Reflexion, A Spiritual Community

Colossians 3, Continued

Working our way down this list of virtues we come to humility When I began thinking about this talk,  - it occurred to me you don’t need this message – look where we are • this is not the hot spot on Sunday mornings– ◦ the place to be seen – you can’t brag about being here

Colossians 3 Continued

We are working our way through Paul’s virtue list here in Colossians 3 But this morning it is difficult to not be distracted by war in Ukraine - millions of desperate prayers are reaching out to God to bring an end to it • we’ve seen heartbreaking images and also steadfast bravery • last week our theme was compassionate hearts ◦ and by your response to that talk, I know you are in pain for the many victims of this conflict

Colossians 3

Matthew 22:1-14

Two weeks ago I read a list of character qualities in Colossians chapter 3 Although it seems like Paul rattles them off, - each one requires years of devoted practice to embody them fully • I said then, it would be good for us to meditate on the qualities in that list • I realize it would be very good for me – and we’ll start today - so why are we in Matthew this morning and not Colossians? • because Paul frames the list within a specific context ◦ before the character qualities, he produce...

Psalms 25

The heading of this psalm tells us it was composed by David I usually try to ignore the Psalm headings - if David wrote it, we’re tempted to locate an event in his life's story that "explains" it (for instance, explains the theme and mood of the psalm) • Bible teachers who do not “get” poetry or do not like poetry frequently look for connections outside the psalm itself ◦ as though, if we do not know context, we can not know the poem's meaning ◦ but poems carry their own meaning, and their ...

Colossians 2:1-3

 Occasionally Paul will share these rare gems Brief statements, packed with profound concepts - for instance, he has introduced the Colossians to a mystery (cf. Col. 1:25-29) • everything about our transcendent God is mystery and hidden ◦ some things have been revealed . . . the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints (Col. 1:26) ◦ the ultimate revelation of God is Jesus Christ – and that revelation keeps unfolding more truth • the Colossians could reach the ...

Job 42:7-10

I lost two companions this month I did not know them personally, so I can’t say they were my “friends” - I’ve known them only through their writings • when I became interested in contemplative prayer, Thich Nhat Hanh introduced me to mindful meditation • Jim Forest, an Orthodox Christian writer, helped to broaden my spiritual growth, and enhanced my understanding of icons ◦ these men knew, respected, and appreciated each other – they were friends  ◦ so I enjoy their friendship vicariously -...

Psalm 131

When we read the Psalms, we are in the realm of sacred poetry Poetry begins in the heart and it speaks to the heart - we can analyze a poem – take it into the lab and dissect it • but if we go too far, we kill the specimen • in our first encounter with a poem we need to hear it--that’s all ◦ listen to the music of its rhythm ◦ feel the effect of its words and images - what I feel in this poem is contentment • here is a poet who accepts himself as he is my heart is not lifted up ◦ in the Old...

Genesis 2:18-25

Intro: Awhile back I read The Healing Power of Emotion An anthology of essays written by specialists in the fields of neuroscience and applied psychology - afterward, I read several books by the authors of those essays • one author was Sue Johnson, who pioneered Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) ◦ in Hold Me Tight, she explains research behind EFT and provides lots of examples of how it works in therapy • it turned out that Johnson has a Christian friend, Ken Sanderfer, who is also a thera...

Luke 24:28-35

Years ago, I saw a news clip featuring Salvador Dali The flamboyant surrealist artist, with his trademark handlebar mustache, - he was famous for his painted landscapes with melting watches • he had alerted the press that he was working on another masterpiece ◦ and he was going to complete it in front of a live audience • the day came, and a crowd gathered and the cameras were rolling - Dali arrived with his usual air of self-importance • he dabbed his brush in a smudge of white paint, ◦ cl...

Mathew 2 1-12

Intro: Reading this old familiar story, I am surprised by how little information we are actually given - Matthew provides us bare details without embellishment • we are not the first to recognize its streamlined quality • over time, various storytellers added their own finishing touch ◦ it’s like an undecorated Christmas tree that looks too plain ◦ so tradition has added lots of ornaments - for instance, we’ve been told there were three magi (the Bible does not say how many) • some storytel...

Luke 1:46-55

I won’t say this episode within the Christmas story has been neglected, But it doesn’t get as much attention as the more familiar scenes - it unfolds in a warm and intimate atmosphere • the two women are relatives–both received a miracle ◦ both have been surprised by unexpected pregnancies • we have no details of their time together, only their greetings, ◦ and each greeting is an eruption of joy and wonder - Elizabeth’s greeting hints at the mystery Mary carries in her womb And why is this...

Luke 1:26-29

I know — this is a strange place to stop reading These few verses are a small piece of story surrounding Jesus’ birth, - many big things take place in this long chapter, • so it is easy to skim this short scene and get to the action • but I think it may do us some good to linger here awhile

Matthew 1

I Corinthians 16

The last chapter of 1 Corinthians is not as interesting as rest of the letter It is mostly business – like when we were of age and our parents left for a week vacation - they instructed us, “Don’t forget to feed the dog, water the plants, bring in the mail, and put out the trash” • so here: Paul's last-minute instructions include fund-raising for Jerusalem, his own itinerary, Timothy’s visit, Apollos would not be visiting them, and various greetings • we are looking for a precious gem here ...

I Corinthians 16

The last chapter of 1 Corinthians is not as interesting as rest of the letter It is mostly business – like when we were of age and our parents left for a week vacation - they instructed us, “Don’t forget to feed the dog, water the plants, bring in the mail, and put out the trash” • so here: Paul's last-minute instructions include fund-raising for Jerusalem, his own itinerary, Timothy’s visit, Apollos would not be visiting them, and various greetings • we are looking for a precious gem here ...

I Corinthians 15

I Corinthians 14

Intro: You have heard something about the Jesus’ Movement But a few years prior, there was another religious explosion - it began with a husband and wife – John and Joan Baker • a Christian couple who were Episcopalians ◦ they heard Pentecostal preacher teach on the baptism in the Spirit and speaking in tongues ◦ they wanted to have that experience – and they did! • they told their Episcopalian pastor and he went to his colleague, Dennis Bennett ◦ they had little knowledge, and no experienc...

I Cornithians 13

In chapter 12, Paul told the Corinthians they were body of Christ That they should not be surprised at the diversity within the church - they were not all the same, because they were not supposed to be same • each person had his and her own place • the body is a living example of diversity within unity - after listing a variety of gifted people, Paul says, And I will show you a still more excellent way (1 Cor. 12:31) • chapter 13 is the more excellent way for us to be the body of Christ 

1 Corinthians 12:1

 In the 1960's, the Roman Catholic Church began a project of renovation  According to a friend of mine who is a priest, “Vatican II, opened windows to allow fresh air to enter the church” - in hindsight, we could say they missed a few dark corners (but perhaps the changes made then set in motion the way that the Roman Catholic Church handles those things today) • by the 1970's, the Evangelical movement was placed under the microscope ◦ in 1970 Larry Richards published A New Face for the Ch...

I Corinthians 11:23

Intro: Most of us, when reading Bible, will get lost on occasion When that happens, we can stop and ask two questions: - “Where am I?” and “What is going on here?” • “Where am I?” is the big picture question – it takes us to the central theme of book ◦ you look at the whole map, then locate a general area on it • “What is going on here?” is the here and now question ◦ if book were a wheel, "where" is the hub and "what" is a specific point on the rim ◦ this is sometimes called the “hermeneut...

1 Corinthians 10:23-26

Paul has been circling the same issue since chapter 8 Is it okay for Christians to eat food that has been devoted to an idol? – Paul has two answers, one rational and other relational • rational: idols have no meaning for us, so food is food • relational: some Christians are convinced that food presented to an idol is contaminated ◦ take their concerns seriously and don’t “offend” them ◦ at times love requires us to act contrary to reason or our rights – why did Paul give so much space to t...

I Corinthians 9

1 Corinthians 8

Intro: Are you like me, when it comes to reading the Bible? I will come to a sentence and immediately my attention drops off – for instance: The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael. These are their genealogies: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, and Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam . . . (the list goes on – 1 Chr. 1:28-31) - yes, it is still scripture, but it doesn’t interest me • that happens when I read this first line in chapter 8 Now concerning food offered to idols ◦ I’ve never done this, have ne...

1 Corinthians 7

If you have ever read this chapter and felt frustrated, you’re not alone A few verses in it make good sense and are immediately helpful - but the rest is strange, confusing, or upsetting • this chapter is the reason some people give up on Paul • but you and I cannot give up on him ◦ his spiritual insight has been too helpful to walk away now - so we take a deep breath, cool our heals, and pray • we ask God’s Spirit to walk us through the rough spots • in time, it will make sense

1 Corinthians 6:1-4

 Tracking how Paul was guiding these Christians to the mind of Christ - but when I came to this chapter, I felt disappointed • here, the subjects he addresses are so “unspiritual,” so this-worldly • a civil court, wrongdoers, and curbing sexual appetite - but then I noticed a revelation underneath the text • you know how a card might come with a sticker you have to peel off, ◦ and when you do, you find a code? • looking underneath the text helped make sense of what’s on surface 

1 Corinthians 4:1-4

 Paul is considered Christianity’s first and foremost theologian  What is not always recognized–and is an embarrassment to some pastors–, Paul was also a mystic - this was Albert Schweitzer's assessment in his work The Mysticism of Paul the Apostle Schweitzer, “. . . when all is said and done, Pauline personal religion is in its fundamental character mystical. . . . its own essential life lies in the mystical." "Paul is therefore a mystic.” • I see this too – how could Paul not be a mystic,...

I Corinthians 3:1-3, Primer In Things Unseen

I’m sure most of you know the history of my dad’s ministry The explosive growth of a small congregation into mega-church overnight - hippies poured into it from the streets, turning from drugs to Jesus • during that time of the “Jesus Movement,” several strange spin-offs appeared • cults and individuals who alleged they had been in Satanic cults - one young man gained notoriety for supposedly being a former Satanist • he claimed that his directors used him to infiltrate Calvary Chapel and a...

1 Corinthians 2:1-10

Is there a foreign country you’ve always wanted to visit?   Russia was never on my bucket list – it seemed dark and foreboding - a man I kept running into at conferences pressured me to visit orphanages in Russia • one morning I felt like God told me, “Do this” • so twenty years ago this summer, I made my first trip - a small part of my experience was what I expected • but there was a great deal more I had not anticipated ◦ mile after mile of incredible natural beauty • but most of all, unde...

1 Corinthians 1

1 Corinthians 1:17-25

My wife, Barb, and I were told something lives in our home, Something bad – and invisible to humans - so a guy came to our home with a small electronic device • it could supposedly detect the invisible presence • we had to take his word for it -- I had no idea how his gizmo worked - this was not a "haunting," and the technician was not a psychic • we had water damage to our home and it had to be treated for mold • the mold detector collected and measured spores in the air

1 Corinthians 1:17-25

My wife, Barb, and I were told something lives in our home, Something bad – and invisible to humans - so a guy came to our home with a small electronic device • it could supposedly detect the invisible presence • we had to take his word for it -- I had no idea how his gizmo worked - this was not a "haunting," and the technician was not a psychic • we had water damage to our home and it had to be treated for mold • the mold detector collected and measured spores in the air

Luke 18:1

Wednesday night, this was the first verse we read in our Lexio Divina meeting Immediately I knew I would be reading it today, because of what had been on my mind - Jesus gave people what they needed • he gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf ◦ health to the lame and to the lepers ◦ he gave hope and forgiveness to the sinners • and to everyone, Jesus gave parables With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parabl...

Genesis 1:1

The Bible begins at the beginning – the story of creation It is important that we read this passage as a story and not as a scientific account (I do not have a problem with people trying to harmonize it with science, but that was not how Genesis was written nor how it was meant to be read) - stories have a plot, characters, setting and mood • in this story, the universe does not merely exist by itself ◦ it has an Architect, a Creator – and he has a purpose for it • each new addition as it un...

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Intro: These verses come at end of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians

Jeremiah 4:15-21

For a voice declares from Dan and proclaims trouble from Mount Zion. Warn the nations that he is coming; announce to Jerusalem, “Besiegers come from a distant land; they shout against the cities of Judah. Like keepers of a field are they against her all around, because she has rebelled against me, declares the LORD. Your ways and your deeds have brought this upon you. This is your doom, and it is bitter; it has reached your very heart.”

Job 10:11-12

When I first started reading all the way through the Bible, I would dread coming to the Book of Job - it seemed like I always got more depressed reading it, or bad things would happen • but as I came to a better understanding of Job, I began to enjoy reading it • I see Job as the hero of all who suffer–innocently - Job stood up for himself – against his friends – against his culture • he even stood up to God – of course, he didn’t win that one ◦ but he didn’t lose either • his complaint her...

John 13:1-11

Jesus is doing something rather dramatic in this passage Look at the verbs! He busies himself with the menial task of a slave - Jesus is teaching his disciple through a living parable • he’s not telling a story this time – not explaining a truth • he is acting out a lesson - in the Synoptic gospels, Jesus explains the difference of how hierarchy is ordered in his kingdom You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority ...

Ezekiel 37:1-14

e Arlington National Cemetery began as a solution to a problem - after the Civil War, cemeteries ran out of space for all the remains of dead soldiers • Arlington was offered for those who could not afford a proper burial anywhere else • it also provided space for the remains of more than 2000 unidentified soldiers - a friend who flew helicopters in Vietnam was nearly shot down when evacuating soldiers from a "hot spot" • he told me, that when it seemed he was going to die, his last thoughts...

Nehemiah 9:29

It’s not enough to give you the context, so–a brief explanation - Nehemiah had taken charge of a massive project, • rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and the spiritual renewal of the people • for the renewal to occur they had to break with their past ◦ so he arranges a day for this long prayer, which is a confession of Israel's sins ◦ it recounts a history of unfaithfulness - the prayer tells a story, and like all stories, it’s build around a plot • it’s easy to find the plot of a story, bec...

Exedus 4:10

Mark 7:31-37

Intro: If you’re familiar the with gospels, what you see here instantly, This is a strange healing miracle - more attention is given to Jesus’ “method” than any prior healing • and, he has never before this instance included spitting ◦ we’re going to have to revisit these things in a moment • for now we are only interested in the fact, this man deaf ◦ and that most likely explains speech impediment (my friends) - we are examining parts of this human body that is “fearfully and wonderfully” ...

Acts 9:1-18

Paul will tell his story of this encounter two other times in the book of Acts And he will share a condensed version of it again with the Galatians • in 1 Corinthians he will argue, Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? (1 Cor. 9:1) • that was the day Jesus stopped Paul in his tracks and turned him around - but if not for his eyes, there would be no story • if you look for visual clues in the story, words and sentences pop out a light shone; others were hearing...

Genesis 31:1-5

Years ago there was a billboard on PCH in Newport Beach On it, was printed a giant photo of an Orangutan’s face - the caption read, “Face it, you belong in the San Diego Zoo” • someone had climbed up there and with a spray can written between Face it– and–you belong ◦ a girl’s name–so it read, “Face it, Judy, you belong in the San Diego Zoo” • this is one of the ways we use face as a figure of speech - other figures include, when we: • “face the music” -- we have to take responsibility for o...

Genesis

In what ways are our bodies spiritual?

Matthew 10:29-31

Our lives would be radically different if we could see through God’s eyes! - nothing in the world would worry or frighten us • not one particle of beauty would escape our attention • every single human person on the planet would be beautiful ◦ and you would see that nothing in the universe is more valuable than yourself - this is what Jesus was trying to get his disciples to understand • he was sending them on their first solo mission ◦ his instructions included preparing them for rejection ...

Psalm 139:1-6 and 13-16

“. . . if we would pay more attention to those bodies as we live them from the inside, instead of thinking of them only as we see them from the outside, we would know more about ourselves than we now do.” “The body speaks clearly to those who know how to listen” “The multifaceted language of the body depicts a lifetime of joys, sorrows, and challenges, revealed in patterns of tension, movement, gestures, posture, breath, rhythm, prosody, facial expression, sensation, physiological arousal, g...

Psalms 139

Luke 24:36-43

Luke 19

It occurs to me how little preparation went into this parade - Jesus did not send two months in advance an event team, • to pull permits, gather resources, and begin advertising ◦ he simply arrived–and from there it was all spontaneous • so how did it turn into such a big deal? ◦ it was Jesus himself–his person and mighty works he had done - from another point of view, this event had been 1000 years in the making • the script was written and choreographed in Psalm 118:19-28