A few weeks ago I was telling my wife that I was going to be one of the pastors at an upcoming funeral. The person attended the church at the same service my wife typically does, and so she asked, “Now who was he?”
That’s a difficult question. “Who was he?” How could I describe this person, knowing full well that my wife had never met him? Have you ever tried to do that? Did you start with gender, hair color, height, weight? Or maybe their job, or their friends, or where they live?
For that matter, how do I describe myself? One of the hardest parts of writing this book was writing the author biography for the back cover. It’s really weird trying to describe yourself to people who’ve never met you.
And yet that’s one of the things that Paul knows like the back of his hand. He nails his bio in the first verse: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” If you know Paul’s story at all, you know that Jesus changed his name from Saul to Paul. It’s like saying, “I’m a new man because of Jesus.” Then he’s an apostle – someone personally sent by Jesus. And is this something he aspired to? No, it’s by the will of God. He knows who he is. He knows what he’s about. And he knows the “why” behind the “what” of his life.
In the first chapter of the book I tell the story of Hendrik Kraemer, who was credited with telling some Dutch Christians who were debating what to do about the Nazi treatment of their Jewish neighbors: “If you know who you are, then you will know what to do.”
Do you know who you are?
As you read the first chapter of Ephesians think about who you are. Think about what you’re about. And do you know the “why” behind the “what” of your life? Because if you know who you are, you’ll know what to do.
"Signs and Wonders: The Sign of Jonah" by Rev. Cody Sandahl - August 28, 2016
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Introduction
This is our last week in our series looking at the signs and wonders of Jesus. Next week Dave Blackburn will be preaching, and then we’ll start a new series looking at how God shaped the Israelites and how God is shaping us as well.
Last week we looked at the raising of Lazarus from the dead, and we were reminded that death doesn’t win because Jesus is the resurrection and the life. This week the scribes and Pharisees come to Jesus asking for a sign. And listen to Jesus’ response to their request.
Matthew 12:38-45
38Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth. 41The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here! 42The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! 43“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but it finds none. 44Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation.”
More, More, More
If you talk to football players, deep down many of them harbor a feeling of disdain for the athletic prowess of kickers. They don’t generally get hit. If you see a linebacker in public, you might wonder if they play football. If you see a kicker in public you probably won’t notice them as being different from anyone else.
In high school our kicker was trying to impress upon everyone else how difficult it is to kick a field goal. There was probably a girl he liked standing nearby or something. Now my brother had never kicked a field goal before, but he is a competitive guy, and he wasn’t buying the argument. So the kicker challenged my brother to kick a 30-yard field goal and see how hard it really is. They went out to the right yard marker. They set the ball. My brother stepped into the kick and let it fly! It tumbled end over end toward the goalpost and…missed badly. The kicker smugly set it all up again. “Give it another shot.” Once again my brother stepped into the kick more determined than before, the ball flew toward the goalpost and…it’s good!
Having a 50% field goal percentage without ever training is pretty good, right? Except for one small problem. The kicker, now not so smug, said, “Fine, but can you do it again?” I asked my brother this week about what happened next, and in retrospect he said, “I SHOULD HAVE dropped the mic and walked off.” But what actually happened? Miss after miss after miss. Never hit it again.
But isn’t that how it always goes? We see or do something amazing and what’s the reply? “Fine, but can you do it again?”
We were talking in our staff meeting this week about how nice it would be if God would show us more than one step at a time. If we could see three, four, or preferably twelve steps in advance it would be so much better. But someone also noted that of course at some point we would be complaining that we could only see twelve steps out.
We are on some level just like my son Caleb sitting at the dinner table saying, “More…more…more” with a panicked look on our faces even after we’ve just had cheese and crackers and chicken and eggs and avocados.
The scribes and the Pharisees are perfect exemplars of this attitude. Including our text today, the religious leaders ask for a sign from Jesus on three separate occasions. Twice they asked for a sign right after a miraculous feeding of a crowd. And our text today comes right after Jesus cast demons out of a tormented man. Right after witnessing a miraculous sign, they demand another one. “Can you do it again, Jesus?” We want, “more…more…more.”
Have you ever demanded more from God? Have you ever wanted more proof, more assurance, more emotional connection, more tangible presence, more, more, more? Have you ever asked God to do it again, preferably better or clearer this time?
I’ve shared before the clearest sign I’ve ever received personally. At the end of college I was about to go to seminary and I told God, “I think you’re calling me to seminary, and I don’t think you want me to delay. So I’m going to start seminary next semester, but if I’m wrong about that give me a job offer from National Instruments, and make it from the machine vision group.” And the next day I got a job offer from National Instruments, the machine vision group. Pretty clear. But God has never again been that clear with me! When I asked “Should I marry Becca,” there wasn’t such a clear sign. When I asked “Should I become a pastor in Bethlehem, PA,” there wasn’t such a clear sign. When I asked, “Should I go to First Pres Littleton,” there wasn’t such a clear sign. I was still very sure about all three of those things – don’t worry Becca – but I didn’t get a heaven-parting obvious sign either.
So let me ask you: if God does something amazing once, but then doesn’t do it the next time, has God left the building? If God heals your father’s mother’s sister’s cousin’s former roommate but not your spouse, not your child, not your parent, not your best friend, has God stopped caring?
Sign of Jonah
Jesus gives a fascinating reply to these questions. When the scribes and Pharisees keep asking for “more…more…more,” he gives them the sign of Jonah. We just spent a lot of time on Jonah this year. You probably are NOT wanting “more…more…more” of that prophet. But you know the story.
The fascinating thing about Jonah is that he never did a sign. No miracles. He just walked through the city of Nineveh prophesying destruction. And even that destruction never happened because the Ninevites repented and God didn’t destroy them. The sign of Jonah is that this person who should have been dead is still walking around pointing people to God. The sign of Jonah is about a person, not calling down fire or hurling thunder bolts or raising the dead. Here Jesus is saying, “I am God’s sign among you. You don’t need anything more. I’m enough.” That’s the sign of Jonah.
So if you’re wondering if God has forgotten about you because you haven’t seen anything miraculous in a while, Jesus is still who he has always been. And he says, “I will be with you always.” If you’re wondering if God has stopped caring about you because other people are getting answers from God and you aren’t, Jesus is still who he has always been. And he says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” If you’re wondering if God has given up on you because of what you’ve done this time, Jesus is still who he has always been. And he says, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
We don’t need “more…more…more” to know these things. Jesus is who he has always been.
Triggers of Hope
In fact, Jesus gives a fascinating story here at the end to illustrate what happens when we’re reliant on sign after sign after sign from God to keep our faith strong.
He starts off with a miracle – an unclean spirit has been cast out of a person. Praise be to God! Then when it can’t find a new home it returns to the same person and finds everything tidied up – all the more move-in-ready. In fact it’s so move-in-ready that the spirit brings in more evil spirits and they trash the place. What does this mean?
Jesus is saying that those miraculous moments, those signs and wonders, those moments of extreme clarity, they are an opportunity to change. They are an opportunity to do far more than just pick up the house. They are an opportunity to change the locks on the past, to re-decorate everything, to fill your heart with something new. But if the locks never change, if the house gets picked up but remains empty, if the heart doesn’t change, then the cycle will continue.
Have you ever had one of those carpet cleaner salesmen come to your house? They offer to clean a section of your carpet for free to demonstrate their product. That one section looks really nice. But imagine that I then decide to stop cleaning my carpet because I’m just going to wait for one of those salesmen to come by and do the job again. Is that going to work? My carpet’s going to be gross!
So when we notice that our lives are getting cluttered and covered in dust, we can pray for that traveling carpet cleaner salesman. But that’s also a good time to remind ourselves that God is already with us, ready to help us change the locks and break the pattern.
A former student of mine struggles with feeling abandoned by God, feeling unworthy, feeling hopeless. So one day we sat down and listed out the people God had placed in her life who unequivocally cared about her. And we listed out the things in life that remind her of God’s presence and love. That list was for her to pull out when she felt abandoned and unworthy and unloved. We called them “triggers of hope.” Some of them were serious – people who had been with her through tough times. Some of them were funny, like the one that said, “babies…unless they are ugly.” It’s been a few years since we came up with that list, but she texted me recently that they were still helpful.
What are your triggers of hope? Who are the people who God has placed in your life who unequivocally care about you? What are the things in life that remind you of God’s presence and love? Those triggers of hope are how we can change the locks of our hearts so that the old spirit can’t move back in. Maybe those triggers of hope are serious. Maybe they’re funny. What are your triggers of hope for those dark seasons of life?
Summary
Sisters and brothers, we don’t need “more…more…more” with Jesus. Jesus is who he has always been. He’s the one who is always with us, the one who always loves us, the one who always forgives us. That’s enough.
We can fill our heart with these triggers of hope. We can change the locks of our hearts so that the old spirit can’t come back in. Or we can wait for the traveling carpet cleaner salesman to show up so we don’t have to clean our carpets any more.
"Signs and Wonders: Raising Lazarus" by Rev. Cody Sandahl - August 21, 2016
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Introduction
We are still in our series looking at the Signs and Wonders of Jesus. Last week Joshua talked about the healing of the man who was born blind. We were reminded that Jesus is present with us whatever we’re experiencing. Whatever cards we’re dealt, Jesus is there.
This week we’re looking at one of the most incredible miracles of Jesus. It’s a long and complicated story, but it starts with Jesus getting news that his good friend Lazarus is ill. And so Jesus procures the fastest horse and races to his aid…well…actually he sits around for two days doing nothing first, and then slowly walks with his disciples to Lazarus’ home. I always joke that God is a procrastinator, and this is my proof. Although in Jesus’ defense, he delays two days and our text says that Lazarus has been dead for four days by the time Jesus arrives – he was already dead by the time the messengers found Jesus.
And this timing was important – in those times people would occasionally be buried when they were merely in a coma, and sometimes they would awaken. One ancient rabbi chronicled this: “Once a man who had been buried was examined and found to be alive; he lived for twenty-five years more and then died. Another such person lived and had five children before he died.” These things happened. So it was a Jewish custom to visit the burial site for three days in case someone awoke. After three days, or whenever decomposition began as evidenced by the smell, a person was well and truly dead. So when Jesus arrives on the scene, four days after Lazarus died, there is no doubt remaining. Lazarus is dead. End of story. Or is it?
John 11:17-44 (NRSV)
17 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.”23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”
28 When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. 34 He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus began to weep. 36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
38 Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
Wiped Out
My family was on one of our standard vacations to the Gulf of Mexico when we got a call. One of our family friends had just lost their only child. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – SIDS – is pretty much every first-time parents’ nightmare. Its suddenness and randomness causes you to constantly stare into the video monitor wondering – “is my baby still breathing?” I have a friend who was actually saved through a miracle of her mom randomly checking in – her mom came in and found her not breathing and she was able to revive her in time by the chance timing of “one last check-in.” But our family friends weren’t so lucky.
Since we only had our beach clothes with us, we swung by a K-Mart to get some funeral clothes and made it back to Austin just in time. In one of the most difficult funerals I have ever attended, there were many different responses. Some wept openly. Some merely had wet eyes. Some seemed stoic and dead to emotion. Others busied themselves with food preparation or arranging the flowers just so.
In our text today, Lazarus’ friends and family have similarly divergent approaches to their grief. Some weep and wail with ferocity. Some have but a tear running down their cheek. Martha, ever the busy woman, is trying to fill her hands with something to do. Mary, always quieter than her sister, is wiped out, weeping, unable to stand.
I like this variance, though. I think it shows us that there isn’t just one way to mourn. People mourn in their own way. I’m more of a quiet mourner, likely to keep my feet moving while giving a sad sigh. How do you mourn? When have you had occasion to mourn? Lost a parent? Lost a child? Lost a job? Lost your innocence? Lost yourself? When have you been wiped out emotionally and physically and spiritually?
Jesus Enabled Mary to Stand
Out of the many ways to mourn, Mary is a very interesting case. In v28 her sister Martha says, “the Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And then v29 says “she got up quickly and went to him.” In the original language that’s actually passive, “she was raised up and went to him.” I think that’s an important difference. Because it shows that she wasn’t able to stand on her own, in the midst of her grief. She was raised up. Something else lifted her, not her own strength. She isn’t able to swim, she needs floaties. And what floats her? What lifts her? “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”
Mary is raised to new life, after being mired in the depths of hopelessness, because Jesus called her.
Lazarus is raised to new life, after being well and truly dead, because Jesus called him out of the tomb.
And even Martha is raised to new life, after she spouts off her religious training, when Jesus called her to him rather than her intellectual knowledge. “I am the resurrection and the life,” he says to her.
All three are raised to new life because Jesus called them.
Where is Jesus calling to you? Where is Jesus calling you to new life? Is he calling you to stand even though you are hopeless? Is he calling you to have a relationship with him rather than just a series of things you know about him? Is he calling you to walk out of your bondage, to drop your chains, to come out of the tomb you’re laying in? Where is Jesus giving you floaties because you can’t swim on your own?
Called to Help Others
Our family friend who lost his child was called to new life. His faith went from something nice to something life-saving. And as he slowly emerged from the depths of despair, lifted up by the floaties of faith in Jesus, he recognized that Jesus was the only reason he could keep going. The Teacher was there, calling for him. As he recognized how Jesus saved him, he decided to pass that life-saving floatie to others by writing a book – “Surviving Grief by God’s Grace” by Richard Battle. Jesus gave him the strength to stand, the floaties to stay above the water. And then Jesus called him to help others find that strength as well.
And that has stuck with me. Because it won’t do my kids any good if I buy floaties and don’t put them on. If someone has fallen overboard, all the life preservers and rescue boats in the world won’t do any good unless someone tosses the life preserver or pilots the boat to the person in trouble.
Do you know anyone who could use a life preserver, or a rescue boat, or some floaties? Is Jesus calling you to help?
Rabbi Kushner, author of the book When Bad Things Happen to Good People, writes about families in mourning. The Jewish tradition is to “sit shiva” – this is a weeklong time where friends and family constantly come to the family of the deceased to talk, to bring meals, and generally try to bring comfort and peace. And this is what Rabbi Kushner writes: “So often, when I meet a family after a death and before a funeral service, they will ask me, ‘Do we really need to sit shiva, to have all these people crowding into our living room? Couldn’t we just ask them to leave us alone?’ My response is, ‘No, letting people into your home, into your grief, is exactly what you need now. You need to share with them, to talk to them, to let them comfort you. You need to be reminded that you are still alive, and part of a world of life.”
Is Jesus calling you to remind someone that they are still alive and part of a world of life?
Summary
In a world where death seems to be the only constant, Jesus affirms that life is the true reality. Death doesn’t win, because Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Death doesn’t win, because the Teacher is here and is calling for you and for me. Death doesn’t win, because Jesus says, “Unbind them, and let them go.”
Where is Jesus calling you and empowering you to stand even though you’re wiped out? And where might Jesus be calling you to throw a life preserver, to pilot the rescue boat, to put on some floaties, to sit shiva for someone else who is wiped out?
We are a community of life. And we follow the God who says, “I am life.” That’s the kind of God I can worship. And that’s the kind of community I want to be, and that I can belong to. How about you? Amen.
"Signs and Wonders: Walking on Water" by Rev. Cody Sandahl - August 7, 2016
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Introduction
We are still in our series looking at the signs and wonders of Jesus. Last week Pastor Carol talked about the feeding of the 5000 – which was probably 10-15,000 once you added in women and children. Our text today happens right after this miraculous meal on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
If you remember, the crowds, after some miraculous bread and fish, were ready to forcibly crown Jesus as King. Now in their defense, as Napoleon remarked, “an army marches on its stomach,” so having a king who can conjure food from thin air is pretty useful if you’re going to try to overthrow the Romans.
But Jesus doesn’t let it happen. In fact, our text says he IMMEDIATELY sent the disciples away – maybe he didn’t want them intoxicated by the easy fame and adoration of the crowd. And then Jesus sends the crowd away. If you remember, the devil tempted Jesus with the same thought earlier in his life – take over, Jesus. Become King. Control it directly. Then you won’t need to go to the cross. This was another opportunity to skip the cross and take over. But he dismissed the crowds and got his disciples away from the temptation. And then listen to what happens next.
Matthew 14:22-33
22Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.25And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea.26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Moral of the Story?
I hate the story of the tortoise and the hare. Well, to be fair, I don’t hate the story itself. It’s a good story. A rabbit races a turtle, but falls asleep during the race and loses. And what’s the moral of the story? Slow and steady wins the race. Yeah, tell that to Usain Bolt at the Olympics. Slow and steady ain’t gonna bring home the gold in the 100-meter race.
And it’s not going to work in the marathon, either. The gold medal winner at the last Olympics averaged 4:52 per mile. For 26.2 miles. The last time I did just a one mile race the best I could do is 5:35. Slow and steady won’t bring home the gold even in the marathon. You need fast and steady.
And that’s why I hate the tortoise and the hare. Because the moral of the story isn’t “slow and steady wins the race.” It’s to keep your eyes on the prize. Because fast and steady will beat slow and steady every time.
Similarly, different people take different lessons from our text today. And it typically hinges on how they look at Peter.
Some people see Peter as foolish. Such audacity to ask Jesus to walk on water. It’s a foolish request and he winds up with a foolish result – having to be rescued after sinking beneath the waves. I see that, but Jesus apparently doesn’t think it’s foolish – he tells Peter to come on out.
Some people see Peter as well-intentioned but lacking faith. After all, Jesus calls him, “you of little faith.” I see that, but frankly I have to give Peter some props, too. However many steps he got out on the water before he sank – that’s how many more steps he’s walked on water than I have. He has me beat there.
Still other people get a totally opposite moral from this story. They see Peter’s boldness as the key lesson – he was doing great until he lacked courage. So we should jump out of the boat! All overboard!
So what’s the real moral of this story?
Well, those three morals all have the same problem – they’re looking at the wrong person. This story, just like the other miracles, is about Jesus. Not Peter.
The disciples are afraid for their lives in the middle of this storm. From the other accounts of this miracle we know that the disciples have been “laboriously” rowing for about ten hours. It’s now about four in the morning. In those ten hours they’ve only made it about three miles – just enough to be in the middle of the lake. And even though they are skilled fishermen and strong swimmers, they’re afraid for their lives. Without Jesus, this would’ve been the end of their story. This would be George Clooney in the Perfect Storm – Sea of Galilee Edition. But Jesus is there.
Or let’s imagine Peter trying to walk on water without Jesus there. How would that have gone? As with Luca Brasi in the Godfather, Peter would sleep with the fishes.
Jesus has power over the storm. We don’t. Jesus has power over the laws of physics. We don’t. Jesus is the Son of God. We aren’t.
But when we are with Jesus…we just might be able to walk on water, too.
Get Out of the Boat…IFF Jesus Is There
And that is, to me, the moral of this story. Jesus has power over everything. If we are standing with him. If we are following him. If we are heeding the sound of his voice – anything is possible.
We can’t calm a storm. But if we’re following Jesus in a storm he might do it. We can’t walk on water. But if we’re following Jesus out onto the water he might make it happen.
The moral of this story isn’t to hide in the boat and wait for Jesus to do his thing. And the moral of the story isn’t to jump out of our boats, either. Because if Jesus isn’t out there, we’re just going to sink.
This story is about following the One who has power over the wind and the waves and everything else.
It kind of reminds me of John, who is my de-facto brother. He’s been a part of our family since I was in high school. And John is both incredibly strong and an amazing fighter. If a University of Texas football player needs to be kicked out of the bar, the bouncers can’t do it. But John can.
One night my brother and two of his friends were being threatened by a group of ten pretty stout guys. Three on ten is a bad proposition. But it was at John’s bar, and he came out from behind the bar and said, “I’ll take six of them.” If my math is right, he actually took out seven. Three against ten is a bad idea. But if you add John to the three, it’s a mismatch in the other direction. John’s not there? Run. John’s there? We’re good.
Jumping out of a boat in a storm is a bad idea. But if you’re following Jesus out onto the water then the waves are no match. Jesus isn’t there? Stay in the boat. Jesus is traipsing about on the waves? We’re good.
In my logic classes from college there were two different kinds of “if.” There’s regular “if,” and then there’s a stronger “if” called “if and only if.” Jump out of the boat “if and only if” Jesus is there. Make sure you’re following Jesus, not a ghost. Make sure you’re following Jesus, not just being a daredevil. Make sure you’re following Jesus, not trying to show your own skills. Jump out of the boat “if and only if” Jesus is there. That, to me, is the moral of the story.
Where Is Jesus?
There’s another dynamic, though, that I find intriguing. The story starts with an adoring crowd, everyone’s well fed, and they’re standing on safe, solid ground. And immediately Jesus sends his disciples out onto the lake. Into a brewing storm. Into danger.
Or when we fast forward to the boat in the middle of the storm. Let me ask you – if you could choose to be inside the boat in the storm or outside the boat in the storm, which would you pick? Which one is safer? Inside the boat, right? And yet Jesus tells Peter to “come” out onto the waves.
Jesus doesn’t typically send us into safe and comfortable spots. He’s not really in the business of asking us to do what we’re already capable of doing on our own. He tends to send us where we’ll need HIM, not just our own hands. In this story, Jesus even sends the disciples out to do something they’re good at – fishermen know how to handle boats – but he sends them into a storm they can’t handle without him.
If we think we know where Jesus is sending us and it doesn’t scare us a little, we’re probably missing something. If we are following Jesus and we think, “yeah, we can do that.” We’re probably missing something. Are our dreams and visions and goals merely attainable? Or do they REQUIRE Jesus to be there? Jesus wants us to go where HE is, not where we can go on our own.
Jesus sent the disciples from the safety of the dry land into the danger of the storm so that they could experience something amazing in the middle of the lake. Are we still on safe, dry land? Are we the well-fed crowd, or the people who follow Jesus out onto the water?
Possible Visions
As a church we are trying to listen closely for Jesus’ voice in the midst of the wind. We are trying to look around and spot Jesus scooting about on the water. We are trying to figure out where Jesus is asking us to follow him. A big part of this is prayer – asking for clarity, asking for Christ’s leadership, not our own ideas.
Let me share with you some of the ways we’re looking for Jesus and listening for his voice.
There seems to be something brewing with hunger. We’ve shared a few times about the free community dinner we had in June. We have another on September 13. We have the Thanksgiving meal in November. And that team is exploring whether Jesus is sitting down to dine with us. That team is hoping it will blossom into a monthly community meal next year.
So far, Jesus has been in it. If you remember I had to do an anti-announcement for the first meal. We had the money, we had the supplies, we had the volunteers, we had the leadership. The county certified our kitchen. The city was excited for us to do it and helped get the word out. The local newspapers picked up on it and publicized it a bit even though we didn’t tell them. The obstacles have been falling – if that continues to happen and if we find that the meal reaches a group who needs it, maybe that’s a way that we can follow Jesus out onto the water.
But once a month is a lot. We don’t have the money for that. We don’t have the supplies for that. We don’t have all the volunteers for that. We don’t have the leadership for that. We can’t do that on our own. We need Jesus to move people to step out of the boat for that to happen.
There seems to be something brewing with homelessness. We have had a noticeable uptick in our encounters with some of the local homeless population. And I feel like Jesus is up to something there, because we’re seeing some of the same people enough times to get to know them a bit. To help beyond just a little food – we helped one man connect with a residential rehab program and he’s been able to find work at the same time. And our mission committee is exploring a partnership with Family Promise. They used to be known as InterFaith Hospitality Network, and this church actually did this not too long ago. It’s a program where local churches host a few homeless families in the church for a week at a time, and the families rotate between the churches so each church only has to host a few times a year. We’re exploring whether Jesus is calling us to be a host church next year – maybe even just one week in the summer. But even that is a big deal. It’s a lot of organization, and it will take a dedicated leader. It takes a lot of volunteers – driving vans, setting up rooms, meals for four families each day, a couple of people to stay overnight each night. We can’t do that on our own. We need Jesus to move people to step out of the boat for that to happen.
There seems to be something brewing with relationships across the generations. For one example, we started a Sunday night worship service led and planned by the youth. But it’s not just for the youth. The youngest person to worship on Sunday night was less than one-year-old. And I believe the oldest was 92. That’s a decent spread, right? We’re trying to figure out how we can have more contexts like that for relationships to develop across generations. We want the adults to get to know the youth and children without being asked for money in return. We want the youth and children to get to know the adults without being asked to lift heavy objects or sweep things in return. Not transactions. Relationships. And so the youth had a serve day where multiple generations worked together at David Clifton Ministries – they work with the homeless population near downtown Denver. We’re exploring whether we can expand that to be an all-church invitation. Where our whole range of generations can work together, rub elbows, and get to know each other while serving the homeless. We’re also in the earliest stages of looking at bringing back a weekend church camp for all generations. But we can’t do these things on our own. We need Jesus to move people to step out of the boat for it to happen.
Summary
Sisters and brothers, Jesus doesn’t tend to send us to solid ground on a sunny day. It’s usually a bit stormy out there. Because Jesus doesn’t send us where we can handle things on our own. He sends us where we need HIM. If we’re out on our own, we should probably stay in the boat. But if Jesus is there, the waves are no match for him.
I invite you to pray for our church to hear Jesus’ voice, to spot Jesus out on the waves, and to step out of the boat when we find where Jesus is sending us. Step one is finding Jesus. Step two is going there. Step three is getting out of the boat. We’re going to find him because we’re seeking him. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure we go where we find him. But then we have to decide if we’re going to get out of the boat. Amen.
How do you respond to life’s challenges? How does God want you respond? Join Rev. Cody Sandahl on a journey through the book of Ephesians. Get a bird’s-eye view of the whole story of Scripture through a book that has something for everyone – the big picture, the day-to-day, exaltation in Christ, and opposition by the devil! Whether you have five minutes a day or five hours a week, this study is designed to help you grow closer to Christ and recognize God’s Plan.
Each chapter has a short devotional followed by in-depth analysis of the words, phrases, and ideas found in each section. “Going Deeper” questions help apply the Bible study to your life. These questions can be used personally or within a small group or class format.
Those who love to know the historical setting will enjoy the background section that unpacks Ephesus the city, Ephesus the church, and the original context when the letter was written.
When I was in high school and college, it would have been mighty pleasant to be able to peek at the questions before the exam. I used to wish that my teacher or professor would line out the future exam questions along with the syllabus I received on the first day of class. I actually had a class in college that had take-home exams, and my initial glee was quickly subsumed under a self-imposed pressure. I would have gladly taken a 92 on the test, but since I had the time and ability and even invitation from the professor to check my answers before turning it in I felt I had to get a 100 on it. I might be a perfectionist at heart. When that professor gave us an option on the final – take-home or normal in-class exam – I actually chose the in-class exam so I wouldn’t stress out as much about every single question.
Ephesians, with its birds-eye-view of God’s story unfolding in Jesus’ birth, life, teachings, crucifixion, resurrection, and promised return, is like having a take-home exam. Almost all of the essentials of the faith are found in this short book. Almost all of the ways we are to respond to our faith with our daily lives are found in this short book. If the hefty size of the Bible causes your mouth to suddenly dry up like the sands of the Mojave Desert, Ephesians is for you! It’s like the Cliff’s Notes version of the Bible.
But it is also a challenging book. As you read it, you may feel the same pressure I did in my college course – the pressure to be perfect. The pressure to get everything right in your life. The pressure to figure everything out. Ephesians has you covered, there, too. We are reminded that we are not saved by being perfect (thankfully):
it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
In addition to its marvelously succinct approach to the sweeping arc of God’s story, Ephesians also walks us through very earthly conversations as well. How should men and women interact with each other? How should children and parents interact with each other?
For those who like a good fight, there are controversies galore. If you want to take your life into your own hands, try quoting Ephesians 5:22 to my feminist mom: “wives be subject to your husbands…” (NIV). I have $20 on my mom if it comes to fisticuffs.
For those who are interested in social justice, Ephesians dives into slavery and power imbalances. We will explore the ups and downs of how Christians throughout the ages have attacked, defended, or accepted the practice of slavery.
For those who enter into spiritual battle through prayer, Ephesians contains some of the most strident depictions of evil and the devil. We are assumed to be under attack at all times, but the author also shows us the way out.
The book of Ephesians has something for everyone. From the big picture to the day-to-day. From exaltation in Christ to opposition by the devil. From encouragement to challenge. My prayers go with you as you grow closer to Christ through the letter to the church in Ephesus.
Mind, Heart, and Body
In addition to the chapter-by-chapter analysis of Ephesians, I have also included a Personal Devotional at the start of each chapter. We are encouraged to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2 NIV), but we are also reminded that God “will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you” (Ezekiel 36:26a NIV). Our spiritual growth involves our minds and our hearts. The personal devotionals are designed to reach the heart since the Bible study reaches the mind.
If you are walking through Ephesians with a small group or Bible study, the devotionals are also there for you if you are running out of time this week and just have five minutes before the group gathers. Don’t worry – I won’t tell anyone. This study is flexible enough to be anywhere from six to fourteen weeks long. You can find a week-by-week guide listing the suggested reading plans near the end of this book.
On the other end of the spectrum, if you are a history buff or a church history wonk or a Bible trivia collector, first let me greet you as a brother or sister. We have so much in common! If you also like Star Wars we should meet – we’ll be fast friends. At the end of this book (in the Background section) you will find information about the city of Ephesus, the church in Ephesus, and how Ephesus plays a major role in the unfolding of God’s story after Jesus’ ascension to heaven. If you want to know how archeology, prostitution, and the Word of God interact with each other in Ephesus, check out the Background section.
Hopefully this book will help you grow closer to Christ whether you have five minutes or five hours this week to contemplate the book of Ephesians.
Devotional: Ephesians 1
As I read Paul’s opening to his letter to the church in Ephesus, I am struck by how often he mentions blessings and reasons to give thanks to God. He starts off with the blessings and thanksgivings that apply to every Christian. God “blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (v3). He highlights the “good pleasure of his will” (v5) and gives “praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us” (v6). Paul celebrates “the riches of his grace that he lavished on us” (v7-8). We have an “inheritance” in Christ (v11, 14) and so we have “hope” (v12).
Then he moves on to the special ways God has blessed and worked through the church in Ephesus. They are famous for their “faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints” (v15). Paul is praying for them constantly (v16). God has the power to work in them and through them (v19-20). And lest anyone think their problem is too big for God, Paul reminds them that God “has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church” (v22).
I don’t know about you, but I often find it all too easy to focus on my reasons to complain rather than my litany of blessings. As I write this, I am staring out a window as a light rain transforms into a heavy rain/snow mix. Gotta love mountain weather. I’m going to leave and get into my car in a few minutes. Oh, and I also forgot my coat. My first thought was somewhat less than thankful toward the provision of this precipitation. But as a neighbor recently reminded me, “at least we won’t have to worry about water this year.” One person’s annoying rain or snow is another person’s gift of life-giving water. The difference is our perspective.
GOING DEEPER
What are the blessings and thanksgivings you can think of that every human or every Christian or even every American should remember?
What are the special blessings and thanksgivings God has placed in your life?
Is there some part of your life that could use a switch to a thankful perspective?
Paul was continually praying for others – even people he had never personally met. Where might God be calling you to expand your prayer this week to include new people or situations?