Giving Thanks To God

For January 29, 2012



All Scriptures are from The Message Version

It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate some thoughts if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Commentaries for these scriptures can be found on Textweek.com through this link http://www.textweek.com/writings/psalm111.htm

The liturgical season of Epiphany continues with another psalm which is the writer’s reflection on the reality of God’s presence in the life of the nation of Israel and in his own life. Last week in Psalm 62 that reality came from the disappointments the psalmist had experience in his interactions with other people. This week Psalm 111 is positive, it speaks to the real blessings that flow from God’s grace and love.

Few read and there was little to read in ancient times so that memorization played an important role in the transmission and use of the important liturgical and historical writings of the ancient Jews. This psalm is written as an acrostic with first line beginning with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and each subsequent line beginning with a subsequent letter (impossible to see in translations). This memorization aid was one of many used in other places in scripture.

Psalm 111:1

Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got—
Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation.

He begins with a resounding word, Hallelujah, to express his enthusiasm for the blessings of his relationship with God:
• What feelings do you associate with the word hallelujah? Have you ever felt moved to express yourself in this way – what had occurred? When have hallelujah moments happened during your faith journey?
• How and where is the Lord to be praised? What does praising God “with everything I’ve got” mean to you? How do we normally express our praise and thanksgiving and what do these sentiments suggest we should also consider?
• Where do you feel comfortable thanking and praising God? What is the value of verbalizing our praise and feelings of thanksgiving to others? Is it part of giving thanks “with everything I’ve got”?

He now tells us about the kind of blessings flow from God:

God's works are so great, worth
A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment!
Splendor and beauty mark his craft;
His generosity never gives out.
His miracles are his memorial—

• How are God’s works described? What words does he use to describe them? Should they be taken for granted – why not, what is the benefit for us of a “lifetime of study”?
• What words would you use to describe those things that have flowed to you throughout your faith journey? Reflect on your “hallelujah” moments and those times you reached out to God, what are your feelings about them?
• Where have you seen splendor and beauty which flow from God’s work? What other relationships or resources do we count on for strength and support in our lives? What are some ways we nurture these relationships and how might that apply to nurturing our relationship with God?

He continues with a reflection on God and some specific examples of God’s gifts to Israel:

This God of Grace, this God of Love.
He gave food to those who fear him,
He remembered to keep his ancient promise.
He proved to his people that he could do what he said:
Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift!
He manufactures truth and justice;


All his products are guaranteed to last—
Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.
All that he makes and does is honest and true:
He paid the ransom for his people,
He ordered his Covenant kept forever.
He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.

In the first stanza the psalmist reminds the nation of Israel of the blessings God has brought to them. They are part of the heritage of the people and we find them referred to repeatedly in the Old Testament with Psalms 105 and 106 being examples.
• Some he specifies apply to us also. What do you relate to and feel that flow from God to us today? Do you see God in terms of words like “personal”, “worthy of respect”, the source of “truth and justice”?
• If you were to pass on in writing the blessings of your relationship with God to your descendants what would you be certain to include? Are there some things that would have meaning for them as well as yourself? How would you describe God to them?
• The description of God’s “products” flow from contemporary advertising culture, how do you react to the words?

The Psalmist concludes with an admonition common to the Old Testament:

The good life begins in the fear of God—
Do that and you'll know the blessing of God.
His Hallelujah lasts forever!

• How do you react to the psalmist’s statement about the good life and fear of God? Have you ever had a relationship with someone with whom there is a measure of fear (military, work, legal, family)? How did it impact the relationship?
• The American Heritage Dictionary definition of fear is as follows:

To be afraid or frightened of.
To be uneasy or apprehensive about: feared the test results.
To be in awe of; revere.

Should a healthy relationship with God include all of these elements? Should being afraid of God color some of it? How about unease or awe?
• For me one of the best examples of renewed fear/awe in a relationship with God comes as Job (42:1-6)reflects on his confrontation with God over Job’s feelings of God acting unjustly towards him:

Job answered God: "I'm convinced: You can do anything and everything.
Nothing and no one can upset your plans.
You asked, 'Who is this muddying the water,
ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?'
I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me,
made small talk about wonders way over my head.
You told me, 'Listen, and let me do the talking.
Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.'
now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears!
I'm sorry—forgive me. I'll never do that again, I promise!
I'll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor."

• Last week you were asked to write down the reasons that your relationship with God was important to you. This week write down some of the specific blessings that have flowed from that relationship or put it in letter form to your descendants including both blessings and a description of your relationship with God.

Closing Litany

All believers, come here and listen,

let me tell you what God did for me.

I called out to him with my mouth,

my tongue shaped the sounds of music.

If I had been cozy with evil,

the Lord would never have listened.

But he most surely did listen,

he came on the double when he heard my prayer.

Blessed be God: he didn't turn a deaf ear,

he stayed with me, loyal in his love.

AMEN

Psalm 66:16-20

Next Weeks Lectionary Scriptures: Mark 1:29-39, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Psalm 147:1-12, 21c, Isaiah 40:21-31


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In The Disappointments We Find God's Strength

For January 22, 2012

All Scriptures are from The Message Version

It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate some thoughts if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Commentaries (sparse this week) for these scriptures can be found on Textweek.com through this link http://www.textweek.com/writings/psalm62.htm

We are in the Liturgical season of Epiphany which is celebrated until the first week of Lent in late February. Here is one definition of the meaning of epiphany:

The word epiphany means “manifestation” or “revelation" and is commonly linked in Western Christianity with the visit of the wise men (Magi) to the Christ child. Through the Magi, Christ revealed himself to the gentiles. In Eastern Christianity, Epiphany puts emphasis on the baptism of Jesus by John, with Christ revealing himself to the world as God's own Son. Likewise, on Epiphany some denominations commemorate Jesus' miracle of turning water into wine, signifying the manifestation of Christ's divinity as well.       By Mary Fairchild, About.com

It is a season which recognizes the God’s presence among us and allows for some reflection of the meaning of that presence which will have different dimensions for each of us. Psalm 62 can be seen as one man’s thoughts on the meaning of God’s presence which is based on his reflections on his relationships with the people in his life.

Psalm 62:1-2 God, the one and only— I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I need comes from him, so why not? He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I'm set for life.

• He begins with his revelation, his epiphany, what is the reality of God for him? What do the following statements mean to you? Have you experienced them in your faith life:

Everything I need comes from him (how powerful is this faith statement?)

Solid rock under my feet

Breathing room for my soul

Impregnable castle

• What would you add to describe your relationship and experience with God?
• He begins with a willingness to wait; what have you waited for, hoped for, anticipated as you have traveled along your faith journey? What are you now feeling is incomplete or unfulfilled in your relationship with God? Are you willing to wait?
• Could he be waiting for God to intervene in his situation and bring relief? Do some problems remain with us all of our lives? What do we as people of faith have to hold onto as we deal with a seemingly unending affliction? Paul writes about his in 2 Corinthians 12:

I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it's all you need.  My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

How do you react to his words? Do you find them helpful in dealing with ongoing problems or something else?
• The Psalmist’s conclusion is that he is, ”set for life.” In these uncertain times how confident are you in making a statement like this? What do you worry about? Are people of faith “set for life” in ways that are not dependant on what is happening in the world?

The Psalmist then compares his relationship with God to that of problems and disappointments with his human relationships and repeats the conclusion he writes of above:

3-4 How long will you gang up on me? How long will you run with the bullies?
There's nothing to you, any of you— rotten floorboards, worm-eaten rafters,
Anthills plotting to bring down mountains, far gone in make-believe. You talk a good line, but every "blessing" breathes a curse.
5-6 God, the one and only— I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not? He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I'm set for life.

• What seems to be his experience with fellow humans? Some obviously are enemies but could some be those he felt were friends and had his best interest at heart? How do you envision him as you read these words – an embittered old man, someone doing sober reflection, a person still under attack?
• What is your experience in dealing with others? Does it cause you to lament as he does or have you seen the presence of God in any of your relationships?
• What has occurred during your faith journey to give your relationship with God importance and meaning? What would you write for your own verses 3-4 as reasons to celebrate or illustrate its importance?

We finish by reading some of the wisdom about God he has acquired based on his life experience:

7-8 My help and glory are in God—granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—So trust him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be…
11 God said this once and for all; how many times Have I heard it repeated? "Strength comes Straight from God."
12 Love to you, Lord God! You pay a fair wage for a good day's work!


• What picture of God does the Psalmist give us in this word picture? Can you find one or two words that might summarize it?
• How important is having strength in dealing with life and the many things that come our way? What are some things that give you strength as you deal with challenges, illness, and relationships; are they all spiritual? When has your faith brought you the strength to deal with something?
• What is your interpretation of verse 12? The NIV translates it as, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.” Do you like that conclusion or would you close with some other statement about God’s response to us?
• Take some time to jot down those reasons that your relationship with God is important to you and use them in a prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude as the psalmist has done.

Closing Litany

For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.  Amen       From NRSV

Next Week’s Scriptures: Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 111, Mark 1:21-28, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

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Becoming A Follower

For January 15, 2012

All Scriptures are from The Message Version

It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate some thoughts if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Commentaries for these scriptures can be found on Textweek.com through this link http://www.textweek.com/mkjnacts/jn1d.htm.

Unlike the other three Gospels John does not include a 40 day time for Jesus in the wilderness but instead moves to the calling of his first disciples. The exact location of John’s ministry of baptism is not know but thought to be somewhere between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. John’s Gospel continues with an account of the day after Jesus’ baptism:

John 1:35-36 The next day John was back at his post with two disciples, who were watching. He looked up, saw Jesus walking nearby, and said, "Here he is, God's Passover Lamb." 37-38The two disciples heard him and went after Jesus. Jesus looked over his shoulder and said to them, "What are you after?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?" 39He replied, "Come along and see for yourself." They came, saw where he was living, and ended up staying with him for the day. It was late afternoon when this happened.
40-42Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard John's witness and followed Jesus. The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived was find his own brother, Simon, telling him, "We've found the Messiah" (that is, "Christ"). He immediately led him to Jesus. Jesus took one look up and said, "You're John's son, Simon? From now on your name is Cephas" (or Peter, which means "Rock").

• When someone is called a disciple, what does it mean to you? The Free Dictionary includes these two definitions: One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another. An active adherent, as of a movement or philosophy.

• What can we say about the two disciples, what they believed, what and who were they prepared to expect? Do you think that they spent a considerable amount of time with John and gave his ministry a high priority?

• What do you think was their depth of knowledge of scripture, their level of spirituality, and desire to grow closer to God might have been? Is there any doubt that they were prepared and excited about the possibility of becoming disciples of the Messiah?

• We read about Andrew and the first story of evangelism in the New Testament, why did Andrew contact his brother Simon? What can we surmise about Simon and his spirituality?

• What words would you use to describe the state of readiness of the two to follow Jesus?

• You may be a seeker or yourself a disciple; a follower of Christ. How were you prepared, what caused you to move from being prepared to actually making the step of becoming a follower? Some are prepared as children by being part of a faith community but at some point take the step of becoming a follower; others are prepared by the experiences of life which create anticipation and readiness – what is your story?

• As aside notice Jesus’ recognition of Simon for who he was, how do you think that was the case? Possible divine wisdom or might Jesus have had some exposure to John’s disciples prior to his baptism?

John’s Gospel continues with the Lectionary Scripture for this date. The story of the second day continues with more disciples joining Jesus. There are some geographical issues with this account as John was probably operating somewhere south of the Sea of Galilee and the best guess is that Bethsaida is somewhere north of the Sea.

John 1:43-44 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. When he got there, he ran across Philip and said, "Come, follow me." (Philip's hometown was Bethsaida, the same as Andrew and Peter.) 45-46Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, "We've found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It's Jesus, Joseph's son, the one from Nazareth!" Nathanael said, "Nazareth? You've got to be kidding." But Philip said, "Come, see for yourself."
47When Jesus saw him coming he said, "There's a real Israelite, not a false bone in his body." 48Nathanael said, "Where did you get that idea? You don't know me." Jesus answered, "One day, long before Philip called you here, I saw you under the fig tree." 49Nathanael exclaimed, "Rabbi! You are the Son of God, the King of Israel!" 50-51Jesus said, "You've become a believer simply because I say I saw you one day sitting under the fig tree? You haven't seen anything yet! Before this is over you're going to see heaven open and God's angels descending to the Son of Man and ascending again."

• What can we surmise about Philip, might he also have been a disciple of John? Is there any other explanation for his response to Jesus’ invitation? What was Nathanial’s response? Did they know Jesus? What must have happened to change their perception and engendered this degree of respect for the carpenter’s son from Nazareth?

• Put yourself in their place, what would have had to happen to you to accept this Jesus as not just another spiritual person but God’s Messiah – how big of a leap of faith was called for?
There is a good bit of fodder for theologians and various interpretations in this story which you can read about in the commentaries but let us focus of a second point, did these well prepared disciples know who this Jesus really was, what his role was to be, what teachings would be, what they would be required to do as his followers?

• Think about yourself, when you declared your belief in and commitment to Jesus did you know what you life as a follower would entail and the changes and challenges being a follower would bring to you?

• As the disciples traveled with Jesus they learned, were mystified, misunderstood him, some denied and betrayed him, on a journey that led to the investing of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. As you look back now, what has changed in your understanding and what questions have arisen about the nature of Jesus, who he is and what his role in your personal devotional life and spirituality since your formal response to his call (your baptism)? How do you feel about your current understanding of Jesus – should we feel badly if we have unanswered questions or is that the nature of faith?

Confusion about the nature of Jesus Christ is not a new phenomena as we read in Wikipedia:
Following the Apostolic Age, from the 2nd century onwards, a number of controversies developed about how the human and divine are related within the person of Jesus.  As of the 2nd century, a number of different and opposing approaches developed among various groups. For example, Arianism did not endorse divinity, Ebionism argued that Jesus was an ordinary mortal, while Gnosticism held docetic views which argued that Christ was a spiritual being that only appeared to have a physical body. The resulting tensions lead to schisms within the church in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, and ecumenical councils were convened in the 4th and 5th centuries to deal with the issues. Eventually in 451 the Hypostatic union was decreed, namely that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human, making this part of the creed of Orthodox Christianity.

The Huypostatic Union did not end the speculation about the nature of Christ with for instance Isaac Newton, one of the most influential scientific and mathematical minds of human history being a devoted follower of Arianism as he served in the decidedly orthodox Christian Academy at Cambridge University in the late 17th century – we need to allow ourselves the opportunity to explore and question as a element of our own personal spiritual growth.

• As a final exercise take a few minutes to write down your own personal understanding of the nature of Jesus Christ and the role he plays in your personal spiritual life:

Closing Prayer

I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, God may grant that I may be strengthened in my inner being with power through his Spirit, 17and that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith, as I am being rooted and grounded in love. 18I pray that I may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that I may be filled with all the fullness of God. Amen

 Ephesians 3:16-19 NRSV (pronouns changes as appropriate)

Next Week's Lectionary Scriptures:  1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12

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Spiritual Baptism

Mark 1:4-11

For 1/8/2012

All Scriptures are from The Message Version
It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate some thoughts if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Commentaries for Mark 1:4-11 can be found on Textweek.com through this link http://www.textweek.com/mkjnacts/mark1b.htm.

This Sunday’s liturgical calendar focuses our attention on Jesus’ baptism which is recorded in all four gospels and is the opening event in both Mark and John. There are many things we can learn about Jesus and baptism as well as taking time to reflect upon our own. Let us take a look at Mark’s version of the story which using the names of rulers in Luke’s Gospel place the event in 28 or 29 CE. The focus is on John the Baptizer who it is clear made an impact on the events of his time. The following background of John's impact is taken from Wikipedia:

In the Gospel accounts of John's death, Herod has John imprisoned for denouncing his marriage, and John is later executed by beheading. John condemned Herod for marrying Herodias, the former wife of his brother Philip, in violation of Old Testament Law. Later Herodias's daughter Salome dances before Herod, who offers her a favour in return. Herodias tells her to ask for the head of John the Baptist, which is delivered to her on a plate (Mark 6:14-29).
The first-century Jewish historian Josephus gives a slightly different account in his Antiquities of the Jews. Josephus writes that Herod had John arrested because John had so many followers that Herod feared they might begin a rebellion. Herod later had him executed (Ant. 18.116-118). It is possible that both accounts are true. Josephus writes about John's death in a section detailing some of Herod's political dealings. Herod regarded John as a threat, he spoke against Herod and had many followers, so Herod wanted to get rid of him. The Gospels recall the teaching of John, that he called for Israel to purify herself through baptism (Matthew 3:1-12). So the Gospels' description of John's death focuses on the final reason Herod had for arresting John, which was religious. So it may have been that Herod wanted John arrested because he was a political threat, and John's condemnations of Herod's marriage was "the final straw". See James D.G. Dunn, Jesus Remembered pp377–379.[2]

Let is begin the story with this account from Mark's Gospel:

Mark 1:4-6 John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins. People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey.


• What picture does Mark give us of John, how do you envision him, what is his appearance and manner of speaking, is he charismatic, tall or short?
• What was the response to his offer of baptism? What does the response say about John and the people?
• What was the purpose of the baptism John was performing? Wikipedia is one source for some background on Jewish purification rites using water:

Although the term "baptism" is not used to describe the Jewish rituals, the purification rites (or mikvah - ritual immersion) in Jewish laws and tradition have some similarity to baptism, and the two have been linked[10] although their relationship is disputed. In the Jewish Bible and other Jewish texts, immersion in water for ritual purification was established for restoration to a condition of "ritual purity" in specific circumstances. For example, Jews who (according to the Law of Moses) became ritually defiled by contact with a corpse had to use the mikvah before being allowed to participate in the Holy Temple. Immersion is required for converts to Judaism as part of their conversion.

Mark’s Gospel continues:

Mark 1:7-8 As he preached he said, "The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will change your life. I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism—a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit—will change you from the inside out."
9-11 At this time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God's Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. Along with the Spirit, a voice: "You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life."

• What does Mark’s Gospel make clear that John’s place is in the story of Jesus? What is he sent to do and what is he offering?
• What does John tell us about the baptism he performs as opposed to what is coming? If Jesus’ baptism is our example, what happens when we are baptized “by the Holy Spirit”? What are the specific things Mark’s Gospel tells us occur after Jesus was baptized?
• What meaning do the following elements of baptism have for you as you think about your own:

- God’s Spirit came down on him

- You are mine

- Chosen

- My love

- Pride of my life

• Should we feel the impact of these words ourselves as we reflect upon the formal initiation of our own relationship with God? It truly seems to be something we should cherish and regularly revisit as part of invigorating and empowering our faith life.
• Why do you think that Jesus came to be baptized? Did he need a baptism of repentance or need to be invested with the Holy Spirit? Could he have been making a statement of the importance of baptism and being baptized by the Spirt?

John the Baptist had a large and devoted following as is clear from Josephus’ report we looked at earlier. John’s name, reports of his works and fate as well as the repeated mention of his disciples come up frequently in the Gospels. Each time it is made clear that Jesus is the one, the messiah and John the preparer of the way. But his influence lasted as we read in the book of Acts of an event that took place in Ephesus (now in Turkey) some 30 years later:

Acts 19:1-2 Now, it happened that while Apollos was away in Corinth, Paul made his way down through the mountains, came to Ephesus, and happened on some disciples there. The first thing he said was, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?"
"We've never even heard of that—a Holy Spirit? God within us?"
3 "How were you baptized, then?" asked Paul. "In John's baptism." 4 "That explains it," said Paul. "John preached a baptism of radical life-change so that people would be ready to receive the One coming after him, who turned out to be Jesus. If you've been baptized in John's baptism, you're ready now for the real thing, for Jesus." 5-7 And they were. As soon as they heard of it, they were baptized in the name of the Master Jesus. Paul put his hands on their heads and the Holy Spirit entered them. From that moment on, they were praising God in tongues and talking about God's actions. Altogether there were about twelve people there that day.

• I guess that Paul might say to us, “you are now ready for the real thing”, all of the things that flow from the real sense of God’s Spirit with us. One exercise you might try is to do a Keyword Search for Spirit on Biblegateway.com http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/ (you can limit it to specific sections of the bible) to explore the topic.
• Do we place enough importance on baptism, both our own and that of others? What about baptism should make it more important?

Closing Prayer

God of power and of love, at Jesus’ baptism you called him your beloved Son and sent your Spirit upon him. May we, born of water and of the Spirit, know ourselves to be beloved by you. Help us to rejoice in the new life to which you call us. Amen.

Next Week’s Scriptures: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:42-51

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