March 12, 2024 – This is Not Paradise

“But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:3-5

“Here’s the real-life, street-level issue: if you don’t keep the eyes of your heart focused on the paradise that is to come, you will try to turn this poor fallen world into the paradise it will never be. In the heart of every living person is the longing for paradise. We all have this longing, even when we are not aware of it, because it was placed there by our Creator. He has placed eternity in each one of our hearts.” (“New Morning Mercies”, March; Paul David Tripp)

When you forget to keep your eyes on the prize that is to come, you may just fall victim to trying to turn this moment, this place you reside in to something it can never be. Think with me for a second. Your job will not be the paradise you long for. Your friendships will not be the paradise your heart craves. The world around you will not function like paradise. Your children will not deliver paradise to you. Even your church and your pastor will never live up to standards some hope to see in this world.

All the things that disappoint you now are placed in your midst to remind you that this world is not all that will ever be. We should have a longing for the paradise that is to come. The dreams that die, the people who disappoint, the plans that fail are to remind you that this is not paradise. The sin that captivates you and the world that fails so many should remind you that this is not paradise.

When the thief on the one side of Jesus asks to be remembered when Jesus enters into the Kingdom, Jesus does not say “Your paradise is all around you.”  Instead he says “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

Remember, the paradise Jesus promises will come to all of us one day – so we need to keep our eyes on the prize.

Pastor Dave

March 11, 2024 – Sin Lurks at the Door

“Listen to the words of Jesus: And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts…”

Mark 7:14ff

Jesus is making a very important point about the nature of humanity. You don’t defeat sin simply by separating yourself from sinful people. That may feel good, and feel profitable, but that does not keep sin out of your heart. Jesus would never have needed to come and die on the cross if it was that simple. In his words, Jesus calls us to humbly admit that the biggest danger to each one of us is not the sin that lurks outside – but the sin that still infects our hearts. Once you admit this, you begin to get excited about G-d’s grace in Jesus Christ. You see, if you convince yourself that the biggest influx of sin comes from the others in your life, other people, other things, then you can convince yourself that you have no need for change. But once you realize that sin not only lurks at the door, but resides in the heart, they you know you need the grace of Jesus Christ.

Let us remember the words of the prophet Joel 2:12-13:

“Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from punishment.”

Our G-d is an amazing G-d.

Pastor Dave