Tag Archives: Service

We go forward to serve others not to earn G*d’s love but because G*d loves us through Jesus

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on May 27, 2015
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Doing Whatever We Want? — Rev. David J. Schreffler

May 27, 2015

“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” Matthew 10:40-42

“Whether we are sick or healthy, lowly or powerful, poor or rich, base or honorable, hungry or filled, let us do all things in the name of the Lord with patience….Then will be fulfilled that word of Scripture, “All things work together for good for those who love G*d” (Romans 8:28) There is a story about John the Evangelist when he was a very old man living in Ephesus. He was so weak that his disciples could hardly carry him to church and he had difficulty speaking several words together in a connected thought. It became his practice to utter nothing except this simple sentence, “My little children, love each other.” “…they asked him “Master, why do you always say this?” He answered…”Because this is the Lord’s command. If that alone is done, it is enough.” Jerome (340 – 420) “For All The Saints” volume IV (p. 30-31)

How do you suppose we are to live out the sentence, “My little children, love each other”? What do you think counts as “love of your neighbor?” How would you show this love? How do you show this love? We could turn to 1 John 3:18 that says, “Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” We can’t just say we should do more to show our love, we need to put those words into action. It is one thing to say to someone, “I will pray for you.” It is another to sit with someone and pray with them.

When Paul says “All things work together for good for those who love G*d”, he is saying that those who love G*d look to do G*d’s will, which is to love each other, and to love G*d. If we love G*d, we can do whatever we want – for whatever we want to do is to love G*d — and then all we do will be formed by this love of and for G*d.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on April 24, 2015
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Discipleship – Rev. David J. Schreffler

April 24, 2015 – “D” is for Discipleship

“As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen). He said to them, “Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people.” They left their nets immediately and followed him. Going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. Then he called them. They immediately left the boat and their father and followed him.” Matthew 4:18 – 22

Jesus called the disciples early in his ministry. As these men were working, carrying on the day-to-day work-a-day lives of survival, this itinerate preacher came along and invited them into something they could never have imagined. But they did not hesitate to follow, which is mind-boggling to many people reading the account of their calling today. These men who had responsibilities and family, simply drop everything and follow Jesus, without much conversation or questioning. This is an extreme level of discipleship that few can follow. But that does not get us off the hook for being good, faithful and obedient disciples.

Yes, only a few people throughout the history of the Christian church have been able to leave everything and follow Jesus. But many, many have lived faithful lives all the while living the Christ-like life in other vocations. Martin Luther believed that anyone could be a faithful disciple of Jesus – that it was not necessary to become a Priest or Nun to be close to G*d. He believed the baker, the butcher, the cobbler and the brewer could also be good, faithful disciples of Christ. We each need to find how we can live out our callings in the world and still be good disciples of Jesus.

How will you be a disciple of Jesus today? How can you continue in your work-a-day world and still be a disciple of Jesus?

Pastor Dave