The Long Range Plan

For 1/2/2011

Thursday is Epiphany, celebrating the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. The story of their visit, in which they paid homage to him through worship and gifts, is recorded in Matthew 2:1-12. The giving of our gifts of time, talent and resources is an important part of our worship of God. But we will focus today not on the giving of gifts but instead on the many gifts we have received from God through a Lectionary scripture taken from the letter to the Ephesians.

The writer of Ephesians begins his letter with a long, one sentence in Greek, doxology of praise to God. It serves as a reminder to us of the meaning of this past Advent season; just how God’s love for us played out through the gift of Jesus Christ. Some think that this scripture might have been sung or recited as part of worship in the early church. But it is hard to see rhythms and word patterns unless one can read the original Greek which few of us can do.

Ephesians 1:3-6 How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

• What is your reaction to this scripture? Are there things in here that surprise you or raise questions?

• Summarize the relationship God decided to establish with us, what are God’s intentions and how are they to be carried out? When was it decided that we (you and me) were to be chosen as a focus for God’s love? Does it seem that we have a choice in the matter?

• When you think about the infinity of the universe how stunning are is the assertion that we were selected as the focus of God’s love? Why would God do this? What have you added to your understanding of God from this scripture?

• The scripture begins by reminding us of the wonderful blessings God brings to us. Is there anything you want to add to the writer’s words which describe the reasons you would celebrate the blessing God is for you?

7-10Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.

• What has happened as a result of Jesus’ sacrifice? What word is used repeatedly to describe our status? What does he focus upon as that which we have been freed from? Do you have a sense of freedom because of your faith? Would you use the words “abundantly free” to describe it? What might be some things that constrain or we allow to constrain our sense of freedom?

• What picture are we given of God as this planning is done? What about the plan do you think made God particularly happy? In what ways have we been let “in on the plans he took delight in making”?

• Once again the ideas is raised that what is happening to us is part of a long range plan. Do you think that each believer was individually named long ago in the plan? If we were where is the sense that we individually have the freedom to make a choice to either believe or not believe?

• What role is Jesus to play in the long-range plan? What do these words mean to you? How do you think that this has or will come about?

11-12It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
13-14It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.

• What in your relationship with Christ has helped you understand who you are and what you are to live for? What conditions, situations or experiences have contributed to the learning experiences in your life?

• For a third time we learn that we are part of an overall plan. How do you interpret the idea that Christ “had his eye on us”? Is this a collective term or does it mean you and me specifically? Do you feel like you are part of an overall process which will lead to “glorious living”?

• Some ideas in this scripture could be seen as an endorsement of predestination; we really don’t have free will but are fated to a preplanned destiny. Another understanding is that God has a plan for an abundant life of which we can chose to become a part. Where do you see yourself, what serves as the basis for the role of your will in your relationship with God? Who does the writer see as being in charge in our relationship?

• What must happen in order for us to be ‘home free’? What sources do you feel brought you real understanding and helped your faith life grow? Have you been a source for someone else during your faith journey?

• What serves as the down payment on the promises of this plan? What role has the Spirit played in your faith life, is it a valuable down payment for you? When has this component of you faith life been particularly important to you?

Closing Litany (Psalm 150)

Hallelujah!
Praise God in his holy house of worship,
praise him under the open skies;
praise him for his acts of power,
praise him for his magnificent greatness;
Let every living, breathing creature praise GOD!
Hallelujah!

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Matthew 3:13-17, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 29, Isaiah 42:1-9

Reflection and Anticipation

For November 28, 2010

This is the first Sunday in Advent and Thanksgiving weekend. It is also the first Sunday of the 2011 church liturgical year which serves as a time to both reflect back on our year long journey through the life of Christ and to look forward to the coming reign of Christ as King of the earth and his completion of a new creation.

We first look back on those things which have held meaning for us this past year:

· Take a moment to write down the things of the past year for which you are truly thankful:


It is also important to reflect on our faith life during the past year. Our spiritual blessings and growth can be taken for granted and the writer of Ephesians turns our attention to them:

Ephesians 1:3-6 How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

· What spiritual blessings does the writer celebrate in these words? What meaning do these words have for you?

· What spiritual blessings of this past year would you give thanks for today?


We can now look forward to the coming year:

The writer of Revelations speaks to the establishment of God’s kingdom here on earth. Advent is the time when we celebrate the initiation of that process – the coming of the Messiah, our Savior.

Revelation 21:3 I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: "Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They're his people, he's their God. He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone." The Enthroned continued, "Look! I'm making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate

· What comes with the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth? What is your reaction to this imagery; do you include thoughts and hopes like this in your personal faith life? What is your vision of Christ's return and how significant is it in your spiritual life?

But we live in the in-between times, between the Savior’s birth and the promise of Revelations 21. As Paul wrote in the letter to the Romans:

Romans 8:18-21That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.

· Is there a sense of the in-between, now and not yet, in your spiritual life? What do you find reassuring about that reality and what is spiritually challenging?

· Do you think that the things we consider the ups and downs of a typical life are of the intensity the writer speaks of as “hard times”? When might this scripture take a very meaningful place in our spiritual lives.

· Are there ways in which the Kingdom of God is alive among us today? What would you point to as concrete examples in your life or in our faith community?

As a closing take a moment to reflect on your spiritual blessings and your hopes and prayers for the future work of God in your life, the lives of those around you and for the world. Compose a prayer to frame your reflections in a personal Advent prayer. You might consider using it in your personal devotionals during the Advent Season:

Closing Prayer

We give you thanks, O God, for the many blessings in our lives. But we long for the fullness of your peace and justice in our midst. Strengthen us to do our part in bringing your promises to life in our waiting world. Amen.


Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12