Holy or Human? - 1 Thessalonians 2:5

1 Thessalonians 2:13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. (NIV)

            It’s very easy for all of us – myself included – to cast aside God’s Word and treat it as a basic moral guideline which we can either accept or reject without any serious consequences. We may sometimes use it to thread our thoughts and beliefs together and then throw it away when it does not suit our intentions, choices, or decisions. Instead of being sacred, the Bible just becomes a collection of ancient stories, songs, and prayers which may or may not be relevant to our post-modern lives.

God’s Word can also be taken as a spiritual encyclopedia of what people used to believe in the past and end up becoming a quaint record of old faith communities, whose members and devotees are all dead. We think that what we really need is something that reflects our own ideas, sophistication, and culture, making us the holy heroes of our present generation. In other words, what we want is something spiritual that connects with our personal lives, instead of sacred scriptures that show us how to connect with God.

When Paul commends the Thessalonians for embracing his message as the word of God, he praises them for treating it respectfully, humbly, and faithfully. They understand that the Gospel which Paul preaches is not something made up or manufactured by religious fanatics. When they hear what Paul has to say, they feel the powerful presence of God in the Word. They know that this message is different from anything else that they have heard; they understand that this Word will change their lives forever.

As Christians, we have been called to witness to the godliness of the Gospel, the holiness of Christ, and the existence of God in our lives. We are the products of a faith-forming process that began two thousand years ago, so the fruits of our beliefs also contain the sacred seeds of God’s Word for future generations. However, this fruit will only grow if we are connected to God through His Word – or as Jesus Himself expressed it: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

May we all treat God’s Word as being sacred and may we witness to its power with our lives.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your words have been carried throughout the world for almost two thousand years. Your sacred message and godly Gospel have challenged and changed the lives of billions of people throughout history. Help us to cherish God’s Word as truly holy and enable us to apply its teachings and blessings each day. In Your Sacred Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. You’ll be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John latest lectionary drawings called ‘True Vine.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Vine.

Short devotions: Discerning Disciples - Proverbs 1

Proverbs 1:5   Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.

One of the greatest gifts that God can bestow upon His people is that of discernment. It’s very rare in today’s world because it involves the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend that which is usually obscure. We are so used to being visually and audibly stimulated by our communication and media technologies that we have forgotten how to be discerning.

I believe this is why we have so many people who are faith seekers rather than committed believers. They have lost the ability to discern God’s ways and cast aside His words. They want to be different instead of holy; they want God to fit in with their beliefs instead of allowing their lives to be shaped by His will. Instead of discerning what the Holy Spirit wants for the world, they want their desires to be met, fed, and upheld.

So the challenges for all of us today are these: are we willing to listen to God and learn what He wants for the Church in the world? Are we ready to receive the true gift of discernment and get our guidance from His Word?

Prayer:                        Lord God, sometimes we foolishly cast aside Your words and ways because we are prejudiced towards our own understanding. Teach us again the holy truths that You have given to us across the centuries and contained in the sacred scriptures. Keep us from false hopes and biased beliefs that will set us against Your Holy Spirit. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message or ask a question about it, please send John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest 2011 Holy Week drawings. It’s a worship bulletin cover for a Tenebrae Service. He calls it “Maundy Grail.” You can view a larger version at the following link:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5016/5483480751_5a14f671b8_b.jpg

Daily Devotions: Tough Call

1 Samuel 3:1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

Usually, the Hebrew name ‘Samuel’ is interpreted as ‘asked of God, or heard by God,’ and refers to his mother Hannah asking God in prayer to give her a son. The Hebrew root of the word is sha’al which means to ask. For years, however, I have thought that this is the wrong interpretation because there is a closer Hebrew word that fits the bill – shamah – to hear. If this was the case, then the name Samuel would mean ‘the one who hears God’ which I personally think is more appropriate as a means of describing who Samuel was and what he actually did.

We’re told in this passage (1 Samuel 3:1-9) that the word of the Lord was rare and there were not many visions. It must have been an awful time in the history of the people of God. No doubt they asked themselves, “where is God; why can’t we see Him; and why does He not talk to us anymore?” Being abandoned or forsaken by God, must have terrified the Israelites – they were so used to God’s company, presence, and guidance, so that to be without Him must have been very unsettling.

And then in the midst of their problems, God hand picks a young child to hear His voice – a young child who will grow up and lead God’s people for many years – Samuel…the one who listens to God.

I wonder if God really didn’t speak to His people during those years before Samuel was born, or was it the case that they just weren’t listening? Sometimes I think we’re living in the same kind of turbulent days because we don’t make or take time to hear what God is saying. The Church has lost its way in the world – is it because we’re listening to ourselves rather than God? Are we so distracted by what’s happening around us that we see no visions and hear no words from God anymore?

I struggle with this and perhaps you do too. Maybe if I deliberately made more time to be quiet and still, I might be able to hear what God is really saying to the world and not what I want Him to say. In other words, do I want God to hear my prayers or do I want to hear His words? Tough call.

Prayer: O Lord God, help me to listen for You and to You today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

4 Minute Daily Devotions: Effective Preaching

Hebrews 10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

I’ve been preaching for more than thirty years and throughout that time, some people have asked me how can I stand up before other people and preach the Word. They often tell me that they are terrified of speaking in public, so they wonder how I do it week after week.

The secret is twofold: firstly, preaching is not public speaking. Making a speech before your business associates or presenting a project to a group of peers is entirely different. That’s part of a marketing transaction or a management structure. You present what you know and hope that everyone buys into the product. The success of the presentation is based upon how effectively you manage to persuade potential customers or team members. It’s a sales pitch and although some Christian writers would have us believe that preaching is the same, it isn’t.

And that brings me to secret number two: effective preaching depends upon the presence of the Holy Spirit, not the oratory of the preacher, nor the content of the sermon. I’ve heard some life changing sermons given by the meekest of preachers. They have not been dynamic or extroverted, but their words have been endowed by the Holy Spirit. True preachers do not believe in themselves; instead they have confidence in God and present their sermon through the power of Christ living in them.

So this Sunday, when your pastor steps into the pulpit, or stands behind a lectern, or walks across the sanctuary floor to present his or her sermon, open your hearts and minds to this important question: what is the Holy Spirit communicating to me through this sermon? I guarantee that if you have confidence in seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance at that time, you will be richly rewarded through what the preacher offers with the sermon.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we thank You for the power of preaching through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Open our hearts and minds this coming Sunday to what You want us to hear. Help our preachers to seek Your favorable and guiding presence as they set out to preach God’s Word to God’s people. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor at Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.