Tag Archives: Paul

The greatest Evangelist in the Early Christian Church

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on July 22, 2015
Tags: Paul   

Grafted — Rev. David J. Schreffler

July 22, 2015

“Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry in order to make my own people jealous, and thus save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead! If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; and if the root is holy, then the branches also are holy. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the rich root of the olive tree, do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember that it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you. You will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches, perhaps he will not spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness toward you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. And even those of Israel, if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you have been cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree.” Romans 11:13-24

“Christ crucified extends his arms toward both Jews and Gentiles; he died, St. Paul says, in order to reconcile the two peoples, and to break down the dividing barrier of enmity between them. Agony now is the way of achieving that reconciliation, that breaking down of the barrier of enmity — which the madness of men prevented love from accomplishing, and the frustration of which is the most refined torment in the sufferings of the Messiah.” Jacques Maritain (1882 – 1973) “On Anti-Semitism” in Christianity and Crisis, October 6, 1941 “For All The Saints”, volume IV (p. 309)

I have never grafted one plant onto another, but I am always fascinated by the process of growing plants. When my wife and I moved into the first home that we purchased, we had a garden in the back yard that was filled with several “hybrid” rose bushes. These rose bushes were created through the process of combining the genetic material of one rose variety with another variety — thus creating a new variety.

We did not know anything about caring for these kinds of roses, but we tried our best for the first two years. By the third year, most of the rose bushes were dead.

I learned a few years after that failed experiment that varietal roses are fragile plants. They take a lot of care — and compassion — and they can easily die, never to be seen again, if not cared for properly. Thank G*d that the same is not true for those of us who are grafted on to the tree of salvation — through Jesus Christ — which is for eternity. G*d has the power to graft — it is not up to us. Because we are grafted onto the tree of salvation through the cross of Jesus, we seek reconciliation with all people: people of faith and people of no faith, people of other cultures, people of other religions, and people of other races. We should not boast of our adoption, we boast of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on July 20, 2015
Tags: , , Paul   

He Came to Call — Rev. David J. Schreffler

July 20, 2015

“But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ” Romans 10:14-17

“Christ came not to force and compel them who would not be brought into the way. Christ saves no man against his will. There is a word crept into the later school that deludes many a man. They call it irresistibility and they would have it mean that when G*d would have a man, he will lay hold upon him by such a power of grace as no perverseness of that man can possibly resist. The grace of G*d is more powerful than any resistance of any man or devil. Force and violence, pecuniary and bloody laws, are not the right way to bring men to religion, in cases where there is nothing in consideration but religion merely. He came not to compel man…”He came to call.”
John Donne (1572 – 1631) A sermon, “The Showing Forth of Christ”, “For All The Saints” volume IV (p. 292-293)

“Christ saves no man against his will.” But G*d will come to us when we can least resist — when we are deepest in the hole, furthest from the shore line, and facing the gravest diagnosis. Christ will come in the person who sits down to say “I care”. Christ will come in the one who reaches down with a hand to pull you out of the hole. Christ will come to sit beside you to say “We will face this diagnosis together”. Christ calls all of us to be the hands and feet of Christ — to be the one sent — to be the one to proclaim that the kingdom has come near. G*d is calling you — you are not forced to listen — you are not compelled to respond. But, at some point, Christ will get your attention — saying “come if you are weary — I will give you rest” — and resistance will be futile.

Pastor Dave