NEWS FROM SANCTUARY –

Attendance: 91 Kids: 6

Next Sunday 4/6: Communion Sunday and All Church brunch following at Romio’s Pizza.

Beginning Sunday 4/13 and running 3 weeks after service: Sanctuary New Members Class

Looking for small groups? Look no further. Contact Summer Mohrlang smohrlang@sanctuarycrc.org.

Want to make Greenwood an even more loving and hospitable place? Volunteer at the Green Bean. We can train you and work around your schedule. Contact Hayden Smith hsmith@sanctuarycrc.org.

REFLECTIONS – on Acts 1 “Why Do you Stand and Look Into Heaven?”

The Acts of the Apostles is the lone history book in New Testament. Written by a doctor, Luke. Very precise and clear narratives that include who, what, where, when, why and how…almost a journalistic flavor. I find the text quite convincing because if one reads it carefully, it aligns well with the New Testament documents attributed to Peter and Paul. I also find the text very compelling because of HOW REAL IT IS. No attempt is made to gloss over warts and freckles. There are issues with leadership, authority, power, spirituality, money, sex, idolatry, flawed people…and EVEN the heroes of the book engage in interpersonal battles that are HUGE and need resolution (Acts 15).

In our 13 week series entitled FIRESTARTERS that begins today, we are going to examine and hopefully experience and wrestle with what it means to be LIT UP and LED FORWARD by the HOLY SPIRIT. We will get to see how spectacularly GOD can INTERRUPT and REDIRECT people just like you and me in communities just like GREENWOOD and GREATER SEATTLE. We will see how ordinary people…just like us…become FIRESTARTERS.

I learned the most about being a FIRESTARTER when in the summer after 5^th grade when I attended Boy Scout camp for two weeks at Camp Hahobas near Hood Canal. Excited about being on a camping trip. Wanted merit badges in canoeing, rowing, camping, archery, swimming, mile swim, marksmanship and a couple of other things. I excelled in Aquatics at that age…I could just flat out swim like a fish…and pretty fast.

I was then, like I am today, not a detailed guy. One day while getting set to start marksmanship classes at the rifle range, I made a big goof. Picked up my rifle w/o permission, when Army Sergeant yelled at me, I turned to face him…thus pointing the loaded gun a him. I was kicked off the rifle range and out of the running for a merit badge for the remainder of the two weeks. I cried my eyes out in agony as I left the rifle range. BACK at Troop 94’s campsite, I was devastated.

My scoutmaster, Jack Gallagher, came out of his tent to comfort me. He also told me I would now earn a merit badge in campfires instead…and he put me in charge of our fire over which we cooked two meals per day.

During that two week period, I learned some pretty big stuff about fires: To make a fire go – you need fuel, air, and energy in the form of heat. To make a fire keep going, you need containment, air flow, closely stacked fuel. Stacking the fuel is a key to making an enduring and useful fire.

TO PUT OUT A FIRE – No need to take water to it and flood your campsite. Or toss dirt on it and fill your fire pit. Just separate the logs out from one another, spread them around, keep them below the wind break so they don’t get too much air flow…and all you have to do is wait a little bit. In fact, did you know that you can take a red hot piece of wood off most any campfire and isolate it for about 10-20 minutes and you can pick it up with bare hands.

I liken our roles in this world as being FIRESTARTERS for THE KINGDOM OF GOD. We can make a huge difference. When we offer the fuel  of our lives to God . When we off the fuel of our lives TOGETHER in closely stacked proximity to one another to GOD. AND … we receive the WIND and FIRE of the HOLY SPIRIT to fuel our energies and efforts. SO….take this metaphor of FIRESTARTING into the book of ACTS with me…and let’s see where we wind up..

Introductory Texts to ACTS – 2 Important Readings. Acts 1:1-11 and 2:1-13

Acts 1:1-11 (ESV)

¹ In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, ² until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. ³ He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. ⁴ And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; ⁵ for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” ⁶ So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, ¹¹ and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

The disorientation of seemingly losing Jesus to death, is reversed by the Resurrection, and a new RISEN CHRIST community of followers is with JESUS. V3 - “He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” What we call the New Testament Church is forming in its early stages here. People are gathered, not individually, but together in community around Jesus. Mind you, this is a delicate and dangerous time. Some of these folks who are labeled Christ-followers are literally running for their lives while running toward Jesus.

Step ONE: Jesus starts a general gathering. Jesus had plans for these people that they would be world changers as they went their various ways, but he needed to prepare them and keep them TOGETHER.

⁴ And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; ⁵ for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” ⁶ So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

During his earthly life and ministry, Jesus had taught his followers about the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Helper, The POWER, The Comforter, that would come. NOW… he gives specific directions for his followers to GO NOWHERE and to STAY TOGETHER until the Old Testament Prophet, Joel’s, well known prophecy, “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh” had been fulfilled amongst them. THIS COMING SPIRIT could take uneducated, educated, poor, rich, outspoken, quiet, wildly gifted and only modestly talented people and send THEM EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD to be TOGETHER AS HIS EMERGING AND GROWING CHURCH.

“You will be my witnesses” In JERUSALEM – close to home and familiar but hard and dangerous. To JUDEA – the countryside full of small towns, hard work and tough people. Samaria – the neighboring state where good little Jewish boys and girls don’t go. THE UTTERMOST PARTS OF THE WORLD – where Rome and other empires have ruled, where languages vary, cultures diverge and nothing is certain…

Step TWO: what we see here is JESUS intentionally bunching the disciples together like closely set fire wood … and calling them TO STAY TOGETHER UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AND EMPOWERMENT. THEN… the next thing we see is that JESUS ASCENDS

⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

I won’t go into an elaborate theology of the Ascension, but what it does is. Move Jesus to his rightful place in HEAVEN as LORD OF ALL. It makes room for his followers to become something big. Firestarters, usually light a match and stand back. That’s what Jesus does here. His Ascension also causes one more new event of disorientation out of which the FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, become REORIENTED TO BECOMING WITNESSES AND WORKERS not OBSERVERS.

Check out this cool verse…

¹⁰ And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, ¹¹ and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

WHY DO  YOU STAND LOOKING INTO HEAVEN? (sermon title today). There’s a huge message in this angelic question: FIRST: Don’t look up to heaven – LOOK AHEAD HERE…BECAUSE THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS COMING WITH POWER HERE AND NOW. SECOND: The presence and power of the Holy Spirit that is coming is so real and intense, that you will know it is the spirit of JESUS and you will really know what he meant when he told you recently, “Behold, I will never leave you or forsake you”. THIRD:  The Risen Jesus had also told his followers, “Behold all power in heaven and on earth is given to me. NOW…you guys go and make disciples of all nations…” We now get a glimpse of what JESUS DOES WITH ALL POWER AND AUTHORITY: He shares it. He empowers.

Let’s look at how that happens as our text continues…The First Match is thrown on to start the fire.

A.   Acts 2:1-13 (ESV)

¹ When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. ² And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³ And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. ⁵ Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. ⁷ And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? ⁹ Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, ¹¹ both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” ¹² And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” ¹³ But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

I am not going to line by line this part of the story … it is a pretty singular unit…but do let me highlight a couple of things…

ONE: Pentecost was a Jewish Holiday which is derived from “the Fiftieth Day” from the PASSOVER. While Passover celebrates the deliverance of the Jews from captivity in Egypt…and this is the holiday feast on which Jesus was crucified, PENTECOST is a thanksgiving pilgrimage. Jews came from many nations in pilgrimage to offer a thanksgiving offering of two loaves of bread given in response to the first fruits of the Harvest that year. This is what is happening in Jerusalem when the HOLY SPIRIT COMES DOWN…The City is PACKED with people from all over the world. The first believers receive the first fruits of THE SPIRIT OF GOD that is promised to all believers. While happy pilgrims are offering bread loaves to God, these first Christians are blown away in the power of the Spirit and telling other spiritual pilgrims about Jesus in their own native tongues and doing it with such giddiness that they are thought to be drunk.

TWO: God the Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit is the MAIN PRIMARY FIRESTARTER, but even from the first moment of the Spirit’s Outpouring, the earliest Christians, both gathered and distributed as the church become FIRESTARTERS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT.  Think of the symbols of the Holy Spirit: ROARING WIND –The power of every storm…directed. The winds to which a faithful sail may be set to journey. The freshness and aeration that creates a strong and useful fire. TONGUES OF FIRE- The heat source of God that is fanned by the wind of the Spirit. This is like unto the elemental forces with which God first Created the Universe from nothing.

NOW…this day…THOSE FORCES FALL upon the church…they fall on you and me. So…some take away’s  for today

While we are looking to experience God deeply and personally and for our peace, pleasure, help and benefit – THE COMING OF GOD IN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT A ME THING, BUT A WE THING –  FIRESTARTER FAITH IS NOT A SOLO ACT. The Spirit comes to the community of faith.

The results of the coming of the spirit are not certainty, comfort and orientation to the same-old-same-old. NO. The coming of the Spirit means disorientation, sending, adventure and risk. FIRESTARTER FAITH IS NOT SELF PRESERVATION.

Partial immolation at the hands of a fire starting force from God is not possible. You cannot and I cannot control the coming and the movement of the Holy Spirit within us. If you and I are open…WE GO WHERE THE WIND BLOWS and WE BURN BRIGHTLY AND EFFECTIVELY WHEREVER WE WIND UP..…….FIRESTARTER FAITH IS NOT A SPECTATOR OR VIRTUAL EVENT.

FIRESTARTER FAITH appears to me to be the normative calling of all believers. WHERE AM I WITH THIS TODAY? WHERE ARE YOU?

WANT THIS KIND OF FAITH? Then, like the Angel said to those first disciples, “why do you stand looking into heaven?” Instead, let’s look here and now for the wind and fire of the Spirit.  --- join me on this journey for the next  12 weeks.  Next week, we will see what primitive Christian Spirituality and Christ following looked like in the very first days after Pentecost. I think you will find next week’s study quite compelling.

And, I think  you will see that Sanctuary, all of us together has a great capacity to be FIRESTARTERS!

PRAYERS –

God, we pray for all who are ill, especially Patty Smith’s brother, Kit.

Christ, have mercy on all who are travelling.

Jesus, we pray for your peace, love and joy to overcome war and hatred.

Father, we ask your wisdom and guidance for our various nations as we select governments and dream about tomorrow.

Holy Spirit, strengthen those who deal with chronic pain, depression and other difficult disorders.

Now, go out into your world in the power of the Holy Spirit and make it a great week!

Much Love,

Dr. Randy L. Rowland

2854 NW 59th Street

Seattle, WA  98107

USA

206.953.0909

www.sanctuarycrc.org

NEWS FROM SANCTUARY –

Worship Attendance: 102 Kids: 6 Offering: $12,496.95

Holy Week: Good Friday Service 7pm @ Upper Crust (85^th & Greenwood)

                        Easter Sunday Resurrection Worship: 10am @ Taproot

Coming Soon: Mutual Commitment Gathering for Sanctuary Church Membership. Information? Write Summer Mohrlang smohrlang@sanctuarycrc.org

PRAYERS –

We pray Lord, for Patty Morgan Smith’s brother, Kit, who is extremely ill. Be with him and his family and bring him safely to where you need him to be.

God, we lift up our brother Don to you following his heart attack and we pray for health and restoration of body and soul.

Lord Jesus, for all expectant parents, give encouragement, strength and health. We especially pray for Rachel who has had a tough early pregnancy.

Spirit, guide and assist all those making key life choices this week, especially those in our community at Sanctuary who are shopping for first-time homes.

We continue to pray, Lord, that your eternal peace won on the cross will find its way into our warring circles and bring violence to an end.

REFLECTIONS – on “The Parade of Your Lifetime” Mark 11:1-11

Jesus’ parade on Palm Sunday – the beginning of a week that offers all of the up’s, down’s, sideway’s and everything else that it means to be human beings created in the image of God.

After all the work, the miracles, the walking about, the teaching of the disciples…he finally makes the big time…

Let’s read about it in the Gospel of Mark ..

 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, ² saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³ If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

⁴ They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, ⁵ some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” ⁶ They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. ⁷ When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. ⁸ Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. ⁹ Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! ^a” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” ^{b 10} “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!” ¹¹ Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

 Jerusalem is located up high….Bethphage and Bethany were small villages on the way “up to” Jerusalem. The significance of the colt is that dignitaries often entered into cities in parades wherein they road a young beast of burden like this. The Divine mystery is added to this story by disciples going up to the owners and saying “the Lord has need of it” and getting permission to take the animal. (Don’t try this at home). 

During parades in the time of Jesus it was not uncommon to see the crowd MAKING A WAY – make a big deal about a very important dignitary entering the Holy City of Jerusalem. Throwing cloaks, branches, palm fronds (like you see here) on the ground was not unusual. At the same time “MAKING THE WAY OF THE LORD” was a concept of anticipating the Messiah and his coming to SAVE Israel. So, there is a working tension for those at this parade….. what is it they are seeing? Another interesting angle as we cover this story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is that someone so UNACCEPTED by the local religious authorities and so UNACKNOWLEDGED by the ruling government could receive such a large, public welcome.

There is a longing in the people for spiritual truth, spiritual deliverance, spiritual meaning – they are parched, and willing, and open and hungry and thirsty --- and READY. So, THEY MAKE A WAY and shout HOSANANA – ‘blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord”. By the way: The Hebrew word from which the people of Jesus’ day god HOSANNA – is a pleading form of shouting “S A V E !”

Palm Sunday begins our personal pilgrimage of Easter. A Parade - Acknowledging the presence of AN EXTREME Dignitary. A willingness to go public with our spiritual thirst and longing, even if it doesn’t fit the ORDER OF THE DAY. ABANDONING ourselves to the moment – throwing down whatever we have and being in the parade.

THE TERMINUS of this parade route is the cross…This forces us to look at life from lots of complicated angles. We love the idea of celebrating and parades … of births and weddings. We mourn over breakups and death. Yet these are so often linked in the human experience…TRIUMPH TRAGEDY are inextricably linked here. What can that tell you and me about our triumphs and tragedies? No good thing we do or experience stands by itself or lasts forever, or defines us. No bad thing defines us either. We live between the good and the bad, the rejoicing and the suffering and BEING A FOLLOWER OF JESUS IS ALL ABOUT HOW WE RESPOND TO AND WORK WITH THE RHYTHM OF LIFE

I love the high times, but they don’t shape me. I wish they did. The high times, the triumphs…strengthen and energize me. BUT…I am one of those guys who is most shaped by adversity and TRAGEDY. I don’t by any means go looking for it. But, I change most and grow most when it’s DO OR DIE; when the tragedy finds me.

AS I witness the parade of life – and the parade of God’s actions IN FRONT OF ME … I throw down who I am and abandon myself to ‘ever moment of life”. THE SYMBOLS OF PEOPLE THROWING DOWN GARMENTS AND BRANCHES to make a way for Jesus is returned by JESUS AS HE THROWS DOWN HIS LIFE ON THE CROSS AT THE END OF THE PARADE. Jesus will go to the cross and die for all of the spiritual thirst and hunger he has seen. He will go to the cross and die for all of the brokenness and sin he has seen. He will go to the cross and throw down his life for all of the longings and spiritual desires he has seen. Jesus will die that his triumph of the Resurrection will amplify and direct our personal triumphs. He will demonstrate that the greatest triumphs come through the greatest sorrows.

IF you were in this parade….what would what you threw down symbolize….? What do you lay before Jesus that he would take to the cross to fulfill and MAKE A WAY for you??? A habit pattern that needs broken? An emotional pain or loss you cannot overcome? A physical condition? A failed or broken relationship?

Well, right now, you have a chance to walk the parade route covered with palm fronds RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW. What triumphs and assets do you have to thrown down in front of Jesus today? Close your eyes and imagine them…

Now imagine your sorrows, pain, losses and longings…your TRAGEDIES….keep your eyes closed and let them be there…and join me in this prayer …

Lord, we often let our Triumphs become tragedy, because we expect bliss and don’t capitalize on it and grow from it when good things do come our way. we can easily take those things, and you, the giver of all good gifts for granted.

Father, we often let our Tragedies define us negatively rather than seeing the resurrections beyond the crosses we bear.

What we really need is a delicate balance and a ability to find you and grow in you in the midst of our lives PARADES and THE KILLING FLOORS, the crosses.

As we enter this most holy of weeks, draw us into your parade wherein you make sense of all of life – the ups and downs – and draw us into your parade of redeeming all circumstances, reaching out to redeem all people and all the world. JESUS, you are the first in line. You show us how this is done. Grant us the courage and wisdom to follow you on the path of life, beginning with today’s parade….In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Have a deeply meaningful Holy Week as you walk with Him.

Much Love,

Dr. Randy L. Rowland

2854 NW 59th Street

Seattle, WA  98107

USA

206.953.0909

www.sanctuarycrc.org

NEWS FROM SANCTUARY –

This coming Friday 3/14 7:30pm URBAN HYMNAL service. Y’all come! First Presbyterian Church, downtown. Information? Mark.mohrlang@gmail.com.

Good Friday @ The Upper Crust, 85^th and Greenwood, 7:00pm

Easter Sunday Worship 10:00 am 3/23

Coming: New Members Mutual Commitment Group: Information – smohrlang@sanctuarycrc.org. Summer will help you.

PRAYERS –

Lord, be with Chad from Donegal and his American family as they wrestle with his father’s grave health situation.

Christ, have mercy on all those who suffer depression and anxiety.

God, bless our leaders and help us to vote and participate well in the elections and changes to come.

Spirit, guide our world’s leaders toward peace.

God, we do pray for the economy, for those who need jobs, for those on fixed incomes.

REFLECTIONS ON – Mark 10:17-31 “Oh…and one more thing…”

Have you ever surveyed your values on the internet on one of those psychological tests? You can do it through any number of websites, including YOUR VALUES TEST @ http://www.geocities.com/Area51/1303/personality/yourvaluestest.html.

Here’s the values for life that this survey measures

                                          i.    Security

                                        ii.    Influence

                                       iii.    Recognition

                                       iv.    Helpfulness

                                        v.    Freedom

                                       vi.    New Experiences

                                      vii.    Friendship

                                    viii.    Family Life

                                       ix.    Religion

                                        x.    Orderliness

                                       xi.    Wealth

                                      xii.    Workmanship

With regard to a couple of the areas, I was not surprised….For instance, I scored very high in FRIENDSHIP. I am an insecure guy who loves people and values life time friends. No shock there. I also valued being HELPFUL. I guess that makes sense as a pastor and teacher, etc.

BUT>>>>>>>I was stunned that my repeated valuation of “to be reasonably sure about the future for myself and my family”  scored the most points and was my top value. Here I thought that my number one value was being RESPONSIBLE, ETC> ETC> ETC…but what this really TRANSLATES TO IS THE VALUE OF SECURITY. According to this survey, I potentially value SECURITY 10:1 over RELIGION/FAITH and 10:3 over FAMILY LIFE. Crud…I got to thinking more about this and was wondering if my being helpful and generous were just an insecure hunger to be loved and to buy friendship and loyalty. And, then to make it a little worse, I realized I scored low on FAITH RELGION, because I often valued another answer over “to do that  which is right according to my beliefs”

My values stink…..and I stand here today ready to read the Gospel of Jesus WEARING A THREE EGG OMLETTE ON MY FACE … think I would walk out of here right now, if I didn’t suspect that maybe I have some company.

So.. help me and help us Jesus…

Here goes: Mark 10:17-31 (ESV)

¹⁷ And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ” ²⁰ And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” ²¹ And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ²² Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. ²³ And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴ And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” ²⁸ Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” ²⁹ Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, ³⁰ who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. ³¹ But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

A closer look at this text. Jesus gets asked a very sensible question: What do I do to inherit eternal life. Jesus won’t even lay claim to being GOD here, he references the long-known God of Israel, His Heavenly Father, as the only good giver of VALUES that are eternal and worthy…You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’

The young man feels relieved and relishes being able to say, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”

Instead of “way to go… you were religious and moral”, Jesus cared enough to point out not WHERE THE MAN’S VALUES WERE GOOD, BUT WHERE THEY WERE POTENTIALLY DEADLY…You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

²² Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. … This young man was decent, upstanding, successful, honorable in many ways…but, he lacked the capacity to FOCUS ON THE HIGHEST OF VALUES even at the expense of others things that are dear.

There’s a good Biblical and Theological term for holding some values that are of relative value over the URGENT, IMPORTANT and ETERNAL values GOD teaches and JESUS demonstrates: IDOLATRY – the worship of  false God’s

Like Security, Influence, Recognition, Freedom, New Experiences, Orderliness, Wealth…and so on. In the Gospels, Jesus points out and corrects his beloved people for many different errors in the ordering of values.  He attacks judgmentalism, religiosity, discriminiation, abuse of power, self-determination…THIS PARTICULAR PASSAGE SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSES ONE OF MANY VALUES THAT CAN BEOME AN IDOL – WEALTH – but, believe me, wealth is not the only thing that can destroy us…but, it is a good example. And, it is a powerful example in our culture where moods rise and fall on the stock market and real estate market. Since our “Recession” began a month or two ago, the political polls have changed and American’s now say the #1 thing that will influence their votes in November 2008 is what a candidate will do for them in regard to the economy. and yet barely flinch at news of the increasing number of people in our culture living below the poverty line, or the number of people who die of violence in our world on any given day. Just give me the Dow…and good equity on my properties.

BUT AGAIN, LET ME EMPHASIZE having your retirement covered, paying for family needs and education and owning a home are NOT INHERENTLY BAD AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE SIN OF WEALTH…But, there are values inherent in this and every culture that challenge our ability to FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST and LIVE FULLY FOR HIM…

Jesus uses an almost absurd illustration for this: Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” He could have said, this with regard to a person who must always be right or have power over others. Or, he could have said this of a person so addicted to new experiences and personal freedom that he or she lacks the capacity to LIVE FOR JESUS and OTHERS. Or…he could say that it’s easier for a camel to get through the eye of needle than it is for RANDY ROWLAND, a pastor at that, TO VALUE HIS BELIEFS OVER HIS NEED FOR FRIENDSHIP AND SECURITY.

Do you see where we’re going here? What are our values? Are we open to hearing JESUS speak to us through scripture and through the community of believers to our deepest needs…and most risky addictions to things other than GOD?

If you are open to having your values challenged…you are on your way to being a growing, self-sustaining follower of Jesus Christ. A disciple is a student…if you are open to the challenge you will learn and grow…and be transformed by the power of God.

Fist off:  No one has their values straight…some of us are minutely closer than, but no one is there – even great saints like Mother Theresa had issues of control and the need to be overly helpful.

READ JESUS DISPOSITION TOWARD THE RICH YOUNG MAN AND KNOW THAT HE VIEWS US THE SAME JESUS looks at all of us and as the texts says, LOVES US … He loves us just as we are and right where we are. and he LOVES US so MUCH, that he cannot let us stay where we are for our own eternal growth and good and happiness and for the salvation of the world. He just can’t love us and not speak up…

A friend who was killing himself in his business, and eventually lost it all….he put success and freedom and wealth ahead of values that are more Christ-Driven…and he failed miserably and took others with him. He later told of all the times he heard and ignored the voice of God and how he ruined himself and others.

Just to put a little bit of hope and a smile into this very serious subject, let us remember that sometimes the values we hold and revere so deeply actually come off as silly if we sit back and give God the time to teach and give ourselves the grace to listen and learn. Here’s a story from a recent book called “THE FOUR HOUR WORK WEEK”

 An American businessman took a vacation to a small coastal Mexican village on doctor’s orders. Unable to sleep after an urgent phone call from the office the first morning, he walked out to the pier to clear his head. A small boat with just one fisherman had docked and inside the boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican of the quality of his fish.

“how long did it take you to catch them?” the American asked.

“Only a little while”, the Mexican replied in surprisingly good English.

“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” the American then asked.

“I have enough to support my family and give a few to my friends,” the Mexican said as he unloaded them into a basked.

“but…what do you do with the rest of your time?

The Mexican looked up and smiled, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Julia, and stroll into the village each evening, where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, senor.”

The American laughed and stood tall. “Sir, I’m a Harvard M.B.A and can help you. You should spend more time fishing, and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boar. In not time you could buy several boats with the increased haul. Eventually, you will have a fleet of fishing boats.”

He continued, “instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the customers, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village, or course, and move to Mexico City then Los Angeles, and eventually New York City, where you could run your expanding enterprise with proper management.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, senor, how long will this take?”

To which the American replied, “15-20 years. 25 tops.”But what then, senor?”

The American laughed and said, “that’s the best part, when the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions.”

“Millions, senor? Then what?”

“Then you would retire and move to a small coastal fishing village, where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with you wife and stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play guitar with your amigos…..”

Isn’t that  a dandy???

We can convince ourselves of much, but when we sit back and look at some of our pursuits in a proper perspective, we can look silly. BUT…if we learn to challenge ourselves and step up to the CALL OF JESUS for each of us…the rewards of a meaningful life, a clear conscience, a growing faith and an abundance of love and joy are INESCAPABLE…²⁹ Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, ³⁰ who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

And lest we forget….Jesus reminds us…³¹ But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

LORD CHALLENGE US, REMIND US, SHAPE US….Amen.

Go out and make it a Great Week!

Dr. Randy L. Rowland

2854 NW 59th Street

Seattle, WA  98107

USA

206.953.0909

www.sanctuarycrc.org

 NEWS FROM SANCTUARY –

Attendance: 91  Kids: 6 Offering: $4,500+

This Friday 3/7: SCARED TO DEATH, starring Bella Lugosi in his only color film. Yes, a true B or perhaps B- horror film. 7-9pm at the GREEN BEAN COFFEE HOUSE – schlocky-rock concert lead in. It's FREE. Don't miss it!

Looking for a small group experience: Well, we can hook you up. Short Term group on WORSHIP meets next Sunday 3/9 immediately following morning worship. And, if you are looking for an ongoing men's, women's, couples or mixed small group contact Summer Mohrlang – smohrlang@sanctuarycrc.org.

NOW serving DELICIOUS soups, quiche and Panini Sandwiches @ THE GREEN BEAN … stop by for lunch….or coffee or some of our great baked goods.

REFLCTIONS – on Mark 8:27-9:1 (ESV) Who? and Why? And What?

²⁷ And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" ²⁸ And they told him, "John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets." ²⁹ And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." ³⁰ And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. ³¹ And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. ³² And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ³³ But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." ³⁴ And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. ³⁶ For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? ³⁷ For what can a man give in return for his soul? ³⁸ For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." ¹ And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power."

Jesus' First Question: Who do people say that I am? Because many Palestinian Jews believed that prophets in the Old Testament sense had ceased, ranking Jesus among the prophets would have been radical—but it was not radical enough to grasp his true identity.( IVP Background Commentary). One might also have expected one of the answers to be that Jesus was some kind of liberator since Israel had been occupied by foreign oppressors for centuries.

Jesus' Second question: BUT…who do you say I am? The Greek form of this sentence is an emphatic second person…literally translated, it would read something like "You. You, what do you say?" Peter Answers a lot like this kid who comes to Story Time at the Green Bean Coffee House each Tuesday. She is very precocious and no matter what you ask or say or who you direct a question toward this little girl is always first to speak. Peter's famous confession of course: You are the Christ. Peter speaks the truth and he does so for himself and the group. Peter is fast on his feet, vocal…and in this particular instance, correct – uh…for the moment.

Jesus counters in a way that seems problematic: And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. ³¹ And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. ³² And he said this plainly. Why keep Jesus' identity about which he just inquired a secret? One commentary summarizes well what the majority of students of this text and other occurrences of what we call "the Messianic Secret". (International Greek Testament Commentary) The popular enthusiasm for Jesus, and the hope that he might be persuaded to take a more political role as the leader of a Jewish uprising would mean that messianic language could be seriously misunderstood on the part of both friends and enemies. In view of what Jesus is about to reveal concerning his real mission in v. 31 there could hardly be a more unfortunate misunderstanding, or one more calculated to derail his enterprise as it approaches its decisive phase in the journey towards Jerusalem. So language about Jesus as ὁ Χριστός is forbidden.

Why choose this time to predict his death on the cross that looms down the road in Jerusalem? There are couple of possible interpretations #1 – he wanted to link obedience to the will of God up to and including death as a mark of discipleship…of faithfulness. #2 – His "foretelling" at least announces his wisdom about the religious leaders of Jerusalem, but even more likely points to his ability as God Incarnate to know what lies ahead and accept that as the plan of God.

Peter, always one to assert himself, jumps in again: And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. It may be okay to confront God…and to express onesself, so long as onesself is prepared to be put in one's place…Now Jesus launches back: "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." Jesus probably uses hyperbole to make the point: Peter is just like Satan in preferring the worldly to the divine.   Calling Peter by the name of the ultimate tempter and accuser underlines the seriousness of his failure as a disciple at this point.(IVP Background). When Jesus begins to teach them that He is the Son of Man who must suffer many things, Peter switches from confessor to counselor. Acting as a condescending friend, he takes Jesus aside and begins to set Him straight on what it means to be the Christ. Like us, Peter can accept only the immediate and positive side of truth. The proper position of a disciple is "behind" his master, "following" him; "get behind me" may call Peter back to his rightful position of subservience. In Greek circles a person could be reproached for thinking in human rather than divine terms.

Jesus then spins the issue of his identity, his death, and what it means to follow God in radical obedience rather than follow human wisdom and survival instincts: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. ³⁶ For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? ³⁷ For what can a man give in return for his soul?

The SUPREMECY OF CHRIST…THE SECONDARY NATURE OF ALL ELSE. Easter is coming. The cross lies ahead. Jesus bids us to join him in absolute abandonment to the will of God.  Following and losing is a WIN: the reward is experiencing the eternal here and now……."Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power."

Seeing the Kingdom come with power in OUR LIFE TIME. RECOGNIZE THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AMONG US EMERGING AND WAITING TO FULLER EMERGE FROM WITHIN AND AMONG US HERE AND IN OTHER COMMUNITIES OF FAITH IN SEATTLE AND ELSEWHERE. A holistic worship/glorification God through Jesus: Body, Soul, Mind, Will. Radical Followership of the KING in HIS KINGDOM. Time, talents, treasures. Who do YOU SAY JESUS IS? If you say, THE CHRIST…IF we say THE CHRIST….then we heed the call: If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  ³⁵ For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.

PRAYERS –

We pray Jesus, for healing for a young couple whose pregnancy may be threatened.

God, we lift up our dear Brother, Don Black, to you. Thank you for sparing him and bringing him through a serious heart attack. We pray for complete recovery.

Lord, we pray for the work of Classis Pacific Northwest of the CRC as they meet this week to pray and discern God's will for the church in this region on many matters.

Spirit, guide us all as citizens of our country and our cities. Help us to be informed and involved in elections and actions that work toward the common good.

Lord, we pray for all those struggling with the issues of aging and/or aging parents.

God bless one and all, and do make sure to go out there and make it a great week!

Much Love,

Dr. Randy L. Rowland

2854 NW 59th Street

Seattle, WA  98107

USA

206.953.0909

www.sanctuarycrc.org