The Commands and Declarations of Jesus - June 15-21st : from my perspective

St. Paul Lutheran Church

Phone 701-794-3166

Welcome!

I welcome your comments regarding our shared ministry at St. Paul.

If you would rather comment privately please, email me at Prshepherd@westriv.com

"Two are better than one," says Ecclesiastes,

"because if one falls down, his friend can help him up."

I deeply desire to bring Christian comfort and the power of prayer to those who are challenged with sickness or circumstances in life. However, in this time of restricted visitation call me and I will attempt to contact them.

Please, assume that if you don’t tell us, we do not know.

Call me at 301-4956 if surgery or hospital stay is imminent or if a visit could be helpful.

Pastor Dennis

from my perspective…

Breaking News, or Headline News, is updated by the hour and minute. The programs are designed to get our attention and to sell advertising. (Big surprise!) On the other hand, the Good News of Jesus Christ was proclaimed and is proclaimed today for an entirely different purpose.

Mark begins his gospel with “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mk 1:1, ESV) It sounds like Mark is reporting, “Breaking news! Pay attention! Something important has happened!”

Matthew begins his gospel, “The book of genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David.” (Mt. 1:1) It sounds like Matthew is introducing a history lesson whereby we might learn something. Don’t get me wrong – I love history because I believe with George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

John begins his gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.” (Jn. 1:1) This is something totally different. John invites us to lay aside our daily concerns and ponder life’s Big Questions concerning God and “The Word of God.”

Each year, we might take a measure of our life on Tax Day, an anniversary, or any number of other milestones. Regardless of the circumstances, we go through a process of reflection, evaluation, and decision-making. We might reflect on the Big Questions of Life, like “Who are we? And “How do I fit in with family and society?” or “What positive difference am I making?”

I will grant that the most common daily question is, “Am I happy.” But I believe the Bible teaches us that happiness results from how we think of ourselves and our relationship with others. Therefore, John invites us to ponder anew our relationship with the One God of the Holy Scriptures, as opposed to mental or emotional gods of pleasure, wealth or self-importance.

In the church year, Lent is the season that encourages us to ponder our relationship with the one and only eternal God and one another or who we desire to become.

Join us as we explore Jesus’ great encounters with religious rulers, a disrespected woman from a disrespected people and His disciples. In John, Jesus, the Word of God, invites people to question who we are in God’s eyes and who He desires us to become to live a fulfilling life. (e.g. John 10:10)

As John informs us, Jesus, the true Word of God, comes into the world to save us from ourselves and the destructive temptations brought on by the evil lies of the great Satan. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17, ESV)

Please join us in our encounter with the Living Word of God, your pastor, Dennis.

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The Commands and Declarations of Jesus - June 15-21st

by Pastor Dennis on 06/16/15

Jesus, who is God’s Anointed Christ, declared and commanded God’s true word of salvation to God’s children.

The disciples found Jesus’ teachings to be so extreme that some could not follow Him. (John6:60-69) But Jesus declared, “They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” (John 14:21) When Jesus, the Resurrected Christ, ascended into Heaven, He sent the promised Holy Spirit of Truth to walk alongside His Apostles; to “teach all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14) For the Apostles everything changed as the impossible became possible. (Mark 9.23-24)

Next Sunday we will explore Jesus’ command, “Fear Not.” (Matthew 10:31) We might ask, “How is this possible?” The answer to this question is found in the words of Jesus, the Son of God.

This week set aside time to consider Jesus’ words: take time to ponder the texts above and below; imagine how Jesus’ words could affect your life and pray that God the Holy Spirit will open the eyes of your heart to God’s message for you.

Monday: Matthew 8:23-27. Jesus Calms the Storm

Tuesday: Matthew 17:1-8. God commands, “This is my Beloved Son, listen to Him.”

Wednesday: Matthew 14:22-43. Jesus commands Peter, “Come.”

Thursday: Matthew 28:1-8. The Angel of God commands “Do not be afraid…”

Friday: Matthew 28:27-30 Jesus declares, “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden…”

Saturday: Share what God has revealed to you with a friend.

Sunday: Come to worship the Son of God, who has the power to do the impossible and bring a friend.

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