Re: Verse reading–1 Peter 2:11-25; 3:1-9 (day two)
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:12 NIV) It’s truly amazing how much faith and trust we put in institutions, and how utterly devastated we are when those same institutions fail us. It can be anything from an investment portfolio, to social security, a government, or even your favorite team. When they let us down it can be depressing. Why should that surprise us? What were we really expecting? The only unfailing institution we can rely on is the power of salvation give to us through Jesus. Then why are we instructed to follow these secular structures that are destined to fail us? Regardless if that pagan world is overtly persecuting the church or not, they will all take notice of our love. When we are let down, they will notice where our hope comes from, and that is how we begin to share our Savior with those whose hope has been dashed. Do good, love others, hope in Christ, the world is watching!
Author: Aaron Hufty
Aaron Hufty is the Associate Pastor for Worship and Music at FBCSA.
Chosen is not Entitled
Re: Verse reading–1 Peter 1:13-25; 2:1-10 (day two)
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a Holy Nation a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” In the very true nature of the God’s wonderfully complex story this is another example of how His ways are not ours. It is so easy to look at the the descriptors in that sentence (chosen, royal, holy) and get an elevated sense of worth. We see fame as a lofty exalted thing to which many aspire, and all admire. However by the end of the sentence it is clear that is not how we are to use God’s favor. We have been made this wonderful things for a purpose; to proclaim the greatness of our God. If we are given a chosen position it should only serve to elevate the one who placed us there. Give Him the glory for your life today, and take whatever opportunity is presented and proclaim His excellencies so that others may come from darkness to light.
New Heart
Re: Verse reading–1 Peter 1:1-12 (day two)
I was reading this morning the words of the Prophet Jeremiah who spoke of hearts that are beyond cure. (Jer. 17:9) A very grim assessment, but so very true. Where then is our hope if we are beyond cure? “In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection.” (1 Pet. 3) This isn’t about fixing what is broken, it is about newness of life. We are granted a new heart that longs to know Christ more. This doesn’t absolve us from suffering or the refining of our sin nature, but with a new Spirit guiding us, we now have the Hope we could never have with our diseased former hearts. Press On.
Entertaining Angels
Re:Verse reading-Hebrews 12:25-29; 13:1-9, 20-21 (day two)
“Let the love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Sounds like quite a dinner party doesn’t it? As I re-read this text I am convicted that this has less to do with some overt act of benevolence as it does understanding the nature of humanity. We all have the privilege of bearing the image of God, it is simply a truth of how we were made. Regardless of the vile corrupt nature of our hearts, we were all made to reflect the beauty of God’s image. Therefore, it comes down to Christ’s greatest command, “Love”. We do not love because others think like us, or act a certain way, have the means to help us, or vote like us, no, it is more grand than any of those reasons. It is because they bear the image of Christ, and whether or not they acknowledge that truth does not absolve us from understandings God’s great design for us all. Think on this as you meet someone today, you are meeting more than an angel. You are meeting an image-bearer.
Joy Beyond the Cross
RE Verse reading-Hebrews 11:1-2, 32-40; 12:1-3, 12-17 (days two) “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right and of the throne of God.”
This passage has always been dear to me for the simple reason that I had to memorize it as a youth. It is one of the great examples of binding the Word to my heart, it has never left me. The inherent paradox of the verse above has long been fascinating. Who would ever count joy in such unimaginable pain? No one would say that Christ enjoyed the cross so what gives?
The cross was certainly in the cross hairs of what was before Him, but that is not where Jesus was focused. The joy set before Him was just beyond the cross. It did mean that the journey to joy was unbelievably harsh, but the promise of joy was so eternally greater it was worth it. Jesus clearly saw the forest in the midst of all the trees. This is why there was joy, He has sat down at the right hand of God.
This is another example of Christ saying to us, “I’ve been there, keep your head up”. Joy doesn’t mean happy and it clearly doesn’t mean easy, but using Jesus as our example, we can endure and not grow weary and lose heart. There is joy in what is beyond our sights.
Consider Love
Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day two)
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Heb. 10:23-24
Because the Lord is faithful we can rest confidently in hope; what a comforting and reassuring verse, but it is the next sentence that call us to action. How often do we consider how we can move others towards love and good deeds. The hope that we have found in Christ is not ours alone to hoard away for a rainy day. After we have secured hope we should move to share it with others. Can you imagine how this can change the way Christians communicate with the world? Not just non-believers, but everyone! Because you have found hope today, consider love.
Press on to Maturity
RE Verse reading–Hebrews 5:11-14; 6:1-12 (day two)
How many times during our reading of Hebrews over the past few weeks have we been told to “press on”? This idea of getting forward must have been a necessary reminder to those reading this first century text. As I have studied this text it appears that these readers needed to be challenged to move beyond a “children’s sermon” approach to our spiritual depth. I know, I know, every body loves the simplicity of the children’s sermon, and there is much depth that can be gained from these moments. But isn’t there a reason we leave elementary school towards middle and high school? Don’t we continue to pursue knowledge and learning in order to grow our understanding of this marvelous universe? If we press on our knowledge of the world around us, shouldn’t we do the same for our pursuit of understanding the mysteries of God? There is much to be gleaned from engaging our minds into the wonder of his gift of salvation. Press on.
Undercover Boss
Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-10 (day two)
I am not a huge fan of reality TV, but I will confess there a few shows that I have seen that I would perhaps consider watching more than once. Have you seen “Undercover Boss”? This is the show where the CEO of a company goes around the country to different franchises dressed incognito so that he/she can get a better picture of what it is like to work the line, to handle the merchandise, to talk with employees and customers. The boss gains a great deal of insight into his employees’ needs. This servant/leader model creates a new appreciation for corporate head side to empathize with the human element.
The writer of Hebrews tells us that we have a Savior who was an “Undercover Messiah” for 30 years. Isn’t that incredible? Think of it, for 30 years he walked and talked with us, ate, worked, learned all so that He could say to us; “I understand”. Then after he revealed himself, he took the ultimate step, he suffered and died…all for us.
When I need counsel, I am always comforted to know someone else has walked this journey and understands my pain. Jesus opens his arms every day as we take our lives to him and he says, “I understand, I’ve been there too, and with my help you’ll make it through this.”
Pay Attention
Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 1:1-6,14; 2:1-4 (day two)
I love figuring things out. It drives my wife crazy, because I expect everyone to think like I do. It’s particularly challenging for her during movies when I lean over and offer my thoughts on the outcome. (I’m a work in progress.) The writer of Hebrews, however, thinks like me….at least in regards to our Faith journey. The context clues of our Creator lie all around us. We are all called to salvation and the Lord has provided such excellent witnesses for us; think of scripture, the wisdom of our godly elders, the Holy Spirit, and the marvel of creation. Take a minute to get your head up, look around and pay attention. The Lord has something to say to you today!
Handel and Hope
Re: Verse reading–1 Corinthians 15:3-20, 35-44, 50-57 (day two)
Severe truth. In order to understand the power of the resurrection, we must understand its context. Paul said it in the first century “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” (1 Corinthians 15:14). In the twentieth century C.S. Lewis said it like this: “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic–on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg–or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.” (Mere Christianity)
I, therefore, choose to believe that Christ was raised from the dead, and I choose to believe that he was indeed the Son of God. Which means that Jesus’ choice to face the cross was so that we could become a fulfillment of a promise. That the corrupt could now put on incorruption, that the mortal could clothe ourselves with immortality in an eternity that brims with hope. As I read through these words of Paul it helps me marvel once again at what Christ took on so that we could have that hope.
On Sunday it will be a privilege to share portions of the great sacred oratorio Messiah. 1 Corinthians 15 was the subject of the most triumphant portion of the work. The miracle of the creation of Messiah was less the time it took to create the masterpiece, but the recognition by the composer that God was at work and bringing glory unto Himself. Thanks be to God.