Reflexion, A Spiritual Community

Hebrews 4:1-2

Hebrews chapter 4 is like a mixed-green salad It has four different types of lettuce: Let us fear (v. 1) Let us strive (v. 11) Let us hold fast (v. 14) Let us draw near (v. 16)

Hebrews 3:7-8

Since our text begins with a quote from Psalm 95, let’s go there first The psalm begins with a call to worship Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! (Ps. 95:1-2) Next, the psalm tells us why we worship For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are...

John 20 - Easter - He Has Risen, He Has Risen Indeed

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession Hebrews 3:1

Is there anything in the Bible you wish were not there? I may be hypersensitive to manipulation – a by-product of growing up in my religious subculture • a typical statement would be, “If you love the Lord, then raise your hands” ◦ the peer pressure was intense ◦ what would the others think if I didn’t raise my hands? • so whenever I hear an “if,” ◦ I assume someone is trying to coerce or manipulate me “If you’re a good Christian boy, empty the trash” “If you’re a real Christian, donate mon...

Hebrews 3

Hebrews 2 - Continuation

In every news source, the Coronavirus dominates the headlines Some of us are obsessed with following the most recent statistics – how many new cases in Europe, the US, in New York • how many deaths in Orange County as it creeps closer to our street? – it seems we have to navigate our way between two extremes • Jesus described both in his end-of-the-world sermons ◦ those like Chicken Little, who believe the sky is falling people fainting with fear and with foreboding over what is coming (Lk....

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. Hebrews 2:1

We have seen that there is an overall structure to whole book It is a wave-like pattern that alternates between revelation and warning – the first revelation came in chapter 1, • and now in chapter 2 we have the first warning ◦ the warning sections can be severe ◦ but the writer also softens them softened with encouragements

Hebrews 1

I am going to begin with the verses we covered last week, only this will be my own “interpretive paraphrase” of the first four verses of Hebrews. God spoke in the past and God has spoken in our time. There are differences in how he spoke then and now. In the past he spoke • many times in many ways • to our ancestors in the faith • through the prophets

Hebrews 1:1-4

The author of Hebrews is a credible guide – he is an excellent resource for those of us who are always longing to live closer to God • Hebrews takes us on an adventure of discovering Jesus ◦ it unfolds the mystery of his person • in Hebrews we look at Jesus through a different lens than other New Testament books ◦ in the gospels, Jesus reveals God; in Hebrews, God reveals Jesus . . . no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son...

Leviticus 16

Leviticus 12

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days. As at the time of her menstruation, she shall be unclean. And on the eight day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. Then she shall continue for thirty-three days in the blood of her purifying. She shall not touch anything holy, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed. Leviticus 12:1-4

Leviticus 11

We will skim through the details of this chapter, – but first, we want to mark the key words: “to make a distinction” • our ability to distinguish one thing from another is serious business ◦ in the extreme, it can be difference between life and death ◦ for instance, when picking berries for a pie, it’s best to know which ones are wholesome and which ones are poison • chapter 11 has to do with making distinctions

Leviticus 8-10

Leviticus 1:1-4

For some time I’ve wanted to walk us through the Book of Hebrews When we come to it, you will discover why it is so extraordinary  - but the same reasons that make it extraordinary,  • also make it difficult to comprehend  • it's content, style and logic are sometimes difficult for us to follow  - Hebrews is built on stories and symbols from the Hebrew Scriptures  • we need to be familiar with that background to grasp its message  • so we are going to spend the next three weeks in Leviticus...

Genesis 43:11-12

The bit of dialogue I read doesn’t mean anything right now, – but it will after I bring you up to speed • the subject of biography is Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham • his story unfolds as one long and complex road trip ◦ it will eventually bring him before Egyptian Pharaoh ◦ when Jacob was asked his age, he characterizes his life as a journey The days of my sojourning are 130 years. Few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the ye...

Matthew 6:5-8 - What does it mean to say we are Christians?

Can we take moment to think about why we’re here? What does it mean to say we are Christians? – we believe that “all this”–oceans, mountains, planets, nebula– • all of it came from somewhere – from Someone ◦ a Creator infinitely intelligent and infinitely powerful • yet the Creator is not in the universe like any other created object – Jesus drops a line here that gives me the chills: your Father who is in secret (v. 6)

Exodus 20:1-6: The Ten Commandments

Intro: Anyone who knows anything about the Bible, has heard of the Ten Commandments Israel had been a slave people before God rescued them – now they were just beginning to know their God • they needed to know how to order their lives in his sight • at their work, in their families, in society, and in the world – above all, they had to know how to live in relationship with God • so it is this comes first on the list of commandments

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser - John 15:1-12, 16

This passage seemed fitting at this time – there are only a couple of days left in this year, and then, 2020 • no one can say what will happen in the next twelve months, • but we can be sure it will not be boring – we spent the past four weeks of Advent preparing for Jesus • now that Christmas has come, and Jesus is here, ◦ let’s use this year to deepen our relationship with him ◦ to love him more, trust him more, and render better service to him and others

Luke 1:26-33

 It seems to me that the traditional Advent themes are jumbled The first Sunday is hope, then the second, third, and fourth are faith, joy and peace – if I had lived in the 4th century–and anyone had asked me • I would have suggested that we put faith first ◦ faith is what enables us to hope ◦ so hope would be the theme of the second Sunday • then, feeling secure about the future, we would be at peace ◦ and that, I think, is when we are most likely to feel joy – one other Advent theme that ...

Luke 2:8-20

 I’m going to begin by asking you two questions First, What makes you feel happy? – take a moment and give this some thought Second, What makes you feel joy? – again, take a moment with this question

Matthew 2:1-11

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is w...

Matthew 2:1-11

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is w...

Should we celebrate Christmas?

Should we celebrate Christmas?      - irritable Christians who write blogs or post on social media,          • remind us that it’s not likely Jesus was born in December              ◦ that the “church” took over a pagan holiday,              ◦ and to this day much of the Christmas celebration is still pagan (1)          • if that’s so, should we not celebrate the birth of Jesus?              ◦ not return to the old, old narrative of announcements, angels, stable, shepherds, star and magi?   ...

Ephesians 5:17-21, Does the Bible say we must give thanks to God for bad things?

There are Christians whose interpretation of this is rigidly literal – they will tell parents who have lost a child, • even if it feels wrong or is difficult to do, they must give thanks • “It’s what the Bible says, so that’s what you must do” – since this is their belief, • they have to somehow justify this practice ◦ the authoritarians might say, “God moves in mysterious ways” ◦ the rationalists might say, “Giving thanks changes your perspective”

Paul has a lot to say about giving thanks in his letters

Romans 1:18-23 Paul has a lot to say about giving thanks in his letters – in fact, he sums up God’s will for us with these basic practices: . . . always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thes. 5:15-18)

Psalms 118

Psalm 118 opens with a chorus that has a long history We first hear it immediately following a big event – the day King David brought the ark of the covenant into his city • the ark was the heartbeat of Israel’s religion and relationship with God • David wanted to place it at the geographical center of nation – he invited all Israel to participate in the procession

John Fischer - II Corinthians

John Fischer - II Corinthians

Romans 16

Thirteen years ago, I stopped going to church That summer, our church was listed in a survey of Christian ministers – we rated among forty of the most creative and influential in the U.S. • but I was broken, burned-out, feeling alone and like a failure – Barbara was with me and helpful through a slow process of healing • conversations with Fr. Romuald steered me closer to Jesus • Barb and I spent Sunday on long walks ◦ we were refreshed as we followed a trail near the ocean – towards the en...

Isaiah 46

 I haven’t prepared a sermon today or a Bible study What I have is more like a personal meditation – a thought, not so much for the analytical mind, • as for the thirsty, needy soul – depth psychology tells us that the thoughts that move us most, • that motivate and influence us, ◦ are not our most logical or even conscious thoughts ◦ but stories, symbols and images in our unconscious • for instance, what stirs a patriotic heart ◦ is not an essay on the philosophical government of democracy...

Esther DeWitt

Romans 8

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive ...

Ezekiel 18:30-32 and 36:25-27

First, God tells Israel to make for themselves a new heart and spirit      - then later, he says he will give them a new heart and spirit          • which is it? Do create the new self we are to become or does God?              ◦ asking the question this way suggests an apparent contradiction              ◦ it assumes that the situation must be either this or that          • either we are the active agents for change or God is the active agent      - the right question to ask: 

Ephesians 4:1-6 - We need to add a chapter to the brain’s owners’ manual

Several times in the last few weeks I have quoted Johann Hari Hari is an author and journalist who struggled with depression – eventually he realized antidepressants weren’t helping him • so he began researching other options and interviewing experts • he found anxiety and depression have less to do with a chemical imbalance in the brain (as pharmaceutical companies have told us) ◦ and more to do with environmental factors and lost connections – the first half of his book explores how we ha...

1 John 4

Isaiah 65:1-2

God wanted Israel to find him; he was even willing to help them find him – but no one was looking for him • he reached out to them, but no one stretched out their hands to him • he was that close to them, and they were oblivious to him For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? (De. 4:7) – “Here I am” is a familiar phrase in the Scriptures • Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, Isaiah spoke this phrase

Isaiah 65:1-2

God wanted Israel to find him; he was even willing to help them find him – but no one was looking for him • he reached out to them, but no one stretched out their hands to him • he was that close to them, and they were oblivious to him For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? (De. 4:7) – “Here I am” is a familiar phrase in the Scriptures • Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, Isaiah spoke this phrase

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

We began with the word repent – a second thought, change of mind      - this means we change the organ of thought: the brain          • we change how brain cells connect with other brain cells              ◦ we rewire neurons to form new thoughts, feelings, actions          • we are re-writing the brain’s owner’s manual

Romans 7:13-20

Paul describes a frustrating struggle, a losing battle with himself – suppose he wanted his readers to feel that frustration for themselves • if so, Dr. Seuss could not have done a better job of creating confusion • however, my guess is that Paul wrote it in a state of frustration – early on, he had put every effort into living a sinless life • but every time he thought he had achieved it, ◦ a new sin sprouted in some area of his life • if he spent his entire time with nothing other than God...

John 17:14-16 - I have given them your word

 I have been mulling over something this past school year Two days a week I drove three of my grandchildren to school – two of them attend school in what I refer to as a new suburbia • the residents are almost exclusively young families ◦ everything is new – new expensive houses and condos ◦ and new apartments, a few of which are low-rent properties • none of the houses, condos or apartments have much yard space – there’s an obvious cultural distinction of two classes in new suburbia • the ...

Psalm 37:1-9

Imagine this . . . While you’re at work, out shopping, or on vacation – a family parks a moving in front of your home • they break into, and unload used, worthless furnishings inside • then they redecorate your home with their junk ◦ and to make matters worse, they glue or nail everything in place – ridiculous, right? • but all of us have allowed others to do that with our brains • by words, actions, and attitudes, others have dumped their junk on us ◦ tainting our sense of self and outlook...

Psalms 129 - about a person who was abused as a child

This short psalm tells a story It is about a person who was abused as a child – yet the child became an adult without being defined by abuse • at least, that’s how the first line reads ◦ but the second line corrects our understanding,

Jeremiah 1:1-11

In the Hebrew Scriptures, the prophet’s call was an important event Each of the three major prophets tell elaborate stories of their initiation – typical features of a prophetic call include: • a God-encounter • instructions regarding their ministry and message • a warning of what they are up against • an attempt on the prophet’s part to dodge the call ◦ they argue their disqualification • God rejects their disqualification and “qualifies” them • they then receive their first vision, word, ...

Ephesians 2:1-7 Has God answered your prayer this week?

Last week we learned what neuroscience has taught us about repentance – at a practical, biological level repentance means changing our brains • the brain is control center for all the activity of the mind and body  • how do we repent? How are we changed, transformed? Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Ro. 12:2)

Ephesians 4:17-24

We began two weeks ago with the first word of Jesus’ message: “Repent” – a change of mind that leads to change of everything – the Bible uses other words for change: turn, convert, transform • I’ve tried to point out, that this means changing our brains • brain activity that has become automatic and unconscious – Paul has an interesting way of illustrating this change, he says, put off your old self and put on the new self

Rewriting our owners manual by repenting and creating the change Jesus wants to see in us

I Corinthians 3

50 days after the resurrection the apostles are waiting to be equipped, empowered - day of   Pentecost

Psalms 22

Psalms 147

Luke 24:1-12 and John 20:1-10

This one last time, I will remind you what we’ve been tracking – John wrote a gospel that’s very different from the Synoptic gospels • the other three follow the same outline, tell the same stories • John is surprising in how much he leaves out and what he puts in – during Jesus’ life the disciples did not always understand him • some times he said things that: ◦ had to do with the future ◦ contradicted what they had been taught ◦ contained spiritual truth that the rational mind cannot disco...