Journey of Life Lutheran Church Podcast

A major astronomical event like the recent eclipse can cause people to reflect. We are reminded of our powerlessness in the face of the universe (nobody could pause the total eclipse no matter how badly they wanted to!). We are also reminded of our human power to predict and adapt (some people chased good weather for better eclipse viewing). But most of all we are reminded that nature shows God's power, glory, creativity, and majesty, but speaks nothing of God's grace. Grace and truth come through Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God.

SERMON NOTES:

1.   The glory of God is visible to all.

Psalm 19:1 (ESV) The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

The universe seems to be mysteriously designed exactly to support life as we know it.

Romans 1:20–22 (ESV) For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

 

2.   In the cosmic sense, man is essentially powerless.

The eclipse was coming. The eclipse came. The eclipse ended. There was nothing we could do to alter it. As much as I wanted to pause the totality to enjoy it longer, I could not!

Job 38:1–4 (ESV) Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.

John 19:10–11 (ESV) So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above…”

In God’s hands, this powerlessness of mankind allows us to release ourselves into God’s hands and live in peace.

Luke 12:25 (ESV) And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Luke 12:32 (ESV) “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

 

3.   Mankind has a great power to predict, anticipate and prepare.

We have the great privilege and ability to think about and prepare for the future.

Luke 14:31–33 (ESV) Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

We also have the great privilege and ability to reflect on what it all means for us. We are essentially powerless. We see God’s glory and power in creation. But in Jesus we see God’s heart. Thank God for Jesus!

Hebrews 1:1–3a (ESV) Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature…

The beauty and power of the universe cause us awe and wonder and, if we acknowledge the creator behind the creation, to bow before the creator in humility. Jesus draws us in with love and forgiveness and joy and peace. The Father overwhelms us. Jesus woos us.

 

Points to Ponder

What do you see in nature that causes you awe and wonder...

In the reading for this week (Romans 11:33-12:8) Paul talks about God's amazing greatness and how, because of that, our lives are to be transformed to the point where we see everybody as having gifts by which to serve in the world. Further, we quit judging one gift as better than another but see all as grace.

SERMON NOTES

Sermon text: Romans 11:33-12:8

Romans 11:33–36 (ESV) Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”

“Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

In Jesus Christ, God is calling you back to shalom, the peace and harmony for which your life is intended. It comes from putting God on the throne in our lives, rejecting what Adam & Eve did when they decided they couldn’t trust God.

On account of God’s total awesomeness and love…

Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God…

Come to God with your whole self and let yourself be transformed by renewing your mind in God’s love and will.

Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

God wants to restore how you look at the world, others, and yourself.

Romans 12:3–8 (ESV)

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:

if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Question: Which organ in your body is the best organ? Answer: none. They are all part of a system.

Truth:

• I have necessary gifts

• Others have necessary gifts

• No gifts are better than others.

Points to Ponder

1. In what ways to I honor other’s gifts? Envy them?

2. Am I being more conformed or transformed right now?

3. Are my thoughts, words and actions rooted in my faith/worldview that God is love and has reconciled himself to us through Jesus Christ?

Continuing his message based on the Parable of the Sower, Pastor John walks us through some thoughts about the seeds that fell among thorns. Jesus said these represent people who receive the logos of the kingdom, but never bear fruit because their lives are choked with cares of the world and the desire for riches.

In this lesson, Pastor John gives participants an overview of the various views on hell held by early church fathers. There is less agreement than you might think. If you haven't already, find lessons 1-4 and listen to those first (although this lesson will stand on its own).

Is "eternal" never-ending? Have you ever sat at the DMV and said, "This is taking... wait for it... forever!"? Yup, you have. So, just because the phrase "eternal punishment" is used, doesn't necessarily mean the punishment is literally without end into eternity. In this lesson, we continue our discussion of "gehenna" and do a little work talking about what "eternity" really is ('olam' in Hebrew, 'aionios' in Greek)

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11:28-30) If your faith life doesn't feel light and easy, maybe your understanding of God needs a bit of tweaking. (sermon July 9, 2017)

As our study of hell continues, Pastor John teaches through three different Greek words from the New Testament that are often translated as "hell": hades, tartarus, and gehenna.

In this episode, Pastor John begins exploring words in the Bible that are translated as "hell." This episode revolves around the Hebrew word "Sheol." This is the only word used for "hell" in the Old Testament.

This is lesson 1 of who knows how many on the subject of Hell. Our Wednesday morning Bible study group (to which you are warmly invited!), is going through the subject of Hell, so it seemed good to do an internet version for those who might want to tag along but are not able come to the live Bible study. Enjoy.

This sermon, based on Luke 11:1-13) begins an exploration of the Lord's Prayer with special attention to what the implications are for our faith and life that Jesus teaches us to call God "Father." (originally posted February 9, 2015)