a Message by Rev. Ron Mahler

JUST WHY IS THIS “THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME” OF THE YEAR??
A MESSAGE BY REV. RON MAHLER

It’s the most wonderful time of the year...it’s the hap-happiest season of all!!!! You hear that song played in many stores during the weeks leading up to Christmas And if you have ever paid close attention to the lyrics of that song – you find out that the songwriter really doesn’t give us the true reason why it is the “most wonderful time” of the year. The song talks about “gay, happy meetings...marsh-mellows for roasting...friends coming to call...” etc., and yet, these words, even though they reflect integral components of what it means to share the holidays with friends and family, ultimately, they fall short of the reason why this is the “happiest” season “of all.” It certainly is the most wonderful time of the year – and it is sad that often times the reason why it is so wonderful – is absent in many songs of the season that we hear – especially, in the more contemporary “holiday” songs. Christians, for over sixteen hundred years have celebrated the timeless rendering of the account of the first Christmas: the birth of Christ in Bethlehem (foretold in the Old Testament – and realized in the gospels of the New Testament).

It is the “most wonderful time” of the year – because we celebrate the Saviour of the world’s advent and humble birth on our planet - earth. God came to be with us – to be one of us – in order to redeem us. Steven Curtis Chapman captures perfectly, the awesome, elemental feature of the Christmas story in his song: “The Miracle Of Christmas” – when he sings, “And the God who spoke, still speaks. And the God who came, still comes. And the miracle that happened, still happens in the hearts of those who believe...” What beautiful words! I leave you with the words of one of, if not, the first Christmas song ever written and sung. It is often referred to in the Latin titling - as the “Magnificat.” Upon hearing of her blessed position as the channel of God’s blessing to His people, Mary sung out for joy - and her words grace the pages of Luke 1. They are really a form of Jewish psalm which is strikingly similar to the song attributed to Hannah in 1 Samuel 2. “And Mary said: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour....His mercy extends to those who fear Him from generation to generation...” And God’s promise of salvation in His Son, Jesus, extends once again this Christmastime - to all - that those who believe may receive the true Reason for the season during this most wonderful time of the year.

Merry Christmas to everyone at HLCC and abroad! May the greatest gift you receive this year – if you haven’t already – is God’s gift of His Son – Jesus Christ – the “Saving Messiah.”

A word from our pastor

“Want To Be Famous? Who Needs Hollywood!”
by Rev. Ron Mahler

Have you ever flirted with the idea of what it would be like to be famous? I will bet at some point or even at different times in your life, and in mine, that fame and sometimes the fortune that comes with it – has danced on the heart of our ambitions. There is just something about “being famous” that is extremely enticing to human beings. I would even surmise that our appetites to grab the limelight and the world’s spotlight have increased enormously in the last decade or two. Reality TV has made many people famous, and sometimes for entirely dubious reasons! Our culture’s latest rage and lust for fame (and let’s be honest, for fortune too) has been realized through all the sordid, “tell-all” books that are being written by the quasi-famous - and which are filling the shelves of bookstores. As people, though we may not like it on us, we sure love to read about someone else’s dirt! As a western culture we are obsessed with, as the late pop-artist Andy Warhol put it: our “fifteen minutes of fame.” Speaking of books, recently I came across a great one, entitled: “The Call” by Os Guinness. It is a profoundly blunt read. Despite the fact that the book cannot be qualified as a new-bestseller, or “fad” book, it nonetheless remains a very contemporary and “right-on” treatment of our societies’ search for meaning, in a world deaf to God’s call on our lives. In terms of our culture’s fame-intoxicated temperature, Guinness remarks, “Formerly...heroism was linked to the honour of accomplishment. Honour was accorded to the person with some genuine achievement, whether in character, virtue or wisdom...Today, however, the media offers a shortcut to fame – instantly fabricated famousness with no need for the sweat, cost and dedication of true greatness. The result is not the hero but the celebrity, the person famously described as “well known for being well-known.” Could a statement ever be more-timely than this one? I know I could think of several people in the entertainment world right now, or in the “sphere” of the famous – and inquire of them, “And just why are you famous??”

In 1 Thessalonians 1, Paul the apostle let the church in Thessalonica know just how – in a word - famous they were, to the surrounding regions in which they were situated geographically. In the first-century, the world was a small place – and for all the Thessalonian believers knew – as a church, the whole world literally was “their stage.” And Paul gives us the simple and yet spiritually penetrating answer as to why they were famous. It had nothing to do with celebrity, or media “coverage” from throngs of paparazzi. The reason they were well-known – was a result of their “faith.” In 1 Thess 1:7, Paul writes, “As a result you became an example to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia...in every place reports of your faith in God have spread...For people everywhere report (note the present-ongoing tense of that Greek verb) how you...turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God...” What a commendation! Talk about being famous for something of substance and virtue! That, in the first-century pagan world was a bonafide accomplishment! If I am reading the newspapers right – fame can be fleeting as much as it can be deflating at times. Susan Boyle, the British reality-TV singing sensation, said recently that she has found her rise to fame to be “crushing.” Whether some find fame to be expediently lucrative and self-serving - or not, I think we should consider being famous for far different and even greater reasons. Imagine how wonderful it would be - if as a church body (for the sake of argument – Highland Lakes Community Church) we would be considered “an example” to the Highlands, as a result of our “faith” in God? Imagine what impact could be made for Jesus if people could see a heavenly spotlight on us (not to be confused with a halo), all because we have lived as Jesus would have us - and consequently, lives were “turning from idols to serve the living and true God,” in Minden!? Talk about fame! Talk about tell-all books! We need to tell all about The Book – but also live it!

A Message from Our Pastor

Recently I had the opportunity to participate in a peaceful demonstration, whereby I joined a few others in holding up signs which communicated a biblically-centred, pro-life message. This was a maiden voyage for me, for I had never previously taken a stand, publically, on any such culturally and politically sensitive “hot button” issue. When I was asked if I would like to be involved, I didn’t hesitate to say “yes,” mostly because I felt it was the right thing to do. As I was holding up the sign I had chosen to demonstrate with, I just knew that its message was a correct one, even if those who passed by on foot or by car, might have thought otherwise. I recall asking myself as I stood with my sign, “Why and for whom I am doing this for?” Surely, I was representing my Lord and Saviour who taught in His ministry that we are to preserve and value life, for that is what God does. Then, I thought of all those who are currently in the womb but who could very well, never see the day of their birthday - on earth. I gathered that I was somehow speaking for them as well. The abortion issue also carries with it, a personal connection for me in my own history. I knew someone whom I cared for very much, who over twenty years ago, decided to abort their pregnancy. They were never the same afterwards. The event of an abortion is a tragic event in itself, and has the potential to be a tremendously devastating burden for the entire family who often absorbs the ensuing emotional and psychological ramifications that follow. The spiritual reverberations also reach up into to Heaven. If all the angels “rejoice” when one person “turns from sin to eternal life,” they, along with God, then, must weep when one chooses to end life, whether it is by abortion or even suicide. No one on the face of the earth is perfect. We all make mistakes of many kinds, and yet no one has the sovereign right to take life, except God as our Creator. At the same time, it is unkind to render a wholesale judgement upon a person for their decision to end a life, whether it be their own, or that of an unborn child. We don’t know every situation, nor have we walked in their shoes. However, we must bring God’s healing and directive Word into the realm of all social maladies and tragedies, including those who have been directly affected by such an event as an abortion. On the surface, it can appear to be a “cold” thing to simply hold up a sign that speaks forth a message against the pro-choice position, without having the opportunity to engage in dialogue with people. Perhaps there are people we would rather not engage with on this acutely divisive issue. Someone who drove by us that day while we were demonstrating yelled out something that I am sure - could not be repeated on this page! The chances that we were going to win someone over that day, and change their pro-choice views - were no doubt slim, not impossible, but slim nonetheless. Only God can change a heart on any given issue that separates someone from Him, and He can use many things, even our demonstrating to do it. Having said that, we must remain vessels that correctly communicate His character of mercy and love to every person and situation we encounter. Unfortunately, that is difficult to accomplish while holding a sign form a distance. They can only see our message, not our hearts. Suffice it to say, that our harmful choices in life, our (sin), whatever it may be, can be forgiven. Any sin can be. Abortion is not the root problem in society, it is indicative of a deeper rooted problem: our depreciated value for the life God has given us. In general, that is why we don’t see many people turning from sin these days. That is also why we hurt ourselves, and that is why we harm others in this world. If we could all capture what is the miracle of human conception in the womb, and in addition to that, the extraordinary life-giving nature of the sacrifice Jesus made for us in the Cross - then quite possibly, we would have no need to hold up signs anymore about any social issue. The demonstration I was involved in left me with a very gratifying feeling. I would do it again. I spoke up for life that day, and even though it may not have a made any difference – I still chose to speak up. In respecting someone’s “freedom of choice” (of which we must) we cannot at the same time, disrespect our own freedom to speak up about that choice. “Life,” in some respects, depends on it.

A word from Pastor Ron

Keeping Our Eyes On What Is Certain, During Uncertain Times
By Rev. Ron Mahler

So often in life we sweat the "little stuff," isn’t that right? Things like: How are we going to get through another winter on the budget we have? Why are my children saying words they shouldn’t be saying - since school started? Why do I feel like I am always taking two-steps back in my search for happiness in life? When will we ever be able to afford to buy a real (fill in the blank!) that doesn’t keep breaking down? See what I mean – little stuff! And right about now, you are saying: "Are you crazy? That’s not little stuff!!" Well, I would have to agree with you – on one condition: it depends on whose perspective you are looking at these kinds of challenges from! To borrow a spiritual image from the gospels – sometimes we "strain out gnats" and "swallow camels" in terms of the things that life throws at us. I know people who try to avoid the smallest of trials and mess-ups in life, but who at the same time, are unable to see and avoid the more consequential and obvious ones coming their way. Then there are those concerns that are applicable to all of us - universally. We are entering a fall season, where washing our hands, coughing into our sleeve, getting a flu shot, and eating right will be more important than ever, as we attempt to keep our sicknesses from spreading. Our schools, businesses, governments, and other institutions are all ready it seems, to combat a possible pandemic of "swine flu," should it occur in various places in Canada. From reading the paper, reports tell us that the Afghanistan War is getting worse, more bodies of our brave soldiers are being sent home via the "Highway of Heroes," Iran is talking nasty again, Israel is strangely quiet – hhmm??, and Barack Obama – America’s promising, hopeful leader of the future – is seeing his honeymoon with the nation and world – setting on the political horizon somewhat. Talk about an uncertain future! And I didn’t even get to all bad stuff yet!

Here’s where I must interject by painting some biblical sanity and hope onto what is a very nefarious looking canvas of the world, and the future! Remember the account of David and Goliath in the Old(er) Testament? What a story! I like stories about underdogs. That’s because – maybe like you, I often feel like one. David, before he was the king of Israel, took a pretty impressive step towards that throne, by slaying the 9 foot Philistine monster - with a stone and a sling shot – and that, with perhaps one stab at it! David made his shot count! Yet what always sticks out to me about his victory was not how great it was - in terms of the size difference between him and Goliath -- it was his faith! let’s face it - things did not look good for David. The militaristic, not to mention, the physical odds - were against him, and Israel. If David missed, and Goliath grabbed a hold of him, well – I will spare you what the eventual, gory outcome would have been for the boy - and his nation. However, that did not happen. Why? – because David was God’s man – who was able to face the battle by trusting and leaning on the Lord’s faithfulness. How do we know that? In 1 Samuel 17: 45 – David confidently evangelizes to Goliath, "I come against you in the name of the Lord...whom you have defied...Today...the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel...all those gathered here will know...that the Lord saves; for the battle is (His)." What great words! What great faith David had – in the face of seemingly overpowering circumstances that could have squashed him into the ground, and made him all but a footnote of folly in Israel’s history.

We could use such a reminder of David’s faith, as we head towards an uncertain fall season and future of the world. David knew what he was facing in Goliath, but he also knew how to face him! I think we can tend to be a bit parochial in how we apply the promises of God sometimes – when it come to facing the little stuff, as well as the huge stuff in life. Marginalizing God’s ability comes as easy for us, at certain points, as preventing physical pain! Our personal problems, granted, may be quite immense, and very trying. Our mountain may be so big, that we cannot ever imagine how we will overcome our issues, or how our world will ever be able to get through the ominous times we are in. In these times, remember David’s focus – his body may have been facing the mountain – but his eyes were squarely on the mountain mover. If we don’t think God is presently moving mountains in our lives, or in the world, and we think all is for naught, the Bible challenges us to reconsider that perspective, on theological grounds. If even someone whom Jesus Himself, acknowledged as "great," John the Baptist, can fall into a huge faith crisis, you know we can!! When Jesus was approached by followers of John the Baptist, after John was imprisoned, and facing an uncertain future, they mentioned to the Lord that John had his doubts about what He (Jesus) came to do, and could do. Listen to Jesus’ amazing response once more: "Go back and report to John...The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the good news is preached to the poor, blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." Matthew 11:4-6 The vocabulary and grammar of the Lord, in this passage, is written in the present tense. Jesus was not saying "Hey, just look at all the stuff I’ve done in the past. Have some faith!" No! Rather, Jesus was saying that even as all seemingly goes wrong around us, and in the world – remember, God is active, still, moment by moment, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day -- and He is not done His work in our lives, and He has not completed it in the world, either. We can be certain, then, that God is moving mountains, they are incrementally shifting their spiritual, emotional or physical courses in our lives - presently, even though, we may not be able to tell. Doesn’t our earth move – while you don’t even notice? Even more, one day -- all that we face now, will be so small when compared to the vastness of eternity, where we shall stand with Jesus - and just let Him love us! Nothing, not one thing we face now – will be able to prevent that reality. Ultimately, you and I will win the battle! We may see glimpses of it on earth, but it in Heaven, we shall see the final outcome. Is that your perspective Christian soldier, today, as you face your battle?

A Message from Pastor Ron

"A THEOLOGY OF SUMMER"
By Rev. Ron Mahler

Ahh...warm winds and hot sunny days!!!! Summer is upon us. It is a time of year that God had planned in eternity before the foundations of the earth were made. Have you ever wondered how important summer is to our understanding of the life God has given us to live and appreciate? Have you ever wondered how important summertime is in terms of understanding God’s Word, and all that expresses His character and will? Well, whether you have or not, consider the following: summer allows us to see the goodness of God’s provisions in our lives. There is nothing that waters the mouth more than beholding a basket of fresh fruit and vegetables. We can appreciate their size, shape and various colours. And to think, that they all began with a divinely generated single-seed! Gen 1:11. Summer also brings us weddings and helps us to relive the memories of our own vows, and the promises we made to our spouses and God. Here, we can jump fruits and veggies - to being "fruitful" and to "multiplying!" We may catch glimpses of wedding parties all over the place: in parks, flowing out of churches, by lakes and in and around banquet halls. And we can appreciate a beautiful summer day even more, on account of the special day that is for the bride and groom. Summer, too, gives us time to reflect. Our holidays take us away from the demands of our jobs and the stresses of life a bit more. At least they should! It gives us a breather. Jesus told His disciples to "come apart" with Him, to rest and get refreshed. We are a people who need to come apart, because our lifestyles in this face-paced, gotta-get-ahead world often leave us on the verge of "falling apart." Holidays should be used to recharge our spiritual batteries and to relieve ourselves of stress, but not to relieve ourselves of God! Proverbs says "he who refreshes others, will himself, be refreshed." Then there’s the fact that summer lends to helping our bodies and environment become healthier. The Bible states that our bodies are the "temples of the Holy Spirit". God’s Holy Spirit resides in us, when we commit to Him in a personal relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. And one of the ways in which we can honour God with our bodies, is not only by keeping them pure and holy, but by taking care of them. Summer gives us that opportunity to exercise more, by bike-riding, swimming or jogging. The warm summer months also help us to conserve our earth’s valuable, energy resources. It is lighter out longer, and so we don’t need as much lights on, and it is warmer so we can save on heating resources as well. God wants us to be good stewards of this earth, and He has given us the environmental benefits of summertime to help! Summer does even more for us in terms of our church ministries. It allows us to get out from behind the walls of our churches, by having BBQ’s, holding kid’s camps, outreach programs, outdoor concerts, and gets us into the streets of our community more - where we can interact with people. I think summer gives us a glimpse of the beauty and wonder of Heaven as well. If you have ever glanced over the Canadian countryside as you travel by train or bus – you may have by chance, taken hold of deep-blue skies where they meet lush green trees and ash coloured mountains, on top of a crisp blue rushing river, and thought, "I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life!" Just remember at that point, the greatest artist never to have one of his originals appear in an art gallery, has His work displayed the world over! If we think the incredible sight of summer is great, we haven’t seen anything yet! The Bible says "no one has seen or heard what God has prepared for those who love Him" in Heaven! Finally, summer reminds us of renewed life and the resurrection. All we have to do is look at how flowers bloom, and how perennials know just when to come out of the ground – how trees have buds that just naturally open up in the spring, give birth to leaves and become full grown in the summer (in the same slots where they died and fell to the ground in the autumn), all we have to do is witness these miracles --- to see the majestic plan of God for our lives. You see, all sources of life, anywhere, and at anytime time in the world’s existence, had their origin from God. God, Himself, is life. And we need Him in our lives in order to truly live and be alive for all eternity. The Bible says that what God made in creation will pass away, but His "Word", will "last forever". And it is by His Word that He promises to raise our bodies up "on the last day." We see that God is capable of this time and time again, from the beauty of His creation in the summer.

Have a safe, fun and happy summer - with the Lord.

A message from Pastor Ron

"What’s going on in Genesis 15, and what does it have to do with you and me?"
God made a promise to His people of Israel many years ago – a "covenant" – that He intended on keeping. This covenant has been called in scholarly circles as the three-part, or "tri-partite formula of promise": "I will be your God, you will be my people, and I shall dwell in the midst of you". The nature of a "covenant" in Old Testament times, that is, to "cut a covenant" – in the Near East – would involve taking an animal/s, sacrificing it, cutting it in half – and separating the two halves of the animal so as to make an aisle in the middle. The parties involved in the covenant would then ceremonially walk between the pieces – and for all intents and purposes, would be saying: "If I fail to obey this agreement I am making, may what happened to these animals happen to me!"
In Genesis 15, God asks Abraham to prepare a sacrifice for Him and to set up the animals so as to arrange a covenant ceremony - in order to "seal the deal" of the covenant He made with Abraham. Yet you notice in this same passage – that two interesting things happen. First, with the sun "setting," Abraham goes into a deep sleep and is surrounded with a "dreadful darkness." Why would this happen? I mean, God is ready to seal the deal as it were with His servant, and Abraham, packs it in for the night? What is going on there? Then, secondly, only God is mentioned as having moved through the aisle of the sacrificed animals. Why did things end up like this? Why would God not follow the cultural custom set up for covenant making, where all parties involved in the making of a covenant were to go through the aisle? Well, the message is this: By God, and God alone, going through the aisle as a "torch" – the Lord was obligating Himself only in the covenant. Abraham is off the hook! We can think of it this way, when God’s people were in slavery in Egypt – God raised up Moses to lead them out – and it was in the "Exodus" that "Yahweh" meaning: "the God who was there....." opened the jaws of the Red Sea allowing the Israelites to escape the chariots of Pharaoh – while bringing the waves and water down over the Egyptians.
What was the motivation for God to bring this about? We find it in Exodus 2:24: "God heard their groaning and remembered His covenant." The Hebrew word for "remember" - zekar – means: "to call to mind and to act." When God remembers His promises, His covenant He has made with His people, He acts in some way. For instance, scripture shows us that when God recalls His promises, it means He forgives, delivers, redeems and endures. In short: He acts! What were Jesus’ words in the "Last Supper" (Passover meal) scene in the gospels? Jesus told His disciples: "Do this in remembrance of me." That is, we are to call to mind what Jesus did for us, and respond appropriately. How do we do that? We do it by realizing that we are all powerless to save ourselves from our sin. We constantly need His grace and mercy. We needed Jesus to act on the cross for us. He did! He remembered us at Calvary and willingly died for each one of us - as if we were the only sinful person who had ever lived. That is why the Gospel is referred to as the "good news." Likewise, the Israelites were powerless to free themselves from Pharaoh’s oppression of them as a nation. They could do nothing to keep up their end of the "bargain" – in terms of the covenant they were in with the Lord. They needed God "Yahweh" to be "there" for them, and to act on their behalf. He did!
With God, it is all about grace, not merit. What I mean is this: as Israel could do nothing to salvage themselves from Egypt, so we can do nothing to gain salvation, heaven and eternal life without the help of Jesus Christ. Only God went through the centre aisle of the sacrificed animals in order to show Abraham – and us today – Abraham’s "seed," that He, alone, is the covenant keeper of the covenant He made with us. He will not forsake it. It is a unilateral covenant - in that it does not depend on what we do to keep it. You know why? Because we can’t! So, get over yourself! Stop trying so hard to earn your way to salvation. Go and sleep on it, as Abraham would have to, and remember that God already acted in history for you. He walked through the "aisle" all the way to the cross in the form of His Son. All you have to do is remember this and act accordingly. Ask Jesus into your heart and life today as your personal Saviour. Don’t waste the covenant He cut with you a long time ago – start enjoying and living in light of it! Thank you Walter Kaiser for your passion for the Old Testament, and for your inspiration!

A message from the pastor

Jesus as the new "Moses"
A message by Rev. Ron Mahler
Hey everyone! I thought I would submit some thoughts on the whole concept of Jesus - being presented by Matthew in His gospel, as the new "Moses." The parallels in their lives and ministries are undoubtedly clear - from their infant challenge to survive, to their giving of the Law to the nation of Israel. In Jesus' case - He brought the Law out and gave it a new look. One of my favourite portions of Scripture (if that is okay to say) - in the entire Bible, is the "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7) Let me be clear: it is not my favourite because it is an easy read - or because it is highly understandable in all areas! In the "Sermon" - the Lord covers many topics and issues that are directly related to some aspect of the Law of Moses. As one reads over the S.O.M. they become aware by the Lord’s words, that the religious leaders and priests of His day had gotten in the way of the Law's proper interpretation. Though they were Israel's "teachers" they were neither leading or teaching the people, in the way that Moses did. I believe the Lord was referring to them when He would say, repeatedly, "You have heard it said, but I tell you..." For me, the Sermon on the Mount is the highest standard of Christian ethic and living. If you want to know "What Would Jesus Do?" on practically every issue facing a Christian in their cultural context today, check out Matthew 5-7.
On days that I am lacking in faith - I read the Sermon, and think: "This is impossible to live out!" Yet even if it appears to be so, I am thankful that we have the Lord's words to clarify matters of the Old Testament Law, and to put "skin on its bones" so to speak. I am thankful as well, that we don't have to be content with a legalistic take on the Law's interpretation (which Israel was under) - thanks to the counsel of the Pharisees et al. Indeed the Lord came to free us from weighty yokes of religious do’s and don’ts, which only scratched the surface of spiritual life. Rather, Jesus came to move us from the cavernous dungeons of religious superficiality, to the real thing. What is that? The S.O.M. shows us that the true aim of Christian, spiritual life - is all about how we relate in relationships - with God and with others. The Law puts it this way: "Love the Lord with all your heart, soul ... and love your neighbour as yourself." Then, in the "Sermon" itself, Jesus remarks: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12. Do yourself a giant, spiritual favour: keep a bookmark in the Sermon On The Mount. There are lots of self-help books on the shelves of stores today - and perhaps some of them are quite profitable for reading. However, the greatest one - is a part of a greater Book, in fact, the greatest ever to be written! A perpetual bestseller! In it - you’ll find Matthew 5-7.

A message from Pastor Ron

"Reading Revelation With Freedom!"

By Rev. Ron Mahler

Have you ever wondered why you don’t hear the average pastor (other than the more famous type) preach regularly or even remotely from the Book of Revelation, or as it is sometimes referred to: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ"?? I will tell you what I think. I believe we don’t hear a lot of preaching on its content because pastors often feel the pressure to preach or teach the Book in a "predictive" way, rather than in the fashion it was written to be taught from - pastorally! That’s right, you’ve heard it here, the Book of Revelation is a pastoral book! Now there are a plethora of books, and I have read a few of them - perhaps you have also - that will tell you - the who, what, where and when about Revelation. Their authors have made billions of dollars (can you say: Left Behind series? I knew you could)! Books like those and others are thoroughly fascinating - but - are they really a proper, geo-political-theological fool-proof depiction of Revelation’s teaching and purpose?

John, the author of Revelation was exiled as a pastor to a Roman penal colony on the Ilse of Patmos (off of modern day Greece). He was pastor to a few churches who were steeped in persecution at the hands of Rome - namely, the emperor Domitian. You think Nero was mad - this guy, Domitian, was one bad dude!!! And John, being the pastor he was - was writing to the Christians to encourage them (see seven churches in Chapters 1-3). More than anything else - John was communicating that in the end - there will be a reversal: God will win in the end, and all His enemies, and the enemies of the church will come to ruin. Revelation is a Jewish-apocalyptic writing - meaning; it has pastoral precedence in guiding and counselling the people it is written to. A Prophetic writing, on the other hand, like the "Minor Prophets" in the Old Testament - was written to cause and call people to "change." Is this how we should read Revelation - as a prophetic book? Evangelicals in the 20th century, said "Yes" - and I feel since then, we have lost its true purpose, which is not to read it in order to "predict" the future. It was not written for that purpose exactly.

The early Christians believed Jesus’ return to earth, was imminent - and so to them, the "number of the Beast" when calculated in Jewish thinking, was connected to the emperor "Nero." They thought everything that John wrote down that he received in the vision from Christ - would happen in their lifetime. Did it? Well, I will give you a hint: we still don’t have "a new Heaven and a new earth" as yet! So, how can we be sure, 2000 years later, that all of our wrangling through the images and symbols in Book, will amount to what we think will happen? Again, Revelation was not meant to be read like that. And I could go on to tell you how the various types of interpretation have come up with how the Book will be played out - but I don’t want to fascinate you more than perhaps what you already have been with Revelation. Suffice it to say, that God gave us His Word not to speculate on, but to be instructed by. If we treat Revelation like a hobby-horse - and not as a teaching tool, we are distorting God’s Word. Perhaps this is why the reformer and preacher John Wesley once said, "I can’t figure out this book!"

Just as a side note, Revelation was the last Book to receive canonical approval for inclusion into the New Testament. In the final analysis, maybe we should look at Revelation and resolve as Billy Graham did, "I saw the last page in Revelation, God wins!" Yes -it is a fascinating and intimidating Book to read, and it is an interesting scriptural exercise to work through all the variables in the images and symbols – and we could even find how they link to other wordings and prophecies in the Old Testament – but let’s read it with freedom, by reading it pastorally, and not with the pressure to predict!

A Message from Pastor Ron

As one reads the New Testament, one can't help but ask some "why" questions. What I am referring to, is, why Paul spoke/wrote the way he did in some of his letters? For the sake of my argument, I will point us to the letter that Paul sent to the church in Galatia. Have you ever read that letter to the Galatians - and thought, "Wow! That is some sharp language he is using!" If you read that letter in one sitting, you are left with a couple of impressions. First, Paul sounds royally "ticked," and second, after doing some biblical study and digging, you can appreciate why Paul was so upset at the Christians at that church, not to mention, you also see his shepherd's heart and pastoral love fueling his concerns. Let me ask you: What would you do if someone came into our (your) church - and told you that there was something you and I were "missing" in our process of coming to faith in Jesus? Imagine being told our salvation wasn't finalized, and that God somehow wanted us to jump through a hoop that we never thought we had to! Imagine being a new Christian - or being someone who is "searching" and considering putting their faith in Jesus, and hearing this. How might you and I react?

Well, the Galatians, apparently a good number of them, went off the beaten track and followed certain people into theological error. Here was the crux of the problem in the first century church of Galatia: a group of Jewish Christians (noted in history as Judaizers) who, even though they advocated salvation in Jesus as Messiah, still held that God reached out to non-Jews THROUGH the law (of Moses) and not APART from it. Therefore, what entailed was that all males who wanted to become Christians needed to be "circumcised", and needed to follow certain Jewish customs as well.

Now I ask you, did Jesus mention anything like this in His three years of ministry? Did He even remotely imply this stuff in the Great Commission? NO! Jesus, the Bible tells us, "fulfilled" the law's requirements - and came to make "one people" (Ephesians 4) out of us - and not keep uniquely separate, the means by which Jews or Gentiles - should come to God. Paul would not have seen the Christian movement as a "new" religion, but rather as the natural extension and fulfillment (in Christ) of Israel's faith and longing for Messiah. Therefore, Paul had every justification to be hopping, mad as it were, at these Judaizers for throwing the people in Galatia into spiritual and scriptural confusion. That is, having them rely on some outward, physical actions - in order to complete their faith in Christ - and fully secure salvation - rather than it being by faith in what Jesus had done for them - alone.

Now think in "principle" how this issue in the Galatian church, could be applied today - in our current context as the church. We must tread carefully - in making sure we are not putting up obstacles and giving confusing signals to those who enter our churches and who may be considering Jesus as their Saviour. By promoting an ecclesiology (doctrinal practice of the church) that elevates such things as rules, tradition, structure, institution, and liturgical rigidity at the expense of the pure gospel - and how people were able to encounter Jesus - and how one came to a saving knowledge of Him, are we not bordering on being modern day "Judaizers"? In some sense, are we not hinting at "preaching a different gospel" perhaps, as Paul writes to the Galatian church? John the Baptist came to make "straight paths in the desert" for people to be able to receive Jesus as their Messiah/Saviour. May it never be, then, that we make them crooked again! May it never be - in our ministries or evangelism, that we present a "different gospel," or erect a "mirage" of spiritual hoops for those outside the faith, in spiritual deserts, to jump through - in order to know Jesus, and trust in Him for their salvation.

A message from Pastor Ron

In my weekly Bible reflections I came across a recurring theme in the Gospel of John, that I would like to reflect on in this space. What struck me was the tension between people asking Jesus for a "sign" that He was the embodiment of God’s "Kingdom" come, and their lack of faith when presented with difficult teachings from the Lord, afterwards.

In other words, there were some, who, after seeing Jesus perform some supernatural act - like a miracle, would seem to exhibit an initial faith in Him. And with that, they would carry on following Him. Then would come the inevitable moments when Jesus would stop and teach the people. If Jesus simply wanted "followers" - all He had to do was just perform great acts of "awe" for the waiting throngs - and seal their allegiance that way.

However, it is clear from any gospel we read, especially in John‘s gospel, that Jesus was more interested in numbers in Heaven - than numbers "in the pews" as it were. He left that ambition to the Pharisees.

You may remember that when the Iraq War commenced in March 2003, that the headlines in the papers read: "Shock and Awe." That was the name of the United States’ military offensive against Saddam Hussein and his imperial guard. Well, Jesus had lots of "awe" value in His ministry, but He also had His bag of "shock" value as well.

In John 6, Jesus pronounces, "I am the bread of life…" and then He says, "…unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." This statement, by the way, was taken to heart by the early church. Their tradition shows us, as does that of the Catholics and Anglicans, that upon someone’s deathbed, the request was made to receive "communion." In some people’s theological understanding, that is their way of being sure they have "life" in them. Yet why did Jesus express His identity in such "shocking" terms? For the casual listener hearing Jesus’ words that day, perhaps they thought He was encouraging cannibalism - as was the Romans’ perception of the church’s worship practices. However, all that Jesus was trying to convey by His shocking words, can be clarified and explained, and put into context for us.

Jesus was, in some hyperbolic sense, saying, "Spiritually, I will be the sustenance for your life in me." You see, when people thought it was enough to follow Jesus at the drop of a miracle or sign, John was making sure that the readers of his gospel got the main point. Obviously, asking God to do miracles for us - will not equal our devotion and faith - at least not for too long. If I’ve heard it once, I have heard it a thousand times from people, who have said they would have faith in Jesus and follow Him, if He would only do this "one thing" for them.

Rational faith is based on things we can touch, see, understand and be attracted to. This was not the type of faith Jesus was asking for. If it was, then why did those who saw Him produce miracles end up leaving Him after He spoke "hard teachings"?

Signs are not enough. In order to follow Jesus, we need to accept the difficult things He has to say to us. We need to accept His testimony about what following Him requires of us (sacrifice, suffering, new ideals etc.).

Jesus used shocking statements, as mentioned above in John 6, to weed out those who were casual followers (who were just pining for spiritual theatre and who blindly figured faith was intertwined with religious entertainment), from those who would stick with Him - and still accept Him by faith - on the difficult levels He, Jesus, was communicating His message.

Perhaps we need to rethink who Jesus was, and is. A miracle worker? Yes! A performer of signs? Yes! A worker of great and awesome wonders that defied nature as we know it? Yes! But He is more, and He calls us to embrace a life that turns our world upside down. If we can accept that - we will have "life in Him." That is what the twelve did.

After Jesus asked the twelve disciples if they were "leaving" Him as well, on account of His teachings, Peter confessed, "You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." May that be our response! If we are going to follow Jesus for signs and wonders, that is okay, but He is looking for more than that from us. We must also follow His life-giving words, which are at times, very challenging and "hard." But that is the true disciple. Are you one?

Is the Bible Valid?

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness,

that the man of God may be complete,

thoroughly equipped for every good work.

-1 Timothy 3:16, 17 (New King James Version)

Imagine if you will—
You are out with a friend who is unsure about God and the church—and the topic of the Bible’s validity as God’s Word comes up.
How would you respond to them?
How would you contend that the Bible that you read, hold as sacred and align your life around is really of God?
Is it possible to do?
Is it just faith you need?
~
This is a difficult topic to approach—and one that requires more than a theologically pat answer from a Christian, such as "I just choose to believe!" Sure, we must believe—but isn’t there more to it? Our faith shouldn’t be just a "dart-in-the-dark" exercise. It should be explainable in intelligent ways. In order to answer the question of the Bible’s validity as God’s Word to us, we must give a balanced explanation that makes room for both God’s involvement and the "human" element in the forming of the Bible—which we hold as authoritative "scripture."
~
In one sense, the Bible is a human document—its authors were as fallible as you and I are. They each wrote using their unique personalities, perspectives and ways of communicating. The Bible is a collection of letters and books that express human understanding and reflect God’s working and words, all rooted in history. So, if the Bible is about God’s involvement in human history from the creation of the world, it can be seen as a spiritual document as well. How then can we "believe" the words of the Bible’s authors are really God’s Word to us? Well, even though Jesus is the central person in God’s address to us, threaded through the Old and New Testaments, God chose to communicate His message of redemption in Christ through the critical thinking of human vessels. Some writing from first-hand account, others writing from the memories of the apostles’ teachings, each author had a place in their own historical church setting. God made us able to grasp His self-revelation and to respond to Him. Consequently, in terms of the New Testament, God also chose to make what is known as the "apostolic circle" responsible for recording, preserving and passing on the accounts and events of Jesus’ earthly ministry and message of salvation—as they understood it—through the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This comes closer to the meaning of the biblical term "inspiration," of which the apostle Paul speaks of in his letter to Timothy.
~
Therefore, the writings in the Bible are not merely human ideas, nor are they the reckless sovereignty of a "dictating" God overriding and determining the pens of the apostles, as it were. Rather, the Bible reflects the confirmation that its authors, who were accepted and respected by the very first Christian communities after Jesus’ crucifixion, had reliable authority. The early church believed God was speaking through the apostles’ writings and teachings. What that realistically means for us today is that we can accept intelligently that the authors of the Bible were esteemed as having authority. Isn’t it possible, then, that the documents they passed on to us demonstrate God’s voice and truth in them? Isn’t it worth considering?

Having authority:
Ones who accurately and consistently taught God’s will

for faith and life centred in Jesus.

A New Year's Message from our Pastor

Happy NEW YEAR to all! Thank you for visiting our blog. We are just days into a brand new year and already, people are weary. As we all know, it is only the numbers and name of month that change - and not necessarily our circumstances on January 1st. I noticed that a lot of commercials advertising for Christmas this year carried with them a predominant message: hope for peace. Everybody is crying out for peace. Why shouldn’t we? The United Nations says that there are roughly 130 plus known wars (by their standards of what constitutes a war) going on in our world today. The spectre of new wars rises, it seems, with every passing newscast. The season for "peace on earth" may have come and gone - but war, strife, and heartache, for millions of people, continues. In our own country, we are facing an uncertain future - politically. After reading numerous articles over the Christmas holidays concerning our crisis in Ottawa, it is apparent that now, more than ever, people are losing their confidence and faith in government. South of the border, America faces an unknown future as well. Barack Obama, a promising, yet untested leader, will take the reigns of the most powerful office in the world, during an unprecedented time of geo-political and economic turmoil. The sentiment, worldwide, seems to be that things are getting worse for planet earth. We face new, global problems and realities - with little answers, as leadership vacuums abound. What to do? The interlude of peace and hope that comes with Christmas time, as one reflects on its true meaning (the birth of the Saviour) does not have to end on Boxing Day.

In our home, we played carols up until just a few days ago. We wanted to usher in the New Year with a lyrical reminder of just what Christ’s advent to our earth means for us even today. The coming of Jesus to our earth shows us that we, as the human race, are loved by the God who made us and put us here. He was not satisfied with just creating us, nor was He satisfied with leaving us in our fallen, sinful state. He sent Jesus because He loves the world He made. Though man harms it, though wars riddle it, though unbelief prevails, God will return to it. He cares about the future of the earth, not only because it inhabits the crown of His creation - you and me, but also because it involves His redemptive plans for our future. When Jesus returns to earth - and it could be this year - to gather up those of us who have turned to Him in faith, no matter what in the world is going on at the time, it will be God’s statement to a world that has largely turned away from Him, when they need Him the most. It will be a time for people to stand up and notice - that there is a God, that He is in sovereign control, and that He is carrying out His plan on earth as it is in Heaven. My hope is that whoever reads this will choose to receive Jesus and His peace, as they begin this New Year. There is hope! There is a government to come, which will be carried on the shoulders of Jesus Christ, and it shall be established one day - and He wants all of us to be part of it. So - yes, we may be weary at the global prospects facing us this year, but we can filter them through the lens of Jesus, who told us, these things "must happen," and are signs of what is to come. Namely, His kingdom and reign - where there shall be "no more tears, no more death, no more mourning, crying or pain."

Please note the following Bible passages and reflect on them:
John 3:16
John 14:1-4, 27
Matthew 24:1-14
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Revelation 21:1-4

Have you ever considered putting your faith in Jesus Christ as your Saviour? He can come into your heart and life today if you want Him to.

A prayer for your consideration:

Lord Jesus, I don’t want to live 2009 without you. I realize you came to earth to rescue me from my own sin and to die for those of the world. Please forgive me and help me to walk with you daily in newness of life. Thank you that you are preparing a place for me in your Kingdom. Give me your Holy Spirit to help me live, as you would have me.

In Your name, Amen.