from my perspective
St. Paul Lutheran Church
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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.

from my perspective

Conflict and Jesus' teaching

 by Pastor Dennis on 09/04/14

Heaven is a home not made with human hands filled with joy; for all the sins of pride, worry, doubt and fear will be no more. But what of the kingdom of God on earth, can heaven reign here?          

            Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18 addresses the human failings of pride, responsibility, temptation and forgiveness. Many commentators have difficulty with this teaching. For some it doesn't sound like a "grace-filled Jesus." It sounds like the Law. They surmise therefore, that this passage must be influenced by Matthew’s situation. Other commentators rejoice in what seems like Jesus laying down the law, to keep peace in the church. As with all of Jesus’ teachings I don’t think it is as simple as all that.  This teaching must be pondered and mined for Jesus’ wisdom in how to deal with human failings in the community and our response as followers of Christ, forgiven and saved.

            Notice the three preceding parables: “the Lost Sheep,” “the Lost Coin,” and “the Lost Sons.” Then look the parable of the “Unforgiving Slave” that follows it. Now reread 18:15-20 and see both the Law of God and the Grace of God. What do you see – a teaching of the law and condemnation and/or a teaching about forgiveness and grace or both?   Please, take some time to discuss this teaching with others today.

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A precious treasure found in a field

 by Pastor Dennis on 07/25/14

A man found a treasure hidden in someone else’s field and covered it up. Then we went and sold all that he had to buy the field. Jesus tells this parable in Matthew 13.44. Of course, the man should have informed the owner but he didn't.  Instead he kept quiet in order to experience the joy of owning the treasure.

 The man would not have found the hidden treasure unless some seed of instinct caused him to dig for it. Jesus says this is the way in the kingdom of God. Maybe the man passed that field many times and never thought to look for a treasure but that moment came when something led him into the field to a particular place. Maybe he was in dire need (and I would like to think) he had turned to God for help and God led him to the treasure.

 But what is this treasure in the kingdom of God? The treasure must be unbelievable, astounding and fantastic for the man to sell everything he has to possess it. What if the treasure is God’s redemption in Jesus? Maybe the person heard about God’s redemption and salvation in Jesus but this was the first time they saw Jesus suffering and dying for their sins on the cross – personally. Then with great joy, their eyes are opened and with some guilt, they realize Jesus came for them and is here now – the kingdom of Heaven has come near to their heart.

 It doesn't take long for the newly reborn believer to realize, in their heart, that they do not deserve God’s precious gift. In fact, when they examine their heart they find stones of envy, jealousy and all kinds of evil. How do they know this?  For “what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles.” Jesus tells us. (Matthew 15.16-20)  But somewhere surrounded by the stones is a seed of faith that the Lord placed there long ago. That seed once uncovered, glows like a light in the darkness; a light that reveals human sinfulness and transforms the stones into living tissue; hardness becomes gentleness; despair becomes hope: hate becomes love; anger becomes patience. (Galatians 5.22ff) This is the hidden treasure found in faith and the joy is tremendous. 

As with other parables Jesus taught, our human nature cannot believe He is advocating the cheating man as a role model. Therefore, Jesus’ true message must lie elsewhere – hidden from our sinful human nature. Once our eyes are opened by faith to realize the field is a metaphor for our heart, created by God; the treasure we find - that we would give all we own to possess - is the peace of living in a right relationship with God. It is impossible to assess the worth of this treasure. Even though we would be willing to sell all that we have to own this gift, we could not pay the price. For only the sinless life of the Son of man could redeem humankind. Therefore the treasure is given as a gift, as Jesus gave His life, so that we might be save and restored to a right relationship with God - and I am grateful, very grateful.

Take a look at Ephesians 2.1-10 to see how the Apostle Paul sees the seed of faith growing into a precious treasure.

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I will not leave you orphaned

 by Pastor Dennis on 05/20/14

A note on the Gospel; John 14:15-21

Jesus is left with His friends at the Last Supper. These are His final words for them. They have been together for three years and in that time their relationship has grown and deepened. He speaks of the time when he will return to them as the resurrected Christ and to all believers when he will come to them and never leave them alone.

“I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live.” (John 14:15–18)

 

The reality of an unseen God sending His Son to be seen and touched and heard and known is a miracle in itself. Now they will see the innocent Son of God suffer and die a horrible death for sinners. But that is not the end. Jesus promises to send “another Advocate, to be with you forever.” Jesus is the first Advocate for sinners and the Holy Spirit will continue God’s redemptive work.

An Advocate is a friend who will testify for the accused; like a lawyer. In the book of Job it is the fallen angel, Satan who accuses and God who saves. Likewise, it is the accuser who proclaims to sinners, “You are worthless; you sinned and deserve nothing by death.”

“But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:16, ESV) The voices of the Adversary are all around us but those who call upon the Holy Spirit to silences them will hear the words of Jesus, “…and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”” (John 14:21, NRSV) 

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What a Friend we have in Jesus

 by Pastor Dennis on 05/20/14

            Jesus is talking with His friends and disciples. They have been together for three years and in that time their relationship has grown and deepened. Now Jesus knows these are the final days of this season in their relationship. He speaks of the time when he will return to them as the resurrected Christ and to all believers when he will return to take us to him to eternal life.

“Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’” “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”” (John 13:33–35, ESV) Jesus calls us to love one another in this world.

            And Jesus invites us into a divine eternal relationship with His Holy Spirit. Jesus says, ““If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:15–18, ESV)

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Who do you say I AM?

 by Pastor Dennis on 04/04/14

“Who do say I am,” Jesus asks his disciples. “ you are the Messiah, Son of God,” says Peter.

Who does Jesus say he is? Jesus answers in seven statements in the gospel of John:

·         I am the bread of life came down from heaven; whoever comes to me will never hunger.

·         I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness.

·         I am the good shepherd [who] lays down his life for the sheep;

·         I am the door for the sheep: if anyone enters by me, they will find pasture.

·          I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

·         I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser; you are the branches…[that will] bear much fruit.

·         I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.

Jesus statements evoke strong reactions ranging from belief, doubt, curiosity, apathy and hatred.

“For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18, NRSV)

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