Monthly Archives: January 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 5:29 am on January 30, 2015  

To Share in the Way of Jesus – Rev. David J. Schreffler

January 30, 2015

“Jesus went about among the villages teaching. And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two…” Mark 6:6-7

“The authority of Jesus reached its climax in the call to discipleship. This is something strange and unique, in contrast with this world around him. Rabbis had pupils, and revolutionaries had adherents. Jesus asked for neither pupils nor for revolutionary action, but only that (people) should share in his way.” Gerhard Ebeling (1912 – 2001) “For All The Saints” volume I

Discipleship, in the earliest understanding, was a mix of learning and doing. Jesus not only asked his disciples to pay attention, but to think, to act, and to step out of their comfort zones. Being a disciple has not changed in 2000+ years. Jesus still asks you and me to follow the way of discipleship. It is not enough just to learn from the teacher. Jesus expects us to put his teaching into ministry – it is not enough to love, we need to do loving acts. And it is not enough to pray for help, we need to “be” the prayer, to be the hands and feet of Christ in helping the needy. Or as Gerhard Ebeling wrote, the followers of Jesus are asked to “share in his way”. But to “share” should not give us the impression that we should be casual about our discipleship.

Here is what Martin Luther has to say on the matter in his writing “Concerning Christian Liberty”:

“I first lay down these two propositions, concerning spiritual liberty and servitude: A Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one.

Although these statements appear contradictory, yet, when they are found to agree together, they will make excellently for my purpose. They are both the statements of Paul himself, who says, “Though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all” (1 Cor. ix. 19), and “Owe no man anything, but to love one another” (Rom. xiii. 8). Now love is by its own nature dutiful and obedient to the beloved object. Thus even Christ, though Lord of all things, was yet made of a woman; made under the law; at once free and a servant; at once in the form of God and in the form of a servant.”

You see, for Christians, there is a value higher than our knowledge, or our length of membership in a church – and that is our responsibility and our accountability to our Christian brothers and sisters and to all others in being disciples for Jesus. For our knowledge of God is limited and finite anyway, and our freedom does not release us from our responsibility to our brothers and sisters in Christ in how we live, do business, treat one another and share the good news of Jesus. These are all a part of discipleship. We are bound to live within the limitations imposed by love. And that love compels us to “go and do”.

Every day you and I have the opportunity to “share in the way of Jesus Christ” in our discipleship. It is our Christian responsibility. What will you do today to “share in the way” of being a disciple?

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 5:41 am on January 29, 2015  

Deep Thoughts – Rev. David J. Schreffler

January 29, 2015

“How deep I find your thoughts, O G*d. How great is the sum of them..” Psalm 139:17

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

How deep I find your thoughts. There have been many deep thoughts written in this world – by prophets – by deep thinkers, philosophers and the like – Nietzsche, Einstein, Dostoyevsky, Buddha, to name just a few. But we also have Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Paul – even Isaiah and Ezekiel. The bible shares with us many different voices of deep thinkers – but the most profound thoughts come from Jesus, who was G*d himself. Within sixty-six books of the bible some of the deepest thoughts have been shared with you and me – wise thoughts – deep thoughts – saving words of love and grace – words that all of us can absorb, read, meditate, and pray upon.

In his sermon “God’s Thoughts Toward Us”, Rev. Carl Haak said:

“When we are in ways of personal distress and sorrow, it can be a great comfort to hear a brother or sister say, “I will be thinking about you. You will be in my prayers and thoughts.” Or a parent says to a child who will face a way of testing, “I will remember you. I will carry you in my heart and in my thoughts.” In those words, “I will be thinking about you,” we wish to convey two things. First, our love. To be mindful of another person in his trial and sorrow is the essence of love. Secondly, we express our helplessness. We are saying that the other person is beyond our ability to help. Therefore, although those words are very reassuring, their thoughts cannot actually change anything. Soaring far above that is the Word of G*d… G*d says that, moment by moment, He thinks of us; that there is a constant stream of divine thought towards His children in Christ; and that never, for one moment, are we out of those thoughts.”

One of the best spiritual practices I can recommend to you, as a pastor, is to memorize scripture. It is amazing how G*d can speak to you and to me in a verse that you memorize and can repeat in a meditative and prayerful manner. It is a powerful way we can learn how deep are G*d’s words – how great is the sum of them.

Take a verse today and spend time with it – memorize it – meditate on it – and find how deep G*d’s thoughts really are.

Pastor Dave