Hello church family,
While our church values begin to be rolled out and processed with leaders and those engaged in the many ministries at Eastern Hills, I think it would be beneficial to share one relevant to current events, "Centered and Sent." The thinking behind this value is that the more centered we are in the Gospel, the more sent we become in Christ. The more we see the message of Grace and Truth as the lens through which we live our lives, the more inclined we are to embrace the great commission.
Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
That being said, if you're anything like me, you've watched people worldwide respond to the many lives lost in the Middle East, sharing in their confusion, fear, anger, worry, and sadness. I appreciate what one friend said, "I feel sufficiently qualified to pray for what’s happening and underqualified to talk about it." I've had to dig into the Bible, connect with my community, and go to the Lord for wisdom and clarity.
Two weeks ago, we began a series studying the seven churches of Revelation. While this series was not what had been planned for teaching content this fall, given current events, the pivot seemed appropriate. Jesus' message to other churches helps us better understand his message to our church.
In the first week of the series, Jesus' message to the church of Ephesus leads us to consider choosing discernment over judgment. Discernment identifies whether something is wrong, in error, sin, evil, or unjust. We discussed the importance of these questions.
Does this violate your love for Jesus?
Does this violate your love for others?
Does this violate Jesus' love for you?
The Gospel Coalition has been a helpful resource through the years. While we part ways in some of their thinking, the articles at the end of this email echoe similar sentiments when considering a response to what first occurred in Israel on October 8th, what followed, and what is yet to come.
This past Sunday, we considered Jesus' challenge to the church of Smyrna to choose courage over comfort. While seeing those He loves suffer breaks His heart, our Heavenly Father allows it to show us the strength of the object of our faith, care for others, and draw us and others to Himself.
We have held tightly to those truths in our services. Additionally, we've held tightly to mourning for the loss of life. We've held tightly to our hatred of evil. We've held tightly to our unity with Jesus' followers from every people group. We've held tightly to our hope in Jesus, the King of Peace, who will renew and reconcile all things.
As further pain and devastation continue, you might have questions like: What can I do? How should I live? What does the Bible say about the end? While it is not an exhaustive response, these answers from the Bible might be helpful and hopeful for all of us.
Thousands of pages have been written on these topics already. Many things could be addressed. For some people, an explanation of Genesis 12-21, an overview of a 4,000-year-old conflict, and a world religions discussion could be helpful. Explaining prophecies in Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, and Revelation could benefit some. For some, explaining Israeli and Palestinian politics, Islamic militant groups, and U.S. involvement could be helpful. However, many differing opinions, perspectives, and beliefs exist from people who love Jesus and take the Bible seriously, so let us move beyond what is confusing to what is clear.
Here are five ways for us to engage current events through the lens of the Gospel:
Stay alert.
Stay on mission.
Stay devoted.
Stay united.
Stay sober-minded.
Stay Alert
"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Matthew 24:36-44 NIV
In this chapter of Matthew, Jesus makes a few things evident. First, Jesus is going to return. Second, we should prepare ourselves for this reality. Third, no one knows when Jesus will return. This chapter has some challenging things to interpret, but these three truths are not difficult to interpret. Jesus uses the example of the Noah narrative to describe people who did not stay alert. They were inattentive and careless to the way of God. As a homeowner who stays focused and diligent in keeping the house safe, we should remain focused, engaged, and attentive to Jesus and His return. We should be ready for it. How?
Stay On Mission
"Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare." 2 Peter 3:3-10 NIV
Peter is dealing with a common objection to the reality that Jesus hasn't returned yet. It had felt like a long while, 2,000 years ago as it does today. He hasn't returned because God is patiently waiting for many people to trust Him and receive the gift of salvation. Jesus' return and judgment of all things is repeatedly taught through the imagery of a thief. We see here that Peter is well aware of the image Jesus used earlier. Staying the course in helping people become fully engaged in Christ is a straightforward pastoral application from this passage in Peter. By staying on mission, we live out the scriptures surrounding the return of Jesus. While we can't control what's happening in the Middle East, we can choose to lead in specific ways in Central New York.
Stay Devoted
"Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him." 2 Peter 3:11-15 NIV
How should we live in light of Jesus' return? We should pursue a holy and godly life with joy and gladness as we await His coming. His coming will mean a renewal of all things, and so we want to live a renewed life at peace with Him and others. We do this by confronting the idols of our hearts and seeing Jesus for who He is. We confess our sins and take our next step in Christ. Peter again connects salvation to the return of Jesus, which only reinforces the idea that we stay on mission as a church.
Stay United
"Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 NIV
Here, we see a similar passion to stay on mission, to stay devoted by living as light in a dark world, and he also adds a point about love, encouragement, and building others up. Paul uses the imagery of a thief while stating that we will not know the day and time. Please do not engage those who say that they do know the day and time because they do not. Let's not allow differences around eschatological beliefs to divide us. We are to be a group of people who stay united despite differences around these current events. We must build each other up in our faith, hope, and salvation.
Stay Sober-Minded
This passage also gives us another metaphor for Jesus' return and current events. It's the imagery of labor pains. Staying sober-minded means being serious and focused about the moment at hand. When intensity and frequency increase, the arrival of a child is at hand. Similarly, as the intensity and frequency of events with Israel increase, it tells us that Jesus' return is close. How close? No one knows. Jesus, Paul, and Peter taught us that.
While we don't know the moment of His return, we live united, holy, and missional lives as we wait. I'm unsure how to understand every prophecy surrounding Israel, but I'm convinced that the Bible says too much to look away when Israel is involved. As sober-minded people, we pray, think, feel, reflect, and focus. Sober-minded people give serious attention to our lives, to Jesus, and to the Bible.
Let’s recap:
Stay alert.
Stay on mission.
Stay devoted.
Stay united.
Stay sober-minded.
In closing, for some reading this, you are responding to this moment with delighted anticipation. You long to experience 1 Thessalonians 5:10. You know you won't experience wrath but will be with Him. The world as we know it, with its evil and suffering, will end, and we will be with our King. So many of you live with this hope! Praise God for that.
For some, these passages produce some fear. Perhaps you haven't been on mission, you haven't been alert, and you haven't been devoted to Jesus. If so, there's an opportunity today for you to turn to Jesus, who patiently awaits your return before His.
Finally, some of you might feel some indifference. Perhaps you have 'current event fatigue.' I understand that. Please don't let that push you into a 'sleep,' as Paul describes.
One leader I respect says to see problems as opportunities and that, as leaders, we are chief problem solvers. Dream with me for a minute. Imagine the impact of committing to these five practices. Your courage might be the reason others say yes to Jesus! As I said on Sunday, many are drawn to courage. We celebrate courage. And yet, few are drawn to the circumstances that require that virtue in us. But there's just something about those willing to sacrifice for the benefit of others. After all, we have been talking about the courage of Christ for thousands of years!
We can make a significant impact in Central New York. I'm confident, but it will take choosing courage over comfort. I am willing and praying that you will follow me as I follow Jesus. Your pastors are prepared to take this written message and make it personal with you. You can connect with any of us. Eastern Hills, let us stay alert, on mission, devoted, united, and sober-minded today!
With courage,
Pastor Rob
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/israel-hamas-moral-clarity/
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/explain-war-children/
For further questions regarding what the scriptures have to say about Israel, consider checking out GotQuestions.Org.