Larry Devich
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Advent 2: Thursday
Read: Philippians 1:2-11
...it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart,
inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the
gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. (Philippians 1:7)
In the prayers of the Church, we call them George, James and David. The
rest of the time, we call them the President, the Governor and the Mayor. It
sounds strange at first, that we're on a first-name basis in prayer, as if we're
claiming a close relationship that obviously isn't there. But that's not the point of
the first names. Rather, this is about the two kingdoms.
In the kingdom of the left hand, people have stations and titles and different
responsibilities. I can't walk into the Oval Office and call the Prime Minister of
Great Britain: that goes with the Office of the President. Likewise, the President
of the United States doesn't coach the Hillcrest Speeders, the best team of sixand
seven-year-old soccer players ever to practice on the back field of Good
Shepherd Lutheran Church. That privilege belongs to Coach Pauls. If the
President wanted a shot at coaching them, he'd need to ask my permission. That
sounds strange, but that's how stations go. Life is full of distinctions, rights and
responsibilities. These extend into families, where husband, wife and children
all have different roles. These extend into the Church, even into the worship
service: the pastor, the parishioner, the acolyte and the organist all have different
duties according to their station.
In the kingdom of the right hand, though, there are no such distinctions.
According to God's Law, all are sinners. All deserve God's wrath and no one can
earn His way to heaven. Compared to God's glory and holiness, the celebrity of
man is null. Station doesn't matter—the grave makes a claim on all.
Likewise, according to the Gospel, Christ has died for all without partiality.
A ruler qualifies for grace no more than a child—and no less. Or, as St. Paul
says in our text, there is no difference between the apostle, the prisoner or the
Philippian Christian: all are partakers of grace.
You may have a station that commands the respect of your fellow man,
which may or may not be a good thing—some of the most important stations in
life, like teacher and parent, receive far less adoration than those of rap star or
celebrity vixen. You may have a presence about you that gives others pause, or a
personality that leads others to take advantage. In a world full of stations and
sin, your standing will be unsure. But before God, your position is certain
because it all depends on Christ. Christ has come and died for you; He comes
and forgives you now in His means of grace; and He will come again to raise
you from the dead to life everlasting, for you are a partaker of His grace.
When Jesus comes,—O blessed story!—He works a change in heart and life;
God’s kingdom comes with pow’r and glory To young and old, to man and wife;
Thro’ Sacrament and living Word, Faith, love and hope are now conferred.
(TLH 65:4) ¶ 12/14/2006 11:01:00 AM 0 Comments
...it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart,
inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the
gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. (Philippians 1:7)
In the prayers of the Church, we call them George, James and David. The
rest of the time, we call them the President, the Governor and the Mayor. It
sounds strange at first, that we're on a first-name basis in prayer, as if we're
claiming a close relationship that obviously isn't there. But that's not the point of
the first names. Rather, this is about the two kingdoms.
In the kingdom of the left hand, people have stations and titles and different
responsibilities. I can't walk into the Oval Office and call the Prime Minister of
Great Britain: that goes with the Office of the President. Likewise, the President
of the United States doesn't coach the Hillcrest Speeders, the best team of sixand
seven-year-old soccer players ever to practice on the back field of Good
Shepherd Lutheran Church. That privilege belongs to Coach Pauls. If the
President wanted a shot at coaching them, he'd need to ask my permission. That
sounds strange, but that's how stations go. Life is full of distinctions, rights and
responsibilities. These extend into families, where husband, wife and children
all have different roles. These extend into the Church, even into the worship
service: the pastor, the parishioner, the acolyte and the organist all have different
duties according to their station.
In the kingdom of the right hand, though, there are no such distinctions.
According to God's Law, all are sinners. All deserve God's wrath and no one can
earn His way to heaven. Compared to God's glory and holiness, the celebrity of
man is null. Station doesn't matter—the grave makes a claim on all.
Likewise, according to the Gospel, Christ has died for all without partiality.
A ruler qualifies for grace no more than a child—and no less. Or, as St. Paul
says in our text, there is no difference between the apostle, the prisoner or the
Philippian Christian: all are partakers of grace.
You may have a station that commands the respect of your fellow man,
which may or may not be a good thing—some of the most important stations in
life, like teacher and parent, receive far less adoration than those of rap star or
celebrity vixen. You may have a presence about you that gives others pause, or a
personality that leads others to take advantage. In a world full of stations and
sin, your standing will be unsure. But before God, your position is certain
because it all depends on Christ. Christ has come and died for you; He comes
and forgives you now in His means of grace; and He will come again to raise
you from the dead to life everlasting, for you are a partaker of His grace.
When Jesus comes,—O blessed story!—He works a change in heart and life;
God’s kingdom comes with pow’r and glory To young and old, to man and wife;
Thro’ Sacrament and living Word, Faith, love and hope are now conferred.
(TLH 65:4) ¶ 12/14/2006 11:01:00 AM 0 Comments
Saddleback Worship - He Reigns
¶ 12/14/2006 10:48:00 AM 0 Comments
| Is this what church worship should be? You be the judge! Is this what church worship should be? You be the judge! This is Rick Warren's church, this is Purpose Driven Life stuff. What an abomination. The dancing and the lyrics could best be used to worship some Hindu deity like Krishna or Kali. For all I can tell by the words of this song and the video with it the "god" they are worshiping could be Allah or the "god" of the Mormons or any other theistic religion you can think of. It's nothing but utterly empty emotionalism masquerading as worship. There is no mention of salvation through Christ, there is no Cross, they don't even bother to mention Jesus at all. This is not a Christian song, and I really doubt you could call Saddleback a Christian Church. Rick Warren is one of the worst things to happen to Christianity in a very long time. | |
