Tag Archives: Holy Spirit

The third person of the Trinity and the work of G*d in this world – it is the Holy Spirit that builds faith

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on November 9, 2015
Tags: , Holy Spirit, Unity   

We Are —- One in the Lord – Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

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November 9, 2015

“For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”   Hebrews 9:24 – 28

“Every time we — both clergy and laypeople — work off guilt by all that we do for the church, we make it a mechanism for atonement. Such a mechanism can create apparently successful churches. But the side effects can be lethal: a cold shoulder towards newcomers who haven’t “earned their way,” or even the scapegoating and expulsion of some members (including the clergy!).

What a difference it makes to experience the church as a community of forgiven sinners, who don’t need to sacrifice each other, whose consciences are cleansed “from dead works to worship the living God” (9:14). When it comes to Christian community, this is the real deal.” (Working Preacher website, Commentary on Hebrews 9:24-28 Susan Eastman)

“What a difference it makes to experience the church as a community of forgiven sinners, who don’t need to sacrifice each other…”. Wow! I could not say it any better. It always amazes me how quickly “believers” are prepared to throw a church member under the bus of “right practice”, or in front of the trolley of “being right”. Someone new comes to the church and hopes to have a voice, even maybe be involved in ministry, and the “established” members sacrifice them on the altar of “we have it all under control, no need for you or your voice”. It frustrates me so much as a pastor. Grace is thrown out the window time and time again because people feel “threatened” – like the Alpha lion trying to fend off opponents to his “pride”. The church was never intended to be a place where individuals could stake out their own personal place of power and authority. The church is the gathering of individuals who, while being simultaneously Saint and sinner, they come to hear the word preached rightly and the sacraments administered properly, and work toward the completion of the Great Commission: to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching people everything Jesus had taught them. (Matthew 28:19ff)

Again, as I ended my November 7 devotion, I will say again: “We might be un-equal in society, but we are one in the Lord, brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on October 11, 2015
Tags: Holy Spirit,   

Expect a Shower — Rev. David J. Schreffler

October 11, 2015
Sunday

“As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.” Mark 10:17-22

“The rich man grieved because he could not part with his possessions. We also may struggle with an imagination dominated by a sense of scarcity and therefore have a hard time seeing the blessings of God all around us. While the move from a mentality of scarcity to one of abundance doesn’t happen overnight, we can start on that journey this Sunday. In particular, we can invite people to call to mind one particular blessing they’ve experienced in the week past and give thanks for it in a time of silent prayer. And we can send people out, charging them to take time each day at work or at home to name a blessing and give thanks in prayer. The God for whom nothing is impossible has showered each of us with blessings, and noticing and giving thanks for them can be a powerful way to live into God’s abundance.” (David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, Jesus, the Rich Man, and All of Us Lousy Stewards, Sunday, October 07, 2012)

Did you take a shower today? Did you pause in the shower to take time to let the water just roll off your back — to just bask in this blessing? The idea of being showered with G*d’s blessings is so appropriate because there is no better way to speak of these blessings. Have you ever been caught in a rain shower? I am sure you have — we all have at one time or another. There is no escaping the drops — there is no way to dodge your way through them — to avoid the majority of drops destined to hit you. When you find shelter do you thank G*d for providing this brief respite — for providing this shower? Probably not, because you are wet, and cold, and annoyed. We spend too much time in this life feeling annoyed with what we do not have, rather than thanking G*d for the blessings that have been showered upon us. Often I pray with those who are in the hospital or experiencing some kind of illness — and one of the prayers I pray is that the Holy Spirit washes over the one who is ill – that they feel immersed in the presence of the Spirit. Take time today to let the presence of G*d wash over you – to feel the blessings of G*d that are showered over all people – let it wash you anew in G*d’s blessings.

Pastor Dave