My House Shall be Called...

My House Shall be Called…

Copyright Doug Blair, Waterloo ON. 2020 My house shall be called of all places a house of announcements, anecdote, bowling nights, yoga and pot-luck.

Did Jesus say that? Nope.

He watched as the Temple became a place of priestcraft, intimidation, lust for filthy lucre, side-eddies of rule making and condemnation.

Precious time for worship given over to extraneous teaching, while all the while showing disrespect to rich Gospel ore and opportunity.

And time given up front that distracts from the life-building and hope generating focus on the Four Gospels is in fact THEFT. 44 ​And

shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they

shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

45 A ​ nd

he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and

them that bought; 46 ​Saying

unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have

made it a den of thieves.

King James Version​ (KJV)

Community Not the First Priority 1

July 09, 2011

In much of the self-definition of the local churches (web-sites, newspaper, front lawn signs, visitor literature) I see reference to a purpose which should be secondary. It is community, a sense of belonging, an opportunity to engage with other people who have made Christian values something important to their lives.

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The suggestion is to "come grow with us, embrace a fuller life, enjoy the sense of belonging, join in with programs, provide for your children a safe zone for moral and social development, rise to leadership opportunities with identified aptitudes and help to keep the ball rolling."

But then I go to the Gospels and see Jesus calling out disciples.

Simon, Andrew, James and John from their arduous toil on the fishing boats. Matthew from his lucrative tax-gatherer's table. The

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invitation was simple: "Follow me."

These men had heard the words of wisdom in the spontaneous addresses of "the rabbi", had perhaps observed or heard of the incredible miracles of healing; had sensed majesty in words of absolution pronounced to the penitent; had met full on the convicting yet hopeful gaze of the one who chose them.

The challenge was not easy; the beatitudes unsettling to the status

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quo; the requirements of service and travel disturbing to family and business connections.

Indeed, Matthew in the 10th chapter of his account paints a severe picture of the realities of discipleship. Uncertain dwelling places. Ostracism and rejection.

Surprising strife with loved ones.

Trusting the Spirit rather than recognized, studied authorities for the right word of witness, guidance or correction.

Difficulties with public authorities.

Matthew is the Evangelist who most portrays Jesus as Messianic

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King (the lion figure) and His followers as ambassadors of an unstoppable Kingdom. He would have agreed whole-heartedly with Paul's words on the role of ambassador in 2 Corinthians 5.

In an earlier life he had been the pragmatist who positioned himself with Rome to collect taxes from his fellow countrymen at an extorted premium. He thought he understood the clear line of division between lives secular and religious. He excused many actions with the claim "business is business". He rose in standing among the publicans and invited

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many of similar persuasion to his banqueting table. This even occurred on the day of his calling

by Jesus, a seeming contradiction. But Jesus had other plans in accepting his invitation - redeeming ones.

We must recognize that there is a dynamic power in the call of "follow me". A chance to listen and observe; to evaluate the manliness and forgiving tendency, the confidence and unequalled compassion of the carpenter from Nazareth. The traits of the Master, studied at length and in earnest prove to be

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infectious. The transformation in the disciple is not a matter of schooling or frequent assembly, but rather a love response and an assimilation of the nature of Jesus.

Hence the Lord of Glory says unto us: "I have called you for my purposes. Come unto me. Follow me. You will bear fruit. Out there, in the community of the everyday.

My blood has sealed the deal."

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We gather unto Him in a much more profound sense than our gathering with each other!

Labels

Churches Challenged​

​Disciples​

​Set Apart

Life-Style or Christ's Smile?

March 19, 2011

Much effort from the pulpit is directed toward putting a Biblical slant on

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issues of everyday life. Relationships and families. Finances. Child rearing.

Dealing with conflict. Dealing with low self-esteem. Forgiving oneself for past stumblings. Dealing with satanic attack. Problematic attitudes.

Establishing a balanced work ethic.

The intention is to make the sermon "now" and relevant and helpful to the life priorities of the audience. Giving them what they want. The epistles of the New Testament come in handy. The how-to lists are drafted with their alliterated sub-headings. The whole thing has the tone of a lecture.

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BUT IT IS NOT BREAD!

Christ is the Living Bread. He must always have the pre-eminence as the preacher delivers his burden. The Four Gospels must be the staple (and perhaps the Letter to the Hebrews).

They portray the most compassionate, patient, helpful, authoritative and hope-inspiring of all lives. They put flesh on the concepts of Elder Brother, Rescuer, Shepherd, Rabbi, Priest and Prophet.

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When the trouble comes I cannot lean upon a lecture of ethics. I must have an overcoming relationship with the Captain of our salvation, the Anchor of our hope, the Firstborn from the dead.

I will remember the faithful preacher who depicted such a One for me, and provoked me to yet more redeeming meditations and prayer life in private; more helpful activity in public.

Every believer should have for private use a good exposition of the life of Christ drawing from all Gospels and establishing the overview (Farrar, Stalker, Pollock, MacLaren, Campbell Morgan).

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The imperative of the Gospel is not "learn this" or "learn that"; rather it is "Come." "Learn of me." "Follow me."

The one who gives priority to this imperative will always cause the Master to smile. And that smile felt is worth worlds.

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Labels

Beatitudes​

​Churches Challenged​ ​Hearing Him​ ​Pulpiteers

So You Been Hard on Yourself…

I see it child. Every pain. Every protest of Why Father and what about these horrible recent events. Simply I am Father and accountable for my word. I am not some puppet master pulling strings so that the whole stiff and jerky bunch of players might fall into line. I love and I elicit love and thankfulness. Every day that I hold back judgment is a day that others are saved. Convicted by your loving gestures and by my Holy Spirit. The perfect number is not yet into my sheepfold. I wait. I woo. You love and do your portion too. In prayer. In witness. In long suffering. In speaking out Gospel life and holding a needy hand or two for entrance into the True Vine (John 15).

If There Were to be a Fifth Gospel…

We are told now

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To rest in Christ’s merits (chapter 4) As the glorious “Fifth Gospel” explains.

His the matchless Unstoppable priesthood ONCE the scapegoat (chapter 9) For all of our pains.

Oh we had all The rules of the Temple And the endless Procession of Lambs.

But in Hebrews We know it is Finished, praise God We trust in our Blessed I AM.

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All the rituals merge In the one rite Just to gaze on His Cross and repent.

Blessed Hebrew folk You are the line Grace has used All your heroes knew What this Grace meant. (chapter 11) As the priest bore His nation on breastplate So Messiah bears Us in His prayer.

And we will enter Into the home of His rest Yes the King of Kings waits on us there.

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