Why can’t we all just get along?

Why can't we all just get along?

Several people have asked this question lately and it does seem to be a cause of frustration for many. There are so many examples where countries cannot get along with other countries; denominations cannot get along with other denominations; citizens cannot get along with their governing officials; church members cannot get along with other church members or their pastors. What is most alarming is that, often, the reasons that these peoples and groups do not get along is based either in falsehood, misrepresentation, or simply faulty memories. But, it doesn't matter why they aren't getting along…What matters is only that each side is "absolutely right" and the other side is "absolutely wrong" and no one is interested in dialogue or compromise. It begs me to ask: "When did we get to be such mean people? When did we all become so convinced of our own importance and the insignificance of another point of view? When did it become acceptable to tell lies and half-truths to make your point? When did gossip become truth?"

I have recently encountered a situation where a particular individual faced some resistance in accomplishing a particular task. The source of the resistance seemed to be a misunderstanding between a few people and an honest mistake made by another individual. Even when the mistake was acknowledged and rectified, the first individual felt the need to continue to stir the pot, as it were. This person spent a lot of time contacting other persons in the organization to say that the one who had made the mistake had deliberately done so in an effort to undermine the whole organization. Of course this was not true, but it sounded true in the context of the gossip being spread. Before long many people were angry and anxious to remove the offending person from the group. Others defended the contrite offender and threatened to leave the organization if the others didn't stop the gossip. In short, a split developed along the lines of loyalties on both sides. The sad part is that the whole incident was based on half-truth, misunderstanding, and unfounded gossip; it could have been avoided if the parties had been willing to engage in civilized and productive dialogue. Instead, people on both sides are now not speaking to the other side and discomfort hangs in the air.

I am also aware of another situation where resistance to change and the struggle for undeserved power has caused an otherwise "Christian" organization to stand at the edge of a precipice leading to a split. Certainly most of us could cite a similar example.

My point here is that Jesus called his people to love God first and then to love everyone else. God's kingdom is filled with diversity of opinions just as it is filled with diversity of races, colors, creeds, and cultures. Diversity is God's good creative design; it is not an accident. Diversity is a gift from God that causes us to broaden our perspective and learn to get along with many different people. Diversity is the creative genius of a God who loves and cares for all of the peoples God created. Next time, before you get angry or argue with another person or dig your heels in the midst of conflict, ask yourself: "Why CAN'T we all just get along?"

Shalom!
Pastor Don

Stop Whining!

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you." (Ephesians 1:18, NIV)

In our Bible study group the other evening we were talking about how we understand the concept that God accepts everyone just the way they are. It seems that our post-modern world would have us understand that this idea means that we should be tolerant of everyone. This concept was the subject of much debate in the First Century church as the Jewish followers of Christ and the Gentile followers tried to find ways to become a community of faith. Many in our culture today would say that the stories we read in the Book of Acts are a sign that all religions lead to the same God or that all faiths are basically the same. We hear about "universal salvation;" the idea that all people, no matter what they've done or what they've believed, will be saved. This "doctrine" even goes so far as to proclaim that Satan and his demons will one day be in heaven with God for all eternity. In other words, God places no requirements on his children; we can simply live in sin with no repentance and no remorse because God loves us and will welcome us into heaven no matter what. As easy as this may sound, it is absolute hogwash! God does not require us to "earn" our salvation; he does require us to be transformed by it.

Bishop N.T. Wright says: "It is not the case, then, that God simply 'accepts us as we are'. He invites us as we are; but responding to that invitation always involves the complete transformation which is acted out in repentance, forgiveness, baptism, and receiving the spirit." It is true that God's will is for all people to be saved; yet, it is humanity's reality that not everyone follows God's will. We have a choice to accept or reject God's call upon our lives and the choice we make determines the path we follow and the destination we reach.

Oswald Chambers writes: "Remember what you are saved for – that the Son of God might be manifested in your mortal flesh. Bend the whole energy of your power to realize your election as a child of God; rise to the occasion every time." We cannot do anything to earn or deserve our salvation; but, we must do something to show evidence of it. We need to seriously examine our individual lives and the life of our church to be sure that we are living out the hope that we are called to. If we are simply looking and living inwardly, then it is a lie to say that we are truly saved and sanctified by God. Without transformation, our claim to be followers of Christ is hollow and false.

Chambers goes on to say: "May God not find the whine in us anymore, but may He find us full of spiritual pluck and athleticism, ready to face anything He brings." You see, the only purpose our life should have is to reflect the Son of God for all to see. When we do this, everything we need is taken care of and we stop trying to tell God what to do or how we want things to work out. We are not here to tell God what to do; we are here to submit ourselves to God's will so that the Spirit may work through us to bring the Light of hope to nourish others. My eldest son reflected the other day that God promised us our daily bread, not our daily filet mignon. It is important that we know the difference between our needs and our wants; this will allow us to recognize and accept Gods true will for our lives. It is this discernment that will enlighten the eyes of our hearts to know the hope that God has called us to.

Let us all promise to stop whining and rise to every opportunity that God presents to us. Salvation is for everyone, but only those willing to change will receive it.

God bless,
Pastor Don

The Centerpiece

"The Centerpiece"
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Holy Thursday, April 1, 2010

The meals Jesus shared during his earthly ministry proclaim the nearness of the Kingdom…

When Jesus feeds the multitudes, we see a sign of the great feast that awaits all believers

In his last meal with the disciples, the fellowship of the Kingdom is linked to the immanent suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ

After his resurrection, Jesus makes himself known to his disciples
in the breaking of the bread

Paul's words to the church at Corinth remind us that the Eucharist continues these meals
of Jesus' earthly life as a sign for us of God's Kingdom.

For Christians, Holy Communion brings the Passover memorial of Israel's deliverance from the bondage of slavery forward to become a sign of our deliverance from slavery to sin.

This is the meal of the new
covenant…

It is the feast of the Living sacrifice of the Perfect Lamb of God.

Christ commanded his disciples to remember him in this sacrament…

To encounter him in this meal…

To bring continuity to the people until he returns…

As Christ is the center of our faith, Holy
Communion is the Centerpiece of our worship…

There is nothing more important to us as followers of Christ than this memorial of his ultimate sacrifice to save us…

It is clear throughout the Gospels, Paul's writings, and every bit of early church history we can find that Holy Communion is to be the focus of our worship together.

Through the Eucharist we are joined with Christ, we receive his grace, and we encounter again and again his real presence in the world.

Holy Communion is thanksgiving to God the Father…

In this sacrament we give thanks to God for sending his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall never die, but have eternal life.

It is the proclamation and celebration of the great gift of love God gives us.

We give thanks here for what God has accomplished in the church and in the world,
in spite of our sinfulness.

The Eucharist reconciles us with God and unites us with Christ…
For this we are truly thankful!

Holy Communion is a memorial of Jesus Christ…

The sacrament of the Eucharist was given to us by Jesus himself…

It not only memorializes his passion and death, it also celebrates his resurrection.

Through the communion liturgy we celebrate God's work in Jesus Christ AND

we anticipate God's continued action in the world through us…

At the center of this sacrament stands the body and blood of Jesus given up for us.

In this sacrament we offer ourselves as a holy and living sacrifice in our daily lives.

We pray that God will use us to share the benefits of this sacrifice with the whole world as we go forth as the Body of Christ.

Ultimately, when we receive Holy Communion, we are united with Christ
and with all the saints and martyrs who have gone before us;
we truly become renewed in the eternal covenant of God's people.

Holy Communion invokes the presence of the Holy Spirit…

The power of the Holy Spirit is what makes the crucified and risen Christ present to us in the Eucharistic meal.

This fulfills the promise of the words spoken in the liturgy.

The Holy Spirit's presence here is fundamental to the sacrament.

The Living Word of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit transform the bread and wine into the sacramental signs of Christ's body and blood.

Truly, Holy Communion is the ultimate celebration of God's Holy Trinity…

Interior decorators often use a centerpiece to set the theme for a dining table,
to help focus the guests on the mood they are trying to establish…

The centerpiece on a table can be very important to the overall scheme of your home

For us, Holy Communion provides a Centerpiece that sets the theme for our worship…

It helps us to focus on what's really important here…

It calls us to the table to share in the salvation offered by Christ…

It sets a somber tone when we look on it as the symbol of passion and death…

At the same time, it is a cause for joyous celebration as a symbol of Christ's resurrection.

Holy Communion as a Centerpiece for worship is a powerful and holy sacrament that draws us into the grace of God and the saving action of Jesus Christ

I encourage you tonight to begin to re-think Holy Communion
as part of your worship life…

Recognize how truly special it is – whether you receive it daily, weekly, or monthly –
Holy Communion is no more or less special based on the frequency you receive it; it is special because of God's hand in it…

The early church celebrated the communion meal every
time they gathered…

Many churches celebrate communion at every worship service.

We offer Holy Communion every Sunday evening…

That should be sufficient reason to come to church on Sunday nights…
Just to be able to participate in communion.

Hear Paul's words again:

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

Isn't that what we are called to do as disciples of Christ – to proclaim the Lord's death?

Are we not called to tell everyone we meet about the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and what it means for each person?

Isn't the mission statement of this church:
"To proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ"?

Every time we celebrate Holy Communion we proclaim Christ…
we fulfill our mission…
we act on Paul's words…

Truly, this is The Centerpiece of our faith.

Amen!