The River Has Run its Course - And Yet...

Six years... well, almost.

In July of 2007, we came to Ellensburg with a lot of hope and confidence that God had called us here to start a new kind of church in this Valley.

Mission accomplished, I suppose. If nothing else, then certainly The River Church of the Nazarene managed to be a very unique church body for sure! Mind you, we never did come to the place... or status that we imagined when we made the 1200 mile trek to Central Washington State. We thought sure that if we build it, they will come. So, after a year of meeting in homes and in the gym of a Christian school... we finally got the place we dreamed of since before we ever left Kansas City - the Grand Central theater. And build it we did. We built a big stage, for all the shows and theatrical productions that would take place in this new kind of church. And we built a rock-solid, super-cool coffee bar... and put a commercial espresso maker on top so we could open our church-sponsored espresso shop. And we bought a big screen, and a great sound system so we could play DVD movies and make popcorn, and invite the masses in to see a good flick. And we hosted events. And we brainstormed to create fundraising events for the needy among us. And we rented the place out to interested parties... or gave away our space to support good causes. And we even hosted secular events like (gasp) Brewfest, and Jazz In the Valley, and First Friday Art Walk. And we hosted an open-mic night, inviting locals and college students to come in and have a bowl of soup and listen to (and/or play) some good music. Basically, we gave it our best shot to reach out to the people of this great little town.

And, for the most part, our invitations were... well... ignored. And I learned a few other things over the past five years too. Just because you have a good idea, and just because you have a great facility (for events). And just because you have a vision to reach people for Jesus. And just because you are a bit obsessed with becoming a "new kind" of church in your hometown... None of that really matters if your overtures are not relevant to the culture around you.

I've learned a thing or two about life in Ellensburg. First and foremost, it is definitely NOT a lazy little town. Oh, it's casual... and it's too-often slow moving (traffic) and out of fashion and out of date as compared to our very big "West side" cousins on the other side of the Cascades. But nevertheless, it's most definitely not a lazy town. In fact, people are never lazy around here. They never rest. They are always doing something.... and I do mean always. Weekdays people tend to work of course... and many of them - if their employment isn't at the college or a government agency, or in the hay industry - work somewhere out of town in places like Yakima, Wenatchee, Quincey... or even way over in Seattle... and/or some other Western Washington locale. My hat is off to those folks who navigate Snoqualmie Pass on a regular basis... it takes upwards of two hours to commute ONE WAY on Interstate 90... and that is when the weather is ideal (which it often is not in the winter). 

And evenings around here? Let's see... dinners out, wine-tasting, bar-hopping... not to mention the endless list of social clubs, sports organizations, farming associations, rodeo events, etc. And the university students...? In my mind, there are two kinds that seem to dominate the Ellensburg landscape: (1) Those that come to CWU to party and want very little to do with God (I can relate to that one... it was my priority at the time). (2) Those who live close enough to home to make the drive for free food and laundry services. Yes, there are others... but take one look at the campus, and I think you'd agree it's a weekend ghost town!

Here's the problem with all the above observations... at least, for an idealist like me. I never understood the busyness of people in this small burg in Central Washington. I guess I thought it was Mayberry. I thought people lived a slower-paced lifestyle around here. I thought people sat on their front porch and talked to the neighbors. I thought people would want something different in a church, something unique, something adventurous, something out of the box... something that called for them to serve Jesus by serving the people of this town with all their "free" time.  :-) Hoo-boy... I was naive!

So it's time to let go of the church/coffee bar/event center dream. It's time to say goodbye to the rough-hewn, yet beautiful old Grand Central theater. It's time to move on and move forward. It's time to try something new... actually, it's time to get back to the basics of discipleship: loving God, loving one another (within the church family), and loving our neighbor as ourselves.

As Jesus was resolutely headed to face the crucifixion, he rather mysteriously said this to his disciples one day:

“Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal." (John 12:24-25)

So the bad news, I suppose, is that The River has run its course in Ellensburg. For all intents and purposes, it has died. The place is empty, the signs are down, and the lights are off in our former place of ministry.

The good news, however, is that soon - out of the ashes - The River will ARISE.

We're not ready to announce ourselves to the world just yet. The state doesn't recognize any name change... nor does our own denomination for that matter! Besides, we've got lots to do in starting a brand new church in a brand new place, at a brand new time, with a brand new vision for ministry! So for the time being, we will fly a bit under the radar. We will be church pirates! Oh, we will still be The River in the legal sense, just not in the cultural sense. For now... I guess you could just refer to us as Church "A"... or "The Church Formerly Known As The River" (ya... no - let's go with Church A instead!). Very soon though, we'll come out of the mysterious mist to announce ourselves to the world afresh and anew.  Very soon, the dead seed will sprout into something beautiful... something real and eternal.  Very soon The River will ARISE! from the proverbial ashes!  :-)

In the meantime, we certainly do invite anyone and everyone to join us in our new digs in the Ellensburg community. Here's how it will work starting this Sunday, April 14:

Our Arise and Gather worship services (all but the fist Sunday of each month), will be held in the Adult Activity Center (a.k.a., Senior Center), starting at 10:30 AM. It is located at 506 S Pine St (just South of Manitoba St on South Pine).

Our Arise and Serve worship (first Sunday of each month), will get us well-meaning but too-often lazy Christian-types out of our seats and participating in pre-arranged service projects together... this will be our corporate act of worship each month as we endeavor to BE the church, rather than simply GO to church. At 10:30 AM we will gather at our "corporate" office facility (wait till you see our offices!) at 511 N Pine St (corner of 6th and Pine behind Shaw's Furniture)... from there we'll have a cup of coffee, pray, receive our missional marching orders, and head out together to be the hands and feet of our Lord Jesus Christ. Woo-hoo... this is gonna be fun! The weird, Japanese-looking artwork at the top of this blog is a little hint of the logo we'll unveil when the time is right. In the meantime, be sure to watch for more updates from "Church A"! And one more thing: Please pray for our church body... we would certainly appreciated it.

What the...?

Advent Sermon Series, based on Luke 1 & 2

It's the chance of a lifetime... no, literally, it was the one time in his life that Zechariah would be given the great privilege of entering the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense inside the Holy of Holies. It was a profoundly important duty shared only by the priests of Israel - that is, descendants of the tribe of Levi. In Zechariah's day, there were about 20,000 Jewish preists in Israel, so being chosen as the one man to offer incense in the morning or evening was like winning God's ceremonial lottery. And ding-ding, we have a winner... this was Zechariah's day!

But while he was in the Holy of Holies, Zechariah got another incredible surprise. Turning around to fulfill his religious duty, he saw Gabriel, one of God's mighty archangels standing beside him, to the right of the Altar of Incense. Naturally, Zechariah was surprised... actually, he was terrified beyond belief at the sight of this powerful angelic being. I wonder... How do you think you and I would respond in that same situation? Usually, the first thing an angel says to people is "do not be afraid". So I think we can safely assume that their very presence is enormously intimidating.

After calming him down though... Gabriel gave Zechariah the news he's waited so long to hear. "Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John." But there was only one problem... Zechariah wasn't breathing that prayer anymore. That request had expired sometime in the last couple of decades. Slowly but surely, Zechariah watched as his wife go from a beautiful young woman of God to a beautiful (but barren) old woman of God. And c'mon, let's face it... she was way too old to have a baby now! So even though Zechariah used to pray that prayer over and over again... he had long ago resigned to the idea that God's answer was no. No child. No legacy. No joy. God is good, but sometimes we are forced to accept that His answer to our requests is a simple... yet painful "no".

But hold the phone... now, after all these years, Gabriel the angel was standing next to Zechariah at the Altar of Incense making this utterly impossible claim that that God's answer was "yes" after all this time. Yes... Elizabeth would conceive a child in her advanced age. Yes, their priestly family line would continue... and yes, this child's presence would bring untold joy and gladness into Zechariah and Elizabeth's home. Wow... what an awesome turn of events!

But what did Zechariah do in the face of this incredible news? Well, he did what any logical person would do. He doubted. Pure and simple. And what did he say to God's heavenly messenger? He asked how he was supposed to believe in something so preposterous! Quite obviously, his wife was too old to conceive, so how could he be sure it could happen? (Translation: What have you been smoking, Gabriel?)

Wrong answer, dude! God isn't limited by Elizabeth's biological clock... nor is He deaf to the prayers of His people. He is the One who created all things with His mere voice. He is the One who knit us together in our mothers' womb. He is not limited in His ability to bring life to any situation. God is utterly powerful and utterly free to do what He chooses, when He chooses, how He chooses, and through whom He chooses! All we gotta do is get on board the God train!

And do you know what?

God is still in the business of answering the cries of His people. Even if and/or when they stop believing that He will answer them. He knows our struggles, and hates it when His kids are hurting. He may not step in and take away the pain right away... but don't mistake His timing for a lack of holy concern. His ways are not our ways... but believe me, our sense of compassion stems directly from His divine compassion. Humanity is special in the eyes of God... we are His monumental creation, and He LOVES it when we learn the art of trusting Him even when it seems like everything is falling down around us. Even when it seems like the time/date stamp has expired on our requests. Even when it seems like we've been forgotten by our Daddy. Even when we just plain give up on happiness.

So here's what I propose... Let's let Zechariah's example teach us this one simple truth: God hears our prayers and is motivated to shake the foundations of heaven and earth in response. We just need to keep the faith and not give up like Zechariah did.

What are you praying for these days? Let me ask that question another way... What did you used to pray for that  you no longer bring up to God? Perhaps you have ceased to believe it would be done on your behalf? 

Perhaps... just perhaps God hasn't forgotten you after all. Perhaps He's just waiting until the right time to answer your request... and see if you're still willing to believe in His provision. Perhaps He wants to surprise us with His mercy and overflowing generosity this Advent Season. Perhaps He just wants us to fall in love with Him all over again. I'm ready to lean into that awesome future... are you?

May the Spirit of answered prayers and the overwhelming love of Jesus Christ invade your hearts and minds during this season of faith, hope, joy and renewal. May you discover... or re-discover the beauty of trusting in God's promises for you and those you love as we anticipate and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior these next few weeks.

Merry Christmas, Child of God... God's favor is upon you!

Gotta Have Faith

Text we'll be looking at this Sunday morning at The River: Hebrews 11-12.

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.  - 1 Corinthians 13:13

So, what is faith, anyway? It must be a pretty big thing if Paul lists it as one of the three things that will last forever...

Is faith the same thing as "belief"? Or is there more to it?

Is it trust? Is it vision? How is it different than "hope"?

And what exactly does it mean to have faith? Does it come from us, or from God? I mean, is faith a gift... or does it originate in humanity?

And while we're at it, what exactly is it that we are to have faith in? Faith in God? Yes. But how much more than believing God exists requires that thing called "faith"?

What about the faith we put in each other as human beings? Or ourselves?

Is that the same kind of faith necessary to become a Christian disciple?

Do you have "faith" in how much God loves you? Enough "faith" to reciprocate that love? How would that look in your life?

Do people of other religions have what we would call faith? How about atheists? Do they have faith in anything? I mean... many of them believe in Darwin's theory of evolution. And yet, it is a theory - something by which it's very definition requires a level of faith to believe in... right?

Let's face it, all humans live by faith in all sorts of things. Have you ever seen a germ for yourself? No? Assuming you believe that germs are real, then your "belief" is strictly by faith in what others have told you. Have you actually seen germs through a microscope? Great... then you have "faith" that the microscope is actually magnifying what you believe it to be magnifying... and you are looking at something purely by faith.

Practically everything we assume about life as educated, modern people is a result of faith. 

Do you have "faith" in the President to run this country well? Or perhaps his challenger (and his party platform) is more worthy of your faith?

Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon to see it for yourself? Or do you just have faith that it exists - faith strengthened by photos, and the testimony of others who have been there? What about the Great Wall of China? Or the Egyptian pyramids? Really...? How about the resurrection of Jesus?

As my buddy George would say (actually, he did say back in the 80s), "You gotta have faith"! Amen... sing it, Brother!

George Michael - Faith (US Version)

See you Sunday... I know this, 'cause I've got faith!  :-)

Oxymoron of the Week: Vision and Patience

As per usual... this blog somewhat pertains to the text and/or subject matter that will be discussed at The River this Sunday morning at 10am.

BTW, a big thank you to Paul Goebel for his excellent, hard-hitting message last week!

______________________________

Jesus: "But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

Moses: "For I know how rebellious and stubborn you are. Even now, while I am still alive and am here with you, you have rebelled against the LORD." 

I really feel for Moses. He discovered the Old Testament Theory of Relativity: Thirsty people = stubborn sheep (or the mathematical version, Tp=Sc2).

People are thirsty, aren't they? You know, thirsty for life... thirsty for justice... thirsty for truth. As Cain learns in the opening chapters of Genesis, life outside the Garden is dangerous, often lonely and very dry. Good water - that is, water for the soul is really hard to come by. Life in a broken world is truly a desert experience, and deep down we all know it. So we yearn for something cold and satisfying to drink... something that will quench our dry and parched existence. Something that will help put the pieces back together again.

As a devoted (yet flawed) follower of Jesus the Nazarene, I have tasted deep fellowship with God through His Spirit, and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the LORD is good - more than good, powerful... utterly awesome! - and following Him is worth pursuing in this lifetime no matter what it takes. In fact, if I could somehow arrange it, I would just stand over a fire-hose of living water and let it blast into my face for eternity.  :-)

As a pastor, I have endeavored (struggled) to lead lost and thirsty sheep to the eternal well of living water - that is, to the fountain of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - with seriously mixed results. Some lambs just seem to scamper toward the water and dive in as soon as they become aware of the healing properties therein. However, the majority are more careful than that. Most sheep step oh-so hesitantly closer and closer toward green pastures and still waters for a season...  But then, however, like cockroaches scatter when the lights come on...  Something takes their eyes off of Christ and they run back to the darkness... back to what they find more palatable... more comfortable... more safe. You know, more of what they're used to, even if "it" is dangerously polluted and devoid of life.

I try so hard to offer them a deeper knowledge of God... fellowship with the Holy Spirit... Living water that comes through letting go of our old life and embracing an all-out dependent relationship with the God of the universe...  But so many instead choose to go back to their old ways - back to the toilet water that marks their old, "safe" life of religiosity and/or godlessness. Keeping Jesus on the surface of who we are (or hidden in our pocket) is a much easier path than embracing the indwelling, radical Jesus who commands us to let Him reign supreme as Lord. (In my best southern preacher-voice): Can I get an amen?

Am I an expert in these matters? Hardly. Do I ever make mistakes with the sheep of my flock? Yes... often. Is God working on my life even as I labor to lead stubborn yet thirsty sheep to the well of refreshing springs? Absolutely. Occasionally, I even try to talk God out of my calling as a shepherd. But apparently, He just doesn't agree with my sentiments. He's more stubborn than I am!

Then I remember that the Bible is full of stories about less-than-ideal servants who were used to accomplish God's purposes. I know it seems crazy, perhaps even short-sighted on God's part... but He really doesn't seem too terribly interested in using perfect people to build His kingdom. In my case, He tapped me on the shoulder a few years ago and said:

"Jeff, I'm sending you back to the place you spent your childhood to plant a church. But not just another church where believers go through the motions. No, a new kind of church (but actually an old kind... an ancient kind). A thoroughly re-imagined church body... a Spirit-led community of Jesus followers that really loves Me, really worships Me, really listens' to Me, and really serves Me. This church will be marked by authentic love for one another, involvement in the surrounding community, a diverse, multi-faceted congregation, and by its willingness to serve those individuals and organizations that need a helping hand. This church will be a house of prayer, a beacon of worship... a place of divine love... and a clearing house of missional activity.

Okay... that's not really a quote from Yahweh... but I promise that it is a decent paraphrase! And since that day we arrived five years ago, I have endeavored to do my part to build a community of faith that was so clearly commissioned by God. But to say it hasn't been easy would be the understatement of the year.

This may come as a shock... but The River has not become an overnight success in this town. What some people may see as a fresh, godly vision for church... others see as arrogance, pure and simple. Lots of folks have come to the church over the years, and even jumped in to help make that vision become a reality... at least for a time. But for one reason or another, like sheep that go astray, many have left The River with disappointments... talking my heart with them. Whether disappointed over lack of support for their cause, or the perception that their efforts were not appreciated... or some sheep just came to believe that the pastor was not what or who he claimed to be. 

(Sigh)... whether I like it or not - calling people to read their Bibles, confess their sins, come together in prayer, serve the body of Christ with their unique spiritual gift, wrestle together to interpret what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in a complex world, spend time in fellowship with (and learning to love) people they may not even like, worship God consistently, give generously... and somehow carve out valuable time to serve others who need assistance - is not a popular idea in our time and place in history. Many people are way too busy to re-form their life in this radical kind of way. Some will give a little of what they have (time, money, energy, love, etc.)... and some others will give significantly more of themselves... but very few are willing to make wholesale changes to their value system to become sold-out, passionate, justice-seeking kingdom-of-God ambassadors. (In all honesty, I constantly have to ask myself whether I myself am willing... and sometimes the answer is no. In the words of Mater from the movie, Cars, "Dang!").
   
I ain't perfect... I'm just a Moses-like shepherd - (loving, frustrated... and yet deeply thankful to be a servant of God in this place) - armed with not much more than a strong vision to set His people free, and a lot of faith in my Lord, Jesus Christ to do the impossible. My life here is part of a comedy-drama story that is still being written (with an ending that God only knows!). Pray for me and my family... and The River church, won't you? We could always use it.

And by the way... I don't know what kind of sheep you are, but I do hope you are a thirsty one. And one that channels his or her stubbornness to seek out, find, and drink deeply at the well of living water... rather than running from the source of abundant life.  How could anything else ever satisfy once we've tasted eternity, and know that it is good?

Absence of Conflict

Okay... summer's over. Time to dust off the blog and start typing out some ideas and conversation starters in regard to this week's sermon at The River! 

Text we might look at this Sunday morning at 10:00 am:  Leviticus 26:1-13

And of course... the series we're about to conclude (next week) is based on Galatians 5:22-23...

 

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Peace.

Hmmmm... What does it mean to bear the fruit of peace? God's peace?

Does it mean that when we love God we no longer have any enemies? No... that didn't work out so well in the case of Jesus, right? He definitely had the peace of God in him... and yet, his teachings and actions in the world incited angry (religious) people to hate him... even snuff out his life.

Does it mean we are no longer to fight for any cause - regardless of the circumstances? No... I don't think so. Regardless of what we come to learn about God and His plans to destroy all traces of evil once and for all... and even though we're called to pray for our enemies... and even though we're to turn the other cheek, etc...  Still, the NT describes disciples of Jesus Christ as peaceful warriors who are called to fight the powers of darkness... to stand in the gap and "fight the good fight" for the cause of Christ.

But how is engagement in battle a peaceful way of life? How does the Holy Spirit's gift of peace make any sense when we're called to forcefully (and violently) advance the kingdom of God, no matter the cost to us personally? How can a warrior be peaceful? It's an oxymoron, like jumbo shrimp, or abundant poverty, or perfect idiot, or rap artist... Simply put, it just don't compute!

“I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep with no cause for fear. I will rid the land of wild animals and keep your enemies out of your land. In fact, you will chase down your enemies and slaughter them with your swords. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand! All your enemies will fall beneath your sword."  - Leviticus 26:6-8

So... apparently, the peace of God does not mean that you will no longer have enemies. Nor does it mean that you are to lie down and allow evil to overtake this world. In the passage above, God tells His chosen people that they will chase down their enemies and slaughter them with their swords! Wow, that's unexpected!

But who is our enemy? What dark force of evil are we called to fight against?

Well, let me ask it this way... which is the more powerful enemy that fights against a peaceful way of life for all people... the external ones that distract us from fellowship with God (the world)? Or the internal ones that rebel against God's will for humanity (the self)?

In the end... it doesn't really matter whether we struggle with the external or internal enemies more... they are both powerful foes. I believe the main point is that we as God's people are to "chase down our enemies and slaughter them with our swords." Perhaps not literally... but learning to say no to those things which lead us away from God and yes to the gospel of Jesus Christ is a mighty good start. That is not something we are equipped to do on our own... we need the weapons of spiritual warfare that Paul describes in the book of Ephesians:

¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. ¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

 Here's my question(s): In a busy, busy, busy world... a world where silence and solitude are nearly nonexistent... and a world where debts are high and jobs are stressful... and a world where no one ever sits still for very long... and a world that is defined by go, go, go... How in the world are we supposed to hear the soft, still voice of God who wants to breathe peace into our hearts?

In a culture in which we have everything we need... and an insatiable appetite for more of what we want (even demand)... how can we possibly know what it means to rely on God? How can such independent people understand dependence upon their creator?

How do we bear this mysterious, yet beautiful-sounding spiritual fruit called the peace of God? I really wanna know the answer to that question... don't you?

Perfect Aim

This week, we'll reach the halfway point in the 8 week series, "The Best News You'll Ever Hear".

This Sunday: Part 4, "Something Has Gone Wrong"

Text related to the sermon/discussion: Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

God is an archer.

We are arrows in His quiver.

Satan is an airborne parasite.

God aims.

He shoots.

We are sent on a trajectory toward eternity... toward holiness.

But along the way... we are tempted...

(Don't go the way He wants you to... let me "help" you).

Stupidly, we agree.

Stupidly, we give in.

And one little addition of this or that changes everything.

Our flight pattern is changed by the weight of misplaced trust.

And we fall short of the target God intended.

Not just some of us.

ALL of us fall short... all of us are stupid.

Billions of arrows... none of them hitting the target.

Except one.

And here's the strange part.

That one arrow hits the bulls eye.

Dead on.

And it's enough.

Enough for everyone.

Everyone who recognizes the pain of the parasite.

And longs for the joy of hitting the target.

In Christ... God cheats.

He picks us up... out of the dirt.

And places us inside the arrow that hit the target.

It's not fair.

We don't deserve it.

We screwed up.

We fell short.

We gave in.

We didn't trust the Righteous One.

And we slammed into the ground.

But God doesn't care.

He knows His aim was true.

He knows we screwed up.

And He knows we long to hit the bulls eye.

So he brushes us off.

And He rids us of the parasite.

And He deems us reconciled to Him.

Something went wrong.

Terribly wrong.

But thanks to the trajectory of Jesus...

That wrong was made right again.

That is... if we tire of sitting in the dirt...

Scraped up by the rocks, dusty and grass stained.

If and when we ever get sick of falling short.

And when we cry out to Him.

He is there... waiting for us.

Wanting to welcome us home.

Desiring to throw a party.

And put us back on the course He intended for us in the first place.

Back in His house.

Back in His arms.

Back in the bliss of eternity with Him.

Aren't you glad He has such good aim?

Water, Blood & Spirit

⁶ And Jesus Christ was revealed as God’s Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross—not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony. ⁷ So we have these three witnesses— ⁸ the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and all three agree. ⁹ Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the greater testimony that comes from God. And God has testified about his Son. ¹⁰ All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe what God has testified about his Son.
¹¹ And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹² Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.   -1 John 5:6-12

That's some interesting phrasing in the book of 1 John.  "Jesus Christ was revealed as God's Son by his baptism in water..." That's one thing baptism seems to accomplish in us too, right? To reveal us as sons and daughters of God. Oh, we may not be THE "Son" of God... but nevertheless, the Bible does clearly indicate that when we acknowledge Jesus Christ as crucified and resurrected Lord, God does declare us as His adopted children.

But how do we declare our sonship (or daughtership) to God? Again... I believe it is through the mysterious and beautiful sacrament of baptism. It is through the Cross (i.e., the blood) that we are saved from destruction into eternal life. Furthermore, it is through submission to the act of baptism (i.e., the water) that we are revealed as children of God. More than proclaiming to the world that we believe Jesus is Lord... baptism is actually a spiritual revelation that proclaims God's power and grace in the spiritual realm! All of heaven may erupt in praise when a lost child comes home... but I believe the heavenly beings also dance with pure joy when we willingly submit ourselves to the sacrament of baptism.

It's like the circle of the Trinity is completed in the life of a believer when they get baptized... at least in a symbolic sense. 

1. The Son shed His blood at the Cross which opens the Way to salvation;

2. The Spirit of God descends upon us when we acknowledge and accept the reign of God in our lives, and;

3. The Father cleanses and purifies our hearts and minds as we are immersed down... and come back up out of the water in baptism. 

I don't know if that's precisely true or not... all I do know is that baptism truly does reveal something about would-be disciples of Jesus Christ: It's voluntary yet strongly suggested (even assumed) place in Scripture serves to "reveal" those who are willing to submit to God's desires for our lives (regardless of their own desires), verses those who are simply not willing. If it isn't commanded, they don't feel they have to obey.

But look through the Bible and answer me these questions: Is reading the Bible every day commanded? Is church attendance commanded? Is daily prayer commanded? Is tithing commanded (in the New Testament)? Is fasting commanded? Is participating in Communion commanded? Is giving to the poor commanded? Is forgiving your brother (or sister) commanded?  Okay... it's true that lack of forgiveness leads to lots of difficulties with God, but I'm not sure forgiveness is ever commanded straight-out.

But here's my point: Once we decide to worship Christ as our risen Lord, it's not merely about following His commands... it's about listening to His heart... it's about observing His life on earth... it's about sitting at His feet, and humbly doing what He did... caring about what He cares about... serving as He served.

Jesus constantly went to the temple and synagogue to read the scrolls... He always spent time worshiping the Father, He spend great amounts of time in prayer, He fasted, He instituted Communion, He was deeply concerned for the poor, He has forgiven you... and me... and everyone who's ever lived (if we choose to accept His forgiveness)... and one more thing: Jesus was baptized.

Do you love Him? Do you acknowledge Him as Lord?

Well then... have you been baptized?

No? Why the heck not?  :-)  Do it for goodness sake! 

There's still time to get dunked this Sunday at the river... no really, the RIVER, as in the Yakima River!! Bring your swim trunks!

9-10 am at The River (church) - Meet for coffee & snacks

10:15-10:30 am - We'll caravan out to Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park

10:30-11 - Worship at the park

11-11:15 Walk to baptism area

11:15-11:45 - BAPTISM

11:45-12:00 - Walk back to picnic area

12:00-Whenever - Potluck Party in the Park!