stewarding the earth with him – is now complicated and broken. Something in Cain’s heart showed up in his offering to God and it was rejected. (God has always delighted not in sacrifices but in contrite and longing hearts.)

Cain, frustrated with God’s rejection of his offering, seeks to solve the problem apart from God – He kills his brother. And so begins the long trajectory of broken worship of God and it’s fruit, broken relationship with our fellow humans.

Again and again, God offers reconciliation and relationship but again and again the prophets, priests and kings of men turn away from God to worship idols, false gods, and their own power and as a result the world falls into waves of war and undue suffering. As we read through the Old Testament we see this again and again and again. A potential hero is raised, and within a few chapters he’s caught up in his own desires and turns away from God, bringing frustration, separation, and destruction into the world.

Yet, throughout the pages of the Old Testament God promises us again and again that he is faithful – that he will fulfill the promise he made to our first parents in the garden. His prophets, many of them bringing hard news to the people of Israel, also reminded them of these promises, calling the faithful of God to look forward to the day when peace between God and man is restored and the Lord reigns with us in his eternal kingdom.

But who could ever possibly bring lasting peace between God and man? And how could they do it? The tree of life was locked away and faded into obscurity. And besides, every person born of man and woman seems to be plagued by the same patterns of sin and self/other destruction. Sure David was a great King, but even he had his flaws – and many of them were amplified in his son, King Solomon who was himself blessed by God with inspired wisdom. The wisdom God gave him seemed to amplify his brokenness as much as it amplified his righteousness.

How would we ever have peace?

Enter Mary.

It is true that mankind has fallen. And it is true that every child of humanity will be plagued by the same temptations and corruptions as their parents. And so God does the unthinkable. He enters into the story. But not as God alone. God becomes man. He who created all that ever was and all that ever will be. He that sustains all creation by the power of his word. He who could not be contained in the entire universe, takes on flesh and blood and becomes a child in her womb. God the Son takes on flesh.

God enters into the story of humanity, because of his great love and his promise to redeem the world and set things right to Eve in the garden (Genesis 3:15.)

Christ’s first coming answers the ache of every faithful human heart for thousands of years. “How can we ever have peace with God again? What hope do we have?” Christ becomes our second representative before God. Just as Adam represented us in the garden, so Christ represents us in the world. And where all of our forefathers failed – Jesus remains faithful!

Jesus grows in wisdom and stature and begins his ministry, ushering in a new way of life beginning at his Baptism at the hands of John the Baptist. It is here that God pronounces his love & acceptance of Christ – his Son – and here the Holy Spirit falls on Jesus. Here we see the turning of the old ways into the glories of the new ways. The temporary makes way for the eternal. Here we see the man covered in animal skin, coming from the wilderness submit to the man who comes from heaven, clothed in righteousness, to take away the sins of the world.

And that is exactly what Christ does. Hebrews tell us that He was tempted and tried in every way, just as we are, yet he was without sin. Where we fail, and where all those who came before Jesus failed, he did not. He loved God perfectly and fully and loved his neighbors as himself.

He took on himself the burden of humanity and he carried it on the cross up atop of the mountain of Golgotha. Where he was nailed to the tree of death in our place as our representative. He was crushed by the weight of our sin and there the God man tasted death. He who was without sin. He who was clothed in righteousness. He who was holy – without spot or blemish – drank the full cup of sin and death on our behalf. The second Adam did what the first one failed to do. He took full responsibility for our fallen state and took the burden on himself.

But three days later that tree of death became a tree of life. For Jesus was raised from the dead. He had overcome sin, and death. In drinking the consequences of sin down to the last drop, life sprung forth from the grave. The light and life of God is greater than the darkness and death of man. So Jesus, fully God and fully man rescued humanity from the cycle of deception, death and darkness. He rescued us from our sins. As our representative he restored our relationship with God so that all of us in Him are counted righteous, clean, restored, free and loved. In him we are called co-heirs. Adopted sons and daughters of God. What once separated us – our sin – has been dealt with once and for all in Christ! Glory to God!

And so Christ’s first Advent makes it possible for everyone in this room to know Peace with God. To stand before our holy God, free from shame or fear. Free from guilt or worry. When God looks upon us in Christ, he sees only the radiating holiness of His Son. We are no longer clothed by the skin of a sacrificial animal, we are clothed in righteousness – Christ’s righteousness – and so can stand before God and dwell with him in peace. Our future is secure in him. Praise God!

And yet, though Christ has come – Though he has begun his kingdom on that hill of Golgotha – that Kingdom we learned about last week to which all Kingdoms flow in Isaiah’s prophecy – though we the new creation has started and we have be reborn as children of God if we are in Christ – the world is not yet full of peace, is it?

Our hearts still yearn. Our world still jolts and jitters. Brother rises against brother. Friends betray friends. Family forsakes us. We fail even our own modest expectations of ourselves. Don’t we?

Though Christ has come, and though his kingdom has been established things are still not quite what they will be. So God has given us His Holy Spirit, He has wed himself to each of us in Christ to enable us and empower us to walk differently from the rest of the world. He has given us the Spirit so that we might learn to walk in Christ’s righteousness in the midst of a world still reeling with sin. He has given us the Spirit so that we might have a sure hope – just as Christ who came before us did – that one day all will be fully and totally made right.

And just like Christ, because of the Spirit, we are able to bring about a new way of life.
Because of the Spirit…

We are able to see, savor and share truth.
We are able to be gracious to our enemies.
We are able to forgive those who wrong us.
We are able to repent when we go astray.
We are able to overcome sins which have plagued us since our youth.
We are able to be kind in the face of a raging world.
We are able to draw from a deep well of peace in a world still very much set aflame and find rest for our weary souls.

But our hearts still long for a richer, deeper, fuller peace. Don’t they?

And that longing is in anticipation of the second Advent of Christ – his second arrival. That arrival will mark the final defeat of all who oppose the Kingdom and seek to bring temptation, death and destruction to the children of God and his creation.

First he came like a babe in the womb. Next he will come like a victorious warrior King.

First he came like a comforter and counselor. Next he will come like a righteous Judge.

First he came to drink the cup of death. Next he will come, casting away Satan & all who belong to him into eternal death.

Then, when Christ returns, there will be no end to peace on earth or goodwill to men. Then our sins and follies will be forgotten. Then there will be no stranger and no shame. Then there will be no lurking serpent – crawling down low and accusing us from afar. Then will be only the full embodiment of all God’s Kingdom forever. Amen?

So what do we do now? In the in between as we await the return?

Christ was born into the midst of war. C.S. Lewis said it this way in his book Mere Christianity:

“Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.”

― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

The rightful king of the world, Jesus, has landed. He has lived, died, and rose again sending the Holy Spirit to fill us. And now he calls us to follow in his footsteps sowing seeds of discord through things like loving our neighbor, blessing those who persecute us, praying for those who have ill-will toward us, giving generously to God and man expecting nothing in return, speaking the truth in love, fasting and feasting, exercising self-control, living lives of love – not fear, raising families that love God and love others, gathering for worship to hear his word, take his body & blood, and lift our voices with singing – singing joyfully – proclaiming with gladness that the Lord has come until he comes again.

Christ has set us free. We are being conformed to his image. We are ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, declaring peace to a world hell-bent on war. War with ourselves. War with our neighbors. War with our humanity. And we are called to walk in the midst of it all declaring “peace on Earth, and goodwill to mankind.”

To a world scratching and clawing to cobble together some temporary peace, Christ has given us the mission of living in eternal peace and calling all who would come to join us as we look forward and anticipate his return. The second advent.

Begin where you are. If you have not yet believed the gospel of Jesus Christ – that apart from him you are stuck spinning your wheels in sin – turn to him and repent. Start there. Confess your need for salvation from yourself, confess your guilt as someone who has positioned him or herself against the rightful King. Ask his forgiveness and he will gladly give it.

And then, set to work living as people of peace. Strive to become peacemakers in whatever role God has you.

If you are a child – the one command God has given you specifically is to honor and obey your parents in the Lord. Most of what you need to learn about loving God and loving neighbor can be learned by following those wise instructions. All the other commands apply to you, but in his wisdom God knew fewer rules are easier to pay attention to - so work at that one until you’ve got it - then the rest will come.

If you are a Father or Mother – Grandpa or Grandpa, raise your children in the fear and love of the Lord. Model faithfulness and repentance. Help them to know that we serve a gracious and just King and help them to learn how to grow.

If you are a single adult or even married without kids, Paul says you’ve got a unique role and ability to pour yourself out in loving the bride of Christ in a way us married-with-kid folk could never dream. Resist being a consumer and follow Christ, by the Spirit, and offer your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God.

And to all of us, may we pray without ceasing until the Lord comes again. May he find us ready, looking and living, expectantly whether we cross the Jordan of death or see him break forth through the heavens above. May he look at each one of us covered by the righteousness of Christ and say, “Well done.”

Would you join me in prayer?

Advent Week One: The Hope of Advent Isaiah 2:1-5

What is Advent?

The word Advent comes to us from the Latin “adventus” which means arrival or coming. During Advent we look forward to the arrivals of Christ. Many of us are aware that we celebrate the birth of Christ in December and that is one of the arrivals we anticipate in Advent. But we also anticipate Christ’s return – his second arrival. In this way we look forward to the hope we have and find assurance and joy by looking backward at God’s faithfulness in sending us Emanuel, Our Lord, Jesus Christ some 2000 years ago.

Advent is all about anticipation. It is a time for prayerful reflection, for quiet prayer, for fasting, and generosity - that we might use the tools of grace God has given us to draw our attention to Christ. As a church, each week, we will light a candle, share a brief Advent reflection, read from the Word about God’s promises, and pray expectantly together.

Advent culminates in Christmas on December 25th, as we celebrate the first coming of Christ and joyfully look forward to the second coming of our Lord. We feast, sing and celebrate gladly enjoying our God and his good gifts. That celebration continues through January 6th, Epiphany Sunday.

For a more full exploration of Advent with helpful resources, please review this rich page:
Advent Resources - Mosaic at Park Avenue Baptist (churchcenter.com)

Advent Week One: Hope

Now as we begin, this week we focus on the Christian hope. A hope that is anchored for us today in a person - Jesus - God become man - Emmanuel.  But the people of God have always been a people filled with hope.

With hope Abraham left all he knew and set out.
With hope Noah built the Ark.
With hope Moses led the people out of Egypt and into the wilderness.
With hope Joshua led them into the land.
With hope David stored up the materials to build God’s temple.
With hope Solomon built that Temple. 

With hope the scattered people of God looked forward to their restoration. 

With hope the prophets prophesied about the coming Messiah.
With hope the disciples left all they knew and followed Jesus. 

With hope the disciples ran to see the empty tomb. 

With hope they proclaimed the faith to far flung places anticipating Jesus’s second coming.

The people of God have always been a people of hope. People who look back on the faithfulness of God and look forward to the fulfillment of his promises. Despair may come for us in Christ, but we know that the hope we have can never be totally snuffed out. Christ has come. Christ has been raised. Christ will come again. And so this week as we look back at his first coming and anticipate his second coming, let us be filled with hope. A hope which will not disappoint. Just as the light from the candle we will soon light burns, may the light and warmth of hope fill us and illuminate a hopeless and dreary world.

The heart of it all, the attitude of a peacemaker – Jesus and His own - Part 2

Matthew 5:9 The heart of it all, the attitude of a peacemaker – Jesus and His own. God’s wisdom, not mine. Part 2 

What is a peacemaker?  What is the difference between a lover of peace, who does seeds of peace in and with peace - a true peacemaker and a “peace lover”?

We cannot separate the peace of God and the wisdom of God… The prince of peace, the wisdom of God, says “My peace I leave with you…“. It is the perpetual remembering of God’s mercy and grace in Christ, Jesus, and our eternal life in him, the grandsons, both peace and wisdom, God’s wisdom.

Wisdom makes us peaceable: https://biblehub.com/psalms/141-3.htm 

• Psalm 106:33 “...trouble came to Moses because of them; 33for they rebelled against the Spirit of God, and rash words came from Moses’ lips - and he spoke foolishly.”

• Psalm 39:1 “I said, "I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present."

• Proverbs 12:16 A fool's anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

• Proverbs 12:23 A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.

• Proverbs 13:18 “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

• Proverbs 15:1, 4 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger… 4The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

• Proverbs 19:11 A man's insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

• Proverbs 29:11 Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

READ: James 3:13-18 Now, as important as ever, followers of Jesus, the Prince of peace, must show themselves a child of God: peacemakers

Peacemakers, sowing seeds of peace.  Among who?  All. That is, all that we encounter.  We are to be an oasis of peace - as we have peace with God, established by God through Christ.  And we have peace with ourselves by God’s healing grace.  So now, we who have peace, live in peace with God, that we might bring that same peace to others - that they too, might have peace with God and themselves, and they themselves, being at peace, can bring that peace to those they encounter.

We are living in a time and place where Godly wisdom is so necessary - essential.

James 3:13 who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by good works down with wisdom’s gentleness”. (James 2:12-26)

And if you lack wisdom… ask attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel; to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand -- attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man).

• James1:5 “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

• 1Kings 3:9-10 “…give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.  10The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.” 

• Hebrews 5:14. “…solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.”

May the way we live give them a reason…

Why would anyone ask us for anything, let alone for the hope that we have?  Becaise we are wise and our wisdom enable us to to live peaceable and discerning lives, thst reflect the gentleness of Jesus - wven in the most turbulent of times 

• 1 Kings 10:24. The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.

What is that work? To be peacemakers - between God and self; the brotherhood of believers, and God and man… making more peacemakers - children of God (true “believers” Luke 6:; Eph 4:1; 5:1-2)

What are the “good, wise, and gentle works” James speaks of? To be peace makers - between God and self; the brotherhood of believers, and God and man… making more peacemakers - children of God (true “believers” (Lu 6:35-36; Eph 4:1; 5:1-2)

What do peace and wisdom have in common? 

Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9:6 “to us a child is born… the Prince of Peace”

…as Jesus, is The wisdom of God… 1Corinthians 1:24 “to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

…and in whom Wisdom resides - 

Col 2:2-3 “2My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

…and with whom we find and realize a peace, a 

Peace that transcends… (Phil 4:4-8)

We are living in a time and place where Godly wisdom is so necessary because it is only the wisdom of God that can bring peace - true and real peace, peace that DOES transcend understanding. 

It is God’s wisdom that brought us and continues to bring us peace (Jesus, the wisdom of God - Luke 11:49; 1Cor 1:21,24,30; Eph 1:17; Col 2:3), and it is with and by God’s wisdom that we can bring peace to others - that we can be peacemakers.

Peace - everything which makes for a man’s highest good - not wishing for another merely the absence of evil things; he wishes for him the presence of all good things - this would be as the angels declare to su  “…we bring you glad tidings of great joy for all the people of earth…, a savior has been born to you, the Messiah of the Lord… Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth - peace - on whom His favor rests.”  Luke 2:10-11, 14

What we can do among one another - the brotherhood to promote peace?

Speak the truth in love to one another 

Eph 4:15 - the truth of the gospel in love  the gospel that brings salvation, but not only salvation, but ongoing sanctification 

Speak the wisdom of God to one another 

1Cor 2:6-7, 13-15 “6We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature… …we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began… that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13This is what we speak…in words taught by the Spirit…  they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things…”, as “…we have the mind of Christ.”  

The world cannot understand, but they can see… as we love one another and act wisely in this world…  Cultivating peace in and with one another.  God’s wisdom promotes peace, and we need to be seekers of this wisdom, of that peace, and be lovers of peace, peacemakers. 

Why?  We have this peace with God in Christ,   Because we have this peace, it is our privilege and responsibility to work to love peace, live in peace, to cultivate, realize, and bear the fruit of peace 

While the world in its “wisdom” sows discord…

James 3:14-15

“To have…” - to harbor in one’s heart, to give safe quarter to

By resisting the flesh’s addiction to drama - being easily offended, quick to anger or defend oneself, complaining, grumbling, whining, commiserating, being derisive and divisive - in an attempt to get others to join you in your parade of self (James 1:19-21; Phil 2: Prov 

“Do not brag or deny the truth…” - (1Cor 2:11,13,20-26; 3:1-3; Gal 5:13-15)

We, as children of God, are instead to bring wisdom and peace by practicing appreciation, gratefulness, humble service to others, cultivating likemindedness, mission, purpose, and spirit through genuine love and affection  

• Bring God’s peace forward with God’s wisdom, intentionally growing in each area (Prov 1; 2; 2Pet 1:5-8)  not avoiding making waves, but wading into the chaos and peril of this world, we bring the peace of God in Christ, we are peacemakers, being called sons of God, or, going about God’s work - peace-making - making right relationship between God and man, and man and man. 

• By good works done gently 

Good - beautiful, as an outward sign of the inward good, noble, honorable character; good, worthy, honorable, noble, and seen to be so.  attractively good; good that inspires (motivates) others to embrace what is lovely (beautiful, praiseworthy); i.e. welldone so as to be winsome (appealing)

Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Nahum 1:15 Look to the mountains--the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!

Ephesians 6:15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace

Romans 10:15 “And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”

NOT being a person who promotes discord and unrest, BUT being one around whom the seeds of discord, the world’s way, cannot live, or breathe, or grow - may we be the person who smothers discord - between God and man, among the brethren, then the world among whom we trod - and are to be an example of peace - seen as children of God. 

Being careful not to get caught up in “stupid arguments“ 

Peace, it seems, begins with its presentation.  Being a lover of peace, who sows seeds of peace with peace, is one who approaches others with an eye toward mercy and gentleness - a posture of humble service, done out of love 

We are to sow seeds of peace, with peace, goodly and gently - this is godly (Matt 5:9)

James 3:17-18 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy, good fruit, impartial, and sincere.”

Am I a lover of peace? 

• With God?

• With self? 

• With others?

• Among others? 

What does each of these each of these elements of wisdom mean?  How should they inform how I think, speak, and act?  How does each of these elements of wisdom work to bring and promote peace?  What must I do to being a peacemaker?   

Cultivating our own peace with God and self - being one who loves peace and lives in peace… how? Phil 1:3-6; 2:1-18; 4:4-8; 2Peter 1:5-8; 

• Remember and rejoice in God’s mercy, saving grace, and grace to live

• Make every effort to sort out your salvation 

• Rejoice and rest in the favor of God's nearness (Luke 2) 

• Contextualize every experience you have in and with God’s word, the truth that sets you free 

Pure - motives are undefiled with self - free from the defilement of love for the “world”; chaste, innocent, and modest (love is not conceited, haughty, puffed up, full of self), prepared for worship, the offering of our selves, our bodies as instruments of righteousness, the first of which is bringing peace -  (Ro 12:1-3)  

“Blessed are the pure in heart… they will see God…” (Mt 5:8)

Peace-loving - bring with them a love for truth and the stabilizing effects of truth -  (pre)disposed to peace, wanting and seeking after peace, securing and protecting peace - with God, in and with self, and others - peaceable - 

Blessed are the peacemakers (Mt 5:9) 

What is the difference between a lover of peace and one who is peace-loving?

Peacemakers are of those who love peace, and long to bring peace, and are willing, at great personal risk, to bring peace 

“...will be called sons of God” (Mt 5:9) 

Gentle - disarming, Proverbs - reasonable, moderate, fair, mild - one of Jesus’ key attributes and characteristics as the Son of God 

“...come to me…,...I am gentle and humble in heart, and you find rest for your souls” Matthew 11:28-30  (Titus 3:2)

Fair and impartial - "equity-justice" – properly, equitable (the quality of being fair and impartial."equity of treatment"; freedom from bias or favoritism) 

; "gentle" in the sense of truly fair (this does not mean “the same” and not to be confused with equality) by relaxing overly strict standards in order to keep the "spirit of the law."  "Justice beyond ordinary justice" builds on the real intent (purpose) of what is really at stake (note the epi, "upon") – and hence, is true equity that appropriately fulfills the spirit (not just the letter) of the law - “upon another” for their good and welfare (agape - love).

Accommodating or submissive - “constantly attendant”, it has a willing spirit that is predisposed to God’s will and way and the needs of others - it obeys easily, it sees, naturally, and does

“Then the righteous will say to Him ‘when did we so you and…, …truly I tell you, whatever you did it for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me…’” Matthew 25:37 

• As the Trinity lives and loves one another in mutual submission to one another

• Submit to God and His word and way

Being full of the Spirit, at peace with God, content in Him, we, having been loved, now love - our hearts being more and more conditioned to be naturally alert, aware of one another’s needs; we are open-handed - waiting and ready to give, and, cannot help but give. (Luke 10:25-37 the good Samaritan) 

• Submit one to another in true love and service, care and consideration for one another - loving one another as we have been loved (Eph 5:21)

This wisdom, condescends to those who are lost, and bring the message of hope as the fruit of a life that lives goodly, or beautifully, bringing forth the person and fruit of Christ in us - loving the lost as God, in Christ, so loved us (John 1:9-14;13:34; 15:12-17; Rom 12:10; Eph 5:2; 1John 3:11; 2John 1:5)

Empathy is not enough: as to meet them where they are - empathy, thst moves to sympathy, that moves to compassion, that cannot, not, bring comfort

https://theconversation.com/an-excess-of-empathy-can-be-bad-for-your-mental-health-178677#:~:text=It%20is%20essential%20for%20building,cognitive%20empathy%20and%20emotional%20empathy. 

Full of mercy - a “tender” mercy, pity, and compassion that is right at the surface, a heart conditioned to see, feel, consider, and respond - as it sees and recognizes the need before them regardless of who they are or what they have done - as we are merciful, as our heavenly Father is merciful - we show ourselves to be children of our Father (Ps 119:76, 132; Luke 6:36; Romans 12:1)

Bearing good fruit

• The character and nature of Jesus and His righteousness.  “...for I am (a) gentle, humble, servant…” (Mt 11)

• The fruits of the Spirit - “...the fruit of the Spirit is…” 

“...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22

Sincere - a sincere love that truly wants God’s best, God’s blessing, God’s favor on all, every, and each we encounter - unfeigned, unpretentious, and genuine “...love must be sincere…” Romans 12:9-21

This is the fruit or the fruits - the character of a heart conditioned by Jesus and trained in our abiding with Him, empowered and prompted by the Holy Spirit - to see the plight of those around us and desire to, long to, bring peace, relief, true and lasting, eternal peace 

Blessed are the peacemakers, they will be called the children of God

All - the world - be aware, concerned, and pray

Every - that everyone might come to a saving knowledge of Jesus 

Each - would be saved

Matthew 5:1-12 The heart of it all, the attitude of a peacemaker – Jesus and His own.

Matthew 5:1-12 The heart of it all, the attitude of a peacemaker – Jesus and His own.

Peacemakers, sowing seeds of peace.  Among who?  All. That is, all that we encounter.  We are to be an oasis of peace - as we have peace with God, established by God through Christ.  And we have peace with ourselves by god’s healing grace.  So now, we who have peace, live in peace with God, that we might bring that same peace to others - that they too, might have peace with God and themselves, and themselves bring that peace to those they encounter.

We are living in a time and place where Godly wisdom is so necessary - essential. see the contrast: James 3-4

We are living in a time and place where Godly wisdom is so necessary.  

It is God’s wisdom that brought peace (Jesus, the wisdom of God - Luke 11:49; 1Cor 1:21,24,30; Col 2:3), and it is with and by God’s wisdom that we can bring peace to others - that we can be peacemakers.

Peace - everything which makes for a man’s highest good - not wishing for another merely the absence of evil things; he wishes for him the presence of all good things - this would be “...glad tidings of great joy for all the people of earth…, a savior has been born to you, the Messiah of the Lord… Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth - peace - on whom His favor rests.”  Luke 2:10-11, 14

We have this peace with God in Christ, it is ours to bring that forward with God’s wisdom…  not avoiding making waves, but wading into the chaos and peril of this world, we bring the peace of God in Christ, we are peacemakers, being called sons of God, or, going about God’s work - peace-making - making right relationship between God and man, and man and man. 

Not being a person who promotes discord and unrest, but being one around whom these cannot live, or breathe, or grow - may we be that person. 

James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy, good fruit, impartial, and sincere.”

Pure - free from the defilement of love for the “world”; chaste, innocent, and modest (love is not conceited, haughty, puffed up, full of self), prepared for worship, the offering of our selves, our bodies as instruments of righteousness, the first of which is bringing peace -  (Ro 12:1-3)  

“Blessed are the pure in heart… they will see God…” (Mt 5:8)

Peace-loving - (pre)disposed to peace, wanting and seeking after peace, securing and protecting peace - with God, in and with self, and others - peaceable - 

Blessed are the peacemakers (Mt 5:9) 

Peacemakers are of those who love peace, and long to bring peace, and are willing, at great personal risk, to bring peace 

“...will be called sons of God” (Mt 5:9) 

Gentle - reasonable, moderate, fair, mild - one of Jesus’ key attributes and characteristics as the Son of God 

“...come to me…,...I am gentle and humble in heart, and you find rest for your souls” Matthew 11:28-30  (Titus 3:2)

Fair and impartial - "equity-justice" – properly, equitable; "gentle" in the sense of truly fair by relaxing overly strict standards in order to keep the "spirit of the law."  "Justice beyond ordinary justice" builds on the real intent (purpose) of what is really at stake (note the epi, "upon") – and hence, is true equity that appropriately fulfills the spirit (not just the letter) of the law - “upon another” for their good and welfare (agape - love).

Accommodating or submissive - “constantly attendant”, it has a willing s’pirit that is predisposed to God’s will and way and the needs of others - it obeys easily, it sees, naturally, and does

“Then the righteous will say to Him ‘when did we so you and…, …truly I tell you, whatever you did it for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me…’” Matthew 25:37 

• As the Trinity lives and loves one another in mutual submission to one another

• Submit to God and His word and way

Being full of the Spirit, at peace with God, content in Him, we, having been loved, now love - our hearts being more and more conditioned to be naturally alert, aware of one another’s needs; we are open-handed - waiting and ready to give, and, cannot help but give. (Luke 10:25-37 the good Samaritan) 

• Submit one to another in true love and service, care and consideration for one another - loving one another as we have been loved (Eph 5:21)

This wisdom, condescends to those who are lost, as to meet them where they are and bring the message of hope as the fruit of a life that lives goodly, or beautifully, bringing forth the person and fruit of Christ in us - loving the lost as God, in Christ, so loved us (John 1:9-14;13:34; 15:12-17; Rom 12:10; Eph 5:2; 1John 3:11; 2John 1:5)

Full of mercy - a “tender” mercy, pity, and compassion that is right a the surface, a heart conditioned to see, feel, consider, and respond - as it sees and recognizes the need before them regardless of who they are or what they have done - as we are merciful, as our heavenly Father is merciful - we show ourselves to be children of our Father (Ps 119:76, 132; Luke 6:36; Romans 12:1)

Bearing good fruit

• The character and nature of Jesus and His righteousness.  “...for I am (a) gentle, humble, servant…” (Mt 11)

• The fruits of the Spirit - “...the fruit of the Spirit is…” 

“...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22

Sincere - a sincere love that truly wants God’s best, God’s blessing, God’s favor on all, every, and each we encounter - unfeigned, unpretentious, and genuine “...love must be sincere…” Romans 12:9-21

This is the fruit or the fruits - the character of a heart conditioned by Jesus and trained in our abiding with Him, empowered and prompted by the Holy Spirit - to see the plight of those around us and desire to, long to, bring peace, relief, true and lasting, eternal peace 

Blessed are the peacemakers, they will be called the children of God

All - the world - be aware, concerned, and pray

Every - that everyone might come to a saving knowledge of Jesus 

Each - would be saved

Living as an Alien

Why are people so enamored with aliens?  Maybe, because, here on earth, in this world, we were meant to be aliens?  Could it be that so many are interested in alien life forms because that is what we were meant to be - something “better, greater” than what we are, doing something bigger, better than what we do?  

Is our interest in aliens because we are looking for something transcendent, something that rises above our humanity?   Is it that we are hoping and wishing for something outside and different from ourselves - something that appears bigger, stronger, smarter, maybe even wiser than ourselves?  Something that does better than we have or do?

And if we can’t be that - bigger, stronger, smarter, wiser than we have been and are, maybe we can make up something that is.

The truth is, we, who are in Christ, are all the world imagines an “alien” to be.  In Him, by His spirit, we are bigger, stronger, smarter, and wiser - able to do so much more and better than we have ever been able to do - on our own. 

Jesus came so that we can actually live according to that hope we all have - that by the Holy Spirit - we can be bigger, stronger, smarter, and wiser than when we were of this world - not (just) in this world, but, through Christ, we are truly aliens, one’s whose lives ACTUALLY transcend this world and its ways.

People are enamored with aliens because God made us to want something more than this world is and gives, He wants us to seek something that is other-world, He has designed the heart of mankind to be enthralled with something truly, really, actually - other - that is Him, and the transformed alien lives of those in Him.  (John 1:12-14; Romans 1:18-; Eph 2:1-7; 1Peter 2)

1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh a and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Why all this talk of being alien?  

Because we do not belong to this world - we are in it, but not to be of it - it is ours, the living, to live among the dying, to bring the hope of something more - bigger and better - something truly alien.   The world is looking for something “out of this world”, may we, in Christ, give them that. 

What makes us alien?

Hope - Peter, speaks of hope.  What is hope?  In Who is our hope placed?

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In all this you greatly rejoice

Hope: expectation, trust, confidence (not in self, but God, in Christ).  to anticipate, welcome, an expectation of what is sure - certain - of good, a joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation. (Acts 23:6; 26:7; Romans 5:4;12:12; 15:13; 1Cor 13:13; 1 Peter 1:3; 3:15)

In what, in whom, do we place our hope?  If it is Jesus, who He is, and what it is He has done for us and is doing in us, then, since we are anchored in Him, saved by Him, we can go on with confidence to live the way God commands - to live a life of love, service, and sacrifice.  (Rom 12; Phil 2)

It is in this hope, because of this hope, Christ - the hope of glory, that we can live as aliens.

Because our hope is in Christ…

We ought live to as the aliens we are, living according to our faith and hope as we realize the peace we have with God - a joyful, transcendent peace - a peace, anchored in our hope, that makes our lives look ridiculous under the current circumstances - that our lives, lived in and with that transcendent peace, remains sober and self-controlled, as this peace protects our (Philippians 4:4-8)

Hearts - our faith, the anchor for our soul - are guarded from the feelings of anxiousness, fear, doubt, despair, and dread

Minds - our thinking is guarded from the lies of the evil one, from the convincing deceit of our own heart’s desires, and the temporary enticements of this world

Because of this alien hope…

Our lives (can) transcend the circumstances of these current times because God transcends the times - He uses the times, within the times, but is not controlled by the times - HE is sovereign over time - and because we have eternal life, a life hidden with God in Christ - God uses these times, even the worst of times, in the lives of His children that is “He works…” these times, that is “...all things, for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purposes…” (Romans 8). 

Because we have hope, we can, as aliens, do gooder, better, even in the face of opposition…

Because we are aliens, the world cannot understand our goodness (1Pet 3), our joy, our hope, or the peace we live in (which is) based on the truth of WHOM and what we place our hope - our lives (should) look different because we are different.  Our lives look different because our God is different.  Our lives look different, because what and on whom we place our hope is different.

It is not in the world and its ways, but in God and His way, His Son, and His undying love for us who believe. (Rom 12; Eph 2; Col 3)

Being an alien is the very purpose of our being here still - to live as examples of the hope we have in God in Christ, it is to show God’s grace - in perfect contrast to this world - as this world spirals, seemingly out of control, God stands in the midst of it, in us, calling out to the world through us, that those who see and hear might turn, and be saved too. 

We’re going to look at Jeremiah 29 

Jeremiah 29 how are we to live as “the scattered”?  As aliens, strangers in this world?  Those who are in it, but not of it?  Are we to be fearful and hopeless?  Overcome by the anxious hand-wringing of trepidation because of…?

Our lives can and should reflect the truth of our being God’s children, living under His wing, eternally - unaffected - by the condition of this world, not that our hearts are unaffected for the sake of the lost; no, our hearts should be effected at the witnessing of the world’s condition effected in such a way as to grieve, mourn, and moved with compassion toward them.   

What I mean by “unaffected” is that our hope is not shaken, that we live in and with the confidence of our being saved by Him and in Him, is unaffected, that is to be crippled or diverted.

Instead, because of our hope, despite our inevitable suffering, (which is) the condition of this world, and its circumstances, we live lives in it and among the dying that are the fruit of the hope we have in Christ Jesus, who did and does overcome this world - resting in the grace given to us, the gift of life in Christ, and our eternal hope in Him and His loving work on our behalf, to the glory of His Father - 

We are free to live above our circumstances, unencumbered by the fear of death or judgment, the condemnation of sin, or fear of retribution (by God), but, as ones loved by God, cherished and precious to Him, kept by His power.

So, how might our lives reflect this truth?

Gleaning from God’s commands to the aliens, strangers, exiles, among Israel - so that the way we live, is so different from, with such a different attitude, that people will ask…  they will ask. 

The world - is God’s concern (John 3:16), the peoples - are pursued by God (Babel - Acts), the nations - are used by God (Jeremiah 29), and persons - each one, are saved by God.  Through who?  Yes, saved by Jesus, but blessedly, through the body - us, me, and you… as we get to  “Go…” (Matt 28)

Jeremiah 29

4This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 

5“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 

7Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

10This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 

11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. b I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

1Peter 1

To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout… chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

1Peter 2

9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles - strangers, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Do not be afraid… live lives that baffle the world

13Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

1Peter 3