August 8, 2010 CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

"Faith on Trial"

Rev. Vonna Thomas

Isaiah 1:1, 10-10 & Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

This week I was meeting with one of OPPC's small groups exploring our images of God and our study book's points that God is good and God is trustworthy.  This gets to the heart of our faith.  Do we believe in a God who is good?  Do we believe God is trustworthy?  Do we believe God loves us?  Our two lectionary texts touch on faith.  In Isaiah, God's people's faith is found lacking.  In the New Testament text, we have the famous Hebrews chapter which celebrates great faith.  How would you judge your faith?  How much do you trust God?  Blessings to you as you reflect on where your faith stands and where you'd like it to be.

Look how we are Becoming Like Jesus!

Dear Friends,
How do we become more like Jesus? We look at Jesus in the gospels and see what He does. And then we do that very thing. Over the last month I observed our community growing into iIm in various ways. Let's take a look.

Jesus often left the crowds of people with his disciples. They would take time apart from everybody else to learn from Him. This is what happens when we go off on retreats. A good group of our "sisters" had a rich time on their retreat. As I talked with many in the days that followed, each had a holy glow. Joy was present. Each happily shared how they became deeper friends with other women and how God simply made them feel loved and in His presence. Alleluia! In a few days Doug, or youth intern, is taking 8 middle school disciples up the mountain with Jesus. He has put together an awesome retreat. They will be blessed through 3 days of learning, praying, and playing. They will become more like our Lord. Let each of us take time apart to listen to God.

Jesus comforted those who were crying. Are you aware that each week our 10 Stephen Ministers spend an hour consoling and loving a woman or man in need? As they undertake this kind work, they become a little more like Jesus. They become better prayers. They become better listeners. They become deeper Christians. And each of us are little Christ's to those we encounter in life who are having a bad day, a bad week, or a bad time in life. We become his warm eyes and healing hands as we each turn towards people in pain.

Jesus immersed himself in the Scriptures. Sunday morning our children are taught the Bible in Sunday School, and we all huddle around the Scripture in our 10am worship. Both youth groups engage God's word also on Sunday. Each week 4 groups are studying the Bible. One meets noon on Mondays, two convene 7am on Tuesdays, and a fourth at 7pm that day. A group of families studies the Bible Friday evenings. Once a month 3 circles of women study the Word. And I know that each day most of us read a psalm, or proverb, or chapter of the Bible on own when we wake or before we go to bed. This constant study allows the Bibles attitudes to challenge and replace the selfish and even hateful attitudes of our culture.

Lately I have found a great connection with Jesus through memorizing scripture. It is really helpful to have God's word ready to be accessed at any time in my brain. Remember that Jesus said when tempted, "Man lives not by bread, but by the word of God." When we commit God's words to our brain, then they are available to guide us and help us. And I don't know about you, but in the challenges of life that come to me, I need His guidance each day! Try memorizing a little scripture this week. I think you'll be happy with the results. It makes us have a little more of Jesus' essence.

Jesus gave all he had to God's work. Our leadership is asking each of us to strengthen the long term work of the church through the "I Love My Church" capital campaign. This is a great opportunity to become like Jesus in the process of giving away what we call ours for that which we call His. His church. Before the campaign even began, a handful of members pledged a third of our $300,000 goal. What leadership those unnamed families have shown all of us! Our money is linked to our spiritual transformation. The person who claims to be spiritual but who through fear or greed does not give of their resources to Jesus' work proves to deceive themselves. Jesus gave his physical self for our spiritual renewal. We become more like him when we do the same.

There are so many examples of how we are becoming more and more like our Lord each day. Let each of us continue to grow into Christ's image.

In his love, Pastor Charlie

Maundy Thursday Meditation

Today is Maundy Thursday. I invite you to read with me the story of what happened on this day. 

First, Judas meets with the enemies to turn Jesus over to them so they can kill him. 

Luke 22 1Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. 

That evening, they eat together the special Passover meal. Jesus celebrates the holy meal with a twist. He tells the disciples that he will give his life for them so that they can have a new relationship with God. 

Luke 22:14When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." 17After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." 20In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21

After the dinner, Judas leaves. Jesus knows that he will come back to arrest him. Jesus takes his trusted intimates – Peter, John, and James – and prays for strength in the olive groves. 

Luke 22:40On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." 41He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[c] 45When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46"Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."

After Christ’s resolve was set, Judas comes with soldiers. Judas kisses Jesus as he betrays him. 
Mark 14:43Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 44Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." 45Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. 46The men seized Jesus and arrested him.

The night is not over. Jesus is dragged before the council of the leaders to be charged with crimes worthy of death. 

Mark 14:53They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. 55The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 61 The high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ,[f] the Son of the Blessed One?" 62"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." 63The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. 64"You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him.

Of course it was painful to be betrayed by a disciple, and viciously treated by his enemies. But perhaps the most searing wound is that caused by that same close friend who supported him earlier when he prayed for help. 
 Luke 22:54Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." 57But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. 58A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. 59About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." 60Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." 62And he went outside and wept bitterly.

It is hard to imagine how bad Peter felt when Jesus turned and looked at him. And hard to imagine how bad Jesus felt when Peter angrily disowned him.

I invite you to think about the events you just read. Contemplate Jesus great love for us. Consider the cost of his sacrifice. Praise him and love him!

I hope you will be able to participate further in the Holy Week experience by attending our 7pm Good Friday Service. In that we will listen to Christ’s words on the Cross interpreted by emotional choir music and hymns.

We serve the wounded and risen Lord.

In His peace, Pastor Charlie