Checking Out on Jesus

August 14 2011"After this a lot of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him. Then Jesus gave the Twelve their chance: "Do you also want to leave?" Peter replied, "Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We've already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God." John 6:66-69 (MSG)I wish I could take you with me to my home town of Heiningen, Germany, and have you join me for an early morning trip to one of the bakeries. Oh the smell of fresh bread, rolls, and pretzels, it is nothing short of incredible. And then to have some of that fresh, still warm, baked “manna” for breakfast, a little slice of heaven I tell you.Jesus was talking about bread, but in the end very few people were excited about what he said. In fact even many of his supporters left him after his talk on bread. He talked about spiritual bread, but like us it was hard for them to see how spiritual bread is more important than the stuff they sell at the bakery. He also stressed the sovereignty of God, that none of us can come to God merely by our own decision. That too wasn’t exactly what everyone was hoping to hear. We love to think that we are entirely free to choose as we please, especially in spiritual things.However, before Jesus declared himself to be the “bread of life,” and before a lot of people distanced himself from him, he did make bread. He took a boys lunch of five loaves and two fish and fed well over 5000 people. They were so excited about it they were going to make him king. Can you imagine what a guy like that can do with the national debt? What he could do with welfare and Social Security? And then all he could talk about was this spiritual and theological stuff.It wasn’t that they were not willing to follow Jesus, at least the healing, feeding the masses kind of Jesus, the turning the government around kind of Jesus, the make my life a piece of cake kind of Jesus, the bless me regardless of what I do kind of Jesus. But they had little patience with this demanding Jesus, this emphasizing the spiritual Jesus, this you can’t do without me Jesus, this theologically narrow Jesus, this you have to believe and change to follow me Jesus.They were more than happy to make Jesus king on their terms, what they were not willing to do was to acknowledge that he already is king and that only his rule will endure throughout time and eternity. They were more than willing to submit to an earthly king who could guarantee a daily delivery of bread, but they willingly passed on the one who offered them “real, eternallife.”In my 27 years of being the pastor of the Lake Don Pedro Baptist Church I have seen scores of people professing to be followers of Christ only to see them check out when came to submitting to Jesus’ terms, to his rule, to his agenda. How I pray you and I will echo the Peter’s answer, and live out that profession with total commitment.To God be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans

We Are Not Rodents

August 8 2011It seems to be a prolific year for rodents. Mice, gophers, voles, moles, ground squirrels, and packrats must have had a convention of some kind and decided that our place is where they would like to move to. I feel like I am fighting a losing battle, these critters are relentless as well as destructive. And then I saw a trailer for a National Geographic special about some place where rats proliferate in some somewhere in a bamboo forest every so often and their population swells to ten thousand an acre – Yikes!The bad thing is that there is no reasoning with rodents, neither have they responded to my most ardent gospel presentations, not a single one has repented or changed. I suppose they really don’t have a need to, obviously things are going great for them as long as they can avoid my efforts to snuff them out.Sometimes people have the same mentality when it comes to God, “Why change things when everything is going great?” “Why mess things up with taking God serious when I am having the time of my life?” – Because you are not a rodent, here today and gone tomorrow. We are people, men and women created in God’s image (Genesis 5:1-2). We might be biologically similar to other living creatures but we are also fundamentally different, we share the very image of God, we are living souls, we will give account for the way we lived, the choices we’ve made, the gifts and talents entrusted to us, how we used our influence, power, and possessions, and how we have treated others. We will also be judged on how we responded to the truth, to Jesus Christ which will have eternal impact. Gophers and their kin have no such concerns. But don’t just simply take my words, read what Jesus said himself:“The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all people will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life. I assure you: An hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted to the Son to have life in Himself. And He has granted Him the right to pass judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing on My own. I judge only as I hear, and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 5:22-30 (HCSB)To God be all glory, love you, Pastor HansPS. I encourage you to read all of John 5, or go for broke and read all of John it will inform you as to who Jesus Christ really is.

What I Do Not Want To Hear

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word,
you really are My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set
you free.” “We are descendants of Abraham,” they answered Him, “and
we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will become
free’?”
Jesus responded, “I assure you: Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.
A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain
forever. Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.” John 8:31-
36 (HCSB)

Jesus told them things they did not want to hear, he cut them with the truth, he
confronted their sinfulness, he shone light on their self-deception. Some believed,
but most were offended, incensed, angry. So much so they didn’t even consider
the merits of what Jesus was saying. They didn’t want to deal with their own
darkness, they didn’t care for being called children of the devil (even though their
thoughts and actions confirmed that they were), they didn’t like being identified
as slaves of sin, and they wouldn’t hear of Jesus being divine.

If Jesus would have preached a different sermon, one that affirmed their heritage,
their historical standing as beacons of liberty, their love for law, their being a
divine example of righteousness in a messed up world, and how God would
reward them for all that they were, if Jesus would have preached a sermon like
that they surely would not have picked up stones to silence him. In all likelihood
they would have applauded and cheered. However, as it was, they rejected him,
his message, the truth, God.

A week from now there will be fireworks, speeches, parades, new specials as
Americans celebrate the birth of the United States as a nation of liberty, the
land of the free. And free we are in so many ways, especially when compared
to others. But how do we respond to Jesus’ words recorded in John 8 if we take
them as being addressed to us (which they are)? What is that we don’t want to
hear? Could we change the above reply of “We are descendants of Abraham,”
to “We are Americans, sons and daughters of liberty?”

They were lying to themselves, they claimed freedom although the Romans ruled
the land, they claimed righteousness although their actions proved the opposite,

they claimed enlightenment although they daily complicated and twisted the
law to the point of the ridiculous, they claimed being spiritual although they
were unable to recognize God’s Son, Jesus Christ. So they were quick to pick up
stones, just as we are, the moment they were confronted with the truth. Try
being a politician and confront the party line with the truth. Try academia and
entertain the truth of the divine in your research. Join a gang and confront the
senselessness. Raise the notion of sowing and reaping, of being responsible to
God in regard to our political decisions in the public square. Confront the idol of
greed worshipped in our culture. Publicly stand for defining morality according
to God’s Word. Preach inherent human sinfulness (as Jesus did) and that only he
(not religious tolerance) can set you free. Do any of these and watch how quickly
stones are picked up and used.

And then Jesus was also talking to each one of them individually. What is it that
I, you don’t want to hear. What is my, your sinfulness? What prompts me, you to
walk in the devil’s footsteps? What causes me, you to respond to these words of
Jesus negatively? What keeps me, you from believing him, and in him?

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that
you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and
destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love;
that's how freedom grows. Galatians 5:13 (MSG)

To God be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans

Father's Day (How we impact our children)

June 19 2011The force of the recent earthquake off the eastern coast of Japan and the tsunami it created impacted the west coast of the United States after it had traveled thousands of miles across the ocean, but without a doubt it had its greatest and most lasting impact in the places closest to the epicenter. That’s how it is for us men who have children; we will have the greatest impact (for good or bad) on those closest to us – our daughters and sons, our families.God designed it that way, both the ability to produce children and actual children are a gift from God (Psalm 127:3). But as with all God entrusts to us he also will hold us accountable for what we do with our children as well. We will answer for whether or not we have kept his commandments as Dads, whether or not we have:• Lead our children to a life of faith in and love of Almighty God and his Son Jesus Christ."You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments” Exodus 20:3-6 (NASB).“The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength” Mark 12:29-30 (NLT).“And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us” 1 John 3:23 (NIV).• Trained them so they will live good and godly lives. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” Proverbs 22:6 (NIV).“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord” Ephesians 6:4 (NLT).• Lived holy lives ourselves, giving our sons and daughters a living example of godliness, righteousness, and integrity. “Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children (Dads), let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, ‘I am holy; you be holy’" 1 Peter 1:14-16 (MSG, parenthesis mine).• Modeled seeking the kingdom of God and in doing so loved and served others. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness …” Matthew 6:33 (NASB).“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right” James 2:8 (NIV).In my almost 29 year experience of being Dad, the 37 years I lived before my Dad died, and the 51 years I have been able to observe all kinds of dads I have found three things that just never mix with being a good and godly Dad who wants to impact his children with blessing. They are sin of any kind, selfishness, and acting like your single. On the other hand I have found seeking the guidance of the Spirit of God, learning the wisdom of the Word of God (the Bible), walking in the ways of God, and cultivating a heart for God and the things of God to be indispensible in my desire to be great Dad.Happy Fathers’ Day, to God be all glory, Pastor Hans

Examining the Insides

June 5 2011When my doctor noticed my age he thought it would be a good idea to look at the insides of my intestines, “Just to get a baseline,” he said, but I didn’t particularly care about how he smiled. On the way out I was handed a prescription for valium and an instruction sheet. Last week, with the appointment fast approaching I actually read the instruction sheet and my first reaction was to cancel the appointment. I should have, but I didn’t. So today is preparation day, which means a clear liquid diet, drinking a bottle of citrate of magnesia to clean things out, a fleet enema for breakfast tomorrow, and of course the valium so I will be “relaxed’ for the video session scheduled for 8:00 AM tomorrow morning. I suppose in our culture this is the how you are initiated into the second fifty years of life.Of course my hope is that the doctor will do his thing and tell me that I am clean as whistle on the inside, but at the same time if there is something to be found I pray he will find it and be able to fix it. But there is more inside of us than organs, muscles, bones, nerves, glands, and piping of various kinds. There are things inside us no x-ray, no scan, no lab test, no scope can detect. There is the heart that pumps he blood, but there is also the “heart” that contains and shapes our character, our motives, our morality, our aspirations, our world view, our love and hate, our values, pride, will, thoughts,and depravity, - the heart that is me, that is you.That heart lies beyond the best physicians’ skills to examine, to evaluate, and to cure. The only one who knows its true condition is God, his assessment, "The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, GOD, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be" Jeremiah 17:9-10 (MSG).To scope, to examine our hearts ourselves God recommends we put it under the light of his word, the scriptures, it allows us to see what he sees, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable” Hebrews 4:12-13 (NLT).To cure our hearts we must acknowledge its true condition, admit our complete inability to fix it ourselves, and allow God to do a healing, changing, saving work through Jesus Christ, “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls” 1 Peter 2:24-25 (NLT).To God be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans

Predicting Christ's Return

May 29 2011May 21st , 2011 came and went without any of Harold Camping’s rapturepredictions coming true. Now he has been wrong twice (he made same predictionfor 1994). He is one of many who have prophesied an exact date for the raptureor the end, and all of them have been wrong, just like any who will do so in thefuture will be wrong. The Word of God, the Bible is crystal clear when it comes toanyone purporting to know God’s timing:"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Matthew 24:36 (NIV)"You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect." Luke 12:40 (NASB)A true prophet of God who truly speaks for God bears an awesomeresponsibility, especially when it comes to predicting future events. In the fifthbook of the Bible, Deuteronomy, God speaks to this, “… any prophet who fakesit, who claims to speak in my name something I haven't commanded him tosay, or speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. You may bewondering among yourselves, ‘How can we tell the difference, whether it wasGOD who spoke or not?’ Here's how: If what the prophet spoke in GOD'sname doesn't happen, then obviously GOD wasn't behind it; the prophetmade it up. Forget about him.” Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (MSG)The New Testament does not uphold the standard of putting false prophetsto death, but the standard for discerning real prophets from false ones holds,there is no margin of error or revising things when they fail to come to pass. Atrue prophet, any spokesperson for God is never at liberty to just make it up. Allprophets and prophecies have to meet a twofold test, what is prophesied has tocome to pass and it cannot contradict what God has already clearly revealed in thescriptures.What is sad about men like Harold Camping is that they discredit not onlythemselves, but they deceive many who genuinely believe, and they become astumbling block to the lost (those who do not believe in Christ). However, as clearas Bible is in regard to anyone being able to predict the day and hour of Christ’sreturn it is equally clear about the certainty of His return and the judgment ofGod. Thus both Jesus and the Apostles continually warned and admonished to beprepared for both God’s judgment and Christ’s return.Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep(died), or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe thatJesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesusthose who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, wetell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord,will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himselfwill come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of thearchangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will risefirst. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up togetherwith them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with theLord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 5:6 (NIV, parenthesis mine)"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”John 14:1-6 (NIV)To God be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans

Redemption

May 22 2011

"We have redemption in Him (Jesus Christ) through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Ephesians 1:7-8 (HCSB, parenthesis mine)

Redemption is never cheap, it costs, it requires someone to invest, to care, to act. Driving through different neighborhoods of Washington DC is what reminded me of that. There are lots of old homes in DC, as well as streets lined by brick row houses with narrow facades. Many of them are dilapidated, trash and weeds littering the tiny front yards as well as the streets. If these
homes and neighborhoods are left to their current rate of decay, they will be an urban wasteland of ruins in the not too distant future.

On the third day of our visit to the Capital we were invited to a social gathering at the house of director of the graduate program our oldest daughter had just completed. The trusty and amazing little GPS unit mounted to the windshield of our rental car helped us navigate through the city maze. We pulled up in front of 146 Georgia (not the real address), one of those narrow looking row houses made of brick. But nothing was out of place or broken down here. The front yard was beautiful, carefully planted, and well kept, as were all the other yards and houses up and down the street. This street looked clean, inviting, cared for. That’s when it hit me, “This is a picture of redemption.”

Somehow, some time ago the people living in this neighborhood, or some investor, decided to redeem this neighborhood. I imagine these row houses didn’t look much different from the multitude of their dilapidated cousins we saw on the way getting here. But someone saw potential in this street, in this neighborhood, and they decided to invest the time, the work, and the resources to redeem it.

Daily, on the way to our daughter’s place we drove by a park just a few blocks from where she lives. The houses by the park are unredeemed. The park itself is a beautiful spot if it weren’t for all the trash littering the ground. Frankly it irritated me. It seemed to me the people there had become accustomed to the filth, to not caring. It’s quite a judgment to make, although an inappropriate one even if I am right. Simply driving through a street doesn’t equip me to be certain about what people care about or not. It’s easy to do though, isn’t it, and it oh how it feeds self-righteousness. If I remember right, Jesus’ heart broke when he encountered filth, when he walked through dilapidated neighborhoods filled with people who were so busy trying to survive caring seemed like a luxury. And who knows, just because Georgia Ave is so much cleaner does not mean the people are any better, they might simply be richer.

Jesus came because our world, people need redemption, regardless of what street they liveon. He has redeemed you and me not so we can pass by others and compare our neatness, our cleanliness, and our state of repair or disrepair. He redeemed us so we would be one with him and the Father, and we would engage with him in the work of redemption, looking at our world, places, and people with hope and the certainty that redemption is God’s will, lavishly so. I was reminded to care, to invest in, and to work for the redemption of all of mankind, wherever I am.

To God be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans

Weed Eaters and Bibles

May 1 2011My weed-eater (also known as a string trimmer) is down. Nothing crucial, I amwaiting for the parts to restore it to health. The only bad thing is that spring isnot a good time for a weed-eater not to work. However, I have observed weed-eaters and the truth is they much rather just sit around or hang on a wall than eatweeds. In fact, if left to themselves they’ll never eat a single weed. Talk about notliving up to your name. Actually a weed-eater cuts down weeds really well whenI, or you, put it to work. I am sure weeds are perfectly fine with weed-eatersconfined to garages and sheds, they love being unattended to. For weeds to takeover one has to do absolutely nothing.As if the weeds proliferating in our yards were not enough there are also spiritualweeds. Jesus once told a parable to illustrate the fact that God is trying to geteveryone’s attention so they will live a life that has eternal purpose and will honorhim. For some, Jesus said, weeds are the problem when it comes to responding toGod, "The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it,” Matthew 13:22 (MSG).Few things are as effective as the Bible (God’s written word) in dealing withspiritual weeds. But just like a weed-eater hanging in a garage you and I won’tbenefit from our Bibles sitting on the coffee table or being stuck on a shelf.Spiritual weeds will happily keep growing, chocking out all God wants to grow inour lives.In order for a weed-eater to be an effective tool in your hands you have to followsome basic steps:1. Get if the wall.2. Put gas in it (make sure it’s a fuel and oil mixture if it is a two stroke).3. Put cutting string in the trimmer head.4. Start it up (wear ear-plugs and goggles, long pants are advisable as well).5. Go to where the weeds are and go to town (you can have the stringer running butswinging it across the asphalt of your driveway will not only make no differencewhen it comes to the weeds, but it will also make you look really silly).In order for the God’s Word (the Bible) to be an effective tool against spiritualweeds there are some basic steps as well:1. Put it in your hand and open it (the Gospel of Mark is a good place to start).2. Start reading it with an awareness that God is trying to speak to you.3. Don’t read past any place that captures your attention or causes you to ask aquestion. Stop, and ask yourself what God is pointing out to you and how youneed to respond. If you have a question look for, and don’t rest until you find theanswer.4. Look for anything God clearly tells you to do or not to do, as well as any generallife principles and or clear instructions of doing things God’s way.5. Immediately apply to your life anything that God has clearly instructed you todo or cease doing (you can spout Bible all over the church or anywhere else but ifyou don’t put into action what you were told the weeds will continue to grow andyou will look like the guy swinging his weed-eater across the asphalt – silly).To God be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans

Empty (Easter)

March 24 2011

Empty gas tank – bummer.

Empty wallet – what the heck?

Empty bank account – time to worry, pray, or both.

Empty refrigerator – not so good at all.

Empty ice cream carton – who ate it all?

Empty house – loneliness.

Empty look – trouble.

Empty tomb – incredible, best news ever!

Generally speaking we are not that fond of “empty,” we’d much prefer full. The
biggest exception of them all is our own grave, we love for it to stay empty. Have
you ever considered how hard we work at that being so? Of course we love being
full so much that most of the time we are completely focused on it until someone
tells us our fullness will shorten our lives. We also love for our lives to be full,
in part because we know that we won’t be able to keep our own tomb empty
forever, and because we know that once we are in our own grave we are totally
powerless. Death strips us of everything. There is no hope in death – unless.

Unless – there is someone who has conquered both death and sin. The two are
related, you know. Death (physical, spiritual, and eternal) is the result of sin, yours
and mine (Romans 6:23). And since we already know that neither of us can stave
off forever the appointment with our own grave we are indicted as sinners. Our
capacity to sin never is on “empty,” and this is why our death and God’s judgment
is merely a matter of time, on our own we won’t survive neither.

That’s why the empty tomb of Jesus Christ is such great news. It testifies to the
fact that Jesus didn’t lie when he said that he alone is “the way, the truth, and
the life” – the only possibility to be justified before God, the only way to escape
death, and the only way to get to heaven (John 14:6).

Many object, “That’s too narrow! That disqualifies every other religion.” This true,

because there is no religion that can save you from your own grave, the only one
who can is Jesus Christ whose tomb is empty. He really has the power to save us
from our sins and grant us eternal life (John 3:16). The fact is that on our own,
tomorrow we will be a little closer to our own grave being full, and there is no one
else to help us other than Jesus Christ.

My Easter prayer is that you, and anyone else who has not put their hope and
trust in Jesus Christ for life and eternity will do so today. God’s word is clear,

“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart

that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the
heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting
in salvation. … For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be
saved (from sin, death, and God’s judgment).” Romans 10:9-10, 13 (HCSB,
parenthesis mine)

He is risen!

To God be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans

Debt. Get off that train.

“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.”Proverbs 22:7 (HCSB)Have you ever visited the web page www.usdebtclock.org? I’ll warn you, it willmake your head spin. But you will literally be able to see runaway debt and inthe process find out that the federal debt is approaching 15 trillion dollars. Nexttime you walk by the church’s nursery and poke your nose in to look at the babiesrealize that their share of the just the national debt (that’s not counting state andlocal debts) is almost $49,000 a piece.There is more, however, according to www.money-zine.com the consumer debtof Americans spread out over every man woman and child in the US amounts to$7,800, and that’s not counting any real estate debts or all the borrowing thatgoes on between people. I don’t know about you, but that’s not just a mountainof debt, that’s astronomical, crazy debt. That’s a train going in the entirely wrongdirection; it’s going to run out of track.As a culture we have cultivated a debt mentality, somewhere, sometime, andsomehow convincing ourselves that debt is the way to go, a good thing, anecessary thing, a great way to enhance your credit score. The stress of debt, theburden of debt, the limitations of debt, the hole debt keeps you in, it’s all good,the stuff of real life and happiness. Don’t ask yourself, “Can I afford that?” silly,just ask yourself, “Can I afford the payments?” You can have it now and pay later,and if somehow you can’t you can always default and leave someone else holdingthe bag.Besides praying for and electing fiscally responsible government leaders (theymight be rare, but they do exist) you and I can’t do much more as to governmentdebt, but we can decide to act responsibly our own selves. A pile of debt can’thelp you in a recession or depression, but savings can. A fancy car that got repoedbecause you can’t make the payments won’t help you to look for work, but a paidfor clunker will. None of the cool gadgets, tropical vacations, fancy dinners, etc.will pay the electric bill, but money wisely set apart in anticipation of the cold,hard season will. “The ants are not a strong people, But they prepare their foodin the summer;” Proverbs 30:25 (NASB).A debt mentality gambles on the future and wastes in the present, sound wisdomprepares for the future by being diligent and disciplined in the present. There isno freedom in debt, it becomes ever more constricting, it really does enslave. “Asimple life in the Fear-of-GOD is better than a rich life with a ton ofheadaches,” Proverbs 15:16 (MSG), especially if you are making payments onyour rich life. Above all though, debt limits our ability to be givers, to be generous,to do good, to be Christlike. Time to decide which train to be on.To God be all glory, love you, Pastor HansPS. If you need help getting off the debt train, begin with giving yourself to Godand learning his ways, I can help with that. For specific financial wisdom and toolscheck out www.daveramsey.com or www.crown.org.

If I Were a Rich Man....

March 27 2011[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ_-CmwHWPo&w=420&h=315]“SPOKEN:) Dear God, you made many, many poor people. I realize, of course, thatit's no great shame to be poor... but it's no great honor, either. So what would have been thedifference if I had... a small fortune?If I were a rich man,Daidle deedle daidleDaidle daidle deedle daidle dumAll day long I'd biddy-biddy-bumIf I were a wealthy man.I wouldn't have to work hard,Daidle deedle daidleDaidle daidle deedle daidle dumIf I were a biddy-biddy rich,Daidle deedle daidle daidle man.I'd build a big tall house with rooms by the dozenRight in the middle of the town,A fine tin roof with real wooden floors below.There would be one long staircase just going upAnd one even longer coming down,And one more leading nowhere, just for show.” …(“If I were a Rich Man,” from “Fiddler on the Roof.” by Zero Mostel)Most of us have sung a similar tune, if only in our minds, and we would in all likelihood have different dreams and lyrics than Tevye, the character singing “if I Were a Rich Man.” His dreams included his wife, Golde, “looking like a rich man's wife, with a proper double chin.” Times and tastes change, so how would you fill in the blank to “If I were a rich man/woman, I’d ________? I suppose to some degree it would depend on how rich you were “biddy-biddy,” or super rich. Nevertheless, my guess is that you didn’t have too hard of time filling in the blank.There is in an interesting little prayer recorded in Proverbs 30:8-9, “O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name,” (NLT). There is danger of succumbing to the desperation, the weariness of poverty leading to behaviors that insult God, and there is the temptation of riches to hubris and arrogance that declares God obsolete, also leading to behaviors that insult God.I wonder if Tevye would change his song after being rich for a while? Or would he stop conversing with God altogether? Would he forget about the truth that “… not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions," Luke 12:15 (NASB)? I wonder how much I would benefit from me reminding myself, of these and other words Jesus spoke regarding wealth, possessions, and money.Did you know that according to www.globalrichlist.com you are in the top 10% of all the people in the world in regards to income if you make just over $25,000 a year? At $48,000 you are in the top 1%! For me that is both humbling and a cause to be deeply grateful. Of course in an American context making $25,000 doesn’t put you on any official rich list; in fact you might have to budget very wisely to make things work. But it does let you know that 90% of all other people live on less, very often far less.Tevye, at the ends his song asks God, “You decreed I should be what I am-- would it spoil some vast, eternal plan, if I were a wealthy man?” Maybe not. But why do we want to be rich? To have a big house with frivolous amenities? A double chinned wife? So all day long we can be a “biddy-biddy bum”? TO be considered somebody? Or do I want to be wealthy so I can participate in working against poverty, injustice, hopelessness, and spiritual lostness, - to help lift real people out of abject poverty, because that is the heartbeat of God all throughout scripture, as well as the example of Christ. “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share,” 1 Timothy 6:17-18 (NIV).“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich,” 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV).What will our song be if God so decrees for us to be rich men and women? Would the rest of the world be glad to hear it or simply be jealous? Would God love it? I pray it to be so.To God be all glory, love you Pastor Hans

The Earth is the Lords (Ownership)

March 13 2011The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths. Psalm 24:1-2 (NLT)It was a magnificent early spring concert rising up from the creek that crosses the back corner of our property. I had been cutting up a bull pine that went down in our horse pasture some months ago, but when the daylight waned and it got too dim to safely cut I turned off my chainsaw, sat down on a stump, took out my earplugs, and that’s when I heard it. While listening to the ebb and flow of the massive choir of frogs and crickets I was reminded of something they seem to instinctively know but we seem to quickly forget. The earth and all it contains belongs to God.As I already told you I was on my property, I had used my chainsaw, I was sitting in my pasture, and the stump I was sitting on belonged to me as well. It is all mine, I own it fair and square. Actually we, Susie and I, own it, because a long time ago we decided to share everything and said, “I do.” Where our fence ends our neighbors’ property begins and I can’t call it mine because Jim and Marianne hold legal title to it, it is theirs. Now the singing critters don’t know this because they come and go as they please. The birds too build their nests on our property without ever once asking if that would be okay. No, all those creatures lay no permanent and legal claim, they simply live without any thought of ownership to land they did not create.Now I have seen enough nature shows, read enough books, and spent time in personal observation to know that many animals, and even plants, are fiercely territorial. But no creature has taken ownership to the level we have as people. Thus it is a sobering, and challenging reminder, that none of us can claim ultimate ownership. Don’t misunderstand, neither I nor scripture discourages ownership. The trouble is that the more we own the more we are inclined to forget about God, the more we are inclined think that we are only accountable to ourselves when it comes to that which we own.The reason why God is the ultimate owner of not only all that you and I own, but of us as well, is that he made it all, even our very life. Thus he can lay claim and hold us accountable as to what we do with our lives, our things, our property, and our wealth.Those critters singing down by my creek I am sure have never contemplated any of this. In fact their singing down there is about mating not meditating on God. But you and I, because we are made in the image of God, are able to hear, see, and know God through all of creation, as well as all God entrusts to us. The reality of God’s ownership has deep, even radical implications. I would like to encourage you to go find a stump and listen to what God would have you know, contemplate, change, and live out when it comes to all that you can say to, “that’s mine.”To God be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans

What if? Money and Stuff

March 6 2011“You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:34-35 (NLT)If you start thinking to yourselves, "I did all this. And all by myself. I'm rich.It's all mine!"— well, think again. Remember that GOD, your God, gave youthe strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that hepromised to your ancestors—as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (MSG)When our kids were little they were inspired by TV advertising and theperennial Disney cartoon with all of its accompanying merchandizing to dream ofgoing to Disneyland. It wasn’t that we would not have loved to take our family ona Disneyland trip, no, the problem was that we simply couldn’t afford it, we werebarely making it. We told our kids that we did not have the money to go but thatthey certainly could ask God to provide. Not long after that conversation my littleboy proudly declared one evening, “We can go to Disneyland, it’s not a problem!”Our ears perked up. “And how is it not a problem?” we asked. “It’s easy Dad, allwe need is a Discover Card.”I am glad to inform you that since then we did go to Disneyland severaltimes, without the use of Discover Card, and that that little boy has grown up tobe a man who handles money really well. But I realized at that moment that ourkids acquire early on their attitudes and habits when it comes to money. The TVwas doing a good job trying to educate my children towards consumerism thatdoesn’t think twice about assuming debt, that shifts the question from, “Can Iafford this?” to “Can I handle the payments.We are living in though economical times, and literally millions are findingout how precarious, and if we are honest, how irresponsible that kind of financialapproach is (Although our government leaders still seemingly have not woke upto that reality. How I pray we will do right for the generations that follow us).So what would happen if we would apply God’s wisdom to our attitudes andhabits regarding money and things? What if we embraced the ways God blessesin this important area of our lives? What if made it our goal to become giversinstead of getters, to be dispersers and not debtors, to embrace charity insteadof consumerism, to save before we spend, to see in money and things as anopportunity for service rather than self? What if we start asking ourselves, “Howcan I manage my wealth (however much or little that is) so I can give more?”instead of simply asking, “How can I have more?” And what if we would realizethat the management of our money and stuff has eternal implications?When it comes to the management of money and things God literallychallenges us to try and see if that his ways, his principles, his wisdom not onlywork but are blessed (Malachi 3:9-12, Luke 6:38).To God be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans

Marriage

February 13 2011“Marriage should be honored by all, …”Hebrews 13:4 (NIV)“Here comes the bride, all dressed in white …” “There stands the groom, lookinglike he’ll swoon.” And then there comes what is called a marriage, and thesobering reality that all those shared dreams of the wedding day take a lot ofwork, a ton of perseverance, real commitment, much forgiveness, and so muchelse. Melting two into one is quite a process.I have often wondered why we enter two of life’s most important roles, husband/wife and dad/mom, with little to no experience. One of my theories is that if wehad major experience we would run from both, we would deem it too hard, toostressful, too much work. But that’s viewing things too negatively, because handsdown my greatest joys in life, my deepest and most meaningful relationships,and my most fulfilling roles have come from being Susie’s husband (or HBOM,hunking block of manliness) and being Dad to five kids. Nothing I have done,accomplished, or own compares.I constantly wonder how I ended up alongside this incredible spiritual, beautiful,smart, funny, and full of life woman. I certainly wasn’t smart or wise enough onmy own to choose so well, never mind having what it takes to persuade sucha woman to give me her heart. So how did I end up so very blessed? I don’tquite know the entire answer, but I do know my Mama diligently prayed for mybrothers and me to marry great women. I don’t know what exactly she prayed,but I have inkling now that I have marrying age children of my own.Not too long ago one of my daughters wanted to know what exactly I am prayingfor regarding her future mate. Before I‘ll share with you my reply I want toencourage you to also pray in detail concerning who you want to be regardingyour present or future mate. Who would God have you be?I thought I’ll tell you what I have been praying for when it comes to romance anda man you want to share your life with. I have been praying this, and expandingon it, since the day you were born. Not only have I prayed that you will grow upto love God and Christ, but that you will do so with passion, that you will love allGod loves, but I have also prayed that God will raise up a boy for you for whomthis is true as well, and that you will be answer to his parents' prayers for him tofind a godly woman. I have also prayed that God would give you the heart to lookfor that kind of man, that godliness and kingdom passion would be on top of yourcriteria when it comes to looking for a man to share your life with.For the fellow who will marry you and have your heart, I have prayed that aboveall he will have an independent heart and passion for God, an involvement in theChristian life that is anything but casual. I pray he will love to pray, love church,love God's word, and all the things God loves. I pray he will a hunger for andhave a vision for the kingdom of God, that his faith is a thinking faith, a growingfaith. I have asked God to give you a man who is pure, faithful, selfless, kind, anda servant. I pray his faith is so interwoven in all he does that it is evident to all.I pray he will love to talk about spiritual things and that he cares about bringingpeople to Christ. I pray he will be a giver, a tither, generous through and through.I pray he will be wise, in his relationships, with material things and money, andwith life. I pray that he will be totally smitten with you, absolutely entrancedby your beauty, your cuteness, and who you are. I pray he will love family andbeing a dad. I have asked that he will be fun, can laugh at himself, and does nottake himself too serious. I pray that he is challenge to you in the most positivesense, that he would be romantic, caring, disciplined, and good. I pray he will beyour soul mate and that you would be thrilled by his love and presence. I alreadyknow that you are a jewel; I want him to see that as well and treasure it, guardit, and always be thrilled about what great find you are. I want him to be strongin character, honest, transparent, and real. I want to be able to hand to him, andhard as it may be, know that my girl is blessed, treasured, safe, and cared for like Iwould care for you and even better.May God hear my prayer and yours, Pastor Hans

Brakes

January 30 2011

I was intending to change the oil, service the transmission, and chase down a
clicking noise on my daughter’s car. After I changed the oil, and after I had the
transmission pan pop off too quick, spilling fluid everywhere except into the pan it
was supposed to go in, I found the reason for the clicking noise to be a worn CVC
shaft. While taking the shaft out I also looked at the front brakes, and yes you’ve
guessed it, they needed to be done as well.

I am somewhat of stickler when it comes to the brakes, especially when the
brakes are on car that hauls as precious of a cargo as my girls. I have felt the
terror that comes when you are going down a hill, step on your brakes, and
nothing happens except the pedal hitting the floor. I have driven with brakes that
required a furious pumping action in order for anything to happen. I’ve had my
precious wife drive down the grade from Greeley Hill in her 63 VW and realize all
she had was the emergency brake and low gears. Would you please raise your
hand if you are reading this and think that good, working brakes on the vehicle
you drive, or are riding in, are a very, very, good idea.

While working on those brakes I started thinking, “What if I were as diligent in
maintaining and servicing the brakes on more than just my cars? What about
having good brakes when it comes to my mouth, my attitudes, negativity, bad
habits, getting sidetracked, anger, greed, self-indulgence, making rash or even
plain dumb decisions, etc.?”

Have you ever seen those emergency pull-outs for runaway trucks? (I wonder if
truckers regularly pray to not ever having to use one of them). But trucks are not
the only ones that have to negotiate difficult terrain carrying heavy loads; life is
like that for us as well. Our lives sure can spin out of control rather quickly if the
brakes aren’t working, and the result is that we crash, get hurt, and hurt others.

So how are your brakes? And are you going through life at a sane and safe speed.
Because if you drive or live recklessly it doesn’t matter how good your brakes are,
you will crash sooner than later, and you are endangering all who are in your life,
as well as those with whom you share the road.

Maybe it is time you’ve pulled yourself into the shop of God’s Word (the Bible)

and have things checked out? Maybe it is time to ask someone who will be
brutally honest with you and ask him or her whether or not your brakes are in
working order, and whether you are driving under or out of control? (By the way,
maintaining good brakes, honest feedback, and help are some of the values of
weekly worship and Bible study in community with others).

Of course I have also heard of people who use the gas pedal and the brakes at the
same time, which is less than smart. In fact that qualifies as a bad habit, stressing
both the motor and the brakes, resulting in premature wear and tear as well as
more frequent repairs. I don’t know about you but I love life a lot more when I
am not stressed out, when the repairs are rare and the repair bills are small, and
most importantly, those around me don’t have dodge me on the road we share.
I love to be able to invite others into my life and know that they feel save and
can enjoy my company and the scenery. I love for God to be able to use me as a
worthwhile example of someone who lives to be a blessing to him and others,
and I know for that I need good brakes and good driving habits. (“Become sober-
minded as you ought, and stop sinning; …” 1 Corinthians 15:34, NASB)

To God be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans

Wishing to Follow

January 23 2011And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Mark 8:34-38 (NASB)It is hard to loosen your grip on life, to surrender your dreams, to submit your ambition, to break with your culture, to change your values, to have things you have deeply invested in loose their meaning. But that’s what Jesus is after. Why did have to be so blunt, so clear cut, so radical? Why couldn’t he be a little more ambiguous? Why did he have to use words like “must,” “will lose,” “will save,” and “when?”Most people are not opposed to religion as long as it strengthens their grip on life, helps them achieve their dreams, validates their ambition, sanctifies their culture, upholds their values, and doesn’t challenge their investments. Or put differently, emphasizes self-fulfillment instead of denial, preaches self-improvement instead of surrender to God’s will (cross), and allows for participation according to their liking and schedule, rather than total, daily following. But have you ever considered that the world was a religious smorgasbord when Jesus came, and if there is one thing Jesus is not, it is more of the same. He is different from all because he is the incarnate Son of God, eternally one with the Father and Holy Spirit.Notice, Jesus did not advocate a life void of dreams, ambition, cultural relevance, values, and investing ourselves and resources. In fact he asked all who would listen, including you and me, to center all of ourselves on him and what he preached and taught, to become kingdom of God dreamers who completely, and radically trust him with our lives, our ambitions, our values, and all we have to invest. The question then becomes, “Am I?” and even more than that “What if?” Yes, what if you and I give ourselves fully to the redemptive agenda of God? What if we learn to love without fear, even the fear of losing our lives? What if we commit ourselves to the values of God’s kingdom? What if we dream of our lives having eternal significance? What if we invest the most where our world is most broken and dark? What if we completely lose ourselves in the cause of Christ? What if we do that? What would it be like?I don’t like for the gas gauge on my car to be near empty, I like it to be full. I don’t like to pull out my wallet and find it empty, I like for some green to be found there, and I don’t like to read my bank statement and find out that my account is almost on empty, I sleep better when it isn’t teetering on the brink. The crowd Jesus spoke with in the text above were probably much like me, and you, working hard to fill up, stock up, and save all they could to be able to live a better life, their life. He invited them, “anyone who wishes,” anyone who wishes for something better than that endless pursuit, anyone who yearns for a more just and better world, anyone who understands that he or she and our world needs redemption we cannot create ourselves, anyone who wants his or her life to count here on earth and before God, to follow him.To god be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans

Act as free men and women (4th of July thoughts)

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 (NLT)Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king (respect the government). 1 Peter 2:16-17 (NASB95, parenthesis mine)July 4th, Independence Day, the day 234 years ago a few colonies declared that they would no longer be under British rule. Thus the “united States of America”, a nation of freedom lovers was born.Of course in the aftermath of the day that declared all people as being created equal money, power, and expediency thwarted the application of freedom to Blacks, Native Americans, Women, and the Poor. It really is amazing, isn’t it, that freedom is such a struggle. It should be easy, but it isn’t.One thing, 234 years later, seemingly forgotten is how great a part reformed Christian thought and values played a part in the beginning of what is often called “the great American experiment.” Certain universal laws and rights are given to all of humanity by God, all people are created in the image of God, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are not man-made concepts but ideas from the mind of God.234 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence the celebration also casts a sad shadow, because in every county across this great land precious freedom is wasted. Today more people will succumb to the slavery of greed, materialism, drugs, alcohol, gambling, life-draining relationships, dishonesty, immorality, ease, man-made religions, and godless ideologies. Today people across this free nation will use their liberty for doing evil, to care only about themselves and their pleasure and happiness, often causing much pain, grief, and sorrow.Today from East to West, from North to South, people will celebrate with no thought of that which the founders of the Nation thought foundational: God. This coming week many of our elected officials will make laws, enact policies with little or no regard whether or not they square with laws and principles of God outlined in the scriptures, not remembering that, “God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak,” Proverbs 14:34 (MSG).It makes a big difference what you and I do with our freedom. If we are not careful we will squander and waste it, or worse yet, abuse it. The scriptures you read at the beginning let each one of us know where God, our Creator, who calls to live andact as free men and women means for us to start in our use of freedom.• Understand freedom to be a daily call to selflessness and service to do good,not a license to self-centeredness and indulgence to do evil.• Freedom as a right carries responsibility displayed in actions.• True freedom lovers learn to discern good from evil, and disciplinethemselves to what is good.• A fear of God, respect for all people, respect for government, and respect forpeople in government are central to the way God wants free men and womanto act.• We are never more free then when we submit ourselves to God, His ways,His principles, His wisdom, His power, His providence, His care, and Hislove.This 4th of July, I pray that as free men and free women we will bless God, before we ask Him to bless us – because He already has.To God be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans

Godliness and the H-BOM Factor

Feb 12 2010Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily inGod—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful,but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today andforever. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (MSG)I’ve been working out, trying to improve my physical condition and shape. Afterall in a few short weeks Susie and will be lounging around Hawaii, and I want tobe able to strut up and down the beach looking like a real HBOM (hunking blockof manliness) for my woman. Actually I got back on the get-into-shape trail a fewmonths ago after my older brother suffered a heart attack; it shook me up, to saythe least. But if all this exercise improves my HBOM-factor with the babe I am notopposed.Anyway, I’ve been working out and thus far I am not sure whether or not theagony is worth the results. Finishing is about the best part of each early morningsession. I have to keep reminding myself of the goal: Living a healthy, long, andproductive life.The paraphrased scripture you read above more literally reads, “Have nothing todo with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,holding promise for both the present life and the life to come,” 1 Timothy 4:7-8(NIV). So how does one become a “hunking block of godliness?” I think there aresome parallels to physical exercise that are helpful:• Remember the goal – being able to live a productive, fruitful, and joyful lifewith and to the glory of God. “Spiritual flabbiness,” and ungodliness aredetrimental to our spiritual health.• For exercise to work discipline is required. No Olympian just trains everynow and then or just when she feels like it. The bummer/reality is that it is somuch easier to get out of shape than to get into and stay in shape.• It takes time. No one gets into shape overnight and no one turns up godlyafter a week.• There are always obstacles. The rainy weather has not helped myrunning, and I can’t tell you how often some sprain or pain or somethingunpredictable in my schedule has set me back, has gotten me out of a goodroutine.• One difference is that it is possible to get into shape all by yourself (althoughencouragement never hurts), but for the acquisition of godliness the presenceof God is essential. Thus the beginning point for improving our godlinessfactor is the cultivation of all the habits and practices that anchor uscontinually in the presence of God (here’s a short list: the ways of the HolySpirit, prayer, reading/meditating on/ learning to understand and live theBible, corporate worship, serving, ….)Did you notice that “godliness has value for all things?” Age definitely whittles onthe HBOM-factor, but our godliness-factor can increase exponentially as we growolder. It is one thing for Susie to watch me run up and down the beach and say, “allthat exercising surely got you looking like an HBOM;” it’s quite another thing forGod to look down and say, “there is one of my godly men running on the beach.”Love you, to God be all glory, your glad to be your pastor Hans

The Christ of Christmas

December 13 2009For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.Colossians 1:13-20 (NIV)Who is the Christ of Christmas? And why should anyone concern themselveswith him? Why shouldn’t we just go for a generic holiday or some vague season’sgreetings instead of observing Holy Days centered only in Jesus Christ? Wouldyou permit me to answer those questions using the text from God’s word you readabove?• Jesus Christ is the only God-sent Savior. Only He is able to deliver us fromour spiritual darkness and sinfulness.• Jesus Christ is the only redeemer, only he is able to pay the price necessaryfor the forgiveness of our sins.• Jesus Christ is God incarnate, God in the flesh. You see him you see God.You know him you know God.• Jesus Christ is the Creator of all there is. All of us owe our existence to him,and all of us are accountable to him. We are not made to live random lives ofself-fulfillment, but rather to live to the pleasure and glory of Christ.• Jesus Christ is preeminent, before all things. There is no one greater, no oneor nothing more important than him. He is absolutely essential.• Jesus Christ is the sustainer. The universe, life only exists and goes onbecause he upholds it. Every day, every breath is a gift from his hands.• Jesus Christ is the head of the church, making church not something we goto but something utterly important to belong to.• Jesus Christ is the “resurrection and the life.” Only he has power overdeath. Only in Christ one can find true hope for eternal life rather than meresentimentalism.• Jesus Christ reigns supreme, over life, over death, you and me, the universe,and eternity. Living life ignoring Christ or being ignorant of Christ is theultimate tragedy, true hopelessness.• Jesus Christ is the expression of the fullness of God. Everything we need forlife, for eternity, for forgiveness, for fulfillment, for godliness, for peace, forlove, and for lasting gladness and joy is found in him.• Jesus Christ is the reconciler. No one, no sinner will ever find a way to God.No religion, however sincerely followed or trusted in, no personal belief,and no amount of doing good can reconcile any person with God. Only theperson of Jesus Christ can. He is God incarnate, who lived the sinless life wecannot live. He offered his life on the cross as a once and for all sin offering,so that anyone who believes and trusts in him could be reconciled to God.• Jesus Christ is the true reality of Christmas, the true gift of Christmas, thereal reason to celebrate. Don’t celebrate another Christmas without him.To God be all glory, love you, Pastor Hans