Tag Archives: Faith

Faith in Jesus Christ which comes through the presence of the Holy Spirit

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on April 10, 2015
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The Last Word – Rev. David J. Schreffler

April 10, 2015

“While they (the women) were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep’. And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed; and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.” Matthew 28:11-15

“…it is no wonder, that this Jesus ends up on the cross; rather, this cross is the last extreme attempt to turn the judgment away from us and to regain our human freedom. How shall we still live, if Jesus is right, if G*d lives and if He lays claim to Lordship over us?! How shall we still live, if the last Word belongs not to us, but to G*d? Therefore, Jesus must die at the hands of people. It is not the Resurrected One who stands before the world and asks, “Do you want me or not?” Rather, it is his Cross which stands before the world, and therein lies the decision: whether or not we confess ourselves to be the guilty and condemned ones, whether or not we acknowledge the truth of G*d concerning us and desire to live by his grace. Before the world lies the empty grave, which asks us whether we are ready to let G*d have the last Word!”
Martin Niemoeller (1892 – 1984) A sermon, “He is risen!” preached Easter 1934. “For All The Saints” volume III (p. 1060)

This is the choice we have to make – did Jesus rise from the dead, or did the disciples steal him away while everyone was asleep? The Marys, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, went to the tomb and did not find Jesus. They felt an earthquake, saw an angel descend from heaven and roll the stone back, and sit upon the stone. The angelic visitor(s) tell how Jesus is not there and has been raised. Not “Just” one Gospel writer tells us this story – all four give some account of the events of the resurrection. The resurrection is a mysterious event, but the empty grave is serious stuff. It does stand before the world and asks “…are we ready to let G*d have the last Word?”

In my world, G*d needs to have the last word. Why? Because I have seen the business of humanity, and if left up to us to determine our salvation, we are as good as dead. Without G*d raising Jesus from the dead, me and you, we have no hope. The Cross stands before us so that on Easter there is an empty tomb. Are you ready to let G*d have the last word in your life?

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:04 am on April 8, 2015
Tags: Faith   

Working For G*d – Rev. David J. Schreffler

April 8, 2015

“A man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the Temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the Temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them. Peter said, “…in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.”
Acts 3:1ff

“Can (a) sinner be turned into a saint? Can that twisted life be put right? There is only one answer: “O Lord, Thou knowest, I don’t.” Never trample in with religious common sense and say–“Oh, yes, with a little more Bible reading and devotion and prayer, I see how it can be done. It is much easier to do something than to trust in G*d; we mistake panic for inspiration. That is why there are so few fellow workers with G*d and so many workers for Him. We would far rather work for G*d than believe in Him.” Oswald Chambers (1874 – 1917) My Utmost for His Highest “For All The Saints” volume I p. 1002

“We would far rather work for G*d than believe in Him.” What a profound statement. But it is often so true. Do you know a friend or acquaintance who is a fixer? You know what I mean, the person who upon learning about a situation believes that “doing” something is the only option. In some situations, doing something is the right response. But, there are often those situations where either the person does not want us to do something, or there is nothing more that we can do but to put our trust in G*d. When we encounter someone who has just lost a spouse, or a dear friend, we often think that we must do – make a meal, take them shopping, get their nails done. Many times, all the person wants is for someone who will sit with them, and just be with them. The ministry of presence is what it is called. Sometimes, for G*d to be most present, we must simply “be” – be with the person, and allow G*d to work through us and our ministry of presence. When we are with someone, we remind them that they are not alone – that G*d comes to us through others – and this will allow G*d to work in the mysterious ways that G*d works.

The other thing to think is about is this – when we try to always be the fixer, we could actually be interfering with G*d’s work in the world. Sometimes G*d works through us, and sometimes G*d wants us to get out-of-the-way so G*d can work, can allow someone to see the presence of G*d clearly without us interfering. It is hard to determine what might be best in a situation, but if we allow the Spirit to guide us, these things can become most clear.

Pastor Dave