Tag Archives: Jesus

G*d’s Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity, Messiah, Savior

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on July 31, 2015
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I Believe The Children Are Our Future — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

imageJuly 31, 2015

“Then he came again to Cana in Galilee where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my little boy dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way. As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive. So he asked them the hour when he began to recover, and they said to him, “Yesterday at one in the afternoon the fever left him.” The father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” John 4:46-53

“The biggest place in the world is that which is being filled by the people who are closely in touch with youth. Being a king, an emperor or a president is mighty small potatoes compared to being a mother or the teacher of children, whether in a public school or in a Sunday School, and they fill places so great that there isn’t an angel in heaven that wouldn’t be glad to give a bushel of diamonds to boot to come down here and take their places.” Billy Sunday (1862 – 1935) A Sermon, “Motherhood” “For All The Saints”, volume IV (p. 462)

So often we hear that the “children are the future of the church”. I can’t disagree. We are in the best possible position to teach the faith to someone when they are just a child. Once they have reached adulthood, they begin to believe more in their ability to “intellectualize” things in their lives than to find faith. They are more willing to follow the teachings of politicians, of sport’s figures, or of the ramblings of an “on-line” prophet than to believe and follow the teachings of Jesus and the words of the prophets. But, to me, the most important thing today is to teach our children to carve out time in their busy schedules for the church — either in the activities of a youth group — or attending regular youth activities. If we can get them involved with other children in learning about faith, in having fun at church, and being leaders in the church, they have a better chance to stay connected to the church when they reach adulthood. This will give them a chance as adults and help them to be better able to compare the “on-line” ramblings of a modern-day prophet to the words of grace, mercy and love of Jesus.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on July 28, 2015
Tags: , Jesus,   

The Glory of Humility — Rev. David J. Schreffler

July 28, 2015

“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:69 – 75

“The disciples were men who had been led to despair of themselves. At the beginning of their three years’ class of instruction they had to give up all they possessed; but it was only at the end of that time that they began to give up themselves. They had given up their nets, their homes, their friends — and that was right; but all the three years how strong (the) self was. But Christ taught them and trained them. He revealed to them, time after time, what the sin of pride is and what the glory of humility is, and when He died upon the cross, they died a terrible death too.” Andrew Murray (1828 – 1917) Daily Thoughts on Holiness – “For All The Saints” volume IV (p. 348-349)

Humility is a difficult thing for most of us. It is really a challenge for us to deny ourselves — put others first all of the time — swallow our pride constantly — and to kill the ego within us. We see how difficult it was for the disciples — these men who left everything to follow Jesus — who denied themselves of family, jobs and homes — and yet argued among themselves about who was the greatest. But Jesus would not give up on them — even to his own death. But it took the death of Jesus for them to finally get it — finally see what Jesus had been trying to teach them all along…..”no greater love is there than to lay down one’s life for a friend.” (John 15:13)

Andrew Murray (who by the way, was a South African writer, teacher, and Christian pastor who considered missions to be “the chief end of the church”) wrote “Jesus revealed to his disciples….what the glory of humility is.” Jesus’ death was the ultimate lesson — a lesson you and I would have a hard time repeating as a lesson plan for others. But, instead of dying a physical death, we can die to ourselves each and every day, and put others first — by maybe considering how we can be involved in missions, for example.

How can you focus your life more on Jesus and/or others today, rather than to focus your thoughts only on yourself?

Pastor Dave