Pastor David Maier - Forward in Hope

"A Faith to Remember" - Mothers' Day Message Preview

Tomorrow is the opportunity we are given nationally to honor our mothers.  So, first, I want to express my gratitude for my godly mother, who through a great deal of patience and prayer, helped keep me on the "straight and narrow" road.  How well I remember her instruction (given in numerous ways ...) when I was very young, words of encouragement when I was in college, encouragement when I was going through treatments, reminders today of the promises of God in His Word. Thanks Mom!  I love you!

Certainly, there would be a great deal of affirmation for the thoughts that "Mothers are a blessing from God," and "the cement of the home," holding everything together.  Their influence in our homes, especially with children -- from the time the they are born until they leave to begin their own families -- is inestimable.  I have witnessed it first hand.

PASSIONATE ... AGAIN (A Preview of the 4.26 Sunday Sermon ...)

Rarely do I find myself not passionate about what I am doing … accept when I have to gather, organize, and input all the data for the man who prepares my taxes.  I find that, well, taxing …

But just about everything else … spending time with the family, taking walks with Patto, cleaning the house especially before holidays and other major family events, cutting the grass, trimming the yard, camping, hiking in Montana, deer camp, fishing, cutting fire wood, driving, flying with a friend, golfing, reading, studying to prepare a message, blogging, and ESPECIALLY preaching and teaching … I am totally, excitedly, engrossed.

Maybe the joy and excitement I experience is a result of my father’s biblical encouragement:  “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” … and “Rejoice always.  I will say it again, REJOICE.” … or “… give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  More than anything, however, it is a gift of God that He has renewed throughout my life. 

God does deserve our best in everything … especially our love!

Expectations ... or FAITH? Matthew 11:2-15

The message on Sunday, December 16, will be delving into the Gospel lesson, Matthew 11:2-15.  The title of the message is "When the Season / Life / GOD ... Doesn't Meet Our Expectations."  The title/theme for this weeks teaching does express a progressions that many of us have faced ... and grew out of what many of our members (that I encountered this week) are experiencing:  "This is not what I had planned for the holidays;" or "Who ever would have guessed that my life would have taken this turn ... or ended up like this!"  In most cases, there was a nagging suspicion ... though hesitantly whispered or perhaps never verbalized ... that God wasn't living up to ... well, expectations.  Our expectations!

What inevitably follows such conversations are feelings of guilt that we would question God ... or doubt Him.  God never wants us to doubt Him, that's true.  But I believe He always encourages questions ... and  a seeking for answers.

That's what we find happening in Matthew 11:2-15.  John the Baptist - the faithful forerunner of Christ - is in prison.  Things aren't going so well for him.  I don't think he minds that as much as he questions what Jesus is doing. 

At the Jordan River John the Baptizer was absolutely sure that this Jesus who came to be baptized by him, the one whose sandals he was not worthy to unloose, was the Messiah.  John's confidence seemed to be an unshakable consequence of his faith.  In reality, though, John's expectations about who the Messiah was, what the Messiah would so, and how the Messiah would go about it ... are what fueled his confidence.  In other words, his expectations and not his faith built his confidence.

While he was in prison, what John was hearing about what Jesus was doing did not seem to match John's expectations for the Messiah, the Christ.  Its possible that John might have begun to think he was having a crisis of faith when in fact he was having a conflict between his expectations and the reality of Jesus.

This kind of conflict between expectations and reality happens all the time.  And we should ask questions.  That's OK.  But, we should also seek answers - as did John -  from Jesus.

Jesus pointed John to the Word of God ... and to its fulfillment in what He was doing.  He would do the same for us.  As far as the clash between expectations and reality goes, we have one, maybe two, major difference(s) with John in this situation.

• John was in prison; but we are free and have the opportunity, privilege, and responsibility to diligent examine the Scriptures to discover, experience, and live in the freedom of truth; and secondly ...
• We live on this side of the cross and open tomb.  We know how THE STORY ends ... and that by grace, we have already been included in the victory parade.

So when your expectations are not met, and you are discouraged, disappointed, dejected, or even depressed, remember that your faith and life are to be built on Jesus, the Christ - Who is with us, and upon His Word and promises - which never fail.

In the kind embrace of the Savior, we will discover that our experience of His presence - in the Word, in the Lord's Supper, in our lives - and the reality of His promises far exceed any of our expectations.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.  Ephesians 3:20, 21

God bless ... and I will look forward to seeing you on Sunday for ... the rest of the story.

Pastor David Maier

HEART CHECK: 2. A Generous Heart

The sermon for this Sunday, November 12, will examine 2 Corinthians 8:1-15.  It is the beginning of a rather unique section of Scripture.  Rarely does the Apostle Paul, or any Scripture writer, spend more than a few verses – maybe half a chapter – on a particular topic.  In Romans 9-11 Paul does take three chapters to explain his heart and detail what happened to his countrymen – the Jewish nation – if in fact all along they had God’s promises, and His past deliverances, and ancestors who had been greatly blessed by God.  A fascinating three chapters in deed.  But in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 – a two chapter section – Paul talks about financial stewardship.  We can learn so much from what he has to say. 

Last week, looking at Malachi 3:6-18 we examined that the law of the tithe was really a matter of the heart, more than it was about a particular percentage.  More than ever in the New Testament, giving is still a matter of the heart … do we believe, and do we act on what we say we believe … a heart check … and a gut check … and a faith check. 

Paul in 2 Corinthians 8 wants to inspire his Chrsitian readers. And he does so through the example of others. I mean I’m inspired to read more when I talk to folks that being changed by their reading.  I’m inspired to exercise when I see the results of those who are exercising.   Paul basically says, “Look what they did … the “they” be the Macedonians.

• To know who they were …
• To understand their circumstances …
• To know what they asked (begged) to do, and then did, for their fellow Christ followers in

  Jerusalem

  …
• To see how they were blessed later …

is truly inspiring. 

Then Paul adds chapter 9 to give the spiritual framework behind what was taking place.  If you will, he is again “planting seeds” … knowing the rich harvest it will bring.

Bottom line:  Aren’t we glad we don’t live in the Old Testament and have to drag and animal every week to the temple.  How much more thankful and generous should we be … and blessed will we be … as N T followers of Christ who live on this side of the cross.

I pray that like the Macedonians who were held up as an example … we too “will excel in this grace of giving.”

Come and be inspired!

An Over-Splash of Grace

Not too many days ago, my family and my brother’s family accompanied my parents to West Virginia.  It was brief but wonderful four days to be together and celebrate my parents 55th Wedding Anniversary.  It also proved a blessed time to get to know a little better my brother and his wife’s newly adopted daughter, just in the states from Russia for less than two weeks.

One day in the summer heat my brother and all the children and Pat and I went to a pool in Wheeling that had, as one feature, a water slide that came down from a high hill.  Because of the heat all of the grass on the hillside was dry and brown … except in one place.  In that one place water would splash out of  the tube over the side and water the grass.  The rest of the water went on down the tube … rushing the rafts with its laughing cargo (children and adults) down to its intended place.

In the Gospel Lesson for tomorrow, Mark 5:21-34, Jesus received plea from a Synagogue ruler, Jairus, to come and heal his daughter, who turns out is really on her death bed.  Jesus agrees, and as he makes his way to his house, a large crowd gathers and follows.

In that crowd, a woman (no name is given) but with a major problem – she has been hemorrhaging for twelve years, follows, and makes a determination, that if she could touch Jesus, she could be healed.

She is not the object of Jesus journey.  In fact she almost appears to be an interruption, and inconvenience … if not to Jesus, certainly to Jairus … as he waits on pins and needles for Jesus to come with him.  But some things wonderful and amazing happens to and for this woman … if your will, and over-splash of grace.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel God’s love, His great grace, are for everybody else but me.  So many are so much more important than me.  So many are so much more deserving than me.  But never, ever, makes me feel like I’m a interruption or inconvenience.  I’m not just a parenthesis on His mission of salvation for others.  I too am important to Him … deeply loved … special and precious.  And I too experience “an Over-Splash of His Grace.”

This woman had, as the King James Version says, “an issue of blood.”  We all have issues … don’t we?  God knows what they are better than we do ourselves ... and His love for us is still awesome.  Well, Jesus will take time to be with us.  He will take time to assuage any fear, to fill any need, to shower us with every grace and blessing.

An Over-Splash of Grace.  Why not dive on in?

Weathering Storms

Coming home early this week from a brief family vacation to celebrate my parents 55th Wedding Anniversary, we ran into a terrible storm.  You could see the dark clouds and rain coming for a little while, but the wind and the torrential rain that followed were a major surprise and brought almost everything to a stand still.  Pat even remarked that it was the hardest rain that she had ever driven through. 

In our Gospel lesson for this Sunday (7.9.06), Mark 4:35-41, the disciples faced a major storm … a furious squall.  As sailors, they should have had some familiarity with the storms that would quickly form on the Sea of Galilee.  But this was a big one that I believe even surprised them.  They were following Jesus’ request, and even had Him along for the trip … and yet the storm was so great that they despaired of their own lives. 

As this account unfolds … there are so very many lessons and encouragements for anyone who is …

• in the midst of a storm in life, or
• coming out of one, or
• is aware that sometime, they too will be facing a “furious squall”.

Having faced some major storms in the last years personally, realizing that many of our members are being tossed by some severe storms, and knowing that Our Savior Lutheran Church has faced some and will, I found this Scripture lesson full of God’s council for me as a child of God, for so many others, and for this wonderful church as it also moves forward in our proposed relocation as the body of Christ.

I would look forward to exploring this Word of God with you this Sunday.  Perhaps you could read and study this lesson a head of time and be moved by God’s Spirit to even celebrate storms in your life.  God is sooo good!

Blessings!

The War Around Us!

As a child I was always amazed at the story related in 2 Kings 6:8-17.  There Elisha thwarts the King of Aram who despised

Israel

and wanted to “kidnap” Elisha himself.  Elisha’s attendant (servant) who gets up early one morning is startled, truly frightened, to an army of horses and chariots encircling his master’s city.  But Elisha assures his attendant not to be frightened telling him that there were far more fighting on their side than on

Aram

's.  Then he prayed that his servant’s eyes would be opened, and when they were, Elisha’s servant saw “hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha,” that is, God’s army ready to defend His prophet.

It’s a vivid picture that helps to color what the Apostle Paul states in Ephesians 6:10-12:  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  There is a war going on all around us!  Satan and his evil armies of darkness surround us to their best to “steal, kill, and destroy” us (John 10:10).  Did you get that?!  Nothing less than TO STEAL, KILL AND DESTROY US!  But God is always present with Christ and with

Calvary

’s and Easter’s blood bought victory, and with His angel armies, to defend us, to strengthen us, and to fight in our behalf.

May God open our eyes to see!  We have been naïve too long to Satan’s horrendous schemes, and the phenomenal spiritual battles that are going on all around us … and are directed at us.  Knowing all that is happening at Our Savior, and being somewhat aware of what God has planned for our future, I was at first surprised by some of the “evil” (“evil” as in directly influenced by Satan) things happening in our church, our school, and in the personal lives of our members.  How naïve was I to not recognize Satan’s attacks on God’s people who are continually trying to live for Him, follow Him, and expand the kingdom for and with Him.  I know better.  I know that Satan has the world “sowed up” so he is going to work his evil best and hardest on God’s church and on God’s people.

We have too long misidentified the enemy as this person or that person that really bugs me or offended me, when that person is not the enemy, but just the tool, perhaps, in Satan’s hand.  Our fight is NOT against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, against the spiritual forces of darkness!  God help us!! … because Satan appears to be having his way with us at times and we may be unaware.  It can be recognized in attitudes, lack of obedience, excuses, “judgmentalism”, immorality, personal agendas, and the like.

Here’s the good news.  Although we will ALWAYS be fighting in some spiritual battle this side of heaven, THE WAR HAS ALEADY BEEN WON!   Joined to Christ in our baptisms we have not only been forgiven of our sins, our misdeeds and apathy, but we have also been joined to Christ and given His victory over Satan, and His strength to fight and resist.  John writes in his first epistle (1Jn.4:4):  “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world;” and the Apostle James encourages (4:7):  “Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will (must) flee from you.”  Great encouragement also comes from understanding that God has also given us so many weapons with which to do battle (Ephesians 6:13-18).

For the next three Sunday’s the sermon series will be entitled, “Follow the Victor, Fight the Enemy,” and will deal with spiritual battles, or what many call “spiritual warfare”.  I am convinced that this is a most timely, crucially important sermon series.  It is for everyone.  Please don’t be absent from worship! Only the Enemy would want you to miss out!  And please pray for Pastor Olsen and myself during this series, as well as our entire staff and congregation, for as we confront the Enemy head on, as we get closer to the goal line of continuing victory in Christ, the yardage gets tougher.  May our Champion, Victor, and Captain – Jesus – be mightily present to bless the outcome for His honor and glory, and for His kingdom’s advancement.

"Doubting Thomas'" ... Bum Rap - John 20:19-31

As a child growing up with some pretty special Sunday School teachers who could wield a mean flannel graph ... I remember not thinking too positively about the disciple of Jesus, Thomas.  If you read the familiar account of John 20:19-21 you will be reminded that he was the disciple that did not believe the testimony of the other disciples from Easter ... who said they had seen the risen Lord.  He is best known for his comment, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." (v.25)  ... and thus the name that had dogged him through history - "Doubting Thomas."

Palm Sunday Prayers

Prayer is such an important part of the Christian life. 

I've known all the academics and theology behind prayer ... the Lord's Prayer is the greatest of prayers ... Luther saying that (1) Prayer is the breath of the Christian life ... and (2) that if he has mountains of work to do in any given day he knew he needed to get up earlier and pray more to accomplish anything ...

I know the Bible also also says that we have not because we ask not ... that we should pray in Jesus' Name because it is only for His name's sake that our prayers are answered ... that when we pray in the realm of the temporal and material we pray that God's will be done ... because nothing else matters ... even that God will answer prayer, and that in His strength he can do anything, that in His wisdom He knows whats best, but that in His love He will do what's best ...

The Greatest Truth - The "Secret" to LIFE

The Greatest Truth - the "Secret" to true life, eternal life now and hereafter, is to receive God's verdict, by grace through faith, of "justified," ... that is, to be acquitted in God's courtroom, even though I stand guiltly in my sin, because my "life account" has been credited with the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

To believe and understand this Gospel message, this truth, is life itself.

I Don't Buy It ... I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN TEMPTED AND ARE STRUGGLING

Sitting at Beaners with a friend ... talking about temptation ... he shared something he heard that he's never forgotten ... "Bitterness is a poison you swallow ... and you expect the other guy to die."  Bitterness ... we can be tempted to bitterness.  Others are tempted to lust (I know that one).  Or how about greed, or envy, or anger, or discontentedness ...   It goes on and on and on ... doesn't it. 

If you want to share some temptation stories ... send my way by clicking on the comment link at the bottom of this post.

And then, above all else, remember that you are forgiven, washed, cleansed from every sin ... freed, and empowered so that in Christ (Christ in you, you in Christ) you are AGAIN a formitable warrior ... and Satan is afraid.

Would love to hear from you ... SEE YOU SUNDAY!!!

Temptation Sunday ...

Oh, I forgot to mention ... this Sunday at OSL, for lack of a better term, will be "Temptation Sunday".  All the Scriptures read for the day will be dealing with temptation ... the first temptation - Adam and Eve in the Garden; Jesus being tempted the 40 days and nights in the wilderness ...

Again, in getting ready for the message ... I've been greatly challenged.  I am so mad right now at how I've not seen, or at best forgotten, how Satan clearly works.  And knowing that now ... I want to take him on in some of the tempations he's brought my way.  I want to do battle ... remembering always God's great goodness, His faithfulness. 

The way I figure it .... if MSU had U of M's game plan for a football game ahead of time ... they might do 'em in for sure. (I'd hope so anyway.)  Same way with Satan ... if you know how he works ... take it to him in Christ.

Some helpful Scriptures:  1 Peter 5:9, 1 John 4:4, James 4:7

Keep the Bird Out of Your Hair

Let me tell you about my struggles.  I face temptation every day ... and there are times I'm just sick of it.  There are also times where I fight it valiantly ... and still other times ... maybe more times ... that I give in far too easily.

Luther, someone who also clearly battled temptation, made this comment:  "You can't keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from nesting in your hair."  Soooo .... temptation will come ... that in itself is NOT sin ... but what you do with the tempation ... feed it, play with it, or DEFEAT it ... determines what my life, your life, will be like.

Some Scriptures to read ... 1 Corinthians 10:13 and James 1:13-15.