Mark 1:15... the first recorded words of Jesus in the first Gospel written (60 AD... an imperative... a command... first of all, clarity that God's Kingdom is not far away, but with Jesus immanent... that the Old Testament Law and Prophets have been fulfilled... reached their time... now, this new covenant will be based on Grace and centered in Agape Love... Jesus said, "REPENT, AND BELIEVE IN THE GOOD NEWS."
METANOEITE... repent... means, literally "to change one's mind"... it means that one changes the way one thinks that, presumably, one's life changes will follow... to change how we look at things... to change our perspective on things...
BELIEVE IN THE GOOD NEWS... what Jesus came to offer (Luke 4:16-30)... Good News to the people of God that in Him there is Redemption and Salvation by God's Grace, and that that there is Justice in THIS part of God's Kingdom because The Law and Prophets are fulfilled in Jesus and the Kingdom is at hand... the acceptable time of the Lord is here... Kingdom Values are to be lived on earth.
One must CHANGE ONE'S THINKING to get this.
The Good News was something completely different than people had been hearing or living from those who represented God. Believe it or not, they said one thing and did another. Imagine it, but they would use God's word to exclude some people and beat them down with the Law. It is unfathomable for us to conceive of this, but they twisted the Word of God so that it seemed that God justified their abuses of power over others and their exploitation of others, especially the poor, for their own personal gain. It is maybe so far from our experience to grasp, that we may struggle with this passage. Can you imagine even the religious leaders turning the faith into something that would benefit themselves and people just like them over others who were powerless and poor? Naw... "By their fruits you will know them."
The Good News of Jesus turns things around in this part of God's Kingdom. Don't believe me? Read what Jesus taught and exemplified in the four Gospels... what did Jesus say about Greed? Power and authority? the rich and poor? corrupt religious leaders? corrupt people in power? homosexuals? (sorry, that was a trick one... Jesus said NOTHING about them)...
Read His Words... both quotes and parables... I dare you.
When you do, if you do, you may see that one needs to REPENT: change one's thinking, perspective, way of looking at things in order to believe in, value and follow the Good News in the world around us.
As The People of the Way of Jesus, we are embarking on a lectionary (system of looking at the scriptures for Preaching and Teaching) that is centered on Jesus' teachings and examples for us... you know, a consideration of what Jesus wants from us in how we live in this world... my prayer is that it will guide all those who engage in it to REPENT: change our way of thinking to Jesus' way of thinking, and believe in the Good News and conform our lives to living it in the world around us... I truly believe that in order to be a Christian, I must submit to Jesus' way and conform to Jesus' Will, and in order to do that, I must seriously look at what Jesus taught and exemplified for how we are to live in the world.
The first Imperative of Jesus in the First Gospel written - change your way of thinking (and living) and believe in what I (Jesus) tell you as Good News... it is not a suggestion, but an imperative... a command... the very first one! How are you at keeping it? I am looking at it very seriously for my life right now... I dare you to do the same!
Pastor Jamie
Monday, April 30, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Radical Community in Radical (Agape) Love
Yes, this will be a Bible Study kinda blog. Please take the time. It will be worth it!
Matthew 20:1-16 offers us perhaps an insight into God's Kingdom Values regarding provision in need as one's motivation, rather than another's worthiness or merit by works. It may not be what some want to recognize as a Christian value, especially in America, but it is clearly a value of Jesus.
The First Century followers of Jesus took Jesus' Grace seriously in how we live in the world around us. People committed to living the Agape Love that Jesus commanded, in every aspect of life. It led the people who followed Jesus' Way to live as Radical Community in Radical (Agape) Love.
Acts 2:43-47 informs us of just how much people gathered around faith together, as one people, sharing their food generously and living the love. It had a wonderful effect, and people were drawn to be a part of this Radical Community, knowing that they were Jesus' followers by their Agape Love.
Acts 4:32-35 offers a picture of how the people practiced Radical Ownership and shared of their abundance, so that there were none in need among them. They were of one heart and soul, and it led them to distribute of their collective abundance for each as any had need, and not because they "earned" it.
Acts 6:1-8 gives us a glimpse of how the people lived in a Radical Partnership in leadership, not lording their authority over others, even with those who were ethnically different, and shared the power in community as one people.
Acts 8:26-40 displays Radical Inclusion of one who was ethnically, religiously and sexually different and therefore excluded by the Law of Moses, but who was Baptized by Phillip and included in the community of faith out of Agape Love.
Acts 10:9-16 is a vision of Radical Freedom in personal practices in life, and the openness of loving mercy rather than sacrifice when it comes to practices of piety and dogmatism. No one was to be excluded on the grounds of how they might have once been considered unclean or by how their dietary practices were looked at as unclean.
Acts 11:27-29 gives a beautiful account of how Radical Sharing was practiced, even for those who were strangers, based on their need and the love of the community of believers for them.
Acts 27 is the telling of the story of how those who were once enslaved by others were freed by an act of Radical Liberation by God through God's servant Paul. It is a heart-warming story of the courage to stand up and speak justice to power, thereby changing those who once perpetrated injustice on others.
Imagine what the world around us would look like if we practiced Radical Community? What would it mean in how we live Agape Love in very real ways in society? What would it take within each of us in order that we might be of one heart and soul, and submit to Jesus' will and conform our ways to Jesus' way of being in the world? Does that not actually define what it means to be a follower of Jesus? The First Century Christians strove diligently to live the Agape Love the Jesus commanded in every aspect of life together. What would it look like if we did that today? Can you imagine? I would like to imagine it. I would like to see it. I would like to live it.
Pastor Jamie
Matthew 20:1-16 offers us perhaps an insight into God's Kingdom Values regarding provision in need as one's motivation, rather than another's worthiness or merit by works. It may not be what some want to recognize as a Christian value, especially in America, but it is clearly a value of Jesus.
The First Century followers of Jesus took Jesus' Grace seriously in how we live in the world around us. People committed to living the Agape Love that Jesus commanded, in every aspect of life. It led the people who followed Jesus' Way to live as Radical Community in Radical (Agape) Love.
Acts 2:43-47 informs us of just how much people gathered around faith together, as one people, sharing their food generously and living the love. It had a wonderful effect, and people were drawn to be a part of this Radical Community, knowing that they were Jesus' followers by their Agape Love.
Acts 4:32-35 offers a picture of how the people practiced Radical Ownership and shared of their abundance, so that there were none in need among them. They were of one heart and soul, and it led them to distribute of their collective abundance for each as any had need, and not because they "earned" it.
Acts 6:1-8 gives us a glimpse of how the people lived in a Radical Partnership in leadership, not lording their authority over others, even with those who were ethnically different, and shared the power in community as one people.
Acts 8:26-40 displays Radical Inclusion of one who was ethnically, religiously and sexually different and therefore excluded by the Law of Moses, but who was Baptized by Phillip and included in the community of faith out of Agape Love.
Acts 10:9-16 is a vision of Radical Freedom in personal practices in life, and the openness of loving mercy rather than sacrifice when it comes to practices of piety and dogmatism. No one was to be excluded on the grounds of how they might have once been considered unclean or by how their dietary practices were looked at as unclean.
Acts 11:27-29 gives a beautiful account of how Radical Sharing was practiced, even for those who were strangers, based on their need and the love of the community of believers for them.
Acts 27 is the telling of the story of how those who were once enslaved by others were freed by an act of Radical Liberation by God through God's servant Paul. It is a heart-warming story of the courage to stand up and speak justice to power, thereby changing those who once perpetrated injustice on others.
Imagine what the world around us would look like if we practiced Radical Community? What would it mean in how we live Agape Love in very real ways in society? What would it take within each of us in order that we might be of one heart and soul, and submit to Jesus' will and conform our ways to Jesus' way of being in the world? Does that not actually define what it means to be a follower of Jesus? The First Century Christians strove diligently to live the Agape Love the Jesus commanded in every aspect of life together. What would it look like if we did that today? Can you imagine? I would like to imagine it. I would like to see it. I would like to live it.
Pastor Jamie
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
A disconnect
We seem to have a disconnect among the people who claim to be "Christian" in our country. We have people who worship weekly (weakly?) and who sit on the pews or theater seats, breathe in the sanctuary air, sing the praises and give the tithes, but who do not hear the Good News of Jesus and certainly do not heed it. Their practice is unloving, un-Christ-like and unhelpful in the world, especially in business and politics and in their attitudes toward others in the world around them and treatment of them.
Jesus said NOTHING against homosexuality, but did say a lot about the immorality of greed and the corruptions of the wealthy. Yet, the people who claim His name relentlessly go after those who are gay and champion those who build their wealth and power by exploiting the poor whom Jesus loved and championed.
Jesus talked in very powerful terms, even commands, about loving strangers and enemies, yet there are many in churches who ruthlessly attack "illegal" aliens in the land and who feel great joy at the death of our enemies.
Jesus talked about helping the hungry, naked, stranger, sick and imprisoned. In fact, Jesus identified our good treatment of them or refusal of help to them with Himself and how we treat Him. Yet, many "followers" of Jesus blame the poor for the plight we have inflicted on them, punish the sojourner in our land, keep the sick ones sick (unless we can charge them) and imprison more for profit and political gain.
Rather than lift up those who are most vulnerable in the name of our Glorious Lord, we lift up those as "lords" who exemplify all that is devoid of the Agape Love commanded by Jesus.
We are all such good "Christians", but we do not want to hear what Jesus taught and exemplified, and especially do not want to heed what He commanded. We are those who "honor (Him) with (our) lips only, but (our) hearts are far from Him." We have "itching ears" to hear what we want to hear, so we follow preachers who glorify our power and wealth, rather than the teachings and examples of Jesus. We follow False Prophets rather than Jesus, because we get more out of it. It is all about US, over others not like us and over those whom we can exploit within our nation and abroad, and do not follow Jesus our Lord, though we claim Him as Savior.
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord', and do not do what I tell you?"
There is a disconnect between what we CLAIM TO BE and what WE ARE, in fact. Truly, to follow Jesus' teachings and examples would CHANGE THE WORLD. For some, it would not be a welcomed change because they could no longer live their unchecked hatred, greed and lust for power and self-indulgence. For others, it would be a tremendous gift of Grace, because they have been held down for so long, and they would be lifted up with Jesus.
Don't believe me? Read the four Gospels and pay particularly close attention to what Jesus SAID and DID regarding others, and particularly those most vulnerable. Warning: That will make it hard to be a "pretend" follower of Jesus or just claim Him as Savior and ignore Him as Lord of your life. It will also make you genuinely loving, so you would have to give up your attitudes, bigotries, greed, lust for power and self-indulgence at the expense of others.
Oh and yes, by the way, I believe that blatantly ignoring Jesus and His Way while claiming His name, but relying on God's Grace is a cheapening of Grace and a mocking of God... and we all know that "God will not be mocked".
I pray that you WILL read the Gospels and be changed by the Good News of Jesus - His teachings and examples... even as I continue that process of growth in faith. It will also change the lives of those around you and change the world.
God bless you as you strive to have a genuine faith in Jesus and submission to His Will...
Pastor Jamie
Jesus said NOTHING against homosexuality, but did say a lot about the immorality of greed and the corruptions of the wealthy. Yet, the people who claim His name relentlessly go after those who are gay and champion those who build their wealth and power by exploiting the poor whom Jesus loved and championed.
Jesus talked in very powerful terms, even commands, about loving strangers and enemies, yet there are many in churches who ruthlessly attack "illegal" aliens in the land and who feel great joy at the death of our enemies.
Jesus talked about helping the hungry, naked, stranger, sick and imprisoned. In fact, Jesus identified our good treatment of them or refusal of help to them with Himself and how we treat Him. Yet, many "followers" of Jesus blame the poor for the plight we have inflicted on them, punish the sojourner in our land, keep the sick ones sick (unless we can charge them) and imprison more for profit and political gain.
Rather than lift up those who are most vulnerable in the name of our Glorious Lord, we lift up those as "lords" who exemplify all that is devoid of the Agape Love commanded by Jesus.
We are all such good "Christians", but we do not want to hear what Jesus taught and exemplified, and especially do not want to heed what He commanded. We are those who "honor (Him) with (our) lips only, but (our) hearts are far from Him." We have "itching ears" to hear what we want to hear, so we follow preachers who glorify our power and wealth, rather than the teachings and examples of Jesus. We follow False Prophets rather than Jesus, because we get more out of it. It is all about US, over others not like us and over those whom we can exploit within our nation and abroad, and do not follow Jesus our Lord, though we claim Him as Savior.
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord', and do not do what I tell you?"
There is a disconnect between what we CLAIM TO BE and what WE ARE, in fact. Truly, to follow Jesus' teachings and examples would CHANGE THE WORLD. For some, it would not be a welcomed change because they could no longer live their unchecked hatred, greed and lust for power and self-indulgence. For others, it would be a tremendous gift of Grace, because they have been held down for so long, and they would be lifted up with Jesus.
Don't believe me? Read the four Gospels and pay particularly close attention to what Jesus SAID and DID regarding others, and particularly those most vulnerable. Warning: That will make it hard to be a "pretend" follower of Jesus or just claim Him as Savior and ignore Him as Lord of your life. It will also make you genuinely loving, so you would have to give up your attitudes, bigotries, greed, lust for power and self-indulgence at the expense of others.
Oh and yes, by the way, I believe that blatantly ignoring Jesus and His Way while claiming His name, but relying on God's Grace is a cheapening of Grace and a mocking of God... and we all know that "God will not be mocked".
I pray that you WILL read the Gospels and be changed by the Good News of Jesus - His teachings and examples... even as I continue that process of growth in faith. It will also change the lives of those around you and change the world.
God bless you as you strive to have a genuine faith in Jesus and submission to His Will...
Pastor Jamie
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
The Kingdom within
Luke 17:20,21
"The Kingdom of God is within you."
Acts 17:28
"In Him we live and move and have our being."
We are not far from God and God is not far from us.
For those who profess to believe in Jesus, there is one question -
IS JESUS WITHIN YOU?
... and is often the case, a second question...
IS IT JESUS THAT IS COMING OUT OF YOU?
As a Person of the Way of Jesus, I believe I must not just
take Jesus out of the tomb on Sundays to Worship and Praise Him,
(Luke 24:5) but acknowledge Jesus as LIVING LORD of my life,
and follow what He taught and exemplified.
I believe I must go beyond "lip service" (Mark 7:6-8) and apply
what Jesus taught to my relationships, my practices in economics,
which we call GOOD STEWARDSHIP of God's Gifts, politics,
which we call JUSTICE AND EQUITY IN POWER, and every
other aspect of life in society. If I do not, I ignore one I call not
only Savior, but Lord, and relegate Jesus to a dead hero who taught
irrelevant things to my life today.
So, in business and economics and how I strive to practice them,
IS JESUS IN ME? IS IT JESUS THAT IS COMING OUT OF ME?
In politics and voting, rhetoric and practice,
IS JESUS IN ME? IS IT JESUS THAT IS COMING OUT OF ME?
Are my words and actions those that LIFT UP others in the Agape Love
that Jesus commanded, or do they tear others down out of my greed and
self-centered nature?
Do I put out in the world around me the "works of the flesh" of
Galatians 5:19-21 (please resist the urge to stay with fornication,
licentiousness, sorcery and such - I know they are sexier to think about
than idolatry, jealousy, selfishness, envy, party spirit and the rest, but
they are important, too)...
or do I put out in the world around me the "fruit of the Spirit in
Galatians 5:22-23 (Agape Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,
Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control)?
As one who claims the name of Jesus...
IS JESUS IN ME? IS IT JESUS THAT IS COMING OUT OF ME?
LOOK AT WHAT JESUS TAUGHT AND EXEMPLIFIED, as we
have it recorded in the Gospels...
Pastor Jamie
"The Kingdom of God is within you."
Acts 17:28
"In Him we live and move and have our being."
We are not far from God and God is not far from us.
For those who profess to believe in Jesus, there is one question -
IS JESUS WITHIN YOU?
... and is often the case, a second question...
IS IT JESUS THAT IS COMING OUT OF YOU?
As a Person of the Way of Jesus, I believe I must not just
take Jesus out of the tomb on Sundays to Worship and Praise Him,
(Luke 24:5) but acknowledge Jesus as LIVING LORD of my life,
and follow what He taught and exemplified.
I believe I must go beyond "lip service" (Mark 7:6-8) and apply
what Jesus taught to my relationships, my practices in economics,
which we call GOOD STEWARDSHIP of God's Gifts, politics,
which we call JUSTICE AND EQUITY IN POWER, and every
other aspect of life in society. If I do not, I ignore one I call not
only Savior, but Lord, and relegate Jesus to a dead hero who taught
irrelevant things to my life today.
So, in business and economics and how I strive to practice them,
IS JESUS IN ME? IS IT JESUS THAT IS COMING OUT OF ME?
In politics and voting, rhetoric and practice,
IS JESUS IN ME? IS IT JESUS THAT IS COMING OUT OF ME?
Are my words and actions those that LIFT UP others in the Agape Love
that Jesus commanded, or do they tear others down out of my greed and
self-centered nature?
Do I put out in the world around me the "works of the flesh" of
Galatians 5:19-21 (please resist the urge to stay with fornication,
licentiousness, sorcery and such - I know they are sexier to think about
than idolatry, jealousy, selfishness, envy, party spirit and the rest, but
they are important, too)...
or do I put out in the world around me the "fruit of the Spirit in
Galatians 5:22-23 (Agape Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,
Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control)?
As one who claims the name of Jesus...
IS JESUS IN ME? IS IT JESUS THAT IS COMING OUT OF ME?
LOOK AT WHAT JESUS TAUGHT AND EXEMPLIFIED, as we
have it recorded in the Gospels...
Pastor Jamie
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