Cultivating a Thankful Heart

On Sunday I was privilidged to stand at the front of the sanctuary as people began to share their thanksgivings with one another.  What began as a small rumble became louder and louder until there were hundreds of voices expressing their thanksgiving.  It sounded to me like a jumbled roar of noice.  However, upon reflection, I think it sounded to God like a beautiful symphony.  A chorus of thanksgiving.  An offering of thanks given by our church in honor of our magnificient God!

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." (Colossians 4:2)

Come Lord Jesus

I loved the large blocks of scripture used in the last part of today's sermon.  While exegesis of those passages can be helpful, I wonder if thoughtful meditaiton might be more beneficial in terms of changing our hearts and lives.  When the NT writers speak of the return of Jesus it is always for the purpose of influencing how we live in this age.  We are to live with confidence, hope, and assurance as we look forward to his return.  Somehow the information contained in Scripture must move from our intellect to our hearts and then out through our attitudes and actions. 

When Peter wrote, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15) he was not necessarly saying that we need to be able to answer all the difficult questions non-believers ask.  Rather, we are to explain why we can have hope when everything looks bleak.  Faith in the unseen realities of Christ are a powerful witness to a world that has lost hope.  The second coming of Jesus is a promise we hold dear to our hearts.  It enables us to live right now in the kingdom of God that can only been seen by faith.  One day soon, however, it will be revealed and made known to all.  That will be the day of Christ's appearing.  "Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight."  Amen, Come Lord Jesus!

(If you want to meditate on this message of good news turn to 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; 1 Peter 1:3-12; and 1 John 2:28-3:3.)

We Believe in the Lord's Supper

The depth of meaning that is to be found in the Lord's Supper is beyond the scope of one simple sermon.  It is, in fact, beyond the ability of an entire series of sermons.  The reason is that bread and cup are not just elements to be dissected and thought through intellectually.  Bible messages, helpful as they are, fail to truly uncover the marvelous mysteries of the Communion.  Words themselves are inadequate (and thus this blogger is struggling!). 

Two comments made to me after the service today may clarify my meaning.  The first was made by a woman who has been a faithful servant of Jesus longer than I have been alive.  She simply said, "Today I truly worshipped."  The second was made by a gentleman of similar age.  He said that during one song he had to stop singing.  What he meant by that, I believe, was that he became so in tune with the "message" of the Lord's Supper that his emotions rendered him unable to sing.  When we reflect on the Lord's Supper as Memorial, Eucharist, Communion, and Anticipation it can easily become a rather overwhelming experience of the goodness of God.  Hallelujah!  Come, Lord Jesus!